2002 Ford Focus Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 58about this part
- Share
- 6%of 939 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40,350miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 58 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2002 Ford Focus, 6% of the 939 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,350 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.
“45,000 mile car has leaking clutch master cylinder. Clutch pedal is wet and slippery with brake fluid. I've had to add brake due to the leak. I'm afraid that my brakes will go out or that my foot will slip off of the clutch pedal. I still havn't had it fixed yet because the replacement part will likely fail also. It's a common problem according to the dealer I took it to for an estimate.”
NHTSA complaint #10146545, filed 2005-12, 45,000 miles“After stopping at a stop light I was shifting through the gears on my manual transmission and when I went to shift in to 2nd gear, I missed 2nd and accidentally went into 4th but realized it before letting off the clutch, it then got stuck and would not move from that gear. I could not get anywhere to get it fixed so I was forced to sit on the side of a major road in 20 degree weather for more than 45 minutes.”
NHTSA complaint #10144174, filed 2005-12, 50,900 miles“My foot pad on my clutch pedal became slippery due to leaking hydraulic fluid out of my clutch master cylinder on my 2002 Ford Focus zx3. Now I have stains all over my carpeting and shoes. My clutch began not releasing due to this as well and the plate burned up.”
NHTSA complaint #10146733, filed 2006-01, 50,000 miles“I own a 2002 Ford Focus with 54000 miles on it and just last week had a problem with the transmission. When the car acelerated to 30 MPH it would not engage into 3rd gear until you out more pressure on the gas. I took it to a Ford dealer and they had it for 1 1/2 days and came back with an I think it's a ring in the transmission, but not for sure they want to charge me over $400 to take the transmission out to see if it's this ring!! And if it's not this ring they think it is then I'm out $400+. …”
NHTSA complaint #10261958, filed 2009-03, 55,000 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
- 10017922Jun 7, 2005Difficult or unable to shift into 5th gear.
- 10014667Mar 1, 2005Harsh transmission engagement and or dtc p0705.
- 10014656Mar 1, 2005VENT LEAK.
- 10014086Dec 13, 2004General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures.
- 10014596Dec 1, 2004Harsh transmission engagement and or dtc p0705.
- 10013391Nov 1, 2004Transaxle noise at idle in neutral with clutch pedal released premature clutch.
- 10013367Nov 1, 2004Difficulty changing gears - unable to engage gears.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 319 | 38% |
| 2017 | 455 | 51% |
| 2016 | 674 | 57% |
| 2015 | 559 | 55% |
| 2014 | 1,576 | 60% |
| 2013 | 1,102 | 52% |
| 2012 | 1,447 | 38% |
| 2011 | 20 | 18% |
| 2010 | 45 | 16% |
| 2009 | 39 | 17% |
| 2008 | 23 | 9% |
| 2007 | 43 | 11% |
| 2006 | 14 | 7% |
| 2005 | 47 | 11% |
| 2004 | 20 | 5% |
| 2003 | 48 | 5% |
| 2002 | 58 | 6% |
| 2001 | 90 | 5% |
| 2000 | 225 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2002 Ford Focus
277 complaintsSuspension
109 complaintsEngine cooling
103 complaintsAir bags
72 complaintsBrakes
72 complaintsFuel system
67 complaintsTires
62 complaintsSteering
53 complaintsBody and structure
51 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 29, 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