2002 Ford Focus Latches & Locks Problems

Your door latches — both front doors and the rear passenger door — developed cracks and failed while your car was parked. This happened at 110,000 miles and the vehicle was repaired. The door latches may need replacement to ensure your doors stay securely closed and latched.

Your rear hatch door keeps popping open on its own whenever you drive over bumps, no matter what speed you're going. The hatch latch indicator light also comes on when this happens. This has happened multiple times. The issue may involve replacing or adjusting the rear hatch latch mechanism to ensure it stays securely closed.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LATCH FRACTURED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V030000 (LATCHES, LOCKS, LINKAGES). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE DOOR COULD NOT BE LOCKED ELECTRONICALLY OR MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 05V030000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 181,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOOR LATCH MALFUNCTIONED AND THE DOOR WOULD NOT LATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 05V030000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000. *TR

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.

I HAVE A 2002 FORD FOCUS ZTS AND THE TRUCK LATCH AND LOCKING MECHANISM IS NOT WORKING. THE TRUNK WON'T STAY LATCHED. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO A FORD DEALERSHIP BUT THEY SAID THEY WOULD REPLACE IT FOR $314. I CAN'T AFFORD THAT NOW. I ASKED IF IT WAS UNDER RECALL AND THEY SAID THAT THEY ALWAYS CHECK ON RECALLS FIRST. WHEN I LOOKED UP THE ITEM ON LINE IT DID HAVE A RECALL. WHAT CAN I DO TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM? *TR

RIGHTREAR DOOR LOCK IS STUCK IN LOCKED POSITION. IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO UNLOCK THE DOOR. THIS IS DANGEROUS SITUATION IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT, PASSENGERS WILL NOT B ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. IF PASSENGER IS A CHILD ON CAR SIT, IT IS NOT POSSIBLE TO OPEN THE DOOR TO REMOVE CHILD FROM CAR. WITH DOOR IN LOCKED POSITION, EMERGENCY TEAMS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO OPEN THE DOOR TO REMOVE PASSENGER IN CASE OF ACCIDENT. *TR

I HAVE A 2002 AND A 2003 FORD FOCUS THE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCKS DON`T WORK PROPERTY THE LOCKS WILL SHUT AND OPEN ON THERE OWN AS OF NOW I CAN`T OPEN THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR THE LOCKS HAVE SHUT IN AN INBETWEEN POSITION.I HAVE TO CRAWL OVER THE CONSOLE TO GET OUT THE PASSENGER DOOR.IT WILL NOT LET ME OPEN THE DOOR FORM THE OUTSIDE EITHER THE LOCKS ARE LIKE IN AN INBETWEEN POSITION.THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR BOTH OF MY FOCUS FOR A LONG TIME I HAVE CALLED FORD AND THEY SAY THEY DON`T HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THIS. MY MECHANIC FRIEND SAYS THEY GET ALOT OF CALLS ABOUT FORD FOCUS LOCK PROBLEM,MY BROTHER HAS A FOCUS AND HAS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE REAR DOOR LATCH MALFUNCTIONED AND THE DOOR WOULD NOT LATCH. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE TAPE IN ORDER FOR THE DOOR TO REMAIN CLOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO ADVISED HER THAT SHE WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000. UPDATED 06/24/11 *BF UPDATED 06/30/11. *JB

I HAVE A 2002 FORD FOCUS ZX5. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LOCK ACTUATOR IS SEIZED IN THE LOCKED POSITION. THERE ARE NO ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO OPEN THIS DOOR. THIS RESULTS IN A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE IF THE PASSENGER IS NOT ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE IN AN EMERGENCY. THERE WAS NO WARNING BEFORE THIS HAPPENED AND APPEARS TO BE PERMANENT. THE ACTUATOR MUST BE REMOVED AND REPLACED AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $400.00. *TR

I BOUGHT A 2002 FORD FOZUS ZX3 WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN THE FALL OF 2010. I FOUND MYSELF HAVING TROUBLE WITH THE IGNITION KEY NOT TURNING ONCE INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION CYLINDER. THIS OCCURRED QUITE FREQUENTLY (APPROXIMATELY ONCE EVERY TWO WEEKS) AND I HAD TO PLAY WITH THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE KEY FOR AT LEAST FIVE MINUTES EVERY TIME. I DID NOT CONSIDER IT TO BE A SUBSTANTIAL PROBLEM UNTIL LAST NIGHT. I WAS AT MY FRIEND'S APARTMENT AND AROUND 1:30 AM I DECIDED TO LEAVE. I GOT IN MY CAR, INSERTED THE KEY IN THE IGNITION AND COULD NOT TURN IT AT ALL AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED. I WAS IN MY FRIEND'S DRIVEWAY FOR ABOUT A HALF HOUR, TRYING EVERYTHING I COULD POSSIBLY THINK OF TO GET THE STEERING WHEEL TO UNLOCK AND THE KEY TO TURN. I ENGAGED THE GEAR RELEASE AND MANUALLY PUT THE CAR INTO NEUTRAL, I BLEW ON THE IGNITION WITH MY HAND CUPPED OVER IT, AS I THOUGHT THIS ISSUE MAY HAVE BEEN CAUSED DUE TO THE COLD WEATHER. I LOCKED AND UNLOCKED THE DOORS, BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT MAY HAVE BEEN A SAFETY FEATURE. AFTER A HALF HOUR OF EFFORT WITH NO RESULTS I HAD TO CALL MY PARENTS AND ASK THEM TO COME PICK ME UP, BOTH OF THEM HAD TO WORK IN THE MORNING AND MY 62 YEAR OLD FATHER HAD TO GET OUT OF BED, AND COME GET ME AT 2 IN THE MORNING IN THE MIDDLE OF JAN. I WAS TEN MINUTES FROM MY HOUSE, BUT EVERY OTHER TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED I'VE BEEN APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES FROM MY HOUSE OR MORE. THIS HAS BEEN A MAJOR DISAPPOINTMENT AND CAUSE FOR CONCERN, ESPECIALLY SINCE MY FAMILY AND I HAVE GROWN TO TRUST AND DEPEND ON FORD VEHICLES. MY OLDEST BROTHER'S FIRST CAR WAS A MUSTANG, MY OTHER BROTHER'S FIRST CAR WAS A THUNDERBIRD AND HE NOW DRIVES AND ESCAPE. MY FATHER CURRENTLY DRIVES A RANGER, MY MOTHER'S LAST VEHICLE WAS A WINDSTAR, AND MY FIRST CAR WAS AN EXPLORER. IT SERVED ME WELL AND WHEN I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO BUY ANOTHER FORD I DIDN'T HAVE TO THINK TWICE, BUT THIS LATEST EXPERIENCE HAS MADE ME SERIOUSLY SECOND GUESS WHAT I HAD THOUGHT TO BE AN AMERICAN NAME I COULD TRUST. *LN

(2002 FORD FOCUS SE) HAS AUTO LOCKING DOORS NOW THESE DOORS SOMETIMES STAY LOCK PRESS ALL BUTTONS AND NOT A THING HAPPENS.NOW SOMETIMES I CAN BE INSIDE THE CAR 5-7 MINUTES PRESSING THE RELEASE BUTTONS BUT THE DOORS WONT OPEN. ONE PROBLEM IS THAT THIS TYPE OF DOORS IS ALL POWER OPERATED AND THEY DON'T HAVE MANUAL RELEASE LATCH. PLEASE NOTE IN A EMERGENCY IF THIS HAPPENS NO ONE WOULD BE ABLE TO GET OUT OF THE CAR WITHOUT HAVING SOMETHING TO BREAK THE GLASS. THESE DOOR SHOULD HAVE A MANUAL RELEASE LATCH WHEN THE POWER FAILS. THIS KEEPS ON HAPPENING VERY OFTEN. *TR

I HAVE A FORD FOCUS 2002 ZX5 AND THE KEY WILL NOT TURN IN THE IGNITION. I AM SEEING THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM, IN FACT CALIFORNIA HAS STARTED A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. FORD HAS NOT RECALLED THIS PART. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. THE TRUNK WOULD NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE LATCH AND STRIDE WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 65000. UPDATED 10/29/09 *CN UPDATED 10/29/09.*JB THE PART HAS NOT REPLACED.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD FOCUS. ON MAY 20, 2009, WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR, HE WAS UNABLE TO UNLATCH THE LOCK. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY FOUND THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LATCH MOTOR FAILED. A NEW MOTOR WOULD COST $400. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE FAILURE; THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 129,000.

I OWN A 2002 FORD FOCUS AND I SIMPLY PARKED MY CAR AT THE GROCERY STORE, LOCKED MY CAR, AND WHEN I CAME BACK I COULD NOT TURN THE KEY IN THE IGNITION TO START THE CAR. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME ITS HAPPEN WHERE I COMPLETELY FAILED TO TURN THE KEY. NOW MY CAR IS SITTING AT THE GROCERY STORE AND NOW I'M READING THAT I'M GOING TO POTENTIALLY PAY 200 TO 400 BUCKS TO GET THIS FIXED. THIS IS VERY, VERY UPSETTING. THANKS FORD FOR YOUR LOUSY IGNITION DESIGN. I'LL NEVER BUY A FORD AGAIN. *TR

WHEN THE KEY IS INSERTED, THE IGNITION WILL NOT ALLOW IT TO TURN FORWARD TO START THE CAR. ALTHOUGH THIS JUST STARTED WITHOUT ANY WARNING SIGN ON MY CAR, I HAVE HEARD OF IT HAPPENING TO MANY OTHER CARS OF THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL. I FEEL IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE IT COULD RESULT IN MYSELF AND MY PASSENGERS BEING STRANDED IN AN UNSAFE AREA. *TR

THE PASSENGER REAR DOOR POWER LOCK FAILED DUE TO A PROBLEM INSIDE THE LOCK ITSELF. WHEN THE LOCK FAILED YOU ARE UNABLE TO UNLOCK THE DOOR BY THE POWER SWITCH OR MANUALLY. OUR 4 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER HAD TO CRAWL OUT OF HER CAR SEAT AND EXIT THE STREET SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. YOU CANNOT OPEN THE DOOR UNTIL YOU GET THE LOCK FIXED. THIS CREATED AN UNSAFE CONDITION FOR PASSENGERS RIDING IN THE CAR. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE FIRES WHICH MAKES THE SITUATION MORE DANGEROUS. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER, AND THE LOCK MODULE WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF AROUND $400.00. 10/19/2008, THE FRONT PASSENGER POWER LOCK MODULE HAS FAILED MAKING THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT UNUSABLE. IT IS BEING REPAIRED TODAY AND I WILL SAVE THE OLD PART. THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN ONE SMALL ACCIDENT(LESS THAN $500) DAMAGE TO THE REAR BUMPER. NO DOOR DAMAGE HAS OCCURRED TO CAUSE THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. DUE TO THE COST FACTOR OF THE REPAIRS, NOT ALL PEOPLE CAN HAVE THIS ISSUE REPAIRED, MAKING THIS A SAFETY CONCERN FOR PASSENGERS TO ESCAPE IN AN EMERGENCY. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY APPROXIMATELY 37,000 MILE ON IT. THE DOORS SHOULD STILL BE ABLE TO UNLOCK AND OPEN MANUALLY IF THE POWER LOCK FAILS . *TR

DRIVER NOTICED THAT THE TRUNK LID FAILED TO LOCK PROPERLY . THE DRIVER WOULD HAVE TO SLAM TRUNK LID BEFORE IT WOULD LOCK. THE CONSUMER DROVE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE HOOD LEVER DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR. THE CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED AND HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *AK *JB *NM

THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DOOR LATCH FAILED . AS A RESULT, THE OCCUPANT WAS TRAPPED INSIDE. A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THE REAR DOOR LATCH, BUT THE FRONT DOORS WERE NO INCLUDED. *AK

THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR DOOR WILL NOT LATCH. THE CONSUMER HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ORDERED A NEW LATCH ASSEMBLY WHICH CONSUMER HAD TO PAY OUT OF HER POCKET. ALSO, THE DEALER ALSO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT A NEW LATCH ASSEMBLY WAS BEING ORDERED FOR WHICH THE CONSUMER WOULD HAVE TO PAY. *AK *SC

THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR SOMETIMES WILL NOT LATCH SHUT. AFTER LOOKING AT IT, THE CATCH JUST SWINGS FREELY AND DOESN'T GRAB THE POST. AFTER REPEATED SLAMMING OF THE DOOR, IT WILL WORK AGAIN FOR A SHORT PERIOD. OPENED ONCE WHILE DRIVING. I KEEP A BUNJIE CHORD WITH ME IN CASE AND I BUNGEE IT SHUT WHEN IT ACTS UP. I DON'T HAVE ANYONE SIT IN THE RERAR PASSENGERS SEAT.*AK

WHILE DRIVING, THE DOOR AJAR LIGHT CAME ON. THIS OCCURRED BECAUSE THE REAR HATCH BECAME UN-LATCH. THE REAR HATCH IS NOW INOPERATIVE. WHEN THE REAR LATCH WAS CLOSED, IT UN-LATCHED INSTEAD OF LATCHING. THE ENTIRE REAR HATCH LOCKING ASSEMBLY HAS TO BE REPLACED. *JB

DOOR LOCK SELF ACTIVATION - WHILE WE WERE IN THE DEALERSHIP, WE WERE THE THIRD PERSON OF THE DAY TO COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. SINCE FORD PUT OUT THE SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS PROBLEM IN 2002, I WOULD THINK THEY SHOULD PAY THE $184 FOR PARTS IN ADDITION TO THE $189 LABOR. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DEFECT IN THEIR MANUFACTURING. *AK

CONSUMER NOTICED THAT PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR DOOR WAS OPEN. UPON LOCKING DOOR LATCH IT WILL NOT LOCK IN PLACE, CAUSING, CONSUMER TO SECURE VEHICLE. *AK

THE DEALER HAD TO REMOVE THE REAR SEATS AND TRUNK LOCK TO GET THE TRUNK TO OPEN. *NLM *SCC *JB

AT FIRST I THOUGHT I MIGHT HAVE HIT THE HATCH RELEASE WHEN I UNLOCKED THE VEHICLE USING THE KEY FOB. AS I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND PULLED AWAY, THE DOORS LOCKED AND I HAD TO STOP AT A LIGHT AND NOTICED THE REAR HATCH WAS UP. THE SECOND TIME WAS WHEN MY DOG STARTED BARKING AND THERE WAS THE HATCH UP. I HAD TO PULL OVER, I'M LUCKEY I DID NOT LOSE THE DOG. I STARTED USING THE KEY AFTER THAT. AS SOON AS I PULL AWAY, AND AFTER THE DOORS LOCK A WHILE LATER THE HATCH IS OPEN. THIS ONLY HAPPENS NOW AND THEN. EVERY OTHER MONTH OR SO. I HAVE CHECKED THE REAR HATCH PRIOR TO DRIVING. THIS HATCH CAN ONLY BE RELEASED BY THE BUTTON ON DASH OR BY USING THE KEY FOB. NO KEY. THE THIRD TIME I HAD GROCERY'S ALL OVER THE PLACE. I HAVE STOPPED USING THE REAR HATCH. SIDE DOORS ONLY. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG.*AK