NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Ford Focus. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
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
VEHICLE WILL VIBRATE, AND STALL WHILE DRIVING. DEALER CONTACTED, CANNOT FIX PROBLEM.*AK
INSIDE CORNER OF REAR TIRE, APPROXIMATELY THREE INCH STRIP ON EACH TIRE, WEARS EXCESSIVELY. TIRES HAVE BEEN REPLACED AT 9,000, AND AT 20,000. STILL BELT TREAD IS SHOWING. CONSUMER MAINTAINS PROBLEM IS VEHICLE AND NOT TIRE. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER AND DEALER. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED.*AK *SLC
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING FROM 35 OR MORE MPH THE VEHICLE WOULD INTERMITTENTLY CUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER ON THREE OCCASIONS AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, THE CONSUMER FEELS EXCESSIVE HEAT ON HIS FEET WHILE DRIVING, THE DEALER INDICATED THAT ALL SHIELDS ARE IN PLACE, SUNROOF BUTTON IS IONPERATIVE. *NLM
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
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE BRAKE ROTORS HAVE GONE OUT AT 8,000 MILES, IN MAY THE CONSUMER HAD THE ROTORS REPLACED THEN IN JULY THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURED AND FINALLY ON THE 21-SEP-2002 THE CONSUMER HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN AGAIN TO HAVE THE ROTORS REPLACED. THE DEALER CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM. *NLM
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
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
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
WATER PUMP WENT OUT AND LOOSENED WHICH CAUSED FAN TO HIT IT CONTINUOUSLY. NOISE IN BRAKE PEDAL, REPORTED 3 TIMES, DEALER HAS NO IDEA WHAT IT IS. IT HAS GOTTEN LOUDER. THEY HEAR IT BUT DON'T KNOW WHAT IT IS
THE REMOTELY CONTROLLED DOOR LOCKS SPONTANEOUSLY LOCK WHILE THE DRIVER IS OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. IF THERE WERE SMALL CHILDREN IN THE CAR, OR AN ELDERLY DISABLED PERSON, THE DRIVER WOULD BE UNABLE TO GET BACK IN. IF THE CAR LOCKED ITSELF WHILE A LONE DRIVER WAS IN A DANGEROUS DESOLATE AREA, THIS TOO WOULD BE A HAZARD. I KNOW OF ANOTHER WOMAN WHO HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HER FORD. HER DEALER SAID THAT SINCE HER CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, IT COULD BE FIXED FOR $75.00. MY DEALER SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG, AND CANNOT BE FIXED. MY CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY.*AK
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
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
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
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
DT: THE CONTACT WISHED TO FILE A SAFETY COMPLAINT REGARDING THE REAR DOOR LATCH THAT HAD AN ACTIVE RECALL. BUT THE CONTACT WAS GOING TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO DEALER TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIRS PERFORMED ON AUGUST, FRIDAY 26, 2005. THE CONTACT STATED SHE HAD PROBLEMS WITH REAR DOORS SINCE OWNING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WARNED MANUFACTURER IF RECALL REPAIRS WERE NOT DONE SHE WILL SUE FORD AND NHTSA. *AK
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. NLM *YH
AT FIRST I THOUGHT I MIGHT HAVE HIT THE HATCH RELEASE WHEN I UNLOCKED THE VEHICLE USING THE KEY FOB. AS I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND PULLED AWAY, THE DOORS LOCKED AND I HAD TO STOP AT A LIGHT AND NOTICED THE REAR HATCH WAS UP. THE SECOND TIME WAS WHEN MY DOG STARTED BARKING AND THERE WAS THE HATCH UP. I HAD TO PULL OVER, I'M LUCKEY I DID NOT LOSE THE DOG. I STARTED USING THE KEY AFTER THAT. AS SOON AS I PULL AWAY, AND AFTER THE DOORS LOCK A WHILE LATER THE HATCH IS OPEN. THIS ONLY HAPPENS NOW AND THEN. EVERY OTHER MONTH OR SO. I HAVE CHECKED THE REAR HATCH PRIOR TO DRIVING. THIS HATCH CAN ONLY BE RELEASED BY THE BUTTON ON DASH OR BY USING THE KEY FOB. NO KEY. THE THIRD TIME I HAD GROCERY'S ALL OVER THE PLACE. I HAVE STOPPED USING THE REAR HATCH. SIDE DOORS ONLY. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG.*AK
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
1) AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY IN FRONTAL CRASH. 2) FRAME OF FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BROKE DURING ACCIDENT. *AK
VEHICLE STALLED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL SEPARATE OCCASIONS. DEALER REPLACED THE AIR INTAKE VALVE TWICE, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID DISAPPEARS WHEN YOU DRIVE THE CAR. I PUT IN OVER 3 GALLONS, EVEN THOUGH WE DID NOT USE THE WASHER. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE HOW MUCH FLUID IS IN THE CONTAINER AS IT IS HIDDEN IN THE WHEEL WELL. WE VISITED THE DEALER 4 TIMES. ALTHOUGH HE SAYS HE REPLACED THE SYSTEM, THE PROBLEM IS NOT FIXED. IN THE NORTHEAST, WE HAVE SEVERE SNOW AND ICE STORMS. FAILURE OF THE WASHER SYSTEM DURING AN ICE STORM WOULD BE A SAFETY HAZARD. IT WOULD REQUIRE STOPPING THE CAR AT FREQUENT INTERVALS ON A DANGEROUS INTERSTATE HIGHWAY TO CLEAD THE WINDSHIELD. THE DEALERS SOLUTION: "CARRY A GALLON OF WIPER FLUID IN THE CAR AT ALL TIMES." HE CAN'T FIX IT. SAYS IT IS A DESIGN DEFECT. CAN YOU FORCE FORD TO MAKE GOOD ON THIS? NOTE: THIS FORM SAYS THE AIRBAG WAS DEPLOYED. IT WAS NOT.*AK
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
WHILE TRAVELING AT 55 MPH RIGHT REAR TIRE SUDDENLY EXPLODED. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WILL JUST STALL WITHOUT ANY WARNING, WILL START BACK UP AFTER SITTING FOR ABOUT HALF AN HOUR. CONTACTED DEALER. CANNOT FIX PROBLEM.*JB CONSUMER STATED THAT ALL ELECTRICAL PARTS FAIL TO OPERATE WHEN THE VEHICLE STALL. THE DEALER REPLACED MANY PARTS BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT SOLVED. *YH
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
THE HATCHBACK DOOR IS DIFFICULT TO CLOSE, ONCE CLOSED IT IS STILL NOT SECURE. CONSUMER HAS HAD TO FORCE THE DOOR SO MANY TIMES THAT IT WAS DENTED IN SEVERAL PLACES FROM THE FORCE.*AK
I HAVE A 2002 FORD FOCUS STATION WAGON AND THE TIRES WEAR OUT TOO FAST I HAVE 45000 MILES AND TWO SETS OF TIRES. THEY SHIMMY BAD. ITS A VEHICLE PROBLEM WITH THE REAR WHEELS. FORD WON,T FIX THE PROBLEM VIN [XXX]. *AK *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
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
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
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
CONSUMER WOULD PUT THE CRUISE CONTROL ON AND THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER NOTIFIED. *PH
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
2002 FORD FOCUS SE STATION WAGON. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. ENGINE HAS STRONG NOISE. THE CONSUMER STATED IT TOOK THREE TIMES TO FIX THE TRANSMISSION. THE WINDOW REGULATORS WERE REPLACED FOUR TIMES, THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING FAILED TWICE WHICH CAUSED COOLANT LEAK. ALSO, THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAG SYSTEM AND THE COVER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. *JB
2002 FORD FOCUS FX5. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIR COSTS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HIS VEHICLE FAILED INSPECTION DUE TO A ROTTED FRONT CROSS MEMBER. THE CONSUMER HAD TO PURCHASE A USED CROSS MEMBER IN ORDER TO PASS INSPECTION. *JB
THE FRONT SEAT BELTS DID NOT RETRACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THIS PROBLEM 4 TIMES. *JB
CONSUMER NOTICED THAT PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR DOOR WAS OPEN. UPON LOCKING DOOR LATCH IT WILL NOT LOCK IN PLACE, CAUSING, CONSUMER TO SECURE VEHICLE. *AK
CONSUMER NOTICED WHILE ACCELERATING THE ENGINE DIED. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *PH
WHILE DRIVING A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS HAD TO BE REPLACED. *AK
CONSUMERS VEHICLE IS LEAKING WATER FROM SUNROOF. THE CARPET IS LOOSE DUE TO CONSTANT REMOVAL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
CONSUMER HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE TIRES AND TRIMS ON THE VEHICLE. WHILE DRIVING AT MORE THEN 40 MPH THE TIRES WOULD EXPLODE AND THE RIMS WOULD BEND. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND TOLD CONSUMER THAT THIS WAS THE WAY THE VEHICLE WAS MADE.*AK
THE VEHICLE HAD A NOISE IN THE REAR END, DUE TO TIRE CUPPING. WHICH WAS CAUSED BY THE REAR SUSPENSION NOT SETTLING AND NOT BEING ALIGNED. *JB THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT FORD HAD AN A CAMBER KIT TO INSTALL TO SOLVE THE SETTLING. *SCC
WHILE DRIVING 50-60 MPH THE VEHICLE VIBRATES VIOLENTLY. *NLM
THE REAR DOOR ON THE VEHICLE WAS INOPERATIVE. *JB THE REAR HATCH DOOR OPENED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. SCC
THE VEHICLE HIT A CONCRETE DIVIDER AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB
THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY PULLED TO THE LEFT WHICH CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AND INJURIES. *JB
THE CAP WHICH JUST PRESSES ON OVER THE LUG NUT ON THE TIRE IS JUST PRESSED ON, AND COMES OFF EASILY, LEAVING JUST THE LUG NUT WHICH THE TIRE WRENCH IS TO LARGE TO REMOVE JUST THE NUT. *TS
THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY IN A CRASH. SCC *JB
WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE THERE'S A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF VEHICLE. TOOK TO FORD AND THEY STATES THAT THE REAR WHEEL BEARINGS ARE WOBBLING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *NLM
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. ALSO STATED THAT HER COMPLAINT IS REGARDING NOT BEING ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ON SNOW WAS CONTACTED BUT NOT YET RETURNED CONSUMERS CALL.