FORD FOCUS SVT · model year

2002 FORD FOCUS SVT

48 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2002FORDFOCUS SVT carries 48 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2002 FOCUS SVT is electrical system:horn with 4 filings, followed by tires:sidewall (2) and power train:clutch assembly (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 177 investigation files overlapping the 2002 FOCUS SVT, and 8 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

48
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

48 filings

Crashes Reported

1 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN4
TIRES:SIDEWALL2
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY2
SUSPENSION2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE2
TIRES2
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW2
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING1
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:RETRACTOR1
STRUCTURE:BODY:HOOD1
PARKING BRAKE1
WHEELS:RIM1

Recalls (1)

02V11700018/04/2002

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES BUILT WITH MANUAL TRANSAXLES, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE TO HANG UP AT THE THROTTLE BODY BRACKET DURING HIGH, WIDE OPEN THROTTLE OPERATION, PREVENTING THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE CLOSED POSITION WHEN THE ACCELERATOR IS RELEASED.

Recent Complaints

20180806ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

CAR PERIODICUALY LOOSES ALL POWER TO DASH BATERRY EVERYTHING COMPLETLY I'VE REPLACE BATTERY ALTINATOR CLUSTER LIGHT IT SEEMS IF I USE MY LIGHT IT HAPPENS MORE OR ANYTIME I STOP OR SLOW DOW IT STALLS AND WILL NOT START WITHOUT A JUMP THEN IT WILL BE GREAT AGAIN SOMETIMES FOR A DAY SOMETES A WEEK IT S VERY IRRADICUL AND THROTLE GETS STUCK REVING UP HIGH THEN OTHER TESTS IDLES WAY TOO LOW AND DOES

Mileage: 135,000

20180806ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CAR PERIODICUALY LOOSES ALL POWER TO DASH BATERRY EVERYTHING COMPLETLY I'VE REPLACE BATTERY ALTINATOR CLUSTER LIGHT IT SEEMS IF I USE MY LIGHT IT HAPPENS MORE OR ANYTIME I STOP OR SLOW DOW IT STALLS AND WILL NOT START WITHOUT A JUMP THEN IT WILL BE GREAT AGAIN SOMETIMES FOR A DAY SOMETES A WEEK IT S VERY IRRADICUL AND THROTLE GETS STUCK REVING UP HIGH THEN OTHER TESTS IDLES WAY TOO LOW AND DOES

Mileage: 135,000

20180806POWER TRAIN

CAR PERIODICUALY LOOSES ALL POWER TO DASH BATERRY EVERYTHING COMPLETLY I'VE REPLACE BATTERY ALTINATOR CLUSTER LIGHT IT SEEMS IF I USE MY LIGHT IT HAPPENS MORE OR ANYTIME I STOP OR SLOW DOW IT STALLS AND WILL NOT START WITHOUT A JUMP THEN IT WILL BE GREAT AGAIN SOMETIMES FOR A DAY SOMETES A WEEK IT S VERY IRRADICUL AND THROTLE GETS STUCK REVING UP HIGH THEN OTHER TESTS IDLES WAY TOO LOW AND DOES

Mileage: 135,000

20121210ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS SVT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE ISSUE AND OFFERED NOT ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AS APPROXIMATELY 74,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 74,988.

Mileage: 74,000

20121114ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

NOTICED THAT MY DASH BOARD HIGH BEAM FOR MY HEADLIGHTS WAS STAYING ON. TOOK TO WHEEL WORKS AND THEY TOLD ME ITS THE WIRING HARNESS FOR MY HEADLIGHTS. THEY TOLD ME IT IS MELTING AND NEED TO TAKE TO THE DEALER. I BOUGHT MY CAR BRAND NEW AND PAID CASH FOR IT WITH EXTRAS ADDED ON TO IT. I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR AND I GET NO HELP. I NEED TO KNOW IF THIS HAS BEEN ON A RECALL. I AM ON A VERY LIMITED INCOME AND CANNOT AFFORD THIS TO COME OUT OF MY POCKET. *TR

Mileage: 35,000

20121114EXTERIOR LIGHTING

NOTICED THAT MY DASH BOARD HIGH BEAM FOR MY HEADLIGHTS WAS STAYING ON. TOOK TO WHEEL WORKS AND THEY TOLD ME ITS THE WIRING HARNESS FOR MY HEADLIGHTS. THEY TOLD ME IT IS MELTING AND NEED TO TAKE TO THE DEALER. I BOUGHT MY CAR BRAND NEW AND PAID CASH FOR IT WITH EXTRAS ADDED ON TO IT. I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR AND I GET NO HELP. I NEED TO KNOW IF THIS HAS BEEN ON A RECALL. I AM ON A VERY LIMITED INCOME AND CANNOT AFFORD THIS TO COME OUT OF MY POCKET. *TR

Mileage: 35,000

20120928LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS SVT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRYING TO CLOSE THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE, THE DOOR FAILED TO LATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 05V030000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH) AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED CONCERNING THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 159,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 155,000

20110210STEERING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS SVT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE BOLT LOCATED UNDERNEATH THE AIR BAG THAT HOLDS THE STEERING WHEEL IN PLACE DISENGAGED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT LOST ALL STEERING CAPABILITIES BUT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS FAULTY, AS A RESULT THE ELECTRICAL FAILURE CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO FALL OFF AND THE BOLT TO BE LOOSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,000.

Mileage: 77,000

20100610VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS SVT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND BECAME STUCK IN THE OPEN THROTTLE POSITION. THE SPEED INCREASED TO 90 MPH. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MANUALLY RELEASE THE PEDAL; HOWEVER, THE PEDAL WOULD NOT MOVE UNTIL HE USED EXCESSIVE FORCE. THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP UNTIL THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL GEAR. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE SO THAT IT COULD BE TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE THROTTLE CABLE. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 02V117000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CRUISE CONTROL); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED SIMILAR FAILURES AS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000.

Mileage: 75,000

20100203SUSPENSION:REAR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS SVT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKE IN TWO WHILE HE WAS DRIVING AT APPROX 5 MPH. HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE DROPPED TO THE GROUND. HE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR CONTROL ARM BROKE AND THE DRIVER SIDE REAR CONTROL ARM WAS CRACKED AND ABOUT TO EXPERIENCE THE SAME FAILURE. BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

20071108VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

DAMAGE TO DRIVER'S SIDE POWER WINDOW MECHANISM FAILING TO RAISE AND/OR LOWER WINDOW GLASS IN VEHICLE. WINDOW OPERATOR REQUIRES GREASE TO OPERATE PROPERLY WHICH WAS NOT PRESENT AFTER CLOSER EXAMINATION OF PARTS. PARTS WERE DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR AND ARE IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT. *TR

Mileage: 64,000

20070321POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:BELL HOUSING

1. THIS HAPPENED UNDER MODERATE ACCELERATION TO GET ON THE FREEWAY AND WITH NO PRECURSORS OR INDICATORS. 2. THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD POP. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE POP THE ENGINE STALLED, AND WHITE SMOKE EMITTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. UPON CLOSER EXAMINATION AFTER PUSHING THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY IT WAS FOUND THE FACTORY FORD PRESSURE PLATE ASSEMBLY EXPLODED AND SHOT SHRAPNEL THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION AND RIPPED A HOLE THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION COOLANT LINES. THE OIL AND COOLANT SPILLED ONTO THE HOT CLUTCH , LUCKILY AT THE SAME TIME, PREVENTING A FIRE AND JUST\ EMITTING STEAM. THE SHRAPNEL FROM THE TRANSMISSION HOUSING AND PRESSURE PLATE WAS FOUND THROUGHOUT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE SURROUNDING ROAD. *AK 3. IT WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION SHORTLY AFTER THIS INCIDENT THAT FORD HAS A TSB ON THIS ITEM BUT NOT A RECALL. AFTER CONTACTING SVT AND FORD, I WAS NOTIFIED SINCE I HAD 52,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE THEY WOULD NOT COVER THIS ITEM AND IT WAS UP TO ME. I REPLACED THE CLUTCH AND FLY

Mileage: 52,151

20060817VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

BOTH REAR WINDOWS STOPPED WORKING, GETTING STUCK ALL THE WAY DOWN, LEADING TO AN UNSAFE ENVIRONMENT FOR SMALL CHILDREN OR ANIMALS. REAR DRIVER WINDOW FAILED IN MAY 2006 AND WAS REPAIRED BY A FORD DEALERSHIP. REAR PASSENGER WINDOW FAILED AUGUST 17, 2006. *NM

20060505STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

5/4/06 NOTICED VENT LEAK ON PASSENGER FLOOR. *JB

20051020ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN

1. MOST RAIN OR SNOW (WET CONDITION) DRIVING CAUSES PARTIAL OR COMPLETE FAILURES OF HORNS 2. IF CAR IS DRIVE IN WET OR SNOW CONDITIONS, THE HORNS FAIL. THIS IS A PARTIAL FAILURE WHERE HORN ARE BARELY AUDIBLE, OR IN HEAVY WET AND COLD ( FREEZING CONDITIONS) HORNS FAIL COMPLETELY. IN ALL CASES TO DATE, OVER TIME,( USUALLY WEEKS ) HORN RETURNS TO NORMAL FUNCTION DURING DRY/AND WARM UP PERIODS. DO DATE NO CONSEQUENCES. (3) FORD DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED HORNS 2 TIMES (THERE IS A FORD SERVICE BULLETIN) HOWEVER, HAS NOT CHANGED THE CONDITION, IT CONTINUES. OLD PART KEPT BY DEALER. *JB

Mileage: 3,000

20050831SUSPENSION

I PURCHASED NEW AN 2002 FORD FOCUS WITH A SERIOUS SUSPENSION PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAS WORN THROUGH TWO SETS OF TIRES UNEVENLY ON THE INSIDE OF THE TREAD. ONE SET HAD ACTUALLY WORN DOWN TO THE STEEL BELT BEYOND THE RUBBER CAUSING ITS FAILURE AT 18,000 MILES. THIS INCIDENT CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT WHEEL, WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE HAD IT CHECKED BY A PROFESSIONAL AUTOMOTIVE ALIGNMENT SHOP, AND WAS TOLD IT WAS WELL WITHIN FORDS SPECIFICATIONS. AFTER CONTACTING FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THEIR SPECIAL VEHICLE TEAM THEY BOTH SAID THERE WAS NOT ANYTHING THAT COULD BE DONE. I AM LUCKY THAT THE PROBLEM HAS NOT CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WITHIN THE LAST 30,000 MILES AND TWO SETS OF TIRES. I FEEL THIS SAFETY OVERSIGHT IS DUE TO FORD AND ITS FAILURE TO PROPERLY ADJUST THEIR SUSPENSION PARAMETERS TO WORK PROPERLY ON OUR 2002 FORD FOCUS. REPLACED ONE FACTORY WHEEL, INSTALLED SUSPENSION CAMBER ADJUSTMENT PARTS, FOUR NEW TIRES AND HAD VEHICLE RE ALIGNED OUT OF FORDS FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS. *N

Mileage: 18,000

20050831TIRES

I PURCHASED NEW AN 2002 FORD FOCUS WITH A SERIOUS SUSPENSION PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAS WORN THROUGH TWO SETS OF TIRES UNEVENLY ON THE INSIDE OF THE TREAD. ONE SET HAD ACTUALLY WORN DOWN TO THE STEEL BELT BEYOND THE RUBBER CAUSING ITS FAILURE AT 18,000 MILES. THIS INCIDENT CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE FRONT WHEEL, WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE HAD IT CHECKED BY A PROFESSIONAL AUTOMOTIVE ALIGNMENT SHOP, AND WAS TOLD IT WAS WELL WITHIN FORDS SPECIFICATIONS. AFTER CONTACTING FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THEIR SPECIAL VEHICLE TEAM THEY BOTH SAID THERE WAS NOT ANYTHING THAT COULD BE DONE. I AM LUCKY THAT THE PROBLEM HAS NOT CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT WITHIN THE LAST 30,000 MILES AND TWO SETS OF TIRES. I FEEL THIS SAFETY OVERSIGHT IS DUE TO FORD AND ITS FAILURE TO PROPERLY ADJUST THEIR SUSPENSION PARAMETERS TO WORK PROPERLY ON OUR 2002 FORD FOCUS. REPLACED ONE FACTORY WHEEL, INSTALLED SUSPENSION CAMBER ADJUSTMENT PARTS, FOUR NEW TIRES AND HAD VEHICLE RE ALIGNED OUT OF FORDS FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS. *N

Mileage: 18,000

20040921POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

INTERMITENT CLUTCH NOISE & SLIP. CLUTCH STARTED SLIPPING SEVERLY ON OUT OF TOWN TRIP IN BUSY TRAFFIC LOST POWER ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED, HAD TO TOW MY OWN CAR BACK JUST WENT OUT OF WARANTY. WENT ON INTERNET TO FIND PRICES ON PARTS FOUND FORD HAS REDESIGNED CLUTCH COMPONENTS TWICE. FORD ALSO ISSUED TSB FOR CLUTCH THEY FOUND PARTS ARE NOT PROPERLY INSTALLED AND NOT PROPERLY TIGHTENED AT TIME OF MANUFACTURE CAUSING NOISE & WEAR. DEALER ADVISE ME TO TAKE VEHICLE IN FOR DIAGNOSIS & REPLACEMENT OF PARTS THAT ARE BAD WITH UNREVISED PARTS THAT I WOULD PAY FOR. FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS SUPPORTS DEALERS DECISION.*AK

Mileage: 37,700

20040916AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

DRIVERS SIDE SEAT AIR BAG DEPLOYED - THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT TO CAUSE THIS TO HAPPEN. *JB

Mileage: 24,501

20040729POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:FLOOR SHIFT ASSEMBLY

WHEN SHIFTING MY SIX SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION INTO FIRST GEAR, IT OFTEN GOES INTO REVERSE. THIS TRANSMISSION DOESN'T HAVE A LOCKOUT, BUT IT HAS SOME KIND OF SPRING RESISTANCE THAT CONSTANTLY FAILS, WHICH CAUSES YOU TO SHIFT THE CAR INTO REVERSE WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO PUT IT INTO FIRST GEAR. THIS ACTION HAS ALMOST CAUSED NUMEROUS ACCIDENTS AT STOP LIGHTS.*AK

Mileage: 63,200

Compare 2002FORDFOCUS SVT to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 8 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2002 FORD FOCUS SVT have?
The 2002 FORD FOCUS SVT has 48 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2002 FORD FOCUS SVT?
Yes, the 2002 FORD FOCUS SVT has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 FORD FOCUS SVT?
The most-complained component for the 2002 FORD FOCUS SVT is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN with 4 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include TIRES:SIDEWALL and POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY.
Is the 2002 FORD FOCUS SVT safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.