2002 Ford Escape Complaint Log

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.

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.

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 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.

TRANSMISSION FAILURE AFTER 4 YEARS AND 10 MONTHS AT 64,000 MILES. *TR

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

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

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 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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING THE AIR BAG LIGHT ERRONEOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,060 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

I OWN A 2002 FORD ESCAPE AND WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY WHEN THE OVERDRIVE OFF LIGHT STARTED FLASHING. I PULLED OVER ,BUT WAS NOT ABLE TO REENGAGE THE OVERDRIVE. CONTINUED THE COMMUTE HOME AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SHIFTING ROUGHLY, AND THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER, WHERE THEY TOLD ME I WOULD NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. I TOOK IT, ,,(BY THIS POINT THE VEHICLE WASN'T DRIVEABLE AND HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP NEAR MY HOME. THEY STATED THAT I WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION, AND THAT THIS SEEMED TO BE A COMMON OCCURRENCE FOR FORD ESCAPES. THEY SAID THAT A VEHICLE AT 90000 MILEAGE SHOULD NOT HAVE THE EXTENSIVE KIND OF TRANSMISSION DAMAGE THAT THIS VEHICLE DID.*AK

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

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

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.

WIFE HAD JUST GOTTEN HOME FROM GROCERY STORE AND ABOUT A HALF HOUR LATER THE DOG WAS BARKING. SHE LOOKED INTO THE GARAGE AND THE 2002 FORD ESCAPE WAS ON FIRE. SHE BROKE A WINDOW TO PUT WATER ON THE FIRE TO KEEP IT FROM SPREADING TO OTHER CARS AND BOAT IN GARAGE. FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND FINISHED PUTTING OUT THE FIRE. ESCAPE WAS A TOTAL LOSS AND GARAGE HAD HEAVY SOOT AND SMOKE DAMAGE. AFTER GETTING THE INSURANCE COMPANIES NOTIFICATION OF FIRE AND GETTING WIFE'S CUTS STITCHED WE GOT HOME ABOUT 7:00 P.M. WENT TO GET THE MAIL AND THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FROM FORD MAILED ON APRIL 24, 2007 FROM MICHIGAN ABOUT THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE MODULE. IT STATED THE MODULE COULD SHORT OUT EVEN WITH THE KEY IN THE OFF POSITION. NOTIFIED FORD THE NEXT MORNING OF FIRE. THEY HAD IT INVESTIGATED, AND SAID BECAUSE OF THE SEVERE DAMAGE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE. I THEN ASKED COULD THIS SAFETY RECALL CAUSE THIS KIND OF FIRE, AND THE FORD REPRESENTIVE SAID YES, BUT JUST SUBMIT IT TO YOUR INSURANCE COMPANY. *AK

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

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

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 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

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

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.

CAR LOST CONTROL COMING TOWARD ME, SHE WENT INTO MY LANE SIDEWAYS. I T-BONED HER ON HER PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE. SEAT BELT SAVED MY LIFE, BUT THE AIRBAGS WERE OF NO USE. WHY DON'T THE AIRBAGS DEPLOY ON THESE VEHICLES. IF I HAD BEEN TRAVELING AT A MUCH FASTER SPEED OR HER, I PROBABLY WOULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED. *JB

REAR DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER DOOR LATCH FAILED AND DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE BEYOND 2 MPH. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AT NORMAL RATES OF SPEED. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE CONTACT ACCELERATED FROM A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT A COMPUTER CHIP WITHIN THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,448.

DT: THE CONTACT DROVE THROUGH A PATCH OF SNOW IN THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE'S REAR END SPUN AROUND AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE ABS SENSOR, THAT WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP ,CAUSED THIS ACCIDENT. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES DO TO THE SEAT BEAT BUCKLE BREAKING DURING THE ACCIDENT. *AK

DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH THE VEHICLE FELT AS THOUGH IT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. HE TURNED ON THE HAZARD LIGHTS AND PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED NUMEROUS PARTS IN THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE IS OPERATING CORRECTLY AT THIS TIME. *AK UPDATED 12/7/2005. *NM

WIFE PARKED VEHICLE ON STEEP UPHILL DRIVEWAY. PLACED IN PARK AND TURNED IGNITION OFF. EXITED DRIVERS SIDE AND WALKED BEHIND VEHICLE TO PASSENGER SIDE CONTINUING TO MAILBOX. WHILE AT MAILBOX OBSERVED VEHICLE ABRUPTLY ROLL BACKWARD CROSSING THE PATH WHERE SHE HAD JUST WALKED BEHIND THE VEHICLE, ACROSS STREET AND OVER CURB HITTING TREE. NEIGHBOR IN THEIR FRONT YARