2002 Ford Focus Tires & wheels Problems

ON 05/09/2014 AT APPROXIMATELY 1750 HOURS I WAS TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON INTERSTATE 95 ADJACENT TO MILE MARKER 99 LOCATED NEAR STUART, FLORIDA WHEN I SUDDENLY FELT A VERY STRONG VIBRATION AND LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT RIGHT AXLE, IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE CAUSING ME TO LOOSE STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY CAME TO A FULL STOP AND UPON FURTHER INSPECTION ON THE SHOULDER IT WAS REVEALED THAT THE SEPARATION OF THE TIRE TREAD CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGES TO THE VEHICLE TO INCLUDE FRONT RIGHT FENDER DENTS, BRAKING AC REFRIGERANT LINES, FRONT HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY, SIDE MARKER AND THE PLASTIC COVER THAT GOES UNDERNEATH THE WHEEL WELL. THE TIRE IS DESCRIBED AS A FIRESTONE FR380, 185/65R14 86S WITH DOT E26L 38B 3110 A30. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PEP BOYS SHOP IN JUPITER, FL AND THE TIRE WAS TAKEN TO THE TIRE PLUS STORE LOCATED IN JUPITER, FL TO BE EXCHANGED. THE TIRES WERE ORIGINALLY PURCHASED AND INSTALLED AT TIRES PLUS ON OCTOBER, 2010 AT 77,600 MILES AND OVERALL THE TIRE HAD LESS THAN 20,000 ROAD MILES WHEN THE ENTIRE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. PICTURES OF THE TIRE ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST, THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ID

10587722

Incident

May 9, 2014

Mileage

97,500 mi

ON 05/09/2014 AT APPROXIMATELY 1750 HOURS I WAS TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON INTERSTATE 95 ADJACENT TO MILE MARKER 99 LOCATED NEAR STUART, FLORIDA WHEN I SUDDENLY FELT A VERY STRONG VIBRATION AND LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT RIGHT AXLE, IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE CAUSING ME TO LOOSE STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY CAME TO A FULL STOP AND UPON FURTHER INSPECTION ON THE SHOULDER IT WAS REVEALED THAT THE SEPARATION OF THE TIRE TREAD CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGES TO THE VEHICLE TO INCLUDE FRONT RIGHT FENDER DENTS, BRAKING AC REFRIGERANT LINES, FRONT HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY, SIDE MARKER AND THE PLASTIC COVER THAT GOES UNDERNEATH THE WHEEL WELL. THE TIRE IS DESCRIBED AS A FIRESTONE FR380, 185/65R14 86S WITH DOT E26L 38B 3110 A30. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PEP BOYS SHOP IN JUPITER, FL AND THE TIRE WAS TAKEN TO THE TIRE PLUS STORE LOCATED IN JUPITER, FL TO BE EXCHANGED. THE TIRES WERE ORIGINALLY PURCHASED AND INSTALLED AT TIRES PLUS ON OCTOBER, 2010 AT 77,600 MILES AND OVERALL THE TIRE HAD LESS THAN 20,000 ROAD MILES WHEN THE ENTIRE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. PICTURES OF THE TIRE ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST, THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ID

10587719

Incident

May 9, 2014

Mileage

97,500 mi

TL - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH TIRES MANUFACTURED BY FALCON, SIZE 205-50-R16, TIRE LINE ZIEX, DOT V43V, AND SERIAL NUMBER 4M9R4509. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE INSPECTING THE TIRES THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THE SIDE WALLS WERE CRACKED. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED REGARDING THE DEFECTIVE TIRES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILES WERE 19,000. RK

NHTSA ID

10409201

Incident

Jun 18, 2011

Mileage

19,000 mi

COOPER COBRA RADIAL G/T - TREAD SEPARATION - ON ALL 4 TIRES. HAPPENED OVER A PERIOD OF 3 YEARS. ONE INCIDENT LEFT US STRANDED FOR 5 HOURS ON A BUSY HIGHWAY IN MARYLAND. DOT # U9V9 C28 0605 SIZE P195/60R15. *TR

NHTSA ID

10256075

Incident

Nov 20, 2007

Mileage

37,000 mi

LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE IN THE TIRES (3 OUT OF 4 SO FAR) DUE TO FAULTY VALVE STEMS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10248930

Incident

Nov 16, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE VEHICLE HAS FIRESTONE TIRES. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE DUE TO A ROLLOVER CRASH. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE ON THE TIRE WAS 700. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 75 MPH, THE DRIVER FELT A SHIFT IN THE WAY THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING. THE TIRES WERE INSPECTED, BUT NO FAILURES WERE FOUND. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE SEPARATED IN TWO LOCATIONS. THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY ROLLED OVER WHILE MAKING THE LEFT TURN. THE DRIVER WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP AND THEY STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURED DATE OF THE TIRE WAS TWO MONTHS PRIOR TO THE CRASH. THE POLICE FILED A REPORT AND VERIFIED THAT THE DRIVER WAS NOT SPEEDING AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN, TIRE SIZE, AND TIRE LINE WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 92,000.

NHTSA ID

10248302

Incident

Oct 10, 2008

Mileage

92,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT NOTICED AIR COMING OUT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE, WHICH SHE HAD BEEN AWARE OF SINCE FIRST PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MORE THAN SIX TIMES, REGARDLESS IF THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OR IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE WOULD EITHER HAVE TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER OR SERVICE PERSONNEL WOULD COME TO HER AND REPLACE THE TIRE WITH A SPARE. THE DEALER WAS NEVER ABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED ONCE IN JANUARY OF 2008, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT SENT LETTERS AND EMAILS TO THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,686 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,815.

NHTSA ID

10244539

Incident

Dec 23, 2004

Mileage

22,815 mi

1. I'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS TIRE HOLDING AIR. IT HAS GIVEN ME PROBLEMS EVER SINCE I PURCHASED IT. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ALL THROUGH WARRANTY. I'VE BEEN PUTTING AIR IN IT WHICH HAS COST ME A SURMOUNTABLE AMT OF MONEY RANGING FROM 25 CENTS TO WHATEVER THE MARKET CHARGED COST OF PUTTING AIR IN IT TO THE CURRENT DATE. IT RUINED A GOOD TIRE AFTER 12,000 MILES OF USE; IT WAS ROTATED ALL THE NECESSARY TIMES; ONLY THE RIGHT PASSENGER FRONT SIDE TIRE NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES IT WAS ROTATED; THE SAME SIDE IS FAULTY; AUGUST 2008, A SERVICE CENTER DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM. I TOLD THEM TO EXAMINE THAT PARTICULAR WHEEL AND SEE IF THEY COULD FIGURE OUT WHAT PROBLEM EXISTS. THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE WHEEL IS BENT IN 4 DIFFERENT PLACES. I'VE HAD TO BE TOWED FROM MY WORKPLACE; MY AUTO CLUB HAS HAD TO SEND A SERVICE SHOPOUT TO CHANGE THE TIRE OR PUMP IT UP. SOMETIMES THIS WOULD HAPPEN IN MY DRIVEWAY. AFTER WARRANTY IT BECOMES THE OWNER'S PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THE MFR AND DEALER WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. AN OWNER OF A 2004, NEW AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE, ALSO HAS A CRACKED WHEEL. UNLESS THIS PROBLEM IS CORRECTED, IT WILL CONTINUE TO COST PURCHASERS MORE MONIES AND ACCIDENTS IF DRIVEN OVER 30-40 MILES PER HR. THIS IS A MFR'S DEFECT. A VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN ON LONG TRIPS AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, SUCH AS ON THE EXPRESSWAYS AND INTERSTATES. IT IS DANGEROUS REGARDLESS OF SPEED. ONCE AIR IS PUT BACK INTO THE TIRE, WITHIN A DAY'S TIME, DRIVEN OR NOT DRIVEN, IT STARTS GOING DOWN. BASICALLY, JUST BEING PARKED, IT WILL GO DOWN ANYWAY. WITH THE ETHICS OF THE DEALERSHIP IN THIS AREA, THEY PROBABLY DID THE SAME THING AS I'VE BEEN DOING., ADDING AIR TO THE TIRE AND RETURNING IT BACK TO ME. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ID

10241243

Incident

Dec 18, 2004

Mileage

12,000 mi

THE 2002 FORD FOCUS SE COMFORT WAGON HAS BEEN A CONTINUAL PROBLEM OF NOT STAYING IN ALIGNMENT (NAMED THE REAR WHEELS WORST THAT THE FRONT) FOR MORE THAN 5000 MILES BEFORE NEEDING ADDITION ADJUSTMENTS. TIRES HAVE LASTED LESS THAN 20,000 MILES (REGARDLESS OF MANUFACTURER) BEFORE TOTALLY WORN OUT AND NEEDING REPLACEMENT. *TR

NHTSA ID

10210853

Incident

Aug 17, 2002

Mileage

500 mi

2002 FORD FOCUS ZTS FIRESTONE TIRES WITH FLAT SPOTS. CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE FLAT SPOTS WOULD MAKE A NOISE AT CERTAIN SPEEDS. MECHANIC TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THEY NO LONGER CARRIED FIRESTONE TIRES AND THEY COULDN'T HELP HIM. *KB THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO GET THE TIRE PRO-RATED, HOWEVER THE NEW TIRES STARTED TO EXPERIENCE CUPPING. THE REAR VIEW MIRROR WAS LOOSE, THE SWAY BAR BUSHINGS, FRONT LINK PINS, REAR SUSPENSION BAR, REAR SIDE BRACKET AND FRONT STRUTS WERE ALL REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID

10208313

Incident

Jan 1, 1901

2002 FORD FOCUS ZX5- ONE OF THE CENTER CAPS ON THE 16" WHEELS FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE CAPS ARE DEFECTIVE SINCE THE TABS THAT HOLD IT ONTO THE WHEEL SEEM TO JUST BREAK OFF (CHEAP). THE CAP COVERS THE LUG NUTS. *TR

NHTSA ID

10201728

Incident

Feb 2, 2005

I HAVE A 2002 FORD FOCUS ZX5 THAT IS WELL MAINTAINED. WITHIN THE FIRST 2-3 YEARS, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS. IN 2004 I HAD TO REPLACE THE BATTERY. IN 2005 I HAD TO REPLACE THE RIGHT REAR WINDOW MOTOR. PRESENTLY THE LEFT REAR WINDOW MOTOR ISN'T WORKING; THE WINDOW WILL NOT GO UP. THE REAR FRONT WINDOW IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON EACH TIME THE CAR IS STARTED AND STAYS ON. THE CD PLAYER HAD TO BE REPLACED IN 2005. IN 2006 ALL FOUR TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF FACTORY DRY ROT. I REGULARLY SERVICE AND MAINTAIN THE CAR, AND HAVE APPROXIMATELY 28,000 MILES ON IT. I TAKE EXCELLENT CARE OF MY VEHICLE AND FEEL THIS CAR IS NOT MADE WITH QUALITY PARTS AND THAT IT IS NOT SAFE. ALTHOUGH I DRIVE AT NORMAL SPEEDS, IT DOES NOT GET THE MILEAGE STATED ON THE STICKER. *JB

NHTSA ID

10167055

Incident

Aug 30, 2006

Mileage

100,000 mi

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE, DESTROYING THE FRONT CONTROL PANEL OF THE VEHICLE. THE TIRE INDICATED THE RECOMMENDED PSI AS 34 AND IT HAS BEEN KEPT TO THAT STANDARD. THE TIRE WAS APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR OLD WHEN THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED. THERE WAS NO ABNORMAL BULGING AND THE VEHICLE HAD NO VIBRATION. THERE WAS ALSO NO MORE THAN 15000 MILES ON THE TIRE.

NHTSA ID

10164834

Incident

Aug 1, 2006

FIRESTONE FIREHAWK GTA P205/50R16, FRONT LEFT TIRE HAS BUBBLE ON SIDEWALL. THIS IS THE SECOND TIRE WITH THIS PROBLEM. I REPLACED THE FIRST ONE. *JB

NHTSA ID

10157815

Incident

May 1, 2006

I PURCHASED MY 2002 FORD FOCUS IN JANUARY OF 2005. I LOVE MY CAR, HAVE FOUND OUT ABOUT OF THINGS THAT COULD GO WRONG LATER. RIGHT NOW I AM HAVING TROUBLE WITH MY FRONT WHEELS. I HAVE PUT SIX USED TIRES ON THE FRONT SINCE I PURCHASED THE FOCUS. IN NOVEMBER I HAD TWO BRAND NEW TIRES PUT ON PLUS IN MAY I HAVE HAD A WHEEL ALIGNMENT DONE. THE CAR STILL SHAKES VERY BAD. FOUND OUT I NEED MY WHEEL HUB BEARING REPLACE, PLUS I FOUND OUT THERE MAY BE A RECALL ON THE REAR BEARING WHICH I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANYTHING. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THESE THINGS TO BE DONE. *JB

NHTSA ID

10146100

Incident

Dec 26, 2005

Mileage

54,429 mi

I PURCHASED A 2002 FORD FOCUS ZTS AND THE FACTORY INSTALLED TIRES HAD PROBLEMS STARTING WITH THE 2ND TIRE ROTATION AT 12,000 MILES. THE CAR WAS SERVICED AT A FIRESTONE DEALER AND THE 18,000 MILE ROTATION THE MANAGER RECOMMENDED THAT THE TIRE WEAR WAS SO BAD THAT ROTATING THE TIRES WOULD CAUSE EXCESSIVE ROAD NOISE AND TO LEAVE THEM WHERE THEY WERE AT. I COMPLAINED TO THE FORD MOTOR DEALERSHIP AND THEY DID NOTHING, EVEN FORD MOTOR'S CUSTOMER CARE TOLL FREE SERVICE SAID THEY COULD DO NOTHING. THE CAR HAS ONLY 21,000 TODAY AND THE TIRES SOUND LIKE I AM RIDING ON WOODEN TIRES. *NM

NHTSA ID

10142813

Incident

Sep 12, 2003

Mileage

12,000 mi

WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED CONSUMER SAW THE SEPARATION OF THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE SIDEWALL TIRE. CONSUMER HAD THE TIRE REPLACED. DEALERSHIP WILL BE NOTIFIED. *AK *NM

NHTSA ID

10115058

Incident

Feb 11, 2005

Mileage

32,200 mi

MY FORD FOCUS ZTX HAS 4 FIRESTONE FIREHAWK GTA 02 P205/50R15 M+S 86H TIRES ON IT AND THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 20,119 MILES ON IT. I ROTATED THE TIRES EVERY 6,000 MILES AS RECOMMENDED AND ON TH ELAST OIL CHANGE AND TIRE ROTATIN APPOINTMENT, THE FIRESTONE DEALER ADIVSED ME NOT TO ROTATE THE TIRES BECAUSE THEIR ARE DEFECTS IN THE TIRES AND THE REAR TIRES ROTATED TO THE FRONT WOULD CAUSE MORE ROAD NOISE. THE AUTO IS UNDER BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY AND THE FORD DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT COVER THE TIRES BECAUSE THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THEY DO NOT CARRY FIRESTONE TIRES ANYMORE EVEN THOUGH THESE WERE THE BRAND INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE BY THE FACTORY. *A

NHTSA ID

10114348

Incident

Nov 16, 2004

Mileage

20,119 mi

ON JANUARY 14, 2005 I TOOK MY VEHICLE INTO PAUL HARVEY FORD FOR MAINTANENCE. I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL THINGS NEEDING TO BE REPLACED, MOST WAS COVERED BY MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE SERVICE TECH. GARY ALSO INFORMED ME THAT I NEEDED ALL NEW TIRES, AND FURTHER SAID HE COULD NOT WARRANT ANY WORK DONE UNLESS I REPLACED THEM. SO I GAVE HIM PREMISSION TO DO SO. FEBURARY 7TH, 2005 WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK I WAS INFORMED BY A PASSERBY THAT MY TIRE WAS EXTREMELY LOW ON THE BACK DRIVER SIDE. I CONTACT GARY AT PAUL HARVEY FORD REGARDING THE FLAT AND HE ASK IF THERE WAS SOMEONE WHO COULD FIX IT. I REMINDED HIM THAT I JUST PURCHASED FOUR NEW TIRES FROM PAUL HARVEY FORD AND THAT I PLANNED TO BRING THE CAR AND TIRE IN. I TOOK IT IN THE NEXT MORNING WITH MY HUSBAND WHO SPOKE WITH GARY REGARDING THE TIRE. GARY SAID HE WOULD HAVE SOMEONE LOOK AT IT WHILE WE WAITED. GARY RETURNED AND SAID THAT THE TIRE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE HOLE WAS ON THE INSIDE AREA OF THE TIRE AND THAT IT WAS AGAINST THE LAW TO REPAIR, THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PRUCHASE ANOTHER. I REFUSED TO DO SO AND I'M STILL SEEKING REMENDY.*AK

NHTSA ID

10110274

Incident

Feb 7, 2005

MULTIPLE FAILURES; CONTINUAL ISSUES WITH BRAKES. CORRECT WATER LEAK AND PATCH TIRE. *BF THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ID

10109526

Incident

Jan 3, 2005

WHILE DRIVING, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE LUG NUT AND BOLTS OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

NHTSA ID

10097171

Incident

Oct 19, 2004

ON MY 2002 FOCUS SE MY PASSANGER FRONT TIRE HAD A BUBBLE- MY CAR ONLY HAS 17,000 MILES ON IT. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP I FOUND IT WASN'T UNDER WARRANTY. THE TIRES ARE SEPERATE AND HAD TO BE PRORATED FOR WEAR. THE COST OF THE SAME TIRE PLUS THE COST OF THE LABOR WAS ALMOST A HUNDRED DOLLARS. I CAN'T BELIEVE I AM FIXING SOMETING I DIDN'T CAUSE. FORD WON. I BOUGHT A NEW TIRE BUT FROM A DIFFERENT COMPANY.

NHTSA ID

10090952

Incident

Jul 9, 2004

Mileage

17,000 mi

THE FRONT TIRES WORE OUT. CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT TIRES. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. FIRESTONE, P205/50R16. *AK

NHTSA ID

10083996

Incident

Jul 19, 2004

Mileage

27,800 mi

THE CAP WHICH PRESSES ON OVER THE LUG NUT ON THE WHEEL WAS JUST PRESSED ON, AND CAME OFF EASILY. CONSUMER STATED THERE 3 CAPS WERE LOST WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID

10073732

Incident

May 17, 2004

BOTH FRONT TIRES AND RIMS BLEW OUT WHEN THE VEHICLE WENT OVER A SMALL POT HOLE. THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING IN COLD WEATHER. THE TIRES WRE LOW PROFILE TIRES. THE TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE PROBLEM RECURRED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT TIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

NHTSA ID

10065493

Incident

Dec 14, 2002

Mileage

25,000 mi