2002 Ford Escape complaints

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 PURCHA

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

APPROX 1 YEAR AGO - OUR 2002 FORD ESCAPE STARTED TO SMOKE WHILE SITTING IN THE GARAGE. WHEN WE GOT IT TO THE DEALER IS WAS FOUND THAT THE WIRING HARNESS WHERE IT CONNECTED TO THE ABS ECU UNIT HAD SHORTED DUE TO BRAKE FLUID GETTING INTO CONNECTOR. WHEN THE SHOP DISCONNECTED THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR, THE NEXT DAY, THE FLUID IGNITED BURNING UP THE HARNESS. THE ESTIMATED COST TO FIX WAS $2000 DOLLARS, REPLACEMENT OF THE HARNESS AND ECU UNIT. WHICH SINCE THE MAJORITY OF THE DAMAGE WAS DONE IN THE SHOP FORD DID COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR. I AM JUST FILLING THIS AS I HAVE SEEN THAT THIS ISSUE IS UNDER INVESTIGATION, AND THOUGHT THAT I SHOULD REPORT OUR INCIDENT. *JB

MY LOW MILES - 2002 FORD ESCAPE ALMOST KILLED MY WIFE ON SATURDAY. THE DIFFERENTIAL WENT ON MY 2002 FORD ESCAPE PREMIUM EDITION (NOT WORTH THE EXTRA MONEY) AND ALMOST THROUGH THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. IT HAS BEEN REPORTED WHILE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY KEPT CHANGING THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. FERRARIO FORD OF ELMIRA HEIGHTS NY CLAIMS THAT THAT WAS THE RIGHT THING TO DO WHEN IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. NOW IT IS GOING TO COST $4000 TO FIX AND NO ONE IS ACCEPTING RESPONSIBILITY FOR ALMOST KILLING MY WIFE WITH THEIR NEGLIGENCE OR PAYING FOR IT BECAUSE IT HAS THE LOWEST WARRANTY IN THE BIZ. IF YOU HAVE A SIMILAR STORY I'D LOVE TO HEAR IT: [email protected] OR 315-491-9629. HENRY WILLCOX. *NM

THE KEY LOCK CYLINDER HAS BEEN DEFECTIVE FOR QUITE A PERIOD OF TIME IN THAT IT ALLOWS ME TO TAKE OUT THE KEYS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN DRIVE OR REVERSE. CAR HAS ROLLED ON SOME OCCASIONS. SO FAR I HAVE CAUGHT THE PROBLEM BEFORE ANYTHING IS DAMAGED BUT I KNOW FOR ALL THE CARS I HAVE OWNED IT IS NOT PROPER THAT THE KEYS CAN BE WITHDRAWN WHILE IN DRIVE. I JUST REPORTED IT TO THE FORD DEALER 10-22-06 AND THEY SAID IT WAS NOT CORRECT BUT THERE HAD BEEN NO RECALL SO PROBABLY I WOULD HAVE TO REPAIR AT MY OWN COST. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. IT WAS MANEUVERED OFF THE ROAD AND RESTARTED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PAST 20 MPH AND STALLED AGAIN WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE PCM, SIX IGNITION COILS AND SIX SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR REPAIR ON 4/22/06 BECAUSE MY ABS LIGHT HAD BEEN ON FOR A FEW DAYS. I WAS TOLD THAT MY RIGHT DRIVE AXLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THAT REPLACING THAT COULD POSSIBLY SOLVE THE PROBLEM WITH MY ABS LIGHT. IT DID NOT. I WAS THEN TOLD THAT I MIGHT NEED A NEW ABS MODULE. I WAS ADVISED THAT THE REPAIR SHOP WOULD CALL THE FOLLOWING MONDAY WITH A PRICE AND THAT MY CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY DURING NORMAL BRAKING SITUATIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST OIL PRESSURE DUE TO SCORING IN THE CAM JOURNALS. THE MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDED A COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF THE ENGINE.

AT FIRST START UP OF MORNING, WHILE DRIVING THE IDLE KICKS UP TO 2000 RPM'S. WHEN I STOP THE CAR AND PUT IT IN NEUTRAL, THAT'S WHERE I NOTICE THE TACH REVVING TO 2000. AFTER DRIVING FOR 3 TO 5 MILES, IT FINALLY GOES TO NORMAL. IF I SHUT OFF CAR, AND RESTART IT, ITS FINE. I HAD THE CAR TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES TO NO AVAIL, THE PUT A RECORDER DEVICE IN THE CAR AND WHEN I NOTICED THE PROBLEM, I WAS TO PUSH THE BUTTON. THEY SENT THE BOX TO FORD, WHO IN TURN SAID IT WAS SUPPOSED TO DO THAT. I AM AT A STANDSTILL RIGHT NOW, WITH NO FIX IN SITE. THE VEHICLE IS HARDER TO STOP IN THE MORNINGS DUE TO THE INCREASED IDLE. THIS STARTED RIGHT BEFORE THE 3 YEAR BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY EXPIRED. IT IS CONTINUING TO HAPPEN TO DATE. THANK YOU. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE ABS LIGHT AND EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER. WHILE BEING INSPECTED BY THE DEALER, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE ABS WIRING AND THAT ALL THE WIRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $1600. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO HONOR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND THE OWNER REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR COSTS OUT OF POCKET. DEALER THEN REFUSED TO RETURN THE VEHICLE TO OWNER WITHOUT REPAIR DUE TO FIRE HAZARD. THE DEALER ASSISTED THE OWNER WITH THE PURCHASE OF A 2006 MERCURY MARINER BY PAYING OFF THE REMAINDER OF THE LOAN BALANCE ON THE FORD ESCAPE UPDATED 10/25/2006 - *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE VEHICLE MISFIRED ON CYLINDER #1 AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE LEFT REAR TIRE MADE A NOISE. UPON VISUAL INSPECTION IT WAS NOTICED THAT THE TIRE HAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE TREAD BELT. THE TIRES WERE THE VEHICLE'S ORIGINAL ONES AND HAD ONLY 25800 MILES. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPLACEMENT. THE TIRE SIZE WAS P225/70R15.*AK UPDAYED 10/4/2006 - *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY, THEN BECAME CONSTANT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY PRETENSIONER KIT NEEDED TO BE INSTALLED FOR THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES. THE WIRING FOR THE AIRBAG WAS ALSO INSPECTED, AND IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE WIRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THE PROBLEM OCCURRED 4 TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED BUT DENIED THE CLAIM.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE TRAVELING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. ON 08/24/06, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO DETERMINED THAT THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MODULE WAS NOT OPERATING CORRECTLY. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, #04V165000, REGARDING THE POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

IN APRIL 2005 MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK IT TO FORD AUTOLAND AND WAS TOLD I NEEDED TO PAY TO HAVE SOME SWITCH OR MODULE REPLACED COST OVER 400.00 DOLLARS. HAD THE REPAIRS COMPLETED AND NOW 18 MONTHS LATER SAME PROBLEM AND I AM TOLD I HAVE TO PAY ANOTHER $400 TO FIX SAME PROBLEM. *JB

FOR THE PAST 3 MONTHS, WHILE DECELERATING TO STOP, MY VEHICLE WILL CUT OFF, ALSO OCCURRING WHEN I DECELERATE IN BUSY TRAFFIC. ON ONE INSTANCE WHILE PULLING ACROSS A HIGHWAY, MY VEHICLE STALLED AND I WAS ALMOST HIT IN THE SIDE BY AN ONCOMING CAR BECAUSE I COULD NOT GET THE CAR STARTED AGAIN. *JB

2002 FORD ESCAPE XLT CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD. *KB THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO REPLACED THE BOOSTER, HCU AND HCU HARNESS. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE FIRE WAS THE RESULT OF A FAULTY CRUISE CONTROL DEACTIVATION SWITCH. THIS SWITCH HAD BEEN RECALLED IN 1994-2002 FORD F150'S, NAVIGATORS AND EXPEDITIONS. . *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION FAILED SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING 72 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP WHO DETERMINED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. UPDATED 9/15/2006 - *NM

FORD 02 ESCAPE. VALUE BODY TRANSMISSION ISSUES, METAL SHAVINGS IN TRANSMISSION FLUID, CAR ONLY 4 YEARS, 80K HIGHWAY MILES. CAR MAINTENANCE KEPT UP. TWO FORD DEALERSHIPS TELLING ME IT COULD COST 1 TO $2000 TO FIX. FORD COMPANY WOULD NOT HELP. CAN PROVIDE CONTROL NUMBER. DEALERSHIP WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. THIS HAS TO BE A MANUFACTURE ISSUE. DTC CODES TESTED PO741 & P1744. CONTROL# 14998722626. PLEASE HELP. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S PASSENGER SIDE DOOR DID NOT OPEN FROM BOTH SIDES. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THAT THE DOOR PANEL NEEDED TO REMOVED TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM BUT HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE FOR REPAIR.

MY CAR HAD BEEN PARKED FOR HOURS AND ALL OF SUDDEN THE ALARM STARTED GOING OFF. I WENT OUTSIDE TO GET IT TO GO OFF AND REALIZED THERE WAS SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE ALARM WOULDN'T GO OFF AND EVENTUALLY QUIT BUT THE SMOKE KEPT COMING AND I REALIZED THERE WERE ACTUAL FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY SO THE CAR WOULDN'T HAVE ANOTHER CHANCE OF SPARKING UP. PRESENTLY, I HAVE THE VEHICLE IN A FORD DEALERSHIP SHOP. THEY SAID THAT THE FIRE STARTED AT THE WIRING HARNESS THAT PLUGS INTO THE ABS MODULAR. THE WIRING HARNESS AND SOME OTHER PART ARE BEING ORDERED TO BE REPLACED. AS FAR AS THEY KNOW THAT NEEDS REPLACED AND THERE MAY BE MORE ONCE THEY ACTUALLY START TAKING THE CAR APART AND SEEING WHAT ELSE WAS DAMAGED. THE FIRE PROBABLY BURNED FOR A GOOD 10 MINUTES. *JB

SINCE HAVING MY 2002 FORD ESCAPE, I HAVE HAD ONGOING PROBLEMS WITH MY AIRBAG LIGHT STAYING ON. ON OCCASION IT GOES OFF, BUT ALWAYS COMES BACK ON AGAIN. THE PROBLEM BEGAN WITHIN A FEW MONTHS OF PURCHASING MY ESCAPE AND TOOK 4+ VISITS TO RECTIFY. THE PROBLEM RESURFACED AGAIN LAST YEAR. I WAS RECENTLY QUOTED $400.00 TO GET THIS FIXED. IT SEEMS UNREASONABLE TO HAVE TO PAY SO MUCH MONEY TO GET THIS FIXED WHEN THERE IS A CLEAR PATTERN OF IT BEING A PROBLEM WITH ESCAPES, AND IS AN ISSUE THAT IS NOT RELATED TO DRIVER RECKLESSNESS OR USAGE PATTERNS. *NM

FOLLOW UP TO AN EARLIER REPORT REGARDING A 2002 FORD ESCAPE XLT WITH IGNITION COIL PROBLEMS. ON MAY 30, THE VEHICLE LOST ANOTHER IGNITION COIL (3 PREVIOUSLY HAD DIED) AFTER SITTING OVERNIGHT IN A RAINSTORM. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO MANIFEST ITSELF WHEN IT HAS BEEN RAINING OR VERY HUMID. THE TRUCK WAS TAKEN TO MACQUIRE FORD AND WAS AGAIN DIAGNOSED WITH A FAILED NUMBER 1 IGNITION COIL. THE COIL WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $390. THE TRUCK WAS PICKED UP FRIDAY, JUNE 2, DRIVEN HOME AND PARKED. WHEN WE WENT TO DRIVE THE TRUCK AT 6PM THAT NIGHT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE TRUCK RAN ROUGH. THE DEALER WASN'T HAPPY TO SEE US BACK SATURDAY MORNING. THIS TIME COIL NUMBER 3 HAD GONE. NO ONE KNOWS WHY 5 COILS HAVE NOW FAILED AT THE COST OF $1300. THE FINAL ORIGINAL COIL HAS ALSO BEEN REPLACED. NO ONE AT FORD CAN GIVE AN ANSWER AND I AM OUT A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF MONEY AND I SOMEHOW DOUBT THIS PROBLEM WILL BE RESOLVED. *NM

