2002 Ford Focus Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 21about this part
- Share
- 2%of 939 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 13,040miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 21 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 2002 Ford Focus, 2% of the 939 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 13,040 miles. 3 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.
“I am writing this for two incidents happened within a two week time frame. 1. The engine had to be replaced since one piston pin had broken due to which the whole piston had broken inside the engine. The whole engine had to be replaced as per mechanics suggestion. I have the invoice from the mechanic shop and the mechanic would gladly provide more details if needed. 2. This was scary ! While driving at 70 miles an hour on cruise,the car would not come out of cruise control and constantly accelerated even after trying to use brakes. …”
NHTSA complaint #10748354, filed 2015-08, 327,000 miles“I have a 2002 Ford Focus se w/ 5 speed manual transmission and cruise control plus other options. On date listed, I was traveling at 65 MPH on a 4 lane hwy approaching a traffic light. The car was in 5th gear w/ the cruise control on. Upon touching the brake pedal to turn off the cruise control and begin braking, neither event happened. I tried 3x to get the cruise control to turn off by pressing the brake pedal hard. It failed all three times. By then, I was rapidly approaching a group of cars in both northbound lanes of ga hwy 365 completely standing still waiting for the light to change. …”
NHTSA complaint #10038698, filed 2003-09, 13,040 miles“Dt: the contact stated when starting the vehicle the engine will rev without warning. This problem only occurs on morning starts and in cold temperatures. He immediately turns off the ignition and restarts the vehicle. This procedure remedies the problem. He plans to take the vehicle to a dealer for further inspection of the problem. The replaced the throttle position sensor. Updated 12/27/05.”
NHTSA complaint #10143434, filed 2005-11, 12,700 miles“While driving the vehicle, the cruise control would not work properly. The dealer was not notified. When the consumer disengaged the transmission, the engine began racing uncontrollably. The consumer felt that this was caused by omission in the logic design of the cruise control system.”
NHTSA complaint #10050058, filed 2004-02, 7,000 miles“While driving 65 MPH with cruise control on the vehicle stalled. The vehicle would not restart. Consumer managed to pull over, and left vehicle over night. The vehicle started up the next day with no problem. Dealership was notified but the problem was not resolved.”
NHTSA complaint #10046483, filed 2003-11, 60,000 milesVehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 | 27 | 3% |
| 2017 | 37 | 4% |
| 2016 | 36 | 3% |
| 2015 | 42 | 4% |
| 2014 | 164 | 6% |
| 2013 | 112 | 5% |
| 2012 | 166 | 4% |
| 2011 | 9 | 8% |
| 2010 | 50 | 17% |
| 2009 | 33 | 14% |
| 2008 | 14 | 6% |
| 2007 | 27 | 7% |
| 2006 | 25 | 12% |
| 2005 | 45 | 10% |
| 2004 | 18 | 5% |
| 2003 | 14 | 1% |
| 2002 | 21 | 2% |
| 2001 | 66 | 4% |
| 2000 | 170 | 5% |
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 complaintsBody and structure
51 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
45 complaintsWheels
36 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Ford Focus
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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