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.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 12, 2003
WHILE DRIVING A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Structure, Jun 10, 2003
I HAVE A 2002 FORD FOCUS SE WAGON. THE FRONT FOOT WELLS FILL UP WITH WATER IN RAINY CONDITIONS. *AK
Electrical system, Jun 9, 2003
VEHICLE WON'T START. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *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
Tires, Jun 6, 2003
ON 5/27/03 DURING REG OIL/FILTER/TIRE ROTATION AT FIRESTONE,5417 MCCARDLE,CORPUS CHRISTI,TX I WAS TOLD ONE TIRE HAD A COMPRESSION BUBBLE"IMPACT BREAK ON SIDEWALL".I REPLACED IT.ON 5/29/03 ANOTHER TIRE SELF DESTRUCTED WITH NO APPARENT REASON.I REPLACED IT (50% DISCOUNTTIRES WERE FIREHAWK GTA-02(I DO NOT HAVE TIRES AND DO NOT SEE A DOT# ON THE REMAINING TWO.I CALLED FIRESTONE WARRANTY,SPOKE TO CHUCK AND REQUESTED 2 NEW TIRES AT NO COST AS I DO NOT BELIEVE IN COINCEDENCES AND THE SAFETY ISSUE. I SAID I PAID FOR TWO AND FIRESTONE SHOULD PAY FOR TWO.HE SAID HE WOULD CALL FIRESTONE CC. I CALLED TODAY 6/6/03 .HE SAID HE NEVER CALLED AND HAD NO MEMORY OF PROMISING TO MAKE SUCH A CALL. HE ENDED BY SAYING THAT FIRESTONE WOULD NOT GIVE ME TWO TIRES HE APPARENTLY DOES NOT HAVE A SCREEN FOR INCOMING AS I HAD TO RETELL MY TALE.HIS INITIAL RESPONSE WAS WHEN FIRESTONE HAD COMPLAINTS ON THE 99-2000 HAWKEYE,THEY VOLUNTALILY RECALLED AND REPLACED- YEA SURE; VOLUNTARY VS. ADMINISTRATIVE ACTION. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND RESPOND THANK YOU ARTHUR BERMAN. *AK
Suspension, Equipment, Jun 5, 2003
I HAVE HAD MY A/C WORKED ON AT LEAST 3 TIMES. ALSO HAVE HEAVY VIBRATIONS WHEN I JUST HAD IT ALIGNED 5/04/03. AND STILL HAVING HEAVY VIBRATIONS.AK
Visibility, Jun 4, 2003
CONSUMERS VEHICLE IS LEAKING WATER FROM SUNROOF. THE CARPET IS LOOSE DUE TO CONSTANT REMOVAL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Tires, Wheels, Jun 3, 2003
CONSUMER HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TIRES AND TRIMS ON THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING AT MORE THEN 40 MPH THE TIRES WOULD EXPLODE AND THE RIMS WOULD BEND. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND TOLD CONSUMER THAT THIS WAS THE WAY THE VEHICLE WAS MADE.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 3, 2003
BRAKE ROTORS ARE WEARING OUT. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES VEHICLE WILL HAVE HEAVY VIBRATION AND EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
Tires, Jun 1, 2003
WE OWN A 2002 FOCUS AND HAVE FIRESTONE TIRES ON IT. 205/50/16 I DID A LITTLE RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT A VERY SIMILAR TIRE 205/55/16 HAS BEEN RECALLED.WE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE TIRE THAT HAS BEEN RECALLED. IT NEVER OCCURRED TO ME THAT THEY WHERE STILL SELLING FIRESTONE TIRES AFTER THEY QUIT DUEING BUSINESS WITH THEM. THE DEALERSHIP AND FORD ARE GIVING US THE SAME RUNAROUND AS THEY DID WITH THE OTHER TIRE PROBLEM. DOES ANY ONE KNOW OF ANY BODY THAT HAS PROBLEMS WITH THE TIRES ON THE