2002 Ford Focus complaints

MY 2002 FORD FOCUS WITH 80,000 MILES STALLS WHEN GOING HIGH SPEEDS, AND IT HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES, TO DATE. THE LAST TIME I WAS GOING 55 MPH ON AN ENTRANCE RAMP TO THE FREEWAY, WITH OVER 1/4 TANK OF GAS WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED, VEHICLE LOST POWER, INCLUDING POWER STEERING. I HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES AND STOP IN "V" WHERE ROAD SPLIT, CAME VERY CLOSE TO HAVING AN ACCIDENT. TOOK IT TO FORD DEALERSHIP AT RECOMMENDATION OF FORD, DETERMINED IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP. THE FIRST PERSON WE TALKED TO AT FORD SAID THEY WOULD FIX IT ONCE WE TOOK IT IN AND PAY FOR DIAGNOSTIC, THE SECOND PERSON WE CALLED AT FORD AFTER TAKING IT IN SAID IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO REPLACE THE PART. I AM EXTREMELY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD TO LOSE STEERING AND POWER AT HIGH SPEEDS. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STARTED, BUT OPERATED AS IF IT WAS OUT OF GAS. THERE WERE NO VISIBLE LEAKS OF ANY KIND, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD A FAILURE.

2002 FORD FOCUS IGNITION PROBLEM. KEY WILL NOT TURN. MY DAUGHTER, 17 YEARS OLD WAS STUCK IN PARKING LOT, LATE IN THE EVENING! THIS HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. *JB

IGNITION LOCK WAS JAMMED ON MY FORD FOCUS 2002 AND I HAD TO REPLACE IT TWICE SO FAR. IT COST ME CLOSE TO $400 CANADIAN. I ONLY HAVE 40,000 MILES ON IT . THIS HAS BEEN SUCH A FREQUENT EVENT. FORD IS NOT TAKING ANY RESPONSIBILITY YET. *JB

PAINT CRACKING UNDERNEATH CLEAR COAT. *JB

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20-25 MPH ON A MAJOR ROADWAY, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK AS IF IT WERE GOING TO STALL. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO TRAVEL THROUGH AN INTERSECTION HOWEVER IT EVENTUALLY COMPLETELY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD WERE COMPLETELY DARKENED. A NEW BATTERY WAS INSTALLED BY THE CONTACT AND THE VEHICLE DRIVEN HOME. ABOUT FOUR HOURS LATER, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK AGAIN AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE STALLED FOUR TIMES THROUGHOUT THE DAY. WHEN THIS OCCURRED WITH THE VEHICLE ABOUT A YEAR AGO, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE CABLE WIRE WAS NOT CONNECTED PROPERLY. THE CONTACT EXPRESSED THAT THE CABLE WIRE MAY NOT BE THE PROBLEM AND WILL CHECK TO SEE IF THE ALTERNATOR MAY BE THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED, WHILE DRIVING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, AT 45 MPH, THE SUSPENSION FAILED, CAUSING THE WHEEL TO BEND ON IMPACT WITH THE ROAD. THE BENT WHEEL AND ALL SHOCKS WERE REPLACED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT OF A SERVICE BULLETIN CONCERNING THE SUSPENSION DIRECTING THE DEALER TO REPLACE SPRINGS ONLY IF BROKEN. WHEN THE MANUFACTURE WAS CONTACTED, REPLACEMENT SPRINGS WERE OFFERED AT COST.

WHEN TURNING ON MY 2002 FORD FOCUS ZX3, IT TENDS TO HAVE A VERY ROUGH IDLE, SPUTTERING AND STALLING. I HAVE REPLACED THE FUEL FILTER, SPARK PLUGS, SPARK CABLES, PCV VALVE AND MY IGNITION COIL. BUT EVEN AFTER ALL OF THAT MY CAR STILL SPUTTERS, STALLS AND HAS A ROUGH IDLE....I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO, BEING A COLLEGE STUDENT OUT OF MY HOME STATE OF MICHIGAN. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO AUTO ZONE AND HAD IT HOOKED UP TO THE CODE READER AND THE ATTENDANT SAID EVERYTHING WAS FINE... THIS IS MY LAST STRAW.. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED UP. THE KEY FIT IN THE KEY SLOT BUT KEY AND STEERING WHEEL COULD NOT BE TURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY DETERMINED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE INVOICES FOR THE REPAIRS TO THE IGNITION SWITCH ARE AVAILABLE.

ALWAYS KEEP MY CAR CHECKED REGULARLY, CHANGED MY BRAKES IN MARCH,BUT MY ABS JUST WENT DOWN; EVEN IF IT IS A DIFFERENT PART, I AM WONDERING IF IT IS NORMAL TO HAVE TO CHANGE THE ABS SO SOON, MY CAR HAS ONLY 46000 MILES. *NM

DRIVING MY 2002 ZX5 FORD FOCUS AROUND PITTSBURGH, WITH LESS THAN A 1/4 TANK THE ENGINE STARTED STUTTERING. THEN THE CAR STALLED. I TURNED IT BACK ON AND DROVE ABOUT A 1/4 MILE WHEN IT STARTED STUTTERING AND SHAKING PRETTY BAD AGAIN. WHEN I TRIED TO ACCELERATE, THERE WAS NO POWER AND THE ENGINE STALLED AGAIN. I WAITED A LITTLE BEFORE TURNING IT BACK ON. IT DID THE SAME THING TWICE MORE; ONCE IT STALLED WHEN I WAS DOING A LEFT TURN AT A BUSY TRAFFIC INTERSECTION AND THE OTHER WHILE DRIVING DOWN A CROWDED AVENUE. FORTUNATELY I WAS ABLE TO MAKE THE 2-HOUR TRIP BACK HOME WITHOUT ANY INCIDENTS. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP IN MY TOWN AND THEY TOLD ME THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP, FUEL FILTER AND ALSO PERFORM A FUEL FLUSH. THE TOTAL COST IS ROUGHLY $600.00. I HAVE BEEN LOOKING IN THE INTERNET AND THERE IS A HISTORY OF FAILURES WITH THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE ON 2000-2001 FOCUS. FORD HAS CLAIMED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS SOLVED IN 2002. MY BUMPER-TO-BUMPER WARRANTY EXPIRED THIS PAST JANUARY AND THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT SINCE MY CAR IS 2002 THE EXTENDED COVERAGE PROGRAM 03N01 DOES NOT APPLY IN MY CASE, THUS I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. I DISAGREE AND I DO NOT FEEL THAT THE COST SHOULD BE MY RESPONSIBILITY. MY CAR SHOWS ALL THE SYMPTOMS DESCRIBED ON THE 03N01 DOCUMENT, WHICH IS A QUALITY ISSUE THAT FORD SHOULD HAVE RESOLVED AND CLEARLY HAS NOT. IT IS UNSAFE DRIVING A CAR THAT CAN STALL WITHOUT WARNING LEAVING THE DRIVER STUCK IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION. *JB

I HAVE 2002 FORD FOCUS SE THAT CUTS OUT AND STALLS WHILE MAKING RIGHT HAND TURNS. I TOOK TO THE DEALER 18 MONTHS AGO AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. NOW IT IS DOING IT 5 TIMES A DAY AND OTHER FOCUS OWNERS ARE SAYING THAT THEIRS CUTS OUT AS WELL. FORD HAS NO TSB THAT I COULD FIND FOR IT BUT IT IS VERY. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45MPH THE VEHICLE VEERED TOWARD THE RIGHT. A CLUNKING SOUND CAME FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THE FRONT COIL SPRING FRACTURED. THE FRONT COIL SPRING NEEDED REPLACED.

MY FORD FOCUS 2002 IS STARTING TO STALL & HESITATE WHILE DRIVING. I ORIGINALLY HAD BELIEVED IT WAS BAD FUEL BUT IT IS RECURRING & ONCE IT STALLS IT IS DIFFICULT TO NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO KEEP RUNNING WHEN PUTTING IT INTO DRIVE. I HAVE HAD IT TOWED ONCE & LOOKED AT BY MY MECHANIC, WHO IS PUZZLED AT THIS POINT (FUEL ADDITIVE, OIL CHANGE, FILTERS CHANGED, SPARK PLUGS CLEANED). IT SEEMS TO BE WORSE WHEN THE GAS GAGE IS @ OR BELOW A 1/4 OF A TANK. I HAVE READ THAT THERE WAS A SIMILAR PROBLEM WITH THE 2000-2001 MODELS & AM INQUIRING IF ANYONE WITH A 2002 IS REPORTING SUCH INCIDENTS. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED (FROM A FORD DEALER) WITH 12,000 (I THINK) MILES ON THE SPEEDOMETER & HAVE BEEN FAIRLY HAPPY UNTIL JUST THE LAST 60 DAYS. I CAN TELL YOU THAT I HAD NO PROBLEMS UNTIL I RAN VERY LOW ON GAS ONE NIGHT & STOPPED & FILLED UP AT A STATION THAT I NORMALLY DO NOT USE, BUT IT IS A STATION THAT DOES A GREAT DEAL OF BUSINESS IN THE AREA WHERE I WORK. I THOUGHT THAT I MAY HAVE GOTTEN SOME BAD FUEL OR HAD RUN THE TANK SO LOW THAT "GUNK" FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE TANK HAD GOTTEN INTO THE FUEL. I USED SOME "FUEL ADDITIVE" & I KNOW THAT MY MECHANIC (AFTER TOWING IT) ALSO USED A FUEL ADDITIVE...EVERYTHING WAS FINE FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS BUT THEN IT WAS HESITATING/JERKING WHILE I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON A 1/4 OF A TANK OF PREMIUM FUEL (MY MECHANIC SUGGESTED I ONLY PUT IN $10.00 OF GAS IN CASE IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP). MY MECHANIC DOES NOT BELIEVE IT IS THE FUEL PUMP BECAUSE ONCE HE GOT IT TO RUN & HE HAD IT RU

THE FRONT RIGHT BEARING AND SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION. THE BEARING WAS FROZEN AND THE SPRING WAS POPPED OUT SO FAR IT ALMOST POPPED THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE. THE CAR IS A 2002 FORD FOCUS - NOT THAT OLD TO HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THIS CORRODE AND ALMOST CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I DIDN'T SEE A RECALL ON ANY OF THE PARTS FOR MY CAR OR ANYTHING SUGGESTING SHIELDS SHOULD BE INSTALLED SO THAT IF THE SPRINGS POP AT A HIGH SPEED AT LEAST IT WON'T PUNCTURE THE TIRE. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A RECALL ON THE PARTS OR HAVE THE NHTSA REQUIRE THAT SHIELDS BE INSTALLED. I SPENT $578 TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM - REPLACED FRONT RIGHT STRUT, MOUNT AND BEARING, SPRING, AND ALIGNMENT. *NM

A YEAR AGO, THE DRIVER'S SIDE TURN SIGNAL LIGHT ON MY 2002 FORD FOCUS WAGON BURNED OUT. IN TRYING TO REPLACE IT AT A LOCAL AUTO PARTS PLACE. THE SOCKET WAS SO TIGHT IN THE LENS/REFLECTOR ASSEMBLY THAT IT COULD NOT BE REMOVED. I TOOK IT TO MY DEALER, KAIN FAMILY FORD IN LONDON. I LEARNED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS THAT THE FITTING FOR THE SOCKET HAD WARPED FROM EXCESSIVE HEAT, APPARENTLY. THE DEALER SEARCHED TO SEE IF THERE WAS A TECHNICAL BULLETIN AND FOUND ONE INSTANCE IN WHICH A PIZZA DRIVER IN A SIMILAR VEHICLE HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM. THEY WERE ABLE TO PULL THE LIGHT OUT AND WITH A POCKET KNIFE MAKE THE NEW SOCKET FIT IN THE ASSEMBLY, AND CHARGED ME THE HOURLY RATE FOR THE WORK. I SUSPECT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT, BECAUSE I'VE HEARD OF TWO OTHER INSTANCES IN THE SAME TYPE OF VEHICLE IN THIS AREA WITH THE SAME RESULTS. I RECENTLY REPLACED THE PASSENGER SIDE HEADLAMP AND FOUNT THE SAME WARPING. I HAVE YET TO TAKE IT TO MY DEALER, BUT WILL. IS THERE A WAY TO SEARCH REPAIR RECORDS FOR THIS VEHICLE TO DETERMINE IF THIS IS A DEFECT AND SHOULD BE RECALLED? I LEARNED OF THIS SITE FROM CLICK AND CLACK ON NPR'S CARTALK. *NM

