FRONT BRAKES WEAR DOWN TO NOTHING WITHIN 15,000 MILES. *AK
2002 Ford Focus complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2002 record →
1. SPINDLE HOLDING BRAKES WAS STRIPPED. 2. REPORTED BY COVINGTON FORD THIRD AUTO THAT HAD TO BE REPLACED 3. NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY SPINDLE FAILED. *JB
THIS IS A COMPLAINT MADE TO THE FORD COMPANY ON 11-18-2004. DEAR [XXX], [XXX] HAS FORWARDED TO MY HOME BOTH YOUR LETTERS THAT WERE DATED OCTOBER 12, 2004 AND NOVEMBER 3, 2004. YOUR LETTERS WERE WRITTEN IN ADDRESSING MY ORIGINAL COMPLAINT (FILE NO.: [XXX], VIN#: [XXXX]) REGARDING THE SAFETY FEATURE OF THE 2002 FORD FOCUS VEHICLE MY DAUGHTER PURCHASED FROM THE JACOB TWIN FORD DEALERSHIP, LOCATED AT 6750 W. GRAND AVENUE, CHICAGO, IL UNITED STATES 60707, PHONE (866) 276-4943. I WOULD LIKE TO CLARIFY THAT I AM NOT ONLY COMPLAINING ABOUT THE ?LEAK? AND RUST? PROBLEM, BUT I ALSO DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE FACT, WHICH I DISCOVERED AFTER I CAME BACK HOME FROM CHICAGO IN SEPTEMBER 2004, THAT THERE IS NO WEATHER STRIP AT ALL UNDER THE HOOD. BECAUSE OF THIS LACKING OF A WEATHER STRIP, THE SALTY VAPORS MAY HAVE BEEN SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT DURING THE WINTER SEASONS IN CHICAGO CAUSING RUSTING PROBLEM. I HAVE REQUESTED THAT FORD MUST INVESTIGATE THIS POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD AND MAKE UP RECALLS TO INSTALL A WEATHER STRIP TO FIX THIS "SAFETY"-RELATED PROBLEM.*AK UPDATED 07/24/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
A DEER WAS STRUCK WITH RELATIVELY MINOR DAMAGE TO THE HOOD AND GRILL. GUN POWDER SMELLED IN VEHICLE AFTER COLLISION. SUSPECT IT WAS AIRBAG PROPELLANT. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK
SUDDEN BRAKE FAILURE. THE FORWARD DRIVER SIDE STEEL BRAKE LINEL WAS WORN THROUGH BY THE PLASTIC INNER FENDER WELL CAUSING ALL BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK OUT. REPLACED BRAKE LINE.*AK
I HAVE BEEN HAVING REOCCURING PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION IN MY VEHICLE. I VISITED THE CONSUMER AFFAIRS WEBSITE AND FOUND OUT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN FOCUS'. I HAVE BEEN CHARGED OVER $300 TO HAVE THE PROBLEM RECTIFIED. ONE MAN SAID HE HAD TO HAVE HIS IGNITION REPLACED 3-4 TIMES. DAILY, IT TAKES ME UP TO 30 MINUTES TO START MY CAR DUE TO IGNITION MALFUNCTIONS. I DON'T FEEL THAT WE, FOCUS OWNERS, SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR A MANUFACTURES DEFECT. *AK
THE CONSUMER WAS PULLING INSIDE OF THE GARAGE TO PARK THE VEHICLE WHEN HE NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD MOVE IN A CIRCULAR MOTION, BUT THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO MOVE THE TIRES. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WENT, THIS CAR IS 2 YEARS OLD AND HAS 58,000 MILES ON IT, COST TO REPAIR $298+ THIS IS THE THIRD EXPENSIVE REPAIR ON THIS 2002 FORD FOCUS, THE OTHER TWO WERE WHEEL RELATED AND LOCKING DOOR LOCKS THAT WERE QUITE EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR AS WELL. *AK
WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH RIGHT TIRE COLLAPSED INWARD. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT RIGHT RIM HIT SOMETHING AND CAUSED THE TIRE TO BE BENT INWARD.*AK
UPON TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN. THE CONSUMER TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO GET THE VEHICLE STARTED. CONSUMER HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE MECHANIC ALREADY KNEW THAT THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS A FORD FOCUS AND KNEW THE PROBLEM BEFORE IT WAS TOLD TO HIM. *TC
VEHICLE STALLED AND THE IGNITION TUMBLER WAS DEFECTIVE WHEREBY CONSUMER HAVE TO LEAVE THE KEY IN THE VEHICLE. THE IGNITION WAS REPLACED FOUR TIMES. ALSO, FRONT BRAKES SQUEALED, AND DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE. PADS WERE REPLACED FOUR TIMES.*AK
