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CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2002 Ford Focus 2.0L SOHC engine has a defect where the intake valve seat fails. The valve then falls into the cylinder, destroying the engine & most owner relationships with Ford in the process.

2.4

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
64,346 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Ford Focus accessories - exterior problems

accessories - exterior problem

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2002 Ford Focus Owner Comments

problem #15

Sep 122012

Focus 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 110,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Focus. While the vehicle was stationary, the rear passenger door latch and both front door latches fractured. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 110,000. Updated 11/08/16

- Bay City, MI, USA

problem #14

Aug 072015

Focus

  • 10,846 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Focus. While driving at any speed over a bump in the road, the hatch door indicator light display illuminated. The rear hatch latch opened on its own. The failure recurred numerous times. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V246000 (latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch). The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 10,846.

- Manhattan Beach, CA, USA

problem #13

Aug 072015

Focus

  • 136,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the rear passenger side door latch fractured. The contact stated that the rear passenger side door was inoperable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 05V030000 (latches, locks, linkages). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 136,000.

- Centerville, OH, USA

problem #12

Jul 062013

Focus

  • 181,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Xenia, OH, USA

problem #11

Aug 012010

Focus 4-cyl

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the driver side rear door latch malfunctioned and the door would not latch. The contact had to use tape in order for the door to remain closed. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who advised her that she would have to replace the entire door. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000. Updated 06/24/11 updated 06/30/11.

- Minneapolis, MN, USA

problem #10

May 212009

Focus

  • 129,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Focus. On May 20, 2009, when the contact attempted to open the rear passenger side door, he was unable to unlatch the lock. He took the vehicle to the dealer and they found that the rear passenger side door latch motor failed. A new motor would cost $400. The manufacturer stated that there was no recall for the failure; therefore, they would not assist. The current and failure mileages were 129,000.

- West Dundee, IL, USA

problem #9

Nov 162007

Focus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 70,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Henderson, NV, USA

problem #8

Mar 152005

Focus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer took vehicle to dealer for rear door problems. The two rear passenger doors were fixed as part of recall. Consumer said that on rear door one the latches broke, , and it was not part of the recall. When driving on the road the rear door will come open. When closing the rear door it must be slammed several times before door will stay shut, and even then while driving if vehicle was jarred by a bump or hole, door will still come open. Also, seat belts do not work properly, they will not latch most the time. But when they do latch they will not come unlatched to release passenger. Dealer said that consumer must pay to have seat belts repaired.

- Hinckly, OH, USA

problem #7

Mar 192005

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,000 miles
The front passenger side door latch failed. As a result, the occupant was trapped inside. A recall was issued for the rear door latch, but the front doors were no included.

- Port Clinton, OH, USA

problem #6

Sep 132004

Focus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles
The driver's side rear door will not latch. The consumer had taken the vehicle to the dealer where they ordered a new latch assembly which consumer had to pay out of her pocket. Also, the dealer also informed the consumer that a new latch assembly was being ordered for which the consumer would have to pay.

- New Baltimore, MI, USA

problem #5

Aug 022004

Focus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 60,050 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The rear passenger door sometimes will not latch shut. After looking at it, the catch just swings freely and doesn't grab the post. After repeated slamming of the door, it will work again for a short period. Opened once while driving. I keep a bunjie chord with me in case and I bungee it shut when it acts up. I don't have anyone sit in the rerar passengers seat.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #4

Mar 222004

Focus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles
Door lock self activation - while we were in the dealership, we were the third person of the day to complain about this problem. Since Ford put out the service bulletin on this problem in 2002, I would think they should pay the $184 for parts in addition to the $189 labor. This is an obvious defect in their manufacturing.

- Endicott, NY, USA

problem #3

Aug 192003

(reported on)

Focus

  • miles
Consumer noticed that passenger's side rear door was open. Upon locking door latch it will not lock in place, causing, consumer to secure vehicle.

- Brockton, MA, USA

problem #2

Jul 252002

Focus

  • Automatic transmission
  • 300 miles
Ford Focus: Back door will not always latch. My son almost fell out of the car, thankfully he was strapped into his car seat. I shut the door and was driving away when the door flew open. Focus is white, only 1 1/2 old and has rust spots all over the car. The trunk of the car has the most rust.the radio dial has melted feels like you are playing with bubble gum. Have also had problems keeping the car on the road in rain and snow. I take the turnpike to work and feel that I am going to slide into another car if I go faster then 25 miles an hour in the rain or snow.

- Garrettsville, OH, USA

problem #1

Dec 252002

Focus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 16,000 miles
It all started on christmas day of 2002. My car was only 6 months old and the starter went out. About four months later I began to have problems with the automatic locks. Sometimes the doors would lock all by themselves and at other times they would not lock at all. I reported this problem to the dealership and the service rep informed me that they could do nothing about it unless it was acting up at the time I brought it in. Well, by the time I would get to the dealership everything was ok again. On the 7th of July I took my car to have the oil changed. When I left the dealership all the gauges on my dash were flipping all the way to the right and coming back again. And my battery light was on. I went right back to service dept. They drove the car and (surprise!) it would not do it again. They said they may have spilled some coolant on the belt and it was just losing voltage. As soon as the coolant wore off it should not do it again. On july17 I was driving my car and I looked at my gages and none of them were working. It was just like the car was not even started. I made a U-turn and went to the service dept. They told me to bring in the next day and they would give me a rental car until they could find the problem. The same afternoon they call me and tell my car is ready. I ask if they have fixed the problem and the rep informs me that they could find nothing wrong with the car (after only one day with it!). well they must think I'm some kind of hypochondriac for my car! I told her that I was not coming to get that car until they found the problem and fixed it. I can not tell how fast I am going and I'm sure they wouldn't like to pay for any speeding tickets.

- Colfax, LA, USA

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