2002 Ford Focus: check engine light

Filed Jan 21, 2023 · Electrical, Lights · SC

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.

Filed Jun 3, 2013 · Fuel system · 47,000 miles · NC

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.

Filed Apr 20, 2012 · Transmission · 98,750 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford focus. The contact stated that the check engine light illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to coast the vehicle onto the shoulder of the road. The vehicle was successfully restarted, but the gear selector would not shift. The vehicle was then towed to a local repair shop, who performed a diagnostic test which discovered that the transmission gear pin was corroded. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and current mileages were 98,750.

Filed Nov 27, 2011 · Engine, Fuel system · 160,000 miles · KS

While idling, my car is turning off. It also does so when attempting to accelerate after shifting the car from p to d. Initially the gas cap light on the dashboard signaled. I replaced the cap, and the check engine light was illuminated afterwards. Now, the car is turning off completely while idling and only the check engine light is lit.

Filed Dec 30, 2010 · Engine, Transmission · 98,200 miles · OH

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford focus. When the vehicle stopped it began to shake. The failure recurred whenever the vehicle stopped. Approximately one month later a check engine light began illuminating on the dashboard. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop where the contact was told that the engine was misfiring. The contact was later told that the failure was within the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 98,200 and the current mileage was 101,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Aug 13, 2010 · Engine · 139,638 miles · TN

The check engine light came on suddenly on my 2002 ford focus. Immediately, I took it to the ford dealership. The technician couldn't find a problem , the check engine light wouldn't come on. Therefore, nothing could be done. They didn't understand why. Within in week, the engine light came back on. This time there was a miss in the engine and it was running rough. Now, the ford dealership mechanic told me my focus se had a dropped valve and in the #4 cylinder. Inorder to fix the problem, the head of the engine had to be removed to see if the dropping of the valve had caused serious damage to the engine. Because the scheduled required maintenance,I.e oil changes, according to ford instructions for my ford focus, I thought the engine would last. After this event, I became curious about ford focus' engines. Was this an isolated mechanical flaw? Or was it an engine defect? From my research, this type engine failure appears to be from a defect in the design of the 2.0 liter efi spi type of engines. For years, I thought the ford focus was a great product to have because of its reliability, if you complied with scheduled maintenance of the vehicle. It appears that I was wrong. The cost of repair for a well-maintain focus engine $6000.00. There is a pattern to these engine failures. Should the 2002 focus be recalled for engine defects? All I know is that quality well-maintain engines shouldn't have dropped valves for no apparent reason. So, it must be some type of engines design defect.

Filed May 12, 2010 · Electrical · 50,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed Apr 18, 2009 · Engine · 640,000 miles · PA

Details: the car's check engine light came on and started stalling, had it checked and was told it needed a timing belt and tune up. After $1400 later and still the same problem that the car was only running on 3 cylinders and was recommended to put an additive in the engine to try to loosen up stuck valves... Still same problem . Then tearing the engine apart found damage done to # 4 cylinder .

Filed Jul 18, 2008 · Transmission · 53,000 miles · OH

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford focus zx3. While driving 60 MPH, the check engine light illuminated and the vehicle began moving very slowly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the diagnostic indicated failure at the transmission main control body valve. The dealer replaced the main control valve. The manufacturer stated that there was no recall for the failure. The failure and current mileages were 53,000. Updated 09/25/08 *bf updated 09/26/08.

Filed Jul 13, 2008 · Engine · 105,000 miles · CA

The car's check engine light came on and started stalling, had it checked and was told that the car was only running on 3 cylinders and was recommended to put an additive in the engine to try to loosen up stuck valves...a week after that the car, we were driving the car, parked it for about an hour and it wouldn't start. We finally got it started after a few minutes and it sounded like there were rocks in the engine. Had it towed and have not done anything with it because we cannot afford to spend $3000 to repair it and we still owe $5000 on it. We bought it used 3 1/2 years ago. We have found that ford replaced the cylinder heads on these cars because of the problem but no recall was issued by ford to prevent further engine damage. We understand that at this point the whole engine would need to be replaced because of damage to the pistons. The person who checked our car said that he had taken the cylinder head cover off and found a broken spark plug which suggests extensive engine damage.

Filed Jul 3, 2008 · Fuel system · 85,578 miles · MN

I drive a 2002 ford focus wagon, mileage 85,578. Two days ago I had trouble starting it. I did get it started but everytime I took my foot off the accelerator the engine stall. There was no check engine light warning prior to this or during the event. I was able to drive my car home, but had to restart it each time I had to stop. The next morning it drove fine but I took it to a ford dealer for diagnosis and repair. I was told it was a fuel pump failure and it cost me over a $1000 for repair. (parts lister were sender, gasket, kit, tube, gasket, filter). In researching recalls I found that model years 2000-2001 were having this exact same problems and a recall was determined for this. I do normal driving - 70% highway, 30% in town. My car is just over 5 years old, I don't believe that normal wear and tear should cause the fuel pump to fail. It seems to me that this is some kind of defect in the original part or assembly.

Filed May 29, 2005 · Engine · 76,640 miles · AZ

Focus 2002 started to run rough around 40,000 miles. Had a major tune up 2 x's in 6 months. Changed all the plugs, wires, oil & fluids, still handled rough like it needed to be timed. Focus's have no timing belt. I took it in & was told the plug wire ran over the block was the causing the rough idl, due to the cable melting on the block. I replaced the cable & again the idle was still rough, but now started to surge & miss also. Driving @ various speeds, conditions & roads & still it would surge & miss fire & then drive on. Took it in & told with no light showing & unless it could repeat the surge/miss nothing it could be done. Less than a month later the batter died on a trip out of town. Checked the battery & full of corriosion. Bought a new battery & checked the electrical system told nothing wrong again. After a year of surging/missing (at least 1 a week) the car died again & we thought it was the battery. The battery tested & was told it is the alterator, bought a new one. We then did an oil change. We took it in & ask them agian about the surging & miss & asked if it could be checked when they did the oil. Was advised that it could be the fuel injectors but with out the check engine or oil light on that there was no way to know for sure. Two days later was driving on the freeway & all the lights on the dash light up, felt like there was no power when the gas pedal was pressed, at that point exited the freeway, almost got to the exit & the whole car stalled out, walk home about 4-5 miles. Back over to jumped it, it started up with a new clackety clack in the motor, did not drive at all, I towed it back to the mechanics who did the oil & tested it. I was told on friday 5/27 that they think it might be a vualve or a engine tap. Please help