Complaints
1,198
Crashes
107
Fires
23
Injuries
112
Fatalities
2
Recalls
0
Worst 2002 Ford Focus Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#1124 complaints
Electrical System:Ignition
Avg mileage:67,036 mi
Crash-related:1
Fires:1
#276 complaints
Electrical Faults
Avg mileage:78,298 mi
Fires:7
#352 complaints
Tire Defects
Avg mileage:29,277 mi
Crash-related:1
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2002 Ford Focus.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System:Ignition | 124 | 1 | 1 | 67,036 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 76 | — | 7 | 78,298 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 52 | 1 | — | 29,277 mi | |
| Electrical System:Ignition:Switch | 51 | 1 | — | 57,277 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 45 | 4 | — | 53,971 mi | |
| Airbags | 37 | 20 | — | 53,438 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 34 | 1 | 1 | 55,703 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 31 | — | 1 | 51,028 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 29 | 26 | 1 | 26,659 mi | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 27 | — | 1 | 69,898 mi | |
| Steering Defects | 26 | 8 | — | 40,741 mi | |
| Fuel Pump | 25 | — | — | 46,559 mi | |
| Latches / Locks | 24 | — | — | 90,075 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 22 | — | — | 66,151 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 22 | 3 | — | 38,407 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads | 21 | — | — | 22,549 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 21 | — | — | 20,607 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 19 | 1 | 1 | 53,500 mi | |
| Wheel Issues | 18 | 1 | — | 35,002 mi | |
| Structural Problems | 17 | — | — | 29,527 mi | |
| Suspension:Rear | 17 | — | — | 41,546 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 16 | — | 3 | 130,045 mi | |
| Suspension:Front | 16 | 1 | — | 84,215 mi | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 15 | — | — | 74,246 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 15 | 1 | — | 63,345 mi | |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 15 | — | — | 57,495 mi | |
| Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs | 12 | 1 | — | 73,933 mi | |
| Wheels:Rim | 12 | — | — | 11,579 mi | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 11 | — | — | 60,754 mi |
Electrical System:Ignition
124
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
67,036
Electrical Faults
76
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
7
Avg Miles
78,298
Tire Defects
52
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
29,277
Electrical System:Ignition:Switch
51
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
57,277
Suspension Failures
45
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
—
Avg Miles
53,971
Airbags
37
complaints
Crashes
20
Fires
—
Avg Miles
53,438
Engine & Cooling
34
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
55,703
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
31
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
51,028
Air Bags:Frontal
29
complaints
Crashes
26
Fires
1
Avg Miles
26,659
Gasoline Fuel System
27
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
69,898
Steering Defects
26
complaints
Crashes
8
Fires
—
Avg Miles
40,741
Fuel Pump
25
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
46,559
Latches / Locks
24
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
90,075
Automatic Transmission
22
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
66,151
Hydraulic Brakes
22
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
38,407
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Pads
21
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
22,549
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
21
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
20,607
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
19
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Avg Miles
53,500
Wheel Issues
18
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
35,002
Structural Problems
17
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
29,527
Suspension:Rear
17
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
41,546
Engine Problems
16
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Avg Miles
130,045
Suspension:Front
16
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
84,215
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
15
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
74,246
Unintended Acceleration
15
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
63,345
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls
15
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
57,495
Suspension:Front:Springs:Coil Springs
12
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
73,933
Wheels:Rim
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
11,579
Transmission / Drivetrain
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
60,754
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2002 Ford Focus. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Ford Focus Years
2002 Ford Focus — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2002 Ford Focus reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2002 Ford Focus has 1,198 NHTSA complaints, 107 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Electrical System:Ignition with 124 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2002 Ford Focus?
Top reported problems: Electrical System:Ignition (124 complaints, avg 67,036 mi); Electrical Faults (76 complaints, avg 78,298 mi); Tire Defects (52 complaints, avg 29,277 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2002 Ford Focus?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 56,169 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2002 Ford Focus?
NHTSA complaints for the 2002 Ford Focus include 107 crash-related reports, 23 fire reports, 112 injuries, and 2 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2002 Ford Focus have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2002 Ford Focus as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 2002 Ford Focus?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Ford Focus reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2002 Ford Focus
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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