2002 Ford Focus Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 51about this part
- Share
- 5%of 939 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 51,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 51 complaints about the body and structure of the 2002 Ford Focus, 5% of the 939 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 51,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Front cross member on my 2002 Ford Focus rotted through. Failed ri state inspection. Was advise by rhode island attorney general who forwarded this complaint to you and advise me to follow up on it. I have pictures & dvd to show the severity of the rot. The rest of the undercarriage was still in excellent condition. Updated 06/22/10.”
NHTSA complaint #10334799, filed 2010-06, 130,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10532202, filed 2013-07, 181,000 miles“I bought this car brand new in september. The first problem the car had was that the pollen filter became blocked and it had been raining out so all the water from outside came right into my car and I got about an inch of water in the passenger side of my car all over the floor. The enxt thing that happened was my driver side front tire blew while driving down a road, there were no potholes and no curbs that I could have hit for this to happen. …”
NHTSA complaint #10069637, filed 2004-01, 10,000 miles“The front sub frame on my 2002 Ford Focus zts was completely rusted through and unable to support the front suspension. I also had my car inspected by a Ford dealer who passed it and told me nothing about how destroyed my sub frame was. When I took it to a mechanic they told me it was so bad I shouldn't be driving the vehicle. The bolts where even rusted out of the sub frame. Its believed that this also caused my motor mounts to have to be replaced. Cause such bad vibration that it ruined all my shocks, struts, and all 4 of my tires. The tires where only 5 months old and are destroyed.”
NHTSA complaint #10465910, filed 2012-07, 127,000 miles“While driving through a puddle, starter shorted and destroyed flywheel. Later it was found that water had gotten into transmission. In addition, a large amount of water was taken into the cab of the vehicle under the door seals. I was not stopped in the puddle, only moved through it. Due to the water incursion into the cab of the vehicle, the vehicle has been declared a total loss by my insurance. They fear electrical damage could result. …”
NHTSA complaint #10013598, filed 2003-03, 11,155 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10058100Sep 9, 2014Ford: due to high corrosion areas, where vehicles are operated for extended periods, lower control arm (lca) can separate from forward attachment of subframe. Model 2001-04 escape.
- 10058099Sep 9, 2014Ford: rear door latches are experiencing corrosion in pawl pivot area that prevent proper engagement of pawl into catch, when operated in areas causing high corrosion. Model…
- 10205032Jan 26, 2005Safety recall 05S27 - Rear door latch corrosion - requests for recall service action - built on or before 01/26/2005
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 6 | 1% |
| 2017 | 7 | 1% |
| 2016 | 14 | 1% |
| 2015 | 16 | 2% |
| 2014 | 63 | 2% |
| 2013 | 84 | 4% |
| 2012 | 332 | 9% |
| 2011 | 14 | 12% |
| 2010 | 24 | 8% |
| 2009 | 12 | 5% |
| 2008 | 41 | 16% |
| 2007 | 24 | 6% |
| 2006 | 15 | 7% |
| 2005 | 43 | 10% |
| 2004 | 14 | 4% |
| 2003 | 40 | 4% |
| 2002 | 51 | 5% |
| 2001 | 60 | 3% |
| 2000 | 138 | 4% |
| 1999 | 1 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2002 Ford Focus
277 complaintsSuspension
109 complaintsEngine cooling
103 complaintsAir bags
72 complaintsBrakes
72 complaintsFuel system
67 complaintsTires
62 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
58 complaintsSteering
53 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
45 complaintsWheels
36 complaintsOther or unknown
30 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Ford Focus
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology