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
1,070 reports, newest first.
Exterior lighting, Feb 6, 2006
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A DARK COUNTRY ROAD LAST WEEK WHEN MY HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY PROBLEM. I SWITCHED TO LOW BEAMS WHICH WORKED. SATURDAY MORNING I WENT TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER. NO MECHANIC WAS ON DUTY ;BUT THE OWNER VERIFIED THE LIGHTS DID NOT WORK. HE SAID TO BRING IT BACK MONDAY FOR A MECHANIC TO CHECK IT. MONDAY THE MECHANIC CHECKED IT OUT AND COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. THE LIGHTS WORKED ON MONDAY. HE SAID TO BRING IT IN WHEN THEY WERE NOT WORKING SO THEY COULD GET AN ERROR CODE. WELL, I HAD DONE THAT. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND THE LIGHTS WORK NOW. I CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE; BUT I CANNOT FIND OUT IF OTHER CARS ARE HAVING A SIMILAR PROBLEM. I WAS ADVISED TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN. THE PROBLEM IS THEY HAVE TO CATCH IT WHILE IT IS HAPPENING. ALSO THE DEALER IS NOT OPEN AT NIGHT. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW ABOUT OTHERS WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND IF THEY KNOW HOW TO FIX IT.*JB
Seat belts, Jan 23, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED INDICATING A PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO DETERMINED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE SEATBELT HARNESS. THE VEHICLE IS BEING REPAIRED.
Air bags, Jan 21, 2006, crash
CAR LOST CONTROL COMING TOWARD ME, SHE WENT INTO MY LANE SIDEWAYS. I T-BONED HER ON HER PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE. SEAT BELT SAVED MY LIFE, BUT THE AIRBAGS WERE OF NO USE. WHY DON'T THE AIRBAGS DEPLOY ON THESE VEHICLES. IF I HAD BEEN TRAVELING AT A MUCH FASTER SPEED OR HER, I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED. *JB
Latches/locks/linkages, Jan 12, 2006
REAR DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER DOOR LATCH FAILED AND DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Dec 12, 2005
WHEN STARTING OFF, OR ACCELERATING THE GAS PEDAL HAS A HESITANT/STICKING SENSATION. IT REQUIRES MORE THAN NORMAL PRESSURE TO DEPRESS IT, AND CAUSES AN UNEXPECTED INCREASE IN THE ENGINE SPEED. THERE IS A CURRENT RECALL FROM THE V-6 3.0 ENGINES, BUT NOT FOR MY 4-CYL. *JB
Power train, Dec 10, 2005, crash
WIFE PARKED VEHICLE ON STEEP UPHILL DRIVEWAY. PLACED IN PARK AND TURNED IGNITION OFF. EXITED DRIVERS SIDE AND WALKED BEHIND VEHICLE TO PASSENGER SIDE CONTINUING TO MAILBOX. WHILE AT MAILBOX OBSERVED VEHICLE ABRUPTLY ROLL BACKWARD CROSSING THE PATH WHERE SHE HAD JUST WALKED BEHIND THE VEHICLE, ACROSS STREET AND OVER CURB HITTING TREE. NEIGHBOR IN THEIR FRONT YARD ALSO OBSERVED THIS. VEHICLE SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE. CALLED FORD CORP OFFICES TO ASK FOR REVIEW OF THIS BY THEIR SAFETY ENGINEERS. A CURSORY REVIEW BY THE DEALER INDICATED NO OBVIOUS TRANSMISSION LINKAGE OR OTHER ADJUSTMENT PROBLEM. FORD REFUSES ANY FURTHER REVIEW AND SHOWS LITTLE INTEREST IN FINDING ANY POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE. I SEE SIMILAR REPORTS OF THIS IN NUMBERS 10031648, 568244, 10073682 AND 10026175. THERE ARE ALSO MANY REPORTS OF LOSS OF CONTROL IN OTHER SCENARIOS SUCH AS 10073741, 10087902, 10091048, 10092635 AND 10108659. DID NOT REVIEW COMPLAINTS ON SIMILAR MODELS SUCH AS MAZDA TRIBUTE NOR OTHER YEAR ESCAPES WHICH MAY HAVE SIMILAR ISSUES. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT FORD ENGINEERED THE CAR TO BACK DOWN A HILL, WHILE UNOCCUPIED, IN PARK, WITH THE IGNITION OFF. BUT APPARENTLY THEY CONSIDER THIS NORMAL AND OF NO CONSEQUENCE. UNFORTUNATELY, SOMEONE WILL HAVE TO BE HURT AND THE ECONOMICS TURN AGAINST FORD BEFORE THEY WILL GET INVOLVED. REMINDS ME OF THEIR SAFETY ISSUES WITH FORD CROWN VICTORIA'S THAT CONTINUE TO EXPLODE IN FLAMES WHEN HIT FROM THE REAR. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Seat belts, Dec 1, 2005, crash
