Ford Escape Complaints (2002)

1,027 consumer complaints on file.

#10578090April 7, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY
WHILE DRIVING ALONG A HIGHWAY IN VIRGINIA, I HEARD. (AND FELT) A LOUD NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR. I THOUGHT I HIT A POTHOLE. I CONTINUED DRIVING TOWARD FLORIDA, STOPPING IN A MOTEL IN SOUTH CAROLINA. THE NEXT MORNING, WHILE RE-PACKING THE CAR, I NOTICED THE GAS TANK HAD FALLEN AND WAS PARTLY SITTING ON THE REAR AXLE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10576446April 1, 2014
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,414. UPDATED 05/22/14 MA UPDATED 8/7/2017*CN
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10574155March 22, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR IS STUCK IN THE LOCKED POSITION. THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM ACCORDING TO AN INTERNET SEARCH. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AS IT IS A SAFETY PROBLEM, AND MY CAR WON'T PASS STATE INSPECTION UNLESS IT IS FIXED. IT IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR (I WAS QUOTED $700). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10574054March 21, 2014
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING INTO HIS DRIVEWAY AT A LOW SPEED, WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO HIS SHAD AND SIDE WIPED HIS NEIGHBOR'S HOUSE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE WITH FORCE WHEN THE CONTACT APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE FINALLY CAME TO A STOP WHEN THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO AN AREA OF BUSHES. HOWEVER, THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV AND THE WHEELS CONTINUED TO SPIN. THE CONTACT WAS THE ABLE TO TURN OFF THE ENGINE. UPON INSPECTION,THE INSURANCE COMPANY TOTALLED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE NECK AND BODY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 67,000.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10569420March 14, 2014
STRUCTURE:BODY, AIR BAGS
ESCAPE WAS HIT ON FRONT LEFT BUMPER BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, CAUSING ESCAPE TO EXIT HIGHWAY AND CRASHING INTO AND SLIDING DOWN A CONCRETE OVERPASS PILLAR; DAMAGING THE FRONT BUMPER, LIGHT, AND COMPLETE LEFT SIDE OF ESCAPE. THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY! *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10568678March 12, 2014
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING FROM A COMPLETE STOP THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO RESPOND WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THERE WAS NO RECALL RELATED TO THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10567665March 6, 2014
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
WHILE DRIVING MY 2002 FORD FOCUS V6 I HAVE EXPERIENCED SEVERAL INSTANCES OF SUDDEN UNINTENDED VEHICLE ACCELERATION. I TOOK MY CAR TO PARKS FORD IN WESLEY CHAPEL, FL WHO SAID THEY SUSPECT IT IS FROM MY THROTTLE CABLE STICKING BUT THEY WOULD NOT FIX IT FOR ME EVEN THOUGH MANY ESCAPES HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND RESULTED IN NUMEROUS DEATHS. IT WOULD COST ME OVER $400 TO FIX AND JUST BECAUSE MY PARTICULAR VIN NUMBER IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL FOR THEY WOULD NOT HELP ME. I EVEN SPOKE TO SOMEONE AT THE MAIN FORD OFFICE WHO SAID THE SAME THING. THIS IS BLATANTLY REFUSING TO STAND BY THEIR PRODUCT, EVEN THOUGH THEY REALIZE THIS COULD RESULT IN A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM. I TOLD THE MAN AT FORD THAT I GUESS THEY WANT TO WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE ELSE DIES OF THIS PROBLEM AND HE SAID IF HE WAS ME AND KNEW WHAT I KNOW HE JUST WOULDN'T DRIVE THAT CAR, WHICH PROVES THAT THEY REALIZE THE SERIOUSNESS AND YET REFUSE TO MAKE IT A RECALL ON MY CAR EVEN THOUGH THE SAME ISSUE RESULTED IN SEVERAL DEATHS FOR ESCAPE OWNERS IN THE PAST. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10562594February 2, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES, STRUCTURE:BODY
ON NOV 26 I WAS DRIVING TO MY WORK AT 45 MILES PER HOUR AND THE DISTANCE I KEPT FROM THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME WAS SUFFICIENT TO ALLOW ME STOPPING ADEQUATELY. SUDDENLY, I NOTICED THAT TRAFFIC WAS APPROACHING TO A RED LIGHT SO I TAP ON THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN AND STOP. HOWEVER, THE BRAKES WERE NOT REDUCING THE SPEED SO IMMEDIATELY I STAMPED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO LET THE CAR STOP WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY, I LOOKED TO REALIZE THAT I COULD NOT CHANGE LANES. AT THIS POINT I WAS LEFT WITH NO TIME TO GEAR DOWN THE TRANSMISSION OR TO PULL THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. CONSEQUENTLY, MY FORD ESCAPE WAS FORCED TO STOP BY CRASHING INTO THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AND