Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2002 Ford Escape, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine and engine cooling294
- Service brakes, hydraulic149
- Electrical system123
- Power train105
- Vehicle speed control100
- Structure87
- Suspension80
- Air bags79
- Steering70
- Service brakes41
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 42 injuries and 2 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 45 2002 Escape vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 33 people died inside them, and 10 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2002 Ford Escape failed the safety check 2.36% of the time — 18% more often than the average 2002 passenger car (2.00%). Median odometer at inspection: 155,724 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In New Zealand
270 2002 cars are on the New Zealand register; 46% arrived as used imports, 53% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 4 variants: combined 10.6–13.0 L/100 km (about 18–22 mpg US), CO₂ 244–299 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Escape · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 11.6 | 9.4 | 10.6 |
| Escape 4X4 · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 12.2 | 10.3 | 11.4 |
| Escape · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 14.2 | 10.4 | 12.5 |
| Escape 4X4 · Sport utility vehicle · Regular gasoline | 14.6 | 11.0 | 13.0 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
7 Transport Canada recalls for the 2002 Ford Escape.
| 2015438 29 Sept 2015 | Powertrain A safety defect may exist in vehicles in which remanufactured automatic transmissions were installed as service replacement parts. The shift lever bolt may not … |
| 2014110 2 Apr 2014 | Suspension On certain vehicles registered and operated in areas where road salt is used on the roadways during winter months for extended time periods (Ontario, Quebec, N… |
| 2012235 25 Jul 2012 | Other On certain vehicles equipped with a 3.0L V6 engine and speed control, inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector could … |
| 2012003 5 Jan 2012 | Brakes Certain vehicles may have been originally equipped with a brake master cylinder reservoir cap that could leak. If brake fluid leaks from the cap, it could come… |
| 2007107 3 Apr 2007 | Brakes On certain vehicles, the electrical wiring connector to the ABS module may have been manufactured incorrectly. Over time, contaminants can enter the ABS electr… |
| 2004426 8 Dec 2004 | Engine On certain vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines, the accelerator cable's inner liner may, over time, migrate out of the conduit at the dash panel fitting duri… |
| 2004126 7 Apr 2004 | Engine On certain vehicles equipped with a 3.0L V6 engine, during deceleration at vehicle speeds below 64 km/h, the engine may stall due to an excessively rich fuel-ai… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2004 Escape vehicles manufactured October 22, 1999, through January 23, 2004, originally sold, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. These vehicles may experience excessive corrosion at the forward attachment of the lower control arm.
Ford Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2004 Escape vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control manufactured from October 22, 1999, through January 23, 2004. Inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector could result in a stuck throttle when the accelerator pedal is fully or almost-fully depressed. This risk exists regardless of whether or not speed control (cruise control) is used.
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001-2002 ESCAPE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 22, 1999, THROUGH JULY 19, 2002, EQUIPPED WITH A BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR CAP THAT COULD LEAK BRAKE FLUID. IF BRAKE FLUID LEAKS FROM THE CAP, IT COULD COME IN CONTACT WITH THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) MODULE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ANTILOCK BRAKES (ABS), THE ABS MODULE CONNECTOR MAY HAVE MISSING OR DISLODGED WIRE SEALS. THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW CONTAMINATION TO ENTER THE MODULE CONNECTOR, CREATING A POTENTIAL FOR AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.
CERTAIN 2004-2005 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND CERTAIN 2001-2003 SPORT UTIITY VEHICLE HAVING REAR LIFTGATE COMPONENTS SERVICED WITH 2004 EQUIVALENT COMPONENTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 206, 'DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS.' THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCHING SYSTEM DOES NOT MEET THE INERTIA LOAD REQUIREMENT IN ONE DIRECTION.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES BUILT WITH 3.0L V6 ENGINES, THE ACCELERATOR CABLE MAY PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L V6 ENGINES, DURING DECELERATION, THE ENGINE CAN STALL.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Ford told its dealers about the 2002 Ford Escape: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 637930 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE 3.0L DURATEC ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT AN INTERMITTENT ENGINE QUIT CONDITION. *TT |
| 637713 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A BRAKE FLUID LEAK FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR CAP. *TT |
| 637571 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE B1213, B1342, B1601, B2431. *TT |
| 637552 | SOME VEHICLES BUILT 09/2001 THROUGH 11/2001 AND EQUIPPED WITH A 2.0L ZETEC ENGINE MAY EXHIBIT A FEAD BELT NOISE. *TT |
| 637521 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A HIGH ACCELERATOR PEDAL EFFORT JUST OFF IDLE OR TIP IN. *TT |
| 637454 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A CRANK / NO START, POOR IDLE, AND / OR LACK OF POWER, WITH CAMSHAFTS OUT OF TIME. *TT |
| 637443 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT CD EJECTING OR LOADING ISSUES WITH THE CDX-6 RADIO. *TT |
| 636397 | SUBJECT REGARDING HANGING DOOR WEATHERSTRIP. *TT |
| 636318 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.0L ENGINE AND A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, MAY EXHIBIT A ROLLING IDLE CONDITION IN HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURES. *TT |
| 636254 | CD4E TRANSAXLE MAY EXHIBIT A FINAL DRIVE WHINE / WARBLE TYPE NOISE MOSTLY IN THE 25-45 MPH SPEED RANGE ON LIGHT THROTTLE ACCELERATION OR DECELERATION. *TT |
| 636245 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A REAR SHOCK LEAK AND / OR NOISE CONDITION. *TT |
| 636204 | SOME VEHICLES MAY EXHIBIT A CLICKING NOISE HEARD ON LEFT OR RIGHT HAND TURNS COMING FROM THE FRONT SUSPENSION. *TT |
| 636171 | SOME VEHICLES WITH ALUMINUM WHEELS MAY EXHIBIT A CLICKING NOISE HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE DURING LEFT OR RIGHT HAND TURNS. *TT |
| 636139 | SUBJECT REGARDING THROTTLE BODY SERVICE REPLACEMENT / TRANSMISSION VENT HOSE BRACKET INSTRUCTIONS. *TT |
| 636122 | THIS BULLETIN STATES THAT THE REAR UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELD IS DISCONTINUED. *TT |
| 636092 | SOME VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE 12/15/01 MAY EXHIBIT DOOR LATCHES THAT WILL NOT OPEN. *TT |
| 636065 | INFORMATION REGARDING DISCHARGED BATTERY CHARGING SERVICE TIPS AND GUIDELINES. *TT |
| 636049 | THIS BULLETIN INVOLVES PROPER PROCEDURES FOR PREPARATION OF SERVICE SHEET METAL PARTS COATED WITH ELECTRO DEPOSITION PRIMER (E-COAT). *TT |
| 636040 | SOME VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE 2/12/2002 MAY EXHIBIT A POWER STEERING FLUID LEAK AT THE RETURN HOSE AND / OR COOLER HOSE AT THE INTERMIEDIATE TUBE ASSEMBLY DURING EXTREME COLD AMBIENT TEMPERATURES -20 TO -28C (-5 TO -20 F), *TT |
| 630651 | SOME VEHICLES WITH 3.0L DURATEC ENGINE BUILT BETWEEN JUNE 12, 2000 AND DECEMBER 15, 2000 MAY EXHIBIT AN INTEMITTENT MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ILLUMINATION AND / OR DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P0301 OR P0351. *TT |
| 630631 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH THE CD4E TRANSAXLE MAY EXHIBIT HARSH AND DELAYED 1-2/2-3 UPSHIFTS AFTER TRANSAXLE OR TURBINE SHAFT SPEED SENSOR REPLACEMENT, POSSIBLE DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES 628, 642, 645, 646, 647, 648, P0731, P0732, P0734, P0741 AND P01744. *TT |
| 630589 | SOME VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A DURATEC ENGINE MAY EXPERIENCE ENGINE DAMAGE AS A RESULT OF MICROSCOPIC INTERNAL CRACKS IN A BATCH OF INTAKE VALVES. *TT |
| 630564 | EXHIBITING A CONDITION OF THE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM DEFAULTING TO DEFROST/WINDSHIELD ON ACCELERATION. *TT |
| 630558 | ON SOME VEHICLES, THE AFTERMARKET/NON-FACTORY INSTALLED TRAILER TOW WIRING MAY BECOME INOPERATIVE. *TT |
| 630515 | ENGINE OIL SYSTEM PRIMING PROCEDURES, SERVICE TIPS FOR REPORTS OF PREMATURE ENGINE FAILURE. *TT |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
Stuck Throttle
Cruise Control Cable
Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit
Engine Compartment Fire
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
ENGINE STALLING
ENGINE STALLING
ENGINE STALLING
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation