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1.3

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
130,864 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 fuel system problems

fuel system problem

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2002 Ford Escape Owner Comments

problem #16

Sep 052018

Escape

  • 141,000 miles

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

Fuel gas tank straps rotted out causing the fuel tank to fall

- Roselle, IL, USA

problem #15

May 112018

Escape

  • 116,349 miles
My vehicle idles to 4000rpm and control the speed by itself, there is a leak in the back break area the steering wheel locks where I can't put it in any gear sometimes and getting worse. Had to get it towed home last night because while driving it idled high and as I brake it barely stopped and when releasing break it speeds up to 50 or more mph and I had to keep my feet on the break..I pulled over and turned the switch off and waited a while and turned back on and it idled to 4000 RPM again. Could not shift the gear from park and break pedal was hard. When arriving home to back car in driveway towe guy had no problem with idle. The following morning cranked and was at 1000rpm at first start. Also ac pressure. Car runs hot but no smoke water bubbles in coolant reservoir. My check engine light never gave warning of any of the problems listed.

- Jonesboro, GA, USA

problem #14

Jun 292017

Escape

  • 108,325 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. While driving, an odor of fuel emitted into the vehicle and it stalled without warning, the contact also stated that the hazard lights failed to function. The vehicle was taken to wayne ekers Ford (2000 10th ave N, lake worth, fl 33461, phone number: (800) 749-8875) and was informed that the vehicle could not be serviced because the fuel leak was a safety concern for the workers. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 108,325.

- Lake Worth, FL, USA

problem #13

Jul 152016

Escape

  • 110,000 miles

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

Metal tray supporting the fuel tank has rusted. Brackets supporting the tray have rusted and fallen off exposing the plastic fuel tank.

- Northborough, MA, USA

problem #12

Dec 152015

Escape

  • 113,000 miles
Started my car and the RPM going to 4000 when car is in park. Was told its throttle body.

- Santa Clara, CA, USA

problem #11

Sep 302015

Escape

  • 118,000 miles
My car jerks when driving very badly hed many repairs done to no avail 118,000 miles have a disabled husband car is unrieabledriving on highway and local streets to get home.

- Stratford, CT, USA

problem #10

Aug 022015

Escape

  • 123,000 miles

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

The fuel tank mounting strap rusted through and began dragging on the highway sending up a shower of sparks. Upon investigation, I found the metal shield around the tank disintegrated into rust flakes, and the shield where it passes over the driveshaft had fallen and was rubbing on the moving driveshaft. I recognised the problem and was able to secure the tank and shield temporarily to limp home, but the potential for disaster is catastrophic, especially here in the northeast where these parts are continually subject to salt and snow.

- Holliston, MA, USA

problem #9

Apr 122015

Escape 4WD 6-cyl

  • 204,176 miles
On 4/10/2014, I was driving the vehicle and noticed that when I let my foot off the gas pedal, the car showed no signs of slowing...as if I was still accelerating. I had to use the brake to make the car slow down. On 4/12/2015, I was pulling into the driveway and let my foot off the pedal to coast to the parking position, when it suddenly accelerated, and I almost hit our fence. There is definitely something wrong with the acceleration system.

- Durham, NC, USA

problem #8

Sep 102014

Escape

  • 147,000 miles
Fuel tank strap has corroded and broken and the fuel tank could fall out of the vehicle and result in a fuel spill and/or fire. There is also a rust hole in the fuel tank metal protective cover the size of my hand and the fuel cell is exposed. Have notified Ford and they declined to remedy the problem citing there is currently no recall. Ford has also told me it is not safe for me to continue to drive the vehicle. I have taken photos of corroded parts which I will submit upon request to my email address which is : [xxx]. information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Haskell, NJ, USA

problem #7

Aug 102012

Escape

  • 109,000 miles
To start off the idle control valve needed to be replaced because when you push the clutch in it dies and you loose all power, another is the bushing in the control arm slipped out of the arm mount so I had to replace it and another that just happened is the gas tank strap and support pan broke and plastic gas tank hit the ground on one end and the other is grinding on the drive shaft. And the Ford dealership wont fix anything cause it ain't considered powertrain.

- Marion, NC, USA

problem #6

Sep 272012

Escape 6-cyl

  • 133,148 miles

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

Again I own three of these vehicles and while pumping gas my fuel tank straps rotted out, same as the other two. Again dealer will not warranty and they won't help especially with the same problem with all three vehicles.

- Dighton, MA, USA

problem #5

Nov 192012

Escape 6-cyl

  • 172,000 miles
Going between 34-37 mph today, my vehicle completely stalled upon slight deceleration as I was attempting to switch into another lane.

- Elkhart, IN, USA

problem #4

Oct 192012

Escape 6-cyl

  • 170,000 miles
Upon pressing the brake, at any speed, the vehicle completely shuts off. This has caused me to be nearly rear-ended on several occasions. It happens without notice, and is becoming more consistent. I took it to the dealership, as there were recalls on my vehicle, but they said while that is a problem for my make and model, it was in fact not one of the recalls to be performed. I had two recalls performed, neither of which helped this problem at all. It leaves me halted in intersections, and makes for abrupt stops, as I have to completely brake to a full and complete stop, throw the truck into park, turn the key off, wait a moment, turn the key back on, and back into drive.

- Elkhart, IN, USA

problem #3

Oct 032012

Escape 6-cyl

  • 135,320 miles
Vehicle has begun to accelerate unexpectedly since early September. There has been at least four incidents involving vehicle suddenly accelerating when its was at low speed or stopped (with foot on the brake). The accelerations last a few seconds and lurch the car forward. The vehicle has been taken to Ford for the recall notices involving the cruise control cable (11S24B on 30 June 12 and 12S37B on 20 Sep 12). This vehicle did not experience this problem prior to the recall repairs.

- Gainesville, VA, USA

problem #2

May 152012

Escape

  • 125,000 miles
Fuel tank strap rusted and broke from tank sagged onto drive shaft when tank was full of fuel this only was noted when turning a sharp corner, wore hole in tank metal cover.note cover is rusted.

- Canterbury, CT, USA

problem #1

Dec 102011

Escape

  • 68,500 miles
While driving at normal speeds on ice-glazed winter roads in fairbanks, ak, I approached an intersection and took my foot off the accelerator to prepare to slow down. Instead of dropping to idle speeds, the engine accelerated up to 3500-4000 RPM. I shifted the automatic transmission to neutral and was able to stop the car with the brakes, but the engine continued to race at high-throttle until I shut off the engine. When I restarted the engine it behaved normally for several days; but the problem came back intermittently several times over the next several weeks; and every time, shutting off the engine was the only way to stop it. Ford's database showed my car had undergone a recall in 2005 to fix a similar problem. In January 2012, stanley Ford in kenai, ak 'supposedly' replaced the throttle cable and throttle body assembly for $572, but it didn't solve the problem. The uncontrolled acceleration occurred several more times, as before, until a second repair in February 2012 by seekins Ford in fairbanks, which replaced a PCV and tubing, and did a complete tune-up for $992. Since then, there have been no more issues with the accelerator.

- Kasilof, AK, USA

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