Ford Escape Complaints (2002)
1,027 consumer complaints on file.
- #11229992July 8, 2019SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM LOOSENED AND NEEDED TO BE TORQUED TO THE MANUFACTURER'S SPECIFICATIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED SEVERAL YEARS AGO PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED A STATE INSPECTION DUE TO THE FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED; HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 234,074.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11210478May 28, 2019STEERING
IT'S DIFFICULT TO STEER OR KEEP STRAIGHT
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11202768April 21, 2019ENGINE, POWER TRAIN, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MY VEHICLE WILL RANDOMLY LOCK UP AND WHEN I START IT AND TRY TO MOVE IT INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE FROM PARK. AND WHEN I TRY TO TURN OFF MY VEHICLE SO THAT I CAN RESTART IT MY VEHICLE WON'T EVEM ATTEMPT TO TURN OVER OR START BUT MY ELECTRICAL WILL STILL WORK JUST FINE
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11193080April 1, 2019STRUCTURE:BODY
FRAME RUSTED OUT. FORD HAS TAKEN OVER 2 WEEKS TO ATTEMPT TO FIX. I'M HAVING TO RELY ON FRIENDS AND FAMILY FOR A RIDE. NO COMMUNICATION WITHIN DEALER AND CUSTOMER
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11185478March 9, 2019STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
RUSTED SUBFRAME- WHILE GETTING AN OIL CHANGE I WAS TOLD THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS SO RUSTED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE PLACED ON A LIFT. THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS THE WORST HE HAD EVER SEEN AND THE CAR WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11180005February 14, 2019ENGINE
AS SHOWN IN ATTACHED PICTURE MY COOLANT CONTAINER IS BURNING AS IF IT IS TRYING TO CATCH FIRE. AS ALSO SEEN THE COOLANT LEVEL IS BACK AT MAX BUT AT ONE POINT WAS LOW. CONCERN IS 🔥 SAFETY. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN I FIRST SMELT BURNING I DID STOP DRIVING AND IT MADE IT MORE INTENSE. NO ACTUAL FIRE TOOK PLACE BUT INSIDE CONTAINER IT APPEARS TO HAVE HAD A SMALL FIRE OR BURN AS SHOWN BY IMAGE.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11165588January 3, 2019SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A KNOCKING SOUND WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LIBERTY MAZDA (91 WEST SERVICE RD, HARTFORD, CT) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS RUSTED, CORRODED, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11155917December 4, 2018STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BRIAN BEMIS FORD (1380 DEKALB AVE, SYCAMORE, IL 60178, (815) 895-4584) TO BE DIAGNOSED AND THEY REFUSED TO RELEASE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE CONTACT DUE TO THE DANGEROUS CONDITION OF THE RUSTED FRAME. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT CHARGE THE CONTACT A STORAGE FEE. THE CONTACT PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN MARCH OF 2018. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000. *TT*JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11155788December 3, 2018STRUCTURE:BODY
MY VEHICLE SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER FORD RECALL 14S02. SUB FRAME COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH WHILE DRIVING ENDANGERING MY FAMILY'S SAFETY. ILLINOIS, "SALT STATE". CURRENTLY AT FORD DEALERSHIP UNSAFE TO DRIVE.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11129367September 13, 2018POWER TRAIN