IGNITION SWITCH IN MY 2002 FORD FOCUS HAS QUIT WORKING FOR THE 4TH TIME. IF YOU GO TO THIS ITE YOU WILL SEE THIS IS A VERY BAD PROBLEM FORD IS HAVING WITH THE FOCUS AND IS VERY DANGEROUS.HTTP://WWW.AUTOMOTIVEFORUMS.COM/T158426.HTML. *AK
WHILE DRIVING 37 MPH, THE CONSUMER REAR ENDED ANOTHER MOTORIST. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THIS CAUSED THE PASSENGER TO SUSTAIN MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A GARAGE FOR INSPECTION. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
DURING A 40 MPH VEHICLE FRONTAL COLLISION FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. *AK
WHEN DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONSUMER SWERVED TO MISS A DOG ON THE ROAD, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO HIT AN OBJECT ON THE ROAD. THIS CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, THE FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK *SC
2002 FORD FOCUS IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER BUSTED. GOT STUCK FOR 3 HOURS BEFORE GETTING THE CAR TOWED.
THE HATCHBACK DOOR IS DIFFICULT TO CLOSE, ONCE CLOSED IT IS STILL NOT SECURE. CONSUMER HAS HAD TO FORCE THE DOOR SO MANY TIMES THAT IT WAS DENTED IN SEVERAL PLACES FROM THE FORCE.*AK
VEHICLE STALLED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON SEVERAL SEPARATE OCCASIONS. DEALER REPLACED THE AIR INTAKE VALVE TWICE, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
YEARLY INSPECTION RESULTED IN A FAILURE DUE TO EXCESSIVE ROTOR WEAR ON BOTH FRON ROTORS. ALTHOUGH I WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE PADS WOULD HAVE LASTED ANOTHER 5 TO 6 THOUSAND MILES. NO FAULTY OR DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THIS TYPE OF WEAR. PREVIOUS INSPECTION LAST YEAR AT ANOTHER FORD DEALER SHOWED NO ISSUES. ALSO INFORMED OF THIS TYPE OF WEAR BEING CONSIDERED NORMAL BY THE DEALERS DUE TO THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS OF THE ORIGINAL ROTORS BEING CHANGED TO INTICE OWNERS TO REPLACE RATHER THAN TURN THE ROTORS WHEN NEEDED. FOUND THAT THERE IS A PENDING CLASS ACTION IN CALIFORNIA OF THE SAME INCIDENT. ALSO LOCATED TWO TECHNICAL BULLITENS FROM FORD SHOWING CONCERN OVER THE ISSUE. CALLED THE FORD CORPORATE AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO DUE TO THE FACTORY WARRENT COVERING ONLY 12K MILES AND I WAS AT 34K MILES. CALLED THE DEALER BACK, TOLD THEM OF MY FINDINGS AND MY DISAPPOINTMENT IN DISCOVERING THAT IT WAS A KNOWN ISSUE AFTER ALL. THE SERVICE MANAGER CALLED ME BACK TO INFORM ME THAT IT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY SINCE THEY HAD OVERLOOKED THE ISSUE.*AK
I PICKED MY CAR UP FROM CLEVELAND HOPKINS AIRPORT ON SATURDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2004. I DROVE TO MY SISTER IN-LAW'S HOUSE TO PICK UP MY HUSBAND AND 2YR OLD DAUGHTER. WE STAYED FOR ABOUT TWO HOURS AND THEN LEFT. WHEN I TRIED TO START MY 2002 FORD FOCUS I WAS NOT ABLE TO TURN THE KEY. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED UP AND WOULD ONLY MOVE A FEW INCHES IN EITHER DIRECTION. AFTER ABOUT AN HOUR I JUST DROVE MY HUSBAND'S MOTHER'S CAR HOME. THE NEXT DAY I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO LIBERTY FORD IN MAPLE HTS. I WAS TOLD SEVERAL DIFFERENT THINGS BEFOREHAND. I WAS TOLD THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED AND I ONLY NEEDED TO "JIGGLE" THE KEY AND THE STEERING WHEEL TO UNLOCK IT. I WAS TOLD I HAD A BAD KEY AND NEEDED A NEW ONE. WELL NONE OF THAT WAS TRUE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SAID I HAD TO HAVE MY ENTIRE IGNITION REPLACED AND IT COST $342. I HAVE NOT PICKED UP THE CAR YET, BUT WILL TRY TO GET THE OLD PART.*AK
STEERING WHEEL COLUMN WOULD MOVE BACK AND FORTH ON ITS OWN. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, BUT MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
