MYRModel Year Report

2002 Ford Escape

● Typical for this model
2002 Ford Escape
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
1,027
Recalls
10

Campaigns on file for 2002

Investigations
10

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Engine and engine cooling

29% of complaints

Complaints per year

2000: 5 complaints 2001: 996 complaints 2002: 1,027 complaints 2002 1,027 2003: 558 complaints 2004: 499 complaints 2005: 1,394 complaints 2006: 464 complaints 2007: 254 complaints 2008: 1,974 complaints 2008 2009: 1,692 complaints 2010: 2,070 complaints 2011: 1,316 complaints 2012: 602 complaints 2012 2013: 2,748 complaints 2014: 2,086 complaints 2015: 1,083 complaints 2016: 1,116 complaints 2016 2017: 2,688 complaints 2018: 1,806 complaints 2019: 590 complaints 2020: 1,600 complaints 2020 2021: 346 complaints 2022: 233 complaints 2023: 99 complaints 2024: 76 complaints 2024 2025: 25 complaints 2026: 3 complaints
2000: 5 complaints 2000 2001: 996 complaints 2002: 1,027 complaints 2002 1,027 2003: 558 complaints 2004: 499 complaints 2004 2005: 1,394 complaints 2006: 464 complaints 2006 2007: 254 complaints 2008: 1,974 complaints 2008 2009: 1,692 complaints 2010: 2,070 complaints 2010 2011: 1,316 complaints 2012: 602 complaints 2012 2013: 2,748 complaints 2014: 2,086 complaints 2014 2015: 1,083 complaints 2016: 1,116 complaints 2016 2017: 2,688 complaints 2018: 1,806 complaints 2018 2019: 590 complaints 2020: 1,600 complaints 2020 2021: 346 complaints 2022: 233 complaints 2022 2023: 99 complaints 2024: 76 complaints 2024 2025: 25 complaints 2026: 3 complaints 2026
2000: 5 complaints 2000 2001: 996 complaints 2002: 1,027 complaints 2002 1,027 2003: 558 complaints 2004: 499 complaints 2004 2005: 1,394 complaints 2006: 464 complaints 2006 2007: 254 complaints 2008: 1,974 complaints 2008 2009: 1,692 complaints 2010: 2,070 complaints 2010 2011: 1,316 complaints 2012: 602 complaints 2012 2013: 2,748 complaints 2014: 2,086 complaints 2014 2015: 1,083 complaints 2016: 1,116 complaints 2016 2017: 2,688 complaints 2018: 1,806 complaints 2018 2019: 590 complaints 2020: 1,600 complaints 2020 2021: 346 complaints 2022: 233 complaints 2022 2023: 99 complaints 2024: 76 complaints 2024 2025: 25 complaints 2026: 3 complaints 2026

2002: 1,027 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
20005
2001996
20021,027
2003558
2004499
20051,394
2006464
2007254
20081,974
20091,692
20102,070
20111,316
2012602
20132,748
20142,086
20151,083
20161,116
20172,688
20181,806
2019590
20201,600
2021346
2022233
202399
202476
202525
20263

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Engine and engine cooling

29% · 295 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

While driving brakes and steering locked up and engine shut off without any warning .driver lost control of vehicle, resulting in an accident.*ak the consumer stated that the manufacturer had issued two technical service bulletins on defects of...

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-08-28

Also filed under Service brakes, hydraulic and steering

Engine suddenly stopped completely, restarting it was impossible. All power was lost and flames were shooting from rear of vehicle. Dealer has been contacted.

NHTSA ODI report, 2001-11-29

Service brakes

20% · 206 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

I bought a vehicle that has recalls on it. I contacted a dealer. Im told the car is to old to fix the recalled abs relay. Now I have a vehicle thats on the road a fire hazard. The ford dealership have left me my with and kids and grand kids in…

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-04-18

Electrical system

12% · 126 reports

Most commonly citing ignition and module.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Received a recall notice in feb from Ford (Recall id 12V00500 - issued jan 2012). Indicated potential problems with brake fluids leaks that could cause shorts in the ABS electronics. We contacted dealer. No parts available yet.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-04-24

Also filed under Service brakes, hydraulic

On March 7,2012, someone knocked on my door and told me my car was on fire.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-03-24

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while shifted in park(P), the key failed to release while the engine was running.

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-07-28

Power train

10% · 106 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and control module (tcm/pcm/tecm).

