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.
Air bags, Oct 3, 2002, crash
ON 9/27/02 I WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION WHERE I RAN A STOP SIGN AND "T-BONED" A PASSING CAR THAT WAS TRAVELING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION. MY 2002 ESCAPE WAS TOTALED - THE FRONT END COMPLETELY COLLAPSED. EVERY OFFICER, PARAMEDIC, AND FIREMAN WAS AMAZED THAT THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THEY ALL INSTRUCTED ME TO CONTACT THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THIS MATTER. AS THIS IS MY SECOND ESCAPE (THE FIRST ONE SUCKED A VALVE WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK OF OWNERSHIP), I WILL NO LONGER TRUST FORD TO PROVIDE A SAFE MODE OF TRANSPORTATION FOR MYSELF OR MY FAMILY MEMBERS. MR
Tires, Oct 3, 2002
MR
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 1, 2002
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROX 40MPH ENGINE STALLED W/O WARNING. VEHICLE CHECKED BY DLR WHO ADVISED CAN NOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. NLM *YH
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 1, 2002
ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS MY 2002 FORD ESCAPE HAS STALLED WHILE DRIVING, CREATING EXTREMELY UNSAFE SITUATIONS. EACH TIME THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PROCEEDING DOWNHILL AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, AND THEN STALLS AS FOOT IS LIFTED OFF GAS PEDAL. STALL CAUSES LOSS OF BRAKES, POWER STEERING, ETC. DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE-- ON FIRST VISIT THEY SUGGESTED POSSIBLE FUEL CONTAMINATION MIGHT HAVE CAUSED A STALL. ON SECOND VISIT (8/15/02), DEALER UNABLE TO RECREATE PROBLEM, NO DIAGNOSIS MADE, ALTHOUGH DEALER DID INSTALL SOFTWARE UPGRADE. CAR HAS FAILED TWICE SINCE THEN (8/16 AND NOW ON 9/30). HAVE NOTIFIED DEALER OF MOST RECENT INCIDENT AND BRINGING CAR IN FOR SERVICE. TO DATE THERE HAVE BEEN NO ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES, BUT HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY LUCKY EACH TIME. PROBLEM ONLY OCCURS WITHIN FIRST 5-10 MINUTES AFTER ENGINE START AFTER PROLONGED REST. MR
Electrical system, Sep 30, 2002
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE VEHICLE WILL STALL. AND WILLNOT RESTART THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. NLM
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 28, 2002
ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. NO POWER ASSIST FOR POWER STEERING AND BRAKE. I USED PARK BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AFTER I SHIFTED TO PARK POSITION AND RESTARTED THE ENGINE, EVERYTHING WAS BACK TO NORMAL. THIS IS VERY DANGROUS IF OTHER VEHICLES FOLLOWS, ESPECIALLY ON HIGHWAY. MR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 26, 2002
WHILE DRIVING DOWN HILL 25-35MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE RELAYS IN THE ENGINE, AND THE PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED AGAIN. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *MR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 25, 2002
WHILE DRIVING DOWN AN ENGRADE VEHICLE'S ENGINE SHUT OFF. POWER STEERING AND BRAKES BECAME HARD. THE DEALERSHIP STATES THAT THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE COMPUTER. PLEASE GIVE DETAILS? *MR
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 24, 2002
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING. THE VEHICLE WILL STALL AND WILL NOT RESTART AT ALL. THE DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. NLM
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 23, 2002
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE HAS STALLED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS WITHIN 35-40 MPH. DEALER MADE SOME AJUSTMENTS AND REPAIRS ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASION AND THE PROBLEM IS STILL REOCCURRING. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*JB
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 20, 2002
ON 7/11/02 CAR SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. LOST STEERING AND BRAKES. COASTED TO SIDE OF THE ROAD AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING APPROX. 40MPH. THIS WAS THE 2ND TIME THIS HAPPENED. BROUGHT TO DEALER, THEY DID SOME TESTING AND REPLACED SOME VALVES. ON APPROX 8/3/02 THE CAR SHUT OFF AGAIN, BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALER AGAIN. THEY DID MORE TESTING REPLACED SOME SENSORS AND ALSO CALLED THE FORD HOT LINE. ON 9/19/02 SAME THING CAR SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING THIS TIME THROUGH AN INTERSECTION. BROUGHT IN TO DEALER AGAIN. DRIVING SPEEDS ALL 4 TIMES WERE 35-45. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 19, 2002
VEHICLE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING CHECKED BY DEALER.*AK
Electrical system, Sep 17, 2002
WHILE DRIVING AT 40/45MPH , PUT TURN SIGNAL ON , RADIO CAME OFF. A FEW SECONDS LATER VEHICLE STALLED OUT. CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER REPLACED ALTINATOR, BUT VEHICLE STALLED OUT AGAIN.*AK
Visibility, Sep 13, 2002
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING THE SUN ROOF ASSEMBLY WAS LEAKING, DEALER HAS FIXED THIS PROBLEM THREE TIMES YET IT REOCCURS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. NLM
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 13, 2002
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 35MPH ON FLAT SURFACE AND NO WARNING THE VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF AND THE CONSUMER IS FORCE TO PULL OVER AND IT BECOMES HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 12, 2002
VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLS WHILE DRIVING.*AK CONSUEMR WAS TRAVELLING 35 MPH DOWN HILL WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKE. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE STALL RESULTED. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN DUPLICATED. FORD REPLACED SUSPECTED PARTS PER TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN. *JG
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 11, 2002
ENGINE SUDDELY QUIT WHILE DRIVING. SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL WHILE COASTING, TURNED IGNITION OFF THEN ON AGAIN. VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY RESTARTED.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 10, 2002
WHILE DRIVING MOTOR WOULD STALL WITHOUT ANY WARNING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP NUMEROUS TIMES FOR STALLING, BUT THE MECHANIC WASN'T ABLE TO DUPLICATE AND REPAIR FAILURE. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 8, 2002
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AKI
Electrical system, Sep 6, 2002
IVE FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS ON THIS PROBLEM AND THEY ALL SAID THEY SAME THING THAT THE REPROGRAMMING THE COMPUTER IN THE CAR DONT WORK AND THATS HOW THEY TRIED TO FIX MINE I WISH THEY WOULD HAVE WARNED ME MORE BEFORE BUYING THIS VEHICLE IVE FOUND TOO MANY COMPLAINTS ON THE SAME SITUATION. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Sep 4, 2002
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 4, 2002
CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE POWER STEERING WAS NOT WORKING AS SHE TURNED AROUND A BEND, AND HER BRAKES WERE NOT EITHER.(VEHICLE HAD TURNED OFF WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE) CONSUMER FEELS THAT THIS COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS IF VEHICLE TURNS OFF AND SHE IS NOT ABLE TO RESTART IT IN TIME TO USE THE BRAKES. *SCC MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. *TT
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed control, Aug 30, 2002
VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF AT ANY SPEED WITHOUT ANY NOTICE. EVERYTHING WILL GO OUT LIKE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES AND ACCELERATOR, ETC. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 29, 2002
WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE WILL SHUT DOWN AND WILLNOT RESTART. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK
Structure, Aug 28, 2002
WHILE DRIVING A PIECE OF METAL THAT WAS IN THE ROAD PIERCED THROUGH THE BOTTOM VEHICLE'S FLOORBOARD AND RUG, CUTTING CONSUMER ON THE LEG. CONSUMER STATED DEALER REPLACED FLOORBOARD AND RUG. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK