Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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).
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 the vehicle. One of the vehicle occupants died as a result of the accident and another was injured. A police report was taken at the scene. The vehicle was deemed a total loss.
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. I travel 50 -70 miles each day to work and I'm scared its gonna fishtail me into a wreck. Mileage 134000 applke valley calif.
During the rain when the vehicle is driven through a puddle, the steering would become difficult. The steering wheel was hard to turn and unmanageable. As a result, the driver lost control of the vehicle and hit the curb. The dealership indicated that this could possibly be caused by the brakes, which were replaced. The problem remained.
I purchased this vehicle new, took delivery 9/28/02. A few months later, I noticed the material covering the steering wheel had developed some rough spots in the surface. I could not remember doing anything that would have scraped or roughened the surface. The material covering the steering wheel has continued to crumble off until now, large chunks are missing off about 6" of it, with the metal of the underlying steering wheel showing in a couple of spots. Another several inches are starting to disinigrate. The wheel does not rub against me while I am driving, but is occurring along the lower 1/3 of the wheel. Today, 7/16/03, I took it into the dealership to be replaced under warranty. They eventually agreed to do so, but not before the service technician tried to intimidate me out of replacing it by insisting that I had damaged it myself. …
My 2002 Ford Focus se wagon has had innumerable problems. Firstly..melting battery cables due to poor and faulty wiring that could have caused an explosion of the battery had I not had to pay to get it fixed along with purchase of two new batteries thanks to the melting battery cables causing a short in the system. It subsequently killed the alternator which had to be replaced. It also subsequently killed the thermostat and the solenoid switch which caused overheating and dying problems with the car while driving. Most recently the passenger side wheel bearing went out and was causing driving problems unable to control car. Now more recently, it had to have a faulty tie rod placed which nearly caused me to have an accident. …
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, insert, and remove it from the ignition. I will be visiting the dealership where I had it replaced last year this week. …
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 these in 2006. NHTSA should investigate this since there are many more Focus out there like ours, and Ford should have to recall and replace the control arms on all of these units from 2000-2004. I have over 35 years of winter driving experience and I have never had a vehicle (even the old rear wheel drive models) behave so dangerously on snow and ice, even with all season tires on it. …
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 in the town I live in (luckily the speed limit is only 30 km/hr) I experienced the steering wheel pull to the right and I had hit a parked car. Had I been on the highway me and my 2 children would have been a fatality. The cost qouted to you of 5500.00 is not including the cost to fix the other vehicle. As well Ford motor co. Is taking no responsilbilty whatsoever and I need proof to get my insurance co to find fault to someone other than myself.
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 out shopping late and need to leave the area she is left vulnerable and alone with no way of leaving. This defect need to be addressed asap. I have researched this issue and found that after replacing the defected part you still will have the same issue because of poor design. Your attention to this matter will be greatly appreciated.
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 the tires, dealer or Ford won't do anything about rear end or tires, car vibrates badly, rear doors barley open are so stiff, looks like door locks are coroaded nothing was done by dealership even though they said they lubricated, nothing is on the locks to show lubrication of locks.
Steering complaints in other Focus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2002 Ford Focus?
NHTSA has 53 complaints about the steering of the 2002 Ford Focus, 6% of the model year's 939 complaints. The component named most often is column locking › anti-theft device (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Ford Focus steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering 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 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 45,000 miles, and 28% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 12 crashes, 0 fires and 7 injuries and 1 death to steering 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.