2002 Ford Focus complaints

VEHICLE TOWED TO FORD DEALER BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT START. UPON INSPECTION, DEALERSHIP FOUND FRONT SUB FRAME COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. SAID IT IS "ONE POTHOLE AWAY FROM THE ENGINE FALLING OUT; TOTALLY UNSAFE TO DRIVE." RUSTING ALSO CAUSED CORROSION IN WIRES FROM IGNITION TO STARTER, RESULTING IN CAR NOT STARTING. THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW, HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT, ONLY DRIVEN 5,000 MILES PER YEAR BY ELDERLY COUPLE. OBVIOUSLY THE METAL USED IN SUB FRAME WAS NOT PROPERLY COATED. WILL COST THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX, IF IT IS DEEMED WORTH FIXING! SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED IF THIS ENGINE HAD INDEED FALLEN OUT WHILE IN MOTION! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ENGINE IGNITED IN FLAMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT INJURY. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WERE CALLED AND BOTH A POLICE AND FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS RULED AS DESTROYED AND WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE AGENCY FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, HE DISCOVERED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL WIRING REMAINED HOT AT ALL TIMES AND COULD HAVE POSSIBLY BEEN THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE LOW OIL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE A SMALL AMOUNT OF OIL WAS ADDED TO THE RESERVOIR. LATER AS THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AN UNKNOWN SPEED, SMOKE EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE CABIN. THE VEHICLE THEN STALLED AND FAILED TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000.

WHEN STARTING MY CAR FROM MY CARPORT IN THE MORNING, THE ENGINE MADE A RATTLING, GRINDING NOISE. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY DETERMINED THAT THE VALVE SEAT HAD DROPPED, DAMAGING THE CYLINDER HEAD AND TWO OF THE PISTONS. *JS

WHILE WAITING AT A CONSTRUCTION SITE THE ENGINE DIED AND WOULD NOT START (THE ENGINE INDICATOR LIT). THE BRAKE LIGHTS, POWER WINDOWS, AND REAR HATCH RELEASE ALSO FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE PERSONAL MECHANIC REPORTED THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS TO THE REAR HATCH HAD FAILED WHERE IS PASSED BETWEEN THE BODY AND THE HATCH DOOR. THE HARNESS ELECTRICAL INSULATION WAS CRACKED ON THE ENTIRE BUNDLE OF WIRES AND SHEDDING FRAGMENTS CAUSING SOME WIRES TO SHORT, THE 15 AMP FUSE FOR THE BRAKE LIGHTS HAD EVIDENCE OF HEATING, BUT DID NOT BLOW, RATHER, WIRES LEADING TO THE BRAKE PEDAL SENSOR, THE 15 AMP FUSE, AND ALONG THE HARNESS BACK TO THE SHORT IN THE REAR WIRING HARNESS NEAR THE CENTER BRAKE LIGHT HAD DISCOLORED AND WERE MELTED IN SOME SEGMENTS. FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE SAID TO CONSULT A FORD SERVICE CENTER TO DETERMINE IF THERE WAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THE FORD SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE SAID HE HAD SEEN THIS BEFORE AND SAID IT WAS NOT A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, RATHER IT WAS A DESIGN DEFECT THAT OCCURS AFTER 10 YEARS OR MORE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR COULD NOT BE LOCKED ELECTRONICALLY OR MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 05V030000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 181,000.

THE MOTOR ON THE SUN ROOF AND ALL OF MY WINDOWS WENT OUT THE HANDLE ON DOOR FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER FELL OFF THE ,REAR DOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE ON THE INSIDE JUST FELL APART SOMETIMES YOU CAN'T OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE ITS LIKE THEY FREEZE UP AND A DAY LATER THEY OPEN (THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE ) SOMETIMES MY CAR JUST DIES OUT AND ALL OF THE PANEL GOES BLANK LIKE IT JUST SHUTS DOWN. *TR

WAS DRIVING MY CAR WHEN PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW SHATTERED AND COVERED MY PASSENGER WITH GLASS.WINDOW WAS IN HALFWAY BETWEEN UP AND DOWN POSITION. NO EVIDENCE OF ANYTHING THROWN AT WINDOW AND PASSENGER WAS NOT MESSING WITH WINDOW IN ANY WAY. NO INJURY TO THIS PASSENGER. ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. WINDOW WAS REPAIRED AND REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE AND A MONTH LATER IT HAPPENED A SECOND TIME IN A DRIVE-THRU. MY WINDOW SHATTERED AGAIN WHEN THE PASSENGER WENT TO ROLL UP THE WINDOW WITH THE AUTOMATIC SWITCH AND IT COVERED HIM IN GLASS AND HIS HAND WAS CUT. *TR