PRODUCING A DOMINO EFFECT INVOLVING A THIRD VEHICLE IN FRONT OF US. FORTUNATELY, NO PERSONAL INJURIES WERE REPORTED FROM THE OTHER TWO DRIVERS WHOSE CARS WERE INVOLVED.. I DID SUFFERED SLIGHT NECK PAIN AND AFTER VISITING THE HOSPITAL I DID NOT HAD MAJOR INJURIES OR NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT SO FAR. IN REGARDS TO PERSONAL PROPERTY DAMAGES, THE TWO CARS IN FRONT OF MINE, HAD MINIMAL DAMAGES BUT, MINE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED TO THE POINT IS TOTALLY INOPERABLE. ALL CLAIMS WERE REPORTED AND TAKEN CARE BY GEICO, MY INSURANCE COMPANY. ALSO A TRAFFIC CRASH CAR REPORT WAS FILED. I RECEIVED A DRIVING TRAFFIC CITATION FROM THE POLICE, WHICH I PLAN TO ESCALATE TO THE COURTHOUSE, AFTER KNOWING THAT THE BRAKE FAILURE I EXPERIENCED RESULTED FROM MANUFACTURER'S DEFECTS REPORTED BY FORD UNDER RECALLS 11S24 AND 12 S37. * PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS WRITING IS ONLY FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES AND TO ALERT ANY OTHER DRIVERS TO PERFORM ON-TIME MAINTENANCE CHECK-UPS TO PREVENT SIMILAR OR WORST SCENARIOS. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10558208January 2, 2014
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, HE ATTEMPTED DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL BUT THE VEHICLE MAINTAINED 75 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE DEPRESSED THAT BRAKE PEDAL BUT THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE THROTTLE CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10555830December 12, 2013
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I WAS DRIVING AT 70MPH ON A HIGHWAY. I WENT TO TAKE MY EXIT AND PUSHED THE BUTTON TO TURN THE CRUISE CONTROL OFF, BUT THAT DID NOT SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN AT ALL. IT KEPT ACCELERATING ALL THE WAY UP TO 90MPH. I TAPPED THE BRAKES BUT IT DID NOT SLOW THE CAR DOWN. I WAS AFRAID TO KEEP MY FOOT ON THE BRAKES DUE TO HEATING THE BRAKES UP SO MUCH THAT IT WOULD CATCH MY CAR ON FIRE. I PUT IT IN NEUTRAL BUT THE RPMS REVVED BETWEEN 5000-6000 SO I SWITCHED BACK IN TO DRIVE. WHEN I FINALLY HAD AN AREA WHERE THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS AROUND ME I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL TO SLOW IT DOWN AS MUCH AS I POSSIBLY COULD BEFORE PUTTING IT INTO PARK. WHEN IT WAS IN PARK THE RPMS JUMPED ALL THE WAY UP TO 5000 AND SOUNDED AS THOUGH THE CAR WAS GOING TO BLOW UP SO I TURNED THE CAR OFF. THEN I OPENED THE HOOD AND REMOVED THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE. I HAVE HAD THE RECALL DONE ON THIS VEHICLE AND NEVER HAD A PROBLEM WITH THIS TIL NOW. MY CAR IS NO LEAKING OIL AND SMELLS LIKE SOMETHING IS BURNING. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD AND THEY SEEMED AS THOUGH THIS WAS AN UNIMPORTANT ISSUE. THEY STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRS. THIS SHOULD BE AN ISSUE FOR THEM SINCE THEY ARE THE ONES WHO FIXED IT IN THE FIRST PLACE WITH THE LAST RECALL THEY HAD ON THIS ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10552273November 14, 2013
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR HATCH DOOR FAILED TO LOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN VERIFIED THAT THE DOOR LATCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 176,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 176,604.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10551762November 11, 2013
VISIBILITY/WIPER, STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
THE REAR LIFTGATE GLASS SUPPORT BROKE WHILE OPENING THE REAR WINDOW. I WAS ABLE TO QUICKLY GRAB THE REAR WINDOW BEFORE IT COULD BREAK. I WOULD NOTE THAT THE FALLING REAR WINDSHIELD CAN STRIKE THE OPERATOR AND/OR BYSTANDER AND COULD CAUSE SIGNIFICANT INJURIES THAT COULD INCLUDE BRUISES TO THE HEAD, NECK OR BACK, AND POSSIBLY CUTS TO THE FACE, ARM OR HAND. I TOOK MY FORD ESCAPE TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER (FRIENDLY FORD OF MONROE, MI) TO HAVE THIS ISSUE REPAIRED. I MENTIONED TO THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT EXPLORERS AND MOUNTAINEERS HAD BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS SAME EXACT DEFECT AND HE TOLD ME TO SAVE MY RECEIPT IN CASE MY VEHICLE IS RECALLED IN THE FUTURE. THE REPAIR TO MY VEHICLE COST $236.00 AT THE DEALER. I NOTED THAT ON SEPTEMBER 9, 2004, FORD NOTIFIED THE OWNERS THAT IT WILL RECALL APPROXIMATELY 955,732 VEHICLES, SPECIFICALLY 2002 AND 2003 FORD EXPLORER AND MERCURY MOUNTAINEER VEHICLES TO REPLACE THE LIFTGATE GLASS STRUT BRACKETS AND/OR HINGES. I'M SURE THESE HINGES WERE ALSO USED ON 2002 FORD ESCAPES. BEFORE BUYING THE ABOVE LISTED FORD ESCAPE, I TEST DROVE SEVERAL OTHER ESCAPES. ON ONE OF THE ESCAPES THAT I TEST DROVE, I OPENED UP THE REAR LIFTGATE GLASS AND NOTICED THAT ONE HINGE WAS BROKEN AND THAT THE GLASS WAS HANGING FROM JUST ONE HINGE. I NOTIFIED THE DEALER OF THIS PROBLEM AND TOLD HIM THAT I WOULD NOT BE BUYING THIS VEHICLE. MY NIECE ALSO OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE AND HER HINGE BECAME RUSTED OUT AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. SEE "NHTSA RECALL" 04V442000 FOR DETAILS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10551228November 7, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ENGINE
ARRIVED HOME, PARKED VEHICLE IN DRIVEWAY AND SHORTLY AFTER MY WIFE TOOK OUR PUPPY OUTSIDE AND SAW MY CAR WAS ON FIRE UNDER THE HOOD, I WAS ABLE TO OPEN THE HOOD AND SAW FLAMES AND SPARKS COMING FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE FIREWALL AREA, CALLED FIRE DEPT AFTER MY FIRE EXTINGUISHER FAILED TO FULLY PUT OUT THE FIRE FEARING IT WOULD CATCH THE HOUSE ON FIRE AS I WAS PARKED LESS THAN 10 FT FROM IT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10551341November 7, 2013
SUSPENSION, STEERING
CLICKING NOISE WHILE MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN. STEERING WHEEL NO LONGER IN THE STRAIGHT UP POSITION WHEN VEHICLE IS TRAVELING IN A STRAIGHT LINE. APPROXIMATELY TURNED 20-25 DEGREES CLOCKWISE. INSPECTION OF THE FRONT END REVEALED THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION CROSSMEMBER HAS RUSTED THROUGH AT THE PASSENGER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM FRONT MOUNT AREA. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10549763October 28, 2013
SERVICE BRAKES
FIRST INCIDENT- I WAS COMING OFF AN EXIT AND THE CAR INFRONT OF ME GOT CUT OFF ON THE OFF RAMP BECAUSE THERE WAS AN ENTRANCE RIGHT AFTER THE TURN, HE BRAKE AND I SLAMMED ON MY BRAKES. MY ABS DID NOT KICK IN. I DID REAR ENDED THE CAR INFRONT OF ME, BUT MY CAR HAD ALL THE DAMAGE. I DID NOT THINK ANYTHING OF THIS AND ONLY BLAMED MYSELF. MY CAR GOT REPAIRED. NOW (10/28/13)- MY CARS ABS/BRAKES ARE NOT WORKING. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE BEHIND THE CAR. LAST YEAR 2012, I GOT THE RECALLS COMPLETED BUT THEY WERE MINOR. BUT MY ABS SYSTEM/BRAKES ARE CRUCIAL. MY BRAKES ARE STICKING, PULSING, GOING ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. IT IS MORE THAN JUST A TONE RING! THAT IS THE RESPONSE I RECEIVED WHEN I WENT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP. SOMETHING IS INCORRECT WITH MY ABS PUMP AND SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE ABOUT IT. WHEN I THINK OF THE FIRST INCIDENT I THINK SOMETHING MAY HAVE BEEN WRONG ALL ALONG. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10547889October 15, 2013
SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 FORD ESCAPE AT 25 MPH ON A SUBURBAN SIDE STREET. SUDDENLY THERE WAS A LOUD CLUNK SOUND ON THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE CAR WITH THE FRONT DROPPING AND THE CAR GRINDING TO A STOP. INSPECTION REVEALED THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WAS BASICALLY BROKEN OFF WITH THAT SIDE OF THE CAR SITTING ON THE GROUND. FURTHER INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE LOWER FRONT SUSPENSION A-FRAME PULLED LOOSE FROM THE ENGINE CRADLE DUE TO RUST ON THE CROSSMEMBER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10547293October 8, 2013
STEERING, SUSPENSION, WHEELS, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE UNKNOWN NOISES WHEN DRIVING, AND STEERING CONTROL BECAME VERY LOOSE. I PROMPTLY TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC. I WAS TOLD THE SUBFRAME WAS SO BADLY ROTTED THAT THE PASSENGER WHEEL CONTROL ARM HAD SEPARATED FROM THE SUBFRAME AND CAN NOT BE REATTACHED WITHOUT REPLACING THE SUBFRAME. THE VEHICLE IS NOW NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10546509October 2, 2013
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT, THE ACCELERATOR WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED SUDDENLY. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10546188September 30, 2013
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY TO SPEEDS OF 88 MPH. THE CONTACT APPLIED IMMENSE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES BUT TO NO AVAIL. HE THEN MANEUVERED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, HE FOUND THAT THE ACCELERATOR CABLE WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN RECALLED SIX YEARS EARLIER UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V574000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 172,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10543312September 12, 2013
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT APPLIED IMMENSE PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES TO NO AVAIL. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO FIVE VEHICLES. THE CONTACT SUFFERED BRUISES TO HER LEGS. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 135,000. UPDATED 12/5/13*CN
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0

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