RoadVitals

2002 Ford Focus

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
939
Latest Dec 26, 2024
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
8
Latest Feb 24, 2012
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
5
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
102
78 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 939 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Ford Focus, most frequently naming the electrical, engine and suspension categories. 8 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 5 NHTSA investigations name it; and 143 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

8 campaigns cover this model year

View all 8

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
12E007000

EQUIPMENT

Feb 24, 2012
10,006 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: 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.
The remedy: 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.
RIDE CONTROL, LLCView on NHTSA.gov
09E025000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

May 11, 2009
42,540 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: 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.
DOPE, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
09E012000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Apr 7, 2009
16,270 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
The remedy: 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.
SABERSPORTView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

AQ10001ClosedAudit Query

Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit

Opened Nov 18, 2010
Closed Dec 28, 2015

On November 18, 2010, NHTSA's Recall Management Division (RMD) opened an audit query (AQ10-001) to investigate recall remedy completion by rental car companies on safety recall campaigns.It was expected to provide the agency an indication of how completely and how quickly rental car fleets perform necessary recall-related remedies on the vehicles owned and then rented/leased for use on the roadways.RMD queried three (3) major motor vehicle manufacturers (Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors) and requested data regarding completion figures for fifteen (15) discreet safety recalls.Analysis of this data demonstrated that rental car recalls completion was neither complete nor consistent.The rental car companies representing the largest market share in the industry were then queried as to their respective policies for the rental, lease, and sale of vehicles with open recalls.The data and responses from the manufacturers and the rental car companies can be found in the document repository by accessing the ?Associated Documents link above.In December 2015, Congress enacted the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act.One section of the Act prohibits rental car companies from renting, leasing, or selling motor vehicles subject to open safety recalls.With the passage of the FAST Act and its prohibition, there is no continuing need for the agency to investigate rental car recall completions.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The agency reserves the right to open any future investigations, including audits of individual recalls, or groups of recalls, or rental car companies, to examine more closely safety recalls performance and completion issues in this area.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
EA02022ClosedEngineering Analysis

ENGINE STALLING

Opened Sep 9, 2002
Closed Jan 16, 2004

CLOGGING OF THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE (FDM) FILTERS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES CAN LEAD TO STALLING AND OTHER RELATED SYMPTOMS.THESE SYMPTOMS BECOME INCREASINGLY OBVIOUS TO THE DRIVER AS THE CLOGGING GRADUALLY INCREASES OVER EXTENDED PERIODS OF DRIVING.STALLING IN THESE VEHICLES IS MOST LIKELY TO OCCUR WHEN ACCELERATING THROUGH A RIGHT HAND TURN SUCH AS MERGING INTO FREEWAY TRAFFIC WHEN THE FUEL LEVEL IN THE FUEL TANK IS LESS THAN 1/4 FULL.MORE THAN 90% OF THE STALLING COMPLAINTS PERTAIN TO THE ORIGINAL DESIGN FDM INSTALLED IN MY 2000 AND 2001 (PARTIAL YEAR) FOCUS VEHICLES. FORD HAS DECIDED TO CONDUCT A CAMPAIGN (03V-482) TO ADDRESS STALLINGIN THESE VEHICLES.THE SMALLER NUMBER AND RATE OF COMPLAINTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE INTERIM AND CURRENT FDM DESIGNS INDICATE IMPROVEMENT BUT ALSO REFLECT A SHORTER TIME IN SERVICE FOR THESE DESIGNS. ACCORDINGLY, ODI WILL MONITOR THE STALLING PERFORMANCE OF MY 2001 - 2002 FOCUS VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH INTERIM AND CURRENT DESIGN FDMS.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMPLed to recall 03V482000
EA02023ClosedEngineering Analysis

FRONT SUSP COLLAPSE/WHEEL SEPARATION

Opened Sep 9, 2002
Closed Feb 19, 2003

SEE ATTACHED REPORT.

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM
EA02014ClosedEngineering Analysis

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

Opened Jul 31, 2002
Closed Nov 13, 2002

There is no summary currently available

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMLed to recall 02V288000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 939
Brakes
Filed Dec 26, 2024

Break lights won't work and was almost hit by another car, changed break lights changed light break switch checked fuses and wiring everything is good

NHTSA ID
11632542
Incident
Dec 26, 2024
Filed Apr 21, 2024

Sunroof Exploded. Empty Road, temp low 40s. No warning. I have owned the car since 2004. Though older car, <120,000 miles.

NHTSA ID
11584343
Incident
Apr 21, 2024
Filed Jul 26, 2023

The drivers door will not open. It is stuck shut. Turning the key in the lock does not work. Broke outer handle trying to open door to assist elderly party out of drivers seat. Power lock fuse is fine. Took door panel off partly to expose cable, cannot push or pull cable to force open. Safety issue because owner is elderly. Cannot reasonably crawl in and out through passenger side. Emergency personnel would not be able to reach occupants in case of an accident.

