2002 Ford Focus: hesitation when accelerating

Filed Sep 29, 2009 · Fuel system · 48,000 miles · NY

2002 ford focus exhibits engine hesitation when the fuel tank is below 1/4 full. There are acceleration problems and the car has completely lost power on at least one occasion while driving on the highway. This began to happen with 80,000km on the car and now always happens when driving at highway speeds with only 1/4 tank of gas. Complaints to ford about how this is the exact same condition that caused them to issue a recall on 2000 and 2001 focuses (03n01) have not resulted in any offer to replace the fuel pump for free.

Filed May 14, 2009 · Fuel system · 135,000 miles · OK

2002 ford focus bought the end of march 2009, now sits in driveway, because ford will not fix fuel delivery module failure, because of VIN# not on list as being one of the 671000 units affected. The car is doing the same thing as all the other 671000 that were affected, surging, loss of power, stalling, hesitation. We were going down the road, changed lanes and it started doing this, now I have had 3 mechanics work on this car, no help replaced fuel pump, battery, fuel filter etc, no luck. It starts when it wants will run then it starts losing power, stalls. We did expect problems with used car, but not one that should have been included in a recall and fixed. If accident happens because of this problem ford will be at fault.

Filed Oct 16, 2007 · Fuel system · 73,180 miles · TX

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford focus. While driving approximately 70 MPH, the vehicle began hesitating , surging, and then lost all power. The vehicle was pulled off the road before it completely shut off. The vehicle restarted after being parked for a while. The dealer stated that they would not repair the vehicle unless it was paid for by the contact. The dealer also stated that the fuel delivery module failed. There was an investigation (ea02022) that was opened and closed. The current mileage was 125,000 and failure mileage was 71,380 updated 3/4/08

Filed Sep 29, 2006 · Transmission · 58,000 miles · TX

The transmission slips and shifts extremely rough. Other times when the times comes for the transmission to shift, there is great hesitation. At times it doesn't change until the very last high RPM. The shifting patterns have been off completely. Horse power as well as torque are lost due the faulty shifting.

Filed Jul 16, 2006 · Electrical, Engine · VA

2002 ford focus sedan manual transmission with 80,000 miles. With no warning the engine acts as if it is going to stall, vehicle hesitates, jerks and sputters. This literally causes the vehicle to jolt forwards and backwards and shakes the passengers inside the vehicle. This is a very scary event, especially at 70+ MPH speed or when in traffic. Highly concerned that the vehicle is going to simple shut off while on interstate 95 which could be deadly. The ford dealer where the vehicle was purchased and maintained has run a diagnostic test that showed no abnormalities. The following week the key would not turn and the vehicle had to be towed with ignition/steering repairs. The vehicle was re-examined while again in the shop and driven again by the service team and they were unable to provide a useful diagnosis of the engine hesitation problems. We need a resolution to this problem and it appears that no one can appropriately diagnose the problem.

Filed Jun 8, 2006 · Fuel system · IL

My ford focus 2002 is starting to stall & hesitate while driving. I originally had believed it was bad fuel but it is recurring & once it stalls it is difficult to nearly impossible to keep running when putting it into drive. I have had it towed once & looked at by my mechanic, who is puzzled at this point (fuel additive, oil change, filters changed, spark plugs cleaned). It seems to be worse when the gas gage is @ or below a 1/4 of a tank. I have read that there was a similar problem with the 2000-2001 models & am inquiring if anyone with a 2002 is reporting such incidents. I bought the car used (from a ford dealer) with 12,000 (I think) miles on the speedometer & have been fairly happy until just the last 60 days. I can tell you that I had no problems until I ran very low on gas one night & stopped & filled up at a station that I normally do not use, but it is a station that does a great deal of business in the area where I work. I thought that I may have gotten some bad fuel or had run the tank so low that "gunk" from the bottom of the tank had gotten into the fuel. I used some "fuel additive" & I know that my mechanic (after towing it) also used a fuel additive...everything was fine for a couple of days but then it was hesitating/jerking while I was driving to work on a 1/4 of a tank of premium fuel (my mechanic suggested I only put in $10.00 of gas in case it was the fuel pump). My mechanic does not believe it is the fuel pump because once he got it to run & he had it running hot he had no problems...he feels I may need to just wait it out...stalling while in traffic is a bit too adventurous for me!!!

Filed Oct 23, 2005 · Fuel system · 73,000 miles · TN

Our 2002 ford focus stalls, hesitates around 1/4 of a tank. Symptoms similar to fuel delivery module complaint of previous year models.

Filed Aug 15, 2005 · Fuel system · CA

Dt: the consumer states that 2002 ford focus zx5 was having fuel economy problems. The consumer indicated the fuel delivery system was operating poorly and fuel was surging and hesitating. When going down hill the car rocketed and had to hit the brakes. The consumer contacted ford on numerous occasions and complained that car was not getting good fuel mileage and was not working correctly. The consumer took the car to the dealership and they said that there was nothing wrong.

Filed Jun 7, 2005 · Fuel system · 6,000 miles · TN

I own a 2002 ford focus and having troubles with hesitation and stalling when the fuel tank nears or below a quarter of a tank of fuel. Replaced the fuel filter trying to remove possible problem. Problem still excists. Researched and found that ford has identified years 2000-2001 focus's with the same defect in the fuel delivery module. Since this vehicle is driven by our college aged daughter, I am very concerned about the safety of this condition. I telephoned ford customer relations and they have indicated an unwillingness to act in correcting this defect. I further identified that there was a current extended coverage program 03n01 for the 2000 and 2001 year models. Further in a odi resume, investigation #ea02-022 indicates that 2002 year vehicles are also being affected.

Filed Jan 22, 2004 · Airbags, Engine · 20,000 miles · VA · crash · 1 injury

While driving at any speed vehicle hesitated and took a dip forward and down to the ground. Then, it accelerated as if nothing happened. Consumer's daughter experienced the same thing while driving and lost control of the vehicle which landed in a ditch. Consumer's daughter sustained back injuries. Consumer wore seat belts. However, air bags failed to deploy.

Filed Sep 11, 2003 · Brakes, Electrical · 20,678 miles · TX

I have a 2002 ford focus zx5 4 dr hatchback my problems started on 7/21/03 when my brakes lights, headlights, turn signal and radio stopped working. I took it into the dealership and it was repaired however now the radio will no longer response to me turning the vol. Up or down as well as I only only set the time on military time. Now on 9/7 my brakes have started to grind. On 9/11 my car now vibrates when I accerate at 60 MPH +. In the past week I have also noticed that my car will accellerate and hesitate when in motion. In the last three months my gas mileage has slowly declined as well. I am taking it into the dealership tonight - but thought I need to report. Seems there are many others like me.

Filed Nov 6, 2002 · Electrical · VA

Vehicle hesitated to start. Started after 40/45 mins. Dealership serviced vehicle. Cause unknown. Please provide more details. Mr