DT: THE CONTACT DROVE THROUGH A PATCH OF SNOW IN THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE'S REAR END SPUN AROUND AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE ABS SENSOR, THAT WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP ,CAUSED THIS ACCIDENT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES DO TO THE SEAT BEAT BUCKLE BREAKING DURING THE ACCIDENT. *AK
Power train, Nov 17, 2005
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH THE VEHICLE FELT AS THOUGH IT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. HE TURNED ON THE HAZARD LIGHTS AND PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED NUMEROUS PARTS IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE IS OPERATING CORRECTLY AT THIS TIME. *AK UPDATED 12/7/2005. *NM
Air bags, Nov 15, 2005
AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND AIRBAGS NOT WORKING. ACCORDING TO COMPLAINTS FOUND ON THE INTERNET AND IN CHAT ROOMS AND WITH FORD ISSUING DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES THIS IS A LONG TERM ONGOING PROBLEM WHICH THE DEALERSHIP HAS DIFFICULTY FIXING. SO I AM AT RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH BECAUSE FORD MADE A FAULTY AIRBAG SYSTEM. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND ISSUE A RECALL. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Nov 15, 2005
IF YOU COULD PLEASE FORWARD ME ANY OTHER RESOURCES WHERE I CAN SEEK A RESOLUTION I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IT. ON 7-14-05 OUR FORD ESCAPE V6 XLT (VIN: [XXX]) WAS TAKEN TO GALPIN FORD (VAN NUYS, CA) FOR REPAIRS. THE PROBLEM WAS THAT WHILE STOPPED THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, RESULTING IN THE ACCELERATOR BEING STUCK AND THE VEHICLE MOVING FORWARD. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE PUT IN PARK IN ORDER TO AVOID A COLLISION. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN IN ON 7-14-05 WHERE TECH'S DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM W/ AN "STP SENSOR MALFUNCTION", RESULTING IN THE SENSOR BEING REPLACED. ACCORDING TO [XXX] (SVC. ADVISOR) HE RELATED THAT THIS MAY BE A PROBLEM ON NEWER FORD ESCAPES, BUT NOT ON OUR SPECIFIC VEHICLE. HE SAID TO CONTACT FORD CORPORATE TO SEEK REIMBURSEMENT. ON 7-17-05 I CONTACTED CORPORATE EXPLAINING THEM OF THE PROBLEM. ALTHOUGH, THEY ADMITTED IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE, THEY STATED THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR OUR SPECIFIC MODEL AND YEAR. THEY SAID AT THIS TIME THEY COULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE MATTER. AS STATED BEFORE I AM SEEKING ASSISTANCE IN THIS MATTER DUE TO FORD'S POOR HISTORY FOR AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY. *JB INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Air bags, Nov 4, 2005, crash
BUMPED THE BUMPER OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, NO VISUAL DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF MY VEHICLE. BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. SPEED AT THE POINT OF IMPACT NEAR 5 MILES PER HOUR OR LESS. AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT BROKE THE WINDSHIELD AND CAUSED SLIGHT INJURY TO LEFT ARM. *JB
Visibility, Nov 4, 2005
WIPERS STOPPED WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD AND WILL NOT GO BACK TO THEIR PARKED POSITION. *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Oct 26, 2005
2002 FORD ESCAPE EXCITER RING CRACKED MAKING A LOUD NOISE. ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** *TS THERE WAS A SLIGHT METALLIC SOUND COMING FROM THE LEFT FRONT TIRE. THE COMPLETE FRONT AXLE SHAFT ASSEMBLY WOULD HAVE TO BE ORDERED AND INSTALLED. THE DEALER ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT THE FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS BE REPLACED. *SC
Power train, Equipment, Oct 7, 2005
TRANS HAS HAD TO BE REPAIRED REPLACED REBUILT OVER 14 TIMES IN LESS THAN 100,000 MILES AND LESS THAN 2 YEARS. THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTS BLINKING AND THE CAR JERKS WHEN THE CAR SHIFTS UP OR DOWN, EXCEPT THE TIME I COULD ONLY GO IN REVERSE AND HAD TO LET THE CAR ROLL INTO A PARKING LOT OFF OF A BUSY STREET. *JB
Suspension, Oct 6, 2005
WE NOTICED A SLIGHT RUBBING WHEN VEHICLE WAS TURNING TO RIGHT WHILE ON VACATION. WITHIN 2 DAYS IT BECAME WORSE, THE THUMPING AND RUBBING SOUND WERE VERY LOUD AND FELT IN THE CAR. WE OPTED TO LEAVE THE CAR. LUCKILY WE DID, AS THE REPAIR SHOP INFORMED US THAT THE WHEEL BEARING WAS COMPLETELY CRACKED, AND NOTED THIS IS NOT COMMON. WE WERE TOLD THAT HAD WE ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE HOME, THE WHEEL WOULD HAVE FALLEN OFF ON THE HIGHWAY, AS IT WAS EXTREMELY LOOSE. THIS IN TURN DAMAGED OUR BACK BRAKES, RESULTING IN NEW ROTORS AND PADS, AND THE SHOP WAS UNABLE TO GET THE EMERGENCY BRAKES BACK ON AS THEY WERE RUSTED ON THE CAR. *NM
Electrical system, Oct 4, 2005
HAVE 2002 FORD ESCAPE AND 3 YEARS AND 7 MONTHS LATER THE ODOMETER LCD LIGHTS GOES OUT. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Sep 30, 2005
I BROUGHT MY 2002 FORD ESCAPE IN FOR ITS 45K MILE SERVICE AND WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE ROTORS NEEDED REPLACEMENT. I SAID THE PADS HAVE NOT YET WORN OUT THOUGH. THEY SAID I WAS LUCKY TO MAKE IT THIS FAR. MOST ESCAPES HAVE THEM WEAR OUT AT 30K OR LESS DUE TO POOR QUALITY AND TOO THIN ROTORS. DEALER SAID COST TO REPLACE ROTORS AND PADS WILL BE $338.00 INCLUDING LABOR TO REPLACE. *NM
Vehicle speed control, Sep 25, 2005
DEFECTIVE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE WILL LOCK THROTTLE IN FULL OPEN POSITION WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS FULLY DEPRESSED. POLYMER SLEEVE ON CRUISE ACTUATOR CABLE HAS BROKEN AT THE THROTTLE CONNECTOR. THIS ALLOWS THE CONNECTOR TO ROTATE TO A VERTICAL POSITION AND CATCH ON THE ENGINE COVER WHEN THE FOOT PEDAL IS PRESSED TO THE FLOOR. *JB
Power train, Sep 21, 2005
2002 EXPLORER REAR AXLE MAKES HOWLING\NOISES WHEN ACCELERATING. FORD WILL NOT REPAIR REAR AXLE. REAR AXLE NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED BY INDEPENDENT SHOP.
Electrical system, Sep 13, 2005, fire
DT: THE CONTACT STATED 2002 FORD ESCAPE CAUGHT ON FIRE ON 4-4-05 IN FRONT OF THE DEALERSHIP WHERE SHE BOUGHT IT. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE DAY BEFORE ON SUNDAY SHE WAS HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING THE CAR. HER BROTHER HAD TO JUMP IT TO GET IT STARTED; HE THEN DROVE IT AROUND THE BLOCK. WHEN HE TOOK THE KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION, THE VEHICLE WAS STILL RUNNING. SHE PUT THE KEY BACK IN, PUT IT IN GEAR, AND PUT IT BACK IN PARK AND TURNED THE IGNITION AND TOOK THE KEY OUT. SHE DROVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE SHE BOUGHT IT. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF WHEN SHE LEFT. THE NEXT DAY THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CALLED HER AND TOLD HER THE CAR HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE AT THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOTALED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DID TELL THE CONTACT THEY THOUGHT THE FIRE WAS ELECTRICAL.*AK
Power train, Aug 25, 2005
