2002 Ford Focus Suspension Problems

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

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

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

OK SO I'VE HAD MY FORD FOCUS FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS NOW I FELL IN LOVE WITH THIS LITTLE THING RECENTLY GOT STRUTS CHANGED IN FRONT AND BALL JOINTS BUSHINGS AND TIRES SO I KNEW IT WOULD NEED AN ALIGNMENT SO GOT THAT DONE NOW AT SPEEDS FROM 50-60 MPH THIS CAR STARTS FISHTAILING OUT OF CONTROL I DONT HAVE ALOT OF MONEY I AM NOT WORKIN AT PRESENT SO I CANT AFFORD TO TAKE MY USED CAR TO DEALER MUCH LESS TO ANOTHER AUTO SHOP. I TRAVEL 50 -70 MILES EACH DAY TO WORK AND I'M SCARED ITS GONNA FISHTAIL ME INTO A WRECK. MILEAGE 134000 APPLKE VALLEY CALIF.

NHTSA ID

10905560

Incident

Sep 7, 2016

Mileage

134,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 50 TO 60 MPH, THE SUSPENSION SPRING ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SNAPPED IN HALF. THE FAILURE CAUSED A SHARP POINT AND SHREDDED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE TIRE AND SPRING WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120. UPDATED 08/17/16*LJ THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE SOLD THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 08/22/16.*JB

NHTSA ID

10887447

Incident

May 15, 2015

Mileage

120 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED, THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE REAR COIL SPRING WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.

NHTSA ID

10825189

Incident

Feb 5, 2016

Mileage

38,000 mi

2002 FORD FOCUS ZX5. BRAKES WERE REPLACED AND FIRST TIME IT WAS DROVE THERE WAS A NOISE FROM FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL AREA. FOUND THE COIL SPRING IS MOVING AND MAKING POPPING NOISE. I GOOGLED THE PROBLEM AND FOUND A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THESE SPRINGS BREAKING AND DAMAGING TIRES OR CAUSING ACCIDENTS AND THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL? TRYING TO FIND OUT FOR MY MOM. THIS IS HER CAR BUT I AM GIVING MY CONTACT INFO. *TR

NHTSA ID

10606714

Incident

Jun 28, 2014

LAST INSPECTION IT WAS REPORTED TO INSPECT THIS YEAR THE CROSSMEMBER/SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED OR CAR WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION RESEARCHING THIS I'VE FOUND SEVERAL PEOPLE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS ALSO I SAW RECALL OF MORE SUSPENSION ISSUES OCCURRING NOW.. 40 K MILEAGE IT HAS LAST YEAR HAD TO REPLACE SWAY BAR BECAUSE IT LET LOOSE WHEN I DROVE HOME PUNCTURING MY TIRE ALMOST WENT INTO THE RIVER THIS NIGHT . *TR

NHTSA ID

10559998

Incident

Jul 15, 2013

IN 2004 FORD ISSUED A WARRANTY EXTENSION ON THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS. THIS WAS CALLED: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 03M02. THEY KNEW THE PART HAS BEEN INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED AND THE COIL SPRING WOULD BREAK DUE TO CORROSION. THE WARRANTY WAS EXTENDED TO 150,000 MILES OR 10 YEARS. MY COIL SPRING BROKE ON JULY 26 2013 WHEN MY CAR ONLY HAD 56,193 MILES BUT IT WAS 11 YEARS OLD. THE FORD DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE COMPANY WOULD NOT PAY FOR THIS REPAIR. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT I THINK THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD PAY FOR THIS REPAIR AND FOR THE OTHER FRONT COIL SPRING SINCE THE PROBLEM SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL SINCE THE COMPANY KNEW THE PART HAD NOT BEEN MANUFACTURED CORRECTLY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10533503

