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, Mar 14, 2002
VEHICLE HAS STALLED 4 TIMES, DOWNHILL ONLY. DEALER CANNOT FIND CAUSE OF PROBLEM. *AK *TT
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 12, 2002
VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING AT 40-45MPH TWICE ON 03/08/02. THE ENGINE INDICATOR DID NOT GO ON BEFORE THE STALL. THE RADIO, HEAT, CLOCK, ETC. STAYED ON DURING THE STALL. THE STEERING BECAME VERY TIGHT AND HEAVY. AFTER WRESTLING THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE CAR RESTARTED AFTER PUTTING IT IN PARK. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WHERE NOTIFIED.*AK
Visibility, Mar 12, 2002
YES, MY WIFE AND DAUGHTER AND NEW GRANDSON WERE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY WHEN THE PASSENGER POWER WINDOW JUST SHATTERED. I AM TRYING TO GET FORD TO REPLACE IT FOR FREE. SINCE THIS IS A FACTORY PROBLEM. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 11, 2002
THE ENGINE STALLED WHILE COASTING AT APPROXIMATELY 38 MILES, WHILE GOING DOWN A HILL. THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED THE FOLLOWING DAY. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER TODAY AND THEY REPROGRAMMED THE PCM.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Mar 11, 2002
2002 FORD ESCAPE XLT, VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, ENGINE TURNED OVER BUT SOOUNDED LIKE IT WAS GOING TO BLOW UP. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS IT FINALLY STARTED. IT DOES THIS 2 OR 3 TIMES A DAY. DEALER SAYS NO PROBLEM, IT WILL FIX ITSELF. VEHICLES ENGINE SMOKED ON TWO OCCASIONS, THOUGHT THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. DEALER SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG. VEHICLE WILL SURGE ON ITS OWN, EVEN WITH THE BRAKE DEPRESSED, ALMOST AS IF I HAD FLOORED IT. I CANNOT DRIVE 20 MPH, IT SURGES FORWARD! LAST INCIDENT I HAD WITH THE VEHICLE, I LOST COMPLETE USE OF THE BRAKES, NO HYDRAULICS, NO NOTHING. PEDAL DEPRESSED RIGHT TO THE FLOOR. ALMOST GOT INTO A HEAD ON COLLISION, USED E-BRAKE TO STOP. HAPPENED A SECOND TIME LATER THAT DAY. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP, NOTHING IS WRONG. CONTACTED FORD REP. AND THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO HELP ME. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. I DO NOT WISH TO KEEP THE VEHICLE.
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 6, 2002
ENGINE CUT OUT WHEN TRAVELING DOWNHILL AT APPROX. 40 MPH. BRAKES & STEERING FAILED BUT WAS ABLE TO STOP VEHICLE AND RESTART WITH NO SUBSEQUENT PROBLEMS.*AK
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Feb 28, 2002
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED AT 30 MPH. POWER BRAKES AND POWER STEERING COMPLETELY SHUTDOWN. PLEASE PROVIDE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, AND ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 27, 2002
WHILE DRIVING DOWN A STEEP HILL VEHICLE STALLED/ ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ILLUMINATED, AND ENGINE DIED. DRIVER HAD NO STEERING OR BRAKES. FELT THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Electrical system, Feb 27, 2002
THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER; STEERING, BRAKES, AND ELECTRICAL WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. MY EMPLOYEE'S FORD ESCAPE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AT ABOUT THE SAME MILEAGE. PLEASE NOTE THAT MY VIN NUMBER IS 18 DIGITS AND COULD NOT BE COMPLETELY ENTERED. ([XXX]) INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Power train, Vehicle speed control, Other or unspecified, Feb 26, 2002
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE TRAVELING ON A STEEP CURVY ROAD AT 25 MPH, VEHICLE LOST POWER BRAKES AND POWER STEERING, CONSUMER HAD TO USE BOTH FEET ON BRAKE PEDAL TO CONTROL SPEED, OIL AND EMISSION LIGHTS CAME ON, CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO TURN OFF STREET ONTO PARKING LOT AND SLOW DOWN ENOUGH TO AVOID CRASHING, ENGINE WAS STILL ON WHEN VEHICLE CAME TO A STOP, DEALER REFLASHED PCM AND REPLACED MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR, THROTTLE BODY AND IAC SOLENOID. *AK *TT
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 25, 2002
ENGINE STALLED WHILE DRIVING; NOVEMBER 2001, FEBRUARY 12, 2002, AND FEBRUARY 22, 2002. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 23, 2002
2002 FORD ESCAPE XLT V6 AUTOMATIC 4X4 WITH 2,235 MILES FAILS TO START (WARM OR COLD ENGINE) AFTER APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES VEHICLE WILL START AND RUN NORMALLY. VEHICLE IS AT DEALERSHIP AND HAS REFUSED TO START NUMEROUS TIMES, AFTER WAITING APPROX. 20 MINUTES VEHICLE WILL START. VEHICLE HAS STALLED WHILE RUNNING AT DEALERSHIP, IN THEIR PRESENCE, TWICE. DEALERSHIP HAS HAD VEHICLE IN SHOP FOR 5 DAYS WITH NO IDEA WHAT IS CAUSING PROBLEM. DLR CLAIMS THAT THEY HAVE CONTACTED FORD FOR ASSISTANCE. ENGINE IS NOT THROWING ANY COMPUTER CODES. DEALER ORIGINALLY BELIEVED IT WAS WATER IN FUEL BUT HAS "DEFINITELY RULED THAT OUT." *AK
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 23, 2002
BRAKES AND STEERING FAILED ONCE WHILE DRIVING DOWN A CURVY MOUNTAIN ROAD, SPEED APPROX. 25 MPH, SECOND FAILURE AT APPROX 45 MPH ON A STRAIGHT AND LEVEL CITY ROAD. BOTH TIMES TWO FEET HAD TO BE USED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL AND WITH HEAVY STEERING AND THE VEHICLE WAS JUST STOPPED BEFORE CRASHING INTO OBSTACLES. NO WARNING PRECEEDED THE INCIDENTS. THREE DASH WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON AFTER. THE DEALER TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP BOTH TIMES AND THE FIRST TIME SAID PERHAPS WE HAD MORE THAN ONE KEY ON THE KEY RING IN THE IGNITION KEY HOLE. THIS WAS NOTED AS A POTENTIAL CAUSE OF TURNING OFF THE ENGINE. THIS WAS NOT THE CASE IN EITHER INCIDENT, ONLY THE IGNITION KEY WAS ON THE RING. FIRST INCIDENT THEY SAID FORD NOTED THE HEAVY KEY POSIBILITY AND FORD ENGINEERING ALSO RECOMMENDED REPROGRAMMING THE COMPUTER AND A NEW MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR WAS INSTALLED. THIS DID NOT HELP AS A FEW DAYS LATER THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN, ALMOST RESULTING IN A CRASH. CURRENTLY (FEB. 23, 2002) THE ESCAPE IS AT THE DEALER NOW AFTER THE SECOND NEAR CRASH INCIDENT AS WE WILL NOT DRIVE IT ANYMORE. THEY SAY THEY ARE ASKING THEIR ENGINEERING STAFF AGAIN WHAT TO DO. THIS IS THE SAME SOURCE THAT ORIGINALLY SAID TO TELL US WE PROBABLY HAD TOO MANY KEYS HANGING FROM THE IGNITION KEY. NONE HAS ANY FIRM ANSWER AND SOURCES ON THE INTERNET CONFIRM THIS PROBLEM AND FORD HAS NO SOLUTION AT THIS TIME. WE WOULD LIKE TO TERMINATE THE PURCHASE WHICH WAS DONE ABOUT A MONTH AGO AS THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAVE TO DRIVE. BOTH MY WIFE, FIRST INCIDENT, AND DAUGHTER, SECOND INCIDENT WILL NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE THEY WERE SO FRIGHTENED AND BARELY WERE ABLE TO AVOID CRASHES. DATE FEB. 23, 2002 SIGNED EUGENE LALLY. *AK
Vehicle speed control, Feb 20, 2002
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 45-50 MPH, STEPPED ON GAS PEDAL TO ACCELERATE AND AUTOMOBILE WAS NOT RESPONDING. LOOKED AT DASHBOARD AND NOTICED THAT ENGINE CHECK LIGHT WAS LIT UP. TRIED TO SLOW DOWN TO PULL ON SIDE OF ROAD, BUT DISCOVERED THAT THERE WERE NO BRAKES AND NO STEERING. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO COME TO A STOP BY RELEASING THE EMERGENCY BRAKES, HAD NO ACCIDENT. CONSUMER HAS SINCE TRADED IN VEHICLE. *AK *TT
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 18, 2002
ENGINE STALLED WHILE GOING DOWN HILL DUE TO LOW RPM AFTER ACCELERATION STOPPED AND FOOT TAKEN OFF OF THE GAS PEDAL. LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES AFTER STALL. STARTED RIGHT BACK UP IN NEUTRAL.*AK
Air bags, Feb 16, 2002
AFTER NEW SENSOR INSTALLED FOR AIRBAG, ANOTHER ELECTRICAL COMPONENT HAD AN ERROR. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Other or unspecified, Feb 14, 2002
I WAS DRIVING @ ABOUT 40 MPHON SAT 1-26-2002 WHEN THE ENGINE STOPPED AND THE DASH LIGHTS FOR THE ENGINE AND OIL CAME ON. I COASTED TO A STOP AND TURNED OFF THE HEATER, RADIO, AND IGNITION AND PUT THE CAR IN PARK. IR STARTED AGAIN BUT I WAS CONCERNED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO WILLIAMS FORD(739 FRONT ST. P.O. BOX 220, BEREA,OH 44017) ON MONDAY JAN 29, 2002 TO REPORT THE ENGINE FAILURE. THE SERVICE ADVISOR LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND TOLD ME THAT "THE CAR JUST BURPED". I ASKED IF THERE WAS SOMETHING I COULD DO TO PREVENT THIS FROM OCCURRING AGAIN AND HE TOLD ME THAT "THE CAR JUST HAD TO LEARN THE WAY I DRIVE". I QUESTIONED HOW AN INANIMATE OBJECT WITHOUT A BRAIN COULD LEARN. HE TOLD ME "OH YES, IT DOES HAVE A BRAIN". I CALLED ANOTHER SERVICE ADVISOR (ED) AT WILLIAMS FORD ON TUESDAY JAN 30 TO EXPLAIN THE SITUATION. HE TOO ASSURED ME THAT "THE CAR JUST SORT OF HICCUPPED". HE ALSO TOLD ME THAT THE CAR WAS LEARNING THE WAY I DROVE. WHEN I ASKED ME TO EXPLAIN HE SAID IT WAS TERMED "ADAPTIVE IDLE STRATEGY" AND THAT IT WAS BECAUSE THE CAR WAS NEW. I TOLD HIM I HAVE HAD OTHER NEW CARS THAT THIS HAS NOT HAPPENED TO AND ASKED IF THERE WAS ANYTHING I COULD DO TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING AGAIN BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. HE SAID THE COMPUTER WAS ADJUSTING TO THE WAY I ACCERLATE AND DECELERATE AND THERE WAS NOT ANYTHING I SHOULD DO. I HAVE SINCE READ THAT THE NHTSA IS INVESTIGATING OTHER FORD ESCAPES THAT THE ENGINES HAVE STALLED WHILE DRIVING AND HAVE NEEDED TO HAVE THE ENGINES REPAIRED/REPLACED. I AM DISSAPPOINTED THAT THEY DID NOT CARE ENOUGH TO RUN A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK ON THE CAR TO ASSURE ME OF THE CAR'S SAFETY AND REPAIR/REPLACE THE ENGINE IF NEEDED.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Feb 12, 2002, crash
I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT A SHOPPING CENTER. MY FOOT WAS OFF THE ACCELERATOR AS I WAS PREPARING TO STOP. ABOUT 3/4 OF THE WAY INTO THE PARKING SLOT, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SURGED FORWARD, GOING OVER THE CURB, ACROSS THE SIDEWALK AND HIT A CONCRETE RAMP WITH A METAL RAILING ON TOP. UPON IMPACT, THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND THE VEHICLE FILLED WITH SMOKE. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW FAST THE VEHICLE MAY HAVE BEEN GOING UPON IMPACT. I MANAGED TO TURN OFF THE IGINITION AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. I WAS PANIC-STRICKEN AND CALLED 911. THE POLICE DEPARTMENT SENT AN OFFICER OUT. SHE INQUIRED AS TO WHAT MAY HAVE HAPPENED AND ASKED THAT WE BACK THE CAR AWAY FROM THE RAILING AND CLEAR THE SIDEWALK. AT THE TIME THE CAR WAS STARTED, THE OFFICER COMMENTED THAT IT SOUNDED LIKE THE CAR WAS "STILL REVVING". FORTUNATELY, THERE WERE NO INJURIES, NO OTHER VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED AND THANKFULLY NO PEDESTRIAN. I AM NOW AFRAID OF THIS VEHICLE. I HAVE SUBMITTED THIS REPORT TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND, OF COURSE, MY INSURANCE COMPANY. I WANT THE MANUFACTURER (FORD MOTOR COMPANY) TO INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM AND DETERMINE IF THE FORD ESCAPE IS A VEHICLE SAFE TO DRIVE. IF THEY CANNOT GIVE THAT ASSURANCE THEN FORD MUST TAKE STEPS IMMEDIATELY TO REPLACE IT WITH A VEHICLE THAT IS SAFE TO DRIVE. ANYTHING LESS IS UNACCEPTABLE! *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 5, 2002
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, VEHICLE STALLED UNEXPECTEDLY, CAUSING A LOSS OF POWER, ASSISTED BRAKES AND STEERING. DEALERSHIP EXAMINED VEHICLE AND REPLACED AN UNKNOWN RELAY TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. AFTER THE SERVICE WAS PERFORMED, ENGINE STALLED AGAIN WHILE TRAVELING LESS THAN 40 MPH. (REFERENCE INVESTIGATION: PE-01-043) *AK *YH
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 5, 2002
ON THREE OCCASIONS ABOUT TWO MONTHS APART, STARTING IN OCT 2001 MY FORD ESCAPE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER THE FIRST AND THIRD TIME, THE MOST RECENT BEING 2/4/02. A "FIX" HAS BEEN MADE, BUT WHETHER THAT TAKES CARE OF THE PROBLEM REMAINS TO BE SEEN. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 4, 2002
WHILE DRIVING AT 45-50 MPH VEHICLE WILL AUTOMATICALLY SHUT OFF, ALL LIGHTS WENT OUT; HOWEVER, LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD CAME ON. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER COULD FIND THE CAUSE. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 4, 2002
AT 40 MPH THE ENGINE STALLED OUT. I HAD TO PULL OFF THE ROAD AND RE START THE ENGINE. LOSS OF POWER TO MAJOR COMPONENTS. IF I HAD BEEN 100 FEET FURTHER DOWN THE ROAD A MAJOR ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE OCCURRED DUE TO 90 DEGREE TURN. SELLING DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, DUE TO BE INSPECTED 2/5/02. *AK
Other or unspecified, Jan 28, 2002
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHITE GELATINOUS MATERIAL WAS LEAKING FROM MULTIPLE AREAS OF VEHICLES LOCKS AND CREVICES ONTO THE INTERIOR UPHOLSTERY OF VEHICLE, DEALER STATED THAT LUBRICANT WAS APPLIED TO THE VARIOUS INTERNAL LOCKING MECHANISMS AND THAT THE EXCESS WAS SETTLING BY LEAKING OUT OF CREVICES AND SEAMS, DEALER WIPED OFF EXCESS LUBRICANT. *TT
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 17, 2002
WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING, VEHICLE STALLS, CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER AND IS CURRENTLY WAITING FOR A NEW PART THAT MAY NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *SLC
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 12, 2002
WHILE DRIVING ENGINE SHUT DOWN, COULD NOT RESTART, ENGINE WOULD TURN BUT NOT START, TOWED TO DEALER, DEALER INVESTIGATED PROBLEM, THEY DETERMEND THAT ONE OR MORE INTERNAL PARTS HAVE FAILED, NEW ENGINE TO BE INSTALLED. *AK