21 of the
1,198 complaints about the 2002 Ford Focus are about the
throttle and cruise control — 2% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
13,040 miles.
C
21
Complaints
3
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Vehicle Speed Control
1571.4%
Cruise Control
419.0%
Accelerator Pedal
29.5%
Acceleration & Cruise Control across every Ford Focus year
I AM WRITING THIS FOR TWO INCIDENTS HAPPENED WITHIN A TWO WEEK TIME FRAME. 1. THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED SINCE ONE PISTON PIN HAD BROKEN DUE TO WHICH THE WHOLE PISTON HAD BROKEN INSIDE THE ENGINE. THE WHOLE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED AS PER MECHANICS SUGGESTION. I HAVE THE INVOICE FROM THE MECHANIC SHOP AND THE MECHANIC WOULD GLADLY PROVIDE MORE DETAILS IF NEEDED. 2. THIS WAS SCARY ! WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MILES AN HOUR ON CRUISE,THE CAR WOULD NOT COME OUT OF CRUISE CONTROL AND CONSTANTLY ACCELERATED EVEN AFTER TRYING TO USE BRAKES. (IDEALLY WHEN YOU FIRST TOUCH THE BRAKES, THE CAR SHOULD COME OUT OF CRUISE) ONCE THE CAR REACHED AT A SPEED OF 80 MILES AND I COULD NOT DO ANYTHING. WHEN THE CAR WAS SHUT DOWN ABNORMALLY, AND RESTARTED THE ISSUE CONTINUED AND EVEN WHEN IT WAS IN NEUTRAL, IT CONSTANTLY RAVED UP. I SEE OTHER PEOPLE HAVE RECENTLY FILED COMPLAINS FOR THIS AND EXPECT THE NHTSA TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT URGENTLY AS IN MY OPINION IT IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. THE MECHANIC MENTIONED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE WAS STUCK IN THE HOUSING. CURRENTLY THE CRUISE CONTROL HAS BEEN DISCONNECTED BY MY MECHANIC AND I HAVE BOUGHT A NEW CRUISE CONTROL CABLE FROM THE DEALER AND HOPE TO GET IT FIXED SOON, HOWEVER EXPECT THE COMPANY TO TAKE CARE OF BOTH OF THE ABOVE ISSUES.
NHTSA complaint #10748354 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mcconnelsville, OH
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING MY 2002 FORD FOCUS ABOUT 45 MPH VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED UP TO 85 MPH. I TRIED TO REDUCE SPEED BY STEPPING ON THE BRAKES STILL WOULD NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP I HAD TO PULL THE EMERGENCE BRAKE , STEAM WAS COMING OUT OF VEHICLE AND TURN THE ENGINE OFF BUT WHEN I STARTED IT BACK UP THE ENGINE IS STILL REVVING UP.
NHTSA complaint #10700812 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rosendale, NY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE SPEEDOMETER ON MY 2002 FORD FOCUS SUDDENLY DROPS TO ZERO. IT OFTEN TAKES SEVERAL MINUTES TO RESET AND OFTEN DOES THIS REPEATEDLY. IT HAS BEEN HAPPENING WITH INCREASING FREQUENCY THIS STARTED AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED BUT IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT FORD KNOWS ABOUT AND WILL NOT CORRECT. THEY CLAIM THAT I MUST REPLACE THE ENTIRE EXPENSIVE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER.
NHTSA complaint #10169946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 74,806 milesRound Rock, TX
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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.
NHTSA complaint #10151986 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 43,411 milesBirmingham, AL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED THE DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS DETERMINED THE FUEL PUMP FAILED. THE FUEL PUMP AND IAC VALVE WERE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRIOR TO THE FAILURES.
NHTSA complaint #10146579 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 12,700 milesLouisville, KY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE WILL REV WITHOUT WARNING. THIS PROBLEM ONLY OCCURS ON MORNING STARTS AND IN COLD TEMPERATURES. HE IMMEDIATELY TURNS OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTARTS THE VEHICLE. THIS PROCEDURE REMEDIES THE PROBLEM. HE PLANS TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE PROBLEM. *AK THE REPLACED THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. UPDATED 12/27/05.
NHTSA complaint #10143434 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 20,385 milesSanford, FL
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ENGINE ACCELERATED AT A HIGH SPEED WHILE SHIFTING FROM FORWARD TO REVERSE (AND VICE VERSA). TO OVERCOME THE PROBLEM I MAINTAINED HEAVY PRESSURE ON THE BRAKE AND TAPPED THE ACCELERATOR.
NHTSA complaint #10143303 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Minneapolis, MN
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WAS ACCELERATING RAPIDLY TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC AND THE GAS PEDAL GOT STUCK, AND THE CAR KEPT ACCELARATING AFTER I REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL. IT HAS DONE THIS TWICE.*AK I HAVE A 2002 FORD FOCUS EX
NHTSA complaint #10116236 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 12,393 milesLebanon, PA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ON SEVERAL SEPARATE OCCASIONS VEHICLE COMMENCED TO ACCELERATE AND LURCH FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. NO INCIDENT OCCURRED AT THIS TIME. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10108926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Modesto, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE PULLING INSIDE OF THE GARAGE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE BY APPLYING BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKES. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED.
NHTSA complaint #10079451 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 11,065 milesUnknown, DCCrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
SUDDEN ACCELERATION OF VEHICLE WHILE PULLING INTO A LEVEL PARKING STALL AT A SHOPPING MALL. VEHICLE COLLIDED INTO A PLANTER HEAD ON AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY *LA
NHTSA complaint #10061024 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 7,000 milesSpring City, TN
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT WORK PROPERLY. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. *PH WHEN THE CONSUMER DISENGAGED THE TRANSMISSION, THE ENGINE BEGAN RACING UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONSUMER FELT THAT THIS WAS CAUSED BY OMISSION IN THE LOGIC DESIGN OF THE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #10050058 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stratton, OH
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
OUR 2002 FORD FOCUS SE, HAS HAD A SURGING PROBLEM SINCE THE DAY WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE ON 04/15/02, THE ENGINE SEEMS LIKE IT WANTS TO STALL OUT.LSO WE HAVE A WATER LEAK UNDER THE DASHBOARD, AND WE NEED NEW TIRES. *AK AFTER ONLY 20000 MILES ON THEM.
NHTSA complaint #10048849 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesMilmay, NJ
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER, AND LEFT VEHICLE OVER NIGHT. THE VEHICLE STARTED UP THE NEXT DAY WITH NO PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT RESOLVED.
NHTSA complaint #10046483 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 13,040 milesCornelia, GACrash
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO RESPOND TO APPLICATION OF BRAKES.*MR THE SECOND INCIDENT CAUSED THE CONSUMER TO STRIKE ANOTHER VEHICLE BECAUSE THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO DISENGAGE.*TS
NHTSA complaint #10042785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 13,040 milesCornelia, GACrash4 injured
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
I HAVE A 2002 FORD FOCUS SE W/ 5 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION AND CRUISE CONTROL PLUS OTHER OPTIONS. ON DATE LISTED, I WAS TRAVELING AT 65 MPH ON A 4 LANE HWY APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE CAR WAS IN 5TH GEAR W/ THE CRUISE CONTROL ON. UPON TOUCHING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO TURN OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL AND BEGIN BRAKING, NEITHER EVENT HAPPENED. I TRIED 3X TO GET THE CRUISE CONTROL TO TURN OFF BY PRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL HARD. IT FAILED ALL THREE TIMES. BY THEN, I WAS RAPIDLY APPROACHING A GROUP OF CARS IN BOTH NORTHBOUND LANES OF GA HWY 365 COMPLETELY STANDING STILL WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO CHANGE. IN RESPONSE TO A RUNAWAY CAR, I ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE OFF THE RIGHT SHOULDER OF THE ROAD; HOWEVER, THE CAR IMMEDIATELY IN FRONT OF ME DID THE SAME. I STRUCK HER CAR ON THE RIGHT SIDE WITH THE LEFT SIDE OF MY 2002 FORD FOCUS SE. MY PASSENGER REACHED OVER & TURNED THE IGNITION SWITCH TO OFF. I WAS ABLE THEN TO BRAKE THE CAR TO A STOP A FEW FEET FROM A CONCRETE CULVERT. THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL OF MY CAR WAS FOLDED APPROXIMATELY 45 DEGREE ANGLE AND THE ENTIRE FRONT END WAS DOWN ON THE GROUND. THE LEFT FRONT TIRE HAD BLOWN OUT. NEITHER CAR WAS DRIVEABLE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS CAR HAS FAILED ON TURNING OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED. FURTHER, THE BRAKE WEAR INDICATOR HAD BEGUN SQUELING RECENTLY. THE CAR HAD 13040 MILES ON IT AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. IT WAS PURCHASED ONE YEAR EARLIER. WILLARD FERGUSON
NHTSA complaint #10038698 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Colorado Springs, CO
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
CONSUMER WOULD PUT THE CRUISE CONTROL ON AND THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. DEALER NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #10031727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,000 milesHighland, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION, WHEN A TURN WAS MADE.
NHTSA complaint #10015606 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Knightsen, CA
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
INTERMITTENTLY THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKS WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED . THE DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BUT WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER IS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE CAR AND HAS NOT DRIVEN THE VEHICLE SINCE OCTOBER 2002. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10002477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Addison, VT
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE DRIVING, WHEN CRUISE CONTROL IS ENGAGED THE VEHICLE'S ACCELERATION DECREASES. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. MR
NHTSA complaint #8024200 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Dallas, TX
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #8006604 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.