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.
Equipment adaptive/mobility, Aug 8, 2012
IGNITION KEY WILL NOT TURN - CAR WILL NOT START. *TR
Electrical system, Aug 1, 2012, fire
BATTERY CABLES SHORTED OUT CAUSING SMALL FIRE ON BATTERY CABLES AND MELTING ON BOTH BATTERY CABLES. *TR
Electrical system, Jul 28, 2012, fire
I DROVE MY FORD FOCUS ABOUT 6 MILES TO A STOP LIGHT. WHEN IT TURNED GREEN, I PRESSED THE GAS. THE CAR STALLED LIKE IT WAS OUT OF GAS, REGAINED PARTIAL POWER, AND DISPLAYED THE AIRBAG LIGHT. IT MADE IT TO THE NEXT STOPLIGHT, AND I PULLED IT OVER TO THE SIDE AND TURNED IT OFF AND REMOVED THE KEY. AT THAT POINT A PLUME OF WHITE SMOKE SHOT OUT OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE HOOD. I TOLD MY SON TO GET OUT BECAUSE I KNEW THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. WE WALKED AWAY, AND AS WE DID, THE AMOUNT OF SMOKE INCREASED EXPONENTIALLY. WITHIN MINUTES, THE FRONT END OF THE CAR WAS TOTALLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE WINDSHIELD SHATTERED AND MELTED, THE HOOD WAS CHARRED AND BLACK, THE PLASTIC PARTS OF THE FENDERS AND BUMPERS MELTED AWAY, AND PART OF THE BODY METAL BURNED AWAY ON THE HOOD AND THE FENDERS. EVERYTHING UNDER THE HOOD WAS MELTED, DISTORTED, OR OTHERWISE DESTROYED. I KEPT THE CAR VERY WELL MAINTAINED, MAKING SURE TO FIX EVERYTHING THAT WAS EVER WRONG WITH IT IMMEDIATELY UPON DISCOVERY. I KEPT UP ON ALL OIL CHANGES. IT IS PERPLEXING THAT A CAR WHICH IS SO WELL KEPT WOULD SPONTANEOUSLY SELF-IGNITE, HOWEVER THERE HAVE BEEN ACCOUNTS OF FIRES IN THE FORD FOCUS SINCE 2000, AND MANY SINCE. NOW I HAVE ADDED ONE MORE. THE CAR, OBVIOUSLY, IS A TOTAL LOSS. *TR
Suspension, Structure, Jul 16, 2012
THE FRONT SUB FRAME ON MY 2002 FORD FOCUS ZTS WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND UNABLE TO SUPPORT THE FRONT SUSPENSION. I ALSO HAD MY CAR INSPECTED BY A FORD DEALER WHO PASSED IT AND TOLD ME NOTHING ABOUT HOW DESTROYED MY SUB FRAME WAS. WHEN I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC THEY TOLD ME IT WAS SO BAD I SHOULDN'T BE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE BOLTS WHERE EVEN RUSTED OUT OF THE SUB FRAME. ITS BELIEVED THAT THIS ALSO CAUSED MY MOTOR MOUNTS TO HAVE TO BE REPLACED. CAUSE SUCH BAD VIBRATION THAT IT RUINED ALL MY SHOCKS, STRUTS, AND ALL 4 OF MY TIRES. THE TIRES WHERE ONLY 5 MONTHS OLD AND ARE DESTROYED. *TR
Suspension, Jul 1, 2012
THE FRONT SUBFRAME STRUCTURE ON MY 2002 FORD FOCUS IS RUSTED SO BADLY THAT IT NO LONGER SUPPORTS THE FRONT SUSPENSION IT WAS DESIGNED TO SUPPORT NO OTHER IT ON THIS VEHICLE IS AS RUSTED AS THE VERY IMPORTANT PART. *TR
Suspension, Jun 29, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A SPEED BUMP AND HEARD A POPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRINGS WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE COIL AND STRUT ASSEMBLY WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,800.
