1. Ford Focus
  2. Problems
  3. 2002
  4. Steering

2002 Ford Focus Steering Problems

26
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 26 stored complaint records:

  • 8 indicate a crash
  • 4 indicate injury
  • 0 indicate fire
  • 1 indicate a death

What owners report

  • steering wheel · 11 records
  • power steering · 4 records

Mileage in stored records

BandRecords
60–100k mi4
30–60k mi4
1–30k mi3
100–150k mi2

Complaint records

Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.

  • September 7, 2016 · 134,000 miles

    Steering · Suspension · Wheels

    Ok so i've had my ford focus for about 3 months now i fell in love with this little thing recently got struts changed in front and ball joints bushings and tires so i knew it would need an alignment so got that done now at speeds from 50-60 mph this car starts fishtailing out of control i dont have alot of money i am not workin at present so i cant afford to take my used car to dealer much less to another auto shop.…

    ODI 10905560

  • November 1, 2012 · 30,422 miles

    Steering · Suspension

    This is our first year driving this focus in the snow, we bought it in 2011. We had a snow fall on 11/1/2012 and we took the car out for a drive. Any speed above 35 mph and the rear of the car floats (wiggles) back and forth up to a foot. It is completely unstable on snow or ice. I did some research online, and ford apparently knows the problem,: defective rear upper control arms, since they did a silent recall on…

    ODI 10489494

  • June 13, 2010 · 124,000 miles

    Ignition · Steering

    The ignition on my 2002 ford focus will not work and my understanding that this is happening to many people also. This issue will leave you stranded and unable to leave your current destination. In the event of an emergency it is unreliable. I work for a fire and rescue agency which requires me to make quick response and with this defect i cannot. Imagine if a female is in a domestic issue and need to get away or is…

    ODI 10336112

  • June 29, 2009 · 70,000 miles

    Steering

    Driving and the car started to make noise when the wheels were turned. Checked the power steering fluid and belt, and added more power steering fluid. The problem still continued. The power steering line was rubbing on the frame of the car, and rub open causing a leak in the line. This stopped the power steering from working. We took the line out, with a lot of effort, and time. Then bought a new part for $55 and…

    ODI 10275391

  • April 11, 2009 · 82,333 miles

    Steering

    The key will not turn in the ignition, with the steering wheel locking up. No amount of jiggling can fix it. So car is unable to start. (4 times in a row - final time, not started after hours of trying). *tr

    ODI 10265055

  • March 31, 2009 · 60,000 miles

    Steering

    Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford focus. While driving approximately 40 mph on normal road conditions, the steering wheel loosened without warning. The steering began to wander and failed to respond normally. Immediately, the vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and inspected. The vehicle was driven cautiously to an authorized dealer and they tightened the adjustment screw and re-tightened the lock nuts on…

    ODI 10263832

  • August 12, 2008 · 44,586 miles

    Electrical System · Steering

    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

    ODI 10237952

  • January 17, 2008 · 65,000 miles

    Electrical System · Steering

    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,…

    ODI 10253447

  • December 9, 2004

    Steering

    The consumer was pulling inside of the garage to park the vehicle when he noticed the steering wheel would move in a circular motion, but the steering wheel failed to move the tires. The consumer contacted the dealer. The dealer informed the consumer that the warranty had expired. Please fill in additional information. *jb

    ODI 10103468

  • July 12, 2004 · 62,000 miles

    Steering

    I had to make a sharp maneuver to avoid a car changing lanes. My car a 2002 ford focus zx5 went into wild oscillations across 3 lanes. Back and forth. It took 3/4 of a mile to bring the car under control. This has never happened to any cat i ever drove before. It was only luck there was no accident. *la

    ODI 10080821

  • May 14, 2004 · 34,000 miles

    Mid/Rear Assembly · Steering

    Dt: the consumer stated while driving at 35 mph the vehicle began to vibrate. The steering wheel was hard to turn and the consumer lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle fish tailed across the road and struck a mail box. At some point during the skid or impact with the mail box, both rear wheels dislodged from the vehicle. Additionally, the bolts holding the rear seat dismembered and the rear seat was ejected from…

    Crash reported · 1 injury · 1 death

    ODI 10147692

  • October 15, 2003

    Steering · Suspension

    The mileage on my focus was 47000 km and the cost was $5500.00. The date was july but i am at work and not sure of exactly what day. My focus was making a clunking sound similar in nature to traction control kicking in. It was in to be serviced on a friday and they said they could not repeat the sound. Also at that time it was having regular maintenance tire rotation and oil change. On the following tuesday driving…

    Crash reported · 1 injury

    ODI 10071391

  • May 17, 2003

    Hatchback/Liftgate · Steering

    2002 ford focus displaying steering problems. *mr approximately nine months after purchase, they began having problems with the steering system. The car has been serviced 4 times and problem the was still not fixed . If the vehicle was not corrected in 30 days the consumer was going to request that the vehicle be repurchased. *cb the rear gate did not open properly. *jb

    ODI 10026455

  • April 26, 2003

    Steering

    While driving the steering wheel vibrated heavily. *nlm

    ODI 10018041

  • March 17, 2003

    Steering · Suspension

    Problems with 2002 ford focus steering and suspension.*mr *cb

    ODI 10033827

  • January 28, 2003

    Steering

    While driving at any speed and without warning the steering wheel locked up causing a accident. Dealer notified. Ts

    Crash reported

    ODI 10005999

  • January 15, 2003

    Steering · Structure · Unknown Or Other

    I have had the car. For only 4 months. I had problem with it in october it was the car moving when i am driving it moves like a swerving motion and then in december 13, 2002. I took it back in with the same problem of the back sways when hitting bumps and the tire rod was loose. The repair was 1,140 on a new car. I had water coming in the passenger side and they said they fixed the problem. On dec 31, 2002 it rained…

    ODI 10069887

  • December 15, 2002

    Steering · Suspension

    This problem just happened yesterday. My daughter was making a turn, and the cvc joint completely fell apart. She lost all steering causing her to hit a curb. We had the car towed to the dealer where we bought it only a month ago. They are refusing to fix the car saying that she was in an accident causing the joint to fall apart. This is not the case. We are not sure what to do, and need help. This is a terrible…

    Crash reported

    ODI 10069776

  • November 15, 2002

    Steering

    Involved in a crash friday where car seem to dive to the right and in to a parked car. Driver has a good driving record and was not distracted while driving.

    Crash reported

    ODI 10069470

  • November 15, 2002

    Fuel System, Gasoline · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Steering · Suspension

    Fuel pump was replaced twice from january to june sterring wheel and car shake while stopping and driving at 50 mph or above brakes have been checked 3 times finally had replaced and rotors, no change in performance

    ODI 10069221

  • November 15, 2002 · 5,000 miles

    Steering · Suspension

    My 2002 ford focus started having problems after 5000 miles. It started with a noise coming from the front left wheel area. From there the steering seemed shakey at times at highway speeds. Once, the car pulled to the left suddenly on the highway. The dealership has changed the transmission, front bearing, and knuckle, on the car in the past two months. The car is still not fixed. The most noticeable problem is the…

    ODI 10068717

  • November 10, 2002

    Steering

    Consumer stated that when making a turn the steering wheel would lock up causing a distraction to the consumer. Dealer notified. Ts

    ODI 10001119

  • October 15, 2002 · 15,002 miles

    Engine And Engine Cooling · Exhaust System · Steering · Suspension · Tires · Wheels

    Problem i'm still having and was reported to dealership is car pulls to left, ( not corrected) back end of car or tires bounce on road and especially when hitting a bump, cannot stay on road in slush or snow, back end is all over road, ( nothing done) tires are completely groved in many spots on the tires, caused by rear end bouncing on road, firestone won't replace they say it is focas's rear end and it wears out…

    ODI 10070586

  • May 1, 2002

    Frontal · Steering

    The vehicle experienced loss of steering ability, as a result the vehicle hit a concrete jersey wall head on at 60 mph, neither airbag deployed, passenger suffered knee and chest injuries, the vehicle was totaled. * mj

    Crash reported · 1 injury

    ODI 8009227

  • May 1, 2002

    Air Bags · Steering

    At 60 mph consumer turned steering wheel, no response, vehicle hit a concrete wall head on. Passenger suffered knee and chest injuries. The vehicle was totaled.*ak

    Crash reported · 1 injury

    ODI 8009224