IN 2004 FORD ISSUED A WARRANTY EXTENSION ON THE FRONT COIL SPRINGS. THIS WAS CALLED: CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM 03M02. THEY KNEW THE PART HAS BEEN INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED AND THE COIL SPRING WOULD BREAK DUE TO CORROSION. THE WARRANTY WAS EXTENDED TO 150,000 MILES OR 10 YEARS. MY COIL SPRING BROKE ON JULY 26 2013 WHEN MY CAR ONLY HAD 56,193 MILES BUT IT WAS 11 YEARS OLD. THE FORD DEALER TOLD ME THAT THE COMPANY WOULD NOT PAY FOR THIS REPAIR. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT I THINK THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD PAY FOR THIS REPAIR AND FOR THE OTHER FRONT COIL SPRING SINCE THE PROBLEM SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL SINCE THE COMPANY KNEW THE PART HAD NOT BEEN MANUFACTURED CORRECTLY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A RATTLING NOISE AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEEL VALVE SEAT HAD BECOME SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE AND DROPPED INTO THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 187,000.

I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR FIVE YEARS AND AT ABOUT 180,000 MILES I NOTICED THAT MY REAR DRIVER DOOR WOULD NOT LATCH. BOTH REAR DOORS STICK AND HAVE BEEN DIFFICULT TO OPEN. HOWEVER, AT ABOUT 180,000 MILES THE DOOR LATCH STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY. I HAD TO WRAP THE SEAT BELT AROUND THE DOOR TO KEEP IT FROM OPENING WHILE DRIVING. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE I FOUND THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE 2002 FORD FOCUS DOOR LATCHES. I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP BUT WHEN THEY RAN MY VIN# THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY CAR WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. EVEN THOUGH I WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE THAT LED TO THE RECALL THEY TOLD ME THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THE CAR REPAIRED. THEY REFERRED ME TO THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE AND AFTER SPENDING 45 MINUTES ON THE PHONE I WAS TOLD TO KEEP ME RECEIPTS IN CASE THEY ISSUE A RECALL IN THE FUTURE. I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED THAT FORD DIDN'T OFFER TO FIX MY CAR KNOWING THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON OTHER CARS THAT ARE THE SAME YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR LATCH MALFUNCTIONED AND THE DOOR WOULD NOT LATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V030000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,804. *TR

HAVING INTERMINENT ELECTRICAL ISSUES. WOULD START UP AND RUN FINE FOR A PERIOD OF TIME, THEN THE 2002 FORD FOCUS WOULD JUST STOP RUNNING. AS TIME PASSED THE ISSUE GREW WORSE, NOW THE FOCUS WILL NOT RUN AT ALL. THE DEALERSHIP COUD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND COULD NOT FIX IT. *TR

VEHICLE RUNS FINE WHEN WE GO INTO SCHOOL/BUSINESS OR WHAT EVER WE PARK AND COME OUT AND THE VEHICLE DOES NOT START, AFTER 1/2 HOUR TO AN HOUR THE VEHICLE STARTS AND NO PROBLEMS. IT TURNS OVER BUT DOES NOT FIRE. NEW BATTERY DID NOT CHANGE IT. TUNE UP BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC DID NOT FIX ISSUE, PLUG IT INTO A TEST MACHINE NO CODES GIVEN. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME, EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE. ISSUE IS THAT A YOUNG LADY DRIVES THE VEHICLE, IF SHE IS STUCK IN THE WRONG PARKING LOT WHO KNOWS WHAT CAN HAPPEN. GOD FORBID. *TR