MY 2002 FORD ESCAPE WITH 52000 MILES ON IT WAS GREAT UNTIL LAST WEEK WHEN IT STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY ROAD WITH NO SHOULDER LATE AT NIGHT. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED A NEW BATTERY BECAUSE IT WAS LEAKING ACID (HUH?) AND THAT THEY WOULD KINDLY PUT IN THE TWO RECALL PARTS ONE OF WHICH MIGHT BE CAUSING THE PROBLEM (PCM I BELIEVE). THE STRANGE THING WAS ABOUT TWO HOURS AFTER I HAD STALLED I COULD START THE CAR AGAIN FINE BUT I FIGURED THEY WOULD STILL WANT TO SEE IT SINCE IT COULD BE A DANGEROUS SITUATION. HOWEVER, THEY DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. THEN LAST NIGHT MY CAR WOULDN'T START...SOUNDS WERE VERY SIMILAR TO THE TIME BEFORE ONLY THIS TIME I WASN'T DRIVING I WAS IN A PARKING GARAGE. SO I GAVE UP AND CALLED A FRIEND AND DECIDED TO HAVE IT TOWED IN TH EMORNING WHEN THE DEALER WAS OPEN. ONLY IN THE MORNING MY CAR STARTED FINE AGAIN. I DROVE TO THE DEALER ANYWAY THOUGH BECAUSE THIS WAS NOT VERY SAFE AND FIGURED THEY WOULD WANT TO LOOK IT OVER. PROBLEM. THEY SAID THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING UNLESS THE PROBLEM IS ACTUALLY OCCURING SO I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL IT HAPPENS AGAIN. THIS DIDN'T SIT WELL WITH ME SO I CALLED FORD AND THEY SAID THE SAME THING. THEN I WENT ONLINE AND DID A SEARCH AND IT SEEMS I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM BUT NO ONE SEEMS TO HAVE AN ANSWER. I AM NERVOUS BECAUSE I SOMETIME DRIVE ON BUSY HIGHWAYS AND IF IT STALLS I MIGHT END UP IN A CRASH BUT FORD DIDN'T SEEM TO CARE ABOUT THIS SCENARIO. I AM AT A LOSS AND WANT A BETTER ANSWER THEN WAIT UNTIL IT HAPPENS AGAIN BUT I THOUGHT I SHOULD FILE A COMPLAINT IN CASE OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND TO WARN OTHER DRIVERS ABOUT FOLLOWING TOO CLOSE TO A FORD ESCAPE.
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 23, 2005, fire
DT: FORD 2002 ESCAPE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS HAPPENED ON JULY 27, 2005. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO THE SCENE. THE FIRE WAS CONTAINED IN THE VEHICLE. THE WALLS IN THE GARAGE HAD HEAVY SMOKE DAMAGE. THEY HAD TO CUT THE GARAGE DOOR TO GET IN. THE CONSUMER CAN'T SLEEP IN THE HOUSE DUE TO THE SMOKE DAMAGE. *AK *JB *SC PHONE INTERVIEW UPDATE (NOVEMBER 7, 2005): DROVE THE VEHICLE FOR TWO HOURS. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE TOWN HOUSE GARAGE FOR AN HOUR BEFORE IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE HEAVIEST DAMAGE WAS AT THE DRIVE SIDE FIREWALL AREA. THE YELLOW ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ON THREE WEEKS AGO; THE DEALER SAID BRING THE VEHICLE IN WHEN THE NEXT OIL CHANGE IS DUE.
Steering, Aug 17, 2005
STEERING STARTED TO CLUNK AND BIND ON OCCASION. EFFORT WOULD GO UP BUT IT WOULD RESPOND WHEN TURNED. IT RAPIDLY GOT WORSE WHERE IT WOULD CLUNK AND BIND AND SKIP A SECTION WHILE TURNING. ONLY THREE DAYS FROM START TO SKIPPING WHILE TURNING. FINALLY IT WAS SKIPPING AND BINDING ON EVERY TURN. TOOK TO DEALER THEY FOUND RACK AND PINION WAS BAD. (THE CAR WAS NEVER IN AN ACCIDENT OR TAKEN OFF ROAD.) RACK WAS ORDERED AND REPLACED.*AK
Structure, Aug 15, 2005
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE UNLOCKING THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR THE TAILGATE LOCKED. THE CONTACT HAD PREVIOUS PROBLEMS WITH THE DOOR LOCKS, AND THEY HAVE BEEN REPAIRED. BUT THE TAILGATE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CONTACTED THE SERVICE DEALER, BUT THEY WANTED TO CHARGE HIM FOR REPAIRS. HE HAS NOT CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 3, 2005
DT: 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*AK BAD. THE MECHANIC DID REPLACE IT AND HAVE THE PART. THE VEHICLE STARTED DOING THIS AROUND JUNE 1, 2005. HAVE NOT CONTACTED DEALER.