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.
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.
Air bags, Jan 21, 2003, crash
WHEN HIT AT 40MPH IN THE FRONT CENTER OF THE VEHICLE THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY CAUSING MINOR INJURIES TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED. AIR BAG MONITOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. TS
Wheels, Jan 20, 2003
2002 FOCUS ZX3 - WITH 16" WHEELS - WHEEL CENTER CAPS ARE DEFECTIVE. ONE HAS FALLEN OFF, AND UPON INSPECTION, THE OTHER THREE HAVE TABS THAT ARE BREAKING OFF, THAT WILL LEAD TO THE CENTER CAPS FALLING OFF.
Vehicle speed control, Jan 9, 2003
INTERMITTENTLY THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKS WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED . THE DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BUT WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER IS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR AND HAS NOT DRIVEN THE VEHICLE SINCE OCTOBER 2002. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *NLM
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
Air bags, Jan 9, 2003
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE IN A PARKING LOT,THE VEHICLE HIT THE CURB ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE BUMPER RESULTING IN BOTH AIR BAGS DEPLOYING, THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 23 MPH. *NLM
Power train, Jan 3, 2003
CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION HYDRAULICS CLUTCH WAS BROKE, WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 50MPH FROM OREGON TO CALIFORNIA. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
Power train, Jan 2, 2003
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. ALSO STATED THAT HER COMPLAINT IS REGARDING NOT BEING ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ON SNOW WAS CONTACTED BUT NOT YET RETURNED CONSUMERS CALL.
Electrical system, Dec 26, 2002, fire
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING, THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD, DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. TS SCC
Steering, Dec 18, 2002
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHEN MAKING A TURN THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD LOCK UP CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
Service brakes, Air, Dec 17, 2002
WHILE DRIVING THE AT 45MPH THE GAS AND BRAKE PEDAL LOCKED UP FOR FIVE MINUTES. PULLING THE VEHICLE OUT OF THE ROAD. DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. TS
Steering, Dec 14, 2002
FRONT SUSPINSION BAD
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.
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.
Wheels, Dec 11, 2002
WHILE GETTING A FRONT TIRE REPLACE, THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE FRONT RIMS WERE BENDING. CONSUMER STATES THE VEHICLE WAS NEVER INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT OR HIT ANY THING HARD ENOUGH TO CAUSE THE RIMS TO BEND. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. MR
Tires, Dec 11, 2002
VEHICLE'S LEFT REAR TIRE IS WEARING EXCESSIVELY. THE DEALERSHIP CANNOT FIX PROBLEM, CAUSE THE CAMBER CANNOT BE SET PER DEALERSHIP. MR
Vehicle speed control, Dec 11, 2002
WHILE DRIVING, WHEN CRUISE CONTROL IS ENGAGED THE VEHICLE'S ACCELERATION DECREASES. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. MR
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 4, 2002
I'M CONTINUALLY EXPERIENCING A BURNING SMELL (AS IF SOMETHING IS GETTING VERY HOT) COMING FROM WITHIN THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE 'NEW' APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS AGO. I'VE NOTIFIED THE FORD DEALERSHIP (SELLER) AND RETURN THE VEHICLE BACK TO THEM REGARDING THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THEY CLAIM THAT THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT. I ADVISED THEM ABOUT NEWS REPORTS WHICH INDICATED THAT OTHERS WITH SIMILAR CIRCUMSTANCES EVENTUALLY EXPERIENCED A VEHICLE FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE DEALER THEN CLAIMS THAT NOTHING CAN BE DONE UNTIL FORD MOTOR COMPANY DECIDES TO INITIATE A RECALL NOTICE. DT
Visibility, Dec 3, 2002
THERE IS A STRONG MILDEW SMELL WHEN DEFROST IS TURNED ON. TOOK TO DEALER, DEALER STATES THAT THERE IS A BACTERIA PRODUCING AGENT IN THE DEFROST SYSTEM. DEALER STATES ALL NEW CARS ARE LIKE THIS. CONSUMER HAS A BREATHING PROBLEM AND THIS MILDEW SMELL MAY CREATE A BIGGER PROBLEM. TS
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 8, 2002
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE VEHICLE WILL STALL AND WILL NOT RESTART. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM TS
Air bags, Nov 8, 2002
IN THE SHORT TIME THAT I'VE OWNED MY FOCUS I'VE HAD TO RETURN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 3 OCCASIONS BECAUSE THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON. THE FIRST TIME I BROUGHT IT IN THEY HAD TO REPLACE A MODULE TO THE AIR BAG COMPONENT. THE SECOND AND THIRD TIME I BROUGHT IT IN THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG. THE THIRD TIME I BROUGHT IT BACK THEY GAVE ME A RECORDING DEVICE THAT I HAD TO USE TO RECORD THE AIR BAG LIGHT BECAUSE THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS NOT REGISTERING THAT IT EVER CAME ON. I HAD TO RECORD THE LIGHT A TOTAL OF 3-4 TIMES AND THEN BRING IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. I DID SO AND RETURNED MY CAR ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT THIS DEVICE TOLD THEM NOTHING. SO NOT KNOWING THE EXACT PROBLEM THEY WENT AHEAD AND REPLACED THE ENTIRE AIRBAG. ALL OF THESE ATTEMPTS OCCURED LATE SEPTEMBER THROUGH MID OCTOBER. AS OF 11/8/2002 THE LIGHT HAS NOT COME BACK ON. I FEEL KNOW THAT I'M LEFT WITH A FALSE SENSE OF SECURITY AND THE QUESTION OF IF I GET INTO AN ACCIDENT IS THIS AIR BAG GOING TO PROTECT ME. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS AN ISOLATED CASE BUT I'M NOT TO SURE ABOUT THAT. I THINK THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE TAKEN INTO SERIOUS CONSIDERATION. DT
Electrical system, Nov 6, 2002
VEHICLE HESITATED TO START. STARTED AFTER 40/45 MINS. DEALERSHIP SERVICED VEHICLE. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. MR
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
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 5, 2002
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT THE RADIATOR FUN. ALSO STATED THAT THIS HAPPEND WHILE HE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE FUN ON THE RADIATOR FELL OFF AND CAUSE DAMAGE ON THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHCLE. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED TO THE CONSUMER TO CONTACT THERE INSURANCE TO FIND OUT IF IT WAS CONSUMER S FALL OR THE MANUFACTURES DIFFECT. TS
Air bags, Nov 5, 2002
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30-35MPH AND RAN OVER A POTHOLE. THERE WAS NO COLLISION. THE LEFT SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. TS