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.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 14, 2004
DRIVING ON FREEWAY AND STARTED TO SLOW DOWN...MOVED FOOT OFF GAS PEDAL TO SLOW (WAS GOING ABOUT 50 MPH AT THE TIME AND ABOUT 65 MPH BEFORE GETTING ANY BRAKES TO WORK) AND IT KEPT GOING DOWN AND STUCK ON HIGH EXCELERATION...WENT TO PUT ON BRAKES AND BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT PUSH DOWN, BARELY HAD ANY BRAKES. FORD SERVICE SAID RECALL THIS MORNING ON ACCELERATOR STICKING...BUT BRAKES WERE MY PROBLEM..I HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEM WITH BRAKES PRIOR TO THIS. AT 33000 MILES, GRANTED THERE IS WEAR BUT I HAD EXPERIENCED NONE..SO STUCK PAYING FOR COMPLETE REPLACEMENT..SAID THEY WERE SHOT AND UNSAFE....ALL I CAN SAY IS I WAS EXTREMLY FORTUNATE TO GET UNDER CONTROL AND NO ACCIDENT. AND FORD SHOULD ACCEPT SOME OF THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE BRAKES . *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 10, 2004
I PURCHASED A 2002 FORD ESCAPE IN JUNE OF 2003. I NOTICED, DRIVING HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP, EXCESSIVE NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR BRAKES. MY INITIAL REQUEST FOR THE DEALER TO LOOK INTO THIS NOISE WAS MET WITH A REPLY THAT THE BRAKES WERE INSPECTED BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS PUT ON THE LOT AND CHECKED OUT FINE. THE PURCHASE, HOWEVER, WAS A COUPLE MONTHS AFTER THEY HAD DONE THEIR INSPECTION. THE NOISE CONTINUED AND GRADUALLY GREW WORSE AND A COUPLE WEEKS LATER THEY AGREED THE BRAKES SHOULD BE INSPECTED AGAIN. OUTSIDE OF EXCESSIVE BRAKE DUST BUILD UP, THEY INDICATED THE BRAKES WERE FINE. THE NOISE CONTINUED AND I AGAIN BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK IN. AT THIS POINT, THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THERE APPEARED TO BE SEVERAL AREAS OF ROUGH EDGES AND THEY INDICATED ALL BRAKE SURFACES HAD BEEN SANDED TO REMOVE THESE IMPERFECTIONS. THIS PROCESS WORKED FOR NO MORE THAN 48 HOURS BEFORE THE NOICE RETURNED, BUT EVEN LOUDER. I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS EVER SINCE AND IT HAS GROWN INCREASINGLY FRUSTRATING, AS TEH DEALERSHIP SUBSEQUENTLY ADVISED ME OF THE BULLETIN POSTED REGARDING EXCESSIVE BRAKE DUST. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT A SOLUTION WAS TO BE IN PLACE BY Q4 2003 OR Q1 2004. I CONTINUE TO BE TOLD THERE IS NO REMEDY YET AND I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS LOUD ANNOYANCE COULD BECOME A PROBLEM WITH BRAKE FUNCTION. I DRIVE QUITE A BIT FOR MY WORK AND PLAN TO PULL A POP-UP CAMPER FOR A 2-WEEK VACATION THIS SUMMER AND I HAVE NO INTEREST IN PUTTING MYSELF, MY FAMILY OR ANY ONE ELSE IN JEOPARDY SHOULD THERE BE A MORE SIGNIFICANT UNDELYING PROBLEM. *AK
Air bags, Electrical system, Jun 7, 2004
WHILE DRIVING SRS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. CONSUMER PRESSED DOWN THE HORN AND IT FAILED. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT ON RECALL. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Jun 4, 2004
THE CONSUMER WAS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. THE BRAKES DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE WHEN MOVING IN REVERSE. THE DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES, HOWEVER, THE BRAKES DID NOT STOP THE CAR. *JB WHEN BACKING BY A GAS STATION PUMP, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP AND NEARLY ENDED OUT ON A BUSY ROAD. THE BRAKES WERE PUMPED TWICE AND THE PARKING BRAKE WAS APPLIED. LESS THAN A WEEK LATER WHEN BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED UPHILL, ACROSS A ROAD, OVER INTO THE WOODS. *SC JB