FORD DEALERSHIP IN WOODRUFF, WI REPLACED FRONT RIGHT DRIVE AXLE AND SEAL 4 TIMES BEFORE THEY GOT IT RIGHT AND THE LEAK STOPPED. THIS INITIAL LEAK WAS FOUND BY THE OWNER AFTER THE CAR WAS TAKEN IN FOR A FULL CHECK UPON PURCHASING INDICATING THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT INSPECT THE CAR AS THEY STATED AND WERE PAID TO DO. THE SAME DAY AFTER GETTING THE CAR BACK FOR THE LAST TIME SHIFTING PROBLEMS BEGAN TO OCCUR AND I HAD TO REPLACE THE OVERDRIVE SOLENOID BECAUSE THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO OVERDRIVE. THIS SOLVED THAT PROBLEM BUT NOW THE CAR SHUDDERS BETWEEN 40-50 MPH AS IF IT IS SHIFTING BACK AND FORTH BETWEEN GEARS. NOTHING SHOWS UP ON A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK, MAY BE EXPENSIVE TORQUE CONVERTER PROBLEM. A LARGE NUMBER OF POSTS ON THE INERNET SHOW TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND SOLENOIDS ARE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD FOCUS CARS AND UNFORTUNATELY SOME PEOPLE ARE LED TO BELIEVE THEY NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION WHICH THEY HAVE REPLACED PROBABLY DUE TO MISDIAGNOSIS AND AT A HUGE UNNECESSARY EXPENSE. *TR

THIS IS OUR FIRST YEAR DRIVING THIS FOCUS IN THE SNOW, WE BOUGHT IT IN 2011. WE HAD A SNOW FALL ON 11/1/2012 AND WE TOOK THE CAR OUT FOR A DRIVE. ANY SPEED ABOVE 35 MPH AND THE REAR OF THE CAR FLOATS (WIGGLES) BACK AND FORTH UP TO A FOOT. IT IS COMPLETELY UNSTABLE ON SNOW OR ICE. I DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE, AND FORD APPARENTLY KNOWS THE PROBLEM,: DEFECTIVE REAR UPPER CONTROL ARMS, SINCE THEY DID A SILENT RECALL ON THESE IN 2006. NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE THIS SINCE THERE ARE MANY MORE FOCUS OUT THERE LIKE OURS, AND FORD SHOULD HAVE TO RECALL AND REPLACE THE CONTROL ARMS ON ALL OF THESE UNITS FROM 2000-2004. I HAVE OVER 35 YEARS OF WINTER DRIVING EXPERIENCE AND I HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE (EVEN THE OLD REAR WHEEL DRIVE MODELS) BEHAVE SO DANGEROUSLY ON SNOW AND ICE, EVEN WITH ALL SEASON TIRES ON IT. I CONTACTED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY HAVE TO DO SINCE THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. HERE IS AN ATTACHED ARTICLE I FOUND ON LINE. OCTOBER 03, 2006 FORD MOTOR COMPANY TOLD DEALERS THAT THEY MAY NEED TO REPLACE THE REAR UPPER CONTROL ARMS ON FORD FOCUS MODELS. THE MODELS INCLUDE: 2000 THROUGH 2004 FOCUS SEDAN, WAGON, ZX3 AND ZX5 SERIES. FORD WILL CHECK THE REAR CAMBER AND, IF POSSIBLE, MAKE AN ADJUSTMENT. IF AN ADJUSTMENT TO THE VEHICLE'S REAR CAMBER IS NECESSARY BEYOND THE NEGATIVE END OF SPECIFICATION, THEN THE DEALERSHIP WILL NEED TO SOURCE REPLACEMENT REAR UPPER CONTROL ARM(S)." THIS IS CONSIDERED A "SILENT RECALL" WHERE UPON FORD MAY NOT NOTIFY OWNERS OF

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK AND THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED DUE TO OIL LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,312 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,312.

I OWN A 2002 FORD FOCUS ZX3 WITH A VERY LOW MILEAGE OF 45226. ON OCTOBER 12TH FRIDAY, I DROVE MY CAR TO THE UNIVERSITY, (~2 MILES FROM MY HOME) AND PARKED FOR A FEW MINUTES. THEN I STARTED DRIVING TOWARD THE COMMUTER PARKING LOT. HOWEVER, 30 SECONDS LATER, A HUGE ?CONTINUOUS KNOCKING? SOUND CAME OUT FROM THE ENGINE FOLLOWED BY WHITE SMOKE. THEN I SAW A VERY LARGE AMOUNT OF ENGINE OIL SPILL, DOWN THE ROAD. SINCE I COULD NO LONGER DRIVE THE CAR, I HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST GARAGE. THE MECHANIC CONCLUDED THAT ONE OF THE PISTON RODS HAVE BEEN BROKEN AND SPIKED THE ENGINE OIL SUMP. HE WAS CLUELESS ABOUT SEEING SUCH A MECHANICAL FAILURE FROM A LOW MILEAGE, WELL-MAINTAINED CAR. MOST SURPRISINGLY, THERE WERE THREE OTHER FORD FOCUS CARS WITH SIMILAR ENGINE FAILURES/DEFECTS. FOR A SMALL UNIVERSITY TOWN, FOUR CARS WITH SIMILAR DEFECTS IS NOT A NORMAL ISSUE. THE MAIN REASON FOR THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE I HAD TO GO THROUGH A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. THE CONTINUOUS KNOCKING AND WOBBLING THAT OCCURRED FOR A SPEED OF 18MPH, I COULD ONLY IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF I HAD BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY, 55+ MPH. THERE HAS TO BE A DEFECT OR ELSE THIS WOULD HAVE NOT HAPPENED TO A WELL MAINTAINED CAR WITH REGULAR OIL CHANGES, WHEEL ALIGNMENTS...ETC. *TR

THE DESIGN OF THE CUP HOLDERS IN THE FRONT SEAT, WITH THE BIG OPENING ON THE SIDES, IS A MAJOR FLAW. WHILE MAKING A TURN, WHETHER SHARP OR NORMAL, A DRINK CAN EASILY TIP OUT OF THE CUP HOLDER, AND FALL ONTO THE GROUND OF THE CAR. WHEN I MADE A RIGHT TURN, MY NORMAL SIZED WATER BOTTLE FLEW OUT OF THE CUP HOLDER, DUE TO THE OPENING, AND STARTED ROLLING AROUND ON THE GROUND. HAD I NOT PICKED UP THE BOTTLE, OR NOTICED IT FLEW OUT, IT COULD HAVE EASILY BECOME LODGED BETWEEN THE BRAKE AND / OR GAD PEDALS AND CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT. *TR

IGNITION KEY WILL NOT TURN - CAR WILL NOT START. *TR

THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED NEW BY GRANDMA. SHE SOLD IT TO HER GRANDSON THIS YEAR. IT IS "LIKE NEW" AND WAS ALWAYS KEPT IN AN ENCLOSED GARAGE. IT HAS HAD DEALER SERVICING. THE LAST 10,000 MILES IT HAS INTERMITTENTLY FAILED TO MAINTAIN AN IDLE. WHEN COMING TO A STOP THE CAR WILL OFTEN DIE. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TWICE AND AN INDEPENDENT SHOP ONCE - EVERYONE THOUGHT IT WAS THE FUELING/EMISSION SYSTEM BUT THERE WERE NO ERROR CODES AND IT WAS DIFFICULT TO DIAGNOSE BUT BECAUSE IT ONLY HAPPENED ON OCCASION. THEN THE OVERDRIVE SOLENOID FAILED AND GAVE AN ERROR CODE. BY REPLACING THE SOLENOID THE IDLE PROBLEMS STOPPED. MY MECHANIC HAS A THEORY - THE OVERDRIVE SOLENOID WILL START TO FAIL WITHOUT GIVING AN ERROR CODE, DURING THIS PERIOD THE TORQUE CONVERTER WILL OCCASIONALLY STAY LOCKED-UP IN OVERDRIVE, THUS THE CAR WHEN JUST IDLING CAN'T OVERCOME THE TRANSMISSION RESISTANCE AND NOT IDLE PROPERLY OR STOP RUNNING, WHICH OURS DID. MANY DOLLARS WERE WASTED ON FUEL SYSTEM CHECKS AND CLEANINGS.BEFORE WE FOUND THE ANSWER - IT WAS ALSO VERY DANGEROUS. THIS PART IS VERY SMALL AND APPEARS TO BE POORLY MADE. FORD FORUMS SHOW IT WILL FAIL AGAIN AND AGAIN. *TR

BATTERY CABLES SHORTED OUT CAUSING SMALL FIRE ON BATTERY CABLES AND MELTING ON BOTH BATTERY CABLES. *TR

I DROVE MY FORD FOCUS ABOUT 6 MILES TO A STOP LIGHT. WHEN IT TURNED GREEN, I PRESSED THE GAS. THE CAR STALLED LIKE IT WAS OUT OF GAS, REGAINED PARTIAL POWER, AND DISPLAYED THE AIRBAG LIGHT. IT MADE IT TO THE NEXT STOPLIGHT, AND I PULLED IT OVER TO THE SIDE AND TURNED IT OFF AND REMOVED THE KEY. AT THAT POINT A PLUME OF WHITE SMOKE SHOT OUT OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE HOOD. I TOLD MY SON TO GET OUT BECAUSE I KNEW THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. WE WALKED AWAY, AND AS WE DID, THE AMOUNT OF SMOKE INCREASED EXPONENTIALLY. WITHIN MINUTES, THE FRONT END OF THE CAR WAS TOTALLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE WINDSHIELD SHATTERED AND MELTED, THE HOOD WAS CHARRED AND BLACK, THE PLASTIC PARTS OF THE FENDERS AND BUMPERS MELTED AWAY, AND PART OF THE BODY METAL BURNED AWAY ON THE HOOD AND THE FENDERS. EVERYTHING UNDER THE HOOD WAS MELTED, DISTORTED, OR OTHERWISE DESTROYED. I KEPT THE CAR VERY WELL MAINTAINED, MAKING SURE TO FIX EVERYTHING THAT WAS EVER WRONG WITH IT IMMEDIATELY UPON DISCOVERY. I KEPT UP ON ALL OIL CHANGES. IT IS PERPLEXING THAT A CAR WHICH IS SO WELL KEPT WOULD SPONTANEOUSLY SELF-IGNITE, HOWEVER THERE HAVE BEEN ACCOUNTS OF FIRES IN THE FORD FOCUS SINCE 2000, AND MANY SINCE. NOW I HAVE ADDED ONE MORE. THE CAR, OBVIOUSLY, IS A TOTAL LOSS. *TR

THE FRONT SUB FRAME ON MY 2002 FORD FOCUS ZTS WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND UNABLE TO SUPPORT THE FRONT SUSPENSION. I ALSO HAD MY CAR INSPECTED BY A FORD DEALER WHO PASSED IT AND TOLD ME NOTHING ABOUT HOW DESTROYED MY SUB FRAME WAS. WHEN I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC THEY TOLD ME IT WAS SO BAD I SHOULDN'T BE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE BOLTS WHERE EVEN RUSTED OUT OF THE SUB FRAME. ITS BELIEVED THAT THIS ALSO CAUSED MY MOTOR MOUNTS TO HAVE TO BE REPLACED. CAUSE SUCH BAD VIBRATION THAT IT RUINED ALL MY SHOCKS, STRUTS, AND ALL 4 OF MY TIRES. THE TIRES WHERE ONLY 5 MONTHS OLD AND ARE DESTROYED. *TR

THE FRONT SUBFRAME STRUCTURE ON MY 2002 FORD FOCUS IS RUSTED SO BADLY THAT IT NO LONGER SUPPORTS THE FRONT SUSPENSION IT WAS DESIGNED TO SUPPORT NO OTHER IT ON THIS VEHICLE IS AS RUSTED AS THE VERY IMPORTANT PART. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A SPEED BUMP AND HEARD A POPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRINGS WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE COIL AND STRUT ASSEMBLY WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,800.

KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER. IGNITION KEY COULD BE INSERTED ALL THE WAY INTO THE LOCK CYLINDER, BUT KEY WOULD NOT TURN FORWARDS OR BACKWARDS TO EITHER ENGAGE THE STARTER OR TURN ON ACCESSORIES. TRIED MOVING THE STEERING WHEEL TO FREE UP THE CYLINDER AND MADE SURE THE CAR WAS IN PARK TO TRY AND TURN THE CYLINDER. NOTHING. WAS TOLD BY THE AAA MECHANIC THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH EARLY MODEL YEAR FORD FOCUSES. THE ISSUE, PER THE AAA TOW TRUCK OPERATOR COULD BE TEMPORARILY RESOLVED BY USING SOME WD40 ON THE KEY AND A COUPLE OF QUICK TAPS TO THE KEY WHILE IN THE LOCK CYLINDER. THIS FIX DID NOT WORK AT THIS TIME. HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER SINCE THIS WAS NOT A FIX I COULD MAKE ON MY OWN (I COULD REPLACE THE CYLINDER MYSELF, BUT THE CAR'S PASSIVE ALARM WOULD NEED TO BE RE-SET BY THE DEALER). RESULTING CHARGE WAS $378.50 FOR A PART I COULD HAVE FIXED FOR $60-70. MY LOCK CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE RE-KEYED BY THE LOCAL FORD DEALER. SAFETY ISSUE: COULD HAVE BEEN STRANDED. CAR FAILURE OCCURRED ON VERY COLD DAY. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING NOISE ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER COMING TO A STOP THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT MENTIONED A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE RECALL HAD ALREADY EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,900.

