2002 Ford Escape

1,027 complaints on file, page 1 of 52.

1. Filed Apr 18, 2026Failure Mar 5, 2026Dayton, OHElectrical system, Service brakes, Unknown or other

   I bought a vehicle that has recalls on it. I contacted a dealer. Im told the car is to old to fix the recalled abs relay. Now I have a vehicle thats on the road a fire hazard. The ford dealership have left me my with and kids and grand kids in danger

   NHTSA complaint 11732085
2. Filed Jul 28, 2025Failure Jul 14, 2025227,000 milesOakley, CAIgnition

   The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while shifted in park(P), the key failed to release while the engine was running. The contact drove to a local O'Reilly's where one of the employees was able to remove the key from the ignition. The failure had gotten progressively worse. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the ignition lock cylinder had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 227,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11676792
3. Filed Aug 12, 2024Failure Aug 12, 2024Clio, CAEngine

   I have had to replace my engine/transmission several times and the problem keeps repeating itself. The engine will just die for no reason which is an extremely severe safety risk.

   NHTSA complaint 11608125
4. Filed Jan 23, 2023Failure Dec 23, 2022150,000 milesPrinceton, ILSubframe/mounting bracket

   The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound and started drifting to the left. The vehicle was towed to the residence. An independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle with a rusted subframe. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11503115
5. Filed Nov 2, 2022Failure Nov 1, 2022213,000 milesBelchertown, MAPower train

   The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH and depressing forcefully on the accelerator pedal, the accelerator pedal got stuck. The contact was unable to disengage the accelerator pedal. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated he did not attempt to depress the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. The contact shifted the ignition to off to stop the vehicle. The contact was unable to move the vehicle safely out of the road. The contact stated a bystander called the police department to assist with traffic. A police report was filed. The contact towed the vehicle to an independent mechanic and disengaged the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 213,000. The VIN was not available.

   NHTSA complaint 11491872
6. Filed May 30, 2022Failure Jan 1, 2022Rocky point, NCExterior lighting, Service brakes, BodyFire

   Vehicle was manufactured 04/2002 recalls state that from oct99 to jan04 multiple states had issues with rusting with suspension causing the car to crash. My vehicle was made in one of the states and has alot of underbody rusting. Back hatch latch gets stuck often and will not open. Drums on the back are sticking causing the vehicle to drag at take off, abs had a recall ford dealer "fixed" the issue abs light stays on. Radiator light stays on constantly even though fluids are at correct level radiator is not damaged. Battery light constantly stays on as well brand new battery and alternator wire are connected free of corrosion. Interior lights caught on fire and melted the plastic housing so I had to take out the small bulbs. Everything is available for inspection if needed.abs was looked at by Ford dealer and "fixed" but problem is still there. Problems have not been inspected by anyone other than the abs, no warnings at all. Events happened at different times during the time I got the vehicle. 2022 Jan

   NHTSA complaint 11466662
7. Filed Oct 1, 2021Failure Sep 15, 2021177,000 milesChelmsford, MAFrame and members

   The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer, he was informed that the subframe was severely corroded. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number 14V165000 (Structure) however, the remedy failed to fix the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 177,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11435096
8. Filed Jun 17, 2021Failure Jun 16, 2021Grants Pass, ORAir bags, Seat belts

   The passenger side flashes with the Air bag symbol and has the seat belt too. Sometimes the symbol just stays on the dash board.

   NHTSA complaint 11421224
9. Filed Jun 14, 2021Failure May 10, 202182,000 milesBloomington, ILStructure, Suspension

   The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the contact heard a loud noise coming from the suspension of the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with the control arm needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle had been serviced in 2014 under NHTSA campaign number: 14V165000 (Structure) however, the failure still occurred. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist and that he had to pay out of pocket for the repair. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11420877
10. Filed Feb 11, 2021Failure Jan 23, 2021195,002 milesMonroe, MIElectrical system, Engine, Service brakes

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WAS WATER IN THE FUSE BOX. THE CONTACT CALLED FRIENDLY FORD (2800 N TELEGRAPH RD, MONROE, MI 48162, (734) 243-6000) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 195,002.

    NHTSA complaint 11395756
11. Filed Nov 12, 2020Failure Nov 10, 2020112,000 milesFall River, MASuspension

    VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN HEARD A LOUD BANG WHEN HITTING A BUMP. STEERING BECAME ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE BUT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY GET OFF THE HIGHWAY AND TO A SHOP. UPON INSPECTION, THE SUB-FRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAD BROKEN AND WAS HANGING 6 INCHES LOWER THAN IT SHOULD. UPON CALLING FORD, I WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE HAD ALREADY BEEN SERVICED FOR THE RECALL FOR THE ROTTING, WITCH I QUESTIONED AND GOT NON ANSWERS AND WAS TOLD THEY COULD DO NOTHING FOR ME, EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE SUB-FRAME FOR THE EXACT ISSUE I AM CURRENTLY EXPERIANCING.

    NHTSA complaint 11374355
12. Filed Oct 19, 2020Failure Oct 14, 202014,000 milesSkokie, ILAir bags, Steering, WheelsCrash

    GEARS IS HARD TO SHIFT TO THE RIGHT GEAR AND LIGHTS WENT OUT EARLY LIKE A DRAIN IN ELECTRICAL AND MY STEARING IS BECOMING HARD TO TURN ON STREETS AND OUT MY DRIVE WAY

    NHTSA complaint 11365092
13. Filed Sep 17, 2020Failure Aug 20, 2020182,556 milesLewistown, PAUnknown or other

    WHEN I DRIVE, THERE IS A LOUD ALMOST LIKE GRINDING NOISE. IT STARTED MAKING THAT NOISE, FOUR DAYS AFTER I BOUGHT IT. AS SOON AS I HEARD THE NOISE, I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF THE ROAD, CALLED AND HAD A FLATBED COME PICK MY VEHICLE UP TOO TAKE IT BACK HOME. IV REPLACED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE CV AXLE. I TOOK IT ON A SHORT RIDE. IT STILL MAKES THAT NEWS. I'VE BEEN TRYING TOO FIND ANY INFORMATION I CAN, SEE IF CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT'S GOING ON. I'M HAVING NO LUCK.

    NHTSA complaint 11355662
14. Filed Jun 13, 2020Failure Mar 5, 2020163,000 milesElkhart, INService brakes

    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

    NHTSA complaint 11328650
15. Filed Apr 9, 2020Failure Mar 24, 2020215,158 milesLAS Vegas, NVSuspension

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE REVERSING OF THE PARKING LOT, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL TURNED INTO THE WHEEL WELL. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AFTER HEARING AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO CONTACT RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V165000 (STRUCTURE). THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO FORD COUNTRY (280 N GIBSON RD, HENDERSON, NV 89014) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AND IT WAS STATED THAT THE PARTS TO FIX THE VEHICLE WAS THE SAME PARTS OF THE RECALL. THE DEALER STATED THAT DUE TO THE MILEAGE AND AGE OF RECALL THE REPAIR WAS DECLINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 215,158.

    NHTSA complaint 11320708
16. Filed Feb 8, 2020Failure Jun 1, 2019160,000 milesAzle, TXSuspension

    MY CAR JERKS, AND SWERVES BECAUSE OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. IT AND THE SUBRALFRAME ARE MESSED UP. IT WILL COST ME TOO MUCH MONEY TO FIX AND NO ONE WANTS TO TOUCH IT. I DONT WANT TO SELL IT TO ANYONE BE CAUSE OF THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE. IT JERKS AT LOW SPEEDS AND GETS WORSE AT HIGH SPEEDS.

    NHTSA complaint 11307960
17. Filed Nov 29, 2019Failure Nov 27, 2019200,000 milesMacon, GAUnknown or other

    I HAD JUST PURCHASED USED A 2002 FORD ESCAPE NOV 27 2019 DECIDING TO TAKE THE KIDS AND GO TO GROCERY STORE THAT I DID BUT ON THE WAY HOME THE VEHICLES STEERING LOCKED UP WHEN I REALISED IT I MASHED THE BRAKES THEY WOULDNT WORK SO I SLAMED IT IN PARK THERE WERE NO DASH WARNING LIGHTS IT LOST ALL POWER WE SKIRTED TO SIDE SLIDING BUT SAFE THE SUV CRANKED RIGHT BACK UP AS NOTHING HAPPEND BUT CUT OFF A COUPLE MORE TIMES BUT I WAS AT A STOP SIGN THE LAST TWO TIMES AND IT CRANKED UP NO PROBLEM EVERY TIME I HAVENT LOOKED AT THE VEH BUT THERES WAS A VIBRATION AFTER THAT DONT KNOW IF IT BROKE SOMETHING IN MOTOR OR NOT

    NHTSA complaint 11282914
18. Filed Aug 21, 2019Failure Dec 20, 2013Groton, CTAir bags, Suspension

    ON 12/20/2013 I HAD THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS REPLACED, AND HAD TO PAY 1,279.79. IN APRIL 2014 YOU ANNOUNCED A RECALL FOR THIS SAME ITEM. FOR SOME TREASON YOU EXCLUDED MY CAR. CONSIDERING MY CAR REQUIRED THE EXACT ITEM REPLACED ONLY 4 MONTHS PRIOR, I AM REQUESTING TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE COST OF THAT REPAIR. ALSO A COMPLAINT I HAVE IS THE WARNING LIGHT FOR THE AIRBAG WILL NOT GO OUT. A DEFECT THAT DOES NOT SEEM REPAIRABLE. IN LIGHT OF THE AIRBAG RECALL I AM CONCERNED I AM SITTING IN FRONT OF A LOADED GUN. I WILL KEEP THIS COMPLAINT WHERE MY FAMILY CAN FIND IT AND RESPOND ACCORDINGLY IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO ME AFTER YOU HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED OF THIS COMPLAINT

    NHTSA complaint 11245533
19. Filed Aug 10, 2019Failure Aug 8, 2019163,000 milesReidsville, NCSteering, Suspension

    WHILE IN MOTION, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM SEPARATED FROM THE SUBFRAME DUE TO CORROSION. I LOST STEERING BUT WAS ABLE TO SKID TO THE SHOULDER. THE SAME ISSUE AS RECALL 14S02 BUT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED.

    NHTSA complaint 11243003
20. Filed Jul 10, 2019Failure Jun 19, 2019130,000 milesChicago, ILEngine, Steering, Unknown or other

    THE MOUNTS THAT THE ENGINE SITS ON RUSTED AWAY, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO DROP ONTO THE STEERING SYSTEM WHILE DRIVING.

    NHTSA complaint 11230636