2002 Ford Focus Electrical System Problems
- 75
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 75 stored complaint records:
- 0 indicate a crash
- 1 indicate injury
- 7 indicate fire
What owners report
- Ignition · 2 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 60–100k mi | 15 |
| 100–150k mi | 14 |
| 30–60k mi | 12 |
| 1–30k mi | 11 |
| 150–400k mi | 4 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Electrical System
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.
ODI 11066935
Electrical System
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…
ODI 10664396
Electrical System
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…
ODI 10650895
Electrical System
Ignition cylinder in steering column is frozen. Key inserts but will not turn at all. Cannot start the car, shift into neutral, etc. *tr
ODI 10644968
Electrical System
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
ODI 10563325
Electrical System · Underbody Shields
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…
ODI 10556038
Electrical System · Engine
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…
ODI 10615969
Electrical System · Engine · Power Window Devices And Controls
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
ODI 10535425
Electrical System · Fuel/Propulsion System
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…
ODI 10490542
Electrical System
Alternator pulling to much fire from the battery. *tr
ODI 10629111
Electrical System · Engine · Exterior Lighting
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…
ODI 10542669
Electrical System
Battery cables shorted out causing small fire on battery cables and melting on both battery cables. *tr
Fire reported
ODI 10468752
Electrical System
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…
Fire reported
ODI 10468106
Electrical System
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.
ODI 10452359
Electrical System
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.…
ODI 10450403
Electrical System
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.
Fire reported
ODI 10439724
Electrical System
Key will not turn in the ignition, thereby preventing the car from starting. *tr
ODI 10426553
Electrical System · Engine And Engine Cooling
Vehicle failed to start after completing a [redacted] 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…
ODI 10418788
Electrical System · Latches/Locks/Linkages
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
ODI 10405826
Electrical System
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.
ODI 10381312
Electrical System · Ignition
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…
ODI 10365809
Electrical System
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
ODI 10355401
Electrical System
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…
ODI 10356908
Electrical System
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…
ODI 10345677
Electrical System · Interior Lighting
Engine compartment fires on the driver's side in the area of the battery burning all the wires and the left headlight. *tr
Fire reported · 1 injury
ODI 10335440
Catalog parts for this system
Catalog year/make/model rows for 2002 Ford Focus.
Catalog fitment does not by itself prove OEM-equivalent compatibility.