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: suspension
122 reports, newest first. Show all
Suspension, May 7, 2003
WHILE DRIVING 50-60 MPH THE VEHICLE VIBRATES VIOLENTLY. *NLM
Suspension, Mar 10, 2003
THE VEHICLE SWAYED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT AND THERE WAS A POPPING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR ALSO. *JB
Suspension, Feb 24, 2003, crash
THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY PULLED TO THE LEFT WHICH CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AND INJURIES. *JB
Suspension, Feb 3, 2003
I AM NOT SURE FORD HAS COMPLETLY FIXED THE PROBLEM WITH THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS ON THE FORD FOCUS VEHICLES. I JUST HAD TO TAKE MY CAR IN TO THE DEALER, BECAUSE THE COMPLETE WHEEL AND HUB ASY JUST ABOUT CAME OFF THE VEHICLE (WHEEL BEARING FAILURE). COULD HAVE CAUSED A ACCIDENT IF THE WHEEL CAME OFF, AND POSSIBLE INJURY TO MY WIFE.
Suspension, Jan 23, 2003, crash
THE REAR END OF THE CAR STARTED TO WOBBLE, LOOSE CONTROL AND FISH TAIL AT A DRIVING SPEED 0F 70 TO 75 MPH ON A TOTALLY NON SLIPPERY DRY ROAD. ON WOBBLING, THE CAR QUIT RESPONDING AND STARTED FISH TAILING EVENTUALLY ROLLING OVER TWICE BEFORE IT CAME TO REST UPSIDE DOWN DOWN A HILL. THE POLICE OFFICER THAT INVESTIGATED THE CRASH SITE, LOOKED INTO THE TYRE MARKS AND VERIFIED THAT THE BRANKES HAD BEEN HIT EVEN BEFORE THE CAR TOUCHED THE FOG LINE(WAKE UP STRIP). THE OFFICER ALSO MADE A NOTE IN HIS REPORT REQUESTING FOR AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE REAR AXLE OF THE CAR.
Suspension, Jan 9, 2003
WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE THERE'S A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF VEHICLE. TOOK TO FORD AND THEY STATES THAT THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS ARE WOBBLING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *NLM
Suspension, Tires, Dec 13, 2002
REAR END FISH TALES AND WANDERS THROUGH TURNS AND ON STRAIGHTS. IS SCALLOPING REAR END TIRES. CAR IS DRIVEN ON ASPHALT ROADS AND HIGHWAYS ONLY. DELONG FORD IN WINNEMUCCA TELLS US NOTHING IS WRONG WITH IT. PURCHASING DEALER, JONES-WEST TOLD US WE COULD TAKE IT TO ANY FORD DEALER TO BE SERVICED.
Suspension, Oct 28, 2002
THE VEHICLE LOSES CONTROL WHERE IT PULLS TO THE RIGHT SIDE, ESPECIALLY FROM THE REAR WHEN DRIVING OVER A ROUGH ROAD OR ON A SMOOTH ROAD UPON DRIVING OVER A SLIGHTLY RECESSED MANHOLE COVER. VEHICLE HAS BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER 2 TIMES FOR 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT, WHEEL BALANCE AND REPLACEMENT OF REAR SHOCKS. NO IMPROVEMENTS IN CONDITION AFTER BOTH VISITS. ALIGNMENT DATA SHOWS THE REAR WHEELS ARE AT HIGHER LEVELS OF NEGATIVE CAMBER, WHICH IS NOT ADJUSTABLE, AND TOE. DRIVING VEHICLE IN ICY, RAINY WEATHER IS UNSAFE IF CURRENT HANDLING CHARACTERISTICS ARE NOT, OR CAN NOT BE CORRECTED. DT
Suspension, Sep 23, 2002
THE VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING SEVERE WHEEL/TIRE THUMP, WHICH CAUSES A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING AND A LOUD AUDIBLE NOISE IN THE CABIN, THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OG THE PROBLE BUT A SOLUTION WAS NOT AVAILABLE FOR SOME MONTHS, THE FACT THAT THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE HAD HIGH MILEAGE THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE FREE OF CHARGE ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS ONLY 12 WEEKS OLD. *SCC
Suspension, Sep 6, 2002, crash
WHILE DRIVING 35MPH TIRE SEPARATED FROM AXLE, CAUSING SERIOUS INJURIES. *AK
Suspension, Tires, Sep 3, 2002
INSIDE CORNER OF REAR TIRE, APPROXIMATELY THREE INCH STRIP ON EACH TIRE, WEARS EXCESSIVELY. TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED AT 9,000, AND AT 20,000. STILL BELT TREAD IS SHOWING. CONSUMER MAINTAINS PROBLEM IS VEHICLE AND NOT TIRE. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER AND DEALER. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED.*AK *SLC
Suspension, Aug 28, 2002
WHILE TRAVELING AT 45 TO 50 MPH VEHICLE JERKS BACK AND FORTH. TOOK TO DEALER ,AND THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Suspension, Aug 23, 2002
WHILE DRIVING THE SUSPENSION BROKE. NLM
Suspension, Aug 13, 2002, crash
MY FATHER OWNS THIS VEHICLE, BUT HE BOUGHT IT FOR ME FOR SAFETY REASONS, I AM A 16 YEAR OLD FEMALE. TRAVELING AT NORMAL HIGHWAY SPEED ON A DRY, TWO LANE HIGHWAY WITH NO TRAFFIC AT NIGHT MY 2002 FORD FOCUS LOST CONTROL DUE TO THE FRONT CONTROL ARM FRACTURING. MY RIGHT FRONT TIRE ENDED UP TOTALLY UNATTACHED TO THE CONTROL ARM AND ONLY STAYING ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE BY THE HOLD OF THE TIE ROD. MY VEHICLE SWERVED INTO THE MEDIAN AND INTO THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC (THANKFULLY NO TRAFFIC WAS AROUND). BEING BY MYSELF WITH NO CELL PHONE I WAITED UNTIL SOMEONE STOPPED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. A POLICE MAN, OFFICER STROM FROM THE TITUSVILLE POLICE DEP'T STOPPED AND NOTICED THE SKID MARKS AND VERIFIED THE FRONT WHEEL HAD IN FACT COME LOOSE OF THE CONTROL ARM AND CAUSED THE ACCIDENT. THE TOW TRUCK OPERATOR, HERB DANIEL'S ALSO VERIFIED THE FRACTURE IN THE CONTROL ARM. I WAS NOT PHYSICALLY INJURED, BUT IT WAS PRETTY EMOTIONALLY TRAUMATIZING. MY DAD LOOKED UP INFORMATION ON THE INTERNET THE FOLLOWING MORNING AND FOUND THAT ACCIDENTS SIMILAR TO MINE HAD BEEN REPORTED BEFORE AND NO RECALLS HAD BEEN MADE. WE HAVE VIDEO FOOTAGE TO SHOW THE SKID MARKS AND SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT. AT THIS POINT OUR MAIN CONCERN IS TO KEEP THIS TYPE OF ACCIDENT FROM HAPPENING AGAIN AND TO MAKE SURE THE NEW PART THAT WILL BE ADDED TO THE CAR WILL NOT BE DEFECTIVE.*AK
Suspension, Aug 6, 2002
BACKED OUT OF DRIVEWAY AND REAR WHEEL BUCKLED. NOW RUBBING ON FRONT OF FIREWALL. *AK
Suspension, Jul 2, 2002
FRONT WHEELS SQUEAL WHEN EVER THE CONSUMER WILL START TO DRIVE FASTER THEN 30 MPH. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Suspension, Jun 7, 2002
CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER DUE TO SUSPENSION'S ERRATIC BEHAVIOR WHICH CAUSED VEHICLE TO BOUNCE AROUND. DEALER FIXED 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT. PROBLEM REOCCURRED. *AK
Suspension, May 10, 2002
I HAD NOTICED THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION OF MY CAR WAS VERY WOBBLY AND ALL OVER THE PLACE WHEN DRIVING. REAL BAD GOING AROUND CURVES ON FREEWAYS. DO NOT FEEL SAFE. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY DID A "REAR" ALIGNMENT. IT'S NOT ANY BETTER, AFRAID TO DRIVE CAR ESPECIALLY ON MICHIGAN'S BAD ROADS. PASSENGERS IN BACK SEAT SAY THEY'RE THROWN ALL OVER THE PLACE.*AK
Steering, Suspension, Power train, Visibility, Structure, Tires, Equipment, Child seat, May 6, 2002
THE ORIGINAL FIRESTONE TIRES (205/50R16) WEAR OUT PREMATURELY. THE VEHICLE BECOMES UNSTEADY ON BUMPY, WET OR SNOW COVERED ROADS, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL. THE REAR TIRES VIBRATE AND CHATTER WHEN DRIVING ON WIND ROADS AND ON OPEN ROADS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, ALSO THE REAR TIRES WERE SHOWING IRREGULAR AND PREMATURE WEAR. THE MANUFACTURER REPRESENTATIVES STATED THAT IMPROPER FACTORY ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATION WERE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEMS. AUTO DOOR LOCKS MALFUNCTIONS. THE REAR HATCH DOOR WAS MISALIGNED AND WOULD NOT CLOSE PROPERLY, THE REAR WINDOW WASHER WOULD NOT SPRAY PROPERLY AND THE REAR WINDOW WASHER NOZZLE FAILED, THERE WAS AN ODOR COMING FROM HEATING OR A/C SYSTEM, THE POWER STEERING LINE WAS LEAKING. THE TRANSMISSION WAS DIFFICULT TO SHIFT INTO 2ND GEAR AND REVERSE WHEN IT WAS COLD, THE CHILD RESTRAINT BRACKETS WAS PUTTING DENTS IN THE REAR SEAT *YH
Suspension, Apr 15, 2002
LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARINGS WOULD CAUSE WHEEL TO WOBBLE AND WANDER. HAD IT REPLACED 3 TIMES FOR PROBLEM. INFORMED BY MECHANIC TO REPLACE WHEEL BEFORE EVENTUALLY IT DISCONNECTS BY ITSELF.*AK *YD
Suspension, Engine and engine cooling, Mar 27, 2002
WHILE DRIVING, IT BECOMES VERY UNSTABLE WHEN MOVING OVER BUMPY ROADS, MANHOLES. IT ALSO BECOMES VERY ERRATIC WHEN ROADS ARE WET. TOOK TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. NLM VEHICLE STARTS AND THEN STALLS IN AM. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE CUSTOMER CONCERN. *TT
Suspension, Jan 7, 2002
REAR END VERY UNSTABLE IS SNOW-MORE THAN NORMAL. DEALER SAID HE HAS HAD 3 OTHER COMPLAINTS - DEALER SAYS DOES NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO. *AK