2002 Ford Focus SVT problems

POWER TRAIN

CAR PERIODICUALY LOOSES ALL POWER TO DASH BATERRY EVERYTHING COMPLETLY I'VE REPLACE BATTERY ALTINATOR CLUSTER LIGHT IT SEEMS IF I USE MY LIGHT IT HAPPENS MORE OR ANYTIME I STOP OR SLOW DOW IT STALLS AND WILL NOT START WITHOUT A JUMP THEN IT WILL BE GREAT AGAIN SOMETIMES FOR A DAY SOMETES A WEEK IT S VERY IRRADICUL AND THROTLE GETS STUCK REVING UP HIGH THEN OTHER TESTS IDLES WAY TOO LOW AND DOES

NHTSA complaint #11118189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CAR PERIODICUALY LOOSES ALL POWER TO DASH BATERRY EVERYTHING COMPLETLY I'VE REPLACE BATTERY ALTINATOR CLUSTER LIGHT IT SEEMS IF I USE MY LIGHT IT HAPPENS MORE OR ANYTIME I STOP OR SLOW DOW IT STALLS AND WILL NOT START WITHOUT A JUMP THEN IT WILL BE GREAT AGAIN SOMETIMES FOR A DAY SOMETES A WEEK IT S VERY IRRADICUL AND THROTLE GETS STUCK REVING UP HIGH THEN OTHER TESTS IDLES WAY TOO LOW AND DOES

NHTSA complaint #11118189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

CAR PERIODICUALY LOOSES ALL POWER TO DASH BATERRY EVERYTHING COMPLETLY I'VE REPLACE BATTERY ALTINATOR CLUSTER LIGHT IT SEEMS IF I USE MY LIGHT IT HAPPENS MORE OR ANYTIME I STOP OR SLOW DOW IT STALLS AND WILL NOT START WITHOUT A JUMP THEN IT WILL BE GREAT AGAIN SOMETIMES FOR A DAY SOMETES A WEEK IT S VERY IRRADICUL AND THROTLE GETS STUCK REVING UP HIGH THEN OTHER TESTS IDLES WAY TOO LOW AND DOES

NHTSA complaint #11118189 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS SVT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE AND OFFERED NOT ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AS APPROXIMATELY 74,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 74,988.

NHTSA complaint #10487817 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

NOTICED THAT MY DASH BOARD HIGH BEAM FOR MY HEADLIGHTS WAS STAYING ON. TOOK TO WHEEL WORKS AND THEY TOLD ME ITS THE WIRING HARNESS FOR MY HEADLIGHTS. THEY TOLD ME IT IS MELTING AND NEED TO TAKE TO THE DEALER. I BOUGHT MY CAR BRAND NEW AND PAID CASH FOR IT WITH EXTRAS ADDED ON TO IT. I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR AND I GET NO HELP. I NEED TO KNOW IF THIS HAS BEEN ON A RECALL. I AM ON A VERY LIMITED INCOME AND CANNOT AFFORD THIS TO COME OUT OF MY POCKET.

NHTSA complaint #10484670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

NOTICED THAT MY DASH BOARD HIGH BEAM FOR MY HEADLIGHTS WAS STAYING ON. TOOK TO WHEEL WORKS AND THEY TOLD ME ITS THE WIRING HARNESS FOR MY HEADLIGHTS. THEY TOLD ME IT IS MELTING AND NEED TO TAKE TO THE DEALER. I BOUGHT MY CAR BRAND NEW AND PAID CASH FOR IT WITH EXTRAS ADDED ON TO IT. I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR AND I GET NO HELP. I NEED TO KNOW IF THIS HAS BEEN ON A RECALL. I AM ON A VERY LIMITED INCOME AND CANNOT AFFORD THIS TO COME OUT OF MY POCKET.