IGNITION KEY WOULD NOT TURN TO ANY POSITION. NO WARNING OF IMPENDING FAILURE. CAR COULD NOT BE DRIVEN, HAD TO BE TOWED. *NM

I WAS LEAVING WORK LATE ONE NIGHT AND COULD NOT GET MY 2002 FORD FOCUS ZX3 TO START. THE IGNITION WAS LOCKED AND SO WAS THE STEERING WHEEL. NO AMOUNT OF TURNING THE WHEEL OR JINGLING THE KEY WORKED. THE CAR RECOGNIZED THAT THERE WAS A KEY IN THE IGNITION AS IT BEGAN TO 'DING' BUT NO MATTER WHAT I DID THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. LUCKILY THERE WAS A COMPANY CAR AVAILABLE THAT I COULD TAKE HOME. I COMMUTE OVER 50 MILES ONE WAY TO WORK. WALKING, BUS AND TAXI ARE NOT AVAILABLE OPTIONS FOR ME. I AM A YOUNG WOMAN WORKING IN DOWNTOWN PHOENIX AND I NO LONGER FEEL SECURE IN MY VEHICLE. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS EXTENSIVELY ON THE INTERNET. IT COULD BE A WORN KEY TIP, THE KEYS ARE MICROCHIPPED FOR ANTI-THEFT SECURITY SO A NEW ONE CAN ONLY BE MADE AT THE DEALERSHIP AND MUST BE THE SAME NUMBER AS YOUR KEY. IT COULD BE FAULTY TUMBLERS, FORD CREATED THEIR OWN IGNITION TO SAVE MONEY AND THE TUMBLERS MAY NOT FALL CORRECTLY, OR FALL TO FAR IN TO ALLOW THE KEY TO FIT! THERE IS NO CURRENT RECALL, A P05 IS IN PROGRESS, AND THERE ARE NO TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS LISTED. IF MY CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, DESPITE MY PURCHASE OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY IT WILL COST ANYWHERE FROM $35.00 FOR A NEW MICROCHIPPED KEY, TO $500 FOR DRILLING A NEW IGNITION AND NEW KEYS, A TOW, AND LABOR. AUTOMOTIVETALK.NET HAS BEEN THE MOST HELPFUL WEBSITE SO FAR, BUT I WANTED TO ADD MY VOICE TO THE LIST IN ORDER TO GET A RECALL ROLLING AND HAVE FORD PAY FOR THIS CHEAP IGNITION THAT FAILS REPEATEDLY. I WILL REF

MY NIECE'S 2002 FORD FOCUS PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WENT OFF WITH NO APPARENT CAUSE. FORD SAYS 'SENSOR' INDICATES AN ACCIDENT, BUT THERE WAS NONE, AND CHARGED $95 FOR THIS. FORD REFUSES TO ANALYZE THIS FURTHER, AND REMAINING AIRBAGS NO LONGER FUNCTION. WE BELIEVE THAT AIRBAG SENSORS/SYSTEMS ARE DEFECTIVE. *NM

FIRESTONE FIREHAWK GTA P205/50R16, FRONT LEFT TIRE HAS BUBBLE ON SIDEWALL. THIS IS THE SECOND TIRE WITH THIS PROBLEM. I REPLACED THE FIRST ONE. *JB

STALLED, POWER LOSS, ROUGH IDLE. *JB

IGNITION SWITCH ON MY 2002 FORD FOCUS WITH 34,000 MILES FAILED. REQUIRED A TOW AND REPLACEMENT. TOTAL COST OF REPLACEMENT WAS $290. FORD WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE IS A QUALITY PROBLEM WITH THE IGNITIONS. THERE ARE LOTS OF FAILURES OF THEM. THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED. THANKS TOM ROLLAND. *JB

THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED UP IN MY CAR. I HAVE HAD THREE OTHER FRIENDS WITH THE SAME CAR SAY THAT THERE IGNITION SWITCH DID THE SAME THING. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE THE IGNITION LOCKED UP, AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS THE VEHICLE STARTED. THIS PROBLEM CONTINUED INTERMITTENTLY, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE THEN STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AT AN INTERSECTION AND THE IGNITION LOCKED UP, A LOCKSMITH WAS CONTACTED TO REPLACE THE IGNITION. THE IGNITION LOCKED UP A FINAL TIME AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALERSHIP WAS ALERTED AND AN IGNITION SWITCH WAS ORDERED, BUT THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED.

