2002 Ford Focus
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 1,014 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 9th highest complaint count among 19 Focus model years with reports.
Of the 2002 reports, 85 involved a crash and 24 involved a fire. 82 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
EquipmentFeb 24, 2012
RIDE CONTROL, LLC (RIDE CONTROL) IS RECALLING CERTAIN READYMOUNT ASSEMBLIES, P/N 746641MT AND 746646MT, WITH CORRESPONDING AFTERMARKET CUSTOMER PART NUMBERS: GABRIEL G56944 AND GABRIEL G56945, AND PRIVATELY BRANDED PARTSMASTER WITH PART NUMBERS G68944 AND G68945. THE READYMOUNT ASSEMBLIES WERE SOLD AS AFTERMARKET SERVICE EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON CERTAIN 2000 THROUGH 2005 FORD FOCUS VEHICLES. THESE ASSEMBLIES WERE ASSEMBLED WITH A NUT WITHOUT THE NECESSARY WASHER. THE ABSENCE OF THE WASHER CAN ALLOW THE READYMOUNT ASSEMBLY TO PULL APART THE TOP MOUNT.
IF THE ASSEMBLY SEPARATES DURING INSTALLATION, IT COULD RESULT IN INJURY TO THE INSTALLER. IF THE ASSEMBLY SEPARATES WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, IT COULD RESULT IN SECONDARY DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
RIDE CONTROL WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND WILL SET UP PROCEDURES TO INSPECT, REPAIR, AND/OR REPLACE THE AFFECTED PARTS WITHOUT CHARGE TO THE OWNER. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT RIDE CONTROL AT 1-800-999-3903.
Campaign 12E007000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlightsMay 11, 2009
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Campaign 09E025000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingApr 7, 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
Campaign 09E012000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, headlightsAug 11, 2008
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."
WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.
Campaign 08E050000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasolineJun 13, 2006
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.
FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.
Campaign 06E056000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingMay 24, 2006
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.
Campaign 06E049000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lightingMar 23, 2006
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Campaign 06E026000 on NHTSA.gov
Latches/locks/linkages, doors, latchFeb 1, 2005
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH FOUR OR FIVE DOORS AND ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, A BUILD-UP OF CORROSION AT THE PAWL PIVOT AREA OF THE REAR DOOR LATCH CAN CAUSE A BINDING CONDITION OF THE PAWL THAT MAY AFFECT PROPER ENGAGEMENT OF THE PAWL INTO THE CATCH. THE OCCUPANT MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY OPENING OR CLOSING A REAR DOOR, AND EVENTUALLY THE REAR DOOR MAY NOT LATCH PROPERLY.
IF NOT LATCHED PROPERLY, THE DOOR MAY OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. IF AN OCCUPANT FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE, PERSONAL INJURIES COULD OCCUR.
DEALERS WILL HAVE A LOWER ROCKER SEAL ADDED TO THE DOOR AND HAVE THE REAR DOOR LATCHES EVALUATED FREE OF CHARGE. A LATCH THAT PASSES THE EVALUATION WILL BE LUBRICATED TO PREVENT FUTURE CORROSION. A LATCH THAT DOES NOT PASS THE EVALUATION WILL BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, A STICKER WILL BE AFFIXED TO THE REAR DOORS ADVISING THE OWNERS TO USE THE RECOMMENDED LUBRICANT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 9, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Campaign 05V030000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: fuel system
68 reports, newest first. Show all
Fuel system, Gasoline, May 7, 2004
VEHICLE SHUTS DOWN DUE TO A DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP.*AK
Fuel system, Gasoline, May 5, 2004
CONSUMER STARTED UP THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED GAS SMELL. CONSUMER GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE, LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE, AND NOTICED GAS LEAKING. IMMEDIATELY HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. *AK
Fuel system, Gasoline, Feb 24, 2004
MY 2002 FORD FOCUS HAS HAD A NO START AND STALLING PROBLEM SINCE 9-28-03.I HAVE TAKEN IT TO ELITE FORD IN COVINA CA. THIRTY TIMES OR MORE AND THEY CANT SEEM TO DIAGNOIS THE PROBLEM.I ALSO HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY FRONT END MAKING A CLUNKING SOUND,THEY SAID IT WAS A SWAY BAR THAT WAS LOOSE AND THEY TIGHTENED IT.THAT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS ALSO.*AK
Fuel system, Gasoline, Seats, Jan 29, 2004
BOLT MOUNTING DRIVER SIDE SEAT TRACKS TO FLOOR PAN LOOSENED. CONTINUED SURGING AND INTERMITTENT STALLING PROBLEM WHILE ACCELERATING AND COMING TO A STOP. *AK
Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Jan 27, 2004
CONSUMER HAD CONCERNS ABOUT HER VEHICLE. *PH THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A FUEL PUMP RECALL LETTER THAT WAS FIXED UNDER WARRANTY. *SC THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS IN THE PAST.*JB
Fuel system, Other, Jan 16, 2004
FUEL DELIVERY MODULE FAILED, BLEW EGR LINE AND LOADED UP REAR EXHAUST BEYOND REPAIR. CAR ONLY HAS 41,000 MILES ON IT. "TOTAL CARE" WARRANTY WON'T COVER ALL OF THIS. *CB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Visibility, Structure, Tires, Equipment, Other or unspecified, Jan 15, 2004
THERE IS A LINE THAT WENT STRAIGHT INTO THE ENGINE'S INTAKE THAT HAS BEEN LEAKING FLUID SINCE 2,000 MILES AND WAS INSPECTED BY DELER WHO TOLD TO ME THAT IT WAS NOTHING. BUT THE ENGINE CASE SHOULD NOT HAVE A LARGE LEAK OF FLUID THAT SOON. FINALLY NOW, THEY HAVE DONE SOMETHING ON THIS AND REPLACED THE HOSE, AS IT WAS SEEN ONCE MORE AND KNOWS OF ALL THE TIMES REPORTED. I HOPE THIS IS JUST NOT A EASY FIX OR THIS NOW HASN'T CAUSED ANY DAMANGE TO THE INSIDE OF THE ENGINE ITSELF, AS THE ENGINE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR RIDING ROUGH. THEY TOLD ME LAST TIME THAT THE PART OF THE TRANSMISSION THAT WAS FIXED WOULD FIX THIS. I THINK IT IS DUE TO THE OIL LEAK ON THE TOP OF THE ENGINE CASE SINCE IT WAS NEW. A NEW CAR SHOULD NEVER HAVE A OIL LEAK ON A ENGINE CASE.
