Known Recalls

Model year record

2002 Ford Focus

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 1,198 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 05V030000

Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch

Component
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
Manufacturer
FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected
589,932
Reported to NHTSA
2005-02-01
Owners notified
2005-03-09

Defect description

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH FOUR OR FIVE DOORS AND ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, A BUILD-UP OF CORROSION AT THE PAWL PIVOT AREA OF THE REAR DOOR LATCH CAN CAUSE A BINDING CONDITION OF THE PAWL THAT MAY AFFECT PROPER ENGAGEMENT OF THE PAWL INTO THE CATCH. THE OCCUPANT MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY OPENING OR CLOSING A REAR DOOR, AND EVENTUALLY THE REAR DOOR MAY NOT LATCH PROPERLY.

Safety risk

IF NOT LATCHED PROPERLY, THE DOOR MAY OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. IF AN OCCUPANT FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE, PERSONAL INJURIES COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL HAVE A LOWER ROCKER SEAL ADDED TO THE DOOR AND HAVE THE REAR DOOR LATCHES EVALUATED FREE OF CHARGE. A LATCH THAT PASSES THE EVALUATION WILL BE LUBRICATED TO PREVENT FUTURE CORROSION. A LATCH THAT DOES NOT PASS THE EVALUATION WILL BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, A STICKER WILL BE AFFIXED TO THE REAR DOORS ADVISING THE OWNERS TO USE THE RECOMMENDED LUBRICANT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 9, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system: ignition12466,000 mi
Electrical system7669,411 mi
Tires5218,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch5158,000 mi
Suspension4538,200 mi
Air bags3759,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling3433,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine3153,000 mi
Air bags: frontal2928,000 mi
Unknown or other2917,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline2761,000 mi
Steering2630,422 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump2545,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages2480,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission2238,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic2237,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads2122,314 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor2122,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1932,000 mi
Wheels1815,000 mi
Structure1712,000 mi
Suspension: rear1738,000 mi
Engine16125,000 mi
Suspension: front1669,390 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1560,050 mi
Vehicle speed control1512,700 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls1544,304 mi
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs1271,000 mi
Wheels: rim127,000 mi
Power train1155,000 mi
Power train: clutch assembly1139,700 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery: cables941,000 mi
Structure: body: door970,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system8113,000 mi
Equipment818,000 mi
Exterior lighting864,000 mi
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device847,700 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing747,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt719,000 mi
Air bags: side/window665,450 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator641,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring63,452 mi
Power train: manual transmission621,470 mi
Seat belts659,000 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly616,000 mi
Structure: body6100,000 mi
Structure: frame and members666,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery516,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system540,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock547,072 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip523,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system59,600 mi
Electrical system: starter assembly416,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.425,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings473,180 mi
Fuel/propulsion system473,000 mi
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)438,000 mi
Seats41,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components415,000 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields460,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint425,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control413,040 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer414,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module354,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control3—
Fuel system, other: delivery341,800 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc3—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar36,000 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate3—
Structure: body: trunk lid3300 mi
Tires: sidewall310 mi
Visibility380,000 mi
Wheels: hub354,429 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel266,300 mi
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module262,798 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood2—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers23,452 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash22,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan237,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)217,000 mi
Equipment adaptive/mobility290,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner2—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery2—
Fuel system, other: delivery: fuel pump22,000 mi
Power train: axle assembly2113,000 mi
Seat belts: front223,820 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor21,000 mi
Service brakes, air215,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder214,053 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages213,040 mi
Steering: column2106,500 mi
Steering: rack and pinion2—
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments250 mi
Suspension: front: control arm2—
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint29,600 mi
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar226,000 mi
Suspension: multiple axle2—
Suspension: rear: axle: non-powered axle assembly247,000 mi
Suspension: rear: axle: spindle229,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal213,040 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system2—
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly212,000 mi
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs242,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module174,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module150,000 mi
Child seat1—
Electrical system: wiring: rear compartment/trunk1200,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys116,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe113,000 mi
Equipment: electrical1—
Equipment: other: owners/service/other manual1—
Exterior lighting: brake lights1—
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch162,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights12,000 mi
Exterior lighting: tail lights1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal125,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1—
Interior lighting1175,778 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hatchback/liftgate: lock1—
Parking brake1150,000 mi
Parking brake: conventional: mechanical: linkage and cable150,000 mi
Parking brake: driveline: hydraulic: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1125,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)186,302 mi
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)1—
Seats: mid/rear assembly134,000 mi
Service brakes1—
Service brakes, air: disc: caliper120,678 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: pads120,678 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor120,600 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper114,692 mi
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm140,500 mi
Structure: body: bumpers1—
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1200 mi
Structure: body: tailgate1—
Suspension: front: hub140,500 mi
Suspension: front: macpherson strut188,033 mi
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer: switch/wiring122,000 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor158,000 mi
Wheels: hubcap/cover110,000 mi

The 2001 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2003 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.