Ford Escape / 2002
2002 Ford Escape problems
Owners have filed 1,397 complaints about the 2002 Ford Escape with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling accounts for 21.3% of them — the clear leader, ahead of service brakes, hydraulic at 11.3%.
Complaints1,397
Crashes96
Fires147
Injuries57
Deaths3
What owners report breaking
Engine and engine cooling 21.3% · 297
Service brakes, hydraulic 11.3% · 158
Electrical system 9.0% · 126
Power train 7.6% · 106
Vehicle speed control 7.4% · 103
Structure 6.4% · 90
Suspension 5.8% · 81
Air bags 5.7% · 80
Severity
Of those complaints, 96 describe a crash, 147 describe a fire, 57 report an injury and 3 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 24 model years of the Ford Escape in this data, 2002 sits 11th by complaint volume. 2013 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 5 in the last three years against 13 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 89,000 miles.
In owners' own words
After driving the Escape for a few hours...Running errands and what not...We park the car for a short time...Then the car won't start. It will turn over, but if the gas isn't kept on it stalls. Have had the car into the dealer 4 times now and they can't replicate the situation. Usually after letting the car sit for several hours, it will start up and run fine. This has been going on for two months now. Engine and engine cooling
While driving down a slight hill at approximately 30 mph, the steering suddenly became sluggish, then the engine quit. The dash instrument lights (check engine, airbag, and battery) came on and the brakes did not work at all. Fortunately I was near the bottom of the hill and could roll over to the side and stop up against a tree stump. The car would not restart immediately, but did after a few minutes. Engine and engine cooling · reported at 23,500 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. While driving 45 mph, the vehicle shut off without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and drive home. The dealer test drove the vehicle, but could not diagnose the cause of the failure. The manufacturer stated that if the dealer was unable to diagnose the cause of the failure, they could not assist. The failure and current mileages were 80,000. Engine and engine cooling · reported at 80,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…