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.
Tires, Jul 24, 2002
REAR PASSENGER TIRE THREAD SEPARATION: DRIVING TO WORK AT 8:40A, ON A 3 LANE FREEWAY PLUS A CARPOOL LANE. I WAS IN THE MIDDLE LINE, WHEN THE CAR VIBRATED. I THOUGHT I COULD GET TO WORK TO TAKE IT TO A DEALERSHIP. DROVE ANOTHER 1-2 MILES, WHEN THE VIBRATION BECAME VIOLENT. I SWEARVED INTO THE FAST LANE, CRINGING AND WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO HIT ME, SINCE I JUMPED INTO THEIR LANE. I ATTEMPTED TO STRAIGHTEN THE CAR , BUT WAS LOSING CONTROL. I VEERED BACK TO THE 3RD LANE AND THEN FISHTAILED , HEADING FOR THE CENTER DIVIDER. I CROSSED OVER INTO THE FAST LANE AND THE CARPOOL LANE , STAREING AT THE WALL. I MANAGED TO STRUGGLE WITH THE STEERING WHEEL TO TURN THE FRONT OF THE CAR AWAY FROM THE WALL, JUST IN THE NICK OF TIME TO FISHTALE AWAY. MY LEFT REAR BUMPER SIDESWIPED THE WALL AS I HEADED BACK ACROSS OVERALL 4 LANES, TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER, WHERE I CAME TO A STOP. IT WAS A MIRACLE THAT NO ONE HIT ME WHEN I FIRST WENT OUT OF CONTROL. IT WAS A MIRACLE THAT NO ONE SLAMMED INTO SOMEONE ELSE, AS THEY SLOWED DOWN TO LET ME CONTINUE STAY " OUT OF CONTROL" UNTIL I CAME TO HALT. IT WAS THE MOST HORRIFIYING 20 SECONDS OF MY LIFE. MY LIFE WAS SPARED, AND SO WAS SOMEONE ELSE'S, IF THE TIME HAD BEEN DIFFERENT. I HAD TO PURCHASE ANOTHER FIREHAWK TIRE AND FIRESTONE REQUEST THAT I MAIL THEM THE DAMAGE TIRE!!! HOW DO YOU MAIL A TIRE!?!?!?! INSANE.*AK
Structure, Jul 18, 2002
WHILE GETTING OUT OF THE VEHICLE WITH TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL AND ENGINE STILL RUNNING, DRIVER'S DOOR HAD AUTOMATICALLY LOCKED, CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO GAIN ENTRANCE UNTIL SPARE KEY WAS USED. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK *TT
Power train, Jul 17, 2002
WHEN ACCELERATING VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE AND BE VERY NOISY. DEALER DETERMINED THAT FRONT AXLE WAS BROKEN.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 17, 2002
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES AT 40-55 MPH THERE IS A LOUD GRINDING SOUND AND PEDAL FEELS SPONGY. DEALER REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.*AK
Wheels, Jul 17, 2002
WHILE DRIVING WHEELS ON PASSENGER'S SIDE BUCKLED UNDERNEATH VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Electrical system, Jul 17, 2002, crash
THIS IS MY SECOND FORD, FOCUS. MY CAR STALLS OUT AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS WHILE DRIVING. I INITIATED THE LEMON LAW FOR THE PREVIOUS FOCUS 2001, BUT WAS OFFERED A 2002 TO AVOID MY PROCEEDING TO LEMON LAW ARBITRATION. WRONG MOVE ON MY PART. MY 2002 HAS THE SAME IGINITION PROBLEMS ... STALLS OUT/STEERING WHEEL LOCKS WHILE DRIVING! I DO NOT RECOMMEND BUYING A FORD FOCUS.