THE FRONT SUBFRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH AND HAS A HOLE ABOUT 8" WIDE. SCARY THAT THIS HOLDS THE VEHICLES STEERING SYSTEM AND THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE TOGETHER. HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL NEED TO GET HURT? HOW MANY CARS WILL FALL APART BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE? WHY RECALL THE WINDSTAR AND NOT THE FOCUS? *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE ONTO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS SUCCESSFULLY RESTARTED, BUT THE GEAR SELECTOR WOULD NOT SHIFT. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP, WHO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH DISCOVERED THAT THE TRANSMISSION GEAR PIN WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 98,750.

WHILE USING A HIGHWAY ON RAMP, I HEARD A POPPING SOUND. I'VE BEEN GETTING A RATTLE FOR A FEW WEEKS. I LOOKED UNDERNEATH TODAY. THE PASS SIDE REAR COIL SPRING IS BROKEN AT THE TOP. THE DR. SIDE REAR COIL SPRING IS BROKEN OFF AT THE BOTTOM. I DRIVE MOSTLY HIGHWAY, 10 MILES A DAY BACK AND FORTH TO WORK, SO I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS WOULD BREAK. MY FRONTS WERE REPLACED A FEW YEARS AGO BY FORD DEALER WHEN THEY BROKE. THIS SEEMS LIKE A PROBLEM IF ALL 4 COIL SPRINGS BREAK OFF THE SAME VEHICLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE IGNITION NUMEROUS TIMES HOWEVER, THE IGNITION KEY FAILED TO TURN IN ANY DIRECTION. THE KEY WAS EVENTUALLY RELEASED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

I HAVE A 2002 FORD FOCUS ZTS AND THE TRUCK LATCH AND LOCKING MECHANISM IS NOT WORKING. THE TRUNK WON'T STAY LATCHED. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO A FORD DEALERSHIP BUT THEY SAID THEY WOULD REPLACE IT FOR $314. I CAN'T AFFORD THAT NOW. I ASKED IF IT WAS UNDER RECALL AND THEY SAID THAT THEY ALWAYS CHECK ON RECALLS FIRST. WHEN I LOOKED UP THE ITEM ON LINE IT DID HAVE A RECALL. WHAT CAN I DO TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM? *TR

FAILED TO RETRACT TO THE RATCHET. LEFT WITH LOOSE NON FUNCTIONAL LENGTHY BELT NOT PROTECTING ME FROM POSSIBLE CRASH. *TR

I HAD MY 81 YEAROLD MOTHER WITH ME, I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND WHEN I TRIED TO START IT THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. IT WAS NOT UNTIL 5 DAYS LATER THAT MY MECHANIC SON IN LAW WAS ABLE TO LOOK AT IT AND TELL ME THE PROBLEM AND THAT A FORD GARAGE HAD TO FIXIT. THEIR PRICES VARY FROM 350.00 TO 450.00 TO REPLACE MY IGNITION SWITCH ASSEMBLY. IT IS A 48.00 PART. FORD REFUSES TO RECALL BECAUSE THEY CLAIM IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. IT IS IF SOMEONE HAS A HEART ATTACK OR A STROKE BECAUSE OF THE STRESS OF BEING STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE OR BECAUSE IT IS OVER 100 DEGREES AND YOU CAN'T WALK TO A PHONE OR TURN ON THE AIR CONDITIONER. NOT EVERYONE HAS A CELL PHONE. IT IS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BUT THE PROBLEM DOES NOT OCCUR UNTIL IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND IT HAS TO BE REPAIRED EVERY TIME BY FORD. IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD ESPECIALLY FOR THE ELDERLY. *TR

THE CAR REAR-ENDED A TRUCK, SLID UNDER THE TRUCK, AND CRUSHED THE WHOLE FRONT END. THE HOOD WAS SHOVED INTO THE WINDSHIELD AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CAR WAS DEEMED TOTALED. THIS IS THE SECOND 2002 FORD FOCUS WE HAVE OWNED. BOTH WERE IN ACCIDENTS (OUR OTHER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT, SALVAGED, AND IN AN ACCIDENT AGAIN) AND ALL THREE TIMES NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I FOUND THAT THE 2001 FORD FOCUSES HAD PROBLEMS WITH EARLY DEPLOYMENT FROM THE AIR BAGS. PERHAPS FORD OVERCOMPENSATED FOR THE NEXT YEAR'S MODEL? WONDER IF THE 2002 FORD FOCUSES SHOULD BE RECALLED? *TR

BLACK ICE WAS HIT AND THE CAR SLID OVER A THIRTY-FOOT EMBANKMENT. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND THE CAR WAS CONSIDERED TOTALED. THE SECOND ACCIDENT TOOK PLACE WITH THE SAME CAR, WHICH HAD BEEN SALVAGED AFTER THE FIRST ACCIDENT. HIT BLACK ICE AGAIN, FLIPPED ON ITS SIDE, AND ROLLED. AGAIN, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE ENTIRE SIDE AND ROOF WERE DEMOLISHED AND THE CAR WAS NOT SALVAGEABLE THIS TIME. THIS IS THE SECOND 2002 FORD FOCUS WE HAVE HAD--BOTH WERE IN ACCIDENTS, AND IN ALL THREE ACCIDENTS, BOTH CARS WERE TOTALED AND NO AIRBAGS WERE DEPLOYED. WONDERING IF THESE CARS SHOULD BE RECALLED? AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON FORD FOCUSES, I FOUND THAT THE 2001 FORD FOCUSES HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAGS. THEY WOULD DEPLOY AT THE SLIGHTEST IMPACT. CAN'T HELP IF FORD DIDN'T OVERCOMPENSATE FOR THE PROBLEM IN THE NEXT YEAR'S MODEL? *TR

CYLINDER HEAD VALVE SEAT FAILURE. APPROX 1/2 OF THE VALVE SEAT FELL INTO COMBUSTION CHAMER (BETWEEN PISTON AND HEAD).. THIS CAUSED PISTON TO BREAK AND ROD TO GO THROUGH CYLINDER WALL BUT NOT THROUGH BLOCK OUTER WALL AND CAUSING COOLANT TO GET INTO OIL. BEING A FORD TECH, I HAVE SEEN DAMAGE CAUSED BY VALVE SEATS IN CYLINDERS 1,2,&4. IT'S ALWAYS A INTAKE VALVE SEAT. ALSO ALWAYS AND ONLY ON SOHC MOTOR. HAVE SEEN THIS HAPPEN AND AS EARLY AS 60K MILES. *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS ZTW. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 25 MPH AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE WHEN THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY.THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT EXTENDED OUTWARD AND FAILED TO SECURE PROPERLY. THE CRASHED CAUSED ONE INJURY AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 59,000.

THE MOTOR ON THE SUN ROOF WENT OUT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY I HAD IT FIXED THEN AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED IT WENT OUT AGAIN AND I COULDN'T AFFORD TO GET IT FIXED, THE MOTOR FOR THE REAR WINDOWS WENT OUT (BOTH PASSENGER SIDES) THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR DOES NOT LOCK BECAUSE THE MOTOR WENT OUT, AND KNOW THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW IS STARTING TO MAKE A NOISE LIKE IT GOING TO GO OUT ALSO AND THE DOOR LOCK IS MAKING NOISE LIKE ITS GOING TO GO OUT. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE FIRST OF ALL WHEN CARRYING SMALL CHILDREN IN THE BACK AND ANOTHER SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE DOORS NOT LOCKING MAKES IT MUCH EASIER FOR SOMEONE TO CAR JACK YOU. I HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE THAT THE ELECTRIC WINDOWS AND DOORS AND THE MOON ROOF WENT OUT THIS HAS TO BE A DEFECT I HAVE GONE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO COMPLAIN AFTER THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AND I WAS TOLD THAT THERE ARE NO RECALLS AND THEY CAN'T HELP ME UNLESS I PAY. I CAN'T EVEN LOCK THE DOOR USING A KEY BECAUSE IT DOESN'T WORK. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE IGNITED INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE MASSIVE FLAMES AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED WITHIN THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED AS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

BLEW THE FUSE FROM MY FUEL PUMP UPON START UP OF CAR, NEEDED FUSE REPLACED AND GOT THE CAR TO START. HOWEVER, THE FUSE WOULD CONTINUE TO BLOW, THEREFORE NEED NEW FUEL PUMP AND FILTER. TRIED TO REPLACE THE PUMP WITH AN AFTER MARKET PART AND IT WOULDN'T FIT PROPERLY, MEANING I NEED A NEW EXPENSIVE PUMP. *KB