THE IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED UP, NOT ALLOWING THE KEY TO TURN. *NM

TURNED ON MY LIGHT SWITCH TO DRIVE HOME AT NIGHT AND NOTICED MY DASH LIGHTS WERE NON-OPERATIONAL. GOT OUT OF MY CAR AND DID A WALK AROUND AND FOUND THAT MY TAIL LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING EITHER. I DID AN INTERNET SEARCH AND FOUND POSTINGS REGARDING THIS FAILURE ON OTHER FOCUSES. I'VE PROVIDED A LINK HTTP://FORUMS.FOCALJET.COM/TEAM-TECH/457187-TAILLIGHTS-OUT-PROBLEM-FOUND-SERIOUS-SAFETY-HAZARD.HTML?HIGHLIGHT=DASH+LIGHTS+TAIL I CALLED FORD THEY DID NOT CARE AND WOULD NOT HELP. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND THE CAR HAS 45,000 MILES ON IT. *JB

I HAVE A 2002 FORD FOCUS AND MY IGNITION LOCKED UP AGAIN AND THIS TIME I COULD NOT START MY CAR I WAS STRANDED FOR AN 2 HOURS WAITING FOR A TOW TRUCK TO GET THE CAR. WHEN I PARKED THE CAR IT WAS NOT STRAIGHT SO I CAOULD NOT PARK IT STRAIGHT TO WAIT TO GET IT FIXED . I CALLED A REPAIR GUYS AND HE SAID THAT THIS IS VERY COMMON WHAT CAN WE DO ABOUT THIS. I WAS TOLD IT IS GOING TO COST ME ABOUT $300.00 I AM A SINGLE PARENT HOW DOES FORD MOTOR COMPANY BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE ANY TRUST IN THE VEHICLE WHEN THEY KNOW THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE AND DO NOT FIX IT AT THERE COST IN STEAD OF OURS. *NM

MY 2002 FORD FOCUS HAS A IGNITION LOCK PROBLEM. THE KEY IS IMPOSSIBLE TO TURN. I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK AND ALSO PAY $400 PLUS TAX TO FIX THIS PROBLEM THAT I HAVE FOUND OUT IS WIDESPREAD. *NM

55,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. ON 3/25/05, WHILE PARKED & LOCKED, THE IGNITION MALFUNCTIONED ON ITS OWN, RESULTING IN A FIRE THAT BURNED THE STEERING COLUMN. THE FIRE CAUSED OTHER DAMAGES AND HEAVY SMOKE WITHIN THE SEALED PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE EXTINGUISHED ITSELF WITH THE LACK OF OXYGEN. PICTURES OF THE WIRING HARNESS, STEERING COLUMN AND INTERIOR ARE AVAILABLE WITH THE INSURANCE COMPANY CLAIM FILE. *NM

IGNITION SWITCH WILL NOT TURN. *NM

PASSENGER SIDE COIL SPRING IS FRACTURED. *JB

HAVE HAD AN IGNITION FREEZING UP PROBLEM AND RESEARCHED IT ONLINE AND NOTICED THIS HAS BEEN AN ON GOING PROBLEM WITH FORD. I HAVE A 2002 FORD FOCUS. FIRST TIME I HAVE HAD A CAR IGNITION FREEZE UP. *JB

AT VEHICLE START UP, MY WIFE HEARD A LOUD POP, FOLLOWED BY ENGINE SPUTTERING, AND SMELL OF GAS FUMES. MY WIFE TOOK THE KIDS OUT OF THE CAR AND RAN AWAY FOR FEAR OF FIRE. THE FOLLOWING DAY, WE HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME A SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE ENGINE AND STRIPED THE ENGINE BLOCK. I CALLED FORD MOTOR CORP. THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT HELP ME WITH THE REPAIRS, SINCE MY VEHICLES WARRANTY JUST EXSPIRED. THE CAR ONLY HAS 35,000 MILE ON IT, AND HAS HAD OTHER MAJOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AT 25,000 MILES. NOW I AM PAYING FOR A CAR THAT DOESN'T EVEN RUN, I GUESS I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER THAN TO BUY A FORD. FORD HAS LOST A CUSTOMER FOREVER. *NM