NHTSA complaint #10484670 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS SVT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRYING TO CLOSE THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, THE DOOR FAILED TO LATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V030000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH) AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED CONCERNING THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 159,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10477403 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS SVT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE BOLT LOCATED UNDERNEATH THE AIR BAG THAT HOLDS THE STEERING WHEEL IN PLACE DISENGAGED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT LOST ALL STEERING CAPABILITIES BUT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS FAULTY, AS A RESULT THE ELECTRICAL FAILURE CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO FALL OFF AND THE BOLT TO BE LOOSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,000.

NHTSA complaint #10381464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS SVT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND BECAME STUCK IN THE OPEN THROTTLE POSITION. THE SPEED INCREASED TO 90 MPH. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MANUALLY RELEASE THE PEDAL; HOWEVER, THE PEDAL WOULD NOT MOVE UNTIL HE USED EXCESSIVE FORCE. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP UNTIL THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL GEAR. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE SO THAT IT COULD BE TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE THROTTLE CABLE. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V117000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED SIMILAR FAILURES AS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.

NHTSA complaint #10335715 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION:REAR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS SVT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE IN TWO WHILE HE WAS DRIVING AT APPROX 5 MPH. HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE DROPPED TO THE GROUND. HE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR CONTROL ARM BROKE AND THE DRIVER SIDE REAR CONTROL ARM WAS CRACKED AND ABOUT TO EXPERIENCE THE SAME FAILURE. BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

NHTSA complaint #10304433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

DAMAGE TO DRIVER'S SIDE POWER WINDOW MECHANISM FAILING TO RAISE AND/OR LOWER WINDOW GLASS IN VEHICLE. WINDOW OPERATOR REQUIRES GREASE TO OPERATE PROPERLY WHICH WAS NOT PRESENT AFTER CLOSER EXAMINATION OF PARTS. PARTS WERE DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR AND ARE IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT.

NHTSA complaint #10208472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:BELL HOUSING

1. THIS HAPPENED UNDER MODERATE ACCELERATION TO GET ON THE FREEWAY AND WITH NO PRECURSORS OR INDICATORS. 2. THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD POP. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE POP THE ENGINE STALLED, AND WHITE SMOKE EMITTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. UPON CLOSER EXAMINATION AFTER PUSHING THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY IT WAS FOUND THE FACTORY FORD PRESSURE PLATE ASSEMBLY EXPLODED AND SHOT SHRAPNEL THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION AND RIPPED A HOLE THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION COOLANT LINES. THE OIL AND COOLANT SPILLED ONTO THE HOT CLUTCH , LUCKILY AT THE SAME TIME, PREVENTING A FIRE AND JUST\ EMITTING STEAM. THE SHRAPNEL FROM THE TRANSMISSION HOUSING AND PRESSURE PLATE WAS FOUND THROUGHOUT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE SURROUNDING ROAD. *AK 3. IT WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION SHORTLY AFTER THIS INCIDENT THAT FORD HAS A TSB ON THIS ITEM BUT NOT A RECALL. AFTER CONTACTING SVT AND FORD, I WAS NOTIFIED SINCE I HAD 52,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE THEY WOULD NOT COVER THIS ITEM AND IT WAS UP TO ME. I REPLACED THE CLUTCH AND FLYWHEEL WITH AFTERMARKET UNITS AS THE FORD DEALER COULD NOT ASSURE ME THAT THEY WERE POST TSB (DIDN'T WANT THE SAME THING TO HAPPEN) THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED WITH A USED ONE TOTAL COST WAS ABOUT $1600.00 I PERFORMED ALL THE LABOR AS I HAVE AN A&P LICENSE AND HAVE MORE THAN ENOUGH SKILL. THE OLD BELL HOUSING WAS AVAILABLE. I ALSO HAVE A LOT OF PICTURES AND A WITNESS, WAS IN ANOTHER CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10185871 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

BOTH REAR WINDOWS STOPPED WORKING, GETTING STUCK ALL THE WAY DOWN, LEADING TO AN UNSAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR SMALL CHILDREN OR ANIMALS. REAR DRIVER WINDOW FAILED IN MAY 2006 AND WAS REPAIRED BY A FORD DEALERSHIP. REAR PASSENGER WINDOW FAILED AUGUST 17, 2006.

