Ford Focus Complaints (2002)

971 consumer complaints on file.

#10284248September 17, 2009
SUSPENSION:FRONT
FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF BREAKAGE. LOSS CONTROL OF CAR OVER BUMP AT LESS THAN 20 MPH SPEED! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10283381September 9, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
I OWN A 2002 FORD FOCUS. LAST NIGHT I WAS AT SCHOOL , A VERY LATE CLASS THAT ENDS AT 10:15PM, AND WHEN I WENT TO TURN MY KEY IT WAS STUCK. AFTER MANY FAILED ATTEMPTS IN A PARKING LOT THAT IS BASICALLY EMPTY BY THAT TIME AND BEING SO CLOSE TO DOWNTOWN AND THE LIGHT RAIL I WAS VERY AFRAID OF BEING STRANDED IN ALONE AS I DID NOT HAVE MY CELL PHONE ON ME. FINALLY SECURITY CAME AROUND AFTER ABOUT 1/2 HOUR AND LET ME CALL MY HUSBAND AND ALSO LOOKED ON THE INTERNET TO SEE IF THIS HAD BEEN REPORTED BEFORE BY ANY CAR OWNERS. TURNS OUT THAT THIS IS THE MOST COMMON PROBLEM IN 90% OF FORD FOCUS YEARS 2000-2003. I AM AMAZED THAT THIS IS PUBLIC KNOWLEDGE AND FORD THEMSELVES EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE THIS AND THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL? MAYBE IT WILL TAKE SOMETHING REALLY BAD TO HAPPEN TO SOMEONE BEFORE FORD REALIZES HOW DANGEROUS THIS CAN BE? I SURE HOPE THAT SOMEONE WILL REALIZE THIS IS A HUGE ISSUE BECAUSE HAD THAT SECURITY OFFICER NOT COME BUY I WOULD HAVE BEEN STUCK THERE SINCE MY HUSBAND WORKS NIGHTS. THE NEXT DAY ,TODAY, I AM NOT ABLE TO TURN THE SWITCH ONCE AGAIN BUT THIS TIME I AM IN THE COMFORT OF MY OWN HOME. PLEASE I HOPE YOU ARE ABLE TO SEE THE SAFETY HAZARD IN THIS ISSUE THAT FORD FAILS TO SEE AND ASK THAT A RECALL BE MADE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10283278September 8, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
SUDDEN ONSET, GOT IN MY CAR, PUT MY KEY IN THE IGNITION AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN TO START THE CAR NO MATTER WHAT I DID. RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM, TENS OF THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS FROM 1999 TO PRESENT, OWNERS ARE STRANDED IN DIFF. SITUATIONS, FREEZING COLD, EXTREME HEAT, WITH BABIES/CHILDREN, STRANDED WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE, YOUNG WOMEN (AS IN MY CASE), AT NIGHT, ETC. COST TO REPAIR UP TO $750. AM TRYING TO FIX IT ON MY OWN, CAN'T AFFORD A DEALER REPAIR! FORD IS AWARE THE PROBLEM IS WITH POOR QUALITY METAL USED TO MAKE THE PART. I WROTE TO FORD, THEY SAY BRING MY CAR IN TO "HAVE IT LOOKED AT" BUT QUALIFY, SAYING: IT IS NOT A WARRANTY REPAIR AND TO HAVE IT EXAMINED MAY COST ME. MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE POSTED TEMPORARY AND LOWER COST FIXES ON-LINE AS FORD IS NOT WILLING TO DO A RECALL STATING IT IS "NOT A SAFETY ISSUE". THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. IF SOMEONE IS STRANDED IN EXTREME HEAT OR COLD OR A YOUNG WOMAN IS STRANDED BECAUSE A KEY WON'T WORK, WE ARE AT RISK AND UNSAFE. A YOUNG CHILD COULD DIE FROM EXPOSURE, BECOME SICK, A YOUNG WOMAN COULD BE RAPED OR KILLED. FORD IS RISKING OUR SAFETY AND IS AT FAULT PARTICULARLY BECAUSE THEY ARE AWARE THERE IS A PROBLEM AND CAN DO SOMETHING PROACTIVELY TO FIX THE SITUATION. THAT THIS DOCUMENTED SITUATION HAS GONE ON FOR YEARS IS OUTRAGEOUS. IT'S FRIGHTENING TO GET IN YOUR CAR AT NIGHT, NOT HAVE YOUR KEY WORK, NOT KNOW WHAT'S WRONG OR BE ABLE TO DO ANYTHING! WHEN WE ARE STRANDED BECAUSE FORD WILLINGLY PUT SUBSTANDARD PARTS IN A VEHICLE, WE ARE UNSAFE. PRIOR TO OWNING THIS CAR I HAD A 1973 VW BUG, MY KEY ALWAYS WORKED WITH THE ORIGINAL PARTS. TO BE EXPECTED TO PAY UPWARDS OF $750 FOR A PART AND LABOR FOR SOMETHING THAT SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE, THAT'S TIED TO SAFETY IS UNACCEPTABLE. OUR CARS ARE UNSAFE, RISKING DAMAGE WAITING FOR REPAIR DEPENDING ON WHERE THEY ARE STRANDED! MY SAFETY IS NOT IMPORTANT NOR AN ISSUE FOR FORD, THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT MY CAR, MY TRUST WAS MISPLACED, MY CAR WAS NOT BUILT TOUGH. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10278579July 28, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35-40 MPH, THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. THE ENGINE WAS RESTARTED; HOWEVER, THE IGNITION KEY FAILED TO TURN. ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TOWED THE VEHICLE TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER STATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE, AND THEY REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 134,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10278098July 23, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
I OWN A 2002 FORD FOCUS , THE KEY FAILS TO TURN IN THE IGNITION OVER AND OVER AGAIN. I'M A YOUNG WOMAN WORKING LATE HOURS 45 MILES AWAY FROM HOME 5 TIMES A WEEK AND I'VE BEEN STRANDED SEVERAL TIMES. I'VE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM FOR YEARS. TO MY KNOWLEDGE, THERE ARE OVER 3, 045 COMPLAINTS ONLINE. THERE IS ALSO A PETITION. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. IT'S DANGEROUS NOT BEING ABLE TO START YOUR CAR LATE AT NIGHT OR ANYWHERE AT ANYTIME FOR THAT MATTER. EVEN WHEN YOU REPLACE THE IGNITION CYLINDER, IT HAPPENS AGAIN AND AGAIN. IT'S A DEFECT. PLEASE HELP US! IT'S REALLY INCONVENIENT , UNSAFE AND VERY DISAPPOINTING.*TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10276524July 13, 2009
SUSPENSION
MY 2002 FORD FOCUS HAS ONLY 41,000 MILES ON IT AND THE FRONT RIGHT COIL SPRING BROKE ON ME LAST WEEK. FORTUNATELY I DID NOT CRASH OR LOOSE MY BRAKES BUT IT HAS POTENTIAL FOR A CATASTROPHIC EVENT. I AM HOPING FORD WILL RECALL THESE AS THEY DID WITH THE EARLIER MODELS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10275923July 6, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
2002 FORD FOCUS, KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION, STRANDING MY SON SOME DISTANCE FROM HOME. HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A DEALER AND PAID $285 TO HAVE THIS FIXED (NOT INCLUDING TOWING). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10275391June 30, 2009
STEERING
DRIVING AND THE CAR STARTED TO MAKE NOISE WHEN THE WHEELS WERE TURNED. CHECKED THE POWER STEERING FLUID AND BELT, AND ADDED MORE POWER STEERING FLUID. THE PROBLEM STILL CONTINUED. THE POWER STEERING LINE WAS RUBBING ON THE FRAME OF THE CAR, AND RUB OPEN CAUSING A LEAK IN THE LINE. THIS STOPPED THE POWER STEERING FROM WORKING. WE TOOK THE LINE OUT, WITH A LOT OF EFFORT, AND TIME. THEN BOUGHT A NEW PART FOR $55 AND THEN HAD TO PUT IT IN. ALTHOUGH WE HAVE NOT GOT THE PART YET, BUT IT SEEMS AS IF PUTTING IT BACK IN WILL NOT BE EASY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10275035June 26, 2009
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS, SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE INSPECTION. HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE FRONT CROSS MEMBER HAD EXCESSIVE CORROSION. HE CALLED AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE COMPONENT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $800. HE IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE COMPONENT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT HAS POSSESSION OF THE FAILED COMPONENT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 60,000. UPDATED 07/28/09. *LJ THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE EXCESSIVE CORROSION WAS THE RESULT OF NOT HAVING ADEQUATE CORROSION PROTECTION AT THE TIME OF MANUFACTURING AND IT WAS IN DANGER OF FAILING. UPDATED 07/31/09.,*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10273731June 14, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
ON THE 2002 FORD FOCUS, THE KEY WON'T TURN IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THEREBY LOCKS THE CAR IN ITS PRESENT POSITION. THE CAR CAN'T BE MOVED SO THE DRIVER IS PRONE TO BE STRANDED AND THE CAR COULD BE TOWED OR VANDALIZED IF ALLOWED TO REMAIN IN A CITY STREET PARKING SPACE. THIS COULD ALSO BE DANGEROUS IF THERE IS AN EMERGENCY AND THE DRIVER NEEDS TO GET SOMEWHERE QUICKLY. FORD SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10272830June 4, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
THE IGNITION LOCK ON MY 2002 FORD FOCUS IS DEFECTIVE. IT TAKES A LOT OF JIGGLING OF THE KEY TO GET IT TO TURN. SOMETIMES IT TAKES UP TO 10 MINUTES TO GET THE KEY TURNED. I'M AFRAID AT SOME POINT I WON'T BE ABLE TO TURN IT PERIOD. I HAVE READ MANY REPORTS ONLINE ABOUT FORD FOCUS BETWEEN 2000 AND 2003 HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10272724June 2, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
DROVE TO THE STORE, TURNED THE CAR OFF BUT THE KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10269690May 22, 2009
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. ON MAY 20, 2009, WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR, HE WAS UNABLE TO UNLATCH THE LOCK. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY FOUND THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LATCH MOTOR FAILED. A NEW MOTOR WOULD COST $400. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE FAILURE; THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 129,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10268787May 14, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10268454May 12, 2009
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
I HAVE A 2002 FORD FOCUS. ABOUT A YEAR AGO MY LEFT REAR WINDOW REGULATOR WENT OUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN I24. THE SOUND OF THE WINDOW SLAMMING DOWN SCARED ME SO BAD I ALMOST DROVE OFF THE ROAD AT 70MPH WITH 3 KIDS IN THE CAR. THE SOUND WAS LIKE A GUNSHOT. ABOUT 2 MONTHS LATER THE RIGHT REAR WINDOW REGULATOR WENT OUT THIS TIME I WAS DRIVING MY 3 YEAR OLD SON TO THE BABYSITTER. THE SOUND WAS SO LOUD I SWERVED ALMOST HITTING THE CAR NEXT TO ME. I GOT BOTH WINDOWS FIXED FOR ABOUT 350.00. A WEEK AGO THE LEFT WINDOW REGULATOR WENT OUT AGAIN. I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR FOR FEAR THE NEXT WINDOW WILL GO OUT AND STARTLE ME INTO AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10266858April 27, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
MY 2002 FORD FOCUS ZTS SUDDENLY STALLED IN HEAVY, FAST MOVING TRAFFIC. I HAD TO WRESTLE THE CAR TO THE CURB WITHOUT POWER STEERING OR POWER BRAKES WHILE AT THE SAME TIME AVOIDING TRAFFIC. I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND THEY SAID THE FUEL PUMP HAS FAILED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. TOTAL COST ESTIMATE IS NEARLY $800. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN 2001 AND 2000 MODELS AND THIS PART IS EVEN COVERED IN AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THOSE YEARS. HOWEVER, THE 2002 IS NOT COVERED. I THINK THAT THIS SHOULD BE A SAFELY CONCERN FOR FORD BUT I THINK THEY ARE DOING THE BARE MINIMUM. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD AGAIN. NO WONDER THEY ARE HAVING SUCH DIFFICULT TIMES AT FORD! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10266670April 24, 2009
SUSPENSION:FRONT
DRIVING HOME FROM THE STORE AND I HEARD A SNAPPING SOUND IN THE FRONT OF THE CAR I TOOK THE CAR TO THE SERVICE STATION THEY LOOKED UNDER THE CAR AND SAID IT IS A BROKEN SPRING AND IT WAS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10266447April 23, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
I HAD COME BACK TO MY 2002 FORD FOCUS SE, PUT THE IGNITION KEY INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH & THE SWITCH WOULD NOT TURN. I HAD TO PAY $45.00 TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO A GARAGE. THE MECHANIC CHARGED ME $400.00 TO REPLACE THE WHOLE UPPER PART OF THE STEERING COLUMN & REDO THE IGNITION SWITCH THAT CAME ON IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10265941April 18, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
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 . *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10265055April 13, 2009
STEERING
THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION, WITH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING UP. NO AMOUNT OF JIGGLING CAN FIX IT. SO CAR IS UNABLE TO START. (4 TIMES IN A ROW - FINAL TIME, NOT STARTED AFTER HOURS OF TRYING). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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