2002 FORD ESCAPE ACCELERATES WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED OF A RECALL NOTICE (04V574000) AND REPAIRS WERE MADE. PROBLEM RESURFACED AGAIN IN MARCH 2006.*KB THE ACCELERATOR CABLE WHICH WAS REPLACED 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. *NM UPDATED 09/11/06. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED DURING THE NIGHT, THE VEHICLE ALARM SOUNDED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS APPROACHED, IT WAS NOTICED THAT SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE ALERTED TO THE SCENE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED IT OCCURRED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING NORMAL PRIOR TO THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT A LOCAL DEALERSHIP AWAITING FURTHER INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 10 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. THE CONTACT THEN REVERSED AND PUT THE VEHICLE BACK IN DRIVE. AFTER TRAVELING A SHORT DISTANCE, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WAS TURNED THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION OF THE OTHER TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THE TIE ROD FRACTURED AND BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AFTER THIS, THE AXLE FRACTURED AS WELL. THE TIE ROD AND AXLE WERE REPLACED. UPDATED 7/14/2006 - THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE TIE ROD FRACTURED DUE TO RUST. *NM

LEFT REAR DOOR IS JAMMED CLOSED. WILL NOT UNLOCK EITHER ELECTRICALLY OR MANUALLY. DOOR CANNOT BE OPENED FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE HANDLE. DEALER IS VERY HELPFUL BUT UNABLE TO REPAIR. NTSB LISTS SEVERAL OF SAME COMPLAINT BUT FORD HAS NO SOLUTION. ONLY ONE REMAINING EXIT FROM REAR AND LIKELY TO FAIL FROM SAME DESIGN AND TRAP PASSENGERS. *JB

I OWN A 2002 FORD ESCAPE XLT WHICH I PURCHASED NEW IN 2001. LAST JUNE, I DID NOT USE THE VEHICLE FOR SEVERAL DAYS DURING WHICH TIME IT RAINED. WHEN I WENT TO START THE ENGINE, IT RAN SLUGGISHLY AND SHUDDERED. AFTER A FEW MOMENTS, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE TRUCK BEGAN EMITTING SMOKE. I TURNED THE ENGINE OFF, CALLED MY LOCAL DEALER, VARNEY FORD, AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED THERE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE #3 "SPARK PLUG COIL" (IGNITION COIL) HAD BURNED OUT. I WAS TOLD THAT MOISTURE HAD ENTERED THE COIL. NO EXPLANATION FOR HOW THAT WAS HAPPENING WAS GIVEN. COST $180 TO REPAIR. YESTERDAY, AFTER SEVERAL DAYS OF RAIN, I WENT TO ONCE AGAIN START MY TRUCK. IT EXACTLY REPEATED THE PREVIOUS INCIDENT. THIS TIME HOWEVER, I DROVE THE TRUCK TO THE DEALER...IT COULD NOT TRAVEL MORE THAN 30 MILES AN HOUR. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS TIME COILS NUMBER 4 AND 6 HAD FAILED. COST THIS TIME $325. ONCE AGAIN I WAS TOLD MOISTURE HAD SOMEHOW GOTTEN INTO THE COIL SYSTEM. SO IN OTHER WORDS, I OWN A TRUCK THAT CANNOT SIT IDLE FOR EVEN A DAY IN RAINY OR DAMP WEATHER WITHOUT A COIL BURNING OUT. FROM WHAT I GATHER FROM READING THE TRAVAILS OF OTHER ESCAPE OWNERS IS THAT THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM. FORD SAYS "THERE MUST BE A PIN HOLE SOMEWHERE THAT THEY WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO FIX". WHILE THIS WOULDN'T PRESENT A PROBLEM IF I ELECTED TO LIVE IN A DESERT ENVIRONMENT, IT WILL CONTINUE TO BE AN EXPENSE AND RENDER THE TRUCK USELESS IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. THANK YOU. HEIDI ROBBINS. *NM

1) ON SATURDAY 18 AT APPROXIMATELY 2:00 PM, MY WIFE, LINDA, WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MILES WEST OF BROADUS, MT WHEN SHE PASSED ANOTHER VEHICLE. 2) AFTER PASSING THE VEHICLE, HER VEHICLE SPEED WOULD NOT RETURN TO NORMAL DRIVING SPEED. INSTEAD, IT STUCK AT NEARLY 80 MPH. NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS TO RELEASE THE SPEED, EVEN APPLYING MAXIMUM BRAKING PRESSURE, HAD NO EFFECT. LINDA TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND COASTED TO A STOP AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AFTER NEGOTIATING A CURVE THAT COULD EASILY HAVE CAUSED A ROLL-OVER. LINDA TRIED RESTARTING THE MOTOR, BUT IT WAS STILL RACING, AND THE TACHOMETER REACHED 5000 RPMS. 3) FORTUNATELY, ANOTHER MOTORIST WHO WAS FAMILIAR WITH AUTOMOBILES, STOPPED TO GIVE ASSISTANCE. HE DISCONNECTED THE CRUISE CONTROL. THIS ALLOWED THE MOTOR TO RETURN TO NORMAL SPEED, AND LINDA WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE AND COMPLETE HER TRIP HOME. THE ASSISTING MOTORIST DID INDICATE THAT THE CABLE TO THE CRUISE CONTROL SEEMED TO BE LOOSE. UPON CHECKING VARIOUS WEB-SITES,INCLUDING THE NHTSA SITE, I FOUND THAT A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED IN 2004 FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 04V574000). I CALLED THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY RECALL INFORMATION SITE (1-866-436-7332) BUT WAS TOLD THAT BECAUSE OF WHERE MY ESCAPE WAS MANUFACTURED, IT DID NOT QUALIFY FOR FREE REPAIR. AS OF NOW MY VEHICLES CRUISE REMAINS DISABLED. I THINK THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW NOT A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM BASED ON PLACE OF MANUFACTURE. THEREFORE, I BELIEVE FORD SHOULD COVER THE COST OF REPAIR. *NM

SMALL IMPACT UNDER 5 MILES PER HOUR AND MY AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. NO DAMAGE TO MY CAR AT ALL. WAS HAVING A PROBLEM FOR A YEAR WITH MY SRS AIR BAG LIGHT COMING ON. TOOK IT TO FORD SEVERAL TIMES AND NOTHING RESOLVED THE ISSUE. SEEMS THAT THE SENSOR WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND MY AIR BAGS SHOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED. FORD WILL NOT COVER THE "HIGH" COST OF REPLACING THE AIR BAGS UNDER WARRANTY. DEALER WAS SHOCKED THAT THERE WAS NO DAMAGE AT ALL TO MY CAR AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *NM

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A DARK COUNTRY ROAD LAST WEEK WHEN MY HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY PROBLEM. I SWITCHED TO LOW BEAMS WHICH WORKED. SATURDAY MORNING I WENT TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER. NO MECHANIC WAS ON DUTY ;BUT THE OWNER VERIFIED THE LIGHTS DID NOT WORK. HE SAID TO BRING IT BACK MONDAY FOR A MECHANIC TO CHECK IT. MONDAY THE MECHANIC CHECKED IT OUT AND COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. THE LIGHTS WORKED ON MONDAY. HE SAID TO BRING IT IN WHEN THEY WERE NOT WORKING SO THEY COULD GET AN ERROR CODE. WELL, I HAD DONE THAT. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND THE LIGHTS WORK NOW. I CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE; BUT I CANNOT FIND OUT IF OTHER CARS ARE HAVING A SIMILAR PROBLEM. I WAS ADVISED TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN. THE PROBLEM IS THEY HAVE TO CATCH IT WHILE IT IS HAPPENING. ALSO THE DEALER IS NOT OPEN AT NIGHT. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW ABOUT OTHERS WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND IF THEY KNOW HOW TO FIX IT.*JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED INDICATING A PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO DETERMINED THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE SEATBELT HARNESS. THE VEHICLE IS BEING REPAIRED.