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1.8

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
90,599 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Ford Escape body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2002 Ford Escape Owner Comments

problem #16

May 102021

Escape 6-cyl

  • 82,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Bloomington, IL, USA

problem #15

Aug 082017

Escape

  • miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while stationary, the vehicle would not accelerate forward. The contact stated that upon depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle would not accelerate forward. The vehicle was pushed manually, in the neutral position, to an unknown place of business. Furthermore, the contact stated that upon depressing the brake pedal there was a squealing and cracking noise. The wheel bearing and struts were faulty on the vehicle as stated by the contact. The steering wheel made a loud squeaking noise when turned left or right while driving various speeds in addition to the vehicle frame becoming severely rusted underneath. The dealer was not contacted about the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Richmond, KY, USA

problem #14

Jun 272016

Escape 6-cyl

  • 184,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the frame of the vehicle was rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 14V165000 (structure). The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 184,000. Updated 10/13/16

- Old Bridge, NJ, USA

problem #13

Aug 152015

Escape 6-cyl

  • 228,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact heard an abnormal noise upon making a turn. The steering wheel turned, but the wheels remained straight when the failure occurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V165000 (structure), but the failure recurred. The contact stated that the technician installed two brackets but not the engine mount brackets. The contact felt that the recall remedy was not performed accurately. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 228,000.

- Stockbridge, MI, USA

problem #12

Jul 312015

Escape

  • 66,946 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 14V165000 (structure). The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the cross bar reinforcement was installed; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 66,946.

- Fort Gratiot , MI, USA

problem #11

Nov 062014

Escape 4WD 6-cyl

  • miles
2002 Ford Escape. Consumer writes in regards to excessive corrosion and large crack in the engine cradle/ subframe. The consumer stated the steering went to the left approximately 15 degrees while driving straight down the road. The sent in recall notice # 14V165000. According to Ford, the vehicle did not have complete separation of the lower control arm.

- Palatine, IL, USA

problem #10

Jan 302015

Escape 4WD 6-cyl

  • 105,300 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While pulling out of a parking lot, I noticed the vehicle's steering seemed loose & there was a creaking noise from the front end. Vehicle continued to pull to the right as I drove down the road, and creaking noise increased. I drove directly to dealer where I'd had the work for recall 14V165000 completed only 4 weeks prior (26 Dec 2014), and their assessment was a cracked subframe. Service writer informed me that the car was dangerous to drive, and the cost to repair would be a minimum of $2000 in parts and labor, plus the likelihood of additional repairs needed once they found other corroded parts in need of replacement. I declined the repair and purchased a new car (not a Ford) instead.

- Cudahy, WI, USA

problem #9

Oct 222014

Escape

  • 111,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the cross-brace fractured. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign id number: 14V165000 (structure) but the recall remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic, who diagnosed that the sub frame and the control arm needed to be replaced. In addition, the mechanic advised that the vehicle could not be driven. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 111,000.

- Herndon, VA, USA

problem #8

Sep 022014

Escape 4WD 6-cyl

  • 131,000 miles
Vinyl door panel of front passenger door pealed off.

- Millersburg, PA, USA

problem #7

Apr 022014

Escape 4WD 6-cyl

  • 213,000 miles
My car is included in the recall for the rusted out subframe. It has at least 2 oblong rusted out holes near the control arm. It was taken to the dealer. They installed a cross brace. 3 different dealers told me the brace will hopefully, if I am lucky, help me pull over without crashing when (not if) the subframe gives away and the control arm falls off. Two of the three literally told me, "good luck." I feel if Ford realizes the issue is serious enough for a recall they should properly fix the problem.

- Wixom, MI, USA

problem #6

Jun 262013

Escape

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I received a letter about recall notice 14S02/NHTSA recall 14V-165. I have called my local Ford dealership and gone in to the service center about this recall. The date on my letter was May 2014. They said they did not have the parts to fix the vehicle. I have tried several times to get this fixed and am just blown off by the dealership. What do I have to do get this recall taken care of.

- Onalaska, WI, USA

problem #5

Jun 172014

Escape

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the sub frame was rusted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was confirmed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

- Negaunee, MI, USA

problem #4

Jul 282011

Escape 6-cyl

  • 79,996 miles
Metal straps holding up the gas tank rusted and broke on July 28, 2011 while filling the gas tank. Had to have it towed to dealership where they replaced the two metal straps on August 1, 2011. On August 2, 2011 a recall was issued for the same problem on similar Ford vehicles that were manufactured during the same year. Dealership confirmed it was the same problem that was cited in the recall and stated that I was very lucky that I was not driving the vehicle at the time this occurred.

- Wrentham, MA, USA

problem #3

Mar 032010

Escape

  • 60,000 miles
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.

- Anchorage, AK, USA

problem #2

Sep 172003

Escape 6-cyl

  • 45,000 miles
The windshield leaked water when it rained. The dealer stated that the windshield was separating from the molding, and it's not a safety defect it was normal. While driving water would get inside the vehicle.

- Wingate, NC, USA

problem #1

Sep 262003

Escape 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 13,349 miles
While driving about 45 mph, the vehicle shut down without warning. Engine check light appeared on the dashboard. The cause was due to defective engine controls. Other problems are as followed: Both rear door's body weatherstrips had come loose and were warped and the left rear quarter panel window.

- La Mirada, CA, USA

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