CAR SPUTTERED, STALLED, AND DIED IN TRAFFIC ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS (ONE MONTH APART), REQUIRING TOWING. I WOULD DESCRIBE THE SYMPTOM AS "FUEL STARVATION", LIKE A BAD FUEL PUMP OR FILTER. BOTH TIMES, IT OCCURRED WITH A WARM ENGINE, 1/4 TANK OF GAS, AND ACCELERATING NORMALLY FROM A STOP. MECHANIC SUBSEQUENTLY DETECTED NO PROBLEMS, EXCEPT BLOWN FUEL PUMP FUSE. *NM

THE IGNITION SWITCH OF THE FORD FOCUS YEARS 2000-2002 FOR SURE MAY BE OTHER YEARS BECOME JAMMED WHICH COULD LEAD TO CRASHES. I AM WORRIED EVERY TIME I DRIVE MY CAR. THIS ITEM NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY. *JB

FAILING CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER. THIS IS NOT A PART THAT HAS A RECOMMENDED REPLACEMENT TERM. THIS PART HAS FAILED PRIOR TO THE TUNE UP MILEAGE. IT FAILED LESS THAN 2K MILES OUT OF WARRANTY. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE SLOWING DOWN AT TEN MPH AND PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL THE RPM'S DROP TO 500. THIS CAUSES THE VEHICLE TO STALL OR SPUTTER INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER CAN NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. UPON INSPECTION, THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, HOWEVER NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 03V482000, REGARDING THE FUEL SYSTEM GASOLINE. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

THREE INSTANCES. VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (DASH, GAUGES, LAMPS, ETC) SUDDENLY GO DEAD. ENGINE THEN SURGES AND STALLS. POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES FAIL. VEHICLE FAILS TO RESTART. 1ST INSTANCE (12/2004): DEALER HAD FAILED TO PROPERLY RECONNECT ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS AFTER RECALL SERVICE. ACCIDENT OCCURRED, MINOR INJURIES. 2ND INSTANCE (1/22/2006): DEALER FOUND NO PROBLEM. VEHICLE RESTARTED. 3. 3RD INSTANCE (2/3/2006): DEALER FOUND FAULTY ALTERNATOR/ALTERNATOR WIRING. *NM

IGNITION DOES NOT TURN ON 2002 FORD FOCUS. I CANNOT TURN THE KEY. I HAVE LOOKED AROUND ON THE INTERNET AND THERE WERE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM. I FIXED IT BY TAPPING THE KEY WITH A HAMMER AS I TURNED THE KEY. THE DEALERSHIP WANTED ME TO PAY THEM $400 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, BUT I THOUGHT FORD SHOULD JUST FIX IT BEFORE THEY MAKE THEIR WORTHLESS CARS.*AK

THE IGNITION SOLENOID FAILS ON THIS MODEL. UPON SEARCHING ONLINE AND TALKING TO A FEW LOCKSMITHS IT WOULD SEEM THE IGNITION IS SUBSTANDARD/FAULTY IN MY CAR. HOW EXACTLY DOES A KEYED LOCK FAIL? IS THIS A KNOWN ISSUE? *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED THE LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARINGS CAME LOOSE. THE VEHICLE PHYSICALLY FELT AS THOUGH THERE WAS A FLAT TIRE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND PARKED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP PERSONNEL REPLACED THE REAR SPINDLE ASSEMBLY, THE LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARINGS, AS WELL AS THE HUB AND DRUM OF THE SUSPENSION. *NM THE CONTACT'S MECHANIC CALLED FORD BEFOREHE DID WORK ON VEHICLE. IT WAS A METAL TO METAL SOUND. THIS COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN DEADLY. HOWEVER, CONTACT WAS IN RIGHT SLOW LANE AN DWAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY. *AK

ENGINE STALLS REPEATEDLY WHILE DRIVING AT ALL SPEEDS. OFTEN THE CAR WILL NOT START AFTER STALL. VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY AND HAS BEEN SERVICED FOUR TIMES, NONE OF WHICH HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM. *NM

