Ford Focus Complaints (2002)

971 consumer complaints on file.

#10246604October 24, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I WAS STRANDED WHEN MY KEY WAS INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION AND IT WOULD NOT TURN. THIS WAS A SERIOUS INCIDENT BECAUSE I NEEDED TO BE HOME TO GET MY 6 YEAR OLD OFF THE BUS AND LET HIM IN THE HOUSE. I WAS UNABLE TO DO SO AND MY SON WAS EXTREMELY DISTRAUGHT. AND THEN I FIND OUT THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT BUT THIS VEHICLE HAS A HISTORY OF THIS. VERY DISAPPOINTING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10246114October 20, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
A SCREW WAS DISLODGED FROM THE ENGINE, RICOCHETING THROUGH OUT THE ENGINE CAUSING DAMAGE BEYOND REPAIR. THE ENGINE CEASED WORKING WITHOUT ANY PREPARATION. THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED COMPLETELY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245575October 15, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN INSIDE THE IGNITION. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES BEFOREHAND. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 147,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245271October 13, 2008
SUSPENSION:FRONT
FORD FOCUS 2002 ZX3 HAD TO HAVE THE COIL/SPRING ASSEMBLY REPLACED DUE TO THE SPRING RESTING ON THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE. FROM ALL THE RESEARCH THAT I HAVE DONE ON THE WEB, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED BY THE NHTSA. I FOUND THE INFORMATION FOR THE 2000 FORD FOCUS ON THE FOLLOWING WEBSITE JUST TO REFERENCE HOW MANY PROBLEMS THERE ARE WITH THESE COIL/SPRING ASSEMBLIES. BEFORE FORD HAS ANY OTHER PROBLEMS WITH DEATHS OCCURRING WITH FAULTY PROBLEMS, I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE IT INVESTIGATED. AND TO MY DISSATISFACTION FORD DID NOT SEND ANY WARNING OUT NOR CONTACT ME VIA THEIR CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM THAT WAS OFFERED TO THE DEALERSHIPS. FURTHERMORE, I DID NOT EVEN KNOW THAT I HAD TO TAKE IT TO A DEALERSHIP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10244639October 7, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:SWITCH
THE IGNITION SWITCH ON MY CAR WILL NOT TURN OVER TO START THE CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10244539October 6, 2008
TIRES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT NOTICED AIR COMING OUT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE, WHICH SHE HAD BEEN AWARE OF SINCE FIRST PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MORE THAN SIX TIMES, REGARDLESS IF THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OR IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE WOULD EITHER HAVE TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER OR SERVICE PERSONNEL WOULD COME TO HER AND REPLACE THE TIRE WITH A SPARE. THE DEALER WAS NEVER ABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE TIRE WAS REPLACED ONCE IN JANUARY OF 2008, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT SENT LETTERS AND EMAILS TO THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 36,686 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,815.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10243490September 26, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I HAVE ONLY OWNED THIS CAR FOR FOUR MONTHS. FIRST THE OXYGEN SENSOR FAILED AFTER TWO DAYS. THEN A MONTH LATER I BEGAN HAVING DIFFERENT LIGHTS COME OFF AND ON WITH LOSS OF POWER. I TOOK IT IN TO DEALERSHIP AND TO FORD WHO COULD NEVER REPEAT THE CODES. I REPLACE THE BATTERY AND THIS STOPPED FOR A MONTH. IT IS NOW DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN. STALLING OR ACTING AS IF IT WILL. I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND RESTART IT SEVERAL TIMES TO RESET THE COMPUTER TO GET IT TO DRIVE CORRECTLY. I AM FRUSTRATED BECAUSE NO ONE CAN FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG. THIS OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY BUT WHEN IT DOES IT CAN BE OVER 10 TIMES A DAY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10242506September 16, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
I HAVE A 2002 FORD FOCUS AND THE KEYS SOMETIMES GET STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND OR THE KEYS ARE NOT ABLE TO TURN THE IGNITION. I FEEL THAT THIS IS UNSAFE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10242516September 16, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION APPEARED TO BE LOCKED, BUT THERE WAS POWER. HE ATTEMPTED APPROXIMATELY 25 MORE TIMES TO START THE VEHICLE AND ALSO DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE STEERING, TRANSMISSION, AND IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 130,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10241274September 8, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
ON MY 2002 FORD FOCUS, THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING BEGAN LEAKING COOLANT WHEN THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING GASKET AGAINST THE ENGINE BLOCK FAILED. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON VARIOUS YEARS OF THE FOCUS AS VERIFIED BY THE COMMENTS OF THE FORD MOTOR CO. PARTS SALES PEOPLE IN SAYING THAT THEY SELL MANY OF THE THERMOSTAT HOUSINGS, AND ALSO BY BLOGS ON INTERNET CHAT LINES. THE RUBBER GASKET SWELLS WHEN IT COMES IN CONTACT WITH OIL AND BREAKS OFF THE INNER GASKET-SUPPORT RING, ALLOWING THE LEAK TO HAPPEN. IT IS A POOR DESIGN THAT CAN LEAD TO MAJOR PROBLEMS SUCH AS ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION AND ENGINE FAILURE. I WOULD BE GLAD TO MAIL THE AFFECTED PART TO YOU FOR YOUR EXAMINATION. IT IS AMAZING HOW COMPLETELY THE SUPPORT RING FAILED, AND THE CONDITION OF THE GASKET THAT IS NOT COMPATIBLE WITH OIL WHICH LEAKS FROM THE VALVE COVER ABOVE. THE PART COULD EASILY BE REDESIGNED TO USE A STANDARD O-RING FOR THE SEAL, WHICH IS RESISTANT TO OIL, AND SEALS BETTER. THE CURRENT GASKET IS MORE LIKE A RUBBER BAND THAT IS HELD IN PLACE BY THE INSIDE RIM WHICH BREAKS OFF. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10241243September 7, 2008
WHEELS, TIRES:VALVE, TIRES
1. I'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS TIRE HOLDING AIR. IT HAS GIVEN ME PROBLEMS EVER SINCE I PURCHASED IT. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ALL THROUGH WARRANTY. I'VE BEEN PUTTING AIR IN IT WHICH HAS COST ME A SURMOUNTABLE AMT OF MONEY RANGING FROM 25 CENTS TO WHATEVER THE MARKET CHARGED COST OF PUTTING AIR IN IT TO THE CURRENT DATE. IT RUINED A GOOD TIRE AFTER 12,000 MILES OF USE; IT WAS ROTATED ALL THE NECESSARY TIMES; ONLY THE RIGHT PASSENGER FRONT SIDE TIRE NO MATTER HOW MANY TIMES IT WAS ROTATED; THE SAME SIDE IS FAULTY; AUGUST 2008, A SERVICE CENTER DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM. I TOLD THEM TO EXAMINE THAT PARTICULAR WHEEL AND SEE IF THEY COULD FIGURE OUT WHAT PROBLEM EXISTS. THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE WHEEL IS BENT IN 4 DIFFERENT PLACES. I'VE HAD TO BE TOWED FROM MY WORKPLACE; MY AUTO CLUB HAS HAD TO SEND A SERVICE SHOPOUT TO CHANGE THE TIRE OR PUMP IT