Ford Focus Complaints (2002)
971 consumer complaints on file.
- #10235084July 21, 2008ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
2002 FORD FOCUS X3, EVERYDAY I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH MY IGNITION. I INSET THE KEYS INTO THE IGNITION AND THE CAR LOCKS UP AND THE KEYS WON'T TURN. I HAVE TO PRAY TO TRY AND GET IT TO TURN. WELL TODAY IT FINALLY GAVE UP ON ME AND I HAD TO LEAVE MY CAR AT MY MOMS FOR GOOD. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10234778July 18, 2008POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
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. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10234102July 13, 2008ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10233124July 3, 2008FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10233052July 2, 2008EXTERIOR LIGHTING
DRIVER SIDE TAIL LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT. THE HOUSING IS SHAPED SO THAT YOU CAN'T TAKE THE LIGHTBULB OUT W/O BREAKING IT. I TOLD THEM TO DO WHATEVER TO MAKE IT WORK CAN'T AFFORD $118.00 TO REPLACE A MANUF DEFECT PART. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10231349June 17, 2008ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT WAS EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTY TURNING HIS KEY IN THE IGNITION OF HIS VEHICLE. IT TOOK HIM 2-3 HOURS AFTER LEAVING THE STORE TO START THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED VERY FREQUENTLY. THE DEALER ADVISED HIM TO GO TO A LOCKSMITH TO REMOVE THE CYLINDER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 76,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10231053June 15, 2008ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK. I LIVE 7 MILES FROM WORK. AT A STOP LIGHT MY CAR STARTED SHAKING VERY BAD AND THE ENGINE SHUT DOWN. IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN.. I HAD IT TOWED TO MY BROTHERS HOUSE AND STARTED RESEARCHING THE SYMPTOMS... EVERYTHING I COULD FIND LEADS TO ENGINE FAILURE, CAUSED BY A THROWN ROD OR BROKEN PISTON. AFTER CHECKING THE COMPRESSION IN THE CYLINDERS # 1-3 NO PROBLEMS ABOUT 75 PSI AND #4 WAS 0. I BELIEVE THAT THE #4 PISTON OR ROD IS BROKEN OR OTHERWISE RENDERED USELESS CAUSING THE COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS 85500 MILES AND HAS BEEN MAINTAINED PER THE OWNERS MANUAL. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10231080June 15, 2008ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
TRIED TO TURN THE IGNITION TO START MY CAR AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. ITS A 2002 FORD FOCUS 2DR HATCHBACK. IT LEFT ME STRANDED FOR A FEW HOURS UNTIL I COULD HAVE IT TOWED. IT SEEMED LIKE THE TUMBLERS DID NOT RECOGNIZE THE KEY. I COULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK SO I COULDN'T EVEN PUSH IT OUT OF THE SPOT IT WAS PARKED IN. THE ENTIRE IGNITION SWITCH HAS TO BE REPLACED AND THE CAR RESTARTED. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10230922June 13, 2008ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
IGNITION SWITCH FAILURE IN 2002 FORD FOCUS. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10230016June 5, 2008ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
MY 2002 FORD FOCUS IGNITION SWITCH WILL NOT TURN. THE STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM. THE FORD DEALERSHIP SAYS THIS IS A COMING PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS, BUT THERE IS NO RECALL. THE CHARGE WILL NEARLY BE $500. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10229730June 3, 2008SUSPENSION:FRONT
WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON I-95 THE RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING SUDDENLY FRACTURED AND IN THE PROCESS WEDGED INTO THE TIRE DESTROYING IT AND THE STRUT. LUCKILY SHE WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE IS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. FORD KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND IT HAS HAPPENED TO MANY FOCUS'. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10228835May 24, 2008ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10228566May 21, 2008ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND IGNITION KEY WOULD NOT TURN, LEAVING ME STRANDED. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10228598May 21, 2008ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. HAD TO CALL A LOCKSMITH TO FIX FOR OVER $200. THE CAR WAS FINE BUT WOULD NOT START AT ALL. THE PROBLEM GOT WORSE AND WORSE TO THE POINT I WAS STRANDED AFTER ABOUT A WEEK. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10227001May 8, 2008STRUCTURE
MY FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARDS LEAK A WATER WHEN IT RAINS. AFTER BEING "FIXED" 3 TIMES, MY CAR IS NOW RUSTING! *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10227002May 8, 2008SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
I HAD TO REPLACE MY FRONT BRAKES AT ABOUT 20,000 MILES AND AGAIN 30,000 MILES LATER. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST FORD FOR IT'S EARLY BRAKE PROBLEMS. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10226820May 6, 2008ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
I HAVE HEARD FROM MANY OF FORD FOCUS OWNERS OF THEIR PROBLEMS WITH THEIR IGNITION KEY GETTING STUCK OR NOT TURNING. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM FOR A FEW WEEKS NOW, WHERE I HAVE BEEN LEFT STRANDED AT NIGHT OR IN HARSH WEATHER CONDITIONS. I BELIEVE THAT SINCE THIS SI NOT AN ISOLATED PROBLEM WITH A FEW VEHICLES AND ALSO CONSIDERING THE IMPLICATIONS IF VEHICLES NOT STARTING BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION, SHOULD BE ENOUGH TO REQUEST TO FORD COMPANY, TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DESIGN FLAWS IN THE IGNITION SYSTEM. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10226865May 6, 2008ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
MY 2002 FORD FOCUS HAS A KNOWN IGNITION PROBLEM PER DON DAVIS FORD BUT NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED. THE KEY WILL NO LONGER TURN AT ALL. THE DEALERSHIP OFFERED TO REPLACE THE IGNITION SWITCH FOR $400. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10224931April 18, 2008ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
MY IGNITION SWITCH ON THE 2003 FOCUS WAGON, LOCKED UP. A TOW TRUCK DRIVER, HIT IT TO RELEASE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR, AND THEY SAID IT WOULD BE $338.00. THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL FOR YEARS ACCORDING TO WEB BLOGS. I SPOKE TO FORD AND THEY WOULD NOT HELP ME, AND STATED THIS WAS NOT A RECALL ISSUE. WE HAVE 4 FOCUS IN THE FAMILY. OUR 2002 HAD THE SAME PROBLEM -BUT WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN AND MUST BE ADDRESSED AS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10223545April 7, 2008ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CONTINUAL OIL LEAKAGE FROM THE LOWER ENGINE BLOCK OF A 2002 FORD FOCUS 5 DOOR HATCHBACK. THIS RESULTS FROM AN ENGINEERING PROBLEM, PER MY FIRESTONE SERVICE PERSON. THE RIGHT SIDE CV AXLE MOUNTING BRACKETT IS ATTACHED TO THE LOWER CRANKCASE, AND THE AXLE TORQUE HAS OVER THE 73,000 MILES WE HAVE DRIVEN THE VEHICLE CRACKED THE LOWER CRANK-CASE. WHEN THERE IS PRESSURE ON THE ENGINE, THE CRACK OPENS AND OIL LEAKS. I HAVE SEEN THE CRACK WITH MY OWN EYES. ACCORDING TO THE TECHNICIANS, IF THIS IS THE CASE WITH THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE ENGINEERING, THERE ARE PROBABLY OTHER INSTANCES OF THE SAME THING HAPPENING. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0