ON 2002 FORD ESCAPE XLT, WHILE DRIVING CAR IN REVERSE GEAR BACKING OUT OF GARAGE DOWN HILL AND TURNING ON ROAD ALSO WITH STEEP DOWN HILL, TRANSMISSION SHIFTER CABLE DETACHED FROM TRANSMISSION. COULD NOT GET CAR OUT OF REVERSE GEAR. THIS CAUSED A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AS CAR ROLLED BACKWARDS DOWN HILL OUT OF CONTROL WHEN ENGINE SHUT OFF. USED EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP CAR AND BLOCKED WHEELS WITH ROCKS TO DIAGNOSE. BUSHING ON SHIFTER CABLE END CLOSEST TO TRANSMISSION DISENTEGRATED AND SHIFTER CABLE SLIPPED OFF LINK TO TRANSMISSION SUCH THAT THE COLUMN SHIFT WAS DETACHED FROM TRANSMISSION. HAD NO PRIOR WARNINGS TO INSPECT THIS. FOUND THROUGH RESEARCH THAT FORD HAD ISSUED RECALL NUMBER 18S20 FOR FORD ESCAPE MODEL YEARS 2013-2014 FOR EXACT SAME ISSUE ON JULY 18, 2018. CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE. FORD REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS ISSUE FOR MODEL YEAR 2002. TEMPORARILY FIXED ISSUE TO CONTINUE DRIVING CAR. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I AM NO EXPERT, BUT SOMEONE WITH LESS EXPERTISE THAN ME COULD BE IN A LOT OF TROUBLE AS THIS CAN HAPPEN ON A HILL WHERE THE CAR CAN ROLL OUT OF CONTROL. RECOMMEND FORD ADD THIS MODEL YEAR TO RECALL LIST OR AT LEAST ISSUE WARNING TO OWNERS TO INSPECT SHIFTER CABLE BUSHING. DIFFICULT TO GET PHOTO SINCE TRANSMISSION CABLE BURIED DOWN IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT, BUT COULD ATTEMPT UPON REQUEST.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11127979September 6, 2018FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
FUEL GAS TANK STRAPS ROTTED OUT CAUSING THE FUEL TANK TO FALL
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11103674June 24, 2018STRUCTURE:BODY, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), STEERING
MY ENGINE COOLANT LIGHT STAYS ON EVEN AFTER TAKING STEPS TO FIX IT AS IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE 2002 FORD ESCAPES, AND THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH MY POWER STEERING AS FLUID AND ALL THAT IS FINE, WHICH I READ WAS A RECALL ALSO.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11102548June 19, 2018SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FRACTURED AND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE). THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE RECALL REMEDY WAS NOT SUFFICIENT TO PREVENT A FAILURE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000. *TT
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11102674June 19, 2018LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LIFTGATE FAILED TO OPEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (CURRIE MOTORS FORD OF VALPO, 2052 W MORTHLAND DR., VALPARAISO, IN 46385, (219) 464-3523), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11102440June 18, 2018SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED IN HER DRIVEWAY. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND FILED A REPORT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER AND THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLES WERE MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS, BUT WAS NOT TOWED FROM THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER (LITHIA FORD OF MISSOULA, 3943 BROOKS ST, MISSOULA, MT 59804) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE CALLED AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A CALL BACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD NOT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 12V005000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AND 12V353000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000. .*BF *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- Yes
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11098733May 30, 2018ENGINE
FORD EXCURSION V10 ALUMINUM HEAD COMPLAINT SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF HEAD. THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ACROSS COUNTRY TO VISIT MY SON, NO WARNING JUST BLEW COMPLETELY OUT OF HEAD AND LEFT ME STRANDED ALONG THE ROADSIDE. THIS PROBLEM WHICH FORD IS AWARE IS NOT BEING FIXED OR RECALLED, TRUCK JUST TURNED 100,000 MILES BUT IF ONE SPARK PLUG BLEW WHEN WILL THE OTHERS LET GO AND EXPLODED OUT OF THE HEAD AND LEAVE ME STRANDED AGAIN ALONG A BUSY HIGHWAY ROUTE 70 IN A STATE WHICH I HAVE NEVER BEEN IN BEFORE AT 5 AM IN THE MORNING, WITHOUT A KNEW HEAD DESIGN THIS MAKES THIS VEHICLE VERY UNRELIABLE AND NOT SAFE TO DRIVE , ITS LIKE DRIVING A TIME BOMB JUST WAITING FOR THE NEXT PLUG TO BLOW, VEHICLE WAS 40,000 DOLLARS IN 2002 WHO HAS MONEY TO PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE WHICH IS NOW ALMOST 60,000 FORD SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO MAKE REPLACEMENT HEADS FOR ALL TRITON ENGINES
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11097718May 23, 2018UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE GEARS WILL NOT SHIFT INTO DRIVE ONLY 2ND AND 1ST AND REVERSE HEARD A CLANK AND SOUNDED LIKE A SCREW OR SOME SORT DROPPED BUT CANNOT FIND IT. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED I WENT TO PUT IT IN DRIVE AND THAT'S WHEN IT OCCURRED
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11093482May 12, 2018ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, STEERING
MY VEHICLE IDLES TO 4000RPM AND CONTROL THE SPEED BY ITSELF, THERE IS A LEAK IN THE BACK BREAK AREA THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKS WHERE I CAN'T PUT IT IN ANY GEAR SOMETIMES AND GETTING WORSE. HAD TO GET IT TOWED HOME LAST NIGHT BECAUSE WHILE DRIVING IT IDLED HIGH AND AS I BRAKE IT BARELY STOPPED AND WHEN RELEASING BREAK IT SPEEDS UP TO 50 OR MORE MPH AND I HAD TO KEEP MY FEET ON THE BREAK..I PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE SWITCH OFF AND WAITED A WHILE AND TURNED BACK ON AND IT IDLED TO 4000 RPM AGAIN. COULD NOT SHIFT THE GEAR FROM PARK AND BREAK PEDAL WAS HARD. WHEN ARRIVING HOME TO BACK CAR IN DRIVEWAY TOWE GUY HAD NO PROBLEM WITH IDLE. THE FOLLOWING MORNING CRANKED AND WAS AT 1000RPM AT FIRST START. ALSO AC PRESSURE. CAR RUNS HOT BUT NO SMOKE WATER BUBBLES IN COOLANT RESERVOIR. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NEVER GAVE WARNING OF ANY OF THE PROBLEMS LISTED.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11092784May 9, 2018SUSPENSION, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
HAD A RECALL FOR THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ON MAY 30 2014 AND TODAY HAD TO REPLACE THE SAME PART AND FORD ISN'T RECOGNIZING IT AS A PROBLEM , THE PART IS $2000 AND VECHICLE IS STILL WORTH MORE THAN THAT AMOUNT AND I HAD TO BUY THE PART AND PAY FOR THE INSTALLATION AND FORD REFUSE TO CLAIM RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT : THE RECALLED PART FAILED NOT SATISFYING THE RECALL ONLY LASTED 4 YEARS , CAUSING THE CECILE NOT TO PASS STATE INSPECTION
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #11090818April 28, 2018SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC), ENGINE
BOUGHT THIS CAR AND 2 MILES DOWN ROAD CHECK ENGINE, ABS, AND THE BRAKE AS WELL AS THE OVER DRIVE (ONLY ONE FLASHING) CAME ON. THE CAR GEAR SHIFT LEVER POPS OUT OF GEAR. THE VEHICLE HAS A NEW TRANNY. THE VEHICLE STALLS, AND IS BLOWING TRANNY FLUID. IT HAS HAD THE COMPUTE REPLACEE ON A RECALL. EVERY ISSUE I HAVE FOUND RELATES TO RECALLS, YET FORE TOLD ME NOPE ZERO RECALLS ON THIS EVEN AFTER I SHOWED HIM PROOF OF A RECALL ON THE ENGINE ITSELF. SO RECALLS; 07V156000, 15V606000, 12V005000, AND 04V165000 SOMEHOW DO NOT APPLY? SO I HAVE TO CRASH BEFORE FORD WILLL EVEN LOOK AT THE CAR. IT POPS OUT OF GEAR! CLEARLY AN ABS MALFUNCTION OR NOT? ALL HAZARDS.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0