NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Ford Escape. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFT GAGE BACK WINDOW WAS BROKEN. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST HER WITH ANY INFORMATION REGARDING THE PARTS TO BE REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 70000.
THE ACCELERATOR ON MY 2002 FORD ESCAPE V6 STUCK AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. UPON TRYING TO MANUALLY "PULL" THE ACCELERATOR FREE, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE FASTER. SPEEDS REACHED 70 MPH AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT SLOW THE VEHICLE. I SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL, AND SLOWLY APPLIED THE PARKING BRAKE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE KEPT RACING AT 6000 RPM'S. UPON FINDING A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND DRIFTED TO THE SIDE ROAD. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY ARE NOT ADMITTING TO ANY PROBLEMS/ISSUES. I CALLED FORD MOTOR CO. AS WELL TO NO AVAIL, EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF THIS OCCURRING ON THE INTERNET. I AM CONVINCED THAT IF MY WIFE WAS DRIVING WITH THE CHILDREN, SHE WOULD HAVE CRASHED THE VEHICLE. *TR
AFTER READING THE BELOW REPORT, WE TOOK OUR 2002 FORD ESCAPE TO GOLDEN CIRCLE FORD IN JACKSON TN. WE WERE INFORMED THAT THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS REPORT. OUR MASTER CYLINDER HAS BRAKE FLUID LEAKING ALL AROUND IT AND EVEN LEAVES SPOTS IN THE GARAGE. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT IT SEEMS ONE HAND HAS NO IDEA WHAT THE OTHER IS DOING. THESE REPORTS NEED TO ALSO GO TO THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENTS SO THEY CAN BE FAMILIAR WITH PROBLEMS WITH THEIR PRODUCTS. TO DATE, OUR PROBLEM STILL HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. COMPONENT: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER DETAILS: CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID. CONSEQUENCE: LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
THIS COMPLAINT IS TO REGARDING FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THE CD4E AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THIS IS BY FAR THE WORST TRANSMISSION EVER BUILT. I HAVE A FORD ESCAPE AND A MAZDA 626 AND BOTH HAVE NEEDED THE TRANSMISSION REBUILT THIS YEAR. THE FORD 4 TIMES BEFORE IT WOULD WORK RIGHT. I WISH THAT THE GOVERNMENT WOULD NOT LET AUTO MANUFACTURERS BUILT DEFECTIVE VEHICLES AND PARTS AND MAKE THEM OWN UP TO IT IF THEY DO. I WONDER HOW MANY THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS CONSUMERS HAVE HAD TO LAY OUT TO FIX THESE HORRIBLE TRANSMISSIONS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT MOVED SWITCHED TO NEUTRAL GEAR AND MOVED THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROADWAY. HE WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A DIAGNOSIS OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 64,111. UPDATED 07/29/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE BECAME STUCK. THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE TRADED THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 09/07/10*JB
MY 2002 FORD ESCAPE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE I WAS ASLEEP. LUCKILY A NEIGHBOR SAW THE FIRE AND STARTED TO WET DOWN MY HOUSE AND WE THEN BOTH ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE FIRE OUT. WE WERE NOT ABLE TO AND HAD TO CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT. I ASKED FOR AN INVESTIGATION AND THE FIRE MARSHALL POINTED ME TO FORD RECALL (# 07S51) OF WHICH I WAS NOT INFORMED OF. I HAD AN APPOINTMENT AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP FOR MY ABS/BRAKE LIGHT ON. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN 2010, THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN SMOKE EMITTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE ABS MODULE WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE ABS MODULE WAS NOT REPLACED AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS RECENTLY TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO BE REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 12V005000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: ANTI LOCK: CONTROL UNIT/MODULE). THE ABS MODULE COULD NOT BE REPLACED DUE TO FAILED WIRES THAT POSED A FIRE HAZARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 139,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 166,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A GRINDING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE NOISE BECAME MORE PREVALENT DURING HOT WEATHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE COULD BE THE RESULT OF A BEARING ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. ..UPDATED 09-17-12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE NOISE DID CEASE FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. UPDATED 09/18/12
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WITH THE ENGINE OFF, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FIRE STARTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND SPREAD TO A SECOND VEHICLE. BOTH VEHICLES WERE DESTROYED BY THE FIRE. A POLICE AND FIRE REPORT WERE FILED ACCORDINGLY. THE CONTACT LOCATED A NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V156000 (BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: ANTI LOCK: CONTROL UNIT/MODULE) THAT COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A FIRE IN HIS VEHICLE AND CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 140,000.
