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.
Steering, Suspension, Power train, Visibility, Structure, Tires, Equipment, Child seat, May 6, 2002
THE ORIGINAL FIRESTONE TIRES (205/50R16) WEAR OUT PREMATURELY. THE VEHICLE BECOMES UNSTEADY ON BUMPY, WET OR SNOW COVERED ROADS, CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL. THE REAR TIRES VIBRATE AND CHATTER WHEN DRIVING ON WIND ROADS AND ON OPEN ROADS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, ALSO THE REAR TIRES WERE SHOWING IRREGULAR AND PREMATURE WEAR. THE MANUFACTURER REPRESENTATIVES STATED THAT IMPROPER FACTORY ALIGNMENT SPECIFICATION WERE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEMS. AUTO DOOR LOCKS MALFUNCTIONS. THE REAR HATCH DOOR WAS MISALIGNED AND WOULD NOT CLOSE PROPERLY, THE REAR WINDOW WASHER WOULD NOT SPRAY PROPERLY AND THE REAR WINDOW WASHER NOZZLE FAILED, THERE WAS AN ODOR COMING FROM HEATING OR A/C SYSTEM, THE POWER STEERING LINE WAS LEAKING. THE TRANSMISSION WAS DIFFICULT TO SHIFT INTO 2ND GEAR AND REVERSE WHEN IT WAS COLD, THE CHILD RESTRAINT BRACKETS WAS PUTTING DENTS IN THE REAR SEAT *YH
Steering, Air bags, May 6, 2002, crash
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED LOSS OF STEERING ABILITY, AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE HIT A CONCRETE JERSEY WALL HEAD ON AT 60 MPH, NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED, PASSENGER SUFFERED KNEE AND CHEST INJURIES, THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. * MJ
Steering, Air bags, May 6, 2002, crash
AT 60 MPH CONSUMER TURNED STEERING WHEEL, NO RESPONSE, VEHICLE HIT A CONCRETE WALL HEAD ON. PASSENGER SUFFERED KNEE AND CHEST INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.*AK
Suspension, Apr 15, 2002
LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARINGS WOULD CAUSE WHEEL TO WOBBLE AND WANDER. HAD IT REPLACED 3 TIMES FOR PROBLEM. INFORMED BY MECHANIC TO REPLACE WHEEL BEFORE EVENTUALLY IT DISCONNECTS BY ITSELF.*AK *YD
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Apr 15, 2002
WHILE DRIVING 45MPH, IN THE SNOW VEHCLE SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER, INCLUDING ELECTRICAL. VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. TOOK TO DEALER, AND VEHICLE WAS PLACED ON BOTH THE DIAGNOSTIC AND DATA RECORDER MACHINE, NOTHING WAS FOUND TO CAUSE POWER LOST AFTER ONE WEEK.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 13, 2002
THIS LINE OF VEHICLES ALSO HAS 2 OTHER MAJOR COMPLAINTS FROM MANY OWNERS, 1ST IS A PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT BRAKES SQUEALING THIS WAS IDENTIFIED IN THE 2001 MODEL YEAR, A TSB WAS ISSUED AND THE 2002 MODEL HAS THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM. THE SECOND ISSUE IS THE ENGINE RUNNING ROUGH AT IDLE. AGAIN A TSB WAS ISSUED BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT CORRECTED IN THE 2002 MODEL YEAR. THE MAIN PROBLEM THAT WAS REPORTED HERE WAS DUE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL SINKING TO THE FLOOR WHEN THE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. ADDITIONALLY, BRAKE FLUID WAS FOUND LEAKING FROM THE TOP OF THE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR. *AK
Structure, Apr 12, 2002, crash
VEHICLE HAS PLASTIC DECOR PANEL FOR BUMPER. WHILE STOPPED, VEHICLE WAS REARENDED AND BROKE PLASTIC PIECE ON BUMPER.*AK CONSUMER ADDS THAT THE RIGHT TAIL LIGHT ASSEMBLY BROKE AS WELL. *TT
Air bags, Seats, Apr 2, 2002, crash
1) AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN FRONTAL CRASH. 2) FRAME OF FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BROKE DURING ACCIDENT. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 2, 2002, crash
I WENT TO STOP BEHIND A TRUCK AND MY BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND. THE CAR WOULDN'T STOP. IT WAS LIKE THERE WERE NO BRAKES.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Mar 28, 2002
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. NLM *YH
Suspension, Engine and engine cooling, Mar 27, 2002
WHILE DRIVING, IT BECOMES VERY UNSTABLE WHEN MOVING OVER BUMPY ROADS, MANHOLES. IT ALSO BECOMES VERY ERRATIC WHEN ROADS ARE WET. TOOK TO DEALER SEVERAL TIMES. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. NLM VEHICLE STARTS AND THEN STALLS IN AM. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE CUSTOMER CONCERN. *TT
Tires, Mar 8, 2002
WHILE TRAVELING AT 55 MPH RIGHT REAR TIRE SUDDENLY EXPLODED. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK
Suspension, Jan 7, 2002
REAR END VERY UNSTABLE IS SNOW-MORE THAN NORMAL. DEALER SAID HE HAS HAD 3 OTHER COMPLAINTS - DEALER SAYS DOES NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO. *AK
Power train, Jul 10, 2001
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK