122 of the
1,198 complaints about the 2002 Ford Focus are about the
engine — 10% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
62,500 miles.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SMOKE FROM THE BACK SEAT. WITHIN A SHORT TIME, THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY FILLED WITH SMOKE. THE ENGINE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THERE WERE NO FLAMES AND NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN NEUTRAL AND COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND LATER TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE OIL PUMP BURNED UP AND THE ENGINE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A FRIEND'S RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE SIX MONTHS LATER AND GAVE THE CONTACT A CASE NUMBER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 73,000. UPDATED 04/12/17 LJ
NHTSA complaint #10956772 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesNewbury, MA
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART AFTER TWO ATTEMPTS. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
NHTSA complaint #10762868 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 327,000 milesWinston Salem, NC
ENGINE
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.
at 130,000 milesFredericksburg, VA
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
NHTSA complaint #10724913 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesWachica, MN
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE VEHICLE SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ROD BEARING DETACHED FROM THE ENGINE. AS A RESULT, THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
NHTSA complaint #10691652 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 189,000 milesPataskala, OH
ENGINE
CAR WHEN WARMED UP AND DURING INTERCITY DRIVING WILL RANDOMLY CUT OUT WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS NOT DEPRESSED. CAR SHUTS OFF AND BECOMES HARD TO STEER AND CONTROL. HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT AND NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT'S WRONG. IT DOES THIS INTERMITTENTLY. ALSO THE CAR HAS THE UPDATED THERMOSTAT HOUSING AND THE THERMOSTAT STILL TENDS TO OVERHEAT. HAVE CONTACTED FORD AND CALL CENTER EMPLOYEE DID NOT SEEM TOO ENTHUSIASTIC TO HELP. OFFERED TO FIND ME A FORD DEALER BUT NOT SOMEONE FROM THEIR SAFETY OFFICE. ALSO, CAR HAD OLD STYLE IGNITION CYLINDER WHICH LOCKED BACK IN FEBRUARY. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM... AFTERMARKET HAVE THE SAME DESIGN.
NHTSA complaint #10615969 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 43,000 milesRacine, WI
ENGINE
EVEN TODAY, I NEVER KNOW WHEN I CAN GET A STARTUP. THE KEY DOES NOT CATCH RIGHT AWAY.
NHTSA complaint #10605370 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesTallahassee, FL
ENGINE
THE CAR VIBRATES; SHAKES. I WAS TOLD BY TWO AUTO REPAIRMAN BEFORE I WAS AWARE OF JUST WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. IT IS NOW A LITTLE WORSE. I NEED TO GET IT REPAIRED SOON AND I WILL. I WAS HOPING THERE IS A RECALL ON THE MOUNTS. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS BY ADAMS STREET MUFFLER IN TALLAHASSEE. TALLAHASSEE FORD SAYS THEY HAVE NO RECALL.
NHTSA complaint #10588014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 136,000 milesSouth Egremont, MAFire
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ENGINE IGNITED IN FLAMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT INJURY. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND THE POLICE DEPARTMENT WERE CALLED AND BOTH A POLICE AND FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS RULED AS DESTROYED AND WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE AGENCY FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, HE DISCOVERED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL WIRING REMAINED HOT AT ALL TIMES AND COULD HAVE POSSIBLY BEEN THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.
NHTSA complaint #10554633 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 71,000 milesMorrisville, VTFire
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE LOW OIL WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE A SMALL AMOUNT OF OIL WAS ADDED TO THE RESERVOIR. LATER AS THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AN UNKNOWN SPEED, SMOKE EMITTED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE CABIN. THE VEHICLE THEN STALLED AND FAILED TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC, WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,000.
NHTSA complaint #10550137 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 118,184 milesSanta ANA, CA
ENGINE
WHEN STARTING MY CAR FROM MY CARPORT IN THE MORNING, THE ENGINE MADE A RATTLING, GRINDING NOISE. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY DETERMINED THAT THE VALVE SEAT HAD DROPPED, DAMAGING THE CYLINDER HEAD AND TWO OF THE PISTONS.
NHTSA complaint #10545440 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 132,000 milesOregon City, OR
ENGINE
WHILE WAITING AT A CONSTRUCTION SITE THE ENGINE DIED AND WOULD NOT START (THE ENGINE INDICATOR LIT). THE BRAKE LIGHTS, POWER WINDOWS, AND REAR HATCH RELEASE ALSO FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE PERSONAL MECHANIC REPORTED THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS TO THE REAR HATCH HAD FAILED WHERE IS PASSED BETWEEN THE BODY AND THE HATCH DOOR. THE HARNESS ELECTRICAL INSULATION WAS CRACKED ON THE ENTIRE BUNDLE OF WIRES AND SHEDDING FRAGMENTS CAUSING SOME WIRES TO SHORT, THE 15 AMP FUSE FOR THE BRAKE LIGHTS HAD EVIDENCE OF HEATING, BUT DID NOT BLOW, RATHER, WIRES LEADING TO THE BRAKE PEDAL SENSOR, THE 15 AMP FUSE, AND ALONG THE HARNESS BACK TO THE SHORT IN THE REAR WIRING HARNESS NEAR THE CENTER BRAKE LIGHT HAD DISCOLORED AND WERE MELTED IN SOME SEGMENTS. FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE SAID TO CONSULT A FORD SERVICE CENTER TO DETERMINE IF THERE WAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THE FORD SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE SAID HE HAD SEEN THIS BEFORE AND SAID IT WAS NOT A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, RATHER IT WAS A DESIGN DEFECT THAT OCCURS AFTER 10 YEARS OR MORE.
NHTSA complaint #10542669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesHenderson, NV
ENGINE
THE MOTOR ON THE SUN ROOF AND ALL OF MY WINDOWS WENT OUT THE HANDLE ON DOOR FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER FELL OFF THE ,REAR DOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE ON THE INSIDE JUST FELL APART SOMETIMES YOU CAN'T OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE ITS LIKE THEY FREEZE UP AND A DAY LATER THEY OPEN (THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE ) SOMETIMES MY CAR JUST DIES OUT AND ALL OF THE PANEL GOES BLANK LIKE IT JUST SHUTS DOWN.
NHTSA complaint #10535425 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 187,000 milesLititz, PA
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A RATTLING NOISE AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEEL VALVE SEAT HAD BECOME SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE AND DROPPED INTO THE COMBUSTION CHAMBER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 187,000.
NHTSA complaint #10533110 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 94,312 milesRaleigh, NC
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO PARK AND THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED DUE TO OIL LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,312 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,312.
NHTSA complaint #10482897 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,226 milesOxford, MS
ENGINE
I OWN A 2002 FORD FOCUS ZX3 WITH A VERY LOW MILEAGE OF 45226. ON OCTOBER 12TH FRIDAY, I DROVE MY CAR TO THE UNIVERSITY, (~2 MILES FROM MY HOME) AND PARKED FOR A FEW MINUTES. THEN I STARTED DRIVING TOWARD THE COMMUTER PARKING LOT. HOWEVER, 30 SECONDS LATER, A HUGE ?CONTINUOUS KNOCKING? SOUND CAME OUT FROM THE ENGINE FOLLOWED BY WHITE SMOKE. THEN I SAW A VERY LARGE AMOUNT OF ENGINE OIL SPILL, DOWN THE ROAD. SINCE I COULD NO LONGER DRIVE THE CAR, I HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST GARAGE. THE MECHANIC CONCLUDED THAT ONE OF THE PISTON RODS HAVE BEEN BROKEN AND SPIKED THE ENGINE OIL SUMP. HE WAS CLUELESS ABOUT SEEING SUCH A MECHANICAL FAILURE FROM A LOW MILEAGE, WELL-MAINTAINED CAR. MOST SURPRISINGLY, THERE WERE THREE OTHER FORD FOCUS CARS WITH SIMILAR ENGINE FAILURES/DEFECTS. FOR A SMALL UNIVERSITY TOWN, FOUR CARS WITH SIMILAR DEFECTS IS NOT A NORMAL ISSUE. THE MAIN REASON FOR THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE I HAD TO GO THROUGH A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. THE CONTINUOUS KNOCKING AND WOBBLING THAT OCCURRED FOR A SPEED OF 18MPH, I COULD ONLY IMAGINE WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF I HAD BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY, 55+ MPH. THERE HAS TO BE A DEFECT OR ELSE THIS WOULD HAVE NOT HAPPENED TO A WELL MAINTAINED CAR WITH REGULAR OIL CHANGES, WHEEL ALIGNMENTS...ETC.
NHTSA complaint #10482454 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 140,200 milesEaston, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10444515 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 160,000 milesOverland Park, KS
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE IDLING, MY CAR IS TURNING OFF. IT ALSO DOES SO WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE AFTER SHIFTING THE CAR FROM P TO D. INITIALLY THE GAS CAP LIGHT ON THE DASHBOARD SIGNALED. I REPLACED THE CAP, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AFTERWARDS. NOW, THE CAR IS TURNING OFF COMPLETELY WHILE IDLING AND ONLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS LIT.
NHTSA complaint #10437382 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesBroadview, IL
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WITHOUT WARNING THE ENGINE BLEW! I SERVICE MY AUTO LIKE I'M SUPPOSE TO AND THIS HAPPENS. BY LOOKING ONLINE I SEE I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE. TRY FINDING A ENGINE FOR THIS CAR IS SO EXPENSIVE THAT IT'S RIDICULOUS! THAT LET ME KNOW I'M NOT ALONE! I CAN'T BELIEVE THE GOING RATE FOR THIS CAR'S ENGINE IS $1700! SO NOW I'M STUCK WITH A PIECE OF JUNK COSTING ME $3500 TO GET IT FIXED ONLY TO WAIT UNTIL THE NEXT SHOE FALLS!!
NHTSA complaint #10435259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 110,000 milesCromwell, CT
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE WITH A FAILED TIMING BELT. THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING REPAIRS. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO NOTIFY THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE SINCE THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 110,000.
NHTSA complaint #10430717 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Paris, KY
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
VEHICLE FAILED TO START AFTER COMPLETING A 30 MINUTE DRIVE AND BEING TURNED OFF FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES. CLICKING NOISES LIKE STARTER FAILING TO ENGAGE OR LOW BATTERY ENSUED. WHEN HOOD WAS LIFTED AND BATTERY COVER REMOVED AND CABLES AND CONNECTIONS WERE INSPECTED, IT WAS OBSERVED THAT THE POSITIVE CABLE OFF THE BACK OF THE POSITIVE BATTERY HARNESS WAS EXPOSED, THE INSULATION BEING ALMOST COMPLETELY MELTED. THE EXPOSED WIRES SHOWED SIGNS OF FRAYING AND BURNING. AFTER ATTEMPTING TO JUMP START THE VEHICLE ABOUT 3 TIMES AND WAITING ABOUT 20 MINUTES, THE VEHICLE STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ABOUT 20 MILES TO A SERVICE STATION AND INSPECTED BY THEIR MECHANICS. IT WAS DECIDED FOR SAFETY REASONS(FIRE HAZARD) TO LEAVE VEHICLE. IN 45 YEARS I HAVE NEVER KNOWN A BATTERY CABLE TO MELT EVEN THOUGH I HAVE HAD BAD CONNECTIONS, CORRODED TERMINALS AND HARNESS TO THE BATTERY AND EVEN BAD STARTERS. ALL OF THE ABOVE REASONS WERE THE ONLY SOLUTIONS OFFERED TO ME.
NHTSA complaint #10418788 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 113,000 milesVermilion, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER SHE WOULD DOWNSHIFT OR BRAKE TO A COMPLETE STOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE FUEL FILTER, ENGINE COIL PACK AND SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE AT LEAST THREE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE LOCAL DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.
NHTSA complaint #10414669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 88,000 milesHubart, IN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE ENGINE DROPPED DOWN ONTO THE DRIVE SHAFT. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND TOWED HOME. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BOLTS FOR THE ENGINE MOUNT FRACTURED DUE TO CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
NHTSA complaint #10412347 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 89,000 milesColumbia, SC
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING, THE SPARK PLUGS EJECT FROM THE BLOCK. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND CAN CAUSE AN ENGINE FIRE. THIS PROBLEM HAS APPARENTLY BEEN REPORTED TO FORD, BUT THEY CLAIM NOTHING CAN BE DONE UNTIL THEY RECEIVE A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS. THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THE SPARK PLUGS HAVE BEEN REPLACED FOUR TIMES ALONG WITH THE COIL. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND INCONVENIENT AND FORD NEEDS TO REMEDY THIS ISSUE EVERYONE IS HAVING WITH THEIR VEHICLES.
