2002 Ford Focus body problems

STRUCTURE:BODY

MY 89 YEAR OLD MOTHER BOUGHT A 2002 FORD FOCUS FROM LAUREL AUTO IN BOSWELL AND WHEN SHE WENT TO GET IT INSPECTED WAS TOLD THE FRAME (UNIBODY) IS RUSTED SO BADLY THAT IT CANNOT BE REPAIRED. THERE ARE HOLES ALL THROUGH IT. SHE PAID $5,000 AND HAS ONLY HAD THE CAR 1 YEAR. WAS THERE A RECALL ON 2002 FORD FOCUS FRAMES? THE GARAGE STATES THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN A FRAME IN SUCH BAD SHAP.

NHTSA complaint #10787701 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR ONLY OPENED WHEN MOVED LEFT TO RIGHT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN WHEN UNLOCKED. THE FAILURES OCCURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V030000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

NHTSA complaint #10682911 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REPLENISHING THE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID, THE HOOD LID CLOSE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE NUT BUSHING DETERIORATED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000. THE VIN NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #10679422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

LAST INSPECTION IT WAS REPORTED TO INSPECT THIS YEAR THE CROSSMEMBER/SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED OR CAR WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION RESEARCHING THIS I'VE FOUND SEVERAL PEOPLE COMPLAINED ABOUT THIS ALSO I SAW RECALL OF MORE SUSPENSION ISSUES OCCURRING NOW.. 40 K MILEAGE IT HAS LAST YEAR HAD TO REPLACE SWAY BAR BECAUSE IT LET LOOSE WHEN I DROVE HOME PUNCTURING MY TIRE ALMOST WENT INTO THE RIVER THIS NIGHT .

NHTSA complaint #10559998 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

VEHICLE TOWED TO FORD DEALER BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT START. UPON INSPECTION, DEALERSHIP FOUND FRONT SUB FRAME COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. SAID IT IS "ONE POTHOLE AWAY FROM THE ENGINE FALLING OUT; TOTALLY UNSAFE TO DRIVE." RUSTING ALSO CAUSED CORROSION IN WIRES FROM IGNITION TO STARTER, RESULTING IN CAR NOT STARTING. THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW, HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT, ONLY DRIVEN 5,000 MILES PER YEAR BY ELDERLY COUPLE. OBVIOUSLY THE METAL USED IN SUB FRAME WAS NOT PROPERLY COATED. WILL COST THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX, IF IT IS DEEMED WORTH FIXING! SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED IF THIS ENGINE HAD INDEED FALLEN OUT WHILE IN MOTION!

NHTSA complaint #10556038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE FOR FIVE YEARS AND AT ABOUT 180,000 MILES I NOTICED THAT MY REAR DRIVER DOOR WOULD NOT LATCH. BOTH REAR DOORS STICK AND HAVE BEEN DIFFICULT TO OPEN. HOWEVER, AT ABOUT 180,000 MILES THE DOOR LATCH STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY. I HAD TO WRAP THE SEAT BELT AROUND THE DOOR TO KEEP IT FROM OPENING WHILE DRIVING. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ONLINE I FOUND THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THE 2002 FORD FOCUS DOOR LATCHES. I SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP BUT WHEN THEY RAN MY VIN# THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY CAR WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. EVEN THOUGH I WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE THAT LED TO THE RECALL THEY TOLD ME THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THE CAR REPAIRED. THEY REFERRED ME TO THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE LINE AND AFTER SPENDING 45 MINUTES ON THE PHONE I WAS TOLD TO KEEP ME RECEIPTS IN CASE THEY ISSUE A RECALL IN THE FUTURE. I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED THAT FORD DIDN'T OFFER TO FIX MY CAR KNOWING THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON OTHER CARS THAT ARE THE SAME YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL.

NHTSA complaint #10532202 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS

THE FRONT SUB FRAME ON MY 2002 FORD FOCUS ZTS WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND UNABLE TO SUPPORT THE FRONT SUSPENSION. I ALSO HAD MY CAR INSPECTED BY A FORD DEALER WHO PASSED IT AND TOLD ME NOTHING ABOUT HOW DESTROYED MY SUB FRAME WAS. WHEN I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC THEY TOLD ME IT WAS SO BAD I SHOULDN'T BE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE BOLTS WHERE EVEN RUSTED OUT OF THE SUB FRAME. ITS BELIEVED THAT THIS ALSO CAUSED MY MOTOR MOUNTS TO HAVE TO BE REPLACED. CAUSE SUCH BAD VIBRATION THAT IT RUINED ALL MY SHOCKS, STRUTS, AND ALL 4 OF MY TIRES. THE TIRES WHERE ONLY 5 MONTHS OLD AND ARE DESTROYED.

NHTSA complaint #10465910 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

THE FRONT SUBFRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH AND HAS A HOLE ABOUT 8" WIDE. SCARY THAT THIS HOLDS THE VEHICLES STEERING SYSTEM AND THE ENTIRE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE TOGETHER. HOW MANY PEOPLE WILL NEED TO GET HURT? HOW MANY CARS WILL FALL APART BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE? WHY RECALL THE WINDSTAR AND NOT THE FOCUS?

NHTSA complaint #10457209 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ROCKER PANEL ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT WHICH HAD SINCE BEEN CORRECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AGAIN INFORMED THAT PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE REPAIR SHOP ALSO STATED THAT JUNK YARDS WERE NOT USING PARTS FROM OLDER VEHICLES BECAUSE THE PART WAS KNOWN TO HAVE RUSTING ISSUES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

NHTSA complaint #10415536 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

2002 FORD FOCUS FX5. CONSUMER REQUESTS REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPAIR COSTS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HIS VEHICLE FAILED INSPECTION DUE TO A ROTTED FRONT CROSS MEMBER. THE CONSUMER HAD TO PURCHASE A USED CROSS MEMBER IN ORDER TO PASS INSPECTION.

NHTSA complaint #10336969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

FRONT CROSS MEMBER ON MY 2002 FORD FOCUS ROTTED THROUGH. FAILED RI STATE INSPECTION. WAS ADVISE BY RHODE ISLAND ATTORNEY GENERAL WHO FORWARDED THIS COMPLAINT TO YOU AND ADVISE ME TO FOLLOW UP ON IT. I HAVE PICTURES & DVD TO SHOW THE SEVERITY OF THE ROT. THE REST OF THE UNDERCARRIAGE WAS STILL IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. UPDATED 06/22/10.*JB

NHTSA complaint #10334799 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE INSPECTION. HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE FRONT CROSS MEMBER HAD EXCESSIVE CORROSION. HE CALLED AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE COMPONENT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $800. HE IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE COMPONENT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONTACT HAS POSSESSION OF THE FAILED COMPONENT. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 60,000. UPDATED 07/28/09. *LJ THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE EXCESSIVE CORROSION WAS THE RESULT OF NOT HAVING ADEQUATE CORROSION PROTECTION AT THE TIME OF MANUFACTURING AND IT WAS IN DANGER OF FAILING. UPDATED 07/31/09.,

NHTSA complaint #10275035 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE

MY FRONT PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARDS LEAK A WATER WHEN IT RAINS. AFTER BEING "FIXED" 3 TIMES, MY CAR IS NOW RUSTING!

NHTSA complaint #10227001 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WILL NOT OPEN OR UNLOCK. THE DOOR IS COMPLETELY STUCK. THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS, BUT NO RECALLS. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 70,000.

NHTSA complaint #10209569 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE

WATER LEAKS INTO PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARD EVERYTIME IT RAINS.

NHTSA complaint #10171080 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A USED 2002 FORD FOCUS. I HAVE BEEN HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE BRAKES, THE RADIO, AND WATER LEAKING IN THROUGH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. THE BRAKES SQUEAK EVERYTIME I APPLY THEM. THE RADIO ONLY WORKS FOR ONE MINUTE AND THEN IT FADES OUT, ALL YOU CAN HEAR IS STATIC. THE MOST IMPORTANT OF THESE PROBLEMS IS THE LEAK. IT HAS RAINED REALLY HARD THREE TIMES IN THE PAST MONTH, AND ALL THOSE TIMES I HAVE FOUND THE CARPET IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SOAKING WET. I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FROM WHICH I BOUGHT IT, BUT THEY SAY THAT IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE 90 DAY WARRANTY. I HAVE REASERCHED ON THE WEB AND HAVE FOUND THAT THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS LIKE MINE. THE FORD COMPANY SHOULD BE MADE RESPONSIBLE SINCE THEY ARE THE MANUFACTURERS OF THE CAR.

NHTSA complaint #10143381 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

DT: THE CONTACT WISHED TO FILE A SAFETY COMPLAINT REGARDING THE REAR DOOR LATCH THAT HAD AN ACTIVE RECALL. BUT THE CONTACT WAS GOING TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO DEALER TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIRS PERFORMED ON AUGUST, FRIDAY 26, 2005. THE CONTACT STATED SHE HAD PROBLEMS WITH REAR DOORS SINCE OWNING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WARNED MANUFACTURER IF RECALL REPAIRS WERE NOT DONE SHE WILL SUE FORD AND NHTSA.

NHTSA complaint #10134051 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE

DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG IN STEERING WHEEL CRACKING OPEN IN MY 2002 FORD FOCUS. THIS MAY BE A PROBLEM IN DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG IF IT IS EVER ACTIVATED. THESE SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10130529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

FORD ISSUED A REAR DOOR RECALL, WHICH WAS NOT FOUND AT THIS TIME. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS, BUT THERE WERE NO AVAILABLE PARTS IN ORDER TO DO REPAIR, WHICH IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE DOORS COULD OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY.

NHTSA complaint #10117233 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE

MULTIPLE FAILURES; CONTINUAL ISSUES WITH BRAKES. CORRECT WATER LEAK AND PATCH TIRE. *BF THE ALTERNATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10109526 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS

THE HATCHBACK DOOR IS DIFFICULT TO CLOSE, ONCE CLOSED IT IS STILL NOT SECURE. CONSUMER HAS HAD TO FORCE THE DOOR SO MANY TIMES THAT IT WAS DENTED IN SEVERAL PLACES FROM THE FORCE.

NHTSA complaint #10097843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE

WATER LEAKS INTO TRUNK AND FLOOR CAR WAS TORN APART IN ATTEMPT TO FIX WATER LEAKS. HOOD, RIGHT FENDER,FRONT WINDSHIELD,REAR WINDOW,DASHBOARD,STEERING WHEEL. LL REMOVED FROM CAR THEN REINSTALLED, TO TRY TO FIX WATER LEAKS.*AK WE NOW FILL NOTHING WILL WORK CORRECTY AND CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE, SINCE STEERING WHEEL WAS REMOVED THEN REINSTALLED, FORD DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT DID ALL THIS WORK. CAR IS A LEMON.

NHTSA complaint #10088913 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY

WATER LEAKES.

NHTSA complaint #10086846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE

2002 FORD FOCUS DISPLAYING STEERING PROBLEMS. *MR APPROXIMATELY NINE MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE, THEY BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING SYSTEM. THE CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED 4 TIMES AND PROBLEM THE WAS STILL NOT FIXED . IF THE VEHICLE WAS NOT CORRECTED IN 30 DAYS THE CONSUMER WAS GOING TO REQUEST THAT THE VEHICLE BE REPURCHASED. *CB THE REAR GATE DID NOT OPEN PROPERLY.

NHTSA complaint #10026455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID

THE TRUNK LID HAS RUST APPEARING ALONG THE CHROME TRIM PIECE AT ONLY 32000 MILES. VEHICLE IS STORED INDOORS. THIS WAS REPAIRED ONCE UNDER WARRANTY AND IT HAS RE-APPEARED EVEN WORSE (AT 35000 MILES). FORD WILL NOT REPLACE UNLESS PERFORATION OCCURS.

