Two problems related to engine shut off without warning have been reported for the 2002 Ford Focus. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2002 Ford Focus based on all problems reported for the 2002 Focus.
Car when warmed up and during intercity driving will randomly cut out when the accelerator is not depressed. Car shuts off and becomes hard to steer and control. Have almost been hit and no one can figure out what's wrong. It does this intermittently. Also the car has the updated thermostat housing and the thermostat still tends to overheat. Have contacted Ford and call center employee did not seem too enthusiastic to help. Offered to find me a Ford dealer but not someone from their safety office. Also, car had old style ignition cylinder which locked back in February. This seems to be a common problem. . . Aftermarket have the same design.
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.