Incident

Jul 26, 2013

Mileage

56,193 mi

THIS IS OUR FIRST YEAR DRIVING THIS FOCUS IN THE SNOW, WE BOUGHT IT IN 2011. WE HAD A SNOW FALL ON 11/1/2012 AND WE TOOK THE CAR OUT FOR A DRIVE. ANY SPEED ABOVE 35 MPH AND THE REAR OF THE CAR FLOATS (WIGGLES) BACK AND FORTH UP TO A FOOT. IT IS COMPLETELY UNSTABLE ON SNOW OR ICE. I DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE, AND FORD APPARENTLY KNOWS THE PROBLEM,: DEFECTIVE REAR UPPER CONTROL ARMS, SINCE THEY DID A SILENT RECALL ON THESE IN 2006. NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE THIS SINCE THERE ARE MANY MORE FOCUS OUT THERE LIKE OURS, AND FORD SHOULD HAVE TO RECALL AND REPLACE THE CONTROL ARMS ON ALL OF THESE UNITS FROM 2000-2004. I HAVE OVER 35 YEARS OF WINTER DRIVING EXPERIENCE AND I HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE (EVEN THE OLD REAR WHEEL DRIVE MODELS) BEHAVE SO DANGEROUSLY ON SNOW AND ICE, EVEN WITH ALL SEASON TIRES ON IT. I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY HAVE TO DO SINCE THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. HERE IS AN ATTACHED ARTICLE I FOUND ON LINE. OCTOBER 03, 2006 FORD MOTOR COMPANY TOLD DEALERS THAT THEY MAY NEED TO REPLACE THE REAR UPPER CONTROL ARMS ON FORD FOCUS MODELS. THE MODELS INCLUDE: 2000 THROUGH 2004 FOCUS SEDAN, WAGON, ZX3 AND ZX5 SERIES. FORD WILL CHECK THE REAR CAMBER AND, IF POSSIBLE, MAKE AN ADJUSTMENT. IF AN ADJUSTMENT TO THE VEHICLE'S REAR CAMBER IS NECESSARY BEYOND THE NEGATIVE END OF SPECIFICATION, THEN THE DEALERSHIP WILL NEED TO SOURCE REPLACEMENT REAR UPPER CONTROL ARM(S)." THIS IS CONSIDERED A "SILENT RECALL" WHERE UPON FORD MAY NOT NOTIFY OWNERS OF THIS CONDITION. . *TR

NHTSA ID

10489494

Incident

Nov 1, 2012

Mileage

30,422 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10465910

Incident

Jul 6, 2012

Mileage

127,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10463904

Incident

Jul 1, 2012

Mileage

100,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10463538

Incident

Jun 25, 2012

Mileage

113,800 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10459659

Incident

May 23, 2012

Mileage

115,900 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10453830

Incident

Mar 14, 2012

Mileage

71,000 mi

2002 FORD FOCUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DENIAL OF REIMBURSEMENT *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED IN MAY 2011, THE RIGHT FRONT SPRING FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE BOTH THE LEFT AND FRONT SPRING/STRUT ASSEMBLIES WERE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER LEARNED FORD HAD ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ADVISING DEALERS THAT CERTAIN FOCUS VEHICLES INCLUDING HIS WERE SUSCEPTIBLE TO FRONT SPRING FRACTURE FAILURES DUE TO INADEQUATE CORROSION PROTECTION. THE CONSUMER WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT, BECAUSE HE DID NOT TAKE HIS VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALER FOR REPAIRS. *JB

