2002 Ford Focus: ball joint or control arm failure

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 Nov 10, 2019 · Suspension · 108,000 miles · IL

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.

Filed Sep 10, 2016 · Steering, Suspension · 134,000 miles · CA

Ok so I've had my ford focus for about 3 months now I fell in love with this little thing recently got struts changed in front and ball joints bushings and tires so I knew it would need an alignment so got that done now at speeds from 50-60 MPH this car starts fishtailing out of control I dont have alot of money I am not workin at present so I cant afford to take my used car to dealer much less to another auto shop. I travel 50 -70 miles each day to work and I'm scared its gonna fishtail me into a wreck. Mileage 134000 applke valley calif.

Filed Dec 21, 2012 · Steering, Suspension · 30,422 miles · MT

This is our first year driving this focus in the snow, we bought it in 2011. We had a snow fall on 11/1/2012 and we took the car out for a drive. Any speed above 35 MPH and the rear of the car floats (wiggles) back and forth up to a foot. It is completely unstable on snow or ice. I did some research online, and ford apparently knows the problem,: defective rear upper control arms, since they did a silent recall on these in 2006. The federal safety agency should investigate this since there are many more focus out there like ours, and ford should have to recall and replace the control arms on all of these units from 2000-2004. I have over 35 years of winter driving experience and I have never had a vehicle (even the old rear wheel drive models) behave so dangerously on snow and ice, even with all season tires on it. I contacted ford motor company and they said there is nothing they have to do since the car is out of warranty. Here is an attached article I found on line. October 03, 2006 ford motor company told dealers that they may need to replace the rear upper control arms on ford focus models. The models include: 2000 through 2004 focus sedan, wagon, zx3 and zx5 series. Ford will check the rear camber and, if possible, make an adjustment. If an adjustment to the vehicle's rear camber is necessary beyond the negative end of specification, then the dealership will need to source replacement rear upper control arm(s)." this is considered a "silent recall" where upon ford may not notify owners of this condition. .

Filed Aug 1, 2011 · Suspension · 60,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford focus. The contact stated the rear bearings seized and needed to be replaced six times. On one occasion the contacts rear passenger wheel broke off causing the contact to replace the control arm. The dealer did not diagnose the failure, but stated the failure occurred frequently with that model year vehicle. The failure mileage was 60,000 and the current mileage was 85,000.

Filed Apr 2, 2007 · Steering · PA · crash

Tl*- the contact stated that the 2002 ford focus was iinvolved in a crash on 03/2006, which had the passenger front strut previously repaired. The vehicle now had a noise coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact replaced all tire. He took the vehicle to the dealership, and they informed him that the tie rod had backed itself out of its position. The dealership stated that they could not understand what caused the tire rod to slip. He did have the stabilizing link repaired after the crash.

Filed Feb 25, 2007 · Suspension · 59,960 miles · MN

I was driving home from work on the freeway when my brake light and traction control lights came on and it felt like my back end was fishtailing. I pulled off the road and called aaa. As aaa was towing my vehicle, the right rear wheel came off. The wheel could not be located and to my knowledge did not cause any accidents or injuries to other vehicles. It was determined that the rear wheel bearing had failed and the repair bill was in excess of $2,900, including the damage that occurred to the rear spindle, control arm and suspension. My vehicle is a 2002 ford focus. The previous 2 model years were recalled for rear wheel bearing failure.

Filed Aug 7, 2006 · Electrical, Steering · 47,000 miles · TN

My 2002 ford focus se wagon has had innumerable problems. Firstly..melting battery cables due to poor and faulty wiring that could have caused an explosion of the battery had I not had to pay to get it fixed along with purchase of two new batteries thanks to the melting battery cables causing a short in the system. It subsequently killed the alternator which had to be replaced. It also subsequently killed the thermostat and the solenoid switch which caused overheating and dying problems with the car while driving. Most recently the passenger side wheel bearing went out and was causing driving problems unable to control car. Now more recently, it had to have a faulty tie rod placed which nearly caused me to have an accident. And as of last friday, its back in the shop again this time for engine stalling at 65 miles per hour which nearly caused yet another accident because I was passing another car and mine suddenly began vibrating so bad and then lost power and I had to struggle my way to the median. This car is dangerous and ford refuses to do nothing about it. I have paid out nearly 2000.00 on all these problems which were similar to issues already recalled and yes I am mad. I have called ford and complained but to no avail.

Filed Jan 11, 2006 · Steering, Suspension · 26,000 miles · MI

Dt*: the contact stated after driving on bumpy road conditions a clanking noise was coming from the front suspension. The contact inspected the vehicle, and determined the sway bar link wore out, and the tie rod ends cracked. The contact replaced the sway bar link and front tie rod ends. The vehicle was not seen by a dealer. *ak updated 2/7/2006 -

Filed Jul 22, 2005 · Suspension · 12,000 miles · MT

Dt:the tires on the consumer's 2002 ford focus 2002 were showing severe signs of wear after only 17000 miles. The first set of tires were replaced at 5000 miles due to wear. After about 12000 miles the same wear pattern reappeared. These tire were rated as 60000 mile tires. The vehicle is currently on it's third set of tires. One of the tire was taken to a ford dealership for inspection. The dealer found a service bulletin #.03-13-5 on ford's computer that covered all models of ford focus 2000-2004 that experienced inner tire wear. The upper control arms of this model were engineered incorrectly creating adverse camber to the rear tires. The remedy was a restructured control arm:upper arm kit. The newly restructured control arm :upper arm kit would only be sent to those who were eligible under the bumper to bumper warranty,3 year, 36,000 miles. Consumer felt the vehicle was bought with a factory defect. *ak

Filed Jun 24, 2005 · Steering · 5 miles · CA

Tie rod bolt fractured caused the collapse of the front steering assembly of the driver's side in a 2002 ford focus as described in odi ea02-023.

Filed Oct 7, 2004 · Suspension · 71,000 miles · DE

Rear inner tire wear. The control arms on top was defective, causing the tire to rub against the body and rear to swirve when riding over a bum or pot hole.