WHEN I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, IT WOULD NOT TURN. THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED AND THE IGNITION SWITCH FROZE. I HAD TO HAVE IT REPAIRED FOR $300. APPARENTLY THE LOCKSMITH IS MAKING A FORTUNE OFF THE FORD FOCUS WITH THIS PROBLEM. *AK
JUST PURCHASED A USED 2002 FORD FOCUS AND EVERYTHING WORKED JUST FINE UNTIL THE KEY WOULD NOT COME OUT OF THE IGNITION. THE LONGEST I HAVE SAT AND TRIED TO GET THE KEY OUT IS HALF AN HOUR AND FINALLY I JUST LEFT THE KEY IN THERE BECAUSE IT WAS RIDICULOUS. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT OUT THE NEXT DAY BUT THIS IS A CONSTANT PROBLEM AND IVE HEARD OTHERS TELL ME THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED IN THEIR FOCUS. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY FORD, NOT BY THOSE OF US HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THEIR PRODUCT.*AK
MY HUSBAND AND I BOUGHT A 2002 FORD FOCUS. WHEN I TRIED TO START THE CAR TO GO TO WORK THIS MORNING, THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN ALL THE WAY TO START THE CAR. THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THE FOCUS MODEL. I HAVE READ MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET THEREFORE, THIS SHOULD BE A MANUFACTURER DEFAULT AND SHOULD BE FIXED. THE DEALERS ARE CHARGING $450 TO FIX THE PROBLEM THAT WASN'T OUR FAULT.*AK
I WAS SHOPPING WITH MY 16 MON. OLD SONS AND AFTER WE WERE IN THE CAR I TRIED TO TURN THE KEY ON MY 2002 FORD FOCUS, THE IGNITION IS LOCKED. I'M TOLD THAT THIS IS COMMON IN THE FOCUS. I CALLED FORD AND AM TAKING MY CAR IN TO HAVE THE IGNITION REPLACED. IT WILL COST $300- $400.*AK
WHILE DRIVING, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE LUG NUT AND BOLTS OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
1)NORMAL DRIVING PATTERN; 2)BRAKES STARTED TO CRUNCH AT 31,000, THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW AND STILL UNDER WARRANTY, BUT NOT FOR BRAKES. 3)TOOK TO FORD DEALER ON 10/15 THEY WANTED $550.00 PLUS TO FIX, MY SALESMAN TOLD ME HE HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE. CALLED FORD CORPORATE, GOT NO HELP WITH SERVICE REP, REQUESTED A CALL FROM SUPERVISOR, STILL HAVEN'T RECIEVED A CALL BACK. TOOK TO MIDAS TO FIX, WAS REPAIRED THIS MORNING.*AK
APPROXIMATELY EVERY FIFTH TIME I DRIVE MY 2002 FORD FOCUS, THE KEY GETS STUCK IN THE IGNITION AND CANNOT BE REMOVED. SUBSEQUENTLY, I'M ABLE TO GET THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION (AFTER RESTARTING THE CAR AND DRIVING MINDLESSLY FOR A FEW MILES). THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, AND THEY HAVE REPLACED THE LOCK CYLINDER TWICE TO NO AVAIL. WITHIN DAYS OF GETTING "FIXED", THE PROBLEM SPROUTS UP AGAIN, LEAVING ME WITHOUT KEYS, WITHOUT THE ABILITY TO LOCK THE CAR (THAT WOULD LOCK MY KEYS IN THE CAR), AND FORCING ME TO PLAN AHEAD AND TAKE A SPARE KEY WITH ME WHEREVER I GO (SO I CAN LOCK THE KEYS IN THE CAR, STILL IN THE IGNITION -- A PRIME CANDIDATE FOR VEHICLE THEFT). THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED ON NUMEROUS WEB SITES, AND THERE ARE CLEARLY PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION SYSTEM EMPLOYED BY FORD. *JB
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2002 FORD FOCUS ON EXPRESSWAY AT ABOUT 40-45 MPH WHEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE, SIDE IMPACT AIR BAG WENT OFF FOR NO APPARENT REASON. THE VEHICLE WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE, BUT MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. MY WIFE SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES TO HER LEFT ARM AND HAD RINGING IN HER LEFT EAR FOR TWO DAYS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND INSPECTED. THE DEALER COULD ONLY FIND A SMALL DENT ON THE UNDER CARRIAGE (LOCATED AT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE) OF THE VEHICLE. THE DENT APPEARED TO BE OLD DAMAGE. A CHECK OF THE COMPUTER REVEALED THE CODE FOR PROPER AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. FORD STATED THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE EXPENSE TO FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE COMPUTER CHIP INDICATING THE CORRECT DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG. FORD REFUSED TO LISTEN THAT THERE WAS NO DAMAGE TO INDICATE THE PROPER DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIR BAG, NOR WOULD THEY BELIEVE MY WIFES STATEMENTS. PLEASE ADVISE.*AK
