2002 FORD FOCUS Electrical System Problems

I drive a 2002 Ford Focus Sedan. My engine light is on, warning light for trunk door ajar light is on (even though the trunk is securely locked, my front headlights due not work consistently (sometimes work, sometimes don't). My trunk does not always latch secure after I close it as well. I took my car to Advanced Auto Parts and had my engine light diagnosed. Engine codes that resulted were: B1318, B1881, C1947, B2438, B2434, P0457. The representative tested my battery and found that the voltage was slightly lower than it should be. My concern is for my safety as well as the safety of others. Do we have some manufacturer defects on this particular vehicle? Have other concerns which could be the result of vehicle wear and tear, or/and due to manufacturer defects as well. Inner tie rods need replaced as well as control arms/bushings, as reported to...

REAR RIGHT PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT UNLOCK/OPEN. WHEN TRYING TO UNLOCK I DON'T HEAR THE SOLENOID MOVING. WHEN TRYING TO OPEN FROM EITHER INSIDE OR OUT IF FEELS LIKE THE HANDLE ISN'T MOVING ANYTHING.

HATCH SWITCH FAILED .GHOST ELECTRICAL PROBLEM HAVING WIPER COME ON AT TIMES.WIRING HARNESS INSIDE RUBBER BOOT LOCATED WHERE HINGES BETWEEN HATCH AND VEHICLE BODY DEVELOPE BARE AND BROKEN WIRES. FOUND THIS AFTER CHECKING ALL FUSES AND SWITCHES. THIS IS APPARENTLY COMMON AS SEEN ON YOU TUBE AND SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY REPORTED. PLEASE REPLY AS TO WHY THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALL. SURELY DEALERS HAVE ENCOUNTERED THIS DEFECT. LIKE ONE INDIVIDUAL SAID HIS DOG COULD HAVE FLEW OUT THE REAR GOING 70. NOT TO MENTION FIRE.MINE BLEW NO FUSES. *TR

EVER SINCE I HAVE HAD THIS CAR AND SINCE THE WARRANTY RAN OUT IN 2005, I HAVE NOTHING BUT REPAIRS. FIRST, THE RADIO NEEDED TO BE REPLACES, THEN THE BRAKES, THEN THE LOCKS ON BOTH DOORS AND THEN THE BRAKES AGAIN, HIGH BEAM LIGHT NEVER GOES OFF, ALWAYS ON AND NOW THE RADIATOR. THIS CAR IS 12 YEARS OLD, HAS LESS THAN 50,000 MILES ON IT AND IT HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT TROUBLE. I LIVE ON A LIMITED INCOME AND CANNOT AFFORD ALL THESE REPAIRS AND FORD COULD CARE LESS. IF I EVER BUY ANOTHER CAR, IT WILL NOT BE A FORD. THIS IS WHY THE NAME STANDS FOR: FIX OR REPAIR DAILY. I AM NOT ASKING FOR MONEY BUT IF YOU WANT TO THROW SOME MY WAY THANKS AND IF NOT THANKS. *TR

IGNITION CYLINDER IN STEERING COLUMN IS FROZEN. KEY INSERTS BUT WILL NOT TURN AT ALL. CANNOT START THE CAR, SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL, ETC. *TR

ALTERNATOR PULLING TO MUCH FIRE FROM THE BATTERY. *TR

CAR WHEN WARMED UP AND DURING INTERCITY DRIVING WILL RANDOMLY CUT OUT WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS NOT DEPRESSED. CAR SHUTS OFF AND BECOMES HARD TO STEER AND CONTROL. HAVE ALMOST BEEN HIT AND NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT'S WRONG. IT DOES THIS INTERMITTENTLY. ALSO THE CAR HAS THE UPDATED THERMOSTAT HOUSING AND THE THERMOSTAT STILL TENDS TO OVERHEAT. HAVE CONTACTED FORD AND CALL CENTER EMPLOYEE DID NOT SEEM TOO ENTHUSIASTIC TO HELP. OFFERED TO FIND ME A FORD DEALER BUT NOT SOMEONE FROM THEIR SAFETY OFFICE. ALSO, CAR HAD OLD STYLE IGNITION CYLINDER WHICH LOCKED BACK IN FEBRUARY. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM... AFTERMARKET HAVE THE SAME DESIGN. *TR

