Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
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).
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. …
While driving I lost all power to the car. It completely shut down and I could not start it. It has been towed to dealership to be fixed twice. I do not feel safe driving this car with my kids in it. I don't think the problem is fixed and I'm waiting for this to happen again. Now I need to take it back to the dealership again because there is a bad vibration in the front end. I had it there previously for this also, and they said it needed the tires rotated and balanced. Even though it is still under warranty, they charged me $36.00....the vibration is worse now so obviously that wasn't the problem. Oh I forgot to mention that the trunk won't latch properly and the windshield wipers won't go the whole way down when you turn them off. This car is not safe to drive. The dealership acts like they haven't had any complaints with this car!
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 was sitting at my daughters school, I tried to roll down the back passenger window I herd a loud noise like glass breaking. I got out of my car to see what the problem was and seen that the window had gone all the way down, when I tried to push the button to raise the window I kept hearing a strange noise and noticed the window would not go up. I contacted the dealer and they told me the power window regulator had gone out and they would fix the problem for over $ 400.00 because my warrenty had gone out 3 days earlier. I was very upset to learn my warrenty was out because my car was only 2 years old. I had spoke to many other people and they had also had problems with the power windows, so I shocked when I contacted the Ford motor company in ohio they said they had never had any complaints before about the issue.
There is a line that went straight into the engine's intake that has been leaking fluid since 2,000 miles and was inspected by deler who told to me that it was nothing. But the engine case should not have a large leak of fluid that soon. Finally now, they have done something on this and replaced the hose, as it was seen once more and knows of all the times reported. I hope this is just not a easy fix or this now hasn't caused any damange to the inside of the engine itself, as the engine has been in the shop for riding rough. They told me last time that the part of the transmission that was fixed would fix this. I think it is due to the oil leak on the top of the engine case since it was new. A new car should never have a oil leak on a engine case.
I have a 2002 Ford Focus. About a year ago my left rear window regulator went out while I was driving down i24. The sound of the window slamming down scared me so bad I almost drove off the road at 70mph with 3 kids in the car. The sound was like a gunshot. About 2 months later the right rear window regulator went out this time I was driving my 3 year old son to the babysitter. The sound was so loud I swerved almost hitting the car next to me. I got both windows fixed for about 350.00. A week ago the left window regulator went out again. I am now afraid to drive this car for fear the next window will go out and startle me into an accident.
The window regulator on the rear window on the passenger side of my wife's 2002 Ford Focus broke when she attempted to roll the window down using the electrical controls. Once the window was rolled down, it would not roll up. The parts manager at the Ford dealer informed me that all of the rear passenger side window regulators of the 2002 Ford Focus' break. This is dangerous because a small child could fall out of the vehicle. Additionally, since the window cannot roll up, if it is raining visibility out of the rear window is nil.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while stopped, he heard a snapping noise and the rear passenger window dropped down into the door panel. The contact examined the vehicle himself and noticed that a plastic mechanism within the door panel was broken, causing the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 90,000.
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.
Both rear passenger window regulators failed on my 2002 Ford Focus se wagon outside of warranty. The windows were never abused / mis-used in any way. This is an obvious design or manufacturing flaw, yet I had to pay for the entire cost of replacing the regulators. Ford was requested to provide some assistance but declined to offer any. Updated 03/05/08.
Window & Wiper complaints in other Focus years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2002 Ford Focus?
NHTSA has 27 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2002 Ford Focus, 3% of the model year's 939 complaints. The component named most often is power window devices and controls (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Ford Focus window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof 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 window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 54,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
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.