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
The worst 2002 Ford Focus problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Electrical277
- Engine119
- Suspension109
- Airbags72
- Brakes72
- Fuel system67
- Tires62
- Transmission58
- Steering53
- Body51
- Locks45
- Wheels36
- Visibility28
- Acceleration21
- Lights13
- Seat belts10
- Seats5
Specific symptoms reported on the 2002 Ford Focus
Stalling 102Fuel pump 50Won't start 47No deployment 38Door locks 28Coil spring 24Loss of power 23Check engine light 21Ball joint 19Grinding brakes 19Fire or smoke 18Engine failure 17Tire blowout 16Hesitation 13Water leak 13Adaptive cruise 12Power windows 12Steering lock-up 12Headlights 11Jerking 11Won't shift 10Airbag light 9Pulling 8Wipers 8Brake failure 7Power steering loss 7Sudden acceleration 6Slipping 5
Recalls 1
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
- What is wrong
- Certain passenger vehicles with four or five doors and originally sold in or currently registered in connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin, and the district of columbia, a build-up of corrosion at the pawl pivot area of the rear door latch can cause a binding condition of the pawl that may affect proper engagement of the pawl into the catch. The occupant may experience difficulty opening or closing a rear door, and eventually the rear door may not latch properly.
- Risk
- If not latched properly, the door may open while the vehicle is in motion. If an occupant fell out of the vehicle, personal injuries could occur.
- Remedy
- Dealers will have a lower rocker seal added to the door and have the rear door latches evaluated free of charge. A latch that passes the evaluation will be lubricated to prevent future corrosion. A latch that does not pass the evaluation will be replaced. In addition, a sticker will be affixed to the rear doors advising the owners to use the recommended lubricant. The recall began on march 9, 2005. Owners may contact ford at 1‑800‑392‑3673.
Recall number 05V030000 · Recall details
See all 1 recalls for the 2002 Ford Focus
Defect investigations
Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit
On November 18, 2010, the federal safety agency's Recall Management Division (RMD) opened an audit query (AQ10-001) to investigate recall remedy completion by rental car companies on safety recall campaigns.It was expected to provide the agency an indication of how completely and how quickly rental car fleets perform necessary recall-related remedies on the vehicles owned and then rented/leased for use on the roadways.RMD queried three (3) major motor vehicle manufacturers (Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors) and requested data regarding completion figures for fifteen (15) discreet safety recalls.Analysis of this data demonstrated that rental car recalls completion was neither complete nor consistent.The rental car companies representing the largest market share in the industry were then queried as to their respective policies for the rental, lease, and sale of vehicles with open recalls.The data and responses from the manufacturers and the rental car companies can be found in the document repository by accessing the ?Associated Documents link above.In December 2015, Congress enacted the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act.One section of the Act prohibits rental car companies from renting, leasing, or selling motor vehicles subject to open safety recalls.With the passage of the FAST Act and its prohibition, there is no continuing need for the agency to investigate rental car recall completions.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The agency reserves the right to open any future investigations, including audits of individual recalls, or groups of recalls, or rental car companies, to examine more closely safety recalls performance and completion issues in this area.
AQ10001
Engine stalling
Clogging of the fuel delivery module (fdm) filters in the subject vehicles can lead to stalling and other related symptoms.these symptoms become increasingly obvious to the driver as the clogging gradually increases over extended periods of driving.stalling in these vehicles is most likely to occur when accelerating through a right hand turn such as merging into freeway traffic when the fuel level in the fuel tank is less than 1/4 full.more than 90% of the stalling complaints pertain to the original design fdm installed in my 2000 and 2001 (partial year) focus vehicles. Ford has decided to conduct a campaign (03v‑482) to address stallingin these vehicles.the smaller number and rate of complaints associated with the interim and current fdm designs indicate improvement but also reflect a shorter time in service for these designs. Accordingly, odi will monitor the stalling performance of my 2001 - 2002 focus vehicles equipped with interim and current design fdms.
EA02022
Front susp collapse/wheel separation
See attached report.
EA02023
Engine compartment fires
There is no summary currently available
EA02014
Front suspension lower control arm
There is no summary currently available
PE02044
Technical service bulletins for the 2002 Ford Focus 143
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- For 2000-2005 Focus vehicles built on or before 1/26/2005 Safety Recall 05S27 has been issued for vehicles...
- Ford: rear door latches are experiencing corrosion in pawl pivot area that prevent proper engagement of...
- Ford: due to high corrosion areas, where vehicles are operated for extended periods, lower control arm...
- Ford: on some vehicles, operating for an extended time in high corrosion area, a safety recall 05S27 was...
- Replace timing belt idler pulley during 2.0L zetec engine cylinder head replacement - service tip. tt
- Manifold or catalytic converter heat shields loose/missing. tt
- Difficult or unable to shift into 5TH gear. tt
- Rear brake squeal. tt
- Service wiring harness replacement guidelines - service tips. tt
- Erratic instrument cluster gauges and/or warning indicators - service tip. tt
2002 Ford Focus fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | FWD | 18-25 | 23-32 | 20-28 |
What 2002 Ford Focus owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Sunroof Exploded. Empty Road, temp low 40s. No warning. I have owned the car since 2004. Though older car, <120,000 miles.
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 in and out through passenger side. Emergency personnel would not be able to reach occupants in case of an accident.
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.
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 to the diagnostic and repair costs. The contact also stated that the vehicle independently shifted to neutral while stopped. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not subjected to a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 137,000.
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.
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.
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 the federal safety agency guidance or further information. Thanks for any help you can provide, I appreciate it.
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.
Antitheft has car locking up while driving
Compare the 2002 Ford Focus
Focus vs Honda CivicFocus vs Toyota CorollaFocus vs Volkswagen JettaFocus vs Hyundai ElantraFocus vs Nissan SentraFocus vs Chevrolet CruzeFocus vs Mazda MAZDA3Focus vs Subaru Impreza
Other model years
19992000200120022003200420052006200720082009201020112012201320142015201620172018
Questions about the 2002 Ford Focus
Is the 2002 Ford Focus reliable?
Owners have filed 939 complaints about the 2002 Ford Focus, close to a typical Focus model year.
What is the 2002 Ford Focus year score?
The 2002 Ford Focus scores 69 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Ford Focus: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2002 Ford Focus?
Electrical system, with 277 complaints, typically around 61,000 miles. Next is engine (119).
How many recalls does the 2002 Ford Focus have?
1 recall, covering latches/locks/linkages.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Ford Focus get?
Official estimates for the 2002 Ford Focus range from 20 to 28 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 18-25 city and 23-32 highway.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 2002 Ford Focus?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history