WHILE DRIVING, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND DISCOVERED THE LEFT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE RIM WAS BENT AND CAUSED THE TIRE TO GO FLAT. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR DOOR WILL NOT LATCH. THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ORDERED A NEW LATCH ASSEMBLY WHICH CONSUMER HAD TO PAY OUT OF HER POCKET. ALSO, THE DEALER ALSO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT A NEW LATCH ASSEMBLY WAS BEING ORDERED FOR WHICH THE CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO PAY. *AK *SC
I OWN A 2002 FORD FOCUS. ON THE WAY OUT OF THE SUPERMARKET, I PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION ONLY TO FIND IT WOULD NOT TURN! IT WAS JAMMED. I COULD PULL MY KEY IN AND OUT, BUT NO AMOUNT OF SHAKING THE WHEEL OR TWISTING THE KEY COULD FREE THIS FROZEN IGNITION. NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE. HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK AND HAVE IT FIXED AT THE FORD DEALER IN YUCCA VALLEY, CA. $650.00!!! IS WHAT IT COST TO REPAIR! I WENT ONLINE AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF DIFFERENT PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL CAR, SOME HAVING IT REPAIRED 3 TIMES IN ONE YEAR! THIS IS A DEFECTIVE PART THAT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED! EVEN THE MECHANICS KNEW AFTER TELLING THEM WHAT MODEL IT WAS, WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS! HOW CAN YOU JUSTIFY OWNING A 2 YEAR OLD NEW CAR AND HAVING TO REPLACE THE IGNITION EVERY 3 YEARS?? OR MORE? THIS IS BS! *NM
CONSUMER STATED THE KEY STUCK UPON PUTTING THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION. THE IGNITION SWITCH STARTED TO FREEZE. CONSUMER HAD PROBLEMS STARTING THE VEHICLE. THIS CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK. CONTACTED THE DEALER. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER. HOWEVER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK.
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. *AK
AFTER WORK ON THE EVENING OF SEPTEMBER 30TH, 2004, I GOT IN MY VEHICLE AND PUT THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY AS TO START THE CAR. I THOUGHT MAYBE THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED IN PLACE FUNNY SO I WIGGLED THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE TRYING TO TURN THE KEY AND STILL NOTHING. I FELT SICK BECAUSE I HAD NO IDEA WHAT TO DO. LUCKILY THERE WERE STILL CO-WORKERS IN THE BANK WHERE I WORK SO I WAS ABLE TO USE THE PHONE. FIRST I CALLED THE FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE CAR AND SPOKE WITH THE SERVICE DEPT. THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM IN ABOUT THREE SECONDS. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE. THEY SAID THE ONLY THING I COULD DO WOULD BE TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THEM AND IT WOULD COST AROUND $400.00. I THOUGHT I WOULD JUST DIE. I AM A SINGLE PARENT ON A VERY TIGHT BUDGET. I HAVE VERY LITTLE ROOM FOR SUCH REPAIRS BEING THAT I AM MAKING PAYMENTS ON A CAR I BOUGHT NEW TO TRY AND AVOID REPAIRS ON AN OLD VEHICLE. I HAD TO WAIT FOR A FRIEND OF MINE TO DRIVE OUT FROM IRVINE, CA (ABOUT 70 MILES AWAY) TO HELP ME. HE HAD AUTO CLUB SO I WAS ABLE TO TOW MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DRIVER OF THE TOW TRUCK INFORMED ME THAT HE TOWS AROUND 12 TO 15 OF THE SAME CARS WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM ONCE A MONTH. I TOLD THE DEALERSHIP TO NOT WORK ON IT IF IT WAS GOING TO COST ANYTHING BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY. THEY SAID THAT THEY WOULD HOLD OFF TO SEE WHAT I WAS GOING TO DO. OVER THE WEEKEND I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEMS OTHERS WERE HAVING WITH THEIR FORD
I WAS IN A CAR CRASH ABOUT A MONTH AGO. IT WAS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE OTHER AUTO SLAMMED INTO MY CAR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE NEAR THE FRONT WHEE. MY CAR WAS TOTALED. I HAD TO GO TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM BECAUSE MY SIDE HIT THE STEERING WHEEL; MY KNEES ALSO HIT UNDER THE WHEEL. NO AIRBAG DEPLOYED. WHY? DOES A CAR HAVE TO BE HIT HEAD ON FOR THE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY? WHAT IS OEM ON YOUR FORM? I LEFT THE NO AS IT WAS ON THE FORM WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT IT MEANT. *AK
2002 FORD FOCUS WITH 23,600 MILES REQUIRED ALL NEW PADS AND ROTORS-- DEALERSHIP HAS SAID THAT THIS IS NORMAL...FOR THE FOCUS... AND SUCH WORK IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. TOOK THE CAR TO MIDAS AND HAD FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS REPLACED (ROTORS COULDN'T EVEN BE TURNED!), MECHANIC AT MIDAS STATED THAT REPLACING PADS AND ROTORS ON A VEHICLE BEFORE THE WARRANTY HAS EVEN EXPIRED IS NOT NORMAL, TYPICAL, OR TO BE EXPECTED. BEFORE REPLACING THE BRAKES, THERE WAS CHRONICALLY A LARGE AMOUNT OF BRAKE DUST ON THE FRONT WHEELS.*AK
I PURCHASED A 2002 FORD FOCUS FROM DON HINDS FORD IN FISHERS, IN ON 9/28/02. THE PROBLEM I AM REPORTING IS THAT THE KEY WILL NOT TURN OVER SO THAT THE ENGINE CAN BE STARTED. THE KEY ROUTINELY BALKS AND JAMS. IT FAILED TO TURN OVER 1 WEEK AFTER THE PURCHASE. THE FORD 800 ASSISTANCE # RECOMMENDED PULLING THE STEERING WHEEL BACK & FORTH WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY TRYING TO TURN THE KEY OVER. THAT WORKED, THEY DID NOT OFFER TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I GOT THE SELLING DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE THE IGNITION CYLINDER TUMBLER AT 19,000 MI UNDER WARRANTY. BALKING/JAMMING CONTINUED, AT 38,000 THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN OVER AT ALL. AFTER TOWING IT TO A PRIVATE AUTO REPAIR SHOP, THEY REPLACED THE TUMBLER AGAIN. 1 MONTH LATER IT NEARLY DIDN'T START AGAIN. FORD IN GREENSBURG, IN REPLACED THE TUMBLER AGAIN UNDER A "GOOD WILL" POLICY. 9/10/04 THE CAR STRANDED ME AGAIN DUE TO THE SAME PROBLEM. AFTER TOWING TO AN INDIANAPOLIS, IN FORD DEALERSHIP, THEY REPLACED THE TUMBLER AGAIN. THAT'S THE FIFTH TUMBLER IN THAT CAR IN 43,000. I DON'T THINK THE 5TH ONE WILL FIX IT ANY MORE THAN THE FIRST 4 TUMBLERS DID. *JB
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED UNEXPECTEDLY. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
UPON TRYING TO START THE VEHICLE. THE IGNITION LOCKED. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER COULD NOT TURN THE KEY. THE CONSUMER TRIED BOTH KEYS TO THE VEHICLE, AND NEITHER WORKED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *JB
TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND KICKED BACK INTO DRIVE WHILE DRIVING. *PH THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE CONSUMER'S CONCERN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. *JB *SC
ON MY 2002 FOCUS SE MY PASSANGER FRONT TIRE HAD A BUBBLE- MY CAR ONLY HAS 17,000 MILES ON IT. WHEN I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP I FOUND IT WASN'T UNDER WARRANTY. THE TIRES ARE SEPERATE AND HAD TO BE PRORATED FOR WEAR. THE COST OF THE SAME TIRE PLUS THE COST OF THE LABOR WAS ALMOST A HUNDRED DOLLARS. I CAN'T BELIEVE I AM FIXING SOMETING I DIDN'T CAUSE. FORD WON. I BOUGHT A NEW TIRE BUT FROM A DIFFERENT COMPANY.
