Page 14 of 21 · complaints 651–700 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 →

Electrical System › Alternator/Generator/Regulator
Filed Aug 3, 200421,217 milesAZ

CHECK BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE AND WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE; TOOK VEHICLE INTO DEALER; DEALER REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR. EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT ON DASHBOARD COMES ON AND STAYS ON REGARDLESS OF WHETHER THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IS ENGAGED; TOOK VEHICLE INTO DEALER; DEALER REPAIRED THE SHORT TO GROUND IN THE BRAKE LAMP CIRCUIT. *AK

Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Filed Aug 3, 200415,464 milesAZ

TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIR OF THE SUN ROOF. COMPLAINT WAS ALREADY ON FILE. ALSO, DEALER REPLACED THE BATTERY. *AK

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Jul 22, 2004AK

2002 FORD ESCAPE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY AT MY RESIDENCE FOLLOWING RETURNING RENTLA MOVIES AT APPROXIMATELY 11:30 PM ON 6/30/2004. AT APPROXIMATELY 6:00 AM ON 7/1/2004, I WAS AWAKENED BY THE CAR ALARM. LOOKING AT THE CAR FROM THE BALCONY OUTSIDE THE BEDROOM WINDOW, I COULD SEE THICK DARK SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I TOOK THE CAR KEYS AND MANUALLY UNLOCKED THE VEHICLE TO GET THE HOOD RELEASE. AS SOON AS THE DOOR WAS UNLOCKED, THE ALARM SILENCED. I THEN OPENED THE HOOD AND AS SOON AS I DID THE WIRING HARNESS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FIREWALL BURST INTO FLAME. I RAN INTO THE GARAGE AND GOT A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. AFTER THE FIRE WAS OUT, I COULD HEAR A STRONG ELECTRICAL HUM. AT THAT POINT I WENT BACK THE GARAGE AND GOT TOOLS TO REMOVE THE POSITIVE BATTERY TERMINAL. AS SOON AS TERMINAL WAS REMOVED THE SOUND CEASED. THE CAR WAS LATER TOWED TO STEPP BROTHERS LINCOLN MERCURY WHERE IT REMAINS AS OF TODAY. STEPP BROTHER HAS ORDERED A NEW WIRING HARNESS IN ORDER TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND IT IS STILL ON BACK ORDER. *JB PHONE INTERVIEW UPDATE (NOV. 7, 05) FORD DID THE REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY AND KEPT THE OLD PARTS; THEY SAID THE FIRE WAS DUE TO AN ABS SENSOR SHORTED OUT. MR. EVERMON ALSO SAID THAT HE HAD TO FILL THE MASTER CYLINDER THREE TIMES SINCE HE PURCHSED THE VEHICLE.

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
Filed Jul 20, 20043,500 milesCA

HIGH REVVING WHEN IN DRIVE,NEUTRAL,PARK. RPM UP TO 4. NOTICED WHEN AT STOP LIGHTS THAT IT WAS REVVING VERY HIGH, PULLED OVER AND PUT IT IN PARK AND THE CAR WILL REV TO 4. I HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM OVER 6 TIME TO FORD DEALERSHIPS IN VALENCIA, CA. AND PALMDALE, CA. THEY ALWAYS SAY THEY NO WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND THEY FIX IT WITH NO CHARGE, HOWEVER IT ALWAYS COMES BACK. I HAVE ALL MY SERVICE REPAIRS DOCUMENTED. I HAVE TAKEN MY COMPLAINT TO THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE DEPT. AND THEY HAVE PUT ME IN TOUCH WITH THE DISTRICT SERVICE MANAGER, HOWEVER, HAS NEVER CONTACTED ME. I DON'T KNOW WHAT ELSE TO DO. FOR A WHILE MY 16 YEAR OLD WAS DRIVING IT AND MY CONCERN FOR AN ACCIDENT WAS GREAT. SHE DOES NOT DRIVE IT ANYMORE. PLEASE ADVISE. *LA

