Problems · NHTSA complaints
2002 Ford Focus problems
Owners filed 1,014 complaints about the 2002 Ford Focus with NHTSA between Jul 2001 and Dec 2024. The most-cited component is electrical system (285).
Complaints
1,014
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
85
Reported by owners
Fires
24
Reported by owners
Injuries
81
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
105
139
166
115
93
73
77
60
48
43
29
15
17
13
7
3
2
3
1
0
0
2
2
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2001 | 1 |
| 2002 | 105 |
| 2003 | 139 |
| 2004 | 166 |
| 2005 | 115 |
| 2006 | 93 |
| 2007 | 73 |
| 2008 | 77 |
| 2009 | 60 |
| 2010 | 48 |
| 2011 | 43 |
| 2012 | 29 |
| 2013 | 15 |
| 2014 | 17 |
| 2015 | 13 |
| 2016 | 7 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 3 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 2 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Electrical system
285 reports4 crashes12 fires
“I drive a 2002 Ford Focus Sedan. My engine light is on, warning light for trunk door ajar light is on (even though the trunk is securely locked, my front headlights due not work consistently (sometimes work, sometimes don't). My trunk does not always latch secure after I close it as well. I took my car to Advanced Auto Parts and had my engine light diagnosed. Engine codes that resulted were: B1318, B1881, C1947, B2438, B2434, P0457. The representative tested my battery and found that the voltage was slightly lower than it should be. My concern is for my safety as well as the safety of others. Do we have some manufacturer defects on this particular vehicle? Have other concerns which could be the result of vehicle wear and tear, or/and due to manufacturer defects as well. Inner tie rods need replaced as well as control arms/bushings, as reported to me by a mechanic. I have seen recall reports related to the 2002 Ford Focus in which there has been issues directly related to what I'm reporting, which is another reason I'm filing a report. Thank you. The contact wanted to add that the wipers are experiencing an electrical issue as well. When in use, the wipers…”
Suspension
122 reports12 crashes
“VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 108,000 MILES. I DID REPLACE THE TIE RODS CONTROL ARMS AND SWAY BAR OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THE SUBFRAME IS VERY RUSTED AND THE ENGINE COULD FALL OF IF THE VEHICLE IS NOT SERVICED IMMEDIATELY. I BOUGHT THE CAR AROUND 90,000 MILES AND HAVE ALREADY REPLACED FUEL PUMP AND OTHER PARTS UNDER THE CAR.”
Engine and engine cooling
108 reports2 crashes3 fires
“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”
Air bags
78 reports48 crashes1 fire
“HUSBAND WAS DRIVING APPROX. 35 MPH WITH HIS MOTHER IN THE PASSENGER SEAT DOWN A COUNTRY ROAD. DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITH NO ACCIDENT. PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG OR COVER BROKE WINDSHIELD. HUSBAND HIT BRAKES.”
Tires
75 reports1 crash
“ON 05/09/2014 AT APPROXIMATELY 1750 HOURS I WAS TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON INTERSTATE 95 ADJACENT TO MILE MARKER 99 LOCATED NEAR STUART, FLORIDA WHEN I SUDDENLY FELT A VERY STRONG VIBRATION AND LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT RIGHT AXLE, IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE CAUSING ME TO LOOSE STEERING CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY CAME TO A FULL STOP AND UPON FURTHER INSPECTION ON THE SHOULDER IT WAS REVEALED THAT THE SEPARATION OF THE TIRE TREAD CAUSED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGES TO THE VEHICLE TO INCLUDE FRONT RIGHT FENDER DENTS, BRAKING AC REFRIGERANT LINES, FRONT HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY, SIDE MARKER AND THE PLASTIC COVER THAT GOES UNDERNEATH THE WHEEL WELL. THE TIRE IS DESCRIBED AS A FIRESTONE FR380, 185/65R14 86S WITH DOT E26L 38B 3110 A30. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A PEP BOYS SHOP IN JUPITER, FL AND THE TIRE WAS TAKEN TO THE TIRE PLUS STORE LOCATED IN JUPITER, FL TO BE EXCHANGED. THE TIRES WERE ORIGINALLY PURCHASED AND INSTALLED AT TIRES PLUS ON OCTOBER, 2010 AT 77,600 MILES AND OVERALL THE TIRE HAD LESS THAN 20,000 ROAD MILES WHEN THE ENTIRE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED. PICTURES OF THE TIRE ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST, THANK YOU. *TR”
Power train
73 reports1 crash
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SLIPPED OUT OF DRIVE INTO NEUTRAL. THE CONTACT CALLED FAIRWAY FORD (2761 E STONE DR, KINGSPORT, TN 37660), AND INFORMED THE DEALER OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE HAD TO PAY A DIAGNOSTIC FEE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER DUE TO THE DIAGNOSTIC AND REPAIR COSTS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL WHILE STOPPED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT SUBJECTED TO A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 137,000.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.