There are 162 stored owner reports matching the brakes leading-label group for the 2002 Ford Escape in our NHTSA-sourced dataset. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
This group counts stored reports whose component label starts with one of this site's matching prefixes, ignoring case. Each matching report counts once within the group. Components mentioned later in the label or only in the narrative are not searched. How component counts work
Loaded 50 of 162 matching reports. This is a limited sample of up to 50 reports, ordered by incident date when available, not the complete group. The list controls page through the loaded reports only.
Open the full vehicle complaint log (all categories)BREAKS MAKE SCRAP SOUND LIKE METAL GRINDING AND IT'S HARD TO BREAK I ALMOST HAVE TO PUSH THE BREAKS ALL THE WAY DOWN AND YOU FEEL IT IN THE PEDDLE IF YOU DRIVE AROUND 40 MPH AND GO TO PUT ON THE BREAKS THE SCRAPING SOUND HAPPENS AND SOMETIMES THE PEDDLE TRY'S TO LOCK UP. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED IN HER DRIVEWAY. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND FILED A REPORT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER AND THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLES WERE MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS, BUT WAS NOT TOWED FROM THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER (LITHIA FORD OF MISSOULA, 3943 BROOKS ST, MISSOULA, MT 59804) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE CALLED AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A CALL BACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD NOT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 12V005000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AND 12V353000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000. .*BF *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A FIRE THAT ERUPTED UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY A FIRE COMPANY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS TO INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 12V353000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) AND 12V005000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. *TT *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE DETAILS OF THE FIRE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE), 12V353000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL), AND 12V005000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE SUSPENSION WAS UNSTABLE IN THE FRONT. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE ON A SECOND OCCASION. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO CUT THE HOOD OPEN AND INSPECTED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS ON FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,703.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V005000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR AND THE CONTACT HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE ABS AND BRAKE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR WHEEL SENSOR SHORT CIRCUITED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 209,000. UPDATED 04/06/15*LJ
DRIVING THE VEHICLE DOWN A RESIDENTIAL STREET. APPLIED THE BRAKES, PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CAR ROLLED TO A STOP WITH LIMITED BRAKING. PLACED INTO PARK AND HAD PASSENGER PUMP BRAKES. FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE HOSE ADJACENT TO THE CALIPER HAD RUPTURED. SAW ONLINE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 1ST GENERATION FORD ESCAPES. COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC! *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR AND THERE WAS SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHICH WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V005000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE THE RECALL NOTICE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE HAD SURPASSED THE STATUE OF LIMITATIONS FOR THE RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 196,000.
LOST BRAKES SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING; MANAGED TO CONTROL STOP WITH PARKING BRAKE. MECHANIC SAYS RIGHT FRONT BRAKE HOSE BROKE. HE MENTIONED THAT HOSE LINES ARE TOO SHORT IN THIS MODEL AND TEND TO CRACK AND BREAK, ESPECIALLY WHEN WHEEL FULLY TURNED, STRETCHING HOSE. ALL OTHER BRAKE LINES ARE CRACKED AND MUST BE REPLACED TO AVOID SAME ISSUE. MECHANIC REPORTS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN FORD ESCAPES AND AN INTERNET SEARCH RETURNED MULTIPLE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ABOUT SAME ISSUES, BUT NO RECALL OR WARNINGS ISSUED. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE THRESHOLD FOR RECALLS IS, BUT MY BRAKES WENT OUT JUST WHEN I WAS LEAVING A CROWDED GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT. HAD MY REACTION TIME NOT BEEN AS QUICK IT IS QUITE POSSIBLE SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED OR KILLED. THANK YOU. *TR
THE CAR WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY. A COUPLE HOURS BEFORE I HAD RUN THE CAR IDLE IN THE DRIVE TO ADD COOLANT. AT AROUND 3 PM MY NEIGHBOR CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND NOTIFIED US OF SMOKE UNDER OUR CARPORT. FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID IT LOOKED LIKE THE BRAKES CAUGHT FIRE. AFTER THE INCIDENT THE RESEARCH AND TALKING TO THE DEALER BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION SAFELY RECALL NOTICE 11 S24 THAT WOULD HAVE PREVENTED THE FIRE. I NEVER GOT RECALL INFO AS I BOUGHT THE CAR SECOND HAND. CALLED FORD AND THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 55 IN THE RAIN, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DECELERATE BUT THE VEHICLE SKID AND CRASHED INTO A MEDIAN. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,600.
BRAKE LINES CRACK PREMATURELY AND CAUSE A BLOW OUT OF THE LINE. LOOSE CONTROL OF BRAKING SYSTEM FOR THE VEHICLE. I HAVE REPLACED FRONT BRAKE LINES TWICE SINCE OWNING AND NOW FOR A 3RD TIME FOR 3 OF THE 4 WHEELS. IT WAS RECOMMENDED BY MY MECHANIC TO FILE A REPORT WITH THE NHTSA FOR THIS AS THEY SEE THIS ON NEARLY EVERY FORD ESCAPE THAT COMES IN FOR BRAKE RELATED ISSUES. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUNIMATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 166,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT APPLIED IMMENSE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES TO NO AVAIL. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO FIVE VEHICLES. THE CONTACT SUFFERED BRUISES TO HER LEGS. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135,000. UPDATED 12/5/13*CN
HAD POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE RE-CALIBRATED, RE-PROGRAMMED PCM, ABS MODULE CONNECTOR REPAIR AND INSPECTION, ABS RELAY INSTALLATION AND MASTER CYLINDER CAP REPLACED, ALL RE-CALLS. FIND OUT HCU HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT IS FAILING WHICH IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND CAN RESULT IN BRAKES FAILING AND POSSIBLE DEATH FROM LOSS OF CONTROL AND ACCIDENT. THANK GOD THIS HASN'T HAPPENED BUT FORD NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FIX THIS ISSUE WITH SO MANY OTHERS WITH SAME PROBLEM. *TR
MY 2002 ESCAPE WAS SERVICED FOR A RECALL ISSUED A FEW YEARS BACK. THE WIRING HARNESS ON THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM. WHEN WE TOOK IT IN TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIRED THE DEALER SAID THE ABS MODULE WAS BAD- $900 TO FIX IT!! THEY SAY IT IS NOT RELATED BECAUSE IT DIDN'T CATCH FIRE OR BURN UP/MELT THE WIRING HARNESS?? I HAVE TO WAIT FOR PARTS TO MELT OR CATCH FIRE BEFORE THEY WILL FIX THE PART IT PLUGS INTO?? EVERY VEHICLE WE HAVE PURCHASED NOW IN THE LAST 20 YEARS HAS BEEN A FORD. WE PAID OFF BOTH OUR FORDS AND WERE READY TO PURCHASE AND HAND DOWN THE ESCAPE TO MY 16 Y/O DAUGHTER.IT IS NOT SAFE! MORE THAN 4 RECALLS ALL SAFETY RELATED ON THIS VEHICLE. OUR F150 GOES IN FOR A FEW RECALLS AND SPARK PLUGS- A WHOPPING $500 TO CHANGE SPARK PLUGS BECAUSE OF THE DESIGN OF THE ENGINE AND AN EXTRA HOUR OF LABOR FOR EACH ONE THAT BREAKS OFF...LOVELY! AT THE MERCY OF FORD AND ONCE AGAIN, TOTAL DISSATISFACTION AND DISAPPOINTMENT. NOW THEY COULD CARE LESS WHO GETS HURT,I'M NOT GOING TO RISK MY DAUGHTERS LIFE OR ANYONE'S FOR THAT MATTER. FORD SHOULD TAKE CARE OF THIS. ALSO, IT SAYS 'MODIFIED ABS SYSTEM' IN RECALL WITH MASTER CYLINDER CAP (NOT EVEN REPAIRED SEE BELOW)NOW THEY WANT TO CHARGE IS $900 TO REPAIR. SOMEONE OR MANY WILL END UP INJURED OR WORSE! MY 2002 ESCAPE WAS SERVICED FOR A RECALL ISSUED A FEW YEARS BACK. THE WIRING HARNESS ON THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM (NOT GOOD) WHEN WE TOOK IT IN TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIRED THE DEALER SAID THE ABS MODULE WAS BAD- $900 TO FIX IT!! THEY SAY IT IS NOT RELATED BECAUSE IT DIDN'T CATCH FIRE OR BURN UP/MELT THE WIRING HARNESS?? MORE THAN 4 RECALLS ALL SAFETY RELATED ON THIS VEHICLE THE NEWEST BRAKE SYSTEM RECALL IS THE MASTER CYLINDER FLUID CAP (DIDN'T EVEN KNOW ABOUT THIS ONE AND IT WAS NOT FIXED AND MY FLUID IS LEAKING ALL OVER THE PLACE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING DOWNHILL AT 40 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THE BRAKE PEDAL ABNORMALLY TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR BOARD. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE HE HAD TO DOWN SHIFT AND ENGAGE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 176,000. UPDATED 3/14/13 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED BOTH FRONT BRAKE HOSES FAILED AT THE SAME TIME. UPDATED 03/21/13
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS SHE WOULD HEAR A LOUD WHISTLING NOISE. WHEN SHE WOULD DEPRESSES THE BRAKES THE NOISE WOULD STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HER THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON HER VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 203,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 230,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
BRAKE TONE RINGS CRACK AND CAUSE ABS TO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON FORD ESCAPES. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE XLT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER :12V005000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE ). LATER, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE TRAVELING 25 MPH AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO WORK PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 111,053.
2002 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE RECALL *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAS NOT RECEIVED ANY TYPE OF CORRESPONDENCE AS TO WHEN HE CAN HAVE THE RECALL PERFORMED ON HIS VEHICLE. RECALL # 07V156000 *JB
Showing 1-20 of 50 loaded complaints
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
NHTSA source checks for this vehicle year
Checks are recorded separately for each dataset, not for the whole page. Dates use UTC. A missing check date does not mean no records exist.
Vehicle import recorded: Apr 29, 2026. This is the stored import date, not confirmation that every source was successfully refreshed.