FORD FOCUS. PLEASE CONTACT ME AT. DONALD J. REED ANSBACHER@SBCGLOBAL.NET THANKS. HERE IS THE INFO. MAKE: FIRESTONE MODEL: P20555R16 BUILD DATES: JUL 16, 1999 - NOV 01, 2000 RECALL NUMBER: 01T006000 SUMMARY: TIRE DESCRIPTION: FIRESTONE FIREHAWK GTA-02 , SIZE P205/55R16 89H, PRODUCED AT THE WILSON, NORTH CAROLINA PLANT FROM JULY 16, 1999, THROUGH NOVEMBER 1, 2000. THESE TIRES WERE INSTALLED AS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT ON CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2000 AND 2001 NISSAN ALTIMA SE PASSENGER CARS. THE RECALLED TIRES ARE IDENTIFIED BY DOT SERIAL #W2 T2 VF3 XXX OR W2 T2 VF3 XXXX; WHERE XXX MAY BE 289, 299, 309, 319, 329, 339, 349, 359, 369, 379, 389, 399, 409, 419, 429, 439, 449, 459, 469, 479, 489, 499, 509, 519, 529, 010, 020, 030, 040, 050, 060, 070, 080, 090, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 170, AND WHERE XXXX MAY BE 1800, 1900, 2000, 2100, 2200, 2300, 2400, 2500, 2600, 2700, 2800, 2900, 3000, 3100, 3200, 3300, 3400, 3500, 3600, 3700, 3800, 3900, 4000, 4100, 4200, 4300, 4400, AND 4500. WITH INCREASING MILEAGE, THE TIRES MAY DEVELOP SHOULDER AREA CRACKING. CONTINUED USE OF A TIRE WITH THIS CONDITION MAY LEAD TO EXPOSURE OF THE BELT EDGE. CONSEQUENCE: UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, A BELT EDGE SEPARATION IS POSIBLE, WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF TIRE PRESSURE.
Engine and engine cooling, Other or unspecified, May 28, 2003
AT LEAST TWICE A WEEK MY CAR TAKES 2-5 TRIES TO START. AFTER IT STARTS, IT RUNS VERY ROUGH AND FEELS LIKE IT'S GOING TO STALL...SOMETIMES IT DOES IF I'M AT A LIGHT. I HAVE A STICK SHIFT AND THERE'S NO INDICATION ON THE IDLE THAT IT'S RUNNING LOW. MY CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP MORE THAN I'VE HAD IT FOR THE LAST SIX MONTHS. FORD TELLS ME THEY HAVEN'T RECEIVED ANY COMPLAINTS LIKE THIS AND THE DEALERSHIP HAS TOLD FORD THEY CAN'T REPLICATE THE PROBLEM...EVEN THOUGH THEY'VE TOLD ME ON A COUPLE OF OCCASIONS THAT THEY HAVE. USUALLY THEY DON'T REPLACE ANYTHING BUT SO FAR THEY'VE REPLACED MY EGR VALVE, FUEL PUMP, AND GAS TANK. THE DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN INCONSISTENT ON HOW THEY DOCUMENT THE TIME MY CAR'S BEEN IN THE SHOP AND WITH A ONE YEAR OLD AND A FOUR YEAR OLD...I CAN NO LONGER TAKE TIME TO GO TO THE SHOP...NOT TO MENTION LOSSED TIME AT WORK. I ACTUALLY LIKE MY CAR BUT I NEED IT TO START AND THEY OBVIOUSLY CAN'T FIX IT. THIS HAS BEEN A FRUSTRATING EXPERIENCE AND WE WILL NO LONGER PURCHASE FORD VEHICLES BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF COOPERATION FROM BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND FORD. WE'VE BOUGHT AN F-150, EXPLORER, AND THE FOCUS FROM THE SAME DEALERSHIP...I GUESS OUR MONEY WAS JUST A DROP IN THE BUCKET FOR THEM AND IN THE LONG RUN CUSTOMER DON'T REALLY MATTER. I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO ABOUT THE CAR EXCEPT TO TRY FOR THE LEMON LAW...BUT SINCE THE DEALERSHIP HAS CHOSEN TO LIE AND SAY THEY CAN'T REPLICATE THE PROBLEM, WHO KNOWS HOW THAT WILL TURN OUT.
Tires, May 22, 2003
THE TIRE EXPERIENCED PREMATURE FAILURE. *JB
Power train, May 21, 2003
THE VEHICLES CLUTCH MADE LOUD NOISES WHEN THE GEARS WERE SHIFTED. *NLM
Parking brake, Power train, Structure, Tires, Wheels, May 18, 2003
DEFECTIVE TIRE AND RIM 2 BAD CLUTCHES POOR BODY WORK(CROOKED HOOD) E BRAKE NOT ABLE TO HOLD ON A HILL!*JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 13, 2003
2002 FORD FOCUS, ONLY 15000 MILES. $500 FOR BRAKE JOB BECAUSE ROTORS WERE SHOT. MECHANIC SAYS COMMON PROBLEM WITH FOCUS. *JB
Suspension, May 8, 2003
THE VEHICLE HAD A NOISE IN THE REAR END, DUE TO TIRE CUPPING. WHICH WAS CAUSED BY THE REAR SUSPENSION NOT SETTLING AND NOT BEING ALIGNED. *JB THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT FORD HAD AN A CAMBER KIT TO INSTALL TO SOLVE THE SETTLING. *SCC
Suspension, May 7, 2003
WHILE DRIVING 50-60 MPH THE VEHICLE VIBRATES VIOLENTLY. *NLM
Tires, May 6, 2003
I'VE HAD 2 SIDEWALL BLOW OUTS ON MY CONTINENTAL-SPORT CONTACT. THEY ARE OEM ON MY SVT FOCUS. I OWN TWO OF THEM, AND BASICALLY THEY ROUGHLY HAVE BLOWN OUT THE SAME TIME AROUND 6,000 AND 7, 000 (APPROXIMATELY). I'VE BEEN DRIVING 18 YEARS WITH OUT A FLAT OR A BLOW OUT AND HAVE 2 ALONE WITH THIS CAR. THEY ARE EXPENSIVE TIRES AS WELL AS HARD TIRE TO FIND.*JB
Steering, May 2, 2003
WHILE DRIVING THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED HEAVILY. *NLM
Air bags, May 2, 2003
THE AIRBAG LIGHT FLASHES ON AND OFF AT RANDOM OCCASIONS. IT IS NOW AT THE DEALERSHIP. *NLM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 1, 2003
BRAKES ARE COMPLETELY RUINED ALONG WITH ROTORS IN 11,000 MILES. COMPLETELY UNTHINKABLE. DEALER SAYS THEY HAVE NOTICED A PROBLEM BUT NO ONE IS WILLING TO DO ANYTHING. I AM VERY UNHAPPY.
Seat belts, Apr 30, 2003
THE FRONT SEAT BELTS DID NOT RETRACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THIS PROBLEM 4 TIMES. *JB
Equipment, Apr 30, 2003
I HAVE 2002 FORD FOCUS. PREMATURE WEAR OF FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. BEGAN HEARING GRINDING NOISE FOUR DAYS AGO. 30,000 MILES. CHAFES, WEAR EXCESSIVE, UNEVEN, SCORED.
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 23, 2003
THERE WAS A BAD ODOR IN THE VEHICLE THAT MADE THE OCCUPANTS SICK. THE SMELL EXISTED EVEN WHEN THE AIR VENTS WERE CLOSED BUT WORSENED WHEN THEY WERE OPEN. THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT LOCATE THE OF THE ODOR. *NLM
Air bags, Apr 21, 2003, crash
THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT,THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, BUT DIDN'T INFLATE. *JB