Engine and engine cooling, Other or unspecified, Jul 15, 2002
AT APPROX THREE HOURS AFTER PURCHASING OUR NEW FOCUS, WE WHERE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK, AND THE SPEEDOMETER WENT FROM 60 TO 140, AND RETURNED TO ZERO. THE VEHICLE THEN CAME TO A STALL. WE THEN NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THE FUEL CAP, AND THE ENGINE SERVICES SOON. WE WERE ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT APPROX 5 MINUTES LATER, THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. WE THEN RETURN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE SERVICES DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE CAUSES WAS A LOOSE GROUNDS, AND INCOMPLETE CIR. THE SERVICES DEPARTMENT CORRECTIONS WERE DIAG. LED TO LOOSE GROUND CONNECTIONS NEAR BATTERY. A FEW DAYS LATER THE VEHICLE DID NOT WANT TO START, AND IT TOOK 2 ATTEMPT'S TO START THE VEHICLE.*AK
Steering, Jul 12, 2002, crash
TRAVELLING INTERSTATE AT 60 MPH, WENT AROUND TURN IN HIGHWAY, STEERING DID NOT RESPOND, HIT LEFT FRONT ON GUARDRAIL AND SLID ALONG THE GUARDRAIL FOR ABOUT 100 FT, CAR TOTALLED. *AK
Steering, Jul 3, 2002
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING HEARD A LOUD SQUEALING NOISE, CONSUMER THEN DISCOVERED THAT THE TIE ROD BROKE OFF.*JB
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
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 29, 2002
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Jun 25, 2002
CONSUMER APPLIED BOTH BRAKES AND CLUTCH AT 70 MPH, AND VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DOWN. THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES. PEDALS WERE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER.*AK
Tires, Jun 17, 2002
IF CONSUMER TRAVELS ABOVE 50 MPH VEHICLE BEGINS TO SHAKE. SHE HAS TAKEN THIS VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC THREE TIMES FOR SAMETHING, AND WAS TOLD THAT PROBLEM WERE THE TIRES. CONSUMER DID NOT THINK THIS WAS TRUE BECAUSE TIRES HAD BEEN ROTATED TWICE WITHIN 2 WEEKS.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 17, 2002, crash
BRAKES GRIND WHEN CONSUMER IS APPLYING BRAKES. FOLLOWING DAY CONSUMER COULD NOT STOP WHEN TRYING TO PARK, VEHICLE RAN INTO A HOUSE. *AKCONSUMER SUFFERED BRUISES TO THE CHEST AND BACK PROBLEMS. CONSUMERS MOTHER SUFFERED A CONCUSSION AND THE CHILDREN HAD BUMPS AND BRUISES. *JG
Steering, Jun 14, 2002, crash
WHILE DRIVING 65-70 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A POP FROM RIGHT FRONT OF VEHICLE, CONSUMER LOST CONTROL, AND VEHICLE ROLLED OVER. CONSUMER SUFFERED BROKEN RIBS, AND VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. *AKI
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 12, 2002
VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHILE MAKING TURNS. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED, AND VEHICLE WAS RETURNED BACK TO DEALER. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 10, 2002
WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED VEHICLE WILL STALL WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. MECHANIC HAS SERVICED VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES; HOWEVER, CANNOT SEEM TO FIND OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM.*AK
Electrical system, Jun 10, 2002
WHILE TRAVELING ON TURNPIKE AT 55 MPH, VEHICLE HESITATED MOMENTARILY AS THOUGH A SPARK PLUG WAS MISSFIRED. OWNER WILL SEND DETAILS AFTER FORD INSPECTS VEHICLE.*AK
Seat belts, Seats, Jun 10, 2002
CONSUMER STATES AFTER TESTING THE SHOULDER HARNESSES, THE FRONT HARNESS CAME OUT OF THE WALL WHILE INSTALLING STRESS TEST EQUIPMENT WITH ONLY THE TENSION TAKEN OUT OF THE CHAIN, THERE WAS NEVER A PULL APPLIED TO THE HARNESS, THE CENTER HARNESS HAD PREVIOUSLY CAME OUT OF THE VAN AND THE BRACKET HOLDING THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY PULLED OUT OF THE WALL, CONSUMER FOUND THAT THE UNIT WAS ATTACHED WITH AN ALUMINUM ANCHOR AND ONLY THROUGH THE FIBERGLASS WALL OF THE VAN, THAT IS WHY THE TESTS WERE BEING COMPILED. THE SEATS THAT WERE INSTALLED WERE WRONG. THESE ARE FORD VANS USED TO TRANSPORT ELDERLY AND DISABLED PERSONS. *SLC
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 7, 2002
VEHICLE WILL VIBRATE, AND STALL WHILE DRIVING. DEALER CONTACTED, CANNOT FIX PROBLEM.*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
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 7, 2002
DRIVING DOWN FREEWAY AT 70, ENGINE CUT OUT COMPLETELY. WAS ABLE TO RESTART BRIEFLY, BUT ENGINE DIED AFTER IDLING FOR 20 SECONDS. ALL OTHER ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS WORK. ENGINE TURNS OVER, BUT WILL NOT FIRE. NOT A PROBLEM WITH FUEL CAP, NO FUEL OR FUEL SHUTOFF VALVE.*AK
Electrical system, May 19, 2002
THE FORD TECH FOUND A SHORT IN THE CABLE FROM THE TANK PRESSURE TRANSDUCER. THE WIRE WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE FRAME AND FINALLY SHORTED OUT THE PCM AND EVERYTHING WENT BRAIN DEAD. THEY REPLACED THE PCM AND REROUTED A NEW FUEL TANK SENSOR WIRE AWAY FROM THE FRAME. SO FAR SO GOOD. MY CAR WAS IN THE SHOP FOR FOUR WEEKS TOTAL. *TS *NLM *DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12-12-02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS*762059
Engine and engine cooling, May 11, 2002
2002 FORD FOCUS COMPLETELY SHUTDOWN WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH AND DID NOT START UP. TOWED TO ALBION FORD FOR REPAIRS. ALBION FORD "REPAIRED" IT. (TWO WEEKS AT THE DEALER). PICKED UP CAR ON FRIDAY (5/2/02) AND SHUTDOWN AGAIN ON SUNDAY (5/5/02). TOWED TO JACKSON FORD. CURRENTLY AT JACKSON FORD FOR SAME PROBLEM.*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