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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
652 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2002 Ford Escape Owner Comments (Page 1 of 7)

problem #135

Jun 012005

Escape 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,285 miles

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

Vehicle lost power in the middle of traffic, thought it was fuel injectors. Put fuel injector cleaner and better gas but a couple of weeks later. The mechanic said the the idle air control motor was bad. The mechanic did replace it and have the part. The vehicle started doing this around June 1, 2005. Have not contacted dealer.

- Springfield, VA, USA

problem #134

Dec 172004

Escape 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 8,790 miles
My 2002 Ford Escape with 9,000 miles has a tendency to stall while coasting at an extremely low speed. Hitting a slight speed bump is responsible for most of the occurrences. My vehicle has stalled at least 12 times during the last 4 weeks. The problem may be related to an infrequent tendency of a dead instrument panel when starting with a key. If I get out of the vehicle and get back in, it will eventually start except for one time when it had to be towed. But, my complaint is the stalling problem. The dealership has not been successful in fixing anything and they told me that it stalled on them as well. While nobody has hit my dead vehicle yet, it is a concern. Thus far, the vehicle has been able to restart after stalling, it is not an easy restart. The stalling has mostly occurred after the vehicle has been driven 3-6 miles and slowed for parking purposes and stalls when I sharpely turn the steering wheel for parking. There is a little speed bump 20 feet from my parking slot in front of my house. I just wish my vehicle would idle faster.

- Baltimore, Md., MD, USA

problem #133

Sep 222004

Escape

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
After driving the Escape for a few hours...running errands and what not...we park the car for a short time...then the car won't start. It will turn over, but if the gas isn't kept on it stalls. Have had the car into the dealer 4 times now and they can't replicate the situation. Usually after letting the car sit for several hours, it will start up and run fine. This has been going on for two months now.

- Macomb, MI, USA

problem #132

Sep 112003

Escape 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 6,000 miles

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

The engine on my 2002 Ford Escape stalls unexpectedly. It stalls while shifting gears at a standstill and while driving down the road. This last condition especially is quite dangerous as there is a loss of braking and power steering. Sometimes it will stall up to 5 times before getting it out of my driveway. It stalls when the engine is both cold and hot. I have had it to my Ford dealer, who has even had it stall while hooked up to their computer. And still they have not solved the problem. I have had it in on 4 separate occasions since July 2003. It once stalled while my wife was driving it around a hairpin turn. Fortunately no one was coming in the opposite direction. It has been stalling since before July 11, when it was first brought to the dealer for this problem.

- Jeffersonville, VT, USA

problem #131

Sep 072003

Escape

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I am a consumer who has just purchased a used 2002 Ford Escape from a Ford dealership in raleigh, North Carolina. Have had a number of problems with the vehicle, including stalling while driving in heavy traffic. I brought the car into the dealership less than 2 weeks ago and specifically asked them to check it due to the sluggish and stalling behavior. I insisted that they do a diagnostic test, which they said they performed, but nothing showed up. Yesterday on the way to church, I had problems keeping it running after starting it. I had to maintain pressure on the gas pedal at all times.very time I got to a light or slowed for a turn, the car stalled and shut off, causing complete loss of power. I called the dealership today and got very little help. They informed me that the car does not have a system to maintain record of the problem unless the vehicle has power at the time the problem occurs. They never mentioned anything else. They did say they would be glad to look at it....again. After that comment, I chose to go to your site to look for reports on the make, model and year of my vehicle. ( researched this site to check for any problems with my vehicle, prior to my purchase but found no reports posted for recalls. Today while at the site, I noticed an area called defect investigations. That was quite informative. I never saw this section prior to my purchase. I consider myself a smart person, but I missed it.) the dealership must have been aware of these type of problems at the time of the sale, but did not bring them to my attention or fill me in. Even today, the service manager did not inform me of any problems with stalling in 2002 Ford Escapes. I do not look forward to continuing to expose myself nor my family to a safety hazard every time we get into our vehicle.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

problem #130

Jun 212003

Escape 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 17,000 miles
Complete engine seizure at 17,000 miles. Number 2 and 5 cylinders are destroyed. We changed the oil every 5,000 miles and Ford is fighting us on replacing the engine. After searching NHTSA, I come to realize we are not along. Burt Ford arapahoe had been helpful, providing a rental car for free; however, they have not been forth coming on how many Escapes have had similar problems.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #129

Nov 152002

(reported on)

Escape 4WD

  • miles

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

My Escape was still new when I first experienced a total stall. I was on a downhill exit ramp from the interstate making a left hand turn onto a very busy one way street through an even busier intersection. I coasted at about 30-35 mph down to make my turn and realized that I had no steering or power at all. I had to fight to make the left turn and get to the curb. The experience left me shaking in shock and fear for quite some time. I had no trouble restarting it after I regained my composure. I took it to the initial point of sale and was told they had not heard of any problems. They "could not duplicate the problem". I have had three additional stalls, a different dealer replaced throttle, air intake. Another stall. Since purchasing this vehicle the cd player has been worked on twice (the dash had to be replaced because the service tech scratched it considerably), the passenger front window rolls up out of the track and the passenger front door would not unlock. The door had to be taken apart to fix the lock assembly consequently the interior door was replaced because it had to be torn off to get to the lock. Cruise control works intermittently, the rear wiper doesn't work correctly, the transmission shifts hard, the front end makes noises when turned, not to mention a rattle in the back that will drive you crazy and a musty smell. As if this weren't enough, this morning it began running rough, backfired and the engine light came on and stayed on. I made it home, thankfully and had it towed to the dealer...again I am without my car! my husband works for Ford in louisville, ky and we are trying to be loyal, but this is too much! we have had trouble with different cars in the past, but I am afraid of this vehicle. I have a 16 yr. Old son about to get his license. It has been hard for me as an experienced driver to handle these situations, but I am terrified that it could happen to him.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #128

Nov 112002

Escape 4WD

  • miles
This is the third time I have experienced engine stalling while driving. All vital functions froze so I lost steering capability, brakes, acceleration, etc. I could not restart the car until the car came to a complete stop (in the middle of an intersection) and I could put the car into 'park'. I have been fortunate to have only been going at lower speeds and side roads during all three instances so far. But driving in the D.C metropolitan area also requires a out of high-speed highway driving as well and I am extremely worried that I may not be so fortunate the next time!

- Burke, VA, USA

problem #127

Aug 012002

Escape 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 8,000 miles
Consumer states that while driving vehicle intermittenly stalls when gas pedal is depressed. Checked by dealer who advised can not duplicate problem.

- Mertzton, PA, USA

problem #126

Oct 012002

Escape

  • miles
While traveling about 35 to 40mph and without prior warning. The vehicle will stall please provide additional information dealer is aware of the problem.

- West Palm Beach, FL, USA

problem #125

Nov 072002

(reported on)

Escape

  • miles

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

Consumer state while traveling 25-35 mph without any indication engine would stall in result of losing all power. Dealership and manufacture was contacted.

- Ellicott City, MD, USA

problem #124

Mar 012002

Escape

  • miles
While driving, the engine completed quit running no power, no steering, no lights, radio, etc. I coasted to side of road and put car in park. I then re-started engine and everything seemed normal. I immediately took to dealership who told me there was a 'software glitch' and a chip needed reprogramming from the manufacturer. This problem has not occurred since then. But this could have been a tragedy had I been driving 80 mph down an atlanta interstate; fortunately I was on an access road going 40-45 mph.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

problem #123

Oct 242002

Escape 4WD

  • miles
For no apparent reason engine stalled while driving in traffic. I was able to pull over and restart, but this could have been serious in heavier traffic or on freeway.

- Milwaukie, OR, USA

problem #122

Oct 092002

Escape 4WD

  • miles
I have owned the 2002 Ford Escape aprx. 6 months. And have had a problem with it stalling while driving it. Once while driving aprx. 35 mph on a corner going to the left. I didn't relized it had stalled untill I lost my steering, I was able to pull it off the road and that was when I relized it had stalled all that was on was the engine light. I went straight to the dealership and they told me to make an appointment. So I did for the following week. At that appointment. They were unable to match the problem, so they sent me on my way. The next week my mom was driving it going aprx. 35 mph. With several cars behind her when it stalled so she put it into neurtol restarted it than put it back into drive ( this is what the delership service dept. Told us to do so we wouldn't loose the steering or the brakes), and she continued home, and told me what had happened. I called the delership and they told me to bring it in. 3 days later they called and said they called the manufacture to see if they might know what the problem was, and they said this has happened befor and to replace the chip, it was a defect, so they did. I haven't had any problems with it till now 10-09-2002 aprx. 3000 miles later, when it stalled again while driving on a corner to the left aprx. 35 mph. I called the delership again and they scheduled an appt. For the following Monday 10-14-2002 on week later. The delership also offered me the forms to fill out for the lemon law to send in. I don't feel safe driving this SUV, it is a danger to my family, myself, and anyone I share the road with. This is a brand new SUV and should not have problems like this. Ford should do something about this. It is not safe!!!

- Pioneer, CA, USA

problem #121

Aug 212002

Escape 4WD

  • miles
2002 Ford Escape will stall while driving. Steering wheel and brakes locked at the time of the stalling. The car becomes unmanuverable and the driver has to put the car in park in moving traffic in order to restart the car. Have brought this car in to the dealership 4 times now. Each time the dealership has attempted to repair the car by "re-calibrating" which means updating the software. The software updates have done nothing for the car as of yet. Confidence in the Escape is no longer there and the driver(s) are stuck with a lemon that Ford will not buy back. Car is very unsafe for driver and other driver's on the road.

- Littleton, CO, USA

problem #120

Apr 052002

Escape 4WD

  • miles
This vehicle has suffered complete power failure with no warning on four separate occasions. Speed each time was approximately 40 mph. In each instance, the engine would restart immediately. The car has been checked by a Ford dealer each time but they are unable to duplicate the condition and have made minor electronic/computer adjustments which have not solved the problem. They have advised us to wait for a recall notice from Ford.

- Golden, CO, USA

problem #119

Aug 072002

Escape

  • miles
Problems with power assist, engine and brakes.

- Birmingham, AL, USA

problem #118

Sep 152002

Escape

  • miles
Consumer states vehicle will stall at anytime. Took to dealer and dealer replaced computer.

- Ellicott City, MD, USA

problem #117

Sep 302002

Escape 4WD

  • miles
On four separate occasions my 2002 Ford Escape has stalled while driving, creating extremely unsafe situations. Each time the vehicle has been proceeding downhill at approximately 40 mph, and then stalls as foot is lifted off gas pedal. Stall causes loss of brakes, power steering, etc. Dealer has been unable to diagnose-- on first visit they suggested possible fuel contamination might have caused a stall. On second visit (8/15/02), dealer unable to recreate problem, no diagnosis made, although dealer did install software upgrade. Car has failed twice since then (8/16 and now on 9/30). Have notified dealer of most recent incident and bringing car in for service. To date there have been no accidents or injuries, but have been extremely lucky each time. Problem only occurs within first 5-10 minutes after engine start after prolonged rest.

- Endwell, NY, USA

problem #116

Sep 272002

Escape

  • miles
Engine stalled without any warning. No power assist for power steering and brake. I used park brake to stop the vehicle. After I shifted to park position and restarted the engine, everything was back to normal. This is very dangrous if other vehicles follows, especially on highway.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

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