DECKLID WIRING HARNESS CAN FATIGUE AND DEVELOP BROKEN WIRES IN THE BEND AREA OF THE HINGE. SIMILAR TO NHTSA RECALL ID# 00V411000. CONSEQUENCES: THIS COULD RESULT IN EITHER A LOSS OF INDIVIDUAL LAMP FUNCTIONS, OR IN THE CASE OF A SHORT OF THE BROKEN WIRES THAT CAUSES A FUSE TO OPEN, IN THE LOSS OF STOP LAMP OR TAIL LAMP FUNCTION. LOSS OF STOP LAMP OR TAIL LAMP FUNCTION COULD INCREASE THE RISK OF A CRASH. *TR

VEHICLE TOWED TO FORD DEALER BECAUSE IT WOULD NOT START. UPON INSPECTION, DEALERSHIP FOUND FRONT SUB FRAME COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. SAID IT IS "ONE POTHOLE AWAY FROM THE ENGINE FALLING OUT; TOTALLY UNSAFE TO DRIVE." RUSTING ALSO CAUSED CORROSION IN WIRES FROM IGNITION TO STARTER, RESULTING IN CAR NOT STARTING. THIS CAR WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW, HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT, ONLY DRIVEN 5,000 MILES PER YEAR BY ELDERLY COUPLE. OBVIOUSLY THE METAL USED IN SUB FRAME WAS NOT PROPERLY COATED. WILL COST THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX, IF IT IS DEEMED WORTH FIXING! SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED IF THIS ENGINE HAD INDEED FALLEN OUT WHILE IN MOTION! *TR

WHILE WAITING AT A CONSTRUCTION SITE THE ENGINE DIED AND WOULD NOT START (THE ENGINE INDICATOR LIT). THE BRAKE LIGHTS, POWER WINDOWS, AND REAR HATCH RELEASE ALSO FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE PERSONAL MECHANIC REPORTED THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS TO THE REAR HATCH HAD FAILED WHERE IS PASSED BETWEEN THE BODY AND THE HATCH DOOR. THE HARNESS ELECTRICAL INSULATION WAS CRACKED ON THE ENTIRE BUNDLE OF WIRES AND SHEDDING FRAGMENTS CAUSING SOME WIRES TO SHORT, THE 15 AMP FUSE FOR THE BRAKE LIGHTS HAD EVIDENCE OF HEATING, BUT DID NOT BLOW, RATHER, WIRES LEADING TO THE BRAKE PEDAL SENSOR, THE 15 AMP FUSE, AND ALONG THE HARNESS BACK TO THE SHORT IN THE REAR WIRING HARNESS NEAR THE CENTER BRAKE LIGHT HAD DISCOLORED AND WERE MELTED IN SOME SEGMENTS. FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE SAID TO CONSULT A FORD SERVICE CENTER TO DETERMINE IF THERE WAS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT....

THE MOTOR ON THE SUN ROOF AND ALL OF MY WINDOWS WENT OUT THE HANDLE ON DOOR FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER FELL OFF THE ,REAR DOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE ON THE INSIDE JUST FELL APART SOMETIMES YOU CAN'T OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE OR THE OUTSIDE ITS LIKE THEY FREEZE UP AND A DAY LATER THEY OPEN (THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE ) SOMETIMES MY CAR JUST DIES OUT AND ALL OF THE PANEL GOES BLANK LIKE IT JUST SHUTS DOWN. *TR

HAVING INTERMINENT ELECTRICAL ISSUES. WOULD START UP AND RUN FINE FOR A PERIOD OF TIME, THEN THE 2002 FORD FOCUS WOULD JUST STOP RUNNING. AS TIME PASSED THE ISSUE GREW WORSE, NOW THE FOCUS WILL NOT RUN AT ALL. THE DEALERSHIP COUD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND COULD NOT FIX IT. *TR

VEHICLE RUNS FINE WHEN WE GO INTO SCHOOL/BUSINESS OR WHAT EVER WE PARK AND COME OUT AND THE VEHICLE DOES NOT START, AFTER 1/2 HOUR TO AN HOUR THE VEHICLE STARTS AND NO PROBLEMS. IT TURNS OVER BUT DOES NOT FIRE. NEW BATTERY DID NOT CHANGE IT. TUNE UP BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC DID NOT FIX ISSUE, PLUG IT INTO A TEST MACHINE NO CODES GIVEN. THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME, EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE. ISSUE IS THAT A YOUNG LADY DRIVES THE VEHICLE, IF SHE IS STUCK IN THE WRONG PARKING LOT WHO KNOWS WHAT CAN HAPPEN. GOD FORBID. *TR