IGNITION CYLINDER IS BROKEN AGAIN AFTER REPAIR. THIS PART NEEDS TO BE RECALLED! BEING UNABLE TO START THE CAR AT RANDOM IS UNSAFE!*AK
WATER LEAKS INTO TRUNK AND FLOOR CAR WAS TORN APART IN ATTEMPT TO FIX WATER LEAKS. HOOD, RIGHT FENDER,FRONT WINDSHIELD,REAR WINDOW,DASHBOARD,STEERING WHEEL. LL REMOVED FROM CAR THEN REINSTALLED, TO TRY TO FIX WATER LEAKS.*AK WE NOW FILL NOTHING WILL WORK CORRECTY AND CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE, SINCE STEERING WHEEL WAS REMOVED THEN REINSTALLED, FORD DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT DID ALL THIS WORK. CAR IS A LEMON.
THE KEY SPOTANEOUSLY DOES NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. TWO OCCURRENCES AT $300 EACH WITHIN 2 MONTHS. *AK
COMPLAINT REGARDING FRONT COIL SPRINGS ON 2002 FORD FOCUS.*MR THE CONSUMER REPLACED ONE COIL SPRING ON HIS VEHICLE BECAUSE IT WAS BROKEN. THIS SERVICE WAS DONE THE SAME WEEK THE MANUFACTURER RECALLED THE FRONT SPRINGS ON THE SABLE AND TAURUS. *NM
IGNITION LOCK ON THE 2002 FORD FOCUS IS FAULTY. THE CYLINDERS BECOME DAMAGED OVER TIME (SHORT DURATION OF TIME) DUE TO WEAR PREVENTING THE LOCK FROM TURNING. ALSO THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE PASSIVE ANTI-THEFT DEVICE CONNECTED TO THE IGNITION SWITCH. IT WILL FAIL OVER TIME AND CANNOT BE EASILY REPAIRED. THE LOCK HAS MALFUNCTIONED ON MY WIFE AND MYSELF MULTIPLE TIMES AND HAS EVEN COST US TEN MINUTES OF "HAGGLING" BEFORE THE SWITCH WOULD ENGAGE. I DO NOT CARE TO HAVE MY WIFE STRANDED, ESPECIALLY LATE AT NIGHT, DUE TO A PART WHICH IS KNOWN BY THE MANUFACTURER TO BE DEFECTIVE. *JB
TRANSMISSION WENT OUT 2 TIMES IN 1 YEAR. DRIVER AIRBAG SHIFTED ON ITS OWN. REAR PASSENGER DOOR DOES NOT UNLOCK/OPEN. FRONT BALL JOINT CRACKED. GAS COVER/DOOR FELL OFF. THE SMELL OF GAS INSIDE CAR AT ALL TIMES. BLINKER WOULD NOT TURN OFF BY ITSELF. KEY CHIME GOES OFF WHEN THE KEY IS OUT. *JB
THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR SOMETIMES WILL NOT LATCH SHUT. AFTER LOOKING AT IT, THE CATCH JUST SWINGS FREELY AND DOESN'T GRAB THE POST. AFTER REPEATED SLAMMING OF THE DOOR, IT WILL WORK AGAIN FOR A SHORT PERIOD. OPENED ONCE WHILE DRIVING. I KEEP A BUNJIE CHORD WITH ME IN CASE AND I BUNGEE IT SHUT WHEN IT ACTS UP. I DON'T HAVE ANYONE SIT IN THE RERAR PASSENGERS SEAT.*AK
1. CAR STALLED 1 DAY WHILE GOING AROUND A RIGHT CORNER. CAR ALSO STALLED ANOTHER DAY. ON AUG. 25 CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. EVERYTHING ELECTRICAL WENT OUT. WHEN PULLED OVER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM HOOD THEN THROUGH THE AIR VENTS. CAR WAS TOWED TO A FORD DEALER AND THE BATTERY, THE BATTERY COVER AND THE BATTERY CABLES WERE REPLACED AT NO CHARGE.*AK
Reading these
NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Full record for the 2002 Ford Focus → · Every Focus year → · How the figures are calculated →