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jul 20, 2004NC

THE VEHICLE STILL STALLS AFTER AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION RECALL, 04V176000, REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS CONTACTED AND INDICATED THAT DID ALL THEY CAN DO. *LA

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
Filed Jul 20, 200442,000 milesNC

INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. VEHICLE WILL START BUT WILL NOT IDLE. WILL STALL UNLESS GAS IS APPLIED AT ALL TIMES. WILL STALL IF DECELERATING. FIRST TIME PROBLEM OCCURRED, POWER RELAY SEARCH WAS ADDRESSED. THEN PCM RECALL WAS APPLIED, AND PROBLEM HAPPENED AGAIN. NOW DEALER SAYS AIR BYPASS VALVE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. CAR HAS 42,000 MILES ON IT. *LA

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 17, 2004NJ

POWER TRAIN SLIPPING. THIS WILL BE THE SECOND TRANSMITTION FOR THIS 3 YEAR OLD CAR. THE FIRST WENT OUT AT 30,000 AND NOW THE OTHER ONE IS GOING. THE VEHICLE IS HIGH MILEAGE, BUT IT IS ONE OWNER AND 90% OF THE MILES ARE HIGHWAY MILES.*AK

Power Train › Automatic TransmissionCrash2 injured
Filed Jul 15, 200429,100 milesIL

DRIVER PUT THE VEHICLE INTO PARK AND WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD. THIS CAUSED CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND HIT SOME OBJECTS HEAD ON INSIDE OF THE GARAGE BEFORE STOPPING. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. CONSUMER WILL HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP.*AK THE DRIVER WAS IN THE PROCESS OF PLACING GEAR FROM DRIVE TO PARK WHEN VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD. UPON IMPACT, THE SHIFTER IS BETWEEN PARK AND DRIVE. *LA

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control › Gas Recirculation Valve (egr Valve)
Filed Jul 9, 200483,000 milesTX

WHEN ACCELERATING OR DECELERATING VEHICLE HESITATED AND OR STALLED. RECALL 94V165000 WAS ISSUED. HOWEVER, VEHICLE'S MILEAGE PREVENTED VEHICLE TO BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *AK

Equipment
Filed Jul 7, 200439,300 milesTX

1)2002 FORD ESCAPE DIED WHILE DRIVING. CONTROL OF THE STEERING AND BRAKES WAS LOST. )THIS HAS HAPPENED ON TWO OCCASIONS. TWO DIFFERENT FORD SERVICE CENTERS ARE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. I FEEL THIS VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I COULD BE IN AN ACCIDENT IF IN ANY TRAFFIC AND AM UNABLE TO RECOVER THE VEHICLE. 3)BOTH FORD DEALERSHIPS WERE UNABLE TO DETECT THIS FAILURE ON THEIR DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT. I CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND WAS TOLD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP NEXT TIME THIS HAPPENS. SERVICE DEPARTMENT NOTIFIED ME THERE IS A ATSB FOR A PCM REPROGRAM, BUT DID NOT PERFORM THIS REPAIR BECAUSE HE CANNOT GUARANTEE THAT IT WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAVE ALL DOCUMENTATION FROM THE SERVICE DEPARTMENTS REGARDING THESE COMPLAINTS AND "REPAIRS".*AK

Electrical System
Filed Jun 25, 2004OH

FORD ESCAPE ENGINES MAY STALL AT CERTAIN SPEEDS.*MR THE CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HAS STALLED THREE TIMES IN THE LAST TWO YEARS. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER ABOUT RECALL RELATED TO STALLING. THE MANUFACTURER EXPLAINED TO THE CONSUMER THAT HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. *NM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Jun 14, 200433,000 milesGA

DRIVING ON FREEWAY AND STARTED TO SLOW DOWN...MOVED FOOT OFF GAS PEDAL TO SLOW (WAS GOING ABOUT 50 MPH AT THE TIME AND ABOUT 65 MPH BEFORE GETTING ANY BRAKES TO WORK) AND IT KEPT GOING DOWN AND STUCK ON HIGH EXCELERATION...WENT TO PUT ON BRAKES AND BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT PUSH DOWN, BARELY HAD ANY BRAKES. FORD SERVICE SAID RECALL THIS MORNING ON ACCELERATOR STICKING...BUT BRAKES WERE MY PROBLEM..I HAVE NOT HAD ANY PROBLEM WITH BRAKES PRIOR TO THIS. AT 33000 MILES, GRANTED THERE IS WEAR BUT I HAD EXPERIENCED NONE..SO STUCK PAYING FOR COMPLETE REPLACEMENT..SAID THEY WERE SHOT AND UNSAFE....ALL I CAN SAY IS I WAS EXTREMLY FORTUNATE TO GET UNDER CONTROL AND NO ACCIDENT. AND FORD SHOULD ACCEPT SOME OF THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE BRAKES . *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Drum › Shoes/Linings
Filed Jun 10, 200420,500 milesMN

I PURCHASED A 2002 FORD ESCAPE IN JUNE OF 2003. I NOTICED, DRIVING HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP, EXCESSIVE NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR BRAKES. MY INITIAL REQUEST FOR THE DEALER TO LOOK INTO THIS NOISE WAS MET WITH A REPLY THAT THE BRAKES WERE INSPECTED BEFORE THE VEHICLE WAS PUT ON THE LOT AND CHECKED OUT FINE. THE PURCHASE, HOWEVER, WAS A COUPLE MONTHS AFTER THEY HAD DONE THEIR INSPECTION. THE NOISE CONTINUED AND GRADUALLY GREW WORSE AND A COUPLE WEEKS LATER THEY AGREED THE BRAKES SHOULD BE INSPECTED AGAIN. OUTSIDE OF EXCESSIVE BRAKE DUST BUILD UP, THEY INDICATED THE BRAKES WERE FINE. THE NOISE CONTINUED AND I AGAIN BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK IN. AT THIS POINT, THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THERE APPEARED TO BE SEVERAL AREAS OF ROUGH EDGES AND THEY INDICATED ALL BRAKE SURFACES HAD BEEN SANDED TO REMOVE THESE IMPERFECTIONS. THIS PROCESS WORKED FOR NO MORE THAN 48 HOURS BEFORE THE NOICE RETURNED, BUT EVEN LOUDER. I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS EVER SINCE AND IT HAS GROWN INCREASINGLY FRUSTRATING, AS TEH DEALERSHIP SUBSEQUENTLY ADVISED ME OF THE BULLETIN POSTED REGARDING EXCESSIVE BRAKE DUST. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT A SOLUTION WAS TO BE IN PLACE BY Q4 2003 OR Q1 2004. I CONTINUE TO BE TOLD THERE IS NO REMEDY YET AND I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS LOUD ANNOYANCE COULD BECOME A PROBLEM WITH BRAKE FUNCTION. I DRIVE QUITE A BIT FOR MY WORK AND PLAN TO PULL A POP-UP CAMPER FOR A 2-WEEK VACATION THIS SUMMER AND I HAVE NO INTEREST IN PUTTING MYSELF, MY FAMILY OR ANY ONE ELSE IN JEOPARDY SHOULD

Electrical System › Horn
Filed Jun 7, 2004FL

WHILE DRIVING SRS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. CONSUMER PRESSED DOWN THE HORN AND IT FAILED. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT ON RECALL. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jun 4, 200427,000 milesVT

THE CONSUMER WAS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. THE BRAKES DID NOT STOP THE VEHICLE WHEN MOVING IN REVERSE. THE DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES, HOWEVER, THE BRAKES DID NOT STOP THE CAR. *JB WHEN BACKING BY A GAS STATION PUMP, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP AND NEARLY ENDED OUT ON A BUSY ROAD. THE BRAKES WERE PUMPED TWICE AND THE PARKING BRAKE WAS APPLIED. LESS THAN A WEEK LATER WHEN BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED UPHILL, ACROSS A ROAD, OVER INTO THE WOODS. *SC JB

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed May 19, 200444,000 milesIN

2002 FORD ESCAPE V6. MULTIPLE PROBLEMS THE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, SHUDDERING, AND NOW A TOTAL FAILURE. FOR THE SHUDDERING THE FLUID WAS FLUSHED AND REPLACED WITH A DIFFERENT TYPE, AND NEW CODES PROGRAMED. *AK HAVEN'T TAKEN IT IN FOR THE TOTAL FAILURE YET. (TOMORROW)

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed May 17, 2004IL

CONSUMER SLOWLY PULLED INTO THE GARAGE WITH FOOT ON THE BRAKES AND STOPPED. SHE PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK, AND SUDDENLY VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD, CAUSING IT TO CRASH INTO THE BACK OF THE GARAGE, DAMAGING THE REFRIGERATOR AND THE BACK OF THE GARAGE, AND KNOCKING THE GARAGE 4-5 INCHES OFF THE FOUNDATION. CONSUMER WAS NOT INJURED BUT SHOOK UP. CONSUMER AND HUSBAND CALLED THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND THE DEALER. THE INSURANCE REPRESENTATIVE WAS SUPPOSE TO COME TO THE HOUSE TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE. *AK

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed May 17, 200453,000 milesMD

FAILURE OF PASSENGER DOOR TO OPEN ON A 2002 FORD ESCAPE XLT SUV PREVENTING PASSENGER FROM BEING ABLE TO EXIT VEHICLE. NO KEYLOCK EXISTS AND THERE IS NO WAY TO OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE OR FROM THE OUTSIDE . *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Control Module (tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
Filed May 17, 2004FL

RECALL NOTICE FOR 2002 FORD ESCAPE ARRIVED A MONTH TOO LATE. *MR THE CONSUMER SOLD THE VEHICLE A MONTH BEFORE THE RECALL NOTICE ARRIVED. THE VEHICLE BEGAN STALLING PRIOR TO RECALL NOTICE 04S13 OR 04V-165000. PRIOR TO THE RECALL THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO ALLEVIATE THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER SUGGESTED A GAS TREATMENT SYSTEM FOR THE FUEL INJECTION, BUT THE STALLING PERSISTED. THE CONSUMER REQUEST COMPENSATION FOR THE TREATMENT, TIME LOST AND STRESS FORD PUT HER THROUGH WITH THE ESCAPE. *NM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor
Filed May 13, 2004NV

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE, AND VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT BRAKE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WORN OUT PARTS. *AK

Steering › Steering Wheel/Handle Bar
Filed Apr 29, 200475 milesAK

THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING. THIS OCCURRED BECAUSE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER HAD A SLOW LEAK THAT PROGRESSED. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THE LEAK MAY BE DUE TO A BAD CYLINDER CAP. THE CAP WAS REPLACED. ALSO AT 100 MILES THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE AND FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO SEPARATE FROM IT'S LINKAGE. A SCREW IN THE STEERING WHEEL HAD BECAME LOOSE AND NEEDED TO BE TIGHTENED. THE DEALERSHIP TIGHTENED THE SCREW AND PUT A PUNCH MARK INTO THE SIDE OF THE SCREW TO MAKE IT STAY IN PLACE BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *NM THE MASTER PARTS WERE NOT WORKING THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOOSE AFTER 50 MILES. THE MASTER CYLINDER HAD A SLOW LEAK, WHICH WORSENED OVER TIME AND TIGHTENING DID NOT FIX. THE CONSUMER FOUND THE BACK LIGHT BEHIND THE GEAR SELECTOR AND ODOMETER WENT OUT, THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAD COME ON, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON, THE RADIO DID NOT START, THE VEHICLE STALLED, AND THE SEAT BELTS WERE INOPERATIVE. *SC *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control
Filed Apr 28, 2004CA

CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER' 4-5 TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. WHEN SHE TURNED ON HEAT OR AIR CONDITIONER THERE WAS A MILDEW SMELL. EACH TIME THAT CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE DEALER SHE WAS TOLD TO COME BACK IF THE LIGHT CAME ON. DEALER COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE FOUL SMELL. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING A WIND CAME INTO VEHICLE EVEN THOUGH THE DOORS WERE CLOSED. IN ADDITION, CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT THE STEERING WHEEL MAKING NOISE. DEALER WILL NOT LOOK AT VEHICLE AGAIN. HOWEVER, CONSUME COMPLAINED VEHICLE WAS FALLING APART, AND THE DEALERS WILL NOT HELP.*AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Fluid
Filed Apr 26, 2004MA

BRAKE "IDIOT" LIGHT ON DASHBOARD LIT.. OUT OF BRAKE FLUID.. DEALER STATED DEFECTIVE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR CAP - REPLACED - QUESTIONED WHY IT WAS OUT OF FLUID WHEN THE FLUIDS WERE SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN "CHECKED AND TOPPED OFF" AT LAST OIL CHANGE 3K MILES PREVIOUSLY - (I HAD ALSO REPORTED GRINDING BRAKES NOISE AT THAT OIL CHANGE WHICH I WAS TOLD WAS JUST DUE TO EXCESSIVE BRAKE DUST BUILDUP.. ) *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Radiator Assembly
Filed Apr 26, 200420,000 milesMA

IDIOT LITE FOR RADIATOR LIT - LOW ON RADIATOR FLUID - VEHICLE HAD BEEN SERVICED JUST 1 MONTH PRIOR WITH A "CHECK AND TOP OFF ALL FLUIDS" OIL CHANGE - WHY WAS THE LOW FLUID NOT DETECTED AT THAT TIME?*AK

Visibility › Windshield
Filed Apr 26, 2004100 milesMA

WINDSHIELD CREAKS WHEN IT'S RAINING/WET. *AK

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Apr 26, 2004100 milesMA

EXCESSIVE BRAKE DUST ON FRONT TIRES - RIMS ARE BLACK WITHIN 3 DAYS OF CLEANING - DEALER REPORTS THIS IS 'NORMAL'..*AK

Electrical System › 12v/24v/48v Battery
Filed Apr 22, 2004TX

WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO START VEHICLE AND DROVE IT HOME. THE NEXT DAY, VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC REPLACED THE BATTERY. DRIVER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON AFTER THE BATTERY WAS REPLACED. *AK

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
Filed Apr 14, 200457,400 milesCT

I PULLED INTO A PARKING SPACE AT A DRUG STORE, STOPPED, AND AS I WAS PUTTING THE CAR IN PARK, IT SURGED FORWARD OVER THE CURB AND INTO THE BUILDING. THE ENGINE THEN RETURNED TO IDLE. I PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE TO BACK OUT AND IT SURGED BACKWARD BUT I WAS ABLE TO STOP IT QUICKLY. IT AGAIN RETURNED TO NORMAL IDLE. THE CAR HAS 57K MILES AND HAD NO PRIOR PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE.

SteeringCrash
Filed Apr 8, 200425,000 milesPA

WHILE DRIVING AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE ILLUMINATION OF AIR BAG LIGHT HAPPENED IN AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. CONSUMER WAS ALSO INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE HIS AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. IN ADDITION, CONSUMER EXPERIENCED NOISE IN STEERING WHEEL AND RATTLING NOISE IN EXHAUST. *LA

