The Lemon Index2002 Ford Focus.
The 2002 Ford Focus is worse than average by owner complaints: 489 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 193, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 8 recalls, and it gets 25 to 28 mpg combined. The best Ford Focus year is 2011.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 939 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Ford Focus year. 2002 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 25K to 83K miles on the car (602 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- electrical complaints mostly came at 42K–89K miles
- suspension complaints mostly came at 30K–88K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 15K–89K miles
Recalls 8
- equipment 2012
RIDE CONTROL, LLC (RIDE CONTROL) IS RECALLING CERTAIN READYMOUNT ASSEMBLIES, P/N 746641MT AND 746646MT, WITH CORRESPONDING AFTERMARKET CUSTOMER PART NUMBERS: GABRIEL G56944 AND GABRIEL G56945, AND PRIVATELY BRANDED PARTS…
- lights 2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- lights 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Show all 8 recalls
- lights 2008
K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES.
- fuel system, gasoline 2006
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- lights 2006
CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
- lights 2006
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.
- latches/locks/linkages 2005
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 HAMP…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 143 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Subject regarding rear liftgate spoiler removal and installation.*jb
- Vacuum or air leaks in the intake manifold and / or engine system causing
- Engine vibration at idle, most noticeable when engaged in reverse
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedFleet vehicle recall completion audit2010–2015
- ClosedEngine compartment fires2002
- ClosedEngine stalling2002–2004
- ClosedFront susp collapse/wheel separation2002–2003
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★☆ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2300–2550 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
While driving applied the brakes and pedal went to the floor and there were no brakes. As result, consumer's vehicle collided with a guard rail. Dealer could not duplicate or correct the problem.
2002 Ford Focus owner · NHTSA complaint 10046387
More owner reports
Consumer states when starting the vehicle in the morning, the brakes would not work.
NHTSA complaint 10031724
Upon entering the vehicleand engaging the key engine would not turn over. Also, the key worked intermittently, and sometimes it would not unlock the doors. Ignition lock cylinder failure.
NHTSA complaint 10112820
Quick answers
Is the 2002 Ford Focus reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.9× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 193; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ford Focus year by this measure is 2011.
What are the most common 2002 Ford Focus problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (21%), brakes (15%) and engine (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2002 Ford Focus have?
8 safety recalls (latest: equipment). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Ford Focus get?
25 to 28 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2002 Ford Focus problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 25,000 and 83,000 miles. The middle report was at 53,000 miles, from 602 complaints.
Does the 2002 Ford Focus have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2002 Ford Focus cost in fuel a year?
About $2300 to $2550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2002 Ford Focus have?
2.0L 4-cyl.
What Ford Focus year is better than the 2002?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2011, 2010 and 2015.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works