UP. SOMETIMES THIS WOULD HAPPEN IN MY DRIVEWAY. AFTER WARRANTY IT BECOMES THE OWNER'S PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THE MFR AND DEALER WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. AN OWNER OF A 2004, NEW AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE, ALSO HAS A CRACKED WHEEL. UNLESS THIS PROBLEM IS CORRECTED, IT WILL CONTINUE TO COST PURCHASERS MORE MONIES AND ACCIDENTS IF DRIVEN OVER 30-40 MILES PER HR. THIS IS A MFR'S DEFECT. A VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN ON LONG TRIPS AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED, SUCH AS ON THE EXPRESSWAYS AND INTERSTATES. IT IS DANGEROUS REGARDLESS OF SPEED. ONCE AIR IS PUT BACK INTO THE TIRE, WITHIN A DAY'S TIME, DRIVEN OR NOT DRIVEN, IT STARTS GOING DOWN. BASICALLY, JUST BEING PARKED, IT WILL GO DOWN ANYWAY. WITH THE ETHICS OF THE DEALERSHIP IN THIS AREA, THEY PROBABLY DID THE SAME THING AS I'VE BEEN DOING., ADDING AIR TO THE TIRE AND RETURNING IT BACK TO ME. THANK YOU. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10240149August 28, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
WE BOUGHT THIS TWO YRS AGO FROM FORD DEALERSHIP AND UP TO THE DATE IT BROKE DOWN NOT ONE PROBLEM . WE DO ALL THE MAINTENANCE PLUS SOME ALL BUY CERTIFIED MECHANICS . THIS WAS OUR ONLY CAR . THE ENGINE BLEW AT UNDER 200XXXKM . THESE ARE ALL HIGHWAY KM AS WE ARE COMMUTERS . THERE IS NO WAY THIS ENGINE SHOULD HAVE BLOWN AT THAT MANY KM WITHOUT SOME KIND OF WARNING SIGN . BEFORE THE DAY IT BLEW THERE WERE NO KNOCKS NOTHING RAN LIKE A TOP . WE HAVE NEVER TAKEN THIS CAR OVER 100KM ON THE HIGHWAY AS ITS OUR ONLY MODE OF TRANSPORTATION . WE STILL OWE 140000 ON THIS HUNK OF CRAP . IM JUST WONDERING IF THIS IS THE NORM FOR THE FOCUS ENGINES . IM JUST BAFFLED BECAUSE LIKE I SAID THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING SIGNS UP TILL THE MORNING IT HAPPENED IT STARTED TO SPUTTER AND LOSE POWER . THE MISSES DROPPED ME OFF AT WORK MADE IT TO THE SHOP BARELY AND ITS NEVER STARTED SINCE . THE MECHANIC SAYS THERE IS NO COMPRESSION IN NUMBER 4 CYLINDER AND IT WAS JUST IN THE SHOP FOR A TUNE UP MAYBE A MONTH TOPS BEFORE THIS HAPPENED . ANY HELP OR INFO WOULD HELP . THERE AREN'T THAT MANY OUT THERE THAT CARE ABOUT THE LITTLE MAN SO I'LL TAKE ANY HELP OR ADVISE I CAN GET . THX TANIA AND DERREK EBERLIE *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10239036August 20, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
WITH NO PRIOR WARNING SIGNS, KEY WILL NOT TURN IGNITION. I WAS UNABLE TO GET TO WORK AND SUBSEQUENTLY LOST $96 IN WAGES, MINUS TAXES. I CANNOT AFFORD $200-$500 TO FIX SOMETHING THAT WILL BE REPLACED WITH THE SAME FAULTY PART, THUS HAVING TO FIX IT AGAIN IN THE FUTURE. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND THOUSANDS OF REFERENCES TO THIS PROBLEM, WHICH MAKES ME WONDER WHY THERE IS NO RECALL. IF SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, WOULDN'T THAT INDICATE A FAULTY PART, INSTALLED BY FORD ITSELF. SOME PEOPLE REPORT HAVING TO REPLACE THE IGNITION NUMEROUS TIMES, AND THAT FORD HAS NOT REDESIGNED THIS PART, NOR HAVE THEY ADMITTED IT IS FAULTY OR OFFERED A RECALL. WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT TO THOUSANDS OF CONSUMERS, WHICH SURELY WILL AFFECT FUTURE FORD SALES. WHEN WILL FORD OWN UP TO THIS PROBLEM???*TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10238904August 19, 2008
SUSPENSION:FRONT
THE RIGHT FRONT COIL SPRING FAILED. THE BOTTOM OF THE UPPER PIECE OF THE COIL CAME DOWN AND RESTED ON THE TOP OF THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE. THIS CAUSED THE CAR TO PULL TO THE SIDE AND DESTROYED THE TIRE. THIS HAPPENED AT LOW SPEED AND THERE WAS NO INCIDENT. BUT EVEN AT LOW SPEED, THE TIRE WAS DESTROYED IN ONLY A FEW FEET. HAD THIS HAPPENED AT HIGHWAY SPEED, THE NEAR SIMULTANEOUS PULL, SUSPENSION SAG, AND TIRE DESTRUCTION COULD EASILY CAUSED A WRECK. FORD HAS ACKNOWLEDGED A PROBLEM WITH THESE SPRINGS IN EARLY MY FOCI AND EXTENDS THE WARRANTY ON THESE SPRINGS. WHAT THEY DON'T ACKNOWLEDGE IS THE POTENTIAL HAZARD FROM SUCH A SPRING FAILURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10237952August 13, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING
MY CAR HAS FREQUENT PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING COLUMN, IGNITION LOCKING WHICH BECAME PROBLEMATIC WHEN I STALLED IN TRAFFIC AND NEARLY CAUSED A MULTI CAR ACCIDENT BECAUSE I COULD NOT START THE CAR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10236887August 4, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
IN THE LAST 5 YEARS I HAVE REPLACED A AIR CONDITIONING HOSE 3 TIMES ! MY MECHANIC CLAIMS IT TO BE A BAD DESIGN AND HE SEES IT OFTEN WITH THIS MODEL AND YEAR FORD FOCUS 2002. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10237129August 1, 2008
AIR BAGS
2002 FORD FOCUS SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED WITH A LOUD BANG. STATED THAT IT WAS KIND OF AN EXPLOSION. *KB THE CONSUMERS SON EXPERIENCED RINGING IN HIS EARS, REDUCED HEARING AND A SEVERE HEADACHE FROM THE EXPLOSIVE FORCE OF THE AIR BAG. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10236529July 31, 2008
EQUIPMENT
A COUPLE YEARS BACK MY PASSANGER MOTOR WENT OUT AND HAD TO GET IT REPLACE. NOW MY RADIO DOES NOT WORK AND MY CD'S ARE STUCK IN IT. I HAVE WRITTEN FORD BUT GOT NO RESPONCE. PLEASE HELP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10236163July 28, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
FAILURE OF IGNITION TO TURN ON. PROGRAMMED FORD FOCUS KEYS FAIL TO TURN ON IGNITION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10235389July 22, 2008
SUSPENSION:FRONT, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
THE FRONT SPRINGS ON THE 2002 FORD FOCUS ARE FAULTY. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SPRING WAS CRACKED , AND TOOK THE CAR TO GOODYEAR TO GET REPAIRED, SINCE IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY (INCLUDING THE EXTENDED WARRANTY I PURCHASED). I THEN LETTERED FORD, AND THEY SAID IN NOVEMBER 2004 THEY MAILED A NOTICE TO CUSTOMERS ( WHICH I NEVER RECEIVED) NOTIFYING THEM OF F THE PROBLEM WITH THE SPRINGS. THEY SAID THERE IS NO RECALL, BUT THEY ARE REPAIRING UNDER A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM. THEY SAID I SHOULD HAVE BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE DEALER AND IT WOULD HAVE BEEN REPAIRED FOR FREE. THEY WOULD NOT REIMBURSE ME. I EVEN TRIED TO NEGOTIATE AND ASKED THEM TO AT LEAST REIMBURSE ME WHAT THEY WOULD HAVE PAID THEIR DEALER BUT THEY REFUSED. THIS CAR ALSO HAS DEFECTIVE BRAKES AND ROTORS. WHEN THE CAR WAS UNDER THE ORIGINAL 3 YR 36,000 MILE WARRANTY , THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. FORD SAID THEY COULD NOT REPAIR THE ROTORS OR CUT THEM, AND BRAKES AND ROTORS ARE EXCLUDED FROM THE WARRANTY. IT COST ME OVER $ 500 FOR BRAKES AND ROTORS ON A LESS THAN 2 YEAR OLD CAR. A FEW YRS LATER, SAME THING, FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS , AND AGAIN, I WAS TOLD THE ROTORS CAN'T BE CUT, THEY ALWAYS HAVE TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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