2002 Ford Focus engine problems

Filed Feb 24, 2017 · Engine, Fuel system · 73,000 miles · VT · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 2002 ford focus. While driving approximately 55 MPH the vehicle started to smoke from the back seat. Within a short time, the inside of the vehicle was completely filled with smoke. The engine shut off without warning. There were no flames and no injuries. The vehicle was placed in neutral and coasted to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and later towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the oil pump burned up and the engine was completely destroyed. The vehicle was deemed destroyed. The vehicle was towed to a friend's residence. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure six months later and gave the contact a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 73,000. Updated 04/12/17 lj

Filed Sep 10, 2015 · Engine · 160,000 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford focus. While at a traffic light, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was able to restart after two attempts. The failure recurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.

Filed Aug 13, 2015 · Acceleration, Engine · 327,000 miles · NC

I am writing this for two incidents happened within a two week time frame. 1. The engine had to be replaced since one piston pin had broken due to which the whole piston had broken inside the engine. The whole engine had to be replaced as per mechanics suggestion. I have the invoice from the mechanic shop and the mechanic would gladly provide more details if needed. 2. This was scary ! While driving at 70 miles an hour on cruise,the car would not come out of cruise control and constantly accelerated even after trying to use brakes. (ideally when you first touch the brakes, the car should come out of cruise) once the car reached at a speed of 80 miles and I could not do anything. When the car was shut down abnormally, and restarted the issue continued and even when it was in neutral, it constantly raved up. I see other people have recently filed complains for this and expect the federal safety agency to do something about it urgently as in my opinion it is a huge safety issue. The mechanic mentioned that the cruise control cable was stuck in the housing. Currently the cruise control has been disconnected by my mechanic and I have bought a new cruise control cable from the dealer and hope to get it fixed soon, however expect the company to take care of both of the above issues.

Filed Jun 12, 2015 · Engine · 130,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford focus. While driving 10 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

Filed Mar 2, 2015 · Engine · 125,000 miles · MN

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford focus. While driving at approximately 65 MPH, an abnormal noise was heard and the vehicle seized without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the rod bearing detached from the engine. As a result, the engine needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,000.

Filed Jul 24, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 189,000 miles · OH

Car when warmed up and during intercity driving will randomly cut out when the accelerator is not depressed. Car shuts off and becomes hard to steer and control. Have almost been hit and no one can figure out what's wrong. It does this intermittently. Also the car has the updated thermostat housing and the thermostat still tends to overheat. Have contacted ford and call center employee did not seem too enthusiastic to help. Offered to find me a ford dealer but not someone from their safety office. Also, car had old style ignition cylinder which locked back in february. This seems to be a common problem... Aftermarket have the same design.

Filed Jun 23, 2014 · Engine · 43,000 miles · WI

Even today, I never know when I can get a startup. The key does not catch right away.

Filed May 13, 2014 · Engine · 150,000 miles · FL

The car vibrates; shakes. I was told by two auto repairman before I was aware of just what the problem was. It is now a little worse. I need to get it repaired soon and I will. I was hoping there is a recall on the mounts. I was told there was by adams street muffler in tallahassee. Tallahassee ford says they have no recall.

Filed Dec 3, 2013 · Engine · 136,000 miles · MA · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford focus. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the engine ignited in flames without warning. The contact was able to exit the vehicle without injury. The fire department and the police department were called and both a police and fire report was filed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who was unable to diagnose the cause of the failure. The vehicle was ruled as destroyed and was towed to the contact's insurance agency for further investigation of the failure. The contact also mentioned that upon further research, he discovered that the cruise control wiring remained hot at all times and could have possibly been the cause of the fire. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 136,000.

Filed Oct 30, 2013 · Engine · 71,000 miles · VT · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford focus. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 MPH, the low oil warning indicator illuminated continuously on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where a small amount of oil was added to the reservoir. Later as the contact was driving an unknown speed, smoke emitted inside of the vehicle cabin. The vehicle then stalled and failed to be restarted. The vehicle was inspected by a certified mechanic, who informed the contact that the engine would needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 71,000.