Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Ford Focus owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. In response to a runaway car, I attempted to drive off the right shoulder of the road; however, the car immediately in front of me did the same. I struck her car on the right side with the left side of my 2002 Ford Focus se. My passenger reached over & turned the ignition switch to off. …
Tl* - the contact owns a 2002 Ford Focus wagon with a current odometer reading of 57,5000 miles. On March 13, while driving in heavy traffic on dry pavement the contact tried to decelerate by applying the brake pedal and the pedal was pushed two to three times until coming to a complete stop, narrowly avoiding another vehicle in front of the contact's vehicle. Also, on March 19, 2007 while driving in heavy traffic in the morning the same problem occurred, the brakes did not work, the contact made a hard right hand turn, causing the vehicle's rear end to swing to the left, while the front end continued to swing right toward the guard rail. After coming to a complete stop the vehicle was struck on the rear driver's side by another oncoming vehicle. The contact struck her head, but required no additional medical assistance. The failure mileage was 57000.
After 2 complaints to dealer about rear brake vibration/noise, they found noting wrong. On our trip going down interstate 40 at 70 MPH the back wheel comes off my car. The wheel and hub are broken,cuts the brake line and I lose my brake fluid. No brakes and trying to keep it out of the ditch. If there would of been a car on the side of me. I am positive there would have been injury/death. Had extended warranty. Ford paid 0. Said I hit something in road. Now at the repair shop again. The wheel bearings on the rear are frozen . I have to buy new drums for both side again.
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.
Break lights won't work and was almost hit by another car, changed break lights changed light break switch checked fuses and wiring everything is good
The front springs on the 2002 Ford Focus are faulty. The front passenger side spring was cracked , and took the car to Goodyear to get repaired, since it's out of warranty (including the extended warranty I purchased). I then lettered Ford, and they said in November 2004 they mailed a notice to customers ( which I never received) notifying them of f the problem with the springs. They said there is no recall, but they are repairing under a customer satisfaction program. They said I should have brought my car to the dealer and it would have been repaired for free. They would not reimburse me. I even tried to negotiate and asked them to at least reimburse me what they would have paid their dealer but they refused. This car also has defective brakes and rotors. When the car was under the original 3 yr 36,000 mile warranty , the front and rear brakes and rotors needed to be replaced. …
My 2002 Ford Focus wagon needed brakes because the front end would shake when I applied brakes. Also noticed a whirling noise from the back off car but did not mention that to my mechanic. He took it for a test drive and asked if I noticed the whirling noise too. He said he was concerned and checked that 1st. My right rear tire was frozen and not turning, that's where the noise was coming from. It had to be cut off in order to be replaced. He told me that the wheel could have broke off while driving and could have killed me, I had that repaired, along with front end brakes and replaced warped rotors. Then just 2 days later backed out of my driveway and broke a front right coil spring. A year later replaced the alternator. …
I am the original owner of a 2002 Focus se. April 2003, I passed ny state inspection w/o any problems. August 2003 I bring my car in for an oil change and I am told that both front and rear brake pads need to be replaced asap b/c they are all the way down to the rotor. There were no warning sounds coming from the brakes. The dealer also tells me it will cost me $600.00 to repair! I called Ford in detroit and they told me that it was a high price, but they don't control dealer's prices. They also tell me that there is no reported problems w/the brakes, so it must be me. I do not brake hard. The mileage on the car has been through soft driving. I took it to a local car repair who told me not only do I need front/back brakes, but that cars aren't designed to wear brakes down at the same rate. At this shop it cost me $325. I joined the class action suit w/ fordfocusbrakeproblems.com .
I have a 2002 Ford Focus zx5 that is well maintained. Within the first 2-3 years, I have had to replace the front brakes and rotors. In 2004 I had to replace the battery. In 2005 I had to replace the right rear window motor. Presently the left rear window motor isn't working; the window will not go up. The rear front window is not working properly and the air bag light comes on each time the car is started and stays on. The cd player had to be replaced in 2005. In 2006 all four tires had to be replaced because of factory dry rot. I regularly service and maintain the car, and have approximately 28,000 miles on it. I take excellent care of my vehicle and feel this car is not made with quality parts and that it is not safe. Although I drive at normal speeds, it does not get the mileage stated on the sticker.
I bought my 19 year old daughter a new Focus because I felt new cars were safer and more reliable. Today, she was involved in an accident. She has had ongoing problems with the brakes making noise and not being responsive. On her way to have them looked at again, she made a left onto a major road and the traffic in front of her was at a dead stop. It was the rav 4 in front of her, not her brakes, that stopped her car dead. Thankfully, no one was hurt. To add insult to injury, the airbag I felt would protect her did not deploy. How many complaints have to be submitted before things get addressed by a manufacturer? To think I bought my only daughter a car with unreliable brakes and airbags that don't work. Unfortunately, like a lot of other consumers, we found this out the hard way.
Brake complaints in other Focus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2002 Ford Focus?
NHTSA has 72 complaints about the brakes of the 2002 Ford Focus, 8% of the model year's 939 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components › disc › rotor (21 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Ford Focus brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2002 Ford Focus, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2002 Ford Focus brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 23,000 miles, and 59% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 0 fires and 10 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.