Page 10 of 21 · complaints 451–500 of 1,027

2002 Ford Escape complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2002 record →

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Mar 25, 200887,000 milesVA

TRANSMISSION FAILURE, APPARENTLY A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE FORD 2001-2004 ESCAPE SUV. THIS ONE IS A 2002 AND DID NOT LEAVE ME STRANDED, I MANAGED TO GET IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. OTHERS (HUNDREDS++) ON THE WEB WERE STRANDED ON MAJOR HIGHWAYS. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Master Cylinder
Filed Mar 14, 200842,498 milesUT

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. IF IT WERE NOT FOR THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, SHE WOULD HAVE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE ABS WAS FINE. THE CONTACT HAD A MECHANIC FRIEND AND HE REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE RESERVOIR. BECAUSE THE BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING, THE CONTACT'S FRIEND ALSO REPLACED THE "REMAN BRA". THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,698 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 42,498. UPDATED 04/04/08. *LJ

Structure › Body › Door
Filed Mar 14, 200822,064 milesFL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT IS DISABLED AND WAS STRANDED IN HER VEHICLE FOR OVER TWO HOURS. THE VEHICLE DOORS DO NOT HAVE KEY HOLES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO REMOVE THE REAR DOOR PANEL IN ORDER TO FREE THE CONTACT FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE WAS UNAWARE THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE KEY HOLES WHEN IT WAS PURCHASED. THE DOORS ONLY OPERATED BY REMOTE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD RECEIVE A CALL BACK FROM THE DEALER. THE DOOR PANEL HAS BEEN REPAIRED. THE DEALER INFORMATION WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 22,074 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 22,064. UPDATED 4/8/08 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED FRANK IS PARALYZED. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE IS A GREAT CONCERN FOR NO KEYHOLE ON THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 04/08/08 *TR

Air Bags
Filed Mar 13, 200859,000 milesPA

AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY INDICATING THAT THE AIR BAGS MAY NOT WORK PROPERLY IN A COLLISION. FORD DEALER PERFORMED AIR BAG SELF TEST AND CODE B1881 WAS OBTAINED. I HAD TO HAVE WIRING REVISIONS TO BOTH SEATS AT A COST OF $292.86. THE DEALER REPRESENTATIVE INFORMED ME THAT THE WIRING REVISION WAS NECESSARY BECAUSE THE ORIGINAL WIRING UNDER THE SEATS WAS INCAPABLE OF ACCOMMODATING THE FULL RANGE OF NORMAL SEAT ADJUSTMENTS ALLOWED BY THE ELECTRIC SEAT ADJUSTOR. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT INVOLVING A SAFETY FEATURE OF THE 2002 FORD ESCAPE. SHOULD NOT THE MANUFACTURER HAVE TO PAY FOR CORRECTING THIS SAFETY DEFECT? *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/ModuleFire
Filed Mar 4, 200878,500 milesFL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. IN JUNE OF 2007, THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALER REGARDING RECALL NUMBER 07S51. THE DEALER APPLIED ELECTRICAL GREASE TO THE ABS MODULE CAVITY. ON FEBRUARY 29, 2008, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD NEAR THE ABS MODULE. THE VEHICLE WAS DAMAGED, BUT THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 78,500.

Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
Filed Feb 20, 200862,000 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PLACE THE VEHICLE INTO SECOND GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE FAILED AND JAMMED THE THROTTLE COVER. THE TRANSMISSION BECAME DAMAGED WHEN THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO REVERSE GEAR. THE MANUFACTURER MAY NOT BE ABLE TO ASSIST. ON NOVEMBER 25, 2007, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER DUE TO REVERSE. THE DEALER CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY, FLUSHED THE INJECTORS, AND CLEANED THE UPPER INTAKE GASKET AND SPARK PLUGS. THE FUEL FILTERS, COIL BOOTS, AND IGNITIONS WIRES WERE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 62,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON WHILE DRIVING, REPLACE FUEL FILTER, AND A/C IS NOT BLOWING COLD. UPDATED 03/31/08 *TR

Vehicle Speed Control › Cables
Filed Jan 11, 200855,000 milesVA

ACCELERATOR STUCK ON 2002 FORD ESCAPE. AT 80MPH I FINALLY TURNED OFF IGNITION TO STOP. THROTTLE CABLE BROKE. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS IN 2002 BUT NOT FOR MY PARTICULAR CAR. FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND FORD RECALL CENTER REFUSED TO PAY FOR REPAIRS AT DEALER. I WAS LUCKY TO SURVIVE THIS INCIDENT. WHO KNOWS HOW MANY OTHER 2002 FORD ESCAPES ALSO HAVE THIS PROBLEM?? *TR

Air Bags
Filed Jan 9, 200888,500 milesCT

SRS AIRBAG LAMP ON ON THE DASHBOARD, IT WILL BLINK FOR 30 SECONDS WHEN YOU START THE ENGINE. THEN IT WILL STAY LIT. I BROUGHT THIS TO THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT THIS SUV AND AFTER 1 YEAR IT CAME ON AGAIN. I HAD IT CHECKED TO A DEALER AND THEY RESET THE LAMP AND IT CAME BACK AGAIN. IT WORRIES ME BECAUSE I DO NOT KNOW IF THE AIRBAGS WILL WORK DURING AN ACCIDENT. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
Filed Jan 3, 2008100,000 milesLA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD LOOSE POWER WHEN AT A STOP. IN ADDITION, SHE WAS UNABLE TO DEPRESS THE BRAKES UNLESS THE IDLE WAS LOW. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AND THE BATTERY ON TWO OCCASIONS; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: CONTROL MODULE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID # 04V165000) HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER STATED HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,447.

Engine and Engine Cooling › EngineFire
Filed Dec 31, 2007130,000 milesMI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AFTER IT HAD BEEN PARKED FOR NINE HOURS. PRIOR TO PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY USING SNOW. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THERE WAS NO PROPERTY DAMAGE. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED IN MARCH OF 2007, BUT NOT REPAIRED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V156000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 130,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling › EngineFire
Filed Dec 17, 2007130,000 milesMI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE ENGINE FAILED TO IDLE IN 20 DEGREE WEATHER. THE ABS MODULE CAUGHT FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT REPORTED THE FIRE TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THEY ADVISED HIM TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 130,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Catalytic Convertor
Filed Dec 14, 200790,000 milesWA

WE HAVE A 2002 FORD ESCAPE XLT WE BOUGHT NEW IN SEPT OF 2002. IT HAS 90,000 MILES ON IT. LAST WEEK MY HUSBAND WAS COMING HOME WHEN IT LOST POWER AND WOULD NOT GO OVER 50 MILES AN HOUR THERE WAS ALSO A WHIRRING SOUND. HE GOT HOME AND TO OUR MECHANIC. THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE EGS VALVE (?) WHICH IT TURNS OUT WAS CAUSED BY THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER GETTING CLOGGED, BUILDING UP PRESSURED AND CAUSING IT TO BLOW. BASED UPON MY RESEARCH ON THE NET, THIS IS FAIRLY COMMON. I AM WONDERING IF THERE IS ANYTHING BEING DONE TOWARDS A RECALL. OUR DEALER IS TRYING TO GET A NEW CC FROM THE EAST COAST (WE ARE IN THE SEATTLE AREA) BUT IT MAY TAKE UP TO 2 WEEKS. *TR

Seat Belts › Front › Retractor
Filed Dec 6, 2007CA

SEAT BELT RETRACTORS DON'T WORK ON BOTH SIDE[WEAK [RETURN][SPRINGS CAUSING DOORS NOT TO SHUT WHEN EXITING VEHICLE METAL CONNECTOR BLOCKS AND DAMAGES DOOR LOCK MECHANISM AND PUNCHING LARGE HOLES IN WEATHER STRIPS I'VE REPLACED TWICE ON EACH SIDE. A RECALL ON THE SEAT BELTS RETURNS SHOULD BE ISSUED. THIS PROBLEM CHEWS UP THE SEAT BELT CONNECTION METAL AND DOOR LOCK MECHANISM WHICH WILL EVENTUALLY STOP WORKING AFTER REPEATED CLOSURES. SOME ONE COULD THEN FALL OUT OF THERE CAR. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Dec 3, 2007MD

THIS WILL BE THE SECOND TIME I HAVE TO REPLACE THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS, NOT TO MENTION THAT FROM DAY ONE MY WHEELS HAVE BEEN COVERED IN BLACK DUST FROM THE BRAKES, AND IM TOLD THIS IS NORMAL. THE MAJOR PROBLEM HAS BEEN THE TRANSMISSION. I CAN NOT TELL YOU HOW MANY TIMES I'VE TAKEN IT IN TO BE LOOKED AT AND CALLED AND COMPLAINED TO FORD WITH NO HELP AT ALL. SINCE DAY ONE (MY CAR WAS BRAND NEW) THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MADE NOISES AS THOUGH IT WAS STUCK WHEN IT SHOULD BE SMOOTHLY SHIFTING GEARS. EACH TIME I TOOK IT IN NOONE HEARD ANYTHING...UNTIL MY WARRANTEE WAS UP THEN THINGS WERE HEARD. LETS SEE I'VE PAID FOR ENGINE FLUSHES, SPARK PLUG CHANGES, FLUID CHECKS, RESET CALIBRAITONS, I'VE NEVER MISSED AN OIL OR FILTER CHANGE AND IT PROGRESSIVELY IS GETTING WORSE. I'VE READ LOTS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS FROM FORD OWNERS REGARDING THE SAME PROBLEM. SO IF WE ALL ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE, WHY ISN'T FORD HELD ACCOUNTABLE TO FIX THIS??????? *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Oct 29, 200764,000 milesNJ

TRANSMISSION FAILURE AFTER 4 YEARS AND 10 MONTHS AT 64,000 MILES. *TR

Air Bags
Filed Oct 16, 200775,000 milesCA

AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON AND STAYS ON. DEALER SAYS AIR BAGS ARE DISABLED WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON. HE WANTS ABOUT $400 TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPORTED FREQUENTLY ON THE INTERNET. *JB

Vehicle Speed Control › Cables
Filed Sep 28, 2007130,000 milesNJ

(1) DRIVING TO WORK ON ROUTE 18 SOUTH (2) LOST USE OF ACCELERATOR PEDAL (3) CABLE BROKEN TO PEDAL THAT WAS REPLACED AT FORD DEALER IN SHREWSBURY/RED BANK NJ. *TR

Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module
Filed Sep 28, 200774,122 milesNC

AIR BAG LIGHT STARTED BLINKING WHEN I STARTED VEHICLE BLINKED FOR ABOUT 30 SEC THEN WENT SOLID, TOOK ESCAPE TO FORD DEALER AND THE GOT A CODE FROM THE AIR BAG SYSTEM AND INFORMED ME I HAD FAULTY WIRING ON THE SEAT BELT CONNECTOR AND THERE WAS A REPLACEMENT WIRING HARNESS I NEEDED TO INSTALL . TOLD THEN TO ORDER IT AND WAS INFORMED THAT AIR BAGS WERE FUNCTIONING OK EVEN THOUGH LIGHT WAS STILL ON. THE SAID I JUST MISSED THE WARRANTY BY 4 DAYS SO I HAD TO PAY THE $200.00 FOR PARTS AND LABOR. YOU WOULD THINK FORD WOULD GIVE A LITTLE LEEWAY SINCE THIS IS A FAULTY PART FIRST INSTALLED ON PRODUCTION LINE. PLEASE ADVICE FORD OF THIS THANK YOU. *JB

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Sep 19, 200780,000 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HER VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED. SHE QUICKLY EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC, BUT HE COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. SHE RECEIVED TWO RECALL LETTERS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, NUMBER OF CYLINDERS, POWERTRAIN, AND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 80,000.

Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module
Filed Sep 6, 200776,000 milesTN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. AFTER PICKING UP HER VEHICLE FROM BEING SERVICED, THE AIR BAG LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH. A FEW MINUTES LATER, THE AIR BAG LIGHT STOPPED BLINKING AND REMAINED LIT EACH TIME THE VEHICLE MADE A TURN. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY INFORMED HER THAT THE CONNECTOR HARNESS NEEDED REPLACING. THE VIN, ENGINE SIZE, AND NUMBER OF CYLINDERS WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 76,000.

Seat Belts › Rear/Other › Buckle Assembly
Filed Sep 3, 2007OH

WHILE DRIVING THE SEAT BELT THAT HOLDS MY CHILD"S CAR SEAT IN PLACE BECOMES UNDONE. I HAD THE CAR SEAT INSTALLED BY A CERTIFIED CAR SEAT SAFETY SPECIALIST PRIOR TO GIVING BIRTH. THE SEAT BELT HAS COME UNDONE TWICE WITHIN 3 MONTHS WHILE MY BABY WAS IN THE SEAT. BOTH TIMES I LOOKED BACK IN MY REAR VIEW MIRROR TO SEE THE ENTIRE CAR SEAT LEANING OVER. IF MY 3 MONTH OLD BABY WASN'T STRAPPED IN HE WOULD HAVE FALLEN OUT. *JB

Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Aug 15, 2007SC

MY GRANDDAUGHTER WAS OPERATING MY 2002 FORD XLT ESCAPE AND WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT RECENTLY IN AUGUST 2007. AN INDIVIDUAL RAN A STOP SIGN AND SHE HIT HIS VEHICLE BROADSIDE AT 50 MILES PER HOUR. THE AUTOMOBILE HAS BEEN CLASSIFIED AS TOTALED AT 10K PLUS DAMAGE. THE PROBLEM IS THAT NONE OF HER AIRBAGS DEPLOYED IN THE VEHICLE. SHE WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT BUT RECEIVED INJURES INCLUDING A PARTIALLY COLLAPSED LUNG, WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN A DIRECT RESULT OF THE AIRBAGS NOT STOPPING HER FORWARD MOTION. *JB

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Aug 15, 200751,695 milesOH

UNINTENDED ACCELERATION - 2002 FORD ESCAPE XLT: DRIVING ON INTERSTATE ACCELERATED FOR A HILL AND CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AFTER FOOT REMOVED FROM PEDAL. CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AND GAIN SPEED UP HILL, HILL PEAKED AND SPEED EXCEEDED 80 MILES PER HOUR. FURTHER ACCELERATION DOWN HILL - TRANSMISSION PLACED IN NEUTRAL, AND ABLE TO BE STOPPED ON SIDE OF FREEWAY. ENGINE CONTINUED TO REV; TURNED OFF, AND THEN REVVED WHEN TURNED BACK ON. CRUISE CONTROL WAS NOT BEING USED AT ANY TIME. DEALER INSPECTED AND FOUND AND REPLACED DEFECTIVE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE. *JB

Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module
Filed Aug 14, 200772,000 milesGA

(1) AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON (2) CABLES DEFECTIVE - AIRBAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY DURING CRASH (3) CABLES REPLACED - $450 TOTAL *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › EngineFire
Filed Aug 2, 200789,000 milesOH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING SOUND WHEN SHE TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. SHE THEN NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE BUMPER. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. AS OF AUGUST 2, 2007, THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 89,000.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jul 27, 2007MI

(1) NOTICED ABS LIGHT WAS LIT, TOOK VEHICLE TO PALMER FORD IN CHELSEA MI TO FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WITH MY 2002 FORD ESCAPE COULD BE. THEY GAVE A BREAK DOWN THE EXCITOR RING (FOR THE ABA BRAKING SYSTEM) THAT IS ATTACHED TO THE HALF SHAFT OF MY ESCAPE WAS BROKEN. THIS ALSO CAUSED THE ABS SENSOR TO FAIL (2)AS TO FAILURE....DID GET A SECOND OPINION FROM A DIFFERENT SERVICE STATION ABOUT THE EXCITOR RING...PALMER FORD IN CHELSEA MI SAID THAT THEY WHERE NOT AWARE OF ANY OTHER ESCAPES HAVING THIS ISSUE....UNLIKE THE SECOND SERVICE STATION, WHICH HAD SEEN THIS PROBLEM IN THE ESCAPES. (3)TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM...I HAVE HAD THE HALF SHAFT REPLACED (WHICH INCLUDES THIS EXCITOR RING FOR THE ABS BRAKING SYSTEM)AND THE SENSOR.... *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jul 25, 200767,000 milesWA

(1) APPROXIMATELY 100 MILES OF HIGHWAY DRIVING LED UP TO (2) A LOSS OF POWER AT ALL SPEEDS WITH EXCESSIVE RPMS FOR GIVEN SPEED FOLLOWED BY A FLASHING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, FOLLOWED BY CONSIDERABLE ENGINE AND CABIN VIBRATION. (3) FORD DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A RARE INTERNAL ENGINE FAILURE IN CYLINDER #4. NO REMEDY HAS BEEN PROVIDED. THE ENGINE CAN BE REPLACED FOR ABOUT $6,000. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module
Filed Jul 18, 2007LA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. ON APRIL 12, 2007, THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE # 07V156000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THE SAME DAY. THE DEALER PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH A RENTAL VEHICLE AND AS OF JULY 18, 2007, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY ARE WAITING ON A PART TO ARRIVE. NO FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED AT THIS TIME. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 80,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS INAPPLICABLE.

Vehicle Speed Control › Cables
Filed Jul 5, 2007112,000 milesGA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 80 MPH, THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO DECELERATE OR STOP. THE CONTACT DROVE INTO A DITCH, WHICH STOPPED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE. ONCE IT WAS RESTARTED, THE RPM'S RACED TO 5 AND THE TIRES BEGAN SMOKING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED THREE ADDITIONAL TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL # 04V574000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 112,000. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED THE REPAIR INVOICE. UPDATED 09/05/07 *TR

Engine and Engine CoolingFire
Filed Jun 29, 200765,000 milesFL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE IS EXPERIENCING THAT SAME FAILURE AS NOTED IN NHTSA ACTION # PE06048. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE INSPECTED AND THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY BEFORE THE FIRE COULD SPREAD. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 65,000.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Abs Warning Light
Filed Jun 26, 200755,400 milesNY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE BRAKES GRIND WHEN STOPPING THE VEHICLE. THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATES. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TWO FRONT AXLES AND TWO ABS SENSORS. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 55,600 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,400.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jun 25, 200790,000 milesMN

I OWN A 2002 FORD ESCAPE AND WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THE OVERDRIVE OFF LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. I PULLED OVER ,BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO REENGAGE THE OVERDRIVE. CONTINUED THE COMMUTE HOME AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SHIFTING ROUGHLY, AND THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER, WHERE THEY TOLD ME I WOULD NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. I TOOK IT, ,,(BY THIS POINT THE VEHICLE WASN'T DRIVEABLE AND HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP NEAR MY HOME. THEY STATED THAT I WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION, AND THAT THIS SEEMED TO BE A COMMON OCCURRENCE FOR FORD ESCAPES. THEY SAID THAT A VEHICLE AT 90000 MILEAGE SHOULD NOT HAVE THE EXTENSIVE KIND OF TRANSMISSION DAMAGE THAT THIS VEHICLE DID.*AK

Visibility › Windshield
Filed Jun 19, 200732,000 milesMD

THE WINDSHIELD ON THE FORD ESCAPE CRACKED WHEN I RINSED IT WITH A REGULARLY GARDEN HOSE. SINCE I RINSE ALL MY CARS FREQUENTLY AND HAVE NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM MY MECHANIC SUGGESTED THAT THE GLASS WAS VERY THIN AND LIKELY CRACKED FROM THE COLD WATER HITTING THE WARMER GLASS. I CONTACTED THE FORD DEALER, WHO INDICATED THAT THERE WAS NO KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THEIR WINDSHIELDS. I HAVE SCHEDULED A GLASS COMPANY TO REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD THIS FRIDAY, JUNE 22 AT MY HOUSE. PLEASE CONTACT ME, IF YOU NEED ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. THANK YOU. *AK

Exterior Lighting › Headlights
Filed Jun 11, 2007CA

I HAVE TAKEN THE 2002 FORD ESCAPE TO THE DEALER MANY TIMES FOR THE HEADLIGHTS NOT COMING ON, TURNING OFF, BLINKING WHILE IN USE, AND NOT TURNING OFF AFTER USE. THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUES THAT NEEDED TO BE ADDRESSED. THE ONLY WAY I COULD GET THE LIGHTS TO GO OFF WAS TO REMOVE THE FUSES. I AM HAVING TROUBLE EVEN FINDING OUT IF THIS ITEM WAS A DEFECT RECALL. THAT WAS PUT UP WITH THE FORD COMPANY I GREW UP WITH. *AK

Suspension › Front
Filed May 24, 2007MD

IN APRIL 2007, I TOOK MY 2002 FORD ESCAPE BECAUSE OF CONSTANT CLICKING NOISE THAT I HEARD COMING FROM THE LEFT FRONT SIDE OF THE CAR FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS MY SWAY BAR END LINK, BUT THE RIGHT SIDE. THE LEFT END LINK HAD BEEN REPLACED IN APRIL 2006, SO I HAD TO PAY FOR THE RIGHT END LINK TO BE REPLACED. THE CLICKING NOISE PERSISTS. NOW, THE DEALER IS SAYING THAT IT IS THE RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM THAT IS MAKING THE NOISE AND I MUST HAVE DONE SOMETHING TO IT, EVEN THOUGH IT IS THE SAME NOISE AND STARTED ONLY 2 DAYS AFTER BEING SERVICED. ALSO, THE CAR HAS STALLED TWICE. THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE AND NEEDS A THIRD REPLACEMENT. THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED. THE AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY AND REMAINS ON FOR MONTHS AT A TIME; STARTED IN 2004. THE WINDOWS AND DOOR LOCKS HAVE BEEN SERVICED FOR INTERMITTENTLY NOT WORKING THREE TIMES BEFORE THE PROBLEM WAS RESOLVED.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/ModuleFire1 injured
Filed May 21, 200755,056 milesCA

WIFE HAD JUST GOTTEN HOME FROM GROCERY STORE AND ABOUT A HALF HOUR LATER THE DOG WAS BARKING. SHE LOOKED INTO THE GARAGE AND THE 2002 FORD ESCAPE WAS ON FIRE. SHE BROKE A WINDOW TO PUT WATER ON THE FIRE TO KEEP IT FROM SPREADING TO OTHER CARS AND BOAT IN GARAGE. FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND FINISHED PUTTING OUT THE FIRE. ESCAPE WAS A TOTAL LOSS AND GARAGE HAD HEAVY SOOT AND SMOKE DAMAGE. AFTER GETTING THE INSURANCE COMPANIES NOTIFICATION OF FIRE AND GETTING WIFE'S CUTS STITCHED WE GOT HOME ABOUT 7:00 P.M. WENT TO GET THE MAIL AND THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FROM FORD MAILED ON APRIL 24, 2007 FROM MICHIGAN ABOUT THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE MODULE. IT STATED THE MODULE COULD SHORT OUT EVEN WITH THE KEY IN THE OFF POSITION. NOTIFIED FORD THE NEXT MORNING OF FIRE. THEY HAD IT INVESTIGATED, AND SAID BECAUSE OF THE SEVERE DAMAGE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE. I THEN ASKED COULD THIS SAFETY RECALL CAUSE THIS KIND OF FIRE, AND THE FORD REPRESENTIVE SAID YES, BUT JUST SUBMIT IT TO YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed May 16, 200785,830 milesCA

I OWN A 2002 FORD ESCAPE AND I HEARD OF THE RECALL REGARDING THE ABS MODULE. I RIGHT AWAY TOOK THE CAR TO MONTEBELLO FORD ON APRIL 14,2007 TO GET IT CHECKED. LATER THAT AFTERNOON THEY TOLD ME THAT THE CAR WAS READY TO BE PICKED UP, BUT THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING REGARDING THE ABS MODULE BECAUSE THE PARTS WERE BACK ORDERED. WHEN I PICKED UP THE CAR ON MONDAY APRIL 16, 2007 ANOTHER SERVICE TECH NICIAN ASKED ME IF EVERYTHING WAS OKAY, AND IF I HAD ANY CONCERNS. I TOLD HIM I DID. I WAS WORRIED ABOUT THE RECALL AND THE CAR WAS NOT FIXED. HE THEN CHECKED MY RECORDS AND HISTORY OF THE CAR, AND TOLD ME THATTHE ABS MODULE WAS OUT ALREADY AND IT NEEDED TO GET IT REPLACED. HE TOLD ME THAT THERE WOULD BE A SHIPMENT IN AT THE END OF THE MONTH, AND THAT I SHOULD CALL HIM TO FOLLOW UP, AND WHEN THE PART WAS IN IT WOULD BE REPAIRED AT NO CHARGE TO ME. I HAVE SINCE THE END OF APRIL TRIED TO GET A HOLD OF HIM AT MONTEBELLO FORD, BUT HE FAILED TO RETURN ANY OF MY PHONE CALLS. I DID LET HIM KNOW ON ONE OF MY MESSAGESS THAT I WOULD BE GOING OUT OF TOWN AT THE END OF MAY AND I WOULD LIKE MY CAR TO BE FIXED SO THAT I COULD FEEL SAFE DRIVING LONG DISTANCE. I WAS VERY DISSATISFIED WITH THE SERVICE AND FELT THAT MY SAFETY WAS NOT IMPORTANT. IF THE ABS MODULE WAS ON RECALL, AND I WASTOLD THAT MY WAS OUT, I EXPECTED TO GET THE SERVICE I DESERVED AS A CONSUMER.*AK

Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module
Filed May 15, 200711,729 milesWI

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ON INTERMITTENTLY ON DASHBOARD. STARTED IN 6/03, TAKEN TO DEALER 5 TIMES AND STILL NOT REPAIRED. I AM RESIGNED TO HAVING AN INOPERATIVE AIRBAG.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module
Filed May 11, 2007119,868 milesOH

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. ON MAY 3, 2007, THE CONTACTS VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL # 07V156000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE). THE ABS MODULE WAS INSPECTED, LUBED, AND PASSED THE ABS MODULE TEST. ON MAY 5, 2007, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE ABS MODULE AS BEING CORRODED AND WILL NOT REPLACE THE MODULE FREE OF CHARGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NO FAILURES WERE PRESENT BEFORE THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE'S PURCHASE DATE AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 119,868. UPDATED 06/15/07 *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module
Filed May 10, 2007NJ

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE # 07V156000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE). THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE THE RECALL REPAIR PART AND IT WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL JULY. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE WAIT TIME FOR THE PART IS TOO LONG. NO FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED AT THIS TIME. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 41,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed May 9, 2007NH

I OWN A 2002 FORD, ESCAPE. THE VEHICLE HAS A CALL BACK FOR THE ABS MODULE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALER IN LEBANON, NH. I WAS THEN INFORMED THAT THE CAR WAS ONE OF THOSE THAT DID HAVE THE PROBLEM AND WILL NEED TO BE REPAIRED. IN THE MEANTIME, I WAS ADVISED BY THE MECHANIC AT FLANDERS & PATCH THAT THE CAR WAS CONSIDERED TOO DANGEROUS TO BE PARKED INSIDE OR EVEN UP CLOSE TO A BUILDING AS IT COULD CATCH ON FIRE. HOWEVER, I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT FORD WILL NOT BE ABLE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM FOR AT LEAST TWO, MAYBE EVEN THREE MONTHS. IN THE MEANTIME, I AM NOT TO PARK THIS CAR INSIDE A GARAGE OR NEAR MY HOME. I LIVE IN AN AREA WHERE WE HAD SEVERAL BREAK INS AND NEVER LEFT MY CAR PARKED OUTSIDE AT NIGHT FOR THAT REASON. ALSO, I SHARED A DRIVEWAY, SO PARKING IWAS VERY LIMITED IN MY AREA. AGAIN, LEAVING THE CAR PARKED OUTSIDE WAS A PROBLEM. ALL I ASKED FROM FORD WASTO FIX THE PROBLEM NOW. FORD /NEEDED TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY PROBLEM I ENCOUNTERED DUE TO THIS FAILURE ON THEIR PART TO FIX THIS. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed May 8, 200768,800 milesPA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, IT WENT DOWN TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE BRAKE PEDAL HAD TO BE DEPRESSED APPROXIMATELY THREE OR FOUR TIMES BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD STOP. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE CLEAR. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW MASTER CYLINDER, POWER BRAKE BOOST, AND A POWER BRAKE CHECK VALVE. THE MECHANIC PERFORMED THE REPAIRS, BUT APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS LATER, THE FAILURES RECURRED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED ANOTHER POWER BRAKE BOOSTER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND NO OTHER FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 73,300 AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 68,800.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module
Filed May 7, 2007RI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE # 07V156000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE). THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL JUNE OF 2007. THE CONTACT HAS NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FAILURES WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 100,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed May 4, 20074,800 milesCT

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL # 07V156000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE), THE DEALER STATED THAT THE OIL PAN GASKET LEAKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST TO REPLACE THE OIL PAN. THE CONTACT IS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 5,360 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,800.

Electrical System › Ignition › Module
Filed Apr 24, 200747,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A SLIGHT ODOR, BACK FIRED ON TWO OCCASIONS, AND RAN POORLY. IN OCTOBER 2005 THE VEHICLE HESITATE D AT 20 MPH. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS THE IGNITION COIL AND REPLACED IT FOR $400. IN MAY 2006 THE VEHICLE RAN POORLY AND BACK FIRED AGAIN. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS THE COIL ONCE AGAIN AND WAS REPLACED AT 52,980 MILES. IN JULY 2006 THE VEHICLE RAN POORLY FOR A THIRD TIME. THE FORD DEALER STATED THAT TWO COILS FAILED AT 53,011 MILES. IN APRIL O 2007 THE CONTACT FELT THE VEHICLE RAN POORLY AGAIN, AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, SUSPECTING COIL FAILURE FOR THE FIFTH TIME. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 60,000 , AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Catalytic Convertor
Filed Apr 23, 2007120,000 milesVA

REPLACED CRACKED CATALYTIC CONVERTER ASY 5L8Z*5G232* CATALYTIC AT 121,000 MILES. CRACKED IN 2 PLACES. FORD TOLD ME IT WAS 2ND FORD ESCAPE IN 2 WEEKS WITH SAME PROBLEM WITH CRACKS IN SAME LOCATION. BILL COST $1126.91 TO REPAIR. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Apr 19, 200770,678 milesPA

I TOOK MY 2002 FORD ESCAPE TO A FORD DEALER TO SEE IF THE RECENT RECALL OF THE ABS MODULE CONNECTOR AFFECTED MY CAR ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT I HAD AN OIL LEAK FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER WHICH WAS DROPPING ONTO THE ABS MODULE. MAYBE THIS IS WHY THE CARS ARE CATCHING FIRE TO BEGIN WITH. IF I HADN'T TAKEN MY CAR IN TO BE CHECKED THE OIL PROBABLY WOULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE. I HAD TO REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDER AND MY CAR ONLY HAS 70K MILES ON IT. I HAVE NEVER REPLACED ONE ON ANY CAR I HAVE EVER OWNED AND I HAVE DRIVEN THEM OVER 150KMILES. IT COST ME 278 DOLLARS..THIS CAR ALSO HAD TO HAVE THE ROTORS REPLACED WHEN I REPLACED THE BRAKES AT 42K. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED AT 34614 MILES,THE COOLANT RECOVERY TANK WAS REPLACED AT THE SAME TIME AS THE LIGHT WAS ON. AT 51K MILES CK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. #4 COIL HAD TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF 282.17. AT 70K THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE GAS CAP FAILED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED . THIS COAST 97 DOLLARS BECAUSE IT HAD TO GO ON A DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE TO FIND THE PROBLEM. I WAS GOING TO BUY A FORD ESCAPE HYBRID BUT NOW I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD. *TR

Electrical System › Wiring › Front UnderhoodFire
Filed Apr 12, 200780,000 milesIN

OUR 2002 FORD ESCAPE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED IN THE GARAGE. IT APPEARS THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED IN OR AROUND THE ABS MODULE. THANKFULLY THERE WERE NO INITIAL SERIOUS INJURIES, THOUGH WE INCURRED SMOKE DAMAGE AND THE INCONVENIENCE OF A NON FUNCTIONING VEHICLE. *JB

Electrical System › Wiring › Front UnderhoodFire
Filed Apr 5, 200786,000 milesNE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. ON FEBRUARY 9, 2007 THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE GARAGE AND BURNED TO THE FRAME. THE FIRE BEGAN ON THE ELECTRICAL INSTRUMENT PANEL ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED WHILE PARKED IN THE GARAGE. THE FIRE MARSHALL AND INSURANCE COMPANY HAVE PHOTOS. THE FIRE MARSHALL STATED THAT THE SWITCH OR SENSOR CAUSED THE FIRE. THE INSURANCE COMPANY INVESTIGATOR STATED THAT THE FIRE WAS DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE BURNED 20 DAYS AFTER IT WAS PURCHASED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 86,000. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/ModuleFire
Filed Mar 28, 200770,000 milesFL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT TWO HOURS AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE SMOKE WAS DETECTED. THE CONTACT LIFTED THE HOOD, AND SMOKE BEGAN TO RISE FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND THEY REMOVED THE BATTERY FROM THE VEHICLE. THE SMOKE CEASED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. ONCE THE DEALER INSERTED THE BATTERY BACK INTO THE VEHICLE,IT IMMEDIATELY STARTED TO SMOKE AGAIN. THE DEALER DAIGNOSED THE FAILURE AS A BURNED OUT ABS MODULE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA ALREADY HASDAN INVESTIGATION OPEN , ACTION # PE06048)FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.*AK

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

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