Steering, Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Fuel system, Gasoline, Jan 15, 2004
FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED TWICE FROM JANUARY TO JUNE STERRING WHEEL AND CAR SHAKE WHILE STOPPING AND DRIVING AT 50 MPH OR ABOVE BRAKES HAVE BEEN CHECKED 3 TIMES FINALLY HAD REPLACED AND ROTORS, NO CHANGE IN PERFORMANCE
Fuel system, Gasoline, Oct 1, 2003, fire
PROBLEMS WITH FUEL INJECTORS CAUSED VEHICLE FIRE.*MR THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS SERVICING THE R.V WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE WAS A SOUND UNDER THE ENGINE COVER AND THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. IT WAS DETERMINED THE FUEL INJECTORS WERE LEAKING. (CHATEAU MOTORHOME ON A FORD CHASSIS) *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Aug 25, 2003
2002 FORD FOCUS SE ENGINE STALLED.*MR CONSUMER HAD THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED EXPECTING TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. ONCE THE CONSUMER ARRIVED AT THE GAS STATION AND BEGAN TO FILL THE GAS TANK THERE WAS A PUDDLE OF OIL UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE, IT WAS THEN DETERMINED THE DEALER INSTALLED THE GAS TANK INCORRECTLY WHICH CAUSED THE LEAK. *TS. ON THE THIRD OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE STALLED AND RESTARTED AND THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE/COOLING SYSTEM LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD AND THEN WENT OFF. *JB
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jul 8, 2003
CONTAMINATION IN FUEL TANK CAUSING ENGINE PULSING AND NEAR STALLING AT LOW SPEEDS IN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR. FUEL FROM FUEL FILTER TANK SIDE INTAKE IS BROWN, ALMOST THE COLOR OF TEA, FROM CONTAMINATION. DEALER MECHANIC, SERVICE TECH, AND SERVICE MANAGER CLAIM THE CONTAMINATION IN THE PLASTIC TANK IS FROM BAD GAS. I DISPUTED THIS CLAIM AND INFORMED THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT I'VE BEEN HAVING THESE ENGINE PROBLEMS SINCE A MONTH OR SO AFTER TAKING DELIVERY OF THE VEHICLE AND THEY'VE BECOME STEADILY WORSE.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Fuel system, Gasoline, Structure, Jun 7, 2003
I PURCHASED A 2002 FORD FOCUS SE. AT 10,956 MILES I HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKES. I WAS BILLED 256.06 FOR THIS REPAIR. I ALSO HAD A WATER LEAK THAT OCCURRED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE LEAK WAS FIXED. THE PROBLEM WAS SAID TO BE THE POLLEN FILTER. THE CENTER CONSOLE WAS LOOSE, THAT WAS ALSO FIXED ASAP. AND LASTLY THE FUEL ECONOMY IS FAR FROM WHAT FORD CLAIMS IT TO BE. PLEASE VISIT WWW.FORDFOCUSBRAKEPROBLEMS.COM FOR MORE INFO. *JB
Fuel system, Gasoline, Feb 5, 2003
VEHICLE SMELLS LIKE GAS. DEALER NOTIFIED. PH
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Other, Dec 12, 2002
THIS FIRST INCIDENT WAS RATHER BENIGN. I NOTICED MY 2002 FORD FOCUS SVT, AT 2400 MILES, WOULD NOT PRODUCE SUSTAINED HEAT. AFTER REPAIR, ON 12-8-02, THE VEHICLE, WITH 2800 MILES, WOULD NOT START. IT LEFT ME STRANDED AND HAD TO BE TOWED. I AM TOLD THE VEHICLE REQUIRES A NEW "INTAKE" FOR REPAIR AND WAS "PROBABLY" THE CAUSE OF THE INITIAL PROBLEM. THOUGH THE INCIDENTS ARE RATHER SIMPLE, I FIND IT REDICULOUS FOR A VEHICLE WHICH WAS MADE LESS THAN 6 MONTHS AGO.
Fuel system, Other, Nov 6, 2002
THE CAR LEAKS UNDER THE DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE UPPER LEFT CORNER. THE CAR HAS BEEN INTO THE DEALER FOUR TIMES IN THREE WEEKS AND IS CURRENTLY THERE NOW. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE CASING AND SEALED IT TWICE. AWAITING NEWS ON WHAT WILL BE DONE THIS TIME. DT
Fuel system, Other, Oct 11, 2002
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THERE IS WATER LEAKING FROM THE DASHBOARD AND THIS IS CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER'S VIEW. DEALER NOTIFIED. MR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Aug 9, 2002
OWNERS MANUAL STATES THAT VEHICLE SHOULD GET 26 GALLONS IN CITY AND 32 ON HIGHWAY. HOWEVER,VEHICLE GETS 18 GALLONS IN CITY. CONSUMER FEELS THE INFORMATION IS INCORRECT IN OWNERS MANUAL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Fuel system, Gasoline, Aug 7, 2002
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE STARTED LEAKING GASOLINE FROM GAS TANK. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK