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.
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 19, 2003
ENGINE CUT OUT TWICE TODAY WHILE DRIVING. LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. THIS IS THE 5TH FAILURE SINCE PURCHASE.
Fuel system, Other, Electrical system, Air bags, Seat belts, Equipment, Feb 18, 2003
ON MY NEW FORD ESCAPE 2002 BOUGHT 8-2002. MY GAS PEDAL STUCK, MY BRAKES WERE LEAKING FLUID MY IGNITION HAS BROKE. MY PASSANGER SIDE REAR DOOR WILL NOT OPEN OR CLOSE PROPERLY AND HAS OPENED WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. THERE IS A VIBRATION IN MY LEFT FRONT END AND MY AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON AT TIMES MY DRIVER SIDE SAFTEY RESTRAINT HAS SHEARED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED
Visibility, Feb 14, 2003
THE REAR WINDOW SHATTERED, WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED. *JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 11, 2003
THE BRAKES SEIZED, WHICH CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK UP. *DT *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 8, 2003
ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASSIONS VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON A CLEAR ROAD, AT A MINIMAL SPEED. DIFFICULT TO PULL OFF ROAD, STEERING AND DRIVING WERE DIFFICULT, ALL WARNING LIGHT ON DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED.
Fuel system, Gasoline, Seat belts, Feb 7, 2003, crash
THE TRUCK WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT FAILED TO HOLD WHICH ALLOWED THE DRIVER TO BE THROWN IN THE BACK SEAT. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. PH SEE VOQ#10021715 FOR REPOSITORY LINK TO PAR. CW
Power train, Feb 7, 2003
THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM THE VEHICLE'S CLUTCH AND IT WOULDN'T GO INTO 1ST OR 2ND GEAR. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. PH THE TRANSMISSION FAILED , AND THE CLUTCH BURNED. THE CABLE WAS REINSTALLED. THERE WAS A CHATTERING IN THE CLUTCH, AND THE CLUTCH PEDAL HAD GONE TO THE FLOOR BEFORE BEING ABLE TO SHIFT. THE ENTIRE CLUTCH SYSTEM WAS REPLACED. ALSO THE SLAVE CYLINDER WAS BLED. SCC
Power train, Feb 4, 2003
I HAVE NOW HAD MY ESCAPE FOR 9 MONTHS. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 01/10/03 BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT PAST 2ND GEAR (NO MATTER HOW FAST I WAS GOING). THE DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION AND WHEN THEY TEST DROVE IT EVEN THE NEW TRANSMISSION DID NOT WANT TO SHIFT. NEEDLESS TO SAY I HAVE NOT HAD MY VEHICLE FOREVER AND THE DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO CONTACT ME ABOUT MY VEHICLE OR RETURN MY CALLS.
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 25, 2003
STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE RADIATOR LIGHT TURNED ON. IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND REFILLED THE RESEVOIR. NOT LOW, BUT ADDED A LITTLE FLUID.
Electrical system, Jan 20, 2003
WHEN DRIVING MY 2002 FORD ESCAPE, 35MPH, SLIGHTLY DOWNHILL, THE CAR LOSES POWER. IT BECOMES DIFFICULT TO BRAKE AND STEER. THIS IS THE 4TH TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED SINCE BUYING THE CAR IN JULY 2002. THE DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.
Steering, Jan 18, 2003, crash
CAR WENT OUT OF CONTROL DURING A SIMPLE LANE CHANGE LEFT ON INTERSATE I-90, UNABLOE TO STEER, SWERVED AND SPUN AROUND AND HIT TALL CONCRETE MEDIUM, AIR BAGS WERE EMPLOYED. GOOD WEATHER 48 DEGREES, NO ICE OR OIL, WAS NOT UP TO FULL SPEED AS HAD JUST GOTTEN ON THE INTERSTATE.
Steering, Jan 17, 2003
PURCHASED 2002 FORD ESCAPE FROM HINDER FORD OF ABERDEEN, MD IN JUNE 02 AND FROM THE START THE LEFT REAR WHEEL WAS CRACKED AND THE VEHICLE PULLS (NOT DRIFTS) TO THE LEFT SO BAD THAT THE VEHICLE LEFT FRONT TIRE WILL CROSS THE LINE IN 5 SECONDS IF STEERING WHEEL IS RELEASED WHILE IN THE RIGHT LANE OF A TWO LANE AND WITHIN 3 SECONDS IF IN THE LEFT LANE. HINDER FORD GAVE ME THE FORD 800 NUMBER TO CALL BECAUSE THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO EVEN AFTER I PROVIDED THEM EXCERPTS FROM MARYLAND LAW THAT STATES A VEHICLE WITH A STEERING OR BRAKING PROBLEM THAT CAN NOT BE FIXED THE FIRST TIME IS TO BE REPLACED. THEY HAVE REFUSED. I COMPLAINED TO THE ON-LINE CUSTOMER SERVICE SEVERAL TIMES UNTIL THEY FINALLY SENT THE AREA FORD TECH TO INVESTIGATE. HE REPLIED THAT THERE WAS DEFINITELY A PROBLEM (HE STATED HE HAD SEEN THIS BEFORE), ATTEMPTED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. HINDER RETURNED THE VEHICLE AND AGAIN STATED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. I SENT CERTIFIED/RETURN RECEIPT LETTERS TWICE TO FORD MOTOR CO. AND LATEST RESULT WAS A CALL LAST WEEK FROM MR. DUNCAN ALBERSON WHO AGREED THAT A CRACKED WHEEL AND THIS VEHICLE LEAVING THE ROAD WITHIN THREE SECONDS WAS NOT SAFE, BUT THAT HE WAS GOING WITH A REPORT THAT HE HAD FROM THE AREA FORD TECH WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS WITHIN SPECIFICATION AND THAT I SHOULD DRIVE WITH MY HANDS ON THE STEERING WHEEL! I STATED I RELEASE THE WHEEL ONLY TO EMPHASIZE THE DRASTIC PULL OF THIS STEERING AND OF COURSE I DRIVE WITH MY HAND ON THE WHEEL AT ALL TIMES! I TOLD MR. DUNCAN TO SIMPLY SEND ANOTHER TECH TO TEST DRIVE MY VEHICLE ANY TIME AND ANY PLACE AND HIS RESPONSE ... HE HUNG UP! POSSIBLY BECAUSE I ALSO TOLD HIM HINDER FORD HAS SOLD TWO OTHER VEHICLE WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. IF YOU KNOW OF A GOOD LAW FIRM IN MY AREA PLEASE GIVE ME THEIR NUMBER. TS
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 15, 2003
ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS, OUR 2002 FORD ESCAPE 4X4 HAS STALLED WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE DECREASING SPEED TO STOP, WHILE ACCELARATING FROM A STOPPED POSITION AND WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. EACH TIME, THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE REMOVED FROM TRAFFIC AND PLACED IN PARK OR NUETRAL TO RESTART. ON ONE OCCASION THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND THE OTHERS HAD NO INSTRUMENTATION LIGHTS GO ON.
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 15, 2003
AFTER STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT I ACCELERATED WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN. DURING THE TURN THE POWER STEERING LOCKED UP AND THE BREAKS DID NOT WORK, THE DASH LIGHTS CAME ON AND I FINALLY FIGURED OUT THAT THE ENGINE HAD STALLED. I COASTED DOWN THE DOWNHILL SLOPE AND FINALLY RESTARTED THE ESCAPE AFTER PUTTING IT IN NEUTRAL. LUCKILY, THERE WAS LIGHT TRAFFIC BUT THIS COULD HAVE BEEN VERY DANGEROUS. WHEN I CALLED MARSHALL FORD EAST IN CLEVELAND, OHIO THEY SAID THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM AND SINCE IT HAD NOT HAPPENED AGAIN IT WAS NOT FURTHER INVESTIGATED.
Power train, Jan 13, 2003
CONSUMER STATED THE GEAR SHIFTER DESIGN WAS DEFECTIVE. SHIFTER IS ATTACHED TO STEERING COLUMN AND IS TOO LONG. WHENEVER CONSUMER TURNS ON RADIO GEAR IS KNOCKED INTO NEUTRAL.*JB
Visibility, Jan 8, 2003
DRIVERS' SIDE MIRROR VIBRATES WHILE DRIVING RENDERING IT USELESS FOR SAFE LANE CHANGES. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN "FIXED" BY FORD DEALERS THREE TIMES WITH NO REMEDY, THE VIBRATION CONTINUES EVEN AFTER "REPAIRS."
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Jan 3, 2003
FORD ESCAPE XLT 2002 STALLED WHILE DRIVING DOWNHILL, I WAS GOING 35 MPH ON A CLEAR DAY. THIS WAS A FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE, MY BRAKES AND STEERING WAS DIFFICULT.