Electrical System
Filed Apr 6, 200437,000 milesGA

BATTERY LIGHT IS COMING ON AND STAYING FOR UP TO 60 TO 120 SECONDS AND THEN TURNS OFF. HAD MECHANIC TEST FOR ERROR CODES BUT NO CODES ARE BEING WRITTEN. THIS HAS HAPPENED OVER AND OVER AND MORE SO IN COOLER WEATHER BUT IS NOW OCCURRING IN WARM TEMPERATURES. ENGINE HAS STALLED PREVIOUSLY AS WELL. 2002 FORD ESCAPE XLT 2WD. *LA

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Apr 5, 2004VA

INTERMITTENT STALLING PROBLEM OCCURS WITH MY 2002 FORD ESCAPE (V-6 ENGINE) AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 30-35 MPH AND ALWAYS WHEN I AM GOING DOWN HILL AND IN A DECELERATING SITUATION. I HAVE A 9 MILE COMMUTE ON A HILLY, CURVY 2 LANE ROAD AND DURING THE STALL I LOSE ALL POWER STEERING AND BRAKING. I HAVE HAD SOME VERY CLOSE CALLS ON CURVES WHERE I COULD EASILY HAVE LOST CONTROL AND GONE OVER AN EMBANKMENT OR HIT AN ONCOMING CAR. I HAVE ACTUALLY LEARNED TO BECOME A DEFENSIVE DRIVER MECHANICALLY BY KEEPING MY EYE ON THE RPM GAUGE WHEN I DECELERATE BECAUSE I'VE NOTICED THAT THE RPM'S SOMETIMES DROP ERRATICALLY WHEN THE CAR IS ABOUT TO STALL AND BY GIVING IT A LITTLE GAS I CAN AVOID THE STALL. THE CAR HAS BEEN BACK TO THE DEALER 3 OR 4 TIMES AND ALL TSB FIXES HAVE BEEN PERFORMED, YET THE CAR HAS STALLED AT LEAST 3 MORE TIMES SINCE THE LAST FIX. THE DEALER WANTED TO PUT A FLIGHT RECORDER ON TO HELP DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM, BUT WANTED ME TO PUT A $500 DEPOSIT ON THE DEVICE!! WHY ISN'T FORD TAKING THIS PROBLEM MORE SERIOUSLY? FROM THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ ON THIS SITE, IT'S OBVIOUS THAT A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM STILL EXISTS WITH THIS CAR. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Apr 1, 200421,997 milesTX

MODEL: 2002 FORD EXCAPE XLT.ENGINE STALL WITHOUT WARNING AROUND 40 MILES PER HOUR. POWER STEERING AND BRAKE FAILED TO FUNDTION.THE LATEST ONE HAPPENED ON 3/31/2004. THE LAST ONE WAS IN LATE 2002.*AK I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FROM MICHIGAN (VILLAGE FORD AT DEARBORN), AND USE IT IN TEXAS CURRENTLY.

Suspension › Front › Wheel Bearing
Filed Mar 30, 2004TN

BOTH OF THE FRONT BEARING HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED IN MY 2002 FORD ESCAPE. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE WITH ONLY 15,000 MILES. IT NOW ONLY HAS 48,000 MILES. I BELIEVE THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE BEARINGS. MY VEHICLE ALSO TRIES TO STALL WHILE I'M DRIVING. I DID NOT REALIZE THIS WAS SUCH A PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY FORD.*AK

Latches/Locks/Linkages › Doors › Latch
Filed Mar 30, 2004NY

THE DOORS ON THE ESCAPE WILL LOCK THEMSELVES CLOSED. THEY WILL NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE OR OUTSIDE. THIS HAS HAPPENED 2 TIMES TO THIS CAR ON 2 DIFFERENT DOORS. WHAT IF THEY LOCKED IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION AND WE COULD NOT GET OUT?*AK

Electrical System
Filed Mar 25, 2004NC

WHILE DRIVING THE (CRS) LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THE DRIVER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR AN INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC REPLACED A SENSOR IN THE MODULAR. THE PROBLEM STILL CONTINUED. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Mar 14, 200437,000 milesWA

