2002 Ford Focus problems
The 2002 Ford Focus has 1,198 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (25%) concerns electrical system. After that come engine (10%) and suspension (10%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 1,198 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Electrical system 25% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 107 and 23
- Injuries and deaths
- 112 and 2
- Typical mileage
- 47,000 miles 766 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 178 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 143 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 130 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 110 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 82 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 43 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 48 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 7 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 11 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 7 |
| 200k+ miles | 7 |
What the data shows
Among the 766 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 47,000 miles. For electrical system specifically, the median reported mileage is about 61,000 miles (219 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 107 complaints mention a crash; 23 complaints mention a fire; 112 injuries reported; 2 deaths reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2002 ranks 7th most-complained-about out of 19 model years of the Ford Focus with enough data (814 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 1 safety recall campaign.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
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.
While driving on the highway at approximately 55MPH in the center lane, the consumer blacked out and hit the guardrail. Upon impact, the airbags deployed, and then a fire began under the hood. The consumer is very concerned because the vehicle had completely burnt in 10 minutes. The consumer feels that the ford focus should be taken off of the market, stating that for the 48 years she had been driving, she had never experienced a situation of this type and feels that something was smoldering or burning in the…
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. 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.
No start, no crank. Randomly car will not start, and there is no cranking either. Happens once or twice a week. Shows dashes on the digit display. Car may start after 10 minutes or 3 hours - can't tell. Has been taken to the dealer once. Problem not replicated, but service found a technical service bulletin for the VIN, and 2001, 2002 models which specified this exact problem, suggesting replacement of a specific part for supposedly a dpfe shortening.