NHTSA ID
11534693
Incident
Jul 14, 2023
ElectricalExterior lightingSuspension
Filed Jan 21, 2023

I drive a 2002 Ford Focus Sedan. My engine light is on, warning light for trunk door ajar light is on (even though the trunk is securely locked, my front headlights due not work consistently (sometimes work, sometimes don't). My trunk does not always latch secure after I close it as well. I took my car to Advanced Auto Parts and had my engine light diagnosed. Engine codes that resulted were: B1318, B1881, C1947, B2438, B2434, P0457. The representative tested my battery and found that the voltage was slightly lower than it should be. My concern is for my safety as well as the safety of others. Do we have some manufacturer defects on this particular vehicle? Have other concerns which could be the result of vehicle wear and tear, or/and due to manufacturer defects as well. Inner tie rods need replaced as well as control arms/bushings, as reported to me by a mechanic. I have seen recall reports related to the 2002 Ford Focus in which there has been issues directly related to what I'm reporting, which is another reason I'm filing a report. Thank you. The contact wanted to add that the wipers are experiencing an electrical issue as well. When in use, the wipers cannot be switched off when it is at the highest position because it will not return in the downward position.

NHTSA ID
11502938
Incident
Jul 13, 2021
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 17, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SLIPPED OUT OF DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL. THE CONTACT CALLED FAIRWAY FORD (2761 E STONE DR, KINGSPORT, TN 37660), AND INFORMED THE DEALER OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE HAD TO PAY A DIAGNOSTIC FEE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER DUE TO THE DIAGNOSTIC AND REPAIR COSTS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL WHILE STOPPED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 137,000.

NHTSA ID
11355633
Incident
Sep 4, 2020
Mileage
137,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Dec 30, 2019

HUSBAND WAS DRIVING APPROX. 35 MPH WITH HIS MOTHER IN THE PASSENGER SEAT DOWN A COUNTRY ROAD. DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITH NO ACCIDENT. PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG OR COVER BROKE WINDSHIELD. HUSBAND HIT BRAKES.

NHTSA ID
11291969
Incident
Dec 29, 2019
Mileage
75,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Nov 10, 2019

VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 108,000 MILES. I DID REPLACE THE TIE RODS CONTROL ARMS AND SWAY BAR OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THE SUBFRAME IS VERY RUSTED AND THE ENGINE COULD FALL OF IF THE VEHICLE IS NOT SERVICED IMMEDIATELY. I BOUGHT THE CAR AROUND 90,000 MILES AND HAVE ALREADY REPLACED FUEL PUMP AND OTHER PARTS UNDER THE CAR.

NHTSA ID
11279301
Incident
Oct 31, 2019
Mileage
108,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Jan 31, 2019

AT SPEED OF 40+MPH AND UNEVEN HIGHWAY OR WHEN ENCOUNTERING A MANHOLE COVER THE REAR OF THE CAR SWAYS AND SHIMMIES LEFT TO RIGHT IN AN EXTREME MANNER. NOTICED MUCH WORSE WITH NEW TIRES THAT GRIP WELL. HAVE HAD IT INSPECTED BY A PROFESSIONAL WHO SAYS ALL VITAL PARTS LOOK OKAY. 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT DID NOT REMEDY. I SEE REFERENCES TO A DESIGN ISSUE WITH THE UPPER CONTROL MEMBERS THAT MAKE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO REACH A CORRECT CAMBER SETTING. I DON'T TRUST MUCH ON THE INTERNET THOUGH, AND WOULD LIKE NHTSA GUIDANCE OR FURTHER INFORMATION. THANKS FOR ANY HELP YOU CAN PROVIDE, I APPRECIATE IT.

NHTSA ID
11173264
Incident
Jan 4, 2019
Mileage
140,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

16-0067

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

For 2000-2005 Focus vehicles built on or before 1/26/2005 Safety Recall 05S27 has been issued for vehicles that are operated in high corrosion areas for an extended period, where the rear door latches may experience corrosion in the pawl pivot area preventing proper engagement of the pawl into the catch. Initially, customers may experience difficulty closing the rear door that may eventually progress to a point where the rear door may not latch properly. If not latched properly, the door may open while driving.

TSB-14-0162

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH; STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

FORD: REAR DOOR LATCHES ARE EXPERIENCING CORROSION IN PAWL PIVOT AREA THAT PREVENT PROPER ENGAGEMENT OF PAWL INTO CATCH, WHEN OPERATED IN AREAS CAUSING HIGH CORROSION. MODEL 2000-05 FOCUS. *PE

TSB-14-0163

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS; SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

FORD: DUE TO HIGH CORROSION AREAS, WHERE VEHICLES ARE OPERATED FOR EXTENDED PERIODS, LOWER CONTROL ARM (LCA) CAN SEPARATE FROM FORWARD ATTACHMENT OF SUBFRAME. MODEL 2001-04 ESCAPE. *PE

TSB-14-0148

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

FORD: ON SOME VEHICLES, OPERATING FOR AN EXTENDED TIME IN HIGH CORROSION AREA, A SAFETY RECALL 05S27 WAS ISSUED, WHERE REAR DOOR LATCHES EXPERIENCE CORROSION IN PAWL PIVOT AREA PREVENTING PROPER ENGAGEMENT OF PAWL INTO CATCH. MODEL 2000-05 FOCUS. *PE

19016

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

REPLACE TIMING BELT IDLER PULLEY DURING 2.0L ZETEC ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD REPLACEMENT - SERVICE TIP. *TT

0627

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL

MANIFOLD OR CATALYTIC CONVERTER HEAT SHIELDS LOOSE/MISSING. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Ford Focus by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
20188257562.7
201788910561.6
20161,17610460.0
20151,0159562.0
20142,59612360.1
20132,10512357.6
20123,7608357.7
20111130037.9
20102870038.2
20092290040.2
20082502152.8
20073912157.1
20062042051.4
20054415158.7
20043876160.4
20039777157.3
2002Viewing9398564.1
20011,76114965.9
20003,686181364.2
1999110027.3

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.