Electrical system, Jun 19, 2012
KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER. IGNITION KEY COULD BE INSERTED ALL THE WAY INTO THE LOCK CYLINDER, BUT KEY WOULD NOT TURN FORWARDS OR BACKWARDS TO EITHER ENGAGE THE STARTER OR TURN ON ACCESSORIES. TRIED MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL TO FREE UP THE CYLINDER AND MADE SURE THE CAR WAS IN PARK TO TRY AND TURN THE CYLINDER. NOTHING. WAS TOLD BY THE AAA MECHANIC THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH EARLY MODEL YEAR FORD FOCUSES. THE ISSUE, PER THE AAA TOW TRUCK OPERATOR COULD BE TEMPORARILY RESOLVED BY USING SOME WD40 ON THE KEY AND A COUPLE OF QUICK TAPS TO THE KEY WHILE IN THE LOCK CYLINDER. THIS FIX DID NOT WORK AT THIS TIME. HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER SINCE THIS WAS NOT A FIX I COULD MAKE ON MY OWN (I COULD REPLACE THE CYLINDER MYSELF, BUT THE CAR'S PASSIVE ALARM WOULD NEED TO BE RE-SET BY THE DEALER). RESULTING CHARGE WAS $378.50 FOR A PART I COULD HAVE FIXED FOR $60-70. MY LOCK CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE RE-KEYED BY THE LOCAL FORD DEALER. SAFETY ISSUE: COULD HAVE BEEN STRANDED. CAR FAILURE OCCURRED ON VERY COLD DAY. *JS
Suspension, May 25, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING NOISE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER COMING TO A STOP THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT MENTIONED A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE RECALL HAD ALREADY EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,900.
Structure, May 2, 2012
THE FRONT SUBFRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH AND HAS A HOLE ABOUT 8" WIDE. SCARY THAT THIS HOLDS THE VEHICLES STEERING SYSTEM AND THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE TOGETHER. HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL NEED TO GET HURT? HOW MANY CARS WILL FALL APART BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE? WHY RECALL THE WINDSTAR AND NOT THE FOCUS? *JS
Power train, Apr 20, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS SUCCESSFULLY RESTARTED, BUT THE GEAR SELECTOR WOULD NOT SHIFT. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP, WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH DISCOVERED THAT THE TRANSMISSION GEAR PIN WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 98,750.
Suspension, Apr 2, 2012
WHILE USING A HIGHWAY ON RAMP, I HEARD A POPPING SOUND. I'VE BEEN GETTING A RATTLE FOR A FEW WEEKS. I LOOKED UNDERNEATH TODAY. THE PASS SIDE REAR COIL SPRING IS BROKEN AT THE TOP. THE DR. SIDE REAR COIL SPRING IS BROKEN OFF AT THE BOTTOM. I DRIVE MOSTLY HIGHWAY, 10 MILES A DAY BACK AND FORTH TO WORK, SO I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS WOULD BREAK. MY FRONTS WERE REPLACED A FEW YEARS AGO BY FORD DEALER WHEN THEY BROKE. THIS SEEMS LIKE A PROBLEM IF ALL 4 COIL SPRINGS BREAK OFF THE SAME VEHICLE. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 20, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE IGNITION NUMEROUS TIMES HOWEVER, THE IGNITION KEY FAILED TO TURN IN ANY DIRECTION. THE KEY WAS EVENTUALLY RELEASED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
Latches/locks/linkages, Mar 15, 2012
I HAVE A 2002 FORD FOCUS ZTS AND THE TRUCK LATCH AND LOCKING MECHANISM IS NOT WORKING. THE TRUNK WON'T STAY LATCHED. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO A FORD DEALERSHIP BUT THEY SAID THEY WOULD REPLACE IT FOR $314. I CAN'T AFFORD THAT NOW. I ASKED IF IT WAS UNDER RECALL AND THEY SAID THAT THEY ALWAYS CHECK ON RECALLS FIRST. WHEN I LOOKED UP THE ITEM ON LINE IT DID HAVE A RECALL. WHAT CAN I DO TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM? *TR
Seat belts, Mar 13, 2012
