Ford Escape Complaints (2002)
1,027 consumer complaints on file.
- #10184941March 13, 2007ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ON MARCH 13TH 2007 MY CAR WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY AND SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE BOTTOM OF THE ESCAPE AND THE HOOD. IT SMELLED LIKE AN ELECTRICAL FIRE- I INVESTIGATED WHERE THE SMELL WAS AND IT ALL LOOKED FINE- I TURNED ON THE ESCAPE AND THEN THE BRAKE LIGHTS AND ABS LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT. I LOOKED UP ON THE INTERNET AND SAW THAT SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ON THE BRAKE SYSTEM CATCHING ON FIRE. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10182611February 15, 2007VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE 2002 FORD ESCAPE XLT HAD ACCELERATION PROBLEMS WHEN TRYING TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE THROTTLE KICKED OFF AND THE RPMS WENT UP TO 4 SHE THEN WOULD HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL THE RPMS WENT BACK TO NORMAL. WHEN THIS HAPPENED IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP COMPLETELY. THE CONTACT HAS HAD 2 FAILURES WITH THE VEHICLE. WHEN SHE PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL THE ENGINE SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS REVVING AT A MUCH HIGHER RATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS WAS A LEASED VEHICLE THAT SHE WILL BE RETURNING IN 2 MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS AT A DEALERSHIP NOW FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING ON WHAT COULD BE CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. SHE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS GIVEN A CASE # 1331070467. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64000.*AK UPDATED 03/07/07.*JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10181110January 30, 2007AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
I HAVE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE AIRBAG LIGHT COMING ON AND OFF RANDOMLY IN MY 2002 FORD ESCAPE & HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET THAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE TAKEN MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THE 2ND TIME AND THEY REPLACED THE AIRBAG PRETENSIONER, AS IT HAD GONE BAD. I WAS ADVISED THAT IF THE LIGHT WERE ON, THE AIRBAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY. I DO NOT BELIEVE THIS IS A "WEAR-AND-TEAR" PART AND FORD NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THE SITUATION TO MAKE SURE A RECALL IS NOT NEEDED.*JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10179325January 22, 2007SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THIS IS TO REPORT ANOTHER SUSPECTED 2002 FORD ESCAPE ABS CONTROL MODULE FIRE. THE VEHICLE FIRE OCCURRED JAN. 9, 2007 AT CLIENT'S HOME. THE VEHICLE IS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE XLT, AND IS CURRENTLY STORED AT INSURANCE AUTO AUCTIONS (IAA), 1710 STARITA ROAD, CHARLOTTE, NC 28206-1286, PHONE: 704-596-5854, FAX: 704-596-7492, STOCK NUMBER: 2799576. THE HOUSE AND CAR ARE INSURED BY STATE FARM, WHICH HAS RETAINED ME AS ITS SUBROGATION COUNSEL. THE FIRE OCCURRED WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE IN THE "KEY OFF" POSITION. LARRY HELTON FOR FORD HAS ALREADY EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND THE SCENE ON JANUARY 17, 2007. NO ONE WAS INJURED, BUT THE PROPERTY DAMAGES COULD EXCEED $50,000.00. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10178953January 17, 2007SUSPENSION:FRONT, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON 01/05/06 WHILE DRIVING HER 2002 FORD ESCAPE AT 10 MPH. THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE. WHEN SHE TRIED TO STOP THE VEHICLE SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT THE VEHICLE DIDN'T COME TO AN IMMEDIATE STOP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE PUSHED TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO MAKE A LOUD NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE THE SOMETHING LOOSE. THE CONTACT DID TAKE THE VEHICLE TO HER MECHANIC, BUT BEFORE REACHING THE MECHANIC HER ABS LIGHT TURNED ON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MECHANIC TOLD HER THAT THE RELUCTOR RING HAD FAILED AND THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED THE LEFT FRONT AXLE ASSEMBLY REPLACED. *JB UPDATED 03/19/07. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10177452January 1, 2007ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
