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.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT SATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION DID NOT SHOW SIGNS OF SLIPPING BEFORE IT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN WHO STATED THAT THE CORE OF THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 130,000.
RECENTLY AS I WAS LEAVING WORK I WENT TO START MY 2002 FORD ESCAPE. WHEN I TURNED THE KEY THERE WAS A SLIGHT HESITATION FOLLOWED BY WHAT SOUNDED LIKE A REALLY BAD BACKFIRE FOLLOWED BY SMOKE POURING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WHEN I LIFTED THE HOOD, THE PLASTIC ENGINE COVER AND INTAKE WERE BLOWN TO PIECES UNDER THE HOOD. *TR
I HAVE A 2002 FORD ESCAPE, AND THE REAR LIFTGATE WINDOW HINGES HAVE BROKEN 3 TIMES [ONE TWICE, THE OTHER ONCE] IN NORMAL OPERATION. THIS IS EXACTLY THE PROBLEM COVERED BY SAFETY RECALL 04S20, BUT FORD SAYS THAT ONLY APPLIES TO CARS BUILT IN DIFFERENT ASSEMBLY PLANTS, NOT MINE. *TR
CATALYTIC CONVERTERS BLEW UP ON OUR 2002 FORD ESCAPE. *TR
BRAKE PROBLEM - 2002 FORD ESCAPE, VEHICLE ID # (131,287 MILES) BRAKES WITH EXCESSIVE PEDAL TRAVEL SUBSEQUENT TO MASTER CYLINDER REPLACEMENT (4X). DEALER (MCCAFFERTY FORD,1939 EAST LINCOLN HIGHWAY, LANGHORNE, PA 19047, (800) 590-8702) AGREES THAT TRAVEL IS EXCESSIVE BUT SAYS BRAKE PEDAL CANNOT BE REPAIRED AND BRAKES ARE SAFE. I BELIEVE THEY ARE UNSAFE AND THE BRAKE PEDAL SHOULD BE REPAIRABLE. DEALER STATED THAT FORD MOTOR WAS CONTACTED AND IS UNABLE TO PROVIDE A SOLUTION. *TR
WHILE DRIVING, USUALLY FIRST THING IN MORNING, THE RPM'S WILL REV UP TO APPROX. 2000. THE VEHICLE BECOMES HARDER TO STOP... *TR
MY REAR WINDOW OF MY FORD ESCAPE SPONATEOUSLY EXPLODED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY . *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 FORD ESCAPE WHICH WAS PURCHASED IN OCTOBER 2001. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND HE SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING FROM INSIDE THE HOUSE. HE LATER HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION FROM OUTSIDE AND UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION HE SAW FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. HE WAS SUCCESSFUL AND EXTINGUISHING SOME OF THE FIRE. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE CALLED AND HAD TO USE EXCESSIVE FORCE TO OPEN THE HOOD AND EXTINGUISHED THE REMAINDER OF THE FIRE. THE SHERIFF STATED THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 100,000. UPDATED 1/5/09 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. UPDATED 01/09/09. *JB
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK WHEN I NOTICED THE GAS PEDAL REMAINED STUCK TO THE FLOOR. WHEN I HAD THE DEALER CHECK IT, THEY NOTICED THAT THE ACCELERATOR CABLE WAS SEVERELY FRAYED AND THAT IF I KEPT DRIVING IN THAT CONDITION, IT WOULD BE VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
THERE WAS A RECALL ON 2002 FORD ESCAPE LAST YEAR(2007) ON THE ABS UNIT. CAMPAIGN NUMBER 07V156000. MY PROBLEM IS THAT ONE DEALERSHIP TURNED IN THE RECALL AS BEING COMPLETED ON 4/24/07. THEY STATED THEY PUT GREASE ON THE ABS MODULE. ON 10/19/2008 I WAS DRIVING HOME AND THE MODULE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE ORIGINAL DEALERSHIP THAT SUPPOSEDLY DID THE RECALL IS NOW NO LONGER IN BUSINESS. SO I CALLED THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD HAVE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE INSPECTED BY A FORD SERVICE DEPT AND IF THEY DETERMINED THE CAUSE TO BE A DEFECTIVE MODULE THEN IT WOULD BE COVERED. SO I TOOK MY CAR TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS DEFINITELY A DEFECT IN THE MODULE. SO THEY CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO VERIFY THE CLAIM AND THEN FORD TURNS IT DOWN. THE REASON WAS THAT IT HAD BEEN MORE THAN 12 MONTHS SINCE RECALL WAS DONE. THEY SAID THAT PARTS AND LABOR ARE COVERED FOR ONLY 12 MONTHS. BUT I HAVE THE RECEIPT THAT SHOWS ALL THE FIRST DEALERSHIP DONE WAS INSPECT AND APPLY GREASE. NO PARTS WERE REPLACED. IF THEY HAD ACTUALLY REPLACED THE MODULE THEN I COULD UNDERSTAND. THE RECALL CAME OUT AFTER THE CAR WAS ALREADY 5 YEARS OLD. SO THE RECALL DIDN'T STATE ANYTHING ABOUT THE AGE OF THE PART AND I DON'T SEE HOW GREASE COULD FIX A 5 YEAR OLD PART. EVEN SO IF ALL THEY REPLACED WAS GREASE THEN HOW DOES THE 5 YEAR OLD PART FALL UNDER A 12 MONTH PART AND LABOR WARRANTY? I THINK THE PART SHOULD BE REPLACED SINCE IT HAS BEEN DIAGNOSED AS DEFECTIVE. I WOULD GLADLY PAY FOR THE GREASE SINCE IT IS OVER 12 MONTHS OLD.( THAT'S THEY ONLY PART THEY REPLACED) WHAT DO I DO NOW? FORD ADMITTED THE PROBLEM WHEN THEY ISSUED THE RECALL, AND NOW THEY DO NOT WANT TO FIX IT BECAUSE OF SOME GREASE (BAND-AIDE) THEY PUT ON IT? *TR
WARPED ROTORS ON MY 2002 FORD ESCAPE. HAS BEEN ONGOING PROBLEM. HAVE HAD TO REPLACE ROTORS SEVERAL TIMES BUT ROTORS KEEP WARPING DEALER SAYS TO HAVE ROTORS TURNED. THIS ONLY WORKS FOR A SHORT TIME. I HAD BRAKES COMPLETELY REDONE IN OCT.08, PROBLEM RECURRING IN JAN. 09. *TR
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 DIFFERENT STATE THAN I DID 4 MONTHS AGO SO I'M STUCK. IN RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM ONLINE I SEE THAT IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM. SHOULDN'T THERE BE A RECALL WHEN IT INVOLVES A SAFETY ISSUE LIKE THIS? *TR
A FORD RECALL NOTICE (#07S51) HAD BEEN MAILED INFORMING ME OF A RECALL TO OUR 2002 ESCAPE . THE RECALL, AS THE LETTER STATES, HAD TO DO WITH DISLODGED WIRE SEALS THAT COULD EFFECT THE ABS MODULE. THE RECALL NOTICE WENT ON TO STATE THAT IF LEFT UNFIXED, THE ABS MODULE COULD OVERHEAT DUE TO THE RECALL PART AND CAUSE, IN SOME CASES, THE CAR TO CATCH ON FIRE EVEN WHEN OFF. THIS DESCRIPTION FIT OUR CAR'S PROBLEM, SINCE OUR CAR'S ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT WAS ON UNEXPLAINABLE. LOGICALLY, WE TOOK OUR CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE REPAIR DONE ON THE CAR. AFTER HAVING THE REPAIR DONE, WE CHECKED THE CAR AND THE ABS LIGHT AND THE BRAKE LIGHT WERE STILL ON. I CONFRONTED THE SERVICE MANAGER WHO HAD ADMINISTERED THE REPAIR AND HE ASSURED ME THAT THEY HAD REPAIRED THE PROBLEM TO THE EXTENT THAT FORD HAD ALLOWED THEM. HE HAD TOLD ME THAT ALL HE HAD DONE WAS CHANGE WAS A CONNECTOR AND NOTHING ELSE. THEY HAD NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM; THEIR REPORT ENDED WITH TELLING ME THAT THE ABS LIGHT AND PARKING LIGHT WERE STILL ON AND A DIAGNOSTICS WAS STILL NEEDED. THE MECHANICS DID NOT ONLY LEAVE THE PROBLEM UNFIXED, BUT WERE UNWILLING TO ADMIT THAT THE PROBLEM WAS FROM THE RECALL PART. INCIDENTALLY, THREE DAYS LATER AFTER THE MECHANICS HAD WORKED ON MY CAR, THE FORD ESCAPE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED ON THE CORNER OF CENHER DRIVE IN CHULA VISTA CA. FORTUNATELY, MY SPOUSE WAS NOT INSIDE THE CAR. THE FIREMAN WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE IN ORDER TO PUT OUT THE FIRE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS MADE. THE FIRE LEFT MY CAR A TOTAL LOSS. I CONTACTED FORD COSTUMER SERVICE OF THE INCIDENT AND THEY INFORMED ME IT WOULD TAKE 10 BUSINESS DAYS TO ANSWER MY REQUEST. *TR
WE DRIVE FORD ESCAPE 2002. IN JANUARY 2006 WE BOUGHT 4 NEW TIRES FROM FIRESTONE P23570R16 WITH 60,000.00MILES GUARANTEE. WE HAVE DRIVEN ONLY 30,000 ON THIS FIRES. WE NOTICED VERY OFTEN AIR LEAKING FROM THESE TIRES AND WE DECIDED TO USE THE GUARANTEE AND GO TO FIRESTONE SERVICE FOR REPAIR. THE TIRES ,ALL FOUR, HAVE CRACKS AL OVER THE TIRE WITH NEXT WHITE COLOR LAYER VISIBLE. WE ARE AFRAID TO USE THE CAR. WHEN WE WENT TO THE SERVICE THEY TOLD US THAT THE REASON OF THIS KIND OF DAMAGE IS WEATHER. JOKE. NONE OF THE CARS DRIVING AROUND HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AND WE LIVE ON THE SAME EARTH AND THE WEATHER IS THE SAME TOO. WE HARDLY BELIEVED THEM AND EVEN CONVERSATION WITH PEOPLE FROM THE MAIN OFFICE DIDN'T HELP. THEY FIX ONE TIRE,CHECKED THE REST AND THEY STILL ARE SURE THAT THESE TIRES ARE OK AND SAFE TO DRIVE. BUT WE STILL HAVE THE CRACKS ON THE TIRES AND WE ARE WAITING FOR MOMENT WHEN THEY BLOW OUT. WE ARE NOT GOING TO PAY FOR REPLACEMENT EVEN 1$ ,SPECIALLY BECAUSE THIS IS FIRE STONE AND ALSO BECAUSE WE FOUND ARE TIRE ON RECALL LIST. BY THE WAY FOR THAT RECALL THEY ALSO HAVE THEIR OWN EXPLANATION OF COURSE. WE DON'T HAVE TO ADD THAT THEY WAS VERY NOT NICE DURING THE SERVICE AND IGNORING. PLEASE GIVE US SAME IDEA ABOUT OUR RIGHTS,SPECIALLY THAT NOTHING HAPPEN YET AND ME,MY WIFE AND MY DAUGHTERS ARE ALIVE. *TR
TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 104,000 MILES. *TR
PAINT PEELING ON LEFT SIDE OF MY FORD ESCAPE 2003. *TR
FRONT KNOCKING NOISE. HAS BEEN PRESENT SINCE WE FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR NEW. MANY MECHANICS, INCLUDING THE FORD DEALER, COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. BRAKES, TRANSMISSION, AND STRUTS WERE CHECKED OR REPLACED. THE KNOCKING PERSISTED. ON 8/15/08, THE BALL JOINT FAILED AS MY WIFE WAS TRAVELING AT 45 MPH AROUND A CORNER CAUSING THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL TO FLOP AT A 90 DEGREE ANGLE. STEERING WAS IMPOSSIBLE. LUCKILY, MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR STOPPED SAFELY WITHOUT OUT ANY LIFE THREATENING CONSEQUENCES. FORD ESCAPE 2002 XLT. *TR
MY FAMILY AND I WERE DRIVING ALONG THE INSTERSTATE WITH CRUISE CONTROLL SET AT 75 MPH. WE WERE GOING UP A SMALL HILL AND ABOUT TO GO INTO THE PASSING LANE. THE CAR SOUNDED LIKE THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED IN OVER DRIVE AND THE RPMS WENT THROUGH THE ROOF. WE WERE ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WE TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF FOR SERVERAL MINUTES AND THEN TURNED IT BACK ON. THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT FLICKERED ON AND OFF AND THE ENGINE MADE A HORRIBLE SCREECHING NOISE. WE CHECKED THE OIL AND IT WAS FULL. THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE MECHANIC WERE HE THEN INFORMED US THAT THE CAR NEEDED A NEW ENGINE. HE STATED THE THE CATALYTIC CONVERETED HAD GONE OUT CAUSING THE ENGINE TO FAIL. THE CAR ALSO WILL NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE TOTAL COST TO FIX THIS IS AROUND $8000.00. I CONTACTED FORD TODAY TO TELL THEM WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO SINCE THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN SERVICED AT A FORD SERVICE STATION CONSISTANTLY SINCE THE CAR WAS FIRST PURCHASED AND THAT THEY HAVE HAD NO OTHER SIMILIAR COMPLAINTS WITH THIS VECHILE. AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE I HAVE FOUND MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS WHERE EVER ONE HAS SEEMED TO CONTACT FORD AND THEY SAY THE SAME THINGS TO THEM. I ALSO HAVE HAD SOME SMALLER PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE LIKE THE ENGINE LIGHT GOING ON AND THE EMERGENCY BREAK LIGHT GOING ON AND BROUGHT THEM IN TO THE SHOP AND HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE SENSORS. RIGHT NOW I AM NOT ABLE TO REPLACE THE VEHICLE DUE TO FINICIAL REASONS.
I HAD PREVIOUSLY BROUGHT MY 2002 FORD ESCAPE IN FOR SAFETY RECALL NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE06048, WHICH WAS ISSUED TO ADDRESS PROBLEMS WITH ELECTRICAL WIRING CONNECTORS TO THE ABS ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. THEY INSPECTED THE ABS MODULE CONNECTION AND APPLIED DIELECTRIC GREASE. APPROXIMATELY 7,000 MILES AND 15 MONTHS AFTER BRINGING IN MY CAR FOR THE SAFETY RECALL, THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS OF THE ABS MODULE WERE COMPLETELY CORRODED, SHORTED OUT, AND REQUIRED IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT. FORD WAS UNWILLING TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM BECAUSE 12 MONTHS HAD PASSED SINCE BRINGING MY CAR IN TO THEM. I WANTED TO EXPRESS MY CONCERN THAT THE ACTIONS TAKEN (DIELECTRIC GREASE APPLICATION ONLY) WHEN I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR THE SAFETY RECALL WERE INSUFFICIENT OR AT BEST A SHORT-TERM SOLUTION TO THIS ELECTRICAL SAFETY PROBLEM. I HAVE THE OLD PARTS AND PICTURES TO SHOW THE SEVERITY OF THE CORRODED AND SHORTED CONNECTIONS IN BOTH THE ABS BRAKE MODULE AND THE ABS MODULE CONNECTOR THAT WERE TAKEN FROM MY AUTOMOBILE. *TR
I RECENTLY HAD $2,900 WORTH OF REPAIRS DONE TO MY 2002 FORD ESCAPE XLT IN JULY. MY VEHICLE WAS BUCKING AND ALMOST STALLED WHEN I PULLED INTO THE NEAREST SERVICE CENTER. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS CLOGGED CAT CONVERTERS. THE CAR HAS THREE SETS OF THEM. THIS IS THE EFFECT OF THE CAUSE WHICH HE BELIEVED WAS FAULTY OXYGEN SENSORS AS WELL AS BAD SPARK PLUGS. AT THE END OF SEPT THE CAR WAS NOT RUNNING WELL AND I WENT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC WHO SAID THE EGR VALVE WAS BLOWN AND THEIR WAS BROKEN BOLTS WHERE THE MECHANIC WAS REPLACING THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. I WAS FURIOUS AND PROCEEDED TO RETURN TO THE MERRICK BELLMORE SERVICE CENTER. HE TOLD ME IF THE PROBLEM WAS ON HIS END THAT HE WILL TAKE CARE OF IT AND THEN DIAGNOSED THAT THE CATS WHERE CLOGGED AGAIN. HE DIDN'T PROPERLY DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE CATS GETTING CLOGGED THE FIRST TIME. THE MECHANIC HAS SINCE REPLACED THREE SETS OF CAT CONVERTERS AND HE HAS A BILL FOR $1600 AND HAS HAD MY CAR AT HIS SHOP FOR TWO MONTHS NOW. THE SHOP IS "TRYING" TO GET FORD TO PAY FOR THE EXHAUST PARTS. AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO SPEAK WITH THE OWNERS OF THIS SERVICE STATION TO NO AVAIL (THE CLERKS TELL ME 5 DIFFERENT SET OF NAMES AS TO WHO IS THE OWNER) ALL I WANT IS MY CAR BACK AND LET THIS SERVICE STATION "EAT" THIS CURRENT BILL DUE TO THE FACT THAT ON THE BILL THAT I PAID IN JULY THE WARRANTY ON PARTS IS ONE YEAR OR $12,000 MILES. I AM FRUSTRATED, ANGRY AND DON'T KNOW WHERE TO TURN. *TR
2002 FORD ESCAPE STALLS WHEN BACKING UP, GOING FORWARD GOING DOWN THE ROAD. GOING AROUND A CORNER. WENT TO FORD DEALER AND THEY HAD THE VEHICLE FOR A WEEK AND FOUND NOTHING. I CAN'T DRIVE THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE IT'S UNSAFE. THIS IS MY ONLY VEHICLE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND DRIVE HOME. THE DEALER TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE, BUT COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT IF THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 80,000.
AIR BAG LIGHTS GO ON AND OFF. *TR
FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE IN 50,000 MILES. EXCESSIVE BLACK BRAKE DUST ON WHEELS A FEW DAYS CLEANING THEM. OTHER FRIENDS THAT HAVE THE SAME CAR DON'T HAVE THIS PROBLEM. DEALER HAS NOT OFFERED ANY HELP IN RESOLVING THIS PROBLEM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKING AT LESS THAN 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ABNORMALLY TO 15 MPH. THE CONTACT HAD REMOVED HIS FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHEN VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE CRASHED AGAINST THE FOUNDATION OF THE GARAGE IN THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK INJURIES AS A RESULT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION AND THERE WERE NO FAILURES FOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000.
I OWN A FORD 2002 ESCAPE. WHILE VISITING MY MOTHER ON 06/25/08, I HAD PARKED MY CAR IN HER DRIVE AND TURNED THE IGNITION OFF. THE KEYS WERE IN THE IGNITION. I HAD BEEN AT MY MOTHERS FOR APRX. 30-40 MINS WHEN I HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION. I RAN TO THE DOOR AND LOOKED OUT AND MY VEHICLE WAS IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPT. SEEMS TO THINK THAT IT WAS ELECTRICAL. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ONLINE, I SEE THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH SEVERAL FORD VEHICLES. MY CAR IS TOTALED. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE DEALER PERFORMED A RECALL REPAIR ON THE VEHICLE TO PREVENT IT FROM CATCHING FIRE. TWO MONTHS AFTER THE REPAIR, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE IN THE CONTACT'S DRIVEWAY AFTER IT HAD BEEN PARKED FOR TWO MINUTES. FORD STATED THAT THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY DAMAGES. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,653.
NO EVENTS LEADING TO THIS... IT JUST STARTED ABOUT 2 YRS AGO SUMMER OF 08. CLUNKING NOISE IN THE FRONT OF CAR. CAN BE FELT BY THE STEERING WHEEL (WHICH ALSO HAS THE SQUEAKING PROBLEM). OCCURS ONLY WHEN THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE IS WARM. WENT TO THE FORD DEALER SEVERAL TIMES COMPLAINING OF THIS... NEVER WAS ABLE TO RECREATE THE PROBLEM. FINALLY HAD BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT ARM ASSEMBLY LINK, BOLT, HEX FOR FRONT SUSPENSION REPLACED JUNE 09. ON SEPT 09 NOISE RETURNED AND HAD EVERYTHING TIGHTENED, LUBED. PROBLEM WENT AWAY UNTIL AGAIN THE WEATHER WARMED UP THEN IS NOW BACK WORSE THAN EVER. NOT ONLY WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL BUT WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT. *TR
THE CAR WAS MAKING A NOISE. THE REPAIR SHOP FOUND THAT THE GAS TANK WAS SCRAPING ON THE DRIVE SHAFT BECAUSE THE STRAP THAT HOLDS THE GAS TANK AND SHIELD IN PLACE HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND BROKEN IN HALF CAUSING THE GAS TANK TO FALL DOWN ON THE DRIVE SHAFT. LUCKILY I DID NOT DRIVE VERY FAR WITH THIS SITUATION BECAUSE THE DRIVE SHAFT WOULD HAVE PUT A HOLE IN THE GAS TANK AND COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY CAUSED A FIRE. *TR
I PURCHASED (4) TIRES ABOUT ONE YEAR AGO FROM A BRIDGESTONE TIRE DEALERSHIP. THE TIRES ARE: 062065 DUELER H/L D683 OWL P225/70R15 100S. LATE APRIL '08, AS I WAS WASHING THE TIRES I NOTICED "CRACKS" ON THE SIDES, AROUND AND IN BETWEEN THE TREADS OF ALL FOUR TIRES. ON MAY 3, I TOOK THE CAR TO THE BRIDGESTONE DEALER AND FILED THE COMPLAINT THAT I BELIEVE THE TIRES ARE NOW UNSAFE AND REQUESTED REPLACEMENT. THE SERVICE MANAGER (DAN HILBORN) PROMISED TO INVESTIGATE WITH FIRESTONE AND GET BACK WITH ME. ON MAY 23, 2008, DAN CALLED ME AND SAID THAT THE REPLACEMENT TIRES ARE IN AND I CAN BRING IN MY CAR TO REPLACE THE TIRES. SAME DAY, I TOOK MY CAR IN AND THEN DAN TELLS ME THAT THE SAME TIRES ARE NO LONGER INSTOCK AND THAT I NEED TO PAY AN ADDITIONAL $288.54 FOR UPGRADED TIRES TO REPLACE MY DEFECTIVE TIRES. DAN ALSO STATED THAT THE DEFECTIVE TIRES WERE FROM AN "OLD STOCK" THAT WERE ACTUALLY SOLD AS NEW TO MOVE THEM. DAN REFERRED ME TO "BILL" FROM BRIDGESTONE FIRESTONE TECHNICAL SERVICE DEPT IN WOODBRIDGE, ILL. BILL ALSO REFUSED TO REPLACE MY DEFECTIVE TIRES AT NO COST TO ME. HE STATED THAT THESE TIRES ARE SAFE TO DRIVE ON THEM WITH CRACKS BETWEEN AND AROUND THE TIRE TREADS. BILL STATED THAT THERE MAY BE SAFETY CONCERN IF YOU "CAN DRIVE A HEAD OF A BALL POINT PEN IN THE CRACKS"!!! I BELIEVE THESE TIRES ARE DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED, AS I BELIEVE THAT AN AVERAGE CONSUMER WOULD NOT NOTICE THESE CRACKS AND WILL CONTINUE TO DRIVE ON THEM WHICH IS A SAFETY RISK TO THE LIVES OF OUR PEOPLE. I HAPPENED TO NOTICE THE CRACKS IN TIRES BECAUSE OF MY BACKGROUND IN QUALITY CONTROL IN THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY. YOUR PROMPT ATTENTION TO THIS POTENTIALLY SERIOUS SAFETY SITUATION IS MOST APPRECIATED. THANK YOU. *TR