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 BOUGHT FORDS. BUT 3,3300.00 LATER, FORD HAS A PROBLEM. THE CAR RUNS BETTER NOW AND EVEN GETS 5 MILES PER GALLON BETTER ON GAS. FORD HAS A PROBLEM AS COUNTLESS PEOPLE HAVE EXPRESSED. *TR
MAY 9, 2010 MY 2002 FORD ESCAPE WAS PARKED IN THE PARKING LOT WHERE I WORK AT 9 AM. AT 2 PM A CO - WORKER CAME INTO MY STORE AND TOLD ME MY CAR ALARM WAS GOING OFF AND THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH. I GRABBED MY KEYS AND WENT OUTSIDE. I TRIED TO TURN OFF THE ALARM AND UNLOCK THE DOOR WITH THE REMOTE BUT IT WOULD NOT WORK. A MAN TOOK MY KEYS AND UNLOCKED IT MANUALLY AND OPENED THE HOOD. I GOT A FIRE EXTINGUISHER FROM THE RESTAURANT KITCHEN AND TOOK IT OUT AND THEY USED IT TO PUT OUT THE FLAMES COMING FROM THE UNDERSIDE OF THE ENGINE. WE DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY CABLES AND I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP. THEY SENT A TRUCK TO PICK UP MY VEHICLE ON MAY 10TH. AFTER INSPECTION, THEY TOLD ME THE ABS MODULE MALFUNCTIONED AND STARTED THE FIRE. I TOLD THEM IT WAS RECALLED IN 07 AND I HAD IT REPAIRED. THEY CALLED FORD AND FILED A CLAIM ON MY BEHALF BUT IT WAS DENIED BECAUSE I HAD IT REPAIRED ON THE RECALL. *TR
2002 FORD ESCAPE WAS RECALLED FOR SEVERAL REASONS. SOMETHING WITH THE POWER TRAIN, THE CRUISE CONTROL, THE ABS SYSTEM..... FINALLY IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE ENGINE WAS MELTED. FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENT GOT THERE. CONTACTED FORD AND THEY JUST SAID WE WILL RECORD YOUR CALL ON YOUR PROFILE. DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW LIVES AND PROPERTY HAVE BEEN LOST AND FORD DOESN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR
MY 2002 FORD ESCAPE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED AND WAS RECORDED AS A TOTAL LOSS. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. UPDATED 06/23/10 *TR
ABS CONNECTOR MELTED AND FORD CANT FIX PROBLEM BECAUSE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE {WIRE LOOM} THIS CAR WAS PART OF A RECALL FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM IN 2007 BUT RECALL WAS JUST A VISUAL INSPECTION. *TR
I DROVE MY 2002 FORD ESCAPE TO CHURCH SUNDAY MORNING, ABOUT 5 MILES, WHEN THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON. THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN PREVIOUSLY DRIVEN THAT DAY. WE PARKED THE CAR AND WENT IN FOR SERVICES THAT MORNING AND AT THE END OF MASS WERE CALLED TO THE BACK BY THE PRIEST WHO INFORMED ME THAT THERE WAS A FIRE. SURE ENOUGH THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS THERE AND HAD EXTINGUISHED A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE OFFICIAL REPORT STATED THE FIRE ORIGINATING IN THE CRUISE CONTROL/ BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR AREA. THE ESCAPE WAS A TOTAL WRITE-OFF. ALL RECALLS PERTAINING TO THE ABS/CRUISE SYSTEMS WERE SERVICED ABOUT 2 YEARS PREVIOUS TO THIS EVENT.
GAS GAUGE READS BETWEEN 1/2 & 1/4, CAR RAN OUT OF GAS THIS MORNING. AAA BROUGHT GAS, I WENT TO A GAS STATION AND FILLED THE TANK. GAS GAUGE STILL READS ONLY 1/2 FULL. *TR
I HAVE A 2002 FORD ESCAPE THAT HAS A RECALL ON THE BRAKE MODULE, I TRIED TO GET FORD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. I HAD TWO CERTIFIED MECH,TELL ME FORD HAS A RECALL ON THE BRAKE MODULE AND IT IS A DEFECTIVE FROM MANUFACTURE. I ASKED FORD TO JUST REPLACE THE PART AND I WOULD PAY FOR THE LABOR,THEY REFUSE TO HELP. IHAD TO FIX MASTER CYCLINDERALSO. PLUS ALL FOUR CATALYTIC CONVERTS WHICH WAS ON A RECALL I PAID FOR REPAIRS MYSELF. I WANT FORD TO PAY ME FOR ALL RECALL REPAIRS. FORD NEEDS TO STOP LYING TO THE PEOPLE AND JUST FIX THE MISTAKES. *TR
INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) I AM REQUESTING THAT YOU OBTAIN A HISTORY ON THE *FLEX HOSE* FOR THE FORD ESCAPE. MY DAUGHTER OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE AND ON FRIDAY MARCH 5,2010 NARROWLY ESCAPED A MAJOR TRAGEDY. SHE WAS TRAVELING WITH HER TWO CHILDREN WHEN SHE WAS REQUIRED TO STOP AT A RAILWAY CROSSING AS A TRAIN WAS APPROACHING. SHE WAS SUCCESSFUL IN COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP, HOWEVER, AT THAT PRECISE MOMENT HER BRAKE PEDAL WENT RIGHT TO THE FLOOR BOARD. SHE WAS FORTUNATE TO BE ALE TO MOVE HER VEHICLE OUT OF HARMS WAY. WE WENT TO A NEARBY SERVICE STATION AND REQUESTED THE MECHANIC MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO TOW THE VEHICLE AND MAKE THE NECESSARY REPAIRS. WHEN WE INFORMED HIM WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND WHAT TYPE OF VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED, HE INFORMED US (WITHOUT HAVING SEEN THE VEHICLE) THAT HE HAD NO DOUBT IT WOULD BE THE *FLEX HOSE*. HE INFORMED US THAT THE FORD ESCAPE WAS NOTORIOUS FOR THAT PROBLEM. HE RESEARCHED AND CONFIRMED THERE WAS NO CALL BACK. WHEN HE RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO US, HE SHOWED US WHERE ONE OF THE FLEX HOSES HAD BLOWN, WHERE ANOTHER ONE SHOULD HAVE BLOWN AND THAT THE OTHER TWO WERE WITHIN KILOMETERS OF BEING BLOWN. THIS IS A TERRIBLE AND DANGEROUS SITUATION. I AM AMAZED NO ACCIDENTS HAVE NOT ALREADY HAPPENED DUE TO THE *FLEX HOSE* SAFETY ISSUE. FOR THE SAFETY OF ALL CONCERNED, PLEASE ENSURE THAT THIS MATTER IS RESEARCHED AN APPROPRIATE STEPS TAKEN. [XXX] *TR
IN JANUARY OF 2010 I OPENED THE BACK HATCH ON MY 2002 FORD ESCAPE AND WHEN I SHUT THE DOOR THE GLASS SHATTERED. THEN 3 MONTHS LATER I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE BACK PASSENGER DOOR GLASS SHATTERED. MY DOG WAS IN THE BACK AND LUCKILY HE WAS OK BUT IF THERE HAD BEEN A CHILD IN THE SEAT THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY INJURED. GLASS SHOULD NOT JUST SHATTER LIKE THIS. SINCE THE INCIDENTS I HAVE REPLACED BOTH WINDOWS AND PAID FOR IT OUT OF POCKET.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE A FAILURE CODE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V165000 (POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: CONTROL MODULE -TCM, PCM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 139,161.
I AM VERY UNHAPPY. I GOT IN MY 2002 FORD ESCAPE THIS MORNING AND WENT TO PUT IT IN REVERSE AND THE SHIFTER BROKE OR SOMETHING IT WAS ROLLING I HAD TO PUT ON BRAKES I HAVE NEVER EVEN HEAR OF SOMETHING LIKE THIS HAPPENING AND I LOOK ON THE INTERNET AND ITS ALL OVER THE INTERNET HOW DEFECTIVE IT IS. I AM A 50 YEAR OLD SINGLE WOMEN SO I AM SURE IT WAS NOTHING I HAVE DONE. WHAT IS GOING TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM IT COULD BE A DANGEROUS SITUATION IF THEY WERE IN THE PARKING LOT OF A PUBLIC PLACE!!!!!!! *TR
2002 FORD ESCAPE PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. LAST DRIVEN 5 HOURS EARLIER. THE ALARM SOUNDED ALERTING MY HUSBAND INSIDE. HE LOOKED OUT OF THE WINDOW AND SAW SMOKE ROLLING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. HE RAN OUT WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND PUT OUT THE FLAMES. HOPEFULLY, THIS IMMEDIATE DETECTION OF THE FIRE LIMITED THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE. WE WERE MORE FORTUNATE THAN SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS. THE ABS MODULE APPEARS TO BE WHERE DAMAGE WAS SUSTAINED. THIS IS A RECALL FOR SEVERAL 2002 ESCAPES BEGINNING IN 2007, BUT WHEN CHECKING ONLINE WITH FORD, MY VIN NUMBER STATES THAT THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE. I DIDN'T RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICE FROM FORD, AND HAVE ON OTHER OCCASIONS FOR THIS VEHICLE. I INVESTIGATED SEVERAL COMPLAINTS PREVIOUSLY FILED INVOLVING 2002 ESCAPES, AND THEY ARE HAUNTINGLY THE SAME SCENARIO. ALSO, THE VIN NUMBERS ON SEVERAL OF THESE ARE VERY SIMILAR TO MINE. OBVIOUSLY, THEY HAVE MISSED SEVERAL OF THESE DANGEROUS COMPONENTS, OR THE WEBSITE IS INCORRECT. I WAS UNABLE TO PHONE FORD, AS IT IS A WEEKEND AND WILL FIRST THING MONDAY MORNING. MY ECU ON THIS VEHICLE WAS REPLACED AND PROGRAMMED AT A FORD DEALERSHIP IN COTTAGE GROVE, OR IN NOVEMBER OF 2009. IT WAS RETURNED TO ME WITH THE ABS LIGHT STILL ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER MADE NO MENTION TO THE LIGHT AND I WRONGLY ASSUMED THAT IT WASN'T A PROBLEM. I BELIEVE FORD MUST CORRECT THIS SITUATION FINANCIALLY AND MAKE SURE THAT ALL 2002 ESCAPES ARE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. MANY COMPLAINTS I VIEWED WERE RECENT, SO I CONCLUDE THAT THE DANGEROUS SITUATION IS NOT REMEDIED. *TW *TR
2002 FORD ESCAPE PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. LAST DRIVEN 5 HOURS EARLIER. THE ALARM SOUNDED ALERTING MY HUSBAND INSIDE. HE LOOKED OUT OF THE WINDOW AND SAW SMOKE ROLLING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. HE RAN OUT WITH FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND PUT OUT THE FLAMES. HOPEFULLY, THIS IMMEDIATE DETECTION OF THE FIRE LIMITED THE AMOUNT OF DAMAGE. WE WERE MORE FORTUNATE THAN SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINANTS. THE ABS MODULE APPEARS TO BE WHERE DAMAGE WAS SUSTAINED. THIS IS A RECALL FOR SEVERAL 2002 ESCAPES BEGINNING IN 2007, BUT WHEN CHECKING ONLINE WITH FORD, MY VIN NUMBER STATES THAT THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE. I DIDN'T RECEIVE A RECALL NOTICE FROM FORD, AND HAVE ON OTHER OCCASIONS FOR THIS VEHICLE.I INVESTIGATED SEVERAL COMPLAINS PREVIOUSLY FILED INVOLVING 2002 ESCAPES, AND THEY ARE HAUNTINGLY THE SAME SCENARIO. ALSO, THE VIN NUMBERS ON SEVERAL OF THESE ARE VERY SIMILAR TO MINE. OBVIOUSLY, THEY HAVE MISSED SEVERAL OF THESE DANGEROUS COMPONENTS, OR THE WEBSITE IS INCORRECT. I WAS UNABLE TO PHONE FORD, AS IT IS A WEEKEND AND WILL FIRST THING MONDAY MORNING. MY ECU ON THIS VEHICLE WAS REPLACED AT A FORD DEALERSHIP IN COTTAGE GROVE, OR IN NOVEMBER OF 2008. I WRONGLY ASSUMED THAT WHEN THE ABS LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH THAT THERE WASN'T ANY PROBLEM SINCE NO MENTION OF IT WAS MADE BY THE DEALER. I BELIEVE FORD MUST CORRECT THIS SITUATION FINANCIALLY AND MAKE SURE THAT ALL 2002 ESCAPES ARE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. MANY COMPLAINS I VIEWED WERE RECENT, SO I CONCLUDE THAT THE DANGEROUS SITUATION IS NOT REMEDIED. *TW *TR
MY SISTER'S MAZDA TRIBUTE & MY FORD ESCAPE ARE THE SAME VEHICLE AND BOTH HAVE HAD THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT PLUG MELT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED IN THE GARAGE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 25 TO 35 MPH SHE SAW SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE. SHE WAS ABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. A FIRE FIGHTER CONCLUDED THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HER PLACED OF RESIDENCE. THE FORD MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. IN FACT, SHE WAS REFERRED TO HER INSURANCE COMPANY. HER VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED ACCORDING TO RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V156000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE) .THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 70000.
ESCAPE WAS HIT ON FRONT LEFT BUMPER BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, CAUSING ESCAPE TO EXIT HIGHWAY AND CRASHING INTO AND SLIDING DOWN A CONCRETE OVERPASS PILLAR; DAMAGING THE FRONT BUMPER, LIGHT, AND COMPLETE LEFT SIDE OF ESCAPE. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY! *TR
2002 FORD ESCAPE V6 FOUR WHEEL DRIVE, REAR EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKS. DRIVE THIS CAR REASONABLY, NOT LIKE A TEENAGER, AND THE MANIFOLD CRACKED. SINCE THIS MANIFOLD HAS BUILT-IN CATALYSTS, REPAIR IS EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE. FORD HAS NOT RECALLED, BUT THE EXHAUST FUMES THAT BUILD UP IN THE VEHICLE ARE EXTREME (WE GET HEADACHES). ALSO, MPG HAS FALLEN TO 14 MPG, AND STILL NO CEL-ON CONDITION. *TR
2002 FORD ESCAPE 4X4 55,000 MILES WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON RT 95 THE CAR SUDDENLY APPEARED TO HAVE GONE INTO NEUTRAL, ALTHOUGH IT WAS STILL IN DRIVE. LUCKILY WE WERE ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD 100 MILES FROM HOME. THE CAR WOULD NOT MOVE IN ANY GEAR AND NOW REQUIRES A NEW TRANSMISSION. THERE WERE NO PREVIOUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND NO WARNINGS THAT ANYTHING MIGHT BE WRONG. *TR
TL* 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 CONFIRMED THAT ABS MODULE CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 115,000.
IN MARCH 2004 WHILE DRIVING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED, I CLIPPED THE CORNER OF A PARKED VEHICLE WHICH CAUSED MY FORD ESCAPE TO OVERTURN. NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. IN SEPTEMBER 2009 WHILE ENTERING A FREEWAY DURING A HEAVY RAINSTORM, DRIVING AT A LOW RATE OF SPEED, THE ESCAPE HYDRO PLANED, SLAMMED INTO THE CEMENT BARRIER RENDERING THE VEHICLE USELESS. DESPITE THE VEHICLE HAVING SPUN MULTIPLE TIMES AND BEING SLAMMED INTO THE BARRIER AT SUCH AN IMPACT THE TRANSMISSION DROPPED SEVERAL INCHES, NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW FROM BUTTERFIELD FORD IN SALT LAKE, AT A COST OF $22, 200. IN THE 5+ YEARS OF OWNING THIS VEHICLE, I SPENT MORE THAN $10,000 IN REPAIRS - FOR A BRAND NEW VEHICLE. DESPITE MY PLEAS TO THE DEALER SHIP, I WAS NEVER PROVIDED ANY REMEDY. DESPITE A DPF SENSOR GOING OUT 3 TIMES AND ONLY BEING COVERED ONCE BY WARRANTY, CALIPERS GOING OUT AND THEN BRAKES SHORTLY AFTER THE VEHICLES WARRANTY EXPIRES WHICH FORD WILL NOT COVER DESPITE THE CALIPERS HAVING JUST BEEN REPLACED. THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD, THE LATCH TO THE TAIL GATE DID NOT WORK. THIS VEHICLE WAS A LEMON AND FORD NEVER EVEN TRIED TO PROVIDE A REMEDY. MY PRIMARY CONCERN, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY DESPITE THE VEHICLE TURNING OVER DURING THE FIRST ACCIDENT NOR WHEN I HIT A CEMENT BARRIER WITH SUCH FORCE THE TRANSMISSION DROPPED SEVERAL INCHES. *TR
WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS EATING DINER AT A LOCAL RESTAURANT, HER 2002 FORD ESCAPE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED WITH THE ENGINE OFF. ACCORDING TO OUR LOCAL FORD DEALER ALL RECALL WORK ON THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN COMPLETED. I HAVE LEARNED TODAY THAT THIS MODEL FORD HAS A HISTORY OF FIRES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *TR