2002 FORD ESCAPE. PARKED> 3 HRS. CAUGHT FIRE. ENGINE AND FRONT OF CAR COMPLETELY DESTROYED. HAVE DETAILED PICTURES UNDERSTAND INVESTIGATION INTO THIS PROBLEM BEGAN IN NOVEMBER 2006 WOULD LIKE TO SPEAK TO SOMEONE BEFORE CAR IS TOWED TO JUNK YARD. *NM
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10177152December 27, 2006ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
VEHICLE WOULD STALL AT ANY GIVEN TIME, WHETHER GOING DOWN THE INTERSTATE OR DURING CITY DRIVING. STEERING WOULD BE VERY DIFFICULT AND BRAKES WERE INOPERABLE. THIS OCCURRED ABOUT TWO MONTHS AFTER WE HAD PURCHASED OUR 2002 FORD ESCAPE WITH 42,000 MILES ON IT. AFTER THE FOURTH "STALL", WE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE WE PURCHASED IT. THEY CONNECTED A "BLACK BOX" UNDERNEATH THE DASH AND HAD US DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO SEE IF IT HAPPENED AGAIN, WHICH IT DID A COUPLE DAYS LATER. THEY TOWED IT BACK TO THE GARAGE. APPARENTLY OUR PROBLEM WAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH, I BELIEVE, OUR HARMONIC BALANCE OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT. ACCORDING TO THE TECHNICIAN, WHATEVER WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY, IT CAUSED THE ENGINE TO NOT KNOW WHICH CYLINDERS ON THE ENGINE WAS FIRING AND THAT IS WHAT CAUSED THE ENGINE TO SHUT OFF. THEY FIXED THE PROBLEM AND WE NOW HAVE 73,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND HAD NO OTHER STALLING PROBLEMS. THE WORK ORDER READS AS FOLLOWS: DIAG, EEC TEST, NO CODES PRESENT, FOUND STICKY NG, R&R IAC, RETEST ALL OKAY AT THIS TIME; ALSO, WHILE THEY WERE PERFORMING THE MAINTENANCE THEY ALSO DISCOVERED THAT OUR POWER STEERING RACK WAS LEAKING, WHICH WAS COVERED BY OUR EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE POWER STEERING RACK WAS REPLACED. THE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF REPAIRS WAS 44,546. I'M VERY THANKFUL FOR THE FOLKS AT OUR DEALERSHIP IN OMAHA. THEY GAVE US A RENTAL CAR WHILE DIAGNOSING OUR PROBLEMS AND STUCK WITH IT UNTIL THEY FOUND THE PROBLEM(S). THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WE HAD PURCHASED COVERED ALL REPAIR COSTS. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10175996December 12, 2006LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
I OWN A 2002 FORD ESCAPE XLT. SINCE I PURCHASED IT IN THE FALL OF 2003, AT DIFFERENT TIMES BOTH THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR AND REAR PASSENGER DOOR HAVE GOTTEN STUCK WHERE I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO OPEN THEM FROM EITHER THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR, WHICH WAS FIXED WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED 4 DAYS AGO AND THE DEALER IS GOING TO CHARGE ME A $300 DIAGNOSTIC FEE TO FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. IN ADDITION, PERIODICALLY, MY TRUNK WILL NOT OPEN NO MATTER WHAT I TRY. THEN THE NEXT DAY, IT WILL. THIS HAS OCCURRED AT LEAST 15 TIMES SINCE THE FALL OF 2005. IN ALL OF THE INCIDENCES LISTED THE DOORS WERE UNLOCKED, ALTHOUGH WE TRIED TO LOCK AND UNLOCK THEM SEVERAL TIMES TO SEE IF IT WAS JUST STUCK. *NM
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10176453December 11, 2006VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES, SEAT BELTS
2002 ESCAPE ENGINE ACCELERATES WHILE DRIVING. *TS CONSUMER WAS INFORMED OF A RECALL NOTICE (04V574000) AND REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE PROBLEM RESURFACED AGAIN IN MARCH 2006. THE ACCELERATOR CABLE WHICH WAS REPLACED IN FEB 2005 WAS ONLY UNDER WARRANTY FOR 1 YEAR/12000 MILES. THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP ADVISED THE CONSUMER THAT SHE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF REPAIR. THE SEAT BELTS LOCKED UP WHEN IN USE. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10174902December 1, 2006POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