BATTERY CABLES SHORTED OUT CAUSING SMALL FIRE ON BATTERY CABLES AND MELTING ON BOTH BATTERY CABLES. *TR

I DROVE MY FORD FOCUS ABOUT 6 MILES TO A STOP LIGHT. WHEN IT TURNED GREEN, I PRESSED THE GAS. THE CAR STALLED LIKE IT WAS OUT OF GAS, REGAINED PARTIAL POWER, AND DISPLAYED THE AIRBAG LIGHT. IT MADE IT TO THE NEXT STOPLIGHT, AND I PULLED IT OVER TO THE SIDE AND TURNED IT OFF AND REMOVED THE KEY. AT THAT POINT A PLUME OF WHITE SMOKE SHOT OUT OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE HOOD. I TOLD MY SON TO GET OUT BECAUSE I KNEW THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. WE WALKED AWAY, AND AS WE DID, THE AMOUNT OF SMOKE INCREASED EXPONENTIALLY. WITHIN MINUTES, THE FRONT END OF THE CAR WAS TOTALLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE WINDSHIELD SHATTERED AND MELTED, THE HOOD WAS CHARRED AND BLACK, THE PLASTIC PARTS OF THE FENDERS AND BUMPERS MELTED AWAY, AND PART OF THE BODY METAL BURNED AWAY ON THE HOOD AND THE...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE IGNITION NUMEROUS TIMES HOWEVER, THE IGNITION KEY FAILED TO TURN IN ANY DIRECTION. THE KEY WAS EVENTUALLY RELEASED FROM THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

I HAD MY 81 YEAROLD MOTHER WITH ME, I TURNED OFF THE CAR AND WHEN I TRIED TO START IT THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN. IT WAS NOT UNTIL 5 DAYS LATER THAT MY MECHANIC SON IN LAW WAS ABLE TO LOOK AT IT AND TELL ME THE PROBLEM AND THAT A FORD GARAGE HAD TO FIXIT. THEIR PRICES VARY FROM 350.00 TO 450.00 TO REPLACE MY IGNITION SWITCH ASSEMBLY. IT IS A 48.00 PART. FORD REFUSES TO RECALL BECAUSE THEY CLAIM IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. IT IS IF SOMEONE HAS A HEART ATTACK OR A STROKE BECAUSE OF THE STRESS OF BEING STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE OR BECAUSE IT IS OVER 100 DEGREES AND YOU CAN'T WALK TO A PHONE OR TURN ON THE AIR CONDITIONER. NOT EVERYONE HAS A CELL PHONE. IT IS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BUT THE PROBLEM DOES NOT OCCUR UNTIL IT...

THE MOTOR ON THE SUN ROOF WENT OUT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY I HAD IT FIXED THEN AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED IT WENT OUT AGAIN AND I COULDN'T AFFORD TO GET IT FIXED, THE MOTOR FOR THE REAR WINDOWS WENT OUT (BOTH PASSENGER SIDES) THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR DOES NOT LOCK BECAUSE THE MOTOR WENT OUT, AND KNOW THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW IS STARTING TO MAKE A NOISE LIKE IT GOING TO GO OUT ALSO AND THE DOOR LOCK IS MAKING NOISE LIKE ITS GOING TO GO OUT. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE FIRST OF ALL WHEN CARRYING SMALL CHILDREN IN THE BACK AND ANOTHER SAFETY ISSUE WITH THE DOORS NOT LOCKING MAKES IT MUCH EASIER FOR SOMEONE TO CAR JACK YOU. I HAVE NEVER HAD A VEHICLE THAT THE ELECTRIC WINDOWS AND DOORS AND THE MOON ROOF WENT OUT THIS HAS TO BE A DEFECT...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE IGNITED INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE MASSIVE FLAMES AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED WITHIN THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED AS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION, THEREBY PREVENTING THE CAR FROM STARTING. *TR

VEHICLE FAILED TO START AFTER COMPLETING A 30 MINUTE DRIVE AND BEING TURNED OFF FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES. CLICKING NOISES LIKE STARTER FAILING TO ENGAGE OR LOW BATTERY ENSUED. WHEN HOOD WAS LIFTED AND BATTERY COVER REMOVED AND CABLES AND CONNECTIONS WERE INSPECTED, IT WAS OBSERVED THAT THE POSITIVE CABLE OFF THE BACK OF THE POSITIVE BATTERY HARNESS WAS EXPOSED, THE INSULATION BEING ALMOST COMPLETELY MELTED. THE EXPOSED WIRES SHOWED SIGNS OF FRAYING AND BURNING. AFTER ATTEMPTING TO JUMP START THE VEHICLE ABOUT 3 TIMES AND WAITING ABOUT 20 MINUTES, THE VEHICLE STARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ABOUT 20 MILES TO A SERVICE STATION AND INSPECTED BY THEIR MECHANICS. IT WAS DECIDED FOR SAFETY REASONS(FIRE HAZARD) TO LEAVE VEHICLE. IN 45 YEARS I HAVE NEVER KNOWN A BATTERY CABLE TO MELT EVEN THOUGH I HAVE HAD BAD CONNECTIONS, CORRODED TERMINALS AND HARNESS TO THE BATTERY AND EVEN BAD STARTERS. ALL...

WENT TO LEAVE WORK YESTERDAY AND THE KEY WON'T TURN AT ALL IN MY 2002 FORD FOCUS. AFTER A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH, IT SEEMS TO BE A HUGE PROBLEM AND CONSISTENT FAILURE ON FORDS PART...BUT THEY REFUSE TO ISSUE A RECALL. FROM WHAT I'VE READ, THE DEALERSHIP CHARGES $350-450 TO REPLACE THIS PART, AND THEY REPLACE IT WITH THE SAME FAULTY DESIGNED PART THAT WAS CAUSING THE PROBLEM IN THE FIRST PLACE! *TR

AT 69,411 MILES MY 2002 FORD FOCUS BATTERY CABLE WAS DEFECTIVE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE BATTERY CABLE RECALLS ON OTHER FORD FOCUSES FOR THIS PROBLEM THAT CAUSED FIRES. OF COURSE FORD WOULD NOT PAY FOR MINE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE BUT THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN WITHIN THE IGNITION SWITCH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY INFORMED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE KEY WAS IN THE IGNITION, IT WOULD NOT TURN THE ENGINE ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE CYLINDER AND THE KEY SWITCH AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE WITH THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,000. UPDATED 1/21/11 *CN THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN THE IGNITION. THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION LOCK CYLINDER UPDATED 04/18/11

I OWN A 2002 FORD FOCUS ZX5 WAGON, THE BRAKE LIGHTS STAY ON CONSTANTLY WHILE I'M DRIVING, REGARDLESS IF I'M PRESSING ON THE BRAKE OR NOT. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY PROBLEM AS THE BRAKE LIGHTS ARE NO LONGER FUNCTIONAL IF THEY ARE CONSTANTLY ON. THERE SEEMS TO BE A RECALL ON THE 2000 FORD FOCUS ON A DECKLID WIRE HARNESS, HOWEVER THIS SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO COVER ALL THE FORD FOCUS HATCHBACKS/WAGONS AS THE PROBLEMS ARE STILL EVIDENT BEYOND THE 2000 YEAR. I'VE HAD THIS PROBLEM SINCE AUGUST 2010 AND NOW SEPTEMBER 2010 I'VE FINALLY FOUND THE PROBLEM TO BE THE EXACT PROBLEM AS THE RECALL IN THE YEAR 2000 MODELS. THERE SHOULD BE AN INVESTIGATION ON THIS ISSUE, IT'S VERY DANGEROUS TO BE DRIVING WITH THE BRAKE LIGHTS ON AT ALL TIMES. THIS DEFECT NEEDS TO BE RECALLED ASAP. *TR

I HAVE 2002 FORD FOCUS THE IGNITION OR STARTER IS GIVING ME PROBLEM THE CAR WANT START AT TIMES I GET STRANDED SOMETIMES IT TAKES OVER FIVE MINUTES TO GET STARTED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT AND THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD LIGHTING BEGAN TO ABNORMALLY FLICKER ON AND OFF. THE ALTERNATOR WARNING LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE THEN STALLED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THERE TO BE A SHORT IN THE SYSTEM BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN IN FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 66,939.