ABS LIGHT CAME ON AS I WAS PARKING TO HAVE DINNER AND AN HOUR LATER UPON RETURNING I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE FROM UNDER THE HOOD... SMELLED WIRES OR ELECTRICAL TYPE BURNING SMELL AND HAD TO DISCONNECT THE BATTERY FROM THE TERMINAL TO STOP FURTHER DAMAGE... IT WAS A WIRING HOUSING ATTACHED CLOSE TO THE ABS MODULE... I LOOKED ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THIS TO BE A RECALL ON OVER 446460 VEHICLES AND DESCRIPTION MATCHED MINE EXACTLY... I HAVE PICTURES TO VERIFY THIS CLAIM... UPON FURTHER REVIEW OF THE OTHER 4 RECALLS IM EXPERIENCING THE FOLLOWING NUMBERS: 04S2S NHTSA:04V574000/ 04C09 NHTSA: 04V602000//NHTSA: 07E023000 WHICH IS THRU CARDONE INDUSTRIES SO IM CONTACTING THEM.... MY VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WHEN BRAKE RED BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND WAS LOW BRAKE FLUID BUT NO HYDRAULIC LEAKS.. BUT SHOWING FLUID TO BE ON RESERVOIR AND MASTER CYLINDER... 2002 FORD ESCAPE V6 ENGINE.... THE ONLY ELIGIBLE RECALL IM LISTED FOR IS NHTSA: 04V165000 PCM RECALIBRATING... ALL OTHER RECALLS IM NOT ELIGIBLE FOR ALL STATE UNDER DEFECT CONSEQUENCES AS MAY RESULT IN VEHICLE CRASH OR FIRE WHICH I'VE JUST ENCOUNTERED AND THE TAILGATE ONE STATES MAY OPEN WHEN A CRASH OCCURS... IM CONCERNED AND WONDERING WHY MY VEHICLE WASN'T INCLUDED IN THOSE RECALLS.... *TR
MY WIFE'S 2002 FORD ESCAPE HAS APROX 40K ON IT THE STEEL COVER THAT GOES OVER THE PLASTIC GAS TANK IS ROTTING AWAY AND DROPPING OFF RUSTY PARTS I HOPE THAT EMISSIONS WOULD COVER THIS. THE STRAP HAS SOME RUST BUT I AM CONCERNED WE LIVE IN THE NORTHEAST WITH SALT ON OUR ROADS. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND DRIVE IN REVERSE AT SPEEDS AS LOW AS 5 MPH; YET, THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE. WHEN THE CONTACT PREVIOUSLY EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE HE WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH DEFECTIVE IDLE CONTROL VALVES. THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE IDLE CONTROL VALVES AND JUMPER HARNESS AND REPROGRAMMED THE CENTRAL COMPUTER. THE FAILURE DID NOT PERSIST AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,946.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT BRAKE FLUID LEAKED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
THE FRONT SIDE HARNESS SEATBELT FELL APART. ONLY THE LAP BELT RESTRAINT WORKS NOW. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, NOTICED THE HARNESS FELT VERY LOOSE, ONCE ARRIVED AT MY DESTINATION, WENT TO UNFASTENED THE SEAT BELT AND IT FELL APART IN MY HANDS, THE ENDS ARE FRAILTY LIKE IT BECAME UNSEWN. IT APPEARS TO HAVE COME UNRAVELED. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THIS WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND WOULD COST AROUND $300 TO REPAIR. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYED ILLUMINATED AND WOULD NOT SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY STATED THAT THEY REPAIRED THE VEHICLE BUT THE LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,959.