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 2, 2003
THE VEHICLE HAS REPEATED ENGINE STALLING WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION OR AT A STOP, THEN IT WILL IMMEDIATELY RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE AIR FLOW SENSOR, AND REPROGRAMMED COMPUTER. TS WHEN THE VEHICLE REACHED THE OPERATING TEMPERATURE IN GEAR AT THE IDLE, IN PARK, THE RPM WOULD FLUCTUATE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE VEHICLE WILL THEN RESTART. SCC
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Parking brake, Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Exterior lighting, Vehicle speed control, Equipment, Dec 27, 2002
CONSUMER STATED ON JULY 2, 2002 THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR A BROKEN HEADLIGHT AND MISSING EQUIPMENT FROM THE VEHICLE, ON JULY 23, 2002 THE VEHICLE BEGAN EXPERIENCING STALLING, BRAKE AND ODOMETER PROBLEMS, THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED DUE TO A FLAW, THE STALLING AND THE ODOMETER PROBLEMS COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED, ALSO THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE SPEAKERS AND THE CLUTCH STICKING, CONSUMER STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE PARKING BRAKE DISENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED INTO A HOTEL.*JB
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 20, 2002
FORD ESCAPE '02 STALLED WHEN GOING 40 MPH UP THE HILL. TS
Steering, Dec 10, 2002
WHILE DRIVING THE AT 30PMH THE STEERING WHELL BECOME INOPERABLE. BRAKES LOCK UP. DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
Other or unspecified, Nov 21, 2002
NO SUMMARY. DT
Steering, Power train, Nov 21, 2002
POWER STEERING LEAKED IN OCT 2001, PROBLEM CAUSED BY FAILED RACK AND PINION STEERING SYSTEM. DEALER REPLACED AFTER HAVING VEHICLE IN SHOP FOR A MONTH. IN NOV 2002, THE VEHICLE SUFFERED A TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHILE CROSSING A MAJOR INTERSECTION. BARELY MANAGED TO GET THROUGH THE INTERSECTION WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT. THE NEAREST FORD DEALER HAPPENED TO BE ACROSS THE STREET. TOOK INTO SERVICE DEPT AND THEY FOUND THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD FAILED AND WAS WELDED TOGETHER. THE ONLY SERVICE PERFORMED WAS RACK/PINION REPLACEMENT BY ORIGINAL DEALER IN OCT 2001. EXPERTS TELL US THAT TRANSMISSIONS ARE NOT WELDED. THEY ARE BOLTED. EITHER VEHICLE CAME FROM FACTORY WITH WELDED TRANSMISSION (POSS. OTHER VEHICLES WITH SAME PROBLEM) OR ORIGINAL DEALER DAMAGED TRANSMISSION WHEN INSTALLING NEW RACK/PINION SYSTEM AND WELDED THE DAMAGE WITHOUT REPORTING IT TO THE CONSUMER. NOT HAPPY ABOUT 2 MAJOR PROBLEMS IN JUST OVER A YEAR. DT
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 18, 2002
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF CAUSING CONSUMER TO PULL OVER. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 15, 2002
MY ESCAPE WAS STILL NEW WHEN I FIRST EXPERIENCED A TOTAL STALL. I WAS ON A DOWNHILL EXIT RAMP FROM THE INTERSTATE MAKING A LEFT HAND TURN ONTO A VERY BUSY ONE WAY STREET THROUGH AN EVEN BUSIER INTERSECTION. I COASTED AT ABOUT 30-35 MPH DOWN TO MAKE MY TURN AND REALIZED THAT I HAD NO STEERING OR POWER AT ALL. I HAD TO FIGHT TO MAKE THE LEFT TURN AND GET TO THE CURB. THE EXPERIENCE LEFT ME SHAKING IN SHOCK AND FEAR FOR QUITE SOME TIME. I HAD NO TROUBLE RESTARTING IT AFTER I REGAINED MY COMPOSURE. I TOOK IT TO THE INITIAL POINT OF SALE AND WAS TOLD THEY HAD NOT HEARD OF ANY PROBLEMS. THEY "COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM". I HAVE HAD THREE ADDITIONAL STALLS, A DIFFERENT DEALER REPLACED THROTTLE, AIR INTAKE. ANOTHER STALL. SINCE PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE THE CD PLAYER HAS BEEN WORKED ON TWICE (THE DASH HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE SERVICE TECH SCRATCHED IT CONSIDERABLY), THE PASSENGER FRONT WINDOW ROLLS UP OUT OF THE TRACK AND THE PASSENGER FRONT DOOR WOULD NOT UNLOCK. THE DOOR HAD TO BE TAKEN APART TO FIX THE LOCK ASSEMBLY CONSEQUENTLY THE INTERIOR DOOR WAS REPLACED BECAUSE IT HAD TO BE TORN OFF TO GET TO THE LOCK. CRUISE CONTROL WORKS INTERMITTENTLY, THE REAR WIPER DOESN'T WORK CORRECTLY, THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD, THE FRONT END MAKES NOISES WHEN TURNED, NOT TO MENTION A RATTLE IN THE BACK THAT WILL DRIVE YOU CRAZY AND A MUSTY SMELL. AS IF THIS WEREN'T ENOUGH, THIS MORNING IT BEGAN RUNNING ROUGH, BACKFIRED AND THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. I MADE IT HOME, THANKFULLY AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER...AGAIN I AM WITHOUT MY CAR! MY HUSBAND WORKS FOR FORD IN LOUISVILLE, KY AND WE ARE TRYING TO BE LOYAL, BUT THIS IS TOO MUCH! WE HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH DIFFERENT CARS IN THE PAST, BUT I AM AFRAID OF THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE A 16 YR. OLD SON ABOUT TO GET HIS LICENSE. IT HAS BEEN HARD FOR ME AS AN EXPERIENCED DRIVER TO HANDLE THESE SITUATIONS, BUT I AM TERRIFIED THAT IT COULD HAPPEN TO HIM. DT