CRASHFIREINJURY

Vehicle speed control

10% · 103 reports

Most commonly citing cables and accelerator pedal.

CRASHFIREINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owned a 2002 Ford Escape. After exiting the vehicle, there was a fire that erupted under the hood. The fire was extinguished by a fire company. The vehicle was destroyed and towed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-01-17

Also filed under Engine and service brakes, hydraulic

I was pulling into a parking space at a shopping center. My foot was off the accelerator as I was preparing to stop.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-02-13

At 300 miles the vehicle surged and hesitated frequently. Dealer replaced transmission. 1 week later after coming to a stop, consumer applied accelerator, vehicle hesitated.

NHTSA ODI report, 2001-12-06

Safety timeline

10 recalls · 10 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    2001-12-07Preliminary evaluationClosed 2002-09-10 Engine stalling
  2. I
    2002-09-10Engineering analysisClosed 2004-04-15 Engine stalling
  3. R
    2004-04-21Power train04V165000 On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines, during deceleration, the engine can stall.

    Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the power control module (PCM) with the appropriate calibration. Owner notification began on April 21, 2004. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. I
    2004-06-24RPClosed 2004-08-31 Engine stalling
  5. R
    2005-01-10Vehicle speed control04V574000 On certain sport utility vehicles built with 3.0L V6 engines, the accelerator cable may prevent the throttle from returning to the idle position.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the accelerator cable. The recall began on January 10, 2005. Owners should contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2005-03-31Latches/locks/linkages04V602000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear liftgate latch release rod, the release rod attachment clip and the door handle return spring. The recall began on March 31, 2005. Owners should contact Ford at…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. I
    2006-10-30Preliminary evaluationClosed 2007-04-17 Engine compartment fire
  8. R
    2007-04-02Service brakes, hydraulic07E023000 Certain cardone master cylinders with part numbers 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, and 11-3156, and with date codes lower than DCA7078…

    Remedy: Cardone will notify owners and offer to repurchase any defective master cylinders. The recall began during April 2007. Owners can contact cardone at 1-800-777-4780.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2007-04-23Service brakes, hydraulic07V156000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the wire harness connector to the ABS module for missing or dislodged wire seals, and repair or replace the harness connector as appropriate. The dealer will also inspect the…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. I
    2009-04-14Defect petitionClosed 2009-04-15 Engine compartment fire
  11. I
    2009-04-15Recall queryClosed 2010-01-15 Engine compartment fire
  12. I
    2010-01-14Engineering analysisClosed 2012-02-29 Engine Compartment Fire
  13. I
    2010-11-18Audit queryClosed 2015-12-28 Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit
  14. R
    2012-06-19Service brakes, hydraulic12V005000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder reservoir cap and the ABS electrical system will be modified. An interim letter was mailed on January 20, 2012. Due to a parts delay, however, the…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  15. I
    2012-07-17Defect petitionClosed 2012-07-17 Cruise Control Cable
  16. I
    2012-07-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 2013-02-21 Stuck Throttle
  17. R
    2012-08-03Engine and engine cooling, vehicle speed control12V353000 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.…

    Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles by increasing the engine cover clearance, free of charge. The safety recall began August 3, 2012. Remedy parts are expected to be…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  18. R
    2014-05-30Structure14V165000 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,...

    Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install a newly designed reinforcement cross-brace, free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S02.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  19. R
    2015-05-20Suspension15E045000 The Timken Company (Timken) is recalling certain aftermarket front wheel bearings, part number 510072, sold from January 22, 2015, to May 21, 2015, to be used as service parts on 2001-2012 Ford Escape, 2001-2011 Mazda Tribute, and 2005-2011 Mercury...

    Remedy: Timken has begun notifying distributors who will offer purchasers replacement wheel bearings, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2015. Owners may contact Timken customer service at 1-866-984-6536.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  20. R
    2015-10-23Power train15V606000 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.

    Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2002 Ford Escape — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Engine and engine cooling: 295 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 206 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 126 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 04V165000 · Power train
  • Recall 04V574000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 04V602000 · Latches/locks/linkages
  • Recall 07E023000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 07V156000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 12V005000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 12V353000 · Engine and engine cooling, vehicle speed control
  • Recall 14V165000 · Structure
  • Recall 15E045000 · Suspension
  • Recall 15V606000 · Power train
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2002 Ford Escape reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Ford Escape is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Ford Escape?
The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 29% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2002 Ford Escape have?
10 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.