FAILED TO RETRACT TO THE RATCHET. LEFT WITH LOOSE NON FUNCTIONAL LENGTHY BELT NOT PROTECTING ME FROM POSSIBLE CRASH. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 5, 2012
I HAD MY 81 YEAROLD MOTHER WITH ME, I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND WHEN I TRIED TO START IT THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. IT WAS NOT UNTIL 5 DAYS LATER THAT MY MECHANIC SON IN LAW WAS ABLE TO LOOK AT IT AND TELL ME THE PROBLEM AND THAT A FORD GARAGE HAD TO FIXIT. THEIR PRICES VARY FROM 350.00 TO 450.00 TO REPLACE MY IGNITION SWITCH ASSEMBLY. IT IS A 48.00 PART. FORD REFUSES TO RECALL BECAUSE THEY CLAIM IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. IT IS IF SOMEONE HAS A HEART ATTACK OR A STROKE BECAUSE OF THE STRESS OF BEING STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE OR BECAUSE IT IS OVER 100 DEGREES AND YOU CAN'T WALK TO A PHONE OR TURN ON THE AIR CONDITIONER. NOT EVERYONE HAS A CELL PHONE. IT IS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BUT THE PROBLEM DOES NOT OCCUR UNTIL IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND IT HAS TO BE REPAIRED EVERY TIME BY FORD. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD ESPECIALLY FOR THE ELDERLY. *TR
Air bags, Feb 20, 2012, crash
THE CAR REAR-ENDED A TRUCK, SLID UNDER THE TRUCK, AND CRUSHED THE WHOLE FRONT END. THE HOOD WAS SHOVED INTO THE WINDSHIELD AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CAR WAS DEEMED TOTALED. THIS IS THE SECOND 2002 FORD FOCUS WE HAVE OWNED. BOTH WERE IN ACCIDENTS (OUR OTHER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT, SALVAGED, AND IN AN ACCIDENT AGAIN) AND ALL THREE TIMES NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I FOUND THAT THE 2001 FORD FOCUSES HAD PROBLEMS WITH EARLY DEPLOYMENT FROM THE AIR BAGS. PERHAPS FORD OVERCOMPENSATED FOR THE NEXT YEAR'S MODEL? WONDER IF THE 2002 FORD FOCUSES SHOULD BE RECALLED? *TR
Air bags, Feb 20, 2012, crash
BLACK ICE WAS HIT AND THE CAR SLID OVER A THIRTY-FOOT EMBANKMENT. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE CAR WAS CONSIDERED TOTALED. THE SECOND ACCIDENT TOOK PLACE WITH THE SAME CAR, WHICH HAD BEEN SALVAGED AFTER THE FIRST ACCIDENT. HIT BLACK ICE AGAIN, FLIPPED ON ITS SIDE, AND ROLLED. AGAIN, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE ENTIRE SIDE AND ROOF WERE DEMOLISHED AND THE CAR WAS NOT SALVAGEABLE THIS TIME. THIS IS THE SECOND 2002 FORD FOCUS WE HAVE HAD--BOTH WERE IN ACCIDENTS, AND IN ALL THREE ACCIDENTS, BOTH CARS WERE TOTALED AND NO AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED. WONDERING IF THESE CARS SHOULD BE RECALLED? AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON FORD FOCUSES, I FOUND THAT THE 2001 FORD FOCUSES HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAGS. THEY WOULD DEPLOY AT THE SLIGHTEST IMPACT. CAN'T HELP IF FORD DIDN'T OVERCOMPENSATE FOR THE PROBLEM IN THE NEXT YEAR'S MODEL? *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, Jan 19, 2012, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS ZTW. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE WHEN THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT EXTENDED OUTWARD AND FAILED TO SECURE PROPERLY. THE CRASHED CAUSED ONE INJURY AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 59,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 19, 2012
CYLINDER HEAD VALVE SEAT FAILURE. APPROX 1/2 OF THE VALVE SEAT FELL INTO COMBUSTION CHAMER (BETWEEN PISTON AND HEAD).. THIS CAUSED PISTON TO BREAK AND ROD TO GO THROUGH CYLINDER WALL BUT NOT THROUGH BLOCK OUTER WALL AND CAUSING COOLANT TO GET INTO OIL. BEING A FORD TECH, I HAVE SEEN DAMAGE CAUSED BY VALVE SEATS IN CYLINDERS 1,2,&4. IT'S ALWAYS A INTAKE VALVE SEAT. ALSO ALWAYS AND ONLY ON SOHC MOTOR. HAVE SEEN THIS HAPPEN AND AS EARLY AS 60K MILES. *TT
Electrical system, Visibility, Dec 14, 2011
THE MOTOR ON THE SUN ROOF WENT OUT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY I HAD IT FIXED THEN AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED IT WENT OUT AGAIN AND I COULDN'T AFFORD TO GET IT FIXED, THE MOTOR FOR THE REAR WINDOWS WENT OUT (BOTH PASSENGER SIDES) THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR DOES NOT LOCK BECAUSE THE MOTOR WENT OUT, AND KNOW THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW IS STARTING TO MAKE A NOISE LIKE IT GOING TO GO OUT ALSO AND THE DOOR LOCK IS MAKING NOISE LIKE ITS GOING TO GO OUT. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE FIRST OF ALL WHEN CARRYING SMALL CHILDREN IN THE BACK AND ANOTHER SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE DOORS NOT LOCKING MAKES IT MUCH EASIER FOR SOMEONE TO CAR JACK YOU. I HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE THAT THE ELECTRIC WINDOWS AND DOORS AND THE MOON ROOF WENT OUT THIS HAS TO BE A DEFECT I HAVE GONE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO COMPLAIN AFTER THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AND I WAS TOLD THAT THERE ARE NO RECALLS AND THEY CAN'T HELP ME UNLESS I PAY. I CAN'T EVEN LOCK THE DOOR USING A KEY BECAUSE IT DOESN'T WORK. *TR
Electrical system, Dec 13, 2011, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE IGNITED INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE MASSIVE FLAMES AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED WITHIN THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED AS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Nov 28, 2011
BLEW THE FUSE FROM MY FUEL PUMP UPON START UP OF CAR, NEEDED FUSE REPLACED AND GOT THE CAR TO START. HOWEVER, THE FUSE WOULD CONTINUE TO BLOW, THEREFORE NEED NEW FUEL PUMP AND FILTER. TRIED TO REPLACE THE PUMP WITH AN AFTER MARKET PART AND IT WOULDN'T FIT PROPERLY, MEANING I NEED A NEW EXPENSIVE PUMP. *KB
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Nov 27, 2011
WHILE IDLING, MY CAR IS TURNING OFF. IT ALSO DOES SO WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE AFTER SHIFTING THE CAR FROM P TO D. INITIALLY THE GAS CAP LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD SIGNALED. I REPLACED THE CAP, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AFTERWARDS. NOW, THE CAR IS TURNING OFF COMPLETELY WHILE IDLING AND ONLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS LIT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 11, 2011
WITHOUT WARNING THE ENGINE BLEW! I SERVICE MY AUTO LIKE I'M SUPPOSE TO AND THIS HAPPENS. BY LOOKING ONLINE I SEE I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE. TRY FINDING A ENGINE FOR THIS CAR IS SO EXPENSIVE THAT IT'S RIDICULOUS! THAT LET ME KNOW I'M NOT ALONE! I CAN'T BELIEVE THE GOING RATE FOR THIS CAR'S ENGINE IS $1700! SO NOW I'M STUCK WITH A PIECE OF JUNK COSTING ME $3500 TO GET IT FIXED ONLY TO WAIT UNTIL THE NEXT SHOE FALLS!! *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Nov 11, 2011
FUEL PUMP STARTED TO CAUSE CAR TO STUTTER, STALL, COMPLETELY DIE. HAS STALLED OUT ON INTERSTATE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, IN THE MIDDLE OF BUSY AFTERNOON 4-LANE TRAFFIC; BOTH TIMES BARELY MAKING IT OF TRAFFIC AND BEING HIT BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC W/CHILDREN IN THE CAR! CAR MANUFACTURE DATE IS 09/01 IN MEXICO. HAD FUEL PUMP REPLACE AND HAS FAILED BOTH TIMES, COST IS TOO EXPENSIVE FOR ME! ALREADY PAID OVER$1000 FOR PARTS AND LABOR! NO RECALLS ON THIS CAR REGARDING THE FUEL SYSTEM OR THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCKING UP!!! I HAVE SEEN MORE AND MORE OF THESE 2 PROBLEMS WITH THE EARLY FORD FOCUS, WHY HASN'T SOMETHING BEEN DONE YET??????? *TR