NHTSA complaint #10165889 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

5/4/06 NOTICED VENT LEAK ON PASSENGER FLOOR.

NHTSA complaint #10156896 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN

1. MOST RAIN OR SNOW (WET CONDITION) DRIVING CAUSES PARTIAL OR COMPLETE FAILURES OF HORNS 2. IF CAR IS DRIVE IN WET OR SNOW CONDITIONS, THE HORNS FAIL. THIS IS A PARTIAL FAILURE WHERE HORN ARE BARELY AUDIBLE, OR IN HEAVY WET AND COLD ( FREEZING CONDITIONS) HORNS FAIL COMPLETELY. IN ALL CASES TO DATE, OVER TIME,( USUALLY WEEKS ) HORN RETURNS TO NORMAL FUNCTION DURING DRY/AND WARM UP PERIODS. DO DATE NO CONSEQUENCES. (3) FORD DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED HORNS 2 TIMES (THERE IS A FORD SERVICE BULLETIN) HOWEVER, HAS NOT CHANGED THE CONDITION, IT CONTINUES. OLD PART KEPT BY DEALER.

NHTSA complaint #10140312 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SUSPENSION

I PURCHASED NEW AN 2002 FORD FOCUS WITH A SERIOUS SUSPENSION PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAS WORN THROUGH TWO SETS OF TIRES UNEVENLY ON THE INSIDE OF THE TREAD. ONE SET HAD ACTUALLY WORN DOWN TO THE STEEL BELT BEYOND THE RUBBER CAUSING ITS FAILURE AT 18,000 MILES. THIS INCIDENT CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT WHEEL, WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE HAD IT CHECKED BY A PROFESSIONAL AUTOMOTIVE ALIGNMENT SHOP, AND WAS TOLD IT WAS WELL WITHIN FORDS SPECIFICATIONS. AFTER CONTACTING FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THEIR SPECIAL VEHICLE TEAM THEY BOTH SAID THERE WAS NOT ANYTHING THAT COULD BE DONE. I AM LUCKY THAT THE PROBLEM HAS NOT CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WITHIN THE LAST 30,000 MILES AND TWO SETS OF TIRES. I FEEL THIS SAFETY OVERSIGHT IS DUE TO FORD AND ITS FAILURE TO PROPERLY ADJUST THEIR SUSPENSION PARAMETERS TO WORK PROPERLY ON OUR 2002 FORD FOCUS. REPLACED ONE FACTORY WHEEL, INSTALLED SUSPENSION CAMBER ADJUSTMENT PARTS, FOUR NEW TIRES AND HAD VEHICLE RE ALIGNED OUT OF FORDS FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS.

NHTSA complaint #10135025 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

TIRES

I PURCHASED NEW AN 2002 FORD FOCUS WITH A SERIOUS SUSPENSION PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAS WORN THROUGH TWO SETS OF TIRES UNEVENLY ON THE INSIDE OF THE TREAD. ONE SET HAD ACTUALLY WORN DOWN TO THE STEEL BELT BEYOND THE RUBBER CAUSING ITS FAILURE AT 18,000 MILES. THIS INCIDENT CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT WHEEL, WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE HAD IT CHECKED BY A PROFESSIONAL AUTOMOTIVE ALIGNMENT SHOP, AND WAS TOLD IT WAS WELL WITHIN FORDS SPECIFICATIONS. AFTER CONTACTING FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THEIR SPECIAL VEHICLE TEAM THEY BOTH SAID THERE WAS NOT ANYTHING THAT COULD BE DONE. I AM LUCKY THAT THE PROBLEM HAS NOT CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WITHIN THE LAST 30,000 MILES AND TWO SETS OF TIRES. I FEEL THIS SAFETY OVERSIGHT IS DUE TO FORD AND ITS FAILURE TO PROPERLY ADJUST THEIR SUSPENSION PARAMETERS TO WORK PROPERLY ON OUR 2002 FORD FOCUS. REPLACED ONE FACTORY WHEEL, INSTALLED SUSPENSION CAMBER ADJUSTMENT PARTS, FOUR NEW TIRES AND HAD VEHICLE RE ALIGNED OUT OF FORDS FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS.

