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
1,014 reports, newest first.
Electrical system, Aug 29, 2004
IGNITION LOCK ON THE 2002 FORD FOCUS IS FAULTY. THE CYLINDERS BECOME DAMAGED OVER TIME (SHORT DURATION OF TIME) DUE TO WEAR PREVENTING THE LOCK FROM TURNING. ALSO THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE PASSIVE ANTI-THEFT DEVICE CONNECTED TO THE IGNITION SWITCH. IT WILL FAIL OVER TIME AND CANNOT BE EASILY REPAIRED. THE LOCK HAS MALFUNCTIONED ON MY WIFE AND MYSELF MULTIPLE TIMES AND HAS EVEN COST US TEN MINUTES OF "HAGGLING" BEFORE THE SWITCH WOULD ENGAGE. I DO NOT CARE TO HAVE MY WIFE STRANDED, ESPECIALLY LATE AT NIGHT, DUE TO A PART WHICH IS KNOWN BY THE MANUFACTURER TO BE DEFECTIVE. *JB
Suspension, Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Exterior lighting, Air bags, Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 28, 2004
TRANSMISSION WENT OUT 2 TIMES IN 1 YEAR. DRIVER AIRBAG SHIFTED ON ITS OWN. REAR PASSENGER DOOR DOES NOT UNLOCK/OPEN. FRONT BALL JOINT CRACKED. GAS COVER/DOOR FELL OFF. THE SMELL OF GAS INSIDE CAR AT ALL TIMES. BLINKER WOULD NOT TURN OFF BY ITSELF. KEY CHIME GOES OFF WHEN THE KEY IS OUT. *JB
Latches/locks/linkages, Aug 27, 2004
THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR SOMETIMES WILL NOT LATCH SHUT. AFTER LOOKING AT IT, THE CATCH JUST SWINGS FREELY AND DOESN'T GRAB THE POST. AFTER REPEATED SLAMMING OF THE DOOR, IT WILL WORK AGAIN FOR A SHORT PERIOD. OPENED ONCE WHILE DRIVING. I KEEP A BUNJIE CHORD WITH ME IN CASE AND I BUNGEE IT SHUT WHEN IT ACTS UP. I DON'T HAVE ANYONE SIT IN THE RERAR PASSENGERS SEAT.*AK
Electrical system, Aug 26, 2004, fire
1. CAR STALLED 1 DAY WHILE GOING AROUND A RIGHT CORNER. CAR ALSO STALLED ANOTHER DAY. ON AUG. 25 CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL WENT OUT. WHEN PULLED OVER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM HOOD THEN THROUGH THE AIR VENTS. CAR WAS TOWED TO A FORD DEALER AND THE BATTERY, THE BATTERY COVER AND THE BATTERY CABLES WERE REPLACED AT NO CHARGE.*AK
Electrical system, Aug 22, 2004
STERRING LOCKED UP. KEY WILL ENTER IGNITION BUT WILL NOT TURN. CAR IS STILL IN THE SHOP. *JB
Structure, Aug 14, 2004
WATER LEAKES. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 14, 2004
2002 FORD FOCUS ZX5. BRAKES GRIND AND SQUEAL. AT 10,777 MILES (10,000-MILE SERVICE), FORD DEALERSHIP SAID FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS ARE COMPLETELY WORN OUT AND NEED TO BE REPLACED AT COST OF $500. CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE WITHOUT REPLACING BRAKES.*AK
Electrical system, Aug 13, 2004
UPON PUTTING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION IT GOT STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND WON'T COME OUT. WHEN CONSUMER TRIED TO TURN KEY OVER OVER VEHICLE WILL NOT START. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
Fuel system, Gasoline, Aug 13, 2004
WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE AND DRIVING WITH THE AIR CONDITIONER ON OR ON A SLIGHT ENCLINE VEHICLE STALLED. THIS AFFECTED THE STEERING AND BRAKES. VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE FOURTH TIME. *AK
Suspension, Air bags, Seat belts, Aug 12, 2004, crash
FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS, BALL JOINT AREA ON MY FORD FOCUS 2002 CAME LOOSE AND WHEEL FELL OFF WHILE I WAS TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY. WHEN CAR HIT WALL THE AIRBAG DID NOT OPEN AND SEATBELT DID NOT TIGHTEN. THERE WAS NO WARNING BEFORE ACCIDENT. THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO DIE. LUCKY TO BE ALIVE.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 11, 2004
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE, AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. HOWEVER, MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Air bags, Aug 4, 2004, crash
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END CRASH, AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 3, 2004
MY 2002 FORD FUCUS ZX3 NEEDED NEW BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS AFTER A MERE 22,000 MILES!! THIS SERVICE COST ME $280 AND IS NOT COVERED UNDER FORD'S WARRANTY. CLEARLY THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM IF A CAR NEEDS NEW ROTORS BEFORE THE FIRST SET OF TIRES WEAR OUT.*AK
Tires, Aug 2, 2004
THE FRONT TIRES WORE OUT. CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT TIRES. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. FIRESTONE, P205/50R16. *AK
