2002 Ford Focus problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Electrical System:ignition (105) · Electrical System (50) · Electrical System:ignition:switch (49)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ford Focus model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
603 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Equipment 2012-02-24 · campaign 12E007000 · 10,006 vehicles
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 ALL
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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (143)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Latches/Locks/Linkages 2016-04-21 · 16-0067 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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 c
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm 2014-09-09 · TSB-14-0163 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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
Structure:body:door 2014-09-09 · TSB-14-0162 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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
Latches/Locks/Linkages:doors:latch 2014-08-11 · TSB-14-0148 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
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
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control 2006-01-01 · 0627 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
manifold or catalytic converter heat shields loose/missing. *tt
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:belts And Associated Pulleys 2006-01-01 · 19016 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
replace timing belt idler pulley during 2.0l zetec engine cylinder head replacement - service tip. *tt
Showing the 6 most recent of 143 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-12-26 · Service Brakes“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 …”
2024-04-21 · Unknown Or Other“sunroof exploded. empty road, temp low 40s. no warning. i have owned the car since 2004. though older car, <120,000 miles. …”
2023-07-26 · Unknown Or Other“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 …”
2023-01-21 · Suspension“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 li…”
2020-09-17 · Power Train · 137,000 mi“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 t…”
2019-12-30 · Air Bags · 75,000 mi“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.…”
2019-11-10 · Suspension · 108,000 mi“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.…”
2019-01-31 · Suspension · 140,000 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 …”
2018-02-05 · Electrical System · 125,000 mi“rear right passenger door will not unlock/open. when trying to unlock i don't hear the solenoid moving. when trying to open from either inside or out if feels like the handle isn't moving anything.…”
2017-04-25 · Unknown Or Other · 40 mi“antitheft has car locking up while driving …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.