2002 Ford Focus Complaint Log

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS. THE VEHICLE FELT AS IF IT WAS ATTEMPTING TO STALL. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY A SECOND MECHANIC WHO ADVISED REPLACING THE ALTERNATOR. THE ALTERNATOR WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED A TOTAL OF 3 TIMES. THERE WERE NO ADDITIONAL REPAIRS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,000. UPDATED 8/9/10 *CN UPDATED 08/11/10.*JB

WE JUST RECENTLY BOUGHT THIS CAR (2002 FORD FOCUS) AND SO I DO NOT KNOW THE HISTORY OF IT, HOWEVER THE CAR JUST STARTED LOCKING UP OUT OF NOWHERE. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS WITH MY HUSBAND AND LUCKILY HE DID NOT HAVE ANY OF OUR CHILDREN WITH HIM. THE IGNITION KEEPS LOCKING AND WE HAVE TO KEEP ON HAVING IT TOWED HOME. WE HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR ABOUT 2 AND 1/2 MONTHS AND SO FAR IT HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES. SO WE HAVE HAD TO PAY $160 IN TOWING COSTS. WE HAVE A FRIEND THAT SOMEHOW FIXED IT AND MY HUSBAND SPENDS HOURS OUTSIDE MESSING WITH IT TO GET IT WORKING. THIS TIME IS WONT START AT ALL AND ITS THE WORST TIMING EVER WE HAVE A PREMATURE BABY AND 4 OTHER CHILDREN THAT NEED TO GET TO SCHOOL AND DAYCARE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR ONLY OPENED WHEN MOVED LEFT TO RIGHT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN WHEN UNLOCKED. THE FAILURES OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V030000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

IGNITION LOCKS UP, WILL NOT TURN REGARDLESS OF EFFORT, PUSHING, PULLING, BEATING, OR TWISTING YOUR TONGUE JUST THE RIGHT WAY. HOWEVER, ONE TAP ON THE EDGE OF THE KEY WHILE IT IS IN THE IGNITION WORKS. NO AMOUNT OF WD-40 OR PARTS CLEANER FIXES THE PROBLEM THOUGH. *TR

I WAS DRIVING DOWN CALIFORNIA 130 WHEN MY DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG THAT IS LOCATED IN THE SEAT DEPLOYED I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING IT JUST WENT OFF FOR NO REASON. *TR

FAULTY IGNITION IN 2002 FORD FOCUS WAS STRANDED FOR FIVE HOURS HAVE NOT YET FIXED THE PROBLEM DUE TO FORDS HIGH COST TO FIX THERE DEFECT. *TR

2002 FORD FOCUS. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR TOWING AND REPAIR EXPENSES RELATED TO PROBLEM THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN CARE OF UNDER RECALL. *TGW THE CONSUMER MENTIONED RECALL #03V482000 THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED.

HAVING INTERMINENT ELECTRICAL ISSUES. WOULD START UP AND RUN FINE FOR A PERIOD OF TIME, THEN THE 2002 FORD FOCUS WOULD JUST STOP RUNNING. AS TIME PASSED THE ISSUE GREW WORSE, NOW THE FOCUS WILL NOT RUN AT ALL. THE DEALERSHIP COUD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND COULD NOT FIX IT. *TR

KEY STUCK IN IGNITION, UNABLE TO REMOVE IT. THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM FOR THE FORD FOCUS CARS, RESULTING IN NOT BEING ABLE TO LOCK YOU CAR HAVING TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. REPLACEMENT IGNITIONS DON'T FIX THE PROBLEM, THEY FAIL ALSO. *TR

MY 2002 FORD FOCUS KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION! I SEE THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE. IT SHOULD BE A RECALL AS IT COULD BE A SAFETY ISSUE ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU ARE STRANDED WITH YOUNG CHILDREN IN THE CAR ON A BLUSTERY WINTER DAY! I CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THEY BASICALLY SAID IT WAS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX IT. *TR

THE IGNITION IN MY 2002 FORD FOCUS IS LOCKED UP AND I CANNOT TURN IT OVER AT ALL. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THE PAST YEAR NOW! THE FIRST TIME THIS OCCURRED, MY HUSBAND BOUGHT A NEW IGNITION ONLINE FROM AN AUTHORIZED FORD DEALERSHIP, DRILLED OUT THE OLD ONE AND INSTALLED THE NEW ONE HIMSELF. THE NEW IGNITION WE BOUGHT WAS SUPPOSEDLY FREE OF THE DEFECT THAT WAS CAUSING THE IGNITION FAILURE. WE HAVE THOROUGHLY RESEARCHED THE ISSUE AND THE AMOUNT OF FOCUS OWNERS AFFECTED BY THIS IS WIDESPREAD. THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED I WAS LEFT STRANDED ON ONE OF THE COLDEST DAYS OF WINTER WITH MY 4 YEAR OLD SON. FORD WILL NOT COVER THESE REPAIRS BECAUSE MY CAR IS OBVIOUSLY OUT OF THE STANDARD WARRANTY PERIOD, HOWEVER, I'M LEFT TO PAY FOR THE SAME COSTLY REPAIR TIME AND TIME AGAIN. MEANWHILE, REMAINING CONSTANTLY WORRIED ALL THE TIME IF MY CAR WILL LEAVE ME STRANDED. PLEASE HELP US FORD FOCUS OWNERS AND PUSH FORD TO RECALL THIS APPARENT AND IMMEDIATE SAFETY DEFECT!!! *TR

1. 2002 FORD FOCUS IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEMS. FOR A WHILE MY 2002 FOCUS HAS BEEN GIVING ME IGNITION SWITCH PROBLEMS. EITHER THE KEY IS STUCK IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AND WON'T COME OUT, OR THE KEY WILL NOT BE ABLE TO TURN THE IGNITION SWITCH. I BOUGHT THE CAR WHEN IT HAD 48,000 MILES ON IT, IT NOW HAS AROUND 67,000. 2. IT HAPPENS ON A FAIRLY REGULAR BASIS. ALTHOUGH USUALLY THE KEY WILL EVENTUALLY TURN, SIMPLY BY REMOVING IT AND PUTTING IT BACK IN THE OPPOSITE WAY. IF THEY KEY IS STUCK IN THE SWITCH, USUALLY RESTARTING IT OR REVERSING AND GOING BACK INTO DRIVE WILL ALLOW YOU TO GET THE KEY OUT. 3. NOW I AM CURRENTLY STUCK AT WORK BECAUSE THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN MY FOCUS AT ALL! AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM ONLINE, I HAVE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME THING. REFERENCED HERE: HTTP://AUTOFORUM.CLASSIFIEDS1000.COM/FORD-FOCUS/FORD_FOCUS_IGNITION_CYLINDER_BREAKS_FOR_SECOND_TIME AND HERE: HTTP://WWW.FORDPROBLEMS.COM/FOCUS/KEY-WONT-TURN-IN-THE-IGNITION.SHTML *TW

I HAVE A 2002 FORD FOCUS ZX3 WITH A THEORETICALLY WORKING PARKING BRAKE, I'VE HAD THE BRAKES REPLACED ONLY ONCE AS I WAS BUSY AND COULDN'T DO IT MYSELF. NOW THAT I HAVE BRAKING PROBLEMS AND TIME I WENT TO REPLACE THEM MYSELF. THE FRONT DISC BRAKES LOOK ALMOST BRAND NEW, SO I CONTINUED TO REMOVE AND INSPECT THE REAR DRUM BRAKES. WHEN I TOOK THE DRUMS OFF THEY WERE TIGHT AS IF THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED SO I DOUBLE CHECKED AND MADE SURE ALL THE BRAKES WERE DIS-ENGAGED. I CONTINUED TO WORK ON THE BRAKES AND THE FORD DEALERSHIP ASSURES ME THEY REPLACED THESE BRAKES BEFORE, HOWEVER THE SHOES WERE WORN AND CRACKED DOWN TO BARE METAL AS IF THEY HAD NEVER BEEN REPLACED. I THEN NOTICED THAT MY PARK BRAKE APPEARED TO BE ENGAGED. I DOUBLE CHECKED AGAIN AND IT WASN'T, I HAD SOMEONE WATCH THE BRAKE AS I ENGAGED AND DIS-ENGAGED THE BREAK AND IT WORKS FINE, COME TO FIND OUT THE SPRING/WIRE FOR THE PARKING BREAK IS TO SHORT FOR THE CAR'S HUB, ABOUT TWO INCHES INFACT. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND THE TECHNICIAN I TALKED TO SAID THAT IT WAS COMMON WITH MY CAR AND I NEED TO HAVE THEM REPLACE THE WHOLE BREAK ASSEMBLY. SO I'VE BEEN DRIVING THIS CAR FOR ALMOST TEN YEARS NOW WITH THE PARKING BREAK ENGAGED AND FORD KNOWS ABOUT IT, BECAUSE THEY BUILT IT THAT WAY AND I HAVE TO PAY THEM TO FIX SOMETHING THAT WAS ENGINEERED THAT WAY. IF I BROKE IT OR IT'S WEAR AND TEAR I UNDERSTAND, BUT I BOUGHT A CAR TO BE FULLY FUNCTIONAL OFF THE LOT NOT SO I CAN BRING IT IN AND PAY FOR THEM TO FINISH BUILDING IT PROPERLY AFTER I OWN IT. I CANT AFFORD THEIR OUTRAGEOUS PRICES FOR THIS WORK SO I DIS-ENGAGED THE CABLE AND AM NOW DRIVING A CAR WITHOUT AN EMERGENCY BRAKE, THANKS FOR THE SAFETY FEATURES FORD. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THE IGNITION REMAINED LOCKED. THE CONTACT TRIED MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL TO UNLOCK THE IGNITION AND WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER TAPPED ON THE IGNITION AND UNLOCKED THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO LUBRICATED THE IGNITION SWITCH; YET, THE IGNITION LOCKED AGAIN. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT ORDER THE PART FOR THE IGNITION AND THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING A GOOD FAITH REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE WARRANTY WAS NOT VALID THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE AT NO CHARGE. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RISK AND THE POSSIBILITY OF BEING STRANDED IF THE FAILURE RECURS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

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.

DRIVING 45 MPH RAN OVER SMALL PIECE OF RUBBER IN ROAD AND SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHEN THERE WAS NO IMPACT. *TR

AT 69,411 MILES MY 2002 FORD FOCUS BATTERY CABLE WAS DEFECTIVE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE BATTERY CABLE RECALLS ON OTHER FORD FOCUSES FOR THIS PROBLEM THAT CAUSED FIRES. OF COURSE FORD WOULD NOT PAY FOR MINE. *TR

FUEL PUMP IN MY 2002 FORD FOCUS FAILED SUDDENLY AS I WAS MERGING ONTO A 50MPH HIGHWAY IN JANUARY 2010. THE CAR JUST LITERALLY DIED, WITHOUT WARNING. FUEL INTAKE STOPPED AND SO DID THE CAR. I WAS LUCKY IT WAS EARLY ON A SUNDAY MORNING AND TRAFFIC WAS LIGHT. IF I HAD BEEN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, THIS SUDDEN FAILURE WOULD HAVE POSED A GRAVE SAFETY RISK. THE REPAIR COST $700. FORD REFUSED TO COVER ANY OF IT. IN A SEARCH OF INTERNET ARTICLES AND YOUR WEB SITE, I FOUND THIS FUEL PUMP FAILURE TO BE A WELL-DOCUMENTED PROBLEM IN 2000 - 2002 FORD FOCUS'. I AM CONCERNED THAT THEY REPLACED THE ORIGINAL DEFECTIVE PUMP WITH AN EXACT REPLICA OF THE ORIGINAL PUMP, EXPOSING ME TO CONTINUED DANGER. *TR

I HAVE A FORD FOCUS 2002 ZX5 AND THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. I AM SEEING THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM, IN FACT CALIFORNIA HAS STARTED A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. FORD HAS NOT RECALLED THIS PART. *TR

I DROVE MY CAR (A 2002 FORD FOCUS) TO A RESTAURANT ON DEC. 28TH, 2009 AT 7:15 PM. WHEN I GOT BACK INTO MY CAR, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. I TURNED THE WHEEL TO RELEASE IT FROM THE "LOCKED" WHEEL POSITION, BUT THE KEY STILL WOULD NOT TURN. I WAITED IN MY CAR FOR SEVERAL MINUTES, THEN ATTEMPTED TO TURN THE KEY ONCE MORE IN THE IGNITION WITH THE SAME RESULTS. I WAS FORCED TO CALL A FRIEND AND WAIT IN MY CAR WITH NO HEAT. THE TEMPERATURE WAS APPROXIMATELY 27 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT AS I WAITED FOR NEARLY HALF AN HOUR TO BE PICKED UP, THEN DROPPED OFF AT HOME BY A COWORKER. HE WILL HAVE TO PICK ME UP FOR WORK TOMORROW AS ALL REPAIR FACILITIES ARE CLOSED FOR THE EVENING. I DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE ONCE I GOT HOME AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORDS AND SPECIFICALLY FORD FOCUS MODELS FROM 2000-2003 YET THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL POSTED AND I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS TO AN INFERIOR PART THAT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,804. *TR

2002 FORD FOCUS BATTERY CABLES WAS BURNING I WAS SMELLING A BURNING SCENT WHEN I STATED THE VEHICLE AN WELL WHEN I DROVE THE CAR. I HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE SHOP WHO INFORMED ME THAT THE BATTERY HARNESS IN THIS CAR FRAYED AND IT HAD TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AS THE ALTERNATOR. FORD SAID THIS WAS NOT A RECALL PART. *TR

PARKED MY 2002 FORD FOCUS ON THE STREET, WHEN I CAME BACK THE KEY WOULDN'T TURN IN THE IGNITION AND THE WHEELS WERE COMPLETELY LOCKED UP. CALLED THE FORD DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME TO YANK ON THE WHEEL AS HARD AS I COULD WHILE TURNING THE KEY, THIS WORKED AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES, BUT AFTER I TURNED IT OFF, IT HAPPENED AGAIN, YANKING THE WHEEL FOR 10 MINS IT WORKED. NOW I HAVE TO LEAVE THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION SO IT WONT LOCK UP ON ME. I AM LITERALLY SCARED TO TURN ON MY CAR BECAUSE WHEN I TURN A CORNER IT FEELS LIKE I HAVE TO TURN THE WHEEL WAY AROUND. I AM A YOUNG WOMAN WHO WORKS LATE, AND I RELY ON MY CAR TO GET ME HOME SAFELY..I AM VERY UPSET BECAUSE I CANT AFFORD TO GET IT FIXED. NEVER BUY A FORD AGAIN! *TR

THE IGNITION ON MY 2002 FORD FOCUS LOCKED UP. IT HAPPENED OUT OF NOWHERE. I WAS COMPLETELY STRANDED AND IT TOOK ME A WHILE TO GET SOMEONE TO COME HELP ME. AFTER SOME INVESTIGATION ON THE INTERNET, IT BECAME CLEAR THAT THIS PROBLEM IS WELL DOCUMENTED AND KNOWN ABOUT. I WOULD HOPE THIS WOULD BE CONSIDERED FOR A RECALL SINCE IT POSES THE POTENTIAL TO STRAND PEOPLE IN LESS THAN DESIRABLE CONDITIONS WHEN THE ONLY PROBLEM PRESENT IS THE IGNITION. *TR

I WENT TO MY BABYSITTERS TO PICK UP MY CHILD AND I TURN OFF MY CAR WHICH IS A 2002 FORD FOCUS TOT GO INSIDE. I COME BACK OUT 5 MINS LATER AND TRY TO START IT AND THE IGNITION WAS STUCK. SO IT WAS TOWED AND FIXED FOR 400 DOLLARS. AND JUST A BIG PAIN IN THE '!@#$%. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000. UPDATED 6/8/11 *CN THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE STALLING WAS DUE TO A CLOGGED FUEL PUMP. UPDATED 06/15/11

THE BRACKET THAT HOLDS THE TRANSMISSION MOUNT AT THE REAR OF THE CAR, FAILED AND DROPPED THE TRANSMISSION DOWN ON TO THE REAR-TRANSAXLE AND DAMAGED MOTOR MOUNTS. THE BRACKET APPEARS TO BE MADE OF VERY FLIMSY METAL AND IS NOT AN ADEQUATE PIECE OF MACHINING FOR THE TASK HOLDING THE TRANSMISSION MOUNT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS SVT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE IN TWO WHILE HE WAS DRIVING AT APPROX 5 MPH. HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE DROPPED TO THE GROUND. HE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR CONTROL ARM BROKE AND THE DRIVER SIDE REAR CONTROL ARM WAS CRACKED AND ABOUT TO EXPERIENCE THE SAME FAILURE. BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

THE CAR STARTED TO PUTT PUTT AND THEN IT STALLED OUT I HAD A HAFL OF TANK OF GAS WHEN I HAD TO GET THIS TOWED COME TO FINE OUT THE FUEL PUMP AND FILTER WAS CLOGGED. *TR

IGNITION IS LOCKED. KEY WILL NOT TURN, BRAKES ARE LOCKED, GEARS ARE LOCKED. COSTS HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO BE REPLACED AND I WAS STRANDED FOR HOURS WAITING FOR SOMEONE TO HELP ME. FORD REPLACES THE IGNITION KEY WITH THE EXACT IGNITION KEY AS BEFORE, CREATING DEJAVU FOR MOST CUSTOMERS. *TR

THE KEY IN MY FORD FOCUS WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. THIS HAS HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE AND WAS FIXED AFTER HOURS OF PLAYING AROUND WITH IT. NOW IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN, WITHOUT AS MUCH LUCK. LUCKILY, I HAVE BEEN CLOSE TO OR AT HOME WHEN THIS HAS OCCURRED. HOWEVER, I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS COULD EASILY MAKE ME STRANDED ONE DAY. NO WARRANTY IS AVAILABLE AND MY ONLY OPTION IS TO HAVE THE IGNITION REPLACED. *TR

I OWN A 2002 FORD FOCUS WAGON, THE KEY WILL NOT TURN THE IGNITION, THEREFORE THE CAR WILL NOT START. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT A MONTH. TODAY OCT 12, 2009 THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN THE IGNITION AND THE CAR WOULD NOT START SO MY CHILD MISSED SCHOOL TODAY BECAUSE OF THIS. THIS IS GETTING FRUSTRATING I HAVE ONLY HAD THE CAR SINCE APRIL OF 2009 AND THIS IS CAUSING ME GRIEF. I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER FORD FOCUS DUE TO THIS FRUSTRATION. *TR

FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF BREAKAGE. LOSS CONTROL OF CAR OVER BUMP AT LESS THAN 20 MPH SPEED! *TR

I OWN A 2002 FORD FOCUS. LAST NIGHT I WAS AT SCHOOL , A VERY LATE CLASS THAT ENDS AT 10:15PM, AND WHEN I WENT TO TURN MY KEY IT WAS STUCK. AFTER MANY FAILED ATTEMPTS IN A PARKING LOT THAT IS BASICALLY EMPTY BY THAT TIME AND BEING SO CLOSE TO DOWNTOWN AND THE LIGHT RAIL I WAS VERY AFRAID OF BEING STRANDED IN ALONE AS I DID NOT HAVE MY CELL PHONE ON ME. FINALLY SECURITY CAME AROUND AFTER ABOUT 1/2 HOUR AND LET ME CALL MY HUSBAND AND ALSO LOOKED ON THE INTERNET TO SEE IF THIS HAD BEEN REPORTED BEFORE BY ANY CAR OWNERS. TURNS OUT THAT THIS IS THE MOST COMMON PROBLEM IN 90% OF FORD FOCUS YEARS 2000-2003. I AM AMAZED THAT THIS IS PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE AND FORD THEMSELVES EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE THIS AND THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL? MAYBE IT WILL TAKE SOMETHING REALLY BAD TO HAPPEN TO SOMEONE BEFORE FORD REALIZES HOW DANGEROUS THIS CAN BE? I SURE HOPE THAT SOMEONE WILL REALIZE THIS IS A HUGE ISSUE BECAUSE HAD THAT SECURITY OFFICER NOT COME BUY I WOULD HAVE BEEN STUCK THERE SINCE MY HUSBAND WORKS NIGHTS. THE NEXT DAY ,TODAY, I AM NOT ABLE TO TURN THE SWITCH ONCE AGAIN BUT THIS TIME I AM IN THE COMFORT OF MY OWN HOME. PLEASE I HOPE YOU ARE ABLE TO SEE THE SAFETY HAZARD IN THIS ISSUE THAT FORD FAILS TO SEE AND ASK THAT A RECALL BE MADE. *TR

SUDDEN ONSET, GOT IN MY CAR, PUT MY KEY IN THE IGNITION AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN TO START THE CAR NO MATTER WHAT I DID. RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM, TENS OF THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS FROM 1999 TO PRESENT, OWNERS ARE STRANDED IN DIFF. SITUATIONS, FREEZING COLD, EXTREME HEAT, WITH BABIES/CHILDREN, STRANDED WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE, YOUNG WOMEN (AS IN MY CASE), AT NIGHT, ETC. COST TO REPAIR UP TO $750. AM TRYING TO FIX IT ON MY OWN, CAN'T AFFORD A DEALER REPAIR! FORD IS AWARE THE PROBLEM IS WITH POOR QUALITY METAL USED TO MAKE THE PART. I WROTE TO FORD, THEY SAY BRING MY CAR IN TO "HAVE IT LOOKED AT" BUT QUALIFY, SAYING: IT IS NOT A WARRANTY REPAIR AND TO HAVE IT EXAMINED MAY COST ME. MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE POSTED TEMPORARY AND LOWER COST FIXES ON-LINE AS FORD IS NOT WILLING TO DO A RECALL STATING IT IS "NOT A SAFETY ISSUE". THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. IF SOMEONE IS STRANDED IN EXTREME HEAT OR COLD OR A YOUNG WOMAN IS STRANDED BECAUSE A KEY WON'T WORK, WE ARE AT RISK AND UNSAFE. A YOUNG CHILD COULD DIE FROM EXPOSURE, BECOME SICK, A YOUNG WOMAN COULD BE RAPED OR KILLED. FORD IS RISKING OUR SAFETY AND IS AT FAULT PARTICULARLY BECAUSE THEY ARE AWARE THERE IS A PROBLEM AND CAN DO SOMETHING PROACTIVELY TO FIX THE SITUATION. THAT THIS DOCUMENTED SITUATION HAS GONE ON FOR YEARS IS OUTRAGEOUS. IT'S FRIGHTENING TO GET IN YOUR CAR AT NIGHT, NOT HAVE YOUR KEY WORK, NOT KNOW WHAT'S WRONG OR BE ABLE TO DO ANYTHING! WHEN WE ARE STRANDED BECAUSE FORD WILLINGLY PUT SUBSTANDARD PARTS IN A VEHICLE, WE ARE UNSAFE. PRIOR TO OWNING THIS CAR I HAD A 1973 VW BUG, MY KEY ALWAYS WORKED WITH THE ORIGINAL PARTS. TO BE EXPECTED TO PAY UPWARDS OF $750 FOR A PART AND LABOR FOR SOMETHING THAT SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE, THAT'S TIED TO SAFETY IS UNACCEPTABLE. OUR CARS ARE UNSAFE, RISKING DAMAGE WAITING FOR REPAIR DEPENDING ON WHERE THEY ARE STRANDED! MY SAFETY IS NOT IMPORTANT NOR AN ISSUE FOR FORD, THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT MY CAR, MY TRUST WAS MISPLACED, MY CAR WAS NOT BUILT TOUGH. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE TRUNK WOULD NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE LATCH AND STRIDE WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 65000. UPDATED 10/29/09 *CN UPDATED 10/29/09.*JB THE PART HAS NOT REPLACED.

A LITTLE OVER A MONTH AGO ON AUGUST 23, 2009, WE PURCHASED A USED 2002 FORD FOCUS FROM A FORD DEALERSHIP ON OAHU, HAWAII. ON THE NIGHT OF AUGUST 28, 2009, AFTER FILLING THE CAR WITH GAS, WE TRIED TO START THE CAR, BUT THE KEY JUST WOULDN'T TURN. WE TRIED FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS TO GET THE CAR STARTED TO GET HOME (AND TO MOVE OUT OF THE WAY OF THE GAS PUMPS SO OTHER PEOPLE COULD PUMP GAS). WE HAD SEVERAL PEOPLE HELP US, BUT THE KEY JUST WOULDN'T TURN, AND WE COULDN'T PUSH THE CAR BECAUSE THE WHEELS WERE LOCKED. WE FINALLY CALLED A TOW TRUCK, BUT LUCKILY, MY HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO WHACK THE KEY REAL HARD (FOR THE UMTEENTH TIME) AND TURN THE IGNITION, AT WHICH TIME THE CAR FINALLY STARTED. WE GOT HOME, SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS. NOW IT'LL COST US ABOUT $200 TO GET THE IGNITION REPLACED AT A LOCKSMITH. I WILL NOT RETURN TO FORD TO DO THIS AS IT'LL COST DOUBLE WHAT THE LOCKSMITH COST. WHAT'S SAD IS THAT FORD KNOWS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM, YET THEY WON'T DO RECALLS TO FIX IT. WE USED TO BE A FORD FAMILY (PURCHASED AT LEAST THREE FORD EXPLORERS), BUT I DON'T THINK WE'LL BE BUYING ANYMORE FORD CARS. *TR

2002 FORD FOCUS EXHIBITS ENGINE HESITATION WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS BELOW 1/4 FULL. THERE ARE ACCELERATION PROBLEMS AND THE CAR HAS COMPLETELY LOST POWER ON AT LEAST ONE OCCASION WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THIS BEGAN TO HAPPEN WITH 80,000KM ON THE CAR AND NOW ALWAYS HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH ONLY 1/4 TANK OF GAS. COMPLAINTS TO FORD ABOUT HOW THIS IS THE EXACT SAME CONDITION THAT CAUSED THEM TO ISSUE A RECALL ON 2000 AND 2001 FOCUSES (03N01) HAVE NOT RESULTED IN ANY OFFER TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP FOR FREE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35-40 MPH, THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED; HOWEVER, THE IGNITION KEY FAILED TO TURN. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TOWED THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE, AND THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 134,000.

FORD FOCUS 2002 ZTS KEY IGNITION FAILED AT 80,000 MILES FOR OVER A YEAR BEFORE THE TOTAL FAILURE THERE WERE AT LEAST 12 TIMES THAT THE IGNITION FAILED BUT FINALLY WORKED AFTER A FEW TRIES. I WAS LEFT STRANDED ON MORE THEN ON OCCASION DUE TO THIS FAILURE AND LAST TIME HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED AT THE FORD DEAL SHIP AND COST ME 450.00. I HAD TO GET A NEW KEY AND A NEW IGNITION. I CAN FEEL THAT ONCE AGAIN THE KEY IS RUBBING THE IGNITION THE WAY IT WAS BEFORE THIS PROBLEM WAS FIXED AND AM SURE THAT IN THE FUTURE I WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE PART ONCE AGAIN. I JUST HOPE THIS TIME I WON'T BE STRANDED. *TR

I OWN A 2002 FORD FOCUS , THE KEY FAILS TO TURN IN THE IGNITION OVER AND OVER AGAIN. I'M A YOUNG WOMAN WORKING LATE HOURS 45 MILES AWAY FROM HOME 5 TIMES A WEEK AND I'VE BEEN STRANDED SEVERAL TIMES. I'VE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM FOR YEARS. TO MY KNOWLEDGE, THERE ARE OVER 3, 045 COMPLAINTS ONLINE. THERE IS ALSO A PETITION. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. IT'S DANGEROUS NOT BEING ABLE TO START YOUR CAR LATE AT NIGHT OR ANYWHERE AT ANYTIME FOR THAT MATTER. EVEN WHEN YOU REPLACE THE IGNITION CYLINDER, IT HAPPENS AGAIN AND AGAIN. IT'S A DEFECT. PLEASE HELP US! IT'S REALLY INCONVENIENT , UNSAFE AND VERY DISAPPOINTING.*TR

MY 2002 FORD FOCUS HAS ONLY 41,000 MILES ON IT AND THE FRONT RIGHT COIL SPRING BROKE ON ME LAST WEEK. FORTUNATELY I DID NOT CRASH OR LOOSE MY BRAKES BUT IT HAS POTENTIAL FOR A CATASTROPHIC EVENT. I AM HOPING FORD WILL RECALL THESE AS THEY DID WITH THE EARLIER MODELS. *TR

DRIVING AND THE CAR STARTED TO MAKE NOISE WHEN THE WHEELS WERE TURNED. CHECKED THE POWER STEERING FLUID AND BELT, AND ADDED MORE POWER STEERING FLUID. THE PROBLEM STILL CONTINUED. THE POWER STEERING LINE WAS RUBBING ON THE FRAME OF THE CAR, AND RUB OPEN CAUSING A LEAK IN THE LINE. THIS STOPPED THE POWER STEERING FROM WORKING. WE TOOK THE LINE OUT, WITH A LOT OF EFFORT, AND TIME. THEN BOUGHT A NEW PART FOR $55 AND THEN HAD TO PUT IT IN. ALTHOUGH WE HAVE NOT GOT THE PART YET, BUT IT SEEMS AS IF PUTTING IT BACK IN WILL NOT BE EASY. *TR

2002 FORD FOCUS, KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION, STRANDING MY SON SOME DISTANCE FROM HOME. HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A DEALER AND PAID $285 TO HAVE THIS FIXED (NOT INCLUDING TOWING). *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE INSPECTION. HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE FRONT CROSS MEMBER HAD EXCESSIVE CORROSION. HE CALLED AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE COMPONENT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $800. HE IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE COMPONENT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT HAS POSSESSION OF THE FAILED COMPONENT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 60,000. UPDATED 07/28/09. *LJ THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE EXCESSIVE CORROSION WAS THE RESULT OF NOT HAVING ADEQUATE CORROSION PROTECTION AT THE TIME OF MANUFACTURING AND IT WAS IN DANGER OF FAILING. UPDATED 07/31/09.,*JB

FUEL PUMP STARTED TO CAUSE CAR TO STUTTER, STALL, COMPLETELY DIE. HAS STALLED OUT ON INTERSTATE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, IN THE MIDDLE OF BUSY AFTERNOON 4-LANE TRAFFIC; BOTH TIMES BARELY MAKING IT OF TRAFFIC AND BEING HIT BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC W/CHILDREN IN THE CAR! CAR MANUFACTURE DATE IS 09/01 IN MEXICO. HAD FUEL PUMP REPLACE AND HAS FAILED BOTH TIMES, COST IS TOO EXPENSIVE FOR ME! ALREADY PAID OVER$1000 FOR PARTS AND LABOR! NO RECALLS ON THIS CAR REGARDING THE FUEL SYSTEM OR THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCKING UP!!! I HAVE SEEN MORE AND MORE OF THESE 2 PROBLEMS WITH THE EARLY FORD FOCUS, WHY HASN'T SOMETHING BEEN DONE YET??????? *TR

ON THE 2002 FORD FOCUS, THE KEY WON'T TURN IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THEREBY LOCKS THE CAR IN ITS PRESENT POSITION. THE CAR CAN'T BE MOVED SO THE DRIVER IS PRONE TO BE STRANDED AND THE CAR COULD BE TOWED OR VANDALIZED IF ALLOWED TO REMAIN IN A CITY STREET PARKING SPACE. THIS COULD ALSO BE DANGEROUS IF THERE IS AN EMERGENCY AND THE DRIVER NEEDS TO GET SOMEWHERE QUICKLY. FORD SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ROCKER PANEL ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT WHICH HAD SINCE BEEN CORRECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AGAIN INFORMED THAT PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE REPAIR SHOP ALSO STATED THAT JUNK YARDS WERE NOT USING PARTS FROM OLDER VEHICLES BECAUSE THE PART WAS KNOWN TO HAVE RUSTING ISSUES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

DROVE TO THE STORE, TURNED THE CAR OFF BUT THE KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. ON MAY 20, 2009, WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR, HE WAS UNABLE TO UNLATCH THE LOCK. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY FOUND THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LATCH MOTOR FAILED. A NEW MOTOR WOULD COST $400. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE FAILURE; THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 129,000.