2002 Ford FOCUS SVT: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
32 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
26,375 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 26 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System:Horn is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 32 complaints (12.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 5 | 15.6% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 12.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 9.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 9.4% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 9.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 3.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System:Horn | 4 |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 2 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe | 2 |
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly | 2 |
| Suspension | 2 |
| Tires | 2 |
| Tires:Sidewall | 2 |
Electrical System:Horn: 4; Air Bags:Side/Window: 2; Electrical System: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe: 2; Power Train:Clutch Assembly: 2; Suspension: 2; Tires: 2; Tires:Sidewall: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 13 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 13; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (13). 6 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 1 |
| 2003 | 7 |
| 2004 | 11 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2002: 1; 2003: 7; 2004: 11; 2005: 2; 2006: 2; 2007: 2; 2010: 2; 2011: 1; 2012: 3; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System:Horn leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 5 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10000038 · 2002-12-12 (December 12, 2002)
THIS FIRST INCIDENT WAS RATHER BENIGN. I NOTICED MY 2002 FORD FOCUS SVT, AT 2400 MILES, WOULD NOT PRODUCE SUSTAINED HEAT. AFTER REPAIR, ON 12-8-02, THE VEHICLE, WITH 2800 MILES, WOULD NOT START. IT LEFT ME STRANDED AND HAD TO BE TOWED. I AM TOLD THE VEHICLE REQUIRES A NEW "INTAKE" FOR REPAIR AND WAS "PROBABLY" THE CAUSE OF THE INITIAL PROBLEM. THOUGH THE INCIDENTS ARE RATHER SIMPLE, I FIND IT REDICULOUS FOR A VEHICLE WHICH WAS MADE LESS THAN 6 MONTHS AGO.
Owner-reported narrative. 2,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10000038 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10016191 · 2003-04-19 (April 19, 2003)
POSSIBLE DEFECT IN CONTINENTAL'S CONTISPORT CONTACT OEM TIRES (SIZE 215/45ZR17) THAT CAME WITH MY NEW FORD FOCUS SVT. I RECENTLY HAD A SEVERE BLOW OUT ON A HIGHWAY I-90. LUCKILY FOR ME, IT DIDN'T RESULT IN ANY DEATH, INJURY OR DESTRUCTION OF THE PROPERTY BUT STILL THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR THE ULTRA PERFORMANCE TIRE TO FAIL IN SUCH A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME (UNDER 6000 MILES.) AFTER FURTHER INSPECTION I ALSO DISCOVERED THAT ONE MORE TIRE DEVELOPED SIDEWALL CRACK AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10016191 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10017890 · 2003-04-30 (April 30, 2003)
THE FRONT SEAT BELTS DID NOT RETRACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THIS PROBLEM 4 TIMES. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10017890 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018311 · 2003-05-06 (May 6, 2003)
I'VE HAD 2 SIDEWALL BLOW OUTS ON MY CONTINENTAL-SPORT CONTACT. THEY ARE OEM ON MY SVT FOCUS. I OWN TWO OF THEM, AND BASICALLY THEY ROUGHLY HAVE BLOWN OUT THE SAME TIME AROUND 6,000 AND 7, 000 (APPROXIMATELY). I'VE BEEN DRIVING 18 YEARS WITH OUT A FLAT OR A BLOW OUT AND HAVE 2 ALONE WITH THIS CAR. THEY ARE EXPENSIVE TIRES AS WELL AS HARD TIRE TO FIND.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10018311 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018886 · 2003-05-18 (May 18, 2003)
DEFECTIVE TIRE AND RIM 2 BAD CLUTCHES POOR BODY WORK(CROOKED HOOD) E BRAKE NOT ABLE TO HOLD ON A HILL!*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10018886 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10025675 · 2003-07-08 (July 8, 2003)
CONTAMINATION IN FUEL TANK CAUSING ENGINE PULSING AND NEAR STALLING AT LOW SPEEDS IN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR. FUEL FROM FUEL FILTER TANK SIDE INTAKE IS BROWN, ALMOST THE COLOR OF TEA, FROM CONTAMINATION. DEALER MECHANIC, SERVICE TECH, AND SERVICE MANAGER CLAIM THE CONTAMINATION IN THE PLASTIC TANK IS FROM BAD GAS. I DISPUTED THIS CLAIM AND INFORMED THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT I'VE BEEN HAVING THESE ENGINE PROBLEMS SINCE A MONTH OR SO AFTER TAKING DELIVERY OF THE VEHICLE AND THEY'VE BECOME STEADILY WORSE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10025675 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10025869 · 2003-07-11 (July 11, 2003)
I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN AT 15-20 MPH AND FELT THE FRONT END DIPPED THEN THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED OUT OF MY HANDS AND THE CAR DROVE INTO A CURB CAUSING MAJOR DAMAGE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 4,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10025869 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10047064 · 2003-11-17 (November 17, 2003)
9 REPAIR ISSUES IN 8,000 MILES. 1. GRINDING BRAKES. 2. SUNROOF FAILED TO CLOSE. 3. ENGINE SENSOR FAILED. 4. TIRE DEVELOPED A BUBBLE. 5. INTAKE RUNNER FAILED. 6. STEREO JAMMED. 7. HORN FAILED. 8. DEFECTIVE CONTROL ASSEMBLY. 9. DEFECTIVE MANIFOLD ASSEMBLY. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 9,371 miles reported. Look up ODI 10047064 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
02V117000 · Vehicle Speed Control:Cruise Control
Reported: 2002-04-18 (April 18, 2002)
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.
Consequence: IF THIS CONDITION WERE TO OCCUR, IT MAY BE NECESSARY TO DEPRESS THE CLUTCH AND APPLY THE BRAKE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY AND CHECK FOR PROPER OPERATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 25, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
NHTSA campaign record ↗