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS HARD TO TURN AND THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE FISH TAILED ACROSS THE ROAD AND STRUCK A MAIL BOX. AT SOME POINT DURING THE SKID OR IMPACT WITH THE MAIL BOX, BOTH REAR WHEELS DISLODGED FROM THE VEHICLE. ADDITIONALLY, THE BOLTS HOLDING THE REAR SEAT DISMEMBERED AND THE REAR SEAT WAS EJECTED FROM THE VEHICLE. ONE OF THE VEHICLE OCCUPANTS DIED AS A RESULT OF THE ACCIDENT AND ANOTHER WAS INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN AT THE SCENE. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. *JB

VEHICLE HAS STALLED NUMEROUS TIMES WITHOUT WARNING, ONCE WHILE A SEMI WAS FOLLOWING CLOSE BEHIND. AFTER THE VEHICLE STALLS, I HAVE TO WAIT ANYWHERE FROM A FEW MINUTES TO A FEW HOURS FOR IT TO START BACK UP AND NOT STALL. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE 00-01 MODELS ARE COVERED BY RECALL FOR A DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP BUT MY 02 MODEL IS NOT COVERED BY IT. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE 02 MODEL COULD HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED WITH TWO DIFFERENT TYPES OF FUEL PUMPS. THE FUEL PUMP THE CAR HAD INSTALLED DEPENDS ON WHAT DATE IT WAS MANUFACTURED. I UNFORTUNATELY HAVE A VEHICLE WITHIN THE DATE RANGE OF BEING MANUFACTURED WITH THE OLDER AND DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP AS MY VEHICLE WAS BUILT IN OCTOBER OF 2001. WHY IS MY VEHICLE NOT COVERED IN THIS RECALL WHEN IT WAS MANUFACTURED WITH THE EXACT SAME DEFECTIVE PART THAT THE 00-01 MODELS HAVE? *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED AFTER DRIVING ON BUMPY ROAD CONDITIONS A CLANKING NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED THE SWAY BAR LINK WORE OUT, AND THE TIE ROD ENDS CRACKED. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE SWAY BAR LINK AND FRONT TIE ROD ENDS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEEN BY A DEALER. *AK UPDATED 2/7/2006 - *NM

IGNITION WILL NOT TURN. CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER LEAKS. *JB

ON 01/10/06 THE IGNITION OF MY FORD FOCUS ZX3 (2002, 46000 MILES)) LOCKED UP. I WAS UNABLE TO TURN THE KEY AND START THE CAR, BLOCKING THE ENTRANCE TO A PARKING GARAGE. AN AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN WAS ABLE TO HOT-WIRE THE CAR SO I COULD DRIVE IT TO THE CLOSEST DEALERSHIP. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD OVER THE PHONE BECAUSE I DID PURCHASE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WITH THE CAR. FORD DOES NOT FEEL RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS INCIDENT AND WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIR COST UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE ONLINE AND WAS ABLE TO FIND SEVERAL THOUSANDS OF OTHER FORD OWNERS WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THE LOCKING OF THE STEERING COLUMN SEEMS TO HAPPEN OVER AND OVER AGAIN, AS THE LOCKS THAT ARE BEING USED AS A REPLACEMENT ARE OF THE SAME BAD QUALITY AS THE ORIGINALS. *JB

I JUST BOUGHT A 2002 FORD FOCUS. MY KEY WONT TURN AND MY STEERING WHEEL IS LOCKED UP. ON-LINE I HAVE NOTICED THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM WITH FOCUSES. I AM GOING TO GET IT FIXED, BUT AM CONCERNED BECAUSE IT SEEMS TO BE A BIG PROBLEM THAT WILL CONTINUE TO RE-OCCUR. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT A CAR FOR SOMETIME, AND WAS STRANDED. LUCKILY IT HAPPENED AT MY APARTMENT AND I DID NOT HAVE TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED IMMEDIATELY. *NM

MY FOOT PAD ON MY CLUTCH PEDAL BECAME SLIPPERY DUE TO LEAKING HYDRAULIC FLUID OUT OF MY CLUTCH MASTER CYLINDER ON MY 2002 FORD FOCUS ZX3. NOW I HAVE STAINS ALL OVER MY CARPETING AND SHOES. MY CLUTCH BEGAN NOT RELEASING DUE TO THIS AS WELL AND THE PLATE BURNED UP. *JB