FORD FOCUS ZX5 2002 POWER CUT OUT COMPLETELY WHILE I SAT IN VEHICLE WITH AIR CONDITIONING RUNNING; SMOKE BILLOWED OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION IMMEDIATELY AND PULLED THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION. THE CAR IGNITION TURNED THE VEHICLE BACK ON ALL BY ITSELF. THE CAR BEGAN TO RUMBLE AND SMOKE SPEWED FROM UNDER THE HOOD EVERYWHERE. I JUMPED OUT OF THE VEHICLE AND GRABBED MY TWO DOGS FROM THE BACK SEAT. I RAN INTO THE LAWN CARE BUSINESS AND ANNOUNCED "MY CAR IS ON FIRE -- CALL 911." TWO EMPLOYEES CAME OUT, ONE WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER; THE OTHER ASKED ME FOR THE IGNITION KEY WHO JUMPED IN THE VEHICLE AND TRIED TO TURN THE CAR IGNITION OFF--THE CAR IGNITION WENT OFF BUT TURNED ON AGAIN EVEN AFTER THE KEY HAD BEEN REMOVED. HE PULLED THE HOOD LATCH SO THE OTHER EMPLOYEE WITH THE...

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE IN THE AREA OF THE BATTERY BURNING ALL THE WIRES AND THE LEFT HEADLIGHT. *TR

WE JUST RECENTLY BOUGHT THIS CAR (2002 FORD FOCUS) AND SO I DO NOT KNOW THE HISTORY OF IT, HOWEVER THE CAR JUST STARTED LOCKING UP OUT OF NOWHERE. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS WITH MY HUSBAND AND LUCKILY HE DID NOT HAVE ANY OF OUR CHILDREN WITH HIM. THE IGNITION KEEPS LOCKING AND WE HAVE TO KEEP ON HAVING IT TOWED HOME. WE HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR ABOUT 2 AND 1/2 MONTHS AND SO FAR IT HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES. SO WE HAVE HAD TO PAY $160 IN TOWING COSTS. WE HAVE A FRIEND THAT SOMEHOW FIXED IT AND MY HUSBAND SPENDS HOURS OUTSIDE MESSING WITH IT TO GET IT WORKING. THIS TIME IS WONT START AT ALL AND ITS THE WORST TIMING EVER WE HAVE A PREMATURE BABY AND 4 OTHER CHILDREN THAT NEED TO GET TO SCHOOL AND DAYCARE. *TR

I BOUGHT MY 2002 FORD FOCUS JUST 5 MONTHS AGO (DECEMBER 2009). WHEN TRYING TO START MY CAR AT A RESTAURANT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS COMPLETELY LOCKED, AND THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. AFTER A FULL HOUR OF TRYING TO FIX IT, I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO A FORD DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE IGNITION WITH A FORD PART THAT I FEAR HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. THE REPLACEMENT IGNITION COST ME OVER $400, AND DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE A LONG-TERM SOLUTION. ACCORDING TO MANY ONLINE COMPLAINTS, THE NEW IGNITION WILL FAIL TO THE SAME PROBLEM IN TIME. I AM LIMITED BY OTHER OPTIONS, AS NON-FORD PARTS AND LOCKSMITH WORK DOES NOT COME WITH THE 12 MONTH-WARRANTY THAT FORD OFFERS. MY BEST OPTION IS TO SELL THE CAR AGAIN BEFORE IT HAPPENS, OR BEFORE MY WARRANTY IS UP-- NEITHER OF WHICH ARE A SOLUTION, BUT...

2002 ZTS HAD PROBLEMS WHERE IGNITION GOT STUCK COULD NOT REMOVE OR START THE CAR HAD TO HAD THE IGNITION REPLACED IT COST ME IN EXCESS OF $300.00 EVIDENTLY THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM THAT FORD IS NOT DEALING WITH. *TR

2002 FORD FOCUS BATTERY CABLES WAS BURNING I WAS SMELLING A BURNING SCENT WHEN I STATED THE VEHICLE AN WELL WHEN I DROVE THE CAR. I HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE SHOP WHO INFORMED ME THAT THE BATTERY HARNESS IN THIS CAR FRAYED AND IT HAD TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AS THE ALTERNATOR. FORD SAID THIS WAS NOT A RECALL PART. *TR

PARKED MY 2002 FORD FOCUS ON THE STREET, WHEN I CAME BACK THE KEY WOULDN'T TURN IN THE IGNITION AND THE WHEELS WERE COMPLETELY LOCKED UP. CALLED THE FORD DEALER AND THEY TOLD ME TO YANK ON THE WHEEL AS HARD AS I COULD WHILE TURNING THE KEY, THIS WORKED AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES, BUT AFTER I TURNED IT OFF, IT HAPPENED AGAIN, YANKING THE WHEEL FOR 10 MINS IT WORKED. NOW I HAVE TO LEAVE THE KEYS IN THE IGNITION SO IT WONT LOCK UP ON ME. I AM LITERALLY SCARED TO TURN ON MY CAR BECAUSE WHEN I TURN A CORNER IT FEELS LIKE I HAVE TO TURN THE WHEEL WAY AROUND. I AM A YOUNG WOMAN WHO WORKS LATE, AND I RELY ON MY CAR TO GET ME HOME SAFELY..I AM VERY UPSET BECAUSE I CANT AFFORD TO GET IT FIXED. NEVER BUY A FORD AGAIN! *TR

2002 FORD FOCUS WAGON REAR HATCH WIRING HARNESS FRAYED WIRES AND NO BRAKE LIGHTS. *TR

DROVE TO THE STORE, TURNED THE CAR OFF BUT THE KEY WAS STUCK IN THE IGNITION. *TR

UPON INSERTION OF THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION, THE IGNITION SWITCH FAILS TO ALLOW THE KEY TO TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL WILL NOT UNLOCK, IF IT IS LOCKED. "TAPPING" THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION WILL ALLOW THE CAR TO START AND THE STEERING WHEEL TO UNLOCK. CURSORY INTERNET SEARCHES REVEAL THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR OWNERS OF THIS MAKE AND MODEL. SOME OWNERS REPORT HAVING HAD THE SWITCH REPLACED 4 TO 5 TIMES AT THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE SAME RESULTS. THIS INDICATES THAT FORD HAS MADE NO EFFORT TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, EVEN AT THE COST OF THE OWNER. *TR

IT WAS 11 O'CLOCK AT NIGHT IN FREEZING WEATHER WHEN I HAD GOTTEN INTO MY CAR THAT HAD BEEN SITTING ALL DAY.(WHICH I HAD STARTED WITH EASE 13 HOURS BEFORE) THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. I TRIED TURN THE KEY BACK AND FORTH FOR AN HOUR BEFORE MY BOYFRIEND'S MOM CAME TO PICK ME UP AT 1:00 IN THE MORNING. IF SHE WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN THERE FOR ME I WOULD HAVE HAD TO WALK 10 MILES IN DANGEROUS COLD TO GET HOME, BECAUSE I DIDN'T HAVE ANY MONEY ON ME FOR A CAB. I PAID $450 TO TOW THE CAR 4 MILES TO THE CLOSEST DEALERSHIP AND REPLACE THE IGNITION CYLINDER. THE PART IS UNDER A ONE YEAR WARRANTY. SINCE DECEMBER 20, 2008, MY IGNITION CYLINDER HAS NOT BEEN WORKING PROPERLY WITH MY KEY. I INSERT THE KEY AND I HAVE TO WIGGLE THE KEY TO TURN,...

THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. I HAD TO HIT THE SIDE OF THE STEERING COLUMN THEN TRY AND TURN THE KEY AGAIN. THIS NO LONGER WORKS AND I HAVE TO HIT THE KEY IN TO THE IGNITION FURTHER FOR IT TO TURN. I AM GOING TO FORD THIS WEEK TO GET IT FIXED IF IT DOES NOT COST A FORTUNE, BUT HAD TO WAIT TO GET IT FIXED UNTIL MY BREAK FROM SCHOOL. *TR

THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION AT ALL. A LOCKSMITH WAS CALLED OUT TO SEE IF HE COULD FIX THE PROBLEM. HE TOLD ME THAT THIS HAPPENS VERY FREQUENTLY FORD FOCUSES. *TR