NHTSA ID

10433376

Incident

May 1, 2011

Mileage

88,033 mi

MY 2002 FORD FOCUS WAGON NEEDED BRAKES BECAUSE THE FRONT END WOULD SHAKE WHEN I APPLIED BRAKES. ALSO NOTICED A WHIRLING NOISE FROM THE BACK OFF CAR BUT DID NOT MENTION THAT TO MY MECHANIC. HE TOOK IT FOR A TEST DRIVE AND ASKED IF I NOTICED THE WHIRLING NOISE TOO. HE SAID HE WAS CONCERNED AND CHECKED THAT 1ST. MY RIGHT REAR TIRE WAS FROZEN AND NOT TURNING, THAT'S WHERE THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM. IT HAD TO BE CUT OFF IN ORDER TO BE REPLACED. HE TOLD ME THAT THE WHEEL COULD HAVE BROKE OFF WHILE DRIVING AND COULD HAVE KILLED ME, I HAD THAT REPAIRED, ALONG WITH FRONT END BRAKES AND REPLACED WARPED ROTORS. THEN JUST 2 DAYS LATER BACKED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND BROKE A FRONT RIGHT COIL SPRING. A YEAR LATER REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR. AND LAST WEEK JUST HAD TO PAY FOR A REBUILT TRANSMISSION, BECAUSE WOULD NOT SHIFT PROPERLY, UPON OBSERVATION THE TRANSMISSION HAD METAL CHIPS IN TRANSMISSION FLUID AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I CANT BELIEVE NO RECALL ON THIS CAR!

NHTSA ID

10423611

Incident

Apr 29, 2007

Mileage

38,200 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED BOTH FRONT COIL SPRINGS BROKE. DURING ROUTINE TIRE MAINTENANCE THE MECHANIC STATED THE COIL SPRINGS WERE BROKEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA ID

10421437

Incident

May 19, 2011

Mileage

160,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR BEARINGS SEIZED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED SIX TIMES. ON ONE OCCASION THE CONTACTS REAR PASSENGER WHEEL BROKE OFF CAUSING THE CONTACT TO REPLACE THE CONTROL ARM. THE DEALER DID NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE, BUT STATED THE FAILURE OCCURRED FREQUENTLY WITH THAT MODEL YEAR VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

NHTSA ID

10416502

Incident

Mar 8, 2009

Mileage

60,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING FRACTURED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL DRIVABLE AND WAS DRIVEN TO A DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE SWAY BAR, STRUT MOUNTS AND THE LINKS HAD ALSO FRACTURED AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE. THE COIL SPRINGS WERE COVERED UNDER A VOLUNTARY RECALL THAT WAS ISSUED, BUT THEY DECLINED TO REPAIR THE OTHER COMPONENTS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 135,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 06/29/11*LJ UPDATED 2/07/2012 *LN *TR

NHTSA ID

10403596

Incident

Feb 7, 2011

Mileage

135,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL BANGING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TRAILING ARM WAS FRACTURED AND STRIKING AGAINST THE BRAKE LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000. UPDATED 04/05/11*LJ UPDATED 04/05/11

NHTSA ID

10386274

Incident

Feb 14, 2011

Mileage

35,000 mi

CORROSION OF THE FRONT COIL SPRING, THE SPRING FAILED AT THE POINT OF THE CORROSION, DAMAGE TO THE FENDER RESULTED. PARTIAL LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, CRASH AVERTED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10384159

Incident

Jan 4, 2011

Mileage

260,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS LS. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STEER AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. AFTER STOPPING THE VEHICLE AND INSPECTING THE PROBLEM, HE NOTICED THE LEFT STRUT SPRING COLLAPSED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,000.

NHTSA ID

10382535

Incident

Feb 13, 2011

Mileage

38,000 mi

MY FORD FOCUS LEFT TIRE FELL OFF BECAUSE OF THE WHEEL BEARING BREAKING. WITH NO WARNING OR NOISE MY TIRE DETACHED DURING DRIVING. MY TIRE WAS FOUND 40 YARDS AWAY WITH THE LUGS NUTS STILL ATTACHED TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE DRUM BRAKE. POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. *TR

NHTSA ID

10352416

Incident

Aug 27, 2010

Mileage

118,592 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 5 TO 10 MPH, SHE HEARD A LOUD BANGING NOISE. SHE DROVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT AXLE LOOKED AS IF IT WAS GOING TO BREAK. SHE SAFELY DROVE THE VEHICLE TO HER RESIDENCE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR AND IT WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER AGAIN. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT BOTH FRONT AXLES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE DEALER ADVISED HER ON THE THIRD VISIT THAT THE FRONT AXLES THAT WERE REPLACED WERE DEFECTIVE AND THAT THE WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD AN EXHAUST LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

NHTSA ID

10341849

Incident

Jan 20, 2010

Mileage

113,000 mi