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: engine and engine cooling
296 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 22, 2002
CONSUMER SAYS THAT ENGINE HAD SHUT DOWN WITHOUT WARNING AND WITH FOOT OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR WHILE DESCENDING A SHALLOW HILL AT 30 MPH. CONSUMER IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY IMPLICATIONS OF LOSING POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES WITHOUT WARNING IF HEAVY TRAFFIC. *SCC
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 19, 2002
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WILL JUST STALL OUT WITHOUT ANY WARNING. CONTACTED DEALER, CANNOT FIX PROBLEM.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Other or unspecified, Aug 19, 2002
ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35-40 MPH THE CAR STALLED IN TRAFFIC. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND I LOST POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES. EACH INCIDENT OCCURED AFTER THE CAR HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR A LONG PERIOD. THE FIRST TIME WAS AFTER I HAD BEEN AT WORK ALL DAY AND WAS GOING HOME. THE SECOND AND THIRD TIMES WERE FIRST THING IN THE MORNING AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN RUNNING APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 12, 2002
WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE WILL SHUT DOWN, AND WILLNOT RESTART. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Aug 12, 2002
VEHICLE STALLED AT 25 MPH, DEALER REPLACED WIRING HARNESS, VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT DEALERSHIP FOR 3 WEEKS.*AK CONSUMER STATES THAT SEVERAL WEEKS PRIOR THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. *SLC
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 8, 2002
2002 FORD ESCAPE HAS STALLED REPEATEDLY AT SPEED ON HILLY TERRAIN AT LOW SPEEDS. CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP FOUR TIMES, BUT HAS BEEN ABLE TO REPLICATE OR CORRECT PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP HAS REPORTEDLY CONTACTED FORD MOTOR CO. HOTLINE.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 7, 2002
ENGINE WILL QUIT AND VEHICLE WILL STALL OUT WHILE DRIVING.CONTACTED DEALER.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 5, 2002
VEHICLE STALLED WHILE BRINGING HOME FROM DEALER GOING DOWN THE DRIVEWAY. NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. WEEK LATER WHILE TRAVELLING ON EXPRESSWAY AT 60MPH, VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN. WAS ABLE TO STEER OVER SIDE OF ROAD, BARELY, AND VEHICLE RESTARTED.*AK
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Aug 5, 2002
I PURCHASED A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. IT CURRENTLY HAS 10K MILES ON IT. WHILE GOING DOWN A HILL, THE ENGINE STOPPED, POWER STEERING WENT OUT AND THE POWER BRAKES DIDN'T WORK. LUCKLY I MANAGED TO PULL OVER, PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND RESTART THE ENGINE. THE SAME PROBLEM, SAME SITUATION OCCUR A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER. BOTH TIMES OCCURRED WHILE I WAS GOING DOWN A HILL AT ABOUT 30-35 MPH. I NOTICED THAT THE RPM READING WHEN THE ACCELLERATOR ISN'T DEPRESSED IS VERY LOW. IT SOMETIMES DIPS CLOSE TO ZERO. NORMAL RPM FOR SITTING IN IDLE IS AROUND 1. IT'S CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP.
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 1, 2002
THIS IS MY 2ND INCIDENT IN 2 MONTHS. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 30, 2002
ON MARCH 30, 2002, I PURCHASED A BRAND NEW FORD ESCAPE XLT AT HAYWARD FORD IN HAYWARD, CA. I HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE PREVIOUSLY TO THE FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN MAKING AND FORD WAS UNABLE TO VERIFY MY COMPLAINT. ON JULY 20, 2002, I ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO LOS ANGELES FOR A FAMILY REUNION WITH FOUR SMALL CHILDREN IN THE CAR WHICH INCLUDED MY TWO DAUGHTERS, MY NEICE AND MY NEPHEW. GOING AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 65 MILES PER HOUR, THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE AND ALL ASPECTS OF THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN INCLUDING THE POWER STEERING AND THE BRAKES. I HAD TO STRUGGLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CAR IS NOW SITTING AT MAGIC FORD IN VALENCIA, CA WHERE I HAD IT TOWED. FORD HAS REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE RENTAL CAR THAT I AM FORCED TO DRIVE. FORD HAS NOT BOTHERED TO CONTACT ME. OUT OF CONCERN FOR THE SAFTEY OF MY FAMILY AND OTHERS, THE FORD ESCAPE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED OR SERIOUSLY INJURED.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 29, 2002
WHEN THE ENGINE STALLS, I LOSE ALL STEERING CAPABILITIES. I HAVE NO BRAKES OR GAS. THIS HAPENS WITHOUT RESON OR ADVANCE NOTICE. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. SOMEONE IS GOING TO BE KILLED.
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 27, 2002
ENGINE STALLED WHILE DECELERATING FROM 40 MPH TO 10 MPH. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 27, 2002
DRIVING AT APPROX. 35 MPH, ENGINE STALLED, LOSING CONTROL OF STEERING, BRAKES, AND ACCELERATION. HAPPENED ON 2 SEPERATE OCCASIONS, WITHIN ABOUT 1 MONTH. CAR HAS BEEN TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP TO INVESTIGATE PROBLEM, DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 27, 2002
I HAVE OWNED A 2001 AND 2002 ESCAPE BOTH HAVE ENGINES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM - THE ENGINE SHUTTING DOWN ON A HILL GOING 40 MPH, LOSING BRAKES AND STEERING LEADING TO A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION!!*AK
Steering, Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Jul 26, 2002
THE FIRST INCIDENCE (MAY-2002), WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE ENGINE SHUT-OFF AND THE STEERING LOCK. LUCKILY THE VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY RESTARTED AND WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY REPROGRAMMED THE PCM AND SAID THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. THE SAME THING HAPPENED ABOUT 6-WEEKS LATER ALONG THE SAME STRETCH OF ROAD, AND LUCKILY AGAIN NOBODY WAS HURT. THE VEHICLE WAS AGAIN RETURNED TO THE DEALER. THIS TIME THEY SAID THAT THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG AND GAVE IT BACK TO US WITHOUT A FIX. I AM AFRAID THAT NEXT TIME IT HAPPENS IT WILL BE IN TRAFFIC AND SOMEONE WILL BE INJURED OR KILLED. THIS VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE ON THE ROAD.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 23, 2002
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLS LOSING ALL POWER WITHOUT WARNING, THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK *NLM
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 23, 2002
VEHICLE STALLED TWICE WHILE DRIVING AT 40 TO 45 MPH POSSIBLY CAUSED BY IAC MOTOR THAT FAILED. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. *TT
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 22, 2002
VEHICLE WILL STALL WHILE DRIVING, AND VEHICLE WILL HAVE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP BEFORE IT WILL RESTART. CONSUMER VERY CONCERNED ABOUT POTENTIAL ACCIDENT. VEHICLE HAS BEEN CHECKED BY DEALER 3 TIMES, AND PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 18, 2002
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED VEHICLE WILL STALL. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 18, 2002
THE CAR HAD STALLED TWICE ONCE AT 65, ONCE AT 40. NO POWER BAKES, NO POWER STEERING. ENGINUE HAS STOPPED FOR NO REASON. DANGEROUS ON A HIGHWAY.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 16, 2002
ENGINE STALLED TRAVELING 30 MPH, FOOT OFF PEDAL. *JB *****DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****764292
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 15, 2002
VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING. DEALER REPLACED PCM RELAY AT 1,475 MILES. VEHICLE STILL STALLING WHEN FOOT IS OFF OF GAS AND GOING DOWNHILL OR ON CURVES.*AK VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT WARNING AND POWER STEERING BECOMES STIFF. VEHICLE HAS STALLED 5 TIMES. AFTER STALLING, VEHICLE WILL START UP. DEALER HAS REPLACED PCM RELAY, EGR SENSOR AND ALL TSBS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED. DEALER STATES EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT HOWEVER PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *TT
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 12, 2002
ENGINE DIED (STALLED) WHILE GOING SLIGHTLY DOWNHILL (COASTING) AT 40 MPH. DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON. IMMEDIATELY PUT TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL AND RESTARTED OK. THIS WAS AT APPROX. 6000 MILES ON ODOMETER. NOW HAVE 7200 MILES AND HAVE NOT HAD ANOTHER OCCURANCE. PROBLEM COULD POTENTIALLY BE DANGEROUS IN TRAFFIC.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 12, 2002
ENGINE DIED (STALLED) WHILE GOING SLIGHTLY DOWNHILL (COASTING) AT 40 MPH. DASHBOARD LIGHTS CAME ON. IMMEDIATELY PUT TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL AND RESTARTED OKAY. THIS WAS AT APPROXIMATELY 6000 MILES ON ODOMETER. NOW HAVE 7200 MILES AND HAVE NOT HAD ANOTHER OCCURRENCE. PROBLEM COULD POTENTIALLY BE DANGEROUS IN TRAFFIC.*AK