AIR BAG TROUBLE LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING AFTER TURNING THE ENGINE ON ONE MORNING. A SERIES OF BLINKING......6 TIMES, 4 TIMES, 6 TIMES, 4 TIMES AND THEN REMAINED ON. ONLY WENT OFF WHEN TURNING ENGINE OFF. LOCAL REPAIR SHOP SAID ONLY DEALER COULD HANDLE THIS. DEALER QUOTED PRICE TO JUST INVESTIGATE. AND THAT IT WOULD DEPEND ON WHAT THEY FOUND IF THE QUOTE WOULD BE APPLIED TO THE TOTAL REPAIR COST. HMMM. DEALER ALSO SAID THAT MOST LIKELY WHILE THE WARNING LIGHT IS ON THAT THE AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION. I HAVE SEEN THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS HERE AT THIS WEBSITE AND ELSEWHERE AND MERELY WANT TO ADD MINE TO THE GROWING LIST. THE MORE WE COMPLAIN MAYBE WE'LL GET SOME RESULTS. THANKS. *TR
I PURCHASED MY 2002 FORD ESCAPE IN FEBRUARY 2006. WITHIN A FEW DAYS THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT THE SEATBELT PRETENSER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT I CAN NOT AFFORD TO PAY ALMOST $500. THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THAT BECAUSE I CAN'T HAVE IT FIXED, MY AIRBAGS MAY NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO THE FORD COMPANY AND GOT NO HELP. SO, BASICALLY THEY ARE SAYING THAT I DESERVE TO BE HURT OR KILLED IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE I CAN'T AFFORD TO HAVE THE PRETENSER FIXED. I FOR ONE DO NOT THINK THAT IS FAIR. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER LEAKED BRAKE FLUID ONTO THE POWER BOOSTER AND IS CAUSING POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07E023000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 74,000.
I WENT OUT TO CRANK MY VEHICLE AND IT RAN WIDE OPEN. I TURNED IT OFF AND TRIED IT TWICE MORE WITH THE SAME RESULTS. THE SECURITY OFFICER AT MY WORKPLACE CAME OVER AND RAISED THE HOOD TO SEE WHAT WAS GOING ON. TWICE MORE I CRANKED IT WITH THE SAME RESULTS. THEN HE FOUND THE PROBLEM MY SPEED CONTROL CABLE WAS NO LONGER CONNECTED. HE GOT IT BACK ON AND ADVISED ME TO GO TO MY DEALER. THE FOLLOWING DAY THEY HAD ME BRING IT IN, THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. THEY WERE GOING TO ORDER THE PART, AND WHEN I ASKED THE CHANCES OF IT HAPPENING AGAIN, THEY REPLACED THE REGULAR SPEED CABLE AND DISCONNECTED THE CRUISE CONTROL ONE UNTIL THEY COULD GET ONE IN, JUST IN CASE. I DIDN'T GET TO SEE ANY LIST, I JUST KNOW THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY TYPE OF VEHICLE FOR THIS. AM I TO JUST TAKE THEIR WORD FOR IT? I THANK THE LORD THAT I WAS SITTING IN A PARKING LOT WHEN IT HAPPENED AND NOT OUT ON THE ROAD WHERE IT COULD HAVE BEEN A VERY BAD SITUATION. ALSO WHEN THEY SAID I WAS READY THEY ASKED HOW LONG MY ABS LIGHT HAD BEEN BLINKING--I TOLD THEM IT WAS BLINKING THE DAY I TEST DROVE AND THE SALESMAN WAS GOING TO ASK ABOUT IT WHEN WE GOT BACK TO THE DEALER. I NEVER GOT AN ANSWER. IF EITHER OF THESE ARE FAULTY AND WERE NEVER REPORTED I'D LIKE TO KNOW. OTHER PEOPLE MAY EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING. AND IF THESE CABLES HAVE BEEN REPLACED BEFORE AND IT'S HAPPENED AGAIN, PEOPLE NEED TO KNOW. I THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP. *TR
VEHICLE WILL NOT SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR EXCEPT PARK. *TR
TRANSMISSION FAILURE, APPARENTLY A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE FORD 2001-2004 ESCAPE SUV. THIS ONE IS A 2002 AND DID NOT LEAVE ME STRANDED, I MANAGED TO GET IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. OTHERS (HUNDREDS++) ON THE WEB WERE STRANDED ON MAJOR HIGHWAYS. *TR
AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAGS MAY NOT WORK PROPERLY IN A COLLISION. FORD DEALER PERFORMED AIR BAG SELF TEST AND CODE B1881 WAS OBTAINED. I HAD TO HAVE WIRING REVISIONS TO BOTH SEATS AT A COST OF $292.86. THE DEALER REPRESENTATIVE INFORMED ME THAT THE WIRING REVISION WAS NECESSARY BECAUSE THE ORIGINAL WIRING UNDER THE SEATS WAS INCAPABLE OF ACCOMMODATING THE FULL RANGE OF NORMAL SEAT ADJUSTMENTS ALLOWED BY THE ELECTRIC SEAT ADJUSTOR. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT INVOLVING A SAFETY FEATURE OF THE 2002 FORD ESCAPE. SHOULD NOT THE MANUFACTURER HAVE TO PAY FOR CORRECTING THIS SAFETY DEFECT? *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT IS DISABLED AND WAS STRANDED IN HER VEHICLE FOR OVER TWO HOURS. THE VEHICLE DOORS DO NOT HAVE KEY HOLES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO REMOVE THE REAR DOOR PANEL IN ORDER TO FREE THE CONTACT FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS UNAWARE THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE KEY HOLES WHEN IT WAS PURCHASED. THE DOORS ONLY OPERATED BY REMOTE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD RECEIVE A CALL BACK FROM THE DEALER. THE DOOR PANEL HAS BEEN REPAIRED. THE DEALER INFORMATION WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,074 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,064. UPDATED 4/8/08 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED FRANK IS PARALYZED. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE IS A GREAT CONCERN FOR NO KEYHOLE ON THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 04/08/08 *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED IN MEXICO. THE CONTACT WAS IN THE UNITED STATES AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE AND HE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING THE CRUISE CONTROL. WHEN HE RETURNED TO MEXICO, HE NOTIFIED A FORD DEALER AND THEY WERE UNAWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS ABOUT TO PAY TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED, BUT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE BEFORE ANY REPAIRS COULD BE MADE. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 72,300. UPDATED 05/19/08 *BF THE RECALL WAS REGARDING THE ABS MODULE. BEFORE THE CONSUMER COULD GET THE VEHICLE FIXED, IT CAUGHT TON FIRE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE ABS LIGHT WAS ON BEFORE HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 05/19/08
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. IN JUNE OF 2007, THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALER REGARDING RECALL NUMBER 07S51. THE DEALER APPLIED ELECTRICAL GREASE TO THE ABS MODULE CAVITY. ON FEBRUARY 29, 2008, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD NEAR THE ABS MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED, BUT THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 78,500.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. IF IT WERE NOT FOR THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, SHE WOULD HAVE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE ABS WAS FINE. THE CONTACT HAD A MECHANIC FRIEND AND HE REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE RESERVOIR. BECAUSE THE BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING, THE CONTACT'S FRIEND ALSO REPLACED THE "REMAN BRA". THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,698 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 42,498. UPDATED 04/04/08. *LJ
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PLACE THE VEHICLE INTO SECOND GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE FAILED AND JAMMED THE THROTTLE COVER. THE TRANSMISSION BECAME DAMAGED WHEN THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO REVERSE GEAR. THE MANUFACTURER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO ASSIST. ON NOVEMBER 25, 2007, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER DUE TO REVERSE. THE DEALER CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY, FLUSHED THE INJECTORS, AND CLEANED THE UPPER INTAKE GASKET AND SPARK PLUGS. THE FUEL FILTERS, COIL BOOTS, AND IGNITIONS WIRES WERE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 62,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING, REPLACE FUEL FILTER, AND A/C IS NOT BLOWING COLD. UPDATED 03/31/08 *TR
SRS AIRBAG LAMP ON ON THE DASHBOARD, IT WILL BLINK FOR 30 SECONDS WHEN YOU START THE ENGINE. THEN IT WILL STAY LIT. I BROUGHT THIS TO THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THIS SUV AND AFTER 1 YEAR IT CAME ON AGAIN. I HAD IT CHECKED TO A DEALER AND THEY RESET THE LAMP AND IT CAME BACK AGAIN. IT WORRIES ME BECAUSE I DO NOT KNOW IF THE AIRBAGS WILL WORK DURING AN ACCIDENT. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE ENGINE FAILED TO IDLE IN 20 DEGREE WEATHER. THE ABS MODULE CAUGHT FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT REPORTED THE FIRE TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THEY ADVISED HIM TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 130,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AFTER IT HAD BEEN PARKED FOR NINE HOURS. PRIOR TO PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY USING SNOW. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THERE WAS NO PROPERTY DAMAGE. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED IN MARCH OF 2007, BUT NOT REPAIRED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V156000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 130,000.
ACCELERATOR STUCK ON 2002 FORD ESCAPE. AT 80MPH I FINALLY TURNED OFF IGNITION TO STOP. THROTTLE CABLE BROKE. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS IN 2002 BUT NOT FOR MY PARTICULAR CAR. FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND FORD RECALL CENTER REFUSED TO PAY FOR REPAIRS AT DEALER. I WAS LUCKY TO SURVIVE THIS INCIDENT. WHO KNOWS HOW MANY OTHER 2002 FORD ESCAPES ALSO HAVE THIS PROBLEM?? *TR
WE HAVE A 2002 FORD ESCAPE XLT WE BOUGHT NEW IN SEPT OF 2002. IT HAS 90,000 MILES ON IT. LAST WEEK MY HUSBAND WAS COMING HOME WHEN IT LOST POWER AND WOULD NOT GO OVER 50 MILES AN HOUR THERE WAS ALSO A WHIRRING SOUND. HE GOT HOME AND TO OUR MECHANIC. THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE EGS VALVE (?) WHICH IT TURNS OUT WAS CAUSED BY THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER GETTING CLOGGED, BUILDING UP PRESSURED AND CAUSING IT TO BLOW. BASED UPON MY RESEARCH ON THE NET, THIS IS FAIRLY COMMON. I AM WONDERING IF THERE IS ANYTHING BEING DONE TOWARDS A RECALL. OUR DEALER IS TRYING TO GET A NEW CC FROM THE EAST COAST (WE ARE IN THE SEATTLE AREA) BUT IT MAY TAKE UP TO 2 WEEKS. *TR
SEAT BELT RETRACTORS DON'T WORK ON BOTH SIDE[WEAK [RETURN][SPRINGS CAUSING DOORS NOT TO SHUT WHEN EXITING VEHICLE METAL CONNECTOR BLOCKS AND DAMAGES DOOR LOCK MECHANISM AND PUNCHING LARGE HOLES IN WEATHER STRIPS I'VE REPLACED TWICE ON EACH SIDE. A RECALL ON THE SEAT BELTS RETURNS SHOULD BE ISSUED. THIS PROBLEM CHEWS UP THE SEAT BELT CONNECTION METAL AND DOOR LOCK MECHANISM WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY STOP WORKING AFTER REPEATED CLOSURES. SOME ONE COULD THEN FALL OUT OF THERE CAR. *TR
THIS WILL BE THE SECOND TIME I HAVE TO REPLACE THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS, NOT TO MENTION THAT FROM DAY ONE MY WHEELS HAVE BEEN COVERED IN BLACK DUST FROM THE BRAKES, AND IM TOLD THIS IS NORMAL. THE MAJOR PROBLEM HAS BEEN THE TRANSMISSION. I CAN NOT TELL YOU HOW MANY TIMES I'VE TAKEN IT IN TO BE LOOKED AT AND CALLED AND COMPLAINED TO FORD WITH NO HELP AT ALL. SINCE DAY ONE (MY CAR WAS BRAND NEW) THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MADE NOISES AS THOUGH IT WAS STUCK WHEN IT SHOULD BE SMOOTHLY SHIFTING GEARS. EACH TIME I TOOK IT IN NOONE HEARD ANYTHING...UNTIL MY WARRANTEE WAS UP THEN THINGS WERE HEARD. LETS SEE I'VE PAID FOR ENGINE FLUSHES, SPARK PLUG CHANGES, FLUID CHECKS, RESET CALIBRAITONS, I'VE NEVER MISSED AN OIL OR FILTER CHANGE AND IT PROGRESSIVELY IS GETTING WORSE. I'VE READ LOTS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS FROM FORD OWNERS REGARDING THE SAME PROBLEM. SO IF WE ALL ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE, WHY ISN'T FORD HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO FIX THIS??????? *TR
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A SMALL HILL AND HAD A BLOW OUT THE BRAKES DID NOT STOP THE CAR LOST CONTROL AND ROLLED OVER THE SIDE OF THE HILL.