WHILE IDLING, MY CAR IS TURNING OFF. IT ALSO DOES SO WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE AFTER SHIFTING THE CAR FROM P TO D. INITIALLY THE GAS CAP LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD SIGNALED. I REPLACED THE CAP, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AFTERWARDS. NOW, THE CAR IS TURNING OFF COMPLETELY WHILE IDLING AND ONLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS LIT. *TR

FUEL PUMP STARTED TO CAUSE CAR TO STUTTER, STALL, COMPLETELY DIE. HAS STALLED OUT ON INTERSTATE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, IN THE MIDDLE OF BUSY AFTERNOON 4-LANE TRAFFIC; BOTH TIMES BARELY MAKING IT OF TRAFFIC AND BEING HIT BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC W/CHILDREN IN THE CAR! CAR MANUFACTURE DATE IS 09/01 IN MEXICO. HAD FUEL PUMP REPLACE AND HAS FAILED BOTH TIMES, COST IS TOO EXPENSIVE FOR ME! ALREADY PAID OVER$1000 FOR PARTS AND LABOR! NO RECALLS ON THIS CAR REGARDING THE FUEL SYSTEM OR THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCKING UP!!! I HAVE SEEN MORE AND MORE OF THESE 2 PROBLEMS WITH THE EARLY FORD FOCUS, WHY HASN'T SOMETHING BEEN DONE YET??????? *TR

WITHOUT WARNING THE ENGINE BLEW! I SERVICE MY AUTO LIKE I'M SUPPOSE TO AND THIS HAPPENS. BY LOOKING ONLINE I SEE I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE. TRY FINDING A ENGINE FOR THIS CAR IS SO EXPENSIVE THAT IT'S RIDICULOUS! THAT LET ME KNOW I'M NOT ALONE! I CAN'T BELIEVE THE GOING RATE FOR THIS CAR'S ENGINE IS $1700! SO NOW I'M STUCK WITH A PIECE OF JUNK COSTING ME $3500 TO GET IT FIXED ONLY TO WAIT UNTIL THE NEXT SHOE FALLS!! *TR

AFTER 2 COMPLAINTS TO DEALER ABOUT REAR BRAKE VIBRATION/NOISE, THEY FOUND NOTING WRONG. ON OUR TRIP GOING DOWN INTERSTATE 40 AT 70 MPH THE BACK WHEEL COMES OFF MY CAR. THE WHEEL AND HUB ARE BROKEN,CUTS THE BRAKE LINE AND I LOSE MY BRAKE FLUID. NO BRAKES AND TRYING TO KEEP IT OUT OF THE DITCH. IF THERE WOULD OF BEEN A CAR ON THE SIDE OF ME. I AM POSITIVE THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN INJURY/DEATH. HAD EXTENDED WARRANTY. FORD PAID 0. SAID I HIT SOMETHING IN ROAD. NOW AT THE REPAIR SHOP AGAIN. THE WHEEL BEARINGS ON THE REAR ARE FROZEN . I HAVE TO BUY NEW DRUMS FOR BOTH SIDE AGAIN. *TR

CAR WAS RUNNING FUNNY FOR ABOUT A WEEK. LEAVING A STORE PARKING LOT. I PULLED OUT ON THE HIGHWAY AND CAR STARTED MISSING REAL BAD AND STALLED. WOULD NOT START BACK UP. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE GARAGE AND WAS TOLD AFTER THEY LOOKED AT IT THAT IT NEEDED A NEW FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM OR FUEL PUMP AND STUFF. ANOTHER KNOWN ISSUE BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY,BUT NOT FOR MY FORD FOCUS. THE GUY I PULLED OUT ON PROBABLY THOUGHT IDIOT. *TR

2002 FORD FOCUS. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DENIAL OF REIMBURSEMENT *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED IN MAY 2011, THE RIGHT FRONT SPRING FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE BOTH THE LEFT AND FRONT SPRING/STRUT ASSEMBLIES WERE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER LEARNED FORD HAD ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ADVISING DEALERS THAT CERTAIN FOCUS VEHICLES INCLUDING HIS WERE SUSCEPTIBLE TO FRONT SPRING FRACTURE FAILURES DUE TO INADEQUATE CORROSION PROTECTION. THE CONSUMER WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT, BECAUSE HE DID NOT TAKE HIS VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALER FOR REPAIRS. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WITH A FAILED TIMING BELT. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE SINCE THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 110,000.