I WAS ALERTED TO A PROBLEM WITH MY 2002 FORD ESCAPE WHEN I HEARD THE CAR ALARM SOUND. I TURNED OFF THE ALARM BY UNLOCKING THE DOORS, BUT NOTICED SMOKE RISING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I OPENED THE HOOD, AND RAN WATER IN THE AREA WHERE THE SMOKE ORIGINATED. AFTER DISCOVERING THAT WATER WASN'T STOPPING THE SMOKE, I DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY. THE SMOKE CLEARED AND IT APPEARED THAT THE PROBLEM HAD ORIGINATED IN THE AREA OF THE ABS SYSTEM/MASTER CYLINDER. THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED BY A FORD DEALERSHIP AS A SHORT IN THE ABS MODULE, CAUSING A WIRING HARNESS TO BURN. THESE TWO PARTS ARE BEING REPLACED, AND THE OLD PARTS MAY BE AVAILABLE FROM THE DEALERSHIP OR FROM THE INSURANCE COMPANY, PEMCO. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WERE EXHIBITING FAILURES AND THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DISCOVERED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE FRACTURED AND WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKES, ROTORS, BRAKE PEDAL AND THE BRAKE LINES. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED EXHIBITING BRAKING ISSUES AFTER THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS: 12V005000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE), 07V156000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE), AND 07E023000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER) AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALER DENIED THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000.
REAR FENDERS RUSTING THROUGH, PAINT BUBBLING BADLY. *TR
FOR THE CURRENT FORD RECALL, THE RECALL DOES NOT INCLUDE FORD ESCAPES. I HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE; MALFUNCTIONING CRUISE CONTROL (CRUISE WILL JUST DISENGAGE ON THE FREEWAY OR WILL ALL OF A SUDDEN START ACCELERATING), BRAKE LIGHT ON DASH, AND DIFFICULTLY WITH DISENGAGING VEHICLE OUT OF PARK. I CONTACTED FORD AND WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE IS NOT ON THE RECALL AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT. THEY ISSUED ME A "CASE NUMBER". *TR
HI; I JUST WANT TO REPORT MY INCIDENT WITH MY SUV FORD ESCAPE, MODEL 2002 , THE TRUCK WAS ON FIRE FORM THE FRONT SIDE OF IT. *TR
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 AND HAND EMERGENCY BRAKE. IT'S A MIRACLE THERE WAS NO CRASH. AT MY EXPENSE THE FORD DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE AND/OR CRUISE CONTROL CABLE HOUSING. THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID, "LOOKING AT THE PART, I CAN SEE WHY IT GOES TO FULL ACCELERATION WHEN THAT PART FAILS" TO ME, THAT IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN AND DESIGN FAILURE. I NOTICED OTHER SIMILAR INCIDENTS (OID ID # 10199728 AND 10128545). I LODGED A COMPLAINT WITH THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND, NOT SURPRISINGLY, WAS TOLD THERE'S NOTHING THEY CAN OR WILL DO TO COMPENSATE ME. NOW I'M TRAPPED OWNING AN UNSAFE CAR. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND REMEDY THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT'S NEIGHBOR INFORMED HIM THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE IN HIS DRIVEWAY. THE CONTACT USED TWO FULL FIRE EXTINGUISHERS AND A WATER HOSE IN AN ATTEMPT TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. HE WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND SUCCESSFULLY EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT AN ELECTRICAL FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE FIRE MARSHALL VERIFIED THAT NUMEROUS FORD VEHICLES HAD CAUGHT FIRE AS WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. THE GRASS OUTSIDE OF THE CONTACT'S HOUSE, A LARGE TREE, AND THE DRIVEWAY ALL SUSTAINED MAJOR DAMAGE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 89,000.
2002 FORD ESCAPE REAR DOOR AND WINDOW ARE JAMMED AND CANNOT BE OPENED ALSO REAR DRIVERS DOOR. *TR
2002 FORD ESCAPE CAUGHT FIRE AROUND 3:00 AM, HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE 5:30 PM ON PREVIOUS DAY. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THIRTY MINUTES AFTER FUEL WAS PLACED IN THE VEHICLE, IT CAUGHT FIRE IN THE CONTACT'S DRIVEWAY. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE DRIVEWAY AND SURROUNDING TREES WERE DAMAGED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000. UPDATED 06/24/09 *BF UPDATED 06/30/09.*JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR LIFT-GATE LATCH WAS INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V602000 COMPONENT: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES: DOORS: LATCH WAS RELATED, HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONTACT WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COST OF $85. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THE RECALL DID NOT INCLUDE HER VIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026