MY VEHICLE HAS SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING STALLED WHILE DRIVING. LOSS OFPOWER STEERING, BRAKES, ETC. I NEARLY HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE AS I COULD NOT CONTROL THE CAR. THIS HAPPEND AT SPEEDS AROUNT 30 MPH AS EARLY AS 6000 MILES ON THE CAR. IT HAS HAPPENED A FEW TIMES AT SLOW SPEEDS OR WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY BUT WAS NOT AS SCARY AS THE ONES THAT HAPPENED WHILE TRAVELLING ON A BUSY ROAD AT 30 MPH. FIRST TIME I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER THEY UPDATED THE PCM AND RESET THE RELAY SWITCH. THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE STALLING HAPPENED A FEW MORE TIMES BUT THEN AGAIN AT HIGH SPEEDS AT 37000 MILES. BROUGHT CAR TO DEALER AGAIN AND THEY UPDATED THE PCM(AGAIN) AND NOW SAY I NEED A NEW IAC VALVE. THEY ARE NOT EVEN SURE THIS WILL CORRECT THE SUDDEN ENGINE STALLING. I READ THROUGH THE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE AND DISCOVERED THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. THERE IS SOMETHING VERY WRONG WITH THE COMPUTER AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED/RECALLED IMMEDIATELY. *AK

Electrical System
Filed Mar 12, 20046,000 milesWA

I BOUGHT A NEW 2002 FORD ESCAPE XLT 4X4. 4 MONTHS AFTER RECEIVING IT FROM THE FACTORY, IT LOST POWER AND DIED SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND RESTARTED IT. I TOOK THE CAR TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY "REPROGRAMMED AND RESET THE RELAY SWITCH" SAYING THAT WOULD CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THEN LAST WEEK, I WAS TRAVELLING 30 MPH ON A BUSY ROAD WHEN THE EXACT SAME THING OCCURRED. THE ENGINE STOPPED AND I LOST ALL POWER, INCLUDING POWER STEERING. THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS AS I WAS GOING AROUND A CURVE AND NEARLY WENT INTO THE ONCOMING LANES AND I WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD JUST AROUND A CURVE, WHERE A CAR COULD COME AROUND THE CORNER AND NOT BE ABLE TO STOP IN TIME BEFORE HITTING ME. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO COAST FOR A FEW FEET AND THEN RESTART THE CAR AGAIN. I RETURNED TO THE SAME FORD DEALERSHIP AGAIN AND THEY "REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER AGAIN" I HAVE HAD NEW CARS BEFORE AND HAVE NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN OR HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING. I DO NOT FEEL IT IS SAFE TO HAVE A CAR'S ENGINE JUST STOP WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH ON A ROAD. I FEEL THERE IS SOMETHING DEFECTIVE WITH THE COMPUTER THAT CAME WITH THE VEHICLE AND THE COMPUTER NEEDS TO BE RECALLED.*AK

Power Train
Filed Mar 11, 2004NY

OUT OF WARRANTY TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 49K MILES. *PH THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A SHUDDER SINCE 37K MILES WHICH ONLY OCCURRED A COUPLE TIMES PER MONTH. FORD FAILED TO ALERT THE CONSUMER OF THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIR. SERVICE BULLETIN#16056636254 *SC

Tires
Filed Mar 10, 2004NY

CONSUMER WILL PROVIDE DETAIL INFORMATION ON THE CONTINENTAL TIRES. MODEL SIZE AND THE DOT# AND THE PROBLEMS SHE HAD WITH THE TIRES. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Feb 28, 200439,933 milesCA

TWO TRANSMISSION FAILURES. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED @ 18,118 MILES AND THEN AGAIN @ 39,933 MILES.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Feb 24, 2004NC