O/D OFF LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING. APPARENTLY, THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED AND THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. CAR WAS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD WITH 53000 MILES. IF I DIDN'T HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, THE REPAIRS WOULD HAVE COST OVER $3000. APPARENTLY, THIS SAME PROBLEM EXISTS ON THE 2002 FORD EXPLORER AS WELL. *NM
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10173484November 14, 2006POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I BOUGHT MY 2002 FORD ESCAPE IN MAY OF 2005, THE DEALERSHIP HAD TO REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION 3 DAYS LATER AT 80K BECAUSE IT WAS SLIPPING BETWEEN GEARS. NOW A YEAR AND HALF LATER, I'VE BEEN TOLD BY A SPECIALIST THAT I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION, WHICH WILL COST ME $2500 - $4000! THE DEALER WILL NOT WARRANTY THEIR WORK BECAUSE IT HAS BEEN OVER A YEAR SINCE THE SERVICE, BUT I'VE ONLY PUT 20K MILES ON IT! THE TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST EXPLAINED THAT THE 2002 ESCAPE HAS THE SAME TRANSMISSION AS A MAZDA 626, WHICH IS NOTORIOUS FOR FAILING. HE SAID EVEN IF I PAY TO HAVE IT REPLACED, IT WILL FAIL AGAIN. *NM
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10173528November 14, 2006SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
IN 2004, MY 2002 FORD ESCAPE, AFTER BEING PARKED OVERNIGHT, CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE WAS TRACED BY THE DEALER TO THE ABS COMPUTER. THE VEHICLE WAS PAST WARRANTY AND FORD MOTOR COMPANY DENIED REPEATEDLY THAT THERE WAS ANY POSSIBILITY OF ANY DEFECT, OR THAT THERE WAS ANY MANUFACTURER RESPONSIBILITY. CALLS TO FORD'S CUSTOMER HOT LINE WERE HANDLED IN AN UNSATISFACTORY MANNER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED USING NEW PARTS. *JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10173402November 13, 2006ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKING A BYSTANDER NOTICED SMOKE BILLOWING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE IGNITION WOULD NOT TURN OFF SO THE BATTERY WAS DISCONNECTED AND THE SMOKE STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO COLLISION FACILITY, WHERE IT HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC. *AK
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10173233November 12, 2006AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
RECENTLY, I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE FRONT END OF MY 2002 FORD ESCAPE WAS TOTALED. THE AIRBAGS NEVER RELEASED. LUCKILY, I HAD BEEN WEARING MY SEAT BELT, AND DID NOT SUFFER FROM AN INJURY. SUMMARY: 1. EVENT(S) LEADING TO FAILURE: COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE 2. FAILURE: AIR BAGS DID NOT RELEASE; CONSEQUENCES: NONE 3. CORRECTION: N/A. *NM
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10172868November 7, 2006ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON AN INTERSTATE, SMOKE WAS OBSERVED TO BE COMING FROM BEHIND THE VEHICLE AND FLAMES WERE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THERE WAS NOTHING UNUSUAL ABOUT THE WAY THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING BEFORE THE FIRE STARTED. THE TYPE OF FIRE WAS CLASSIFIED AS FUEL. THE SERVICE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED WHO DETERMINED THAT A ROD SHOT THREW THE ENGINE AND MADE A LARGE HOLE THAT CAUSED THE FIRE IN THE MOTOR. THE SERVICE DEALER WAS WILLING TO REPAIR THE MOTOR IF THE CONTACT WOULD MAKE A CO-PAYMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THIS OCCURRED IN STATE OF ARKANSAS.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10172692November 6, 2006POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED COMPLETELY, HOWEVER WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED IMMEDIATELY. THE VEHICLE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN TAKEN TO A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP FOR THE SAME ISSUE, WHERE THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE MAY HAVE BEEN FAULTY. THE WORK FOR NHTSA RECALL #04V165000, PERTAINING TO THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN PERFORMED, BUT SINCE THEN THE PROBLEM PERSISTED AND BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10172658November 5, 2006AIR BAGS
AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. IT STAYS ON. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT WHEN THIS HAPPENS THE AIR BAGS ARE IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF AS THERE IS A ERROR CODE. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES BEFORE AND EACH TIME THE PASSENGER SIDE PRETENSIONER WAS REPLACED. TWICE THE DEALER COVERED IT AND THE THIRD TIME THE DEALER SAID IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY WOULDN'T FIX IT. SEEMS LIKE IF THEY FIXED IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME IT WOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED AGAIN. NOW IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN. AND ONCE AGAIN THE DEALER SAID I AM ON MY OWN. NOW I AM DRIVING A CAR WITH NO AIR BAGS AND I SPECIFICALLY BROUGHT IT BECAUSE OF THE AIRBAGS.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10172538November 3, 2006SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
FORD ESCAPE 2002 - WE HAVE HAD AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS STAYING ON. WE HAVE HAD IT INTO A FORD DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES, WHO WAS NOT ABLE TO FIX IT, AND AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WAS FINALLY ABLE TO IDENTIFY THAT IT WAS THE ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM'S ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE CAUSING THE ISSUE. JUST READ AN ARTICLE CONCERNING AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION INTO ENGINE FIRES POSSIBLY CAUSED BY THIS MODULE AND ARE VERY CONCERNED THAT WE COULD BE NEXT. WE FIRST TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER THE MONTH OUR WARRANTY EXPIRED SO I AM PUTTING THE "INCIDENT DATE" IN FOR THAT MONTH.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10172539November 3, 2006SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING, SUSPENSION:FRONT:HUB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY FOR ONE DAY, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE EXTINGUISHED ITSELF. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE ABS MODULE AND A WIRING HARNESS. UPDATED 01/17/07. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND STAYED ON UNTIL THE ABS MODULE WAS REPLACED. THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEARING WAS REPLACED.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10172553November 3, 2006ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
I HAVE A 2002, FORD ESCAPE WITH 92,000 MILES ON IT. THERE HAS BEEN NO MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH ETHE VEHICLE LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE THAT I AM DESCRIBING IN THIS STATEMENT. ON OCTOBER 31, 2006 I WAS DRIVING EAST-BOUND ON M59, JUST EAST OF SCHOENHERR ROAD IN STERLING HEIGHTS, MI. I WAS APPROX.15 MILES FROM MY HOME IN AUBURN HILLS, MI AND HAD APPROX. 10 MINUTES LEFT UNTILE I WOULD HAVE REACHED MY DESTINATION. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THAT I HAD DRIVEN THE VEHICLE ALL DAY. IT WAS APPROX. 47 DEGREES FARENHEIT AND ABOUT 3:35PM. IT WAS NOT RAINING, BUT A LITTLE WINDY. UPON MAKING A STOP JUST PAST THE TRAFIC LIGHT (DUE TO HEAVY TRAFFIC DLAYS), I NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. WITHIN A MINUTE OF NOTICING THE SMOKE OUTSIDE, SMOKE STARTED COMING THROUGH THE DASH OF MY VEHICLE AND INTO THE INTERIOR CAB. I ROLLED DOWN THE WINDOWS AND MADE IT INTO A PARKING LOT, WHER I HAD TO EVACUATE THE VEHICLE. UPON PUTTING OUT THE FIRE AND INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTOR LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE TODAY AND WE ARE STILL AWAITING THE INSURANCE COMPANY'S OPINION AS TO THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE AND WHAT THEY WILL BE WILLING TO DO ABOUT IT.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0