NHTSA complaint #10072526 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE

OTHER - LOSE FENDER WHEELSHIELD/TOLD PART ON RECALL AS DEFECTIVE BODY - DINGS IN FENDER PANEL/TOLD PART DEFECTIVE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY

NHTSA complaint #10069108 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE

I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW IN SEPTEMBER. THE FIRST PROBLEM THE CAR HAD WAS THAT THE POLLEN FILTER BECAME BLOCKED AND IT HAD BEEN RAINING OUT SO ALL THE WATER FROM OUTSIDE CAME RIGHT INTO MY CAR AND I GOT ABOUT AN INCH OF WATER IN THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY CAR ALL OVER THE FLOOR. THE ENXT THING THAT HAPPENED WAS MY DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE BLEW WHILE DRIVING DOWN A ROAD, THERE WERE NO POTHOLES AND NO CURBS THAT I COULD HAVE HIT FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. ABOUT A MONTH AFTER THIS I NOTICED THAT THE PLASTIC HAD STARTED BUBBLING UP AND PEELING ON THE LOWER B PILLAR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR, ALSO THE CARPET HAD COME UNGLUED (FROM WHEN MY CAR FLOODED) AND HAD NOW PULLED AWAY FROM THE SILL. ALSO, THE WETHERSTRIPPING HAD COME UNGLUED FROM THE WINDSHIEL AND YOU CAN NOW SEE THE SHARP EDGE OF THE WINDSHEILD. MY CAR IS IN SERVICE TODAY GETTING THAT FIXED. THERE IS ALSO, STILL A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM WHERE THE SPEEDOMETER IS. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR AND HAS NOT STOPPED. HOWEVER, EVERY TIME I TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, IT DOES NOT MAKE THIS NOISE, SO THEY CANNOT FIX IT.

NHTSA complaint #10069637 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

STRUCTURE

I HAVE HAD THE CAR. FOR ONLY 4 MONTHS. I HAD PROBLEM WITH IT IN OCTOBER IT WAS THE CAR MOVING WHEN I AM DRIVING IT MOVES LIKE A SWERVING MOTION AND THEN IN DECEMBER 13, 2002. I TOOK IT BACK IN WITH THE SAME PROBLEM OF THE BACK SWAYS WHEN HITTING BUMPS AND THE TIRE ROD WAS LOOSE. THE REPAIR WAS 1,140 ON A NEW CAR. I HAD WATER COMING IN THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THEY SAID THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM. ON DEC 31, 2002 IT RAINED AND MY WHOLE FLOOR IS WET. I AM VERY DISCUSSED WITH THIS CAR. BECAUSE IT IS A BRAND NEW CAR. AND I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM OUT OF IT GOING ON TWO TIMES WITH THE WATER, TWO TIMES WITH THE HITTING OF BUMPS AND THE CAR MOVING SIDE WAYS ALMOST INTO ANOTHER LANE ,AND ONE MORE THING I TOOK THE CAR IN TO FORD ON 12/26/02 TO TALK TO THE SALES PERSON ABOUT MY PROBLEMS I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH AND HOW VERY DISSATISFIED I AM THE CAR HAS BEEN STILL SWAYING WHEN I AM DRIVING AND COMING ACROSS BUMPS RAILROAD TRACKS AND ON THE EXPRESSWAY. THEY SAID I WOULD HAVE TO PUT MONEY DOWN FOR ANOTHER CAR, WHICH IS SO UNFAIR BECAUSE IT IS A NEW CAR AND THEY SHOULD PUT ME IN ANOTHER CAR IF THEY SEE THE PROBLEMS. I WILL NEVER SEND ANY ONE TO BUT A CAR FROM THEM BECAUSE THEY SHOULD STAND BEHIND THERE PROMISE WHEN THEY EXPRESS THE IMPORTANCE OF CUSTOMER SATIATION WHEN THEY SEE THAT THE CAR IS A PROBLEM

NHTSA complaint #10069887 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.