Electrical system, Jul 31, 2004
CAR WILL RANDOMLY NOT START. THIS OCCURS BOTH WHEN ENGINE HAS BEEN COLD FOR SEVERAL HOURS AND AFTER ENGINE HAS BEEN RUNNING A WHILE AND THEN SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED. CAR WILL EVENTUALLY START USUALLY AFTER WAITING ABOUT 30-40 MINUTES. DEALER SAYS CANNOT REPLICATE PROBLEM BUT THEY WILL NOT KEEP IT LONG ENOUGH TO REALLY TRY. IF WE WERE TO TOW TO DEALER, CAR WOULD BE STARTING BY THE TIME IT GOT THERE. OCCURS AT RANDOM, ABOUT 1-3 TIMES PER MONTH SINCE NOVEMBER 2003. HAS BEEN TO DEALERSHIP 2 TIMES. FIRST TIME, LOOSE WIRE IN STEERING COLUMN WAS CORRECTED BUT THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH CAR. SECOND TIME THEY REPLACED A PART IN IGNITION SWITCH BUT SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT TO START WITH. STILL HAVING NO-START PROBLEM. RETURNING TO DEALERISHIP TOMORROW.*AK
Electrical system, Jul 30, 2004
UPON PUTTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION IT WOULD NOT FIT AS IF IT WAS THE WRONG KEY. UPON GETTING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER, AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
Power train, Jul 29, 2004
WHEN SHIFTING MY SIX SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION INTO FIRST GEAR, IT OFTEN GOES INTO REVERSE. THIS TRANSMISSION DOESN'T HAVE A LOCKOUT, BUT IT HAS SOME KIND OF SPRING RESISTANCE THAT CONSTANTLY FAILS, WHICH CAUSES YOU TO SHIFT THE CAR INTO REVERSE WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO PUT IT INTO FIRST GEAR. THIS ACTION HAS ALMOST CAUSED NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS AT STOP LIGHTS.*AK
Fuel system, Other, Jul 16, 2004
CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING - WOULD NOT RE-START - BETWEEN 1/2 TO 2/3 FULL TANK - INDEPENDENT GARAGE DIAGNOSED FAULTY FUEL PUMP, SAID FUEL PUMP RELAY WAS "SMOKING" AND RED-HOT - LUCKILY HAPPENED IN TOWN, WAS SCHEDULED TO DRIVE INTO CHICAGO ON 90/94 WITH FAMILY MEMBERS INCLUDING A CHILD JUST 2 DAYS FROM NOW! - HAVE READ HISTORY ON THIS PROBLEM, CAN'T BELIEVE NHTSA ALLOWED FORD TO WAIT FOR FAILURES - APPARENTLY FORD'S "FIX" ON THIS PROBLEM IS NOT CORRECT, AS THIS IS A 2002 MODEL CAR - CAR TOWED TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS, AWAITING OUTCOME. *AK
Power train, Jul 14, 2004
VEHICLE'S ENGINE BEGAN TO RACE WHILE DRIVING AND THEN VEHICLE LOST POWER.*MR THE CONSUMER STATED SHE EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM AGAIN, BUT THIS TIME SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS BEYOND REPAIR. *JB
Air bags, Jul 12, 2004
SIDE AIRBAG INFLATED WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. *LA
Steering, Jul 12, 2004
I HAD TO MAKE A SHARP MANEUVER TO AVOID A CAR CHANGING LANES. MY CAR A 2002 FORD FOCUS ZX5 WENT INTO WILD OSCILLATIONS ACROSS 3 LANES. BACK AND FORTH. IT TOOK 3/4 OF A MILE TO BRING THE CAR UNDER CONTROL. THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED TO ANY CAT I EVER DROVE BEFORE. IT WAS ONLY LUCK THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. *LA
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 10, 2004
ENGINE JUST DIES WITH NO WARNING WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY,AFTER ENGINE DIES I LOSE POWER STEERING, AND WHEEL WILL NOT TURN. I AM ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR WHILE STILL IN MOTION. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 2, 2004
BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS NEED TO BE REPLACED EVERY 14,000 MILES. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM!*AK
Steering, Jun 30, 2004
WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL TOWARDS THE RIGHT STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, CAUSING CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 30, 2004
I WAS DRIVING ON THE ON-RAMP OF THE PA TURNPIKE WHEN SCALDING WATER FROM UP UNDER THE DASH POURED OUT ONTO MY RIGHT FOOT. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR TO A SAFE STOP. I SUSTAINED SECOND AND THIRD DEGREE BURNS TO MY RIGHT FOOT. THE WRECKER TOOK THE CAR TO A FORD DEALER IN EMMAUS, PA FOR REPAIRS. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT ORIGINALLY TOLD ME THAT THE EVAPORATOR LINE WAS PLUGGED, BUT WHEN I PICKED UP MY CAR, THE NARRATIVE ON THE SERVICE FORM SAID THAT THE LINE WAS NOT PLUGGED. THEY REPLACED THE EVAPORATOR WHICH I UNDERSTAND ENTAILED REMOVING THE ENTIRE DASH. I DO NOT KNOW IF THE OLD PART IS AVAILABLE.*AK