ENGINE STALLED COMING OUT OF DRIVEWAY. I COULD NOT STEER OR USE BRAKES. ALL THE ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON. I PUT THE TRUCK IN PARK AND IT STARTED BACK UP WITH NO PROBLEMS. I AM TAKING THE TRUCK TO THE DEALERSHIP TOMARROW. I WISH I KNEW ABOUT THE STALLING COMPLAINTS BEFORE I PUT MY TWO CHILDREN IN THE BACK SEAT.*AK

Structure
Filed Jan 27, 200445,000 milesNC

THE WINDSHIELD LEAKED WATER WHEN IT RAINED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WAS SEPARATING FROM THE MOLDING, AND IT'S NOT A SAFETY DEFECT IT WAS NORMAL. *AK WHILE DRIVING WATER WOULD GET INSIDE THE VEHICLE. *SC *JB

Suspension
Filed Jan 23, 200429,000 milesPA

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE ENGINE WAS RUMBLING. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *AK THERE WAS UNCONTROLLABLE JUMPING AND OR KICKING. THE DEALER REPLACED ONE DEFECTIVE PART AND WAS TOLD THAT THE RUMBLING NOISE WOULD NEED TO BE INVESTIGATED BY FORD ENGINEERS. FORD DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS CAUSING THE NOISE, BUT SAY IT WAS NOT DANGEROUS. THE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE AT CERTAIN SPEEDS AND CD'S WOULD GET STUCK IN THE CD PLAYER. *SC THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WERE OUT OF ROUND, THE STABILIZER END LINKS WERE REPLACED *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jan 23, 2004OK

THE DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER WILL TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS . WHEN THE PROBLEM HAPPENS AGAIN. *JB

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Jan 23, 200425,000 milesOK

I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 65 MPH AND A DEER CAME OUT IN THE ROAD AND I HIT IT. THE CAR SUSTAINED ENGINE DAMAGED AND PUSHED THE HOOD UP. IT PUSHED THE ENGINE BACK AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *LA

Visibility › Rear Window Wiper/Washer › Motor
Filed Jan 20, 2004OH

2002 FORD ESCAPE ONLY 2 YEARS OLD AND FORD WILL NOT HONOR WARRANTY BECAUSE REAR WIPERS NOT WORKING AND ENGINE MAKES AND JERK AT 3K RPM, NOT PART OF WARRANTY. *AK

Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear
Filed Jan 20, 200454,000 milesMD

FOR THE SECOND TIME, THE REAR WINDOW ON MY COMPANY-OWNED FORD ESCAPE HAS SHATTERED. THE TRUCK WAS PARKED IN A GARAGE DURING THIS SECOND OCCURANCE, DURING A NIGHT WHEN THE TEMPERATURES WERE IN THE TEEN'S. I'D BLAME THE COLD WEATHER, BUT THIS ALSO HAPPENED LESS THAN 6 MONTHS AGO DURING THE SUMMER WHILE DRIVING AT 65MPH ON A HIGHWAY. IN BOTH CASES, THE SHOCKS THAT HOLD THE REAR WINDOW UP WHEN OPEN, HAVE EXTENDED TO FULL LENGTH, AND AS A RESULT, SCRATCHED THE PAINT ON THE REAR TAILGATE. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jan 16, 20049,700 milesCA

VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN IT STALLED AND THE WHEELS LOCKED UP. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jan 15, 200430,000 milesCA

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE ENGINE DIED WITHOUT WARNING. THIS RESULTED IN BRAKE FAILURE. THE CONSUMER HAD TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED THE IDLE ERROR CONTROL VALVE, MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, THROTTLE BODY, EEC RELAY, DPFE SENSOR AND THE EVAP VALVE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS A NEW LETTER REF#02-23-1 ON THIS ISSUE. *PH *JB *NM

Electrical System › Starter Assembly › Relay
Filed Jan 15, 2004VI

THE CONSUMER HAS TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAS PROBLEMS STARTING. THE DEALER MECHANIC HAS REPLACED THE STARTER, RELAY SWITCH, AND THE MASTER CYLINDER. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER FOR ANOTHER REPAIR. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *NM

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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