Power train, May 19, 2004
2002 FORD ESCAPE V6. MULTIPLE PROBLEMS THE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, SHUDDERING, AND NOW A TOTAL FAILURE. FOR THE SHUDDERING THE FLUID WAS FLUSHED AND REPLACED WITH A DIFFERENT TYPE, AND NEW CODES PROGRAMED. *AK HAVEN'T TAKEN IT IN FOR THE TOTAL FAILURE YET. (TOMORROW)
Power train, May 17, 2004
RECALL NOTICE FOR 2002 FORD ESCAPE ARRIVED A MONTH TOO LATE. *MR THE CONSUMER SOLD THE VEHICLE A MONTH BEFORE THE RECALL NOTICE ARRIVED. THE VEHICLE BEGAN STALLING PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE 04S13 OR 04V-165000. PRIOR TO THE RECALL THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO ALLEVIATE THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER SUGGESTED A GAS TREATMENT SYSTEM FOR THE FUEL INJECTION, BUT THE STALLING PERSISTED. THE CONSUMER REQUEST COMPENSATION FOR THE TREATMENT, TIME LOST AND STRESS FORD PUT HER THROUGH WITH THE ESCAPE. *NM
Vehicle speed control, May 17, 2004, crash
CONSUMER SLOWLY PULLED INTO THE GARAGE WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKES AND STOPPED. SHE PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK, AND SUDDENLY VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD, CAUSING IT TO CRASH INTO THE BACK OF THE GARAGE, DAMAGING THE REFRIGERATOR AND THE BACK OF THE GARAGE, AND KNOCKING THE GARAGE 4-5 INCHES OFF THE FOUNDATION. CONSUMER WAS NOT INJURED BUT SHOOK UP. CONSUMER AND HUSBAND CALLED THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND THE DEALER. THE INSURANCE REPRESENTATIVE WAS SUPPOSE TO COME TO THE HOUSE TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. *AK
Latches/locks/linkages, May 17, 2004
FAILURE OF PASSENGER DOOR TO OPEN ON A 2002 FORD ESCAPE XLT SUV PREVENTING PASSENGER FROM BEING ABLE TO EXIT VEHICLE. NO KEYLOCK EXISTS AND THERE IS NO WAY TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE OR FROM THE OUTSIDE . *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 13, 2004
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE, AND VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BRAKE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WORN OUT PARTS. *AK
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Seat belts, Apr 29, 2004
THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. THIS OCCURRED BECAUSE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER HAD A SLOW LEAK THAT PROGRESSED. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THE LEAK MAY BE DUE TO A BAD CYLINDER CAP. THE CAP WAS REPLACED. ALSO AT 100 MILES THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE AND FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO SEPARATE FROM IT'S LINKAGE. A SCREW IN THE STEERING WHEEL HAD BECAME LOOSE AND NEEDED TO BE TIGHTENED. THE DEALERSHIP TIGHTENED THE SCREW AND PUT A PUNCH MARK INTO THE SIDE OF THE SCREW TO MAKE IT STAY IN PLACE BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *NM THE MASTER PARTS WERE NOT WORKING THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOOSE AFTER 50 MILES. THE MASTER CYLINDER HAD A SLOW LEAK, WHICH WORSENED OVER TIME AND TIGHTENING DID NOT FIX. THE CONSUMER FOUND THE BACK LIGHT BEHIND THE GEAR SELECTOR AND ODOMETER WENT OUT, THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAD COME ON, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON, THE RADIO DID NOT START, THE VEHICLE STALLED, AND THE SEAT BELTS WERE INOPERATIVE. *SC *JB
Steering, Engine and engine cooling, Latches/locks/linkages, Apr 28, 2004
CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER' 4-5 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. WHEN SHE TURNED ON HEAT OR AIR CONDITIONER THERE WAS A MILDEW SMELL. EACH TIME THAT CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE DEALER SHE WAS TOLD TO COME BACK IF THE LIGHT CAME ON. DEALER COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE FOUL SMELL. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING A WIND CAME INTO VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH THE DOORS WERE CLOSED. IN ADDITION, CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT THE STEERING WHEEL MAKING NOISE. DEALER WILL NOT LOOK AT VEHICLE AGAIN. HOWEVER, CONSUME COMPLAINED VEHICLE WAS FALLING APART, AND THE DEALERS WILL NOT HELP.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 26, 2004
EXCESSIVE BRAKE DUST ON FRONT TIRES - RIMS ARE BLACK WITHIN 3 DAYS OF CLEANING - DEALER REPORTS THIS IS 'NORMAL'..*AK
Visibility, Apr 26, 2004
WINDSHIELD CREAKS WHEN IT'S RAINING/WET. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 26, 2004
IDIOT LITE FOR RADIATOR LIT - LOW ON RADIATOR FLUID - VEHICLE HAD BEEN SERVICED JUST 1 MONTH PRIOR WITH A "CHECK AND TOP OFF ALL FLUIDS" OIL CHANGE - WHY WAS THE LOW FLUID NOT DETECTED AT THAT TIME?*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 26, 2004
BRAKE "IDIOT" LIGHT ON DASHBOARD LIT.. OUT OF BRAKE FLUID.. DEALER STATED DEFECTIVE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR CAP - REPLACED - QUESTIONED WHY IT WAS OUT OF FLUID WHEN THE FLUIDS WERE SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN "CHECKED AND TOPPED OFF" AT LAST OIL CHANGE 3K MILES PREVIOUSLY - (I HAD ALSO REPORTED GRINDING BRAKES NOISE AT THAT OIL CHANGE WHICH I WAS TOLD WAS JUST DUE TO EXCESSIVE BRAKE DUST BUILDUP.. ) *AK
Electrical system, Air bags, Apr 22, 2004
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO START VEHICLE AND DROVE IT HOME. THE NEXT DAY, VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC REPLACED THE BATTERY. DRIVER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON AFTER THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Apr 14, 2004, crash
I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE AT A DRUG STORE, STOPPED, AND AS I WAS PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK, IT SURGED FORWARD OVER THE CURB AND INTO THE BUILDING. THE ENGINE THEN RETURNED TO IDLE. I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT AND IT SURGED BACKWARD BUT I WAS ABLE TO STOP IT QUICKLY. IT AGAIN RETURNED TO NORMAL IDLE. THE CAR HAS 57K MILES AND HAD NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE.
Steering, Engine and engine cooling, Air bags, Apr 8, 2004, crash
WHILE DRIVING AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE ILLUMINATION OF AIR BAG LIGHT HAPPENED IN AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. CONSUMER WAS ALSO INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE HIS AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. IN ADDITION, CONSUMER EXPERIENCED NOISE IN STEERING WHEEL AND RATTLING NOISE IN EXHAUST. *LA
Electrical system, Apr 6, 2004
BATTERY LIGHT IS COMING ON AND STAYING FOR UP TO 60 TO 120 SECONDS AND THEN TURNS OFF. HAD MECHANIC TEST FOR ERROR CODES BUT NO CODES ARE BEING WRITTEN. THIS HAS HAPPENED OVER AND OVER AND MORE SO IN COOLER WEATHER BUT IS NOW OCCURRING IN WARM TEMPERATURES. ENGINE HAS STALLED PREVIOUSLY AS WELL. 2002 FORD ESCAPE XLT 2WD. *LA
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 5, 2004
INTERMITTENT STALLING PROBLEM OCCURS WITH MY 2002 FORD ESCAPE (V-6 ENGINE) AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 30-35 MPH AND ALWAYS WHEN I AM GOING DOWN HILL AND IN A DECELERATING SITUATION. I HAVE A 9 MILE COMMUTE ON A HILLY, CURVY 2 LANE ROAD AND DURING THE STALL I LOSE ALL POWER STEERING AND BRAKING. I HAVE HAD SOME VERY CLOSE CALLS ON CURVES WHERE I COULD EASILY HAVE LOST CONTROL AND GONE OVER AN EMBANKMENT OR HIT AN ONCOMING CAR. I HAVE ACTUALLY LEARNED TO BECOME A DEFENSIVE DRIVER MECHANICALLY BY KEEPING MY EYE ON THE RPM GAUGE WHEN I DECELERATE BECAUSE I'VE NOTICED THAT THE RPM'S SOMETIMES DROP ERRATICALLY WHEN THE CAR IS ABOUT TO STALL AND BY GIVING IT A LITTLE GAS I CAN AVOID THE STALL. THE CAR HAS BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER 3 OR 4 TIMES AND ALL TSB FIXES HAVE BEEN PERFORMED, YET THE CAR HAS STALLED AT LEAST 3 MORE TIMES SINCE THE LAST FIX. THE DEALER WANTED TO PUT A FLIGHT RECORDER ON TO HELP DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM, BUT WANTED ME TO PUT A $500 DEPOSIT ON THE DEVICE!! WHY ISN'T FORD TAKING THIS PROBLEM MORE SERIOUSLY? FROM THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ ON THIS SITE, IT'S OBVIOUS THAT A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM STILL EXISTS WITH THIS CAR. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Apr 1, 2004
MODEL: 2002 FORD EXCAPE XLT.ENGINE STALL WITHOUT WARNING AROUND 40 MILES PER HOUR. POWER STEERING AND BRAKE FAILED TO FUNDTION.THE LATEST ONE HAPPENED ON 3/31/2004. THE LAST ONE WAS IN LATE 2002.*AK I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM MICHIGAN (VILLAGE FORD AT DEARBORN), AND USE IT IN TEXAS CURRENTLY.
Latches/locks/linkages, Mar 30, 2004
THE DOORS ON THE ESCAPE WILL LOCK THEMSELVES CLOSED. THEY WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THIS HAS HAPPENED 2 TIMES TO THIS CAR ON 2 DIFFERENT DOORS. WHAT IF THEY LOCKED IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION AND WE COULD NOT GET OUT?*AK
Suspension, Mar 30, 2004
BOTH OF THE FRONT BEARING HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED IN MY 2002 FORD ESCAPE. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE WITH ONLY 15,000 MILES. IT NOW ONLY HAS 48,000 MILES. I BELIEVE THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE BEARINGS. MY VEHICLE ALSO TRIES TO STALL WHILE I'M DRIVING. I DID NOT REALIZE THIS WAS SUCH A PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY FORD.*AK
Electrical system, Mar 25, 2004
WHILE DRIVING THE (CRS) LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THE DRIVER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR AN INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC REPLACED A SENSOR IN THE MODULAR. THE PROBLEM STILL CONTINUED. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Mar 14, 2004
MY VEHICLE HAS SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING STALLED WHILE DRIVING. LOSS OFPOWER STEERING, BRAKES, ETC. I NEARLY HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE AS I COULD NOT CONTROL THE CAR. THIS HAPPEND AT SPEEDS AROUNT 30 MPH AS EARLY AS 6000 MILES ON THE CAR. IT HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES AT SLOW SPEEDS OR WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY BUT WAS NOT AS SCARY AS THE ONES THAT HAPPENED WHILE TRAVELLING ON A BUSY ROAD AT 30 MPH. FIRST TIME I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER THEY UPDATED THE PCM AND RESET THE RELAY SWITCH. THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE STALLING HAPPENED A FEW MORE TIMES BUT THEN AGAIN AT HIGH SPEEDS AT 37000 MILES. BROUGHT CAR TO DEALER AGAIN AND THEY UPDATED THE PCM(AGAIN) AND NOW SAY I NEED A NEW IAC VALVE. THEY ARE NOT EVEN SURE THIS WILL CORRECT THE SUDDEN ENGINE STALLING. I READ THROUGH THE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE AND DISCOVERED THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. THERE IS SOMETHING VERY WRONG WITH THE COMPUTER AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED/RECALLED IMMEDIATELY. *AK