KEYS WONT RELEASE FROM IGNITION , REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH AND STILL CONTINUES TO NOT RELEASE KEY, ITS EVIDENTLY AN ELECTRONIC PROBLEM SINCE WHEN I DISCONNECT THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION TO STEERING COLUMN THE KEYS RELEASE. *TR

I WAS STRANDED WHEN MY KEY WAS INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION AND IT WOULD NOT TURN. THIS WAS A SERIOUS INCIDENT BECAUSE I NEEDED TO BE HOME TO GET MY 6 YEAR OLD OFF THE BUS AND LET HIM IN THE HOUSE. I WAS UNABLE TO DO SO AND MY SON WAS EXTREMELY DISTRAUGHT. AND THEN I FIND OUT THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT BUT THIS VEHICLE HAS A HISTORY OF THIS. VERY DISAPPOINTING. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, THE KEY WOULD NOT TURN INSIDE THE IGNITION. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE IGNITION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTICE ANY DIFFERENCES BEFOREHAND. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 147,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 126,000.

I HAVE ONLY OWNED THIS CAR FOR FOUR MONTHS. FIRST THE OXYGEN SENSOR FAILED AFTER TWO DAYS. THEN A MONTH LATER I BEGAN HAVING DIFFERENT LIGHTS COME OFF AND ON WITH LOSS OF POWER. I TOOK IT IN TO DEALERSHIP AND TO FORD WHO COULD NEVER REPEAT THE CODES. I REPLACE THE BATTERY AND THIS STOPPED FOR A MONTH. IT IS NOW DOING THE SAME THING AGAIN. STALLING OR ACTING AS IF IT WILL. I HAVE TO PULL OVER AND RESTART IT SEVERAL TIMES TO RESET THE COMPUTER TO GET IT TO DRIVE CORRECTLY. I AM FRUSTRATED BECAUSE NO ONE CAN FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG. THIS OCCURS INTERMITTENTLY BUT WHEN IT DOES IT CAN BE OVER 10 TIMES A DAY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, THE IGNITION APPEARED TO BE LOCKED, BUT THERE WAS POWER. HE ATTEMPTED APPROXIMATELY 25 MORE TIMES TO START THE VEHICLE AND ALSO DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE STEERING, TRANSMISSION, AND IGNITION SWITCH LOCKED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 130,000.

WITH NO PRIOR WARNING SIGNS, KEY WILL NOT TURN IGNITION. I WAS UNABLE TO GET TO WORK AND SUBSEQUENTLY LOST $96 IN WAGES, MINUS TAXES. I CANNOT AFFORD $200-$500 TO FIX SOMETHING THAT WILL BE REPLACED WITH THE SAME FAULTY PART, THUS HAVING TO FIX IT AGAIN IN THE FUTURE. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND THOUSANDS OF REFERENCES TO THIS PROBLEM, WHICH MAKES ME WONDER WHY THERE IS NO RECALL. IF SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, WOULDN'T THAT INDICATE A FAULTY PART, INSTALLED BY FORD ITSELF. SOME PEOPLE REPORT HAVING TO REPLACE THE IGNITION NUMEROUS TIMES, AND THAT FORD HAS NOT REDESIGNED THIS PART, NOR HAVE THEY ADMITTED IT IS FAULTY OR OFFERED A RECALL. WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT TO THOUSANDS OF CONSUMERS, WHICH SURELY WILL AFFECT FUTURE FORD SALES. WHEN WILL FORD OWN UP TO THIS PROBLEM???*TR

MY CAR HAS FREQUENT PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING COLUMN, IGNITION LOCKING WHICH BECAME PROBLEMATIC WHEN I STALLED IN TRAFFIC AND NEARLY CAUSED A MULTI CAR ACCIDENT BECAUSE I COULD NOT START THE CAR. *TR

KEY GETS STUCK IN IGNITION. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE IN THREE WEEKS. HE ALLOWED THE VEHICLE TO RUN FOR OVER AN HOUR; HOWEVER, THE GEAR WOULD STILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THE VEHICLE CAN ONLY BE DRIVEN IF AN EMERGENCY BUTTON IS ENGAGED, WHICH ALSO DOES NOT ALLOW THE GEAR TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS ELECTRICAL AND A WIRE THAT CONNECTS TO THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN MAY OF 2007 WITH A 1,000 MILE OR 30 DAY WARRANTY. THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS UNKNOWN AND THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,332 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,302.