Model year record

2002 Ford Focus Svt recalls & problems

The 2002 Ford Focus Svt has 1 safety recall and 32 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is electrical system (7 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints32filed by owners

Crashes · fires1 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths1 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Vehicle speed controlApr 18, 2002

Cruise control

Recall 02V117000534 vehicles

Problem: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT WITH MANUAL TRANSAXLES, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE TO HANG UP AT THE THROTTLE BODY BRACKET DURING HIGH, WIDE OPEN THROTTLE OPERATION, PREVENTING THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE CLOSED POSITION WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS RELEASED.
Risk: IF THIS CONDITION WERE TO OCCUR, IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO DEPRESS THE CLUTCH AND APPLY THE BRAKE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY AND CHECK FOR PROPER OPERATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 25, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Electrical systemHorn; Wiring › Interior/under dash	7	0	0	17,359 mi
Power trainClutch assembly; Manual transmission › Floor shift assembly	5	0	0	52,151 mi
TiresSidewall	4	0	0	9,371 mi
Engine and engine coolingExhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe	3	0	0	8,729 mi
Fuel system, gasolineStorage; Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	3	0	0	—
SuspensionRear	3	1	0	18,000 mi
VisibilityPower window devices and controls; Sun/moon roof assembly	3	0	0	—
Seat beltsFront › Retractor; Rear/other	2	0	0	—
StructureBody › Hood; Frame and members	2	0	0	—
SteeringHydraulic power assist system	2	0	0	—
Latches/locks/linkagesHatchback/liftgate › Lock; Doors › Latch	2	0	0	—
Air bagsSide/window	2	0	1	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Electronic stability control (esc)
CAR PERIODICUALY LOOSES ALL POWER TO DASH BATERRY EVERYTHING COMPLETLY I'VE REPLACE BATTERY ALTINATOR CLUSTER LIGHT IT SEEMS IF I USE MY LIGHT IT HAPPENS MORE OR ANYTIME I STOP OR SLOW DOW IT STALLS AND WILL NOT START WITHOUT A JUMP THEN IT WILL BE GREAT AGAIN SOMETIMES FOR A DAY SOMETES A WEEK IT S VERY IRRADICUL AND THROTLE GETS STUCK REVING UP HIGH THEN OTHER TESTS IDLES WAY TOO LOW AND DOES
Aug 1, 2018 · 135,000 miles
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS SVT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE AND OFFERED NOT ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AS APPROXIMATELY 74,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 74,988.
Jul 1, 2012 · 74,000 miles
Electrical system
NOTICED THAT MY DASH BOARD HIGH BEAM FOR MY HEADLIGHTS WAS STAYING ON. TOOK TO WHEEL WORKS AND THEY TOLD ME ITS THE WIRING HARNESS FOR MY HEADLIGHTS. THEY TOLD ME IT IS MELTING AND NEED TO TAKE TO THE DEALER. I BOUGHT MY CAR BRAND NEW AND PAID CASH FOR IT WITH EXTRAS ADDED ON TO IT. I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR AND I GET NO HELP. I NEED TO KNOW IF THIS HAS BEEN ON A RECALL. I AM ON A VERY LIMITED INCOME AND CANNOT AFFORD THIS TO COME OUT OF MY POCKET. *TR
Nov 1, 2012 · 35,000 miles
Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS SVT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRYING TO CLOSE THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, THE DOOR FAILED TO LATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V030000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH) AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED CONCERNING THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 159,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
May 1, 2012 · 155,000 miles
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS SVT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE BOLT LOCATED UNDERNEATH THE AIR BAG THAT HOLDS THE STEERING WHEEL IN PLACE DISENGAGED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT LOST ALL STEERING CAPABILITIES BUT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS FAULTY, AS A RESULT THE ELECTRICAL FAILURE CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO FALL OFF AND THE BOLT TO BE LOOSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,000.
Feb 7, 2011 · 77,000 miles
Vehicle speed control
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS SVT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND BECAME STUCK IN THE OPEN THROTTLE POSITION. THE SPEED INCREASED TO 90 MPH. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MANUALLY RELEASE THE PEDAL; HOWEVER, THE PEDAL WOULD NOT MOVE UNTIL HE USED EXCESSIVE FORCE. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP UNTIL THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL GEAR. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE SO THAT IT COULD BE TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE THROTTLE CABLE. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V117000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE…
May 30, 2010 · 75,000 miles
Suspension › Rear
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS SVT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE IN TWO WHILE HE WAS DRIVING AT APPROX 5 MPH. HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE DROPPED TO THE GROUND. HE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR CONTROL ARM BROKE AND THE DRIVER SIDE REAR CONTROL ARM WAS CRACKED AND ABOUT TO EXPERIENCE THE SAME FAILURE. BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.
Oct 21, 2009 · 100,000 miles
Visibility › Power window devices and controls
DAMAGE TO DRIVER'S SIDE POWER WINDOW MECHANISM FAILING TO RAISE AND/OR LOWER WINDOW GLASS IN VEHICLE. WINDOW OPERATOR REQUIRES GREASE TO OPERATE PROPERLY WHICH WAS NOT PRESENT AFTER CLOSER EXAMINATION OF PARTS. PARTS WERE DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR AND ARE IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. *TR
Nov 6, 2007 · 64,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.