NHTSA complaint #10135025 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

INTERMITENT CLUTCH NOISE & SLIP. CLUTCH STARTED SLIPPING SEVERLY ON OUT OF TOWN TRIP IN BUSY TRAFFIC LOST POWER ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED, HAD TO TOW MY OWN CAR BACK JUST WENT OUT OF WARANTY. WENT ON INTERNET TO FIND PRICES ON PARTS FOUND FORD HAS REDESIGNED CLUTCH COMPONENTS TWICE. FORD ALSO ISSUED TSB FOR CLUTCH THEY FOUND PARTS ARE NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED AND NOT PROPERLY TIGHTENED AT TIME OF MANUFACTURE CAUSING NOISE & WEAR. DEALER ADVISE ME TO TAKE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSIS & REPLACEMENT OF PARTS THAT ARE BAD WITH UNREVISED PARTS THAT I WOULD PAY FOR. FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS SUPPORTS DEALERS DECISION.

NHTSA complaint #10091384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

DRIVERS SIDE SEAT AIR BAG DEPLOYED - THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT TO CAUSE THIS TO HAPPEN.

NHTSA complaint #10091111 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:FLOOR SHIFT ASSEMBLY

WHEN SHIFTING MY SIX SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION INTO FIRST GEAR, IT OFTEN GOES INTO REVERSE. THIS TRANSMISSION DOESN'T HAVE A LOCKOUT, BUT IT HAS SOME KIND OF SPRING RESISTANCE THAT CONSTANTLY FAILS, WHICH CAUSES YOU TO SHIFT THE CAR INTO REVERSE WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO PUT IT INTO FIRST GEAR. THIS ACTION HAS ALMOST CAUSED NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS AT STOP LIGHTS.

NHTSA complaint #10082948 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK

WHILE DRIVING, THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT CAME ON. THIS OCCURRED BECAUSE THE REAR HATCH BECAME UN-LATCH. THE REAR HATCH IS NOW INOPERATIVE. WHEN THE REAR LATCH WAS CLOSED, IT UN-LATCHED INSTEAD OF LATCHING. THE ENTIRE REAR HATCH LOCKING ASSEMBLY HAS TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10073379 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SEATS

BOLT MOUNTING DRIVER SIDE SEAT TRACKS TO FLOOR PAN LOOSENED. CONTINUED SURGING AND INTERMITTENT STALLING PROBLEM WHILE ACCELERATING AND COMING TO A STOP.

NHTSA complaint #10055212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST SYSTEM

FAILURE OF HIGH-PRESSURE POWER STEERING HOSE. SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF FLUID CAUSED BEARING IN POWER FLUID PUMP ASSEMBLY TO SEIZE RESULTING IN PULLEY SHEARING OFF AND EXITING VEHICLE FROM UNDER BODY. THE LOSS OF THE PULLEY CAUSED THE ACCESSORY SERPENTINE DRIVE BELT FAILURE, WHICH RESULTED IN ADDITIONAL LOSS OF THE WATER PUMP, ALTERNATOR, AND A/C COMPRESSOR. FLUID ALSO SOAKED ONTO EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE ASSEMBLIES.

NHTSA complaint #10055205 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN

HORN FAILURE AFTER DRIVING THROUGH NORMAL RAIN (NO SUBMERSION) ON ROADWAYS. HAS OCCURRED ON MULITPLE OCCASIONS AND HORN ASSEMBLIES HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE.

NHTSA complaint #10055208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.