NHTSA complaint #10378686 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 98,200 milesHamilton, OH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED IT BEGAN TO SHAKE. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE STOPPED. APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH LATER A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN ILLUMINATING ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE ENGINE WAS MISFIRING. THE CONTACT WAS LATER TOLD THAT THE FAILURE WAS WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,200 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10373448 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SAN Francisco, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE STALLS WHEN STARTING THE CAR COLD AND WHEN STOPPED AT A LONG LIGHT. HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY CANNOT IDENTIFY ANY PROBLEMS. PROBLEM HAS BEEN PRESENT FOR LAST 6 YEARS AND IS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. HAVE CHANGED BATTERY AND FUEL FILTER BUT PROBLEM REMAINS.
NHTSA complaint #10365644 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 87,000 milesSaint Louis, MO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED SHE WAS UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY. THE MECHANIC FOUND THAT THE VALVE SEAT HAD FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE PISTON SKIRT TO FRACTURE ALONG WITH THE CONNECTING ROD. IN ADDITION, THE FAILURE CAUSED CYLINDER SCORING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 87,000. UPDATED 11/23/10
NHTSA complaint #10349625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 139,638 milesMemphis, TN
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SUDDENLY ON MY 2002 FORD FOCUS. IMMEDIATELY, I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP. THE TECHNICIAN COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM , THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULDN'T COME ON. THEREFORE, NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THEY DIDN'T UNDERSTAND WHY. WITHIN IN WEEK, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. THIS TIME THERE WAS A MISS IN THE ENGINE AND IT WAS RUNNING ROUGH. NOW, THE FORD DEALERSHIP MECHANIC TOLD ME MY FOCUS SE HAD A DROPPED VALVE AND IN THE #4 CYLINDER. INORDER TO FIX THE PROBLEM, THE HEAD OF THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REMOVED TO SEE IF THE DROPPING OF THE VALVE HAD CAUSED SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. BECAUSE THE SCHEDULED REQUIRED MAINTENANCE,I.E OIL CHANGES, ACCORDING TO FORD INSTRUCTIONS FOR MY FORD FOCUS, I THOUGHT THE ENGINE WOULD LAST. AFTER THIS EVENT, I BECAME CURIOUS ABOUT FORD FOCUS' ENGINES. WAS THIS AN ISOLATED MECHANICAL FLAW? OR WAS IT AN ENGINE DEFECT? FROM MY RESEARCH, THIS TYPE ENGINE FAILURE APPEARS TO BE FROM A DEFECT IN THE DESIGN OF THE 2.0 LITER EFI SPI TYPE OF ENGINES. FOR YEARS, I THOUGHT THE FORD FOCUS WAS A GREAT PRODUCT TO HAVE BECAUSE OF ITS RELIABILITY, IF YOU COMPLIED WITH SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE OF THE VEHICLE. IT APPEARS THAT I WAS WRONG. THE COST OF REPAIR FOR A WELL-MAINTAIN FOCUS ENGINE $6000.00. THERE IS A PATTERN TO THESE ENGINE FAILURES. SHOULD THE 2002 FOCUS BE RECALLED FOR ENGINE DEFECTS? ALL I KNOW IS THAT QUALITY WELL-MAINTAIN ENGINES SHOULDN'T HAVE DROPPED VALVES FOR NO APPARENT REASON. SO, IT MUST BE SOME TYPE OF ENGINES DESIGN DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #10349217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 113,000 milesNanticoke, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. WHILE DRIVING 5 TO 10 MPH, SHE HEARD A LOUD BANGING NOISE. SHE DROVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT AXLE LOOKED AS IF IT WAS GOING TO BREAK. SHE SAFELY DROVE THE VEHICLE TO HER RESIDENCE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR AND IT WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER AGAIN. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT BOTH FRONT AXLES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE DEALER ADVISED HER ON THE THIRD VISIT THAT THE FRONT AXLES THAT WERE REPLACED WERE DEFECTIVE AND THAT THE WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD AN EXHAUST LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 123,000.
NHTSA complaint #10341849 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Camuy, PR
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2002 FORD FOCUS SE STATION WAGON. CONSUMER STATES PROBLEM WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. ENGINE HAS STRONG NOISE. THE CONSUMER STATED IT TOOK THREE TIMES TO FIX THE TRANSMISSION. THE WINDOW REGULATORS WERE REPLACED FOUR TIMES, THE THERMOSTAT HOUSING FAILED TWICE WHICH CAUSED COOLANT LEAK. ALSO, THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAG SYSTEM AND THE COVER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE.
NHTSA complaint #10327372 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.