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.
Electrical system, Mar 12, 2004
I BOUGHT A NEW 2002 FORD ESCAPE XLT 4X4. 4 MONTHS AFTER RECEIVING IT FROM THE FACTORY, IT LOST POWER AND DIED SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND RESTARTED IT. I TOOK THE CAR TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY "REPROGRAMMED AND RESET THE RELAY SWITCH" SAYING THAT WOULD CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THEN LAST WEEK, I WAS TRAVELLING 30 MPH ON A BUSY ROAD WHEN THE EXACT SAME THING OCCURRED. THE ENGINE STOPPED AND I LOST ALL POWER, INCLUDING POWER STEERING. THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS AS I WAS GOING AROUND A CURVE AND NEARLY WENT INTO THE ONCOMING LANES AND I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD JUST AROUND A CURVE, WHERE A CAR COULD COME AROUND THE CORNER AND NOT BE ABLE TO STOP IN TIME BEFORE HITTING ME. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO COAST FOR A FEW FEET AND THEN RESTART THE CAR AGAIN. I RETURNED TO THE SAME FORD DEALERSHIP AGAIN AND THEY "REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER AGAIN" I HAVE HAD NEW CARS BEFORE AND HAVE NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN OR HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING. I DO NOT FEEL IT IS SAFE TO HAVE A CAR'S ENGINE JUST STOP WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH ON A ROAD. I FEEL THERE IS SOMETHING DEFECTIVE WITH THE COMPUTER THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE AND THE COMPUTER NEEDS TO BE RECALLED.*AK
Power train, Mar 11, 2004
OUT OF WARRANTY TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 49K MILES. *PH THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A SHUDDER SINCE 37K MILES WHICH ONLY OCCURRED A COUPLE TIMES PER MONTH. FORD FAILED TO ALERT THE CONSUMER OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIR. SERVICE BULLETIN#16056636254 *SC
Tires, Mar 10, 2004
CONSUMER WILL PROVIDE DETAIL INFORMATION ON THE CONTINENTAL TIRES. MODEL SIZE AND THE DOT# AND THE PROBLEMS SHE HAD WITH THE TIRES. *AK
Power train, Equipment, Feb 28, 2004
TWO TRANSMISSION FAILURES. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED @ 18,118 MILES AND THEN AGAIN @ 39,933 MILES.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 24, 2004
ENGINE STALLED COMING OUT OF DRIVEWAY. I COULD NOT STEER OR USE BRAKES. ALL THE ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON. I PUT THE TRUCK IN PARK AND IT STARTED BACK UP WITH NO PROBLEMS. I AM TAKING THE TRUCK TO THE DEALERSHIP TOMARROW. I WISH I KNEW ABOUT THE STALLING COMPLAINTS BEFORE I PUT MY TWO CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT.*AK
Visibility, Structure, Jan 27, 2004
THE WINDSHIELD LEAKED WATER WHEN IT RAINED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS SEPARATING FROM THE MOLDING, AND IT'S NOT A SAFETY DEFECT IT WAS NORMAL. *AK WHILE DRIVING WATER WOULD GET INSIDE THE VEHICLE. *SC *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Jan 23, 2004
THE DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS . WHEN THE PROBLEM HAPPENS AGAIN. *JB
Air bags, Jan 23, 2004, crash
I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH AND A DEER CAME OUT IN THE ROAD AND I HIT IT. THE CAR SUSTAINED ENGINE DAMAGED AND PUSHED THE HOOD UP. IT PUSHED THE ENGINE BACK AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *LA
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed control, Equipment, Jan 23, 2004
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE ENGINE WAS RUMBLING. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK THERE WAS UNCONTROLLABLE JUMPING AND OR KICKING. THE DEALER REPLACED ONE DEFECTIVE PART AND WAS TOLD THAT THE RUMBLING NOISE WOULD NEED TO BE INVESTIGATED BY FORD ENGINEERS. FORD DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS CAUSING THE NOISE, BUT SAY IT WAS NOT DANGEROUS. THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE AT CERTAIN SPEEDS AND CD'S WOULD GET STUCK IN THE CD PLAYER. *SC THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WERE OUT OF ROUND, THE STABILIZER END LINKS WERE REPLACED *JB
Visibility, Jan 20, 2004
FOR THE SECOND TIME, THE REAR WINDOW ON MY COMPANY-OWNED FORD ESCAPE HAS SHATTERED. THE TRUCK WAS PARKED IN A GARAGE DURING THIS SECOND OCCURANCE, DURING A NIGHT WHEN THE TEMPERATURES WERE IN THE TEEN'S. I'D BLAME THE COLD WEATHER, BUT THIS ALSO HAPPENED LESS THAN 6 MONTHS AGO DURING THE SUMMER WHILE DRIVING AT 65MPH ON A HIGHWAY. IN BOTH CASES, THE SHOCKS THAT HOLD THE REAR WINDOW UP WHEN OPEN, HAVE EXTENDED TO FULL LENGTH, AND AS A RESULT, SCRATCHED THE PAINT ON THE REAR TAILGATE. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Visibility, Jan 20, 2004
2002 FORD ESCAPE ONLY 2 YEARS OLD AND FORD WILL NOT HONOR WARRANTY BECAUSE REAR WIPERS NOT WORKING AND ENGINE MAKES AND JERK AT 3K RPM, NOT PART OF WARRANTY. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 16, 2004
VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN IT STALLED AND THE WHEELS LOCKED UP. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 15, 2004
EXCESSIVE FRON ROTOR WEAR: THE DEALER EXAMINED THE ROTORS AND SAID THE WEAR WAS NORMAL, EVEN THOUGH THE MEASUREMENTS HE GAVE ME SHOW THE ROTORS ARE 70% WORN. HE AGREES THAT THEY SHOULD BE COMPLETELY WORN OUT BEFORE 50,000 MILES AND STILL CONSIDERS THIS TO BE NORMAL.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Jan 15, 2004
WITH NO WARNING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ON OUR ESCAPE FAILED COMPLETELY AT 44,130 MILES. SO FAR, NO FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE HAS BEEN OFFERED BY FORD OR THE REPAIRING DEALER DISPITE ATTEMPTS BY ME TO GET RELIEF FOR THE $2700 REPAIR BILL! WE HAVE HAD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE DRIVETRAIN SINCE ABOUT 18,000 MILES AND HAD IT CHECKED AT 25,000 BY OUR LOCAL FORD DEALER. THE DEALER INSISTED THAT IT WAS ONLY TIRE NOISE...WHICH WHILE VERY SCEPTICAL, WE ACCEPTED WITH THE CAVEAT THAT WHEN WE EVENTUALLY REPLACED THE TIRES, THE NOISE WOULD BE GONE OUR WE EXPECTED THE VEHICLE TO BE REPAIRED AT NO CHARGE. SINCE THE TRANSMISSION'S VERY PREMATURE FAILURE, WE HAVE REVISITED THE POWERTRAIN NOISE AS WE NOW SUSPECT ITS SOURCE MAY HAVE CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. BOTH FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS HAVE BEEN CHANGED, THE WHEELS AND TIRES HAVE BEEN SUBSTITUTED AND THE VERY LOUD NOISE CONTINUES. TWO FORD DEALERS HAVE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NO ONE YET HAS AN IDEA OF WHAT THE SOURCE OF THE NOISE IS NOW! THIS TRUCK IS A TRUE LEMON AND I THINK FORD SHOULD BE STEPPING UP TO THE PLATE TO FIX AND PAY FOR THIS PROBLEM AS WELL AS ALL OR MOST OF THE TRANSMISSION REPAIR!!!!
Visibility, Equipment, Jan 15, 2004
COMPUTER CONTROLS LOCKED DOWN THE CAR. THE DEALER SAID THAT THE COMPUTER WAS RESETTING WHEN IT DONE THIS AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THE WINDSHIELD IS SEPARATING FROM THE CAR AND THE DEALER WILL NOT COVER THIS AS A DEFECT BECAUSE MY CAR IS THE ONLY ONE THEY KNOW OF.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Jan 15, 2004
THE CONSUMER HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAS PROBLEMS STARTING. THE DEALER MECHANIC HAS REPLACED THE STARTER, RELAY SWITCH, AND THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER FOR ANOTHER REPAIR. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 15, 2004
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE ENGINE DIED WITHOUT WARNING. THIS RESULTED IN BRAKE FAILURE. THE CONSUMER HAD TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE IDLE ERROR CONTROL VALVE, MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, THROTTLE BODY, EEC RELAY, DPFE SENSOR AND THE EVAP VALVE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS A NEW LETTER REF#02-23-1 ON THIS ISSUE. *PH *JB *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 12, 2004, crash
I OWN A 2002 FORD ESCAPE AND ONLY ONE MONTH OF HAVING IT ALL OF THE LIGHTS LIGHTED UP ON THE DASH BOARD AND THE ENGINE STOP WHILE GOING DOWN AN INTERSTATE RAMP. THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS IN TRAFFIC GOING AT ABOUT 10 MPH WHEN IT SHUT OFF CAUSING TO REAR-END THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. IT'S A PROBLEM THAT HAS NOT BEEN FIXED, I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALER THEY CLAIM THAT NOTHING IS WRONG WITH IT. THE DEALER CHECKED IT AND SAID IT HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER CARS, BUT THAT THE PROBLEMS HAD BEEN FIXED THAT IT WAS ONLY ON THE ONES FROM 2001. THE DEALER ALSO SAID THAT THEY COULDN'T AWARD THE WARRANTY THAT THE ENGINE SHUTTING OFF WOULDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN, BUT SINCE APRIL 2002 IT HAS HAPPEN AT LEAST 5 TIMES WITH 1 ACCIDENT . *LA
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 9, 2004
VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING, BUT THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES WERE LOST. ALSO, VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. *AK
Visibility, Dec 30, 2003
AT TIMES OF HEAVY RAIN OR WET SNOW THE INTERIOR WINDOWS FOG SEVERELY. THEY FOG SO BADLY THAT CONDENSATION WILL RUN DOWN THE INSIDE OF WINDOWS RESULTING IN AN UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION. I HAVE TRIED NUMEROUS METHODS OF TWEAKING THE CONTROLS BUT CAN NOT SEEM TO KEEP THE WINDOWS DEFOGGED ADEQUATELY. WHEN MY WIFE AND KIDS ARE IN THE CAR THE PROBLEM IS WORSE THAN WHEN I AM ALONE. I AVOID DRIVING THE CAR AT NIGHT WITH THEM WHEN THE WEATHER IS WET BECAUSE I WORRY ABOUT BEING ABLE TO SEE SAFELY. I AM WORKING ON TRYING TO FIX THE PROBLEM BUT THOUGHT STRONGLY ENOUGH ABOUT THIS TO NOTIFY YOU HERE. SINCERELY, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 29, 2003
MY WIFE WAS COASTING (TRAVELING DOWNHILL) IN OUR 2002 FORD ESCAPE XLT (2 WHEEL DRIVE) WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY STOPPED. THE EFFECT WAS AS IF THE KEY HAD BEEN TURNED OFF. SHE LOST ALL POWER (STEERING, BRAKES, ETC) AND COASTED INTO A SIDEWALK. IT COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE. TAKING THE PROPER PRECAUTIONS, SHE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP (HAYWARD FORD - VERY HELPFUL, PERFORMED THE TSB WORK RIGHT AWAY), WHERE THEY TOLD HER OF A TSB THAT DESCRIBED THE APPROPRIATE STEPS FOR THE MECHANICS TO TAKE. THE SUPPOSED TSB INCLUDED REPLACEMENT OF THE FOLLOWING ITEMS: THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY, AIR CHARGE BODY, MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, AIR CHARGE SENSOR GASKET, POWER RELAY FOR PCM, EGR SENSOR, AND THE PURGE REGULATION VALVE FOR VAPOR SYSTEM. I SEARCHED THE NHTSA TSB SITE FOR THE BULLETIN AND COULDN'T FIND IT. THE NUMBER WE WERE GIVEN WAS TSB 02-23-01. I NOTICED THAT AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE CAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM BY THE NHTSA WAS CLOSED AND REOPENED IN SEP 2002. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ HERE AT THE NHTSA SITE, I THINK IT'S TIME FOR FORD TO WARN THEIR ESCAPE OWNERS OF THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE IS INJURED.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 18, 2003
WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES A LOUD GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 18, 2003
WHILE COMMUTING TO WORK AT VERY BUSY INTERSECTION, TRAVELING AT 20 MPH, VEHICLE COMPLETELY STALLED LOSING ALL POWER UTILITIES ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. A NUMBER OF PASSING MOTORISTS ATTEMPTED TO ASSIST IN MOVING VEHICLE OUT OF INTERSECTION BUT COULD NOT GET VEHICLE OUT OF PARK KEY WOULD NOT TURN AS WELL. AFTER A NUMBER OF ATTEMPTS VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, AND DRIVEN TO LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY STATED THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF DIFFICULTY--AFTER REVIEWING THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEB SITE THAT IS VERY HARD TO BELIEVE--DEALER WORKED ON VEHICLE FOR 1.70 HRS REPLACING OVER 13 PARTS,SUCH AS EEC RELAY,DPFE,AIRBYPASSVALVE,THROTLE BODY,MAF,VMV,THROTTLE BODY GASKET PER: TSB-02-11-6. RECHECK OK. ACCORDING TO THIS WEB SITE THIS SITUATION HAS OCCURED AT LEAST 50 TIMES. THIS IS POTENTIALLY A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. OWNERS OF ESCAPES SHOULD BE INFORMED AS THIS CAN& HAS HAPPENED TO OTHERS AT HIGHER RATES OF SPEEDS WITH POTENTIALLY FATAL OUTCOMES IF THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE COASTED TO A SHOULDER...*AK
Visibility, Dec 12, 2003
REAR WINDSHIELD THERMAL MELTED THE CONNECTION TO DEFROSTER. DEALER REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD WITHOUT ANY CHARGE. *AK *MR
Suspension, Air bags, Dec 10, 2003
WITHIN ONE MONTH OF PURCHASING THE VEHICLE (2002 FORD ESCAPE) THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. (SEE ODI #10051805 FOR INFORMATION REGARDING 1998 FORD RANGER COMPLAINT).*MR THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES FOR THE SAME VIBRATION PROBLEM, BUT THE DEALER CONTINUED TO STATE THERE WAS NO PROBLEM, AFTER ABOUT A YEAR THEY FINALLY NOTICED THAT THE TIRES WERE CUPPING ON THE REAR, IT WAS FINALLY DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE TO THE ALIGNMENT OF THE FRONT AND REAR WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO NEED NEW TIRES. ALSO THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. *CB *JB