KnownCarProblems2002 Ford Escape Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 1,027 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Ford Escape, most often about the engine (32% of complaints, typically around 66,000 miles). It is 13th of 27 Escape model years by number of complaints and has 8 recalls.
Most common 2002 Ford Escape problems
Engine
330 complaints · 32%Half of these problems showed up before 66,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
The 2002 for ecape that I have owned for 16 months has a defect in the engine that has made it unoporable and the computer system that is supposed to warn you of engine trouble never worked.
2002 Escape xlt stalled at 40 MPH. Loss of brakes and steering. Very scary - fortunately I was not in major traffic. Took to Ford dealership -bulletin found on it and "repair" made.
Brakes
191 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 104,500 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components, power assist, antilock.
Dt: the contact drove through a patch of snow in the road and the vehicle's rear end spun around and hit another vehicle. The contact believed that the ABS sensor, that was replaced by the dealership ,caused this accident. The contact sustained injuries do to the seat beat buckle breaking during the accident.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. While the vehicle was parked he smelled an electrical burning odor. While driving he saw smoke coming from the ABS unit in the engine. After exiting the vehicle it caught on fire. The fire department extinguished the flames. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The manufacturer…
Electrical
123 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, wiring, alternator/generator/regulator, 12v/24v/48v battery.
On several occasions, my 2002 Ford Escape has stalled out in the middle of intersections, on the freeway, and at many inopportune times!!!!! I have been quite scared to drive my SUV any more. It starts to chug like it is not getting any fuel, the check engine light will come on, and the SUV will immediately die. I…
Dt: the contact stated 2002 Ford Escape caught on fire on 4-4-05 in front of the dealership where she bought it. The vehicle was parked. The fire originated from under the hood. The day before on sunday she was having problems starting the car. Her brother had to jump it to get it started; he then drove it around the…
Transmission
105 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 74,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission, clutch assembly, driveline.
: the contact stated the transmission failed suddenly without warning while driving 72 MPH. The vehicle was towed to a dealership who determined the transmission needed to be replaced. There were no problems with the vehicle prior to the incident. Updated 9/15/2006 -
My 2002 Ford Escape had to have a transmission replaced. At 74,000 miles it was blown. I had it towed to a repair shop and asked for his opinion. It was blown. He called about a replacement and was told the dealer kept many replacements for 2002 escapes because of failures. I bought Ford because I always loved and…
Speed control
100 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 85,000 miles. Parts named most often: cables, accelerator pedal, cruise control, linkages.
The vehicle in question a 2002 Ford Escape xl, threw a rod at about 47,000 miles due to a problem that became a recall concern ( Ford recall id# 42319 december 7, 2004), I was sent a recall notice 2 months after the replacement by a used ( 43,000 miles), engine which my extended warranty company chose over a…
While driving on a highway at normal speed with small kids in their carseats the accelerator pedal went limp and the engine revved up to full acceleration. After moments of terror and temporary loss of control, the car was brought to the side of the road and shut down by fighting the engine power with the foot brakes…
Body and structure
87 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 125,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
I was driving my 2002 Ford Escape at 25 MPH on a suburban side street. Suddenly there was a loud clunk sound on the right front of the car with the front dropping and the car grinding to a stop. Inspection revealed the right front wheel was basically broken off with that side of the car sitting on the ground. Further…
The straps which hold up the gas tank on my 2002 Ford Escape are rusted and have snapped in half due to severe corrosion. The front strap is just hanging there. Ford said there is no recall.
Suspension
80 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 125,000 miles. Parts named most often: front, subframe/mounting bracket.
On july 18, 2015 at approximately 1:30 pm I was driving up bear creek mountain and heard a loud pop then the vehicle started sliding before I finally got it to stop. I slide about 50 feet and if I'd slide about 3 more feet I would have been over the side of the mountain. The sub frame had snapped in two and it pulled…
I was driving my 2002 Ford Escape at 25 MPH on a suburban side street. Suddenly there was a loud clunk sound on the right front of the car with the front dropping and the car grinding to a stop. Inspection revealed the right front wheel was basically broken off with that side of the car sitting on the ground. Further…
Air bags
79 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 58,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
2002 frod Escape seat belt tensioner failure causes failure of the air bag safety restraint system. Seat belt tensioners (both at once!) failed, part numbers [VIN] and [VIN].
My 2002 Ford Escape is experiencing its second major airbag problem. The wiring under the seat has now "burnt up" for the second time and I can't afford to have them replaced again to the tune of $450 so I drive without active airbags. The wiring has been replaced once already just 4 months ago but I live in a…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 Ford Escape recalls
Transmission: floor shift
Risk: If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "park" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "park" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "park" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the v
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on october 23, 2015. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15s28.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 ford escape and mercury mariner vehicles manufactured march 31, 2001, to september 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3l or 3.0l engine and have had their cd4e transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between june 11, 2015 through july 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.
Body and structure: frame and members
Risk: A separation of the lower control arm can result in a significant loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install a newly designed reinforcement cross-brace, free of charge. The recall began on may 30, 2014. Owners may contact ford at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14s02.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2004 escape vehicles manufactured october 22, 1999, through january 23, 2004, originally sold, or currently registered in, connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin and the district of columbia. These vehicles may experience excessive corrosion at the forward attachment of the lower control arm.
Speed control: cables
Risk: A stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop or slow the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles by increasing the engine cover clearance, free of charge. The safety recall began august 3, 2012. Remedy parts are expected to be available in mid-august 2012. Until then dealers will disconnect the speed control cable as an interim remedy, if parts are not available at the time of an owner's service appointment. Owners may contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2004 escape vehicles equipped with 3.0l v6 engines and speed control manufactured from october 22, 1999, through january 23, 2004. Inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector could result in a stuck throttle when the accelerator pedal is fully or almost-fully depressed. This risk exists regardless of whether or not speed control (cruise control) is used.
Brakes: control unit/module
Risk: Corrosion can develop in the electrical connector leading to melting, smoke or a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder reservoir cap and the ABS electrical system will be modified. An interim letter was mailed on january 20, 2012. Due to a parts delay, however, the remedy may not be available currently. If parts are not available, ford will instruct owners to park their vehicles outside until such time as parts become available. Owners may contact the ford motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332. This recall campaign is related to 07v-156.
Full defect summary
Ford is recalling certain model year 2001-2002 escape vehicles manufactured from october 22, 1999, through july 19, 2002, equipped with a brake master cylinder reservoir cap that could leak brake fluid. If brake fluid leaks from the cap, it could come in contact with the antilock brake system (ABS) module wiring harness connector.
Brakes: control unit/module
Risk: An electrical short might cause an ABS malfunction that would illuminate the ABS warning light, and in some cases, the module may overheat resulting in burning odor, smoke, and/or fire. This condition could occur either when the vehicle ignition switch is in the off position or while the vehicle is being operated.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the wire harness connector to the ABS module for missing or dislodged wire seals, and repair or replace the harness connector as appropriate. The dealer will also inspect the connector on the ABS module and replace it if it is found to be corroded or damaged. The recall began on april 23, 2007. Owners may contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Full defect summary
On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with antilock brakes (ABS), the ABS module connector may have missing or dislodged wire seals. This condition could allow contamination to enter the module connector, creating a potential for an electrical short.
Doors and locks: latch
Risk: If the liftgate is left unlocked, there is the potential that it may open during a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the rear liftgate latch release rod, the release rod attachment clip and the door handle return spring. The recall began on march 31, 2005. Owners should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Full defect summary
Certain 2004-2005 sport utility vehicles and certain 2001-2003 sport utiity vehicle having rear liftgate components serviced with 2004 equivalent components fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 206, 'door locks and door retention components.' the rear liftgate latching system does not meet the inertia load requirement in one direction.
Speed control: cables
Risk: An unexpected increase in engine idle speed may increase stopping distance and may result in a vehicle crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the accelerator cable. The recall began on january 10, 2005. Owners should contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Full defect summary
On certain sport utility vehicles built with 3.0l v6 engines, the accelerator cable may prevent the throttle from returning to the idle position.
Transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Risk: Should the engine stall, a vehicle crash could occur.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the power control module (PCM) with the appropriate calibration. Owner notification began on april 21, 2004. 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 1-800-392-3673.
Full defect summary
On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with 3.0l v6 engines, during deceleration, the engine can stall.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Cruise control cable
Summary
On july 8, 2012, the center for auto safety has petitioned NHTSA to open defect investigations on model year (my) 2002 ? 2004 ford escape and mazda tribute vehicles with certain cruise control cables.the center for auto safety has also petitioned for a hearing to address whether ford motor company (ford) and mazda north american operations (mazda) met their obligations to notify owners and correct a defect in certain ford escape and mazda tribute vehicles.the petitions to open investigations are denied as unnecessary and the petitions to conduct hearingsare denied.odi ids referenced above are: 10109921, 10116267, 10116574,10121108, 10125928, 10128545, 10130133,10137520, 10153327, 10155295, 1
Stuck throttle
Summary
In a letter dated july 25, 2012 ford motor company (ford) submitted a defect information report (dir), NHTSA recall no. 12v-353 to NHTSA identifying a safety defect involving inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector, which could result in a stuck throttle condition.the vehicles involved are model year (my) 2001 through my 2004 ford escape vehicles equipped with 3.0l v6 engines and speed (cruise) control.a redesigned engine cover was implemented in production beginning in my 2005, which provided additional clearance of the speed control cable to the engine cover.similarly on july 26, 2012 mazda north american operations (mazda) on behalf of mazda mot
Fleet vehicle recall completion audit
Summary
On november 18, 2010, NHTSA's recall management division (rmd) opened an audit query (aq10-001) to investigate recall remedy completion by rental car companies on safety recall campaigns.it was expected to provide the agency an indication of how completely and how quickly rental car fleets perform necessary recall-related remedies on the vehicles owned and then rented/leased for use on the roadways.rmd queried three (3) major motor vehicle manufacturers (ford, chrysler, and general motors) and requested data regarding completion figures for fifteen (15) discreet safety recalls.analysis of this data demonstrated that rental car recalls completion was neither complete nor consistent.the rental
Engine compartment fire
Summary
Ford and mazda recalled model year (my) 2001 through 2004 ford escape (07v-156) and mazda tribute (07v-157) vehicles due to non-crash fires or non-fire thermal events originating in the engine compartment at or near the ABS control module.approximately 545,700 vehicles were subject to the initial safety recalls and approximately 424,700 vehicles were serviced under those campaigns. The campaigns addressed potentially damaged, missing or misplaced seals in the ABS control module wiring harness electrical connector that could allow brake fluid to enter the connector, possibly resulting in corrosion, short-circuit, melting, smoke and/or fire.since the recall, the agency is aware of 260 subject
Engine compartment fire
Summary
In letters dated march 30, 2007, ford motor company (ford) and mazda north american operations (mazda) notified the agency that they will conduct recalls 07v-156 and 07v-157, respectively, to remedy a safety defect that may result in fire in a wiring connector used in certain model year (my) 2001-2004 ford escape and mazda tribute vehicles equipped with ABS.the recall campaign prescribes an inspection of the subject components, which shall be repaired or replaced only if necessary.if the subject vehicle passes the visual inspection then the recall instructs the technician to apply electrical grease (ford part number xg-12) to the ABS module connector and verify system operation.to date, appr
Engine compartment fire
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) received a defect petition dated march 5, 2009 alleging that the petitioner never received the recall remedy for 07v-156 and that, as a result, the petitioner's my2003 ford escape caught fire at the ABS control module.in response to odi follow-up, the manufacturer verified that the petitioner's vehicle had in fact received service related to safety recall 07v156 - a fact later corroborated by the petitioner.circumstances of the fire experienced in the petitioner's remedied vehicle indicate that the remedy was ineffective.additional review by odi identified an additional 6 similar (alleged to have originated in the engine compartment at or near the AB
Engine compartment fire
Summary
In letters dated march 30, 2007, ford and mazda notified NHTSA that they will conduct safety recalls to remedy a safety defect that may result in fire in a wiring connector used in certain model year (my) 2001-2004 ford escape and mazda tribute sport utility vehicles equipped with ABS.recall 07v-156 involves approximately 446,450 my 2001-2004 escape vehicles manufactured from october 22, 1999 through january 23, 2004.recall 07v-157 involves approximately 95,300 my 2001-2004 tribute vehicles manufactured from april 17, 2000 through december 19, 2003. According to the manufacturers, the electrical wiring connectors to the ABS electronic control module were manufactured with wire seals missing
Engine stalling
Summary
Summary:the petitioner alleges that after having the recall remedy performed on her model year (my) 2001 ford escape, it continued to exhibit an intermittent stall condition.consequently, she petitioned the agency to examine the adequacy of the recall remedy for safety recall 04v-165.on april 5, 2004, ford motor company (ford) notified the agency that it would conduct a recall of 321,903 my 2001 through 2002 and certain 2003 my escape vehicles equipped with 3.0l engines manufactured between january 21, 2000 and september 11, 2002 at the kansas city assembly plant.these vehicles exhibited an intermittent engine stall during decelerations at vehicle speeds below 40 MPH due to an excessively ri
Engine stalling
Summary
Ford's and mazda's letters to NHTSA dated april 5 and april 9, 2004, state that they will recall model year 2001-03 ford escape and mazda tribute vehicles with the v6 engine built thru september 11, 2002.dealers will adjust engine calibration in the programmable control module (PCM), which in its current setting, can cause the engine to shut down if the vehicle is decelerating at speeds below 40 MPH. The engine shuts down due to excessively rich air-fuel mixtures being sent to the engine.when the engine shuts down, drivers may notice a loss of power assist for their steering and brakes. The majority of the complainants have indicated to the agency that the stall is intermittent and can happe
Engine stalling
Questions about the 2002 Ford Escape
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Ford Escape?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (330 complaints, typically around 66,000 miles); brakes (191 complaints, typically around 104,500 miles); electrical (123 complaints, typically around 60,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Ford Escape have?
- 8 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 29, 2015 (transmission). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2002 a bad year for the Ford Escape?
- It is 13th of 27 Escape model years by number of complaints, with 1,027 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.