2002 Ford Escape
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine and engine cooling is the leading concern among 1,070 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 13th highest complaint count among 26 Escape model years with reports.
Of the 2002 reports, 68 involved a crash and 108 involved a fire. 45 people were injured and 2 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Power train, automatic transmission, lever and linkage, floor shiftSep 29, 2015
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.
If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.
Campaign 15V606000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, front, wheel bearingJun 3, 2015
The Timken Company (Timken) is recalling certain aftermarket front wheel bearings, part number 510072, sold from January 22, 2015, to May 21, 2015, to be used as service parts on 2001-2012 Ford Escape, 2001-2011 Mazda Tribute, and 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles. The affected wheel bearings have incorrect dimensions of a 42mm bore, 76mm outer dimension, and 39mm width, instead of a 42mm bore, 78mm outer dimension and a 45mm width.
Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Timken has begun notifying distributors who will offer purchasers replacement wheel bearings, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2015. Owners may contact Timken customer service at 1-866-984-6536.
Campaign 15E045000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, frame and membersApr 2, 2014
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2004 Escape vehicles manufactured October 22, 1999, through January 23, 2004, originally sold, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. These vehicles may experience excessive corrosion at the forward attachment of the lower control arm.
A separation of the lower control arm can result in a significant loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install a newly designed reinforcement cross-brace, free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S02.
Campaign 14V165000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine coolingJul 26, 2012
Ford Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2004 Escape vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control manufactured from October 22, 1999, through January 23, 2004. Inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector could result in a stuck throttle when the accelerator pedal is fully or almost-fully depressed. This risk exists regardless of whether or not speed control (cruise control) is used.
A stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop or slow the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles by increasing the engine cover clearance, free of charge. The safety recall began August 3, 2012. Remedy parts are expected to be available in mid-August 2012. Until then dealers will disconnect the speed control cable as an interim remedy, if parts are not available at the time of an owner's service appointment. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Campaign 12V353000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/moduleJan 9, 2012
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001-2002 ESCAPE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 22, 1999, THROUGH JULY 19, 2002, EQUIPPED WITH A BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR CAP THAT COULD LEAK BRAKE FLUID. IF BRAKE FLUID LEAKS FROM THE CAP, IT COULD COME IN CONTACT WITH THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) MODULE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR.
CORROSION CAN DEVELOP IN THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR LEADING TO MELTING, SMOKE OR A FIRE.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR CAP AND THE ABS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WILL BE MODIFIED. AN INTERIM LETTER WAS MAILED ON JANUARY 20, 2012. DUE TO A PARTS DELAY, HOWEVER, THE REMEDY MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE CURRENTLY. IF PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE, FORD WILL INSTRUCT OWNERS TO PARK THEIR VEHICLES OUTSIDE UNTIL SUCH TIME AS PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332. THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN IS RELATED TO 07V-156.
Campaign 12V005000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/moduleApr 10, 2007
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ANTILOCK BRAKES (ABS), THE ABS MODULE CONNECTOR MAY HAVE MISSING OR DISLODGED WIRE SEALS. THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW CONTAMINATION TO ENTER THE MODULE CONNECTOR, CREATING A POTENTIAL FOR AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.
AN ELECTRICAL SHORT MIGHT CAUSE AN ABS MALFUNCTION THAT WOULD ILLUMINATE THE ABS WARNING LIGHT, AND IN SOME CASES, THE MODULE MAY OVERHEAT RESULTING IN BURNING ODOR, SMOKE, AND/OR FIRE. THIS CONDITION COULD OCCUR EITHER WHEN THE VEHICLE IGNITION SWITCH IS IN THE OFF POSITION OR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR TO THE ABS MODULE FOR MISSING OR DISLODGED WIRE SEALS, AND REPAIR OR REPLACE THE HARNESS CONNECTOR AS APPROPRIATE. THE DEALER WILL ALSO INSPECT THE CONNECTOR ON THE ABS MODULE AND REPLACE IT IF IT IS FOUND TO BE CORRODED OR DAMAGED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Campaign 07V156000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, master cylinderMar 29, 2007
CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.
LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.
Campaign 07E023000 on NHTSA.gov
Latches/locks/linkages, doors, latchDec 20, 2004
CERTAIN 2004-2005 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND CERTAIN 2001-2003 SPORT UTIITY VEHICLE HAVING REAR LIFTGATE COMPONENTS SERVICED WITH 2004 EQUIVALENT COMPONENTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 206, 'DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS.' THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCHING SYSTEM DOES NOT MEET THE INERTIA LOAD REQUIREMENT IN ONE DIRECTION.
IF THE LIFTGATE IS LEFT UNLOCKED, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL THAT IT MAY OPEN DURING A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH RELEASE ROD, THE RELEASE ROD ATTACHMENT CLIP AND THE DOOR HANDLE RETURN SPRING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Campaign 04V602000 on NHTSA.gov
Vehicle speed control, cablesDec 7, 2004
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES BUILT WITH 3.0L V6 ENGINES, THE ACCELERATOR CABLE MAY PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION.
AN UNEXPECTED INCREASE IN ENGINE IDLE SPEED MAY INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCE AND MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CABLE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 10, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
Campaign 04V574000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmission, control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)Apr 6, 2004
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L V6 ENGINES, DURING DECELERATION, THE ENGINE CAN STALL.
SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.
DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE POWER CONTROL MODULE (PCM) WITH THE APPROPRIATE CALIBRATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 21, 2004. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Campaign 04V165000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
125 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Service brakes, Apr 18, 2026
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
Electrical system, Jul 28, 2025
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.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Engine, Feb 11, 2021
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.
Steering, Electrical system, Fuel/propulsion system, May 12, 2018
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.
Electrical system, Engine, Jan 17, 2017, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE DRIVER SMELLED A BURNING ODOR. THE CONTACT NOTICED BLACK SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THE VEHICLE EXPLODED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ASSESSED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WAS DEFECTIVE AND CAUSED THE FIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FIRE DAMAGED THE GARAGE AND THE SIDEWALK CONCRETE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V156000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AS A POSSIBLE REASON FOR THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. UPDATED 04/12/17LJ *CN
Electrical system, Service brakes, Jan 22, 2016, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V005000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); HOWEVER, THE REPAIR DID NOT REMEDY THE CONDITION. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FAILURES PRIOR TO THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT NOTICED EXCESSIVE SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD AND THE CAP LEAKED BRAKE FLUID, WHICH IMPACTED THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND CAUSED A SHORT WITHIN THE WIRES AND THE ABS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIR. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 169,000.
Electrical system, Air bags, Service brakes, Jul 4, 2015
FOR THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF THE ABS WARNING LIGHT HAS BEEN ILLUMINATED. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE LATEST RECALL FIXED REGARDING THE RESERVOIR CAP. FORD COULDN'T GET THE ABS WARNING LIGHT TO TURN OFF...SO, HENCE THE LIGHT STILL INTERMIDANTLY COMES ON AND OFF. ALSO, THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON WHEN I START MY CAR AND WHEN I AM SLOWING DOWN. I JUST HAD MY MECHANIC CHANGE THE OIL A WEEK AGO AND AND STILL HAVING THE PROBLEM. ONE LAST THING, THE AIR BAG ILLUMINATION LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS. I TOOK IT TO MY DEALER AND THEY COULDN'T GET IT TO TURN OFF. AM I SAFE IN THINKING THAT MY AIR BAG WON'T DEPLOY JUST FOR THE HECK OF IT? NOT SURE WHAT TO DO? BUT IT SCARES ME.
Electrical system, Apr 2, 2015, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT WALKED OUTSIDE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE ENGINE WAS NOT TURNED ON AND THE KEY WAS NOT IN THE IGNITION SWITCH AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO THE SCENE TO EXTINGUISH THE FLAMES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CAUSE OF THE INCIDENT COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 163,000.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Engine, Nov 21, 2014, fire
NEIGHBOR WOKE ME SAYING MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. CAR WASN'T ON, THE KEY WAS NOT IN, AND IT HAD SAT OVERNIGHT. CALLED FIRE DEPARTMENT AND FIRE PUT OUT. CAR IS TOTALED BECAUSE THE FIREMEN HAD TO BREAK INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. ENGINE AREA BURNED WITH NOTHING BUT METAL VISIBLE AND A MELTED BATTERY. I HAVE PICTURES. *TR
Electrical system, Oct 3, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED FIFTEEN TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.
Electrical system, Aug 14, 2014, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT INTO THE VEHICLE NEAR THE CONSOLE. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND QUICKLY EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT WAS LATER NOTIFIED OF RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V005000 (ELECTRICAL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Jul 7, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR BRAKE LINES HOSE HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO RUST. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ALTERNATOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,037.
Power train, Electrical system, Engine, May 24, 2014
I PUT THE VEHICLE IN REVERSE TO BACK UP AND WHEN I PUT VEHICLE BACK IN DRIVE IT DIED/STALLED. THIS HAS REPEATEDLY HAPPENED ALONG WITH DYING AT STOP SIGNS, RED LIGHTS AND MULTIPLE TIMES AT SLOW SPEEDS. ALSO THE VEHICLE HAS REPEATEDLY "STUMBLED" AT VARIOUS SPEEDS UP TO 65 MPH. *TR
Electrical system, Engine, Nov 7, 2013, fire
ARRIVED HOME, PARKED VEHICLE IN DRIVEWAY AND SHORTLY AFTER MY WIFE TOOK OUR PUPPY OUTSIDE AND SAW MY CAR WAS ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD, I WAS ABLE TO OPEN THE HOOD AND SAW FLAMES AND SPARKS COMING FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE FIREWALL AREA, CALLED FIRE DEPT AFTER MY FIRE EXTINGUISHER FAILED TO FULLY PUT OUT THE FIRE FEARING IT WOULD CATCH THE HOUSE ON FIRE AS I WAS PARKED LESS THAN 10 FT FROM IT. *TR
Electrical system, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Service brakes, Aug 30, 2013, fire
MY ESCAPE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY WHEN WE WENT TO GO TO TOWN AND IT WAS SMOKING THEN ON FIRE THIS WAS IN THE EVENING ABOUT 8 IF WE HADN'T GONE OUT WE WOULD HAVE HAD A HUGE FIRE WITCH COULD HAVE INVOLVED 3 OTHER CARS NOT TO MENTION OUR HOUSE WE LIVE IN RAMONA CA 92065 AND ITS FIRE SEASON WE ARE IN A RURAL AREA..
Electrical system, Jul 3, 2013
WHILE DRIVING AT AROUND 65 MPH ON A FREEWAY, THE CAR TURNED ON ABS LIGHT ALL OF SUDDEN AND IN A LESS THAN A MINUTE THE CAR'S ELECTRICITY ALL SHUT OFF, ENGINES SHUT OFF, STEERING SHUT OFF, BRAKES SHUT OFF, RADIO SHUT OFF. I'VE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM PREVIOUSLY MORE THAN 6 TIMES, BUT BEFORE, IT WAS WHEN I WAS DRIVING LESS THAN 30 MPH, BUT THIS TIME, IT HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY. IT HAPPENED WHILE PUTTING ON MY BREAKS, AND I BELIEVE IT WAS ONE OF THE RECALL PROBLEM THAT THE CAR STOPS WHILE DECELERATING. HOWEVER, THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT RECALL WORKS HAVE BEEN ALREADY DONE ON THE CAR BEFORE IT HAPPENED. SO I SUSPECT THAT THE DEALER DID NOT FIGURE OUT THE MAIN REASON WHY THE CAR IS STOPPING WHILE DECELERATING OR JUST DIDN'T WORK ON THE RECALL AND LIED. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (ESC), Nov 19, 2012
THE VEHICLE, AFTER BEING TURNED OFF, WOULD NOT TURN BACK ON, AND THE GEAR INDICATOR SQUARE THAT SURROUNDS THE ENGAGED GEAR WAS MULTIPLYING, FLASHING AND "DANCING" FROM GEAR TO GEAR. THIS HAPPENED A SECOND TIME EXACTLY ONE WEEK LATER, AND THIS TIME THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WERE FLASHING AND COULD NOT BE STOPPED. AFTER QUITE SOME TIME ONCE THE KEY WAS REMOVED AND THE DOOR WAS CLOSED, THE FLASHING INTERIOR LIGHTS CEASED AND WOULD ONLY CONTINUE AGAIN ONCE THE KEY WAS IN THE IGNITION. THOUGH REMOVING THE KEY CAUSED THE LIGHTS TO STOP FLASHING, EVEN ONCE THE KEY WAS REMOVED, THE INDICATOR SQUARE CONTINUED THE BEHAVIOR. PERIODICALLY DURING OPERATION THE LIGHTS STRENGTHEN IN AND OUT WHEN IDLING. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Jun 15, 2012
THE AIRBAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON. I TOOK IT IN FOR SERVICE FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND THEN THE LIGHT WAS OFF. I'VE HAD THE CAR NOW FOR 10 YEARS THIS DECEMBER. I CAN'T RECALL A TIME MY AIRBAG LIGHT HAS NOT BEEN ON. JUST RECENTLY I STARTED RESEARCHING AND FOUND THEIR IS A SHORT WIRE UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT AND IT HAS A LITTLE GRAY PRONG ON IT. THE GRAY PRONG NEEDS TO BE GROUNDED AND IT SHOULD BE ATTACHED THE BARS THE SEAT SLIDES BACK AND FORTH ON. I STUCK THE GRAY PLUG IN AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT WENT OUT. THE ONLY PROBLEM IS EVERY TIME YOU MOVE THE SEAT IT PUSHES THE GRAY PLUG DOWN AND EVENTUALLY IT WILL COME BACK ON AND I WILL HAVE TO FIX IT AGAIN. FORD NEEDS TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM IS AN EASY FIX AND I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THEY DON'T CHANGE THE PLUG OR MAKE A LONGER CORD. FORD NEEDS TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I LOVE MY CAR BUT HATE THE FRUSTRATION. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Apr 24, 2012, fire
RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN FEB FROM FORD (RECALL ID 12V00500 - ISSUED JAN 2012). INDICATED POTENTIAL PROBLEMS WITH BRAKE FLUIDS LEAKS THAT COULD CAUSE SHORTS IN THE ABS ELECTRONICS. WE CONTACTED DEALER. NO PARTS AVAILABLE YET. OUR ABS AND BRAKE INDICATORS CAME ON IN MARCH AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL NOTICE. FORD STILL SAID THAT RECALL SHOWS SAFE TO DRIVE, JUST DON'T PARK IN THE GARAGE DUE TO POTENTIAL FIRES. LAST NIGHT, DROVE HOME AND PARKED (IN THE DRIVEWAY). UNLOADED SOME STUFF FROM CAR... NO PROBLEMS NOTICED. CAME OUT OF HOUSE ABOUT 15 MINUTES LATER TO UNLOAD STUFF FROM CAR AND FOUND IT SMELLING OF HOT ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, AND SMOKE COMING FROM HOOD. USED HOSE TO COOL DOWN UNDER HOOD, WHILE I FOUND WRENCH AND UNHOOKED THE BATTERY. SMOKE WAS COMING FROM ALL SIDES UNDER AND BEHIND ENGINE BLOCK. ONCE BATTERY DISCONNECTED THE SMOKING STOPPED. CALLING FORD CORPORATE, LOCAL DEALER, AND INSURANCE THIS MORNING TO SEE WHAT TO DO NEXT. *TR
Electrical system, Mar 24, 2012, fire
ON MARCH 7,2012, SOMEONE KNOCKED ON MY DOOR AND TOLD ME MY CAR WAS ON FIRE. IT HAD BEEN PARKED ON MY CARPORT FOR OVER 2 HOURS.THERE WAS AN ABS RECALL BUT I WAS TOLD BY MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP THAT THE PARTS WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL AT LEAST JULY, MAYBE LONGER.THEY ALSO INFORMED ME THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BE SAFE TO DRIVE SINCE I HAD NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH IT.THE ESCAPE WAS TOWED TO A SECURED LOCATION TO BE INSPECTED BY MY INSURANCE AND A FORD REP. NO CONCLUSSION @ THIS TIME. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Feb 14, 2012
I HAVE RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM FORD M.C. THAT MY FORD 2002 ESCAPE CAN SPONTANEOUSLY CATCH FIRE AND BURN MY HOUSE DOWN WHILE TURNED OFF INSIDE MY GARAGE OR WHILE RUNNING, THEREFORE I SHOULD STOP PARKING THE VEHICLE NEAR ANY HOUSE STRUCTURES. WHEN I CALLED FORD, I'M TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE IS OTHERWISE SAFE, WHILE IT IS SCHEDULED TO BE REPAIRED SOMETIME IN QUARTER #2 OF THIS YEAR. HOW SAFE DOES THIS SOUND TO YOU..??? I HAVE DETECTED THE HOT SMELL ODORS REFERRED TO WITHIN THE LETTER (RECALL NOTICE) & AM CONCERNED THAT THE GOVERNMENT IS GIVING FORD TOO MUCH SLACK IN RESOLVING A MATTER THAT APPEARS TO BE QUITE VOLATILE (PUN INTENDED). *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Nov 3, 2011, fire
VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN YARD WHEN SMOKE STARTED COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WE RAISED HOOD AND SAW WIRES ON FIRE UNDER THE MASTER CYLINDER. WE PUT THE FIRE OUT. WIRES FROM ABS SYSTEM CAUGHT ON FIRE *TR
Electrical system, Service brakes, Electric, Aug 4, 2011, fire
ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, 25A FUSE BLOWN- UPON REPLACEMENT SMOKE AND SPARKS FROM ABS MODULE CONNECTOR, INSPECTION REVEALS MELTED CONNECTOR COVER AND WIRING HARNESS, CORRODED WIRE TERMINALS AND ALSO A WIRE ARCING AT A BREAK INSIDE THE CONNECTOR COVER. THE 60A FUSE WAS REMOVED TO ISOLATE THE ABS SYSTEM FAULT FOR A LIMP HOME. ED MULLINAX FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT ACKNOWLEDGES ABS MODULE RECALL; HOWEVER, DEALERSHIP DENIES APPLICABLE TO THIS VEHICLE. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Jun 10, 2011, fire
I DROVE MY VEHICLE HOME FROM WORK (LESS THAN 5 MILES). WHEN I PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY AND PARKED MY VEHICLE, SMOKE BEGAN TO POUR OUT FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WHEN I OPENED THE HOOD THERE WERE FLAMES DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE DRIVER SIDE NEAR THE FIRE WALL. THESE FLAMES WERE ORIGINATING FROM THE ABS MODULE LOCATION.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, May 23, 2011, fire
ABS MODULE CONNECTOR CAUGHT FIRE WHILE CAR WAS PARKED. RECALL FOR ABS MODULE CONNECTOR INSPECTION WAS COMPLETED 7/6/2007. BROUGHT VEHICLE BACK IN 1/7/2008 DUE TO ABS LIGHT REMAINING ON. NO MENTION OF ABS, NOTED ROTORS BELOW SPECS AND BRAKE PADS NEED REPLACING.