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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.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
39,546 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 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2002 Ford Focus Owner Comments

problem #9

Feb 222007

Focus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 117,300 miles

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

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Focus. While driving 55 mph on the highway he attempted to use the cruise control and it activated and deactivated without warning. The vehicle lost power and shut off. No warning indicator lights illuminated. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle and it was towed. The road conditions were clear. The dealer informed the contact that the battery cables were corroded and the power lead fuse panel was inoperable, the cables and ground circuits needed to be replaced. The mechanic repaired the vehicle. The failure and current mileage was 117,300. Updated 03/19/07.

- Lagrange, KY, USA

problem #8

Jul 182006

Focus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,823 miles
: the contact stated the vehicle would not start on three different occasions. A new battery was installed but the problem persisted. The vehicle was taken to the dealership who determined the battery connector cable to the motor was the source of the problem and a new connector was installed. The contact was aware of recall #02V288000, pertaining to the electrical system:battery:cables which described the vehicle's electrical defect. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN. Updated 8/31/2006 -

- Woodstock, NY, USA

problem #7

Aug 052006

Focus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 47,000 miles
My 2002 Ford Focus SE wagon has had innumerable problems. Firstly..melting battery cables due to poor and faulty wiring that could have caused an explosion of the battery had I not had to pay to get it fixed along with purchase of two new batteries thanks to the melting battery cables causing a short in the system. It subsequently killed the alternator which had to be replaced. It also subsequently killed the thermostat and the solenoid switch which caused overheating and dying problems with the car while driving. Most recently the passenger side wheel bearing went out and was causing driving problems unable to control car. Now more recently, it had to have a faulty tie rod placed which nearly caused me to have an accident. And as of last Friday, its back in the shop again this time for engine stalling at 65 miles per hour which nearly caused yet another accident because I was passing another car and mine suddenly began vibrating so bad and then lost power and I had to struggle my way to the median. This car is dangerous and Ford refuses to do nothing about it. I have paid out nearly $2000 on all these problems which were similar to issues already recalled and yes I am mad. I have called Ford and complained but to no avail.

- Knoxville , TN, USA

problem #6

Aug 242005

Focus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 45,116 miles

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

Battery cable failure identical to those recalled in 2000-2001 Ford Focus (02V288000) in a vehicle manufactured very early in 2002 model year. Failure initially caused engine to miss while driving, causing it to lurch severely with a loud 'bang'. dealer (berge Ford, mesa, AZ, 8/05/2005) had vehicle 3 days, found no problem. Vehicle became incapacitated 8/24/2005, cable was replaced at dealer (holmes-tuttle Ford, tucson, AZ, $500 battery cable!), but not returned to us.

- Mesa, AZ, USA

problem #5

Aug 182005

Focus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,100 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Focus and she was having problems with the electrical system. Horn failed three times in one year, but the main problem was that on 8-18-05, when she started the car, it was slow to start then it just would not start at all. She thought the battery was bad, but it was good and the alternator was good. She took it to a mechanic and they told her the wire that connected the battery on the left side was burned out. They would not let her drive the car because they said the car could catch on fire. She had it towed to Ford. Who told her that there are no recalls. The contact cited recall 02V288000; regarding the electrical system/ battery cables.

- Pflugerville, TX, USA

problem #4

Apr 182005

Focus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 41,000 miles
While driving at 30 mph, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was towed to the dealership. The battery cable melted and the alternator was bad and needed replacement. A week prior, the check engine light came on and smoke had come from the engine compartment. The fourth gear went out because it's wire connection melted. The consumer felt the failures were due to the engine misplaced cable problem as stated in recall 02V288000.

- Lafayette, CO, USA

problem #3

Aug 252004

Focus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 36,124 miles

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

1. car stalled 1 day while going around a right corner. Car also stalled another day. On Aug. 25 car stalled while driving down the road. Everything electrical went out. When pulled over noticed smoke coming from hood then through the air vents. Car was towed to a Ford dealer and the battery, the battery cover and the battery cables were replaced at no charge.

- Bethalto, IL, USA

problem #2

Dec 122003

Focus 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,452 miles
2002 Ford Focus ZX5 hatchback model was purchased new from lafres Ford. The check engine light keeps coming on and stays on. Various electrical problems have occurred and various parts have been replaced (documented on all service reports) the check engine light has been a problem from day one and I have experienced other parts burned and replaced in the past, ie cooling fan harness and resistor burnt, burn smell when A/C is in use or the heator, replacement of battery. (car is still under warranty) I continually take the car back and forth to the dealer to have the check engine light corrected. (no reimbursement of toll/bridges and days off from work to have this car properly serviced, no reimbursement of rental cars) when I get the car back the check engine light is off and two days later it is back on again. I periodically call my service advisor at the service department telling him that I just picked up the car and within 24 hours the check engine light came on again. My service advisor tells me that the check engine light does not mean anything and I could drive around with the light onindefinetly althought the light is a nuisance. On 12/11/03 while driving, the check engine light which was already on, the battery light indicator came on, I immediately called the dealer service department and explained to my service advisor of the problem, it was late Friday afternoon, he stated that was not a good sign and advised me to seek service at a Ford service station. Took car to universal Ford. The car began to emit a burning smell I arrived at the dealer service stations and was told that my alternator was no good and that the harness hand burned and all the wires had melted. That is truly an unsafe car, this problem could have caused the car catch on fire and I could have been seriously injured, or become a fatality or others could have gotten hurt. The car is currently at the universal Ford dealer service station.

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #1

Jun 202003

Focus

  • miles
My 2002 Ford Focus caught on fire late one night. The vehicle is no longer able to be driven. A engine compartment fire on the drivers side in the area of the battery is where it started. The dealer refuses to cover the loss. The date of the incident listed below may be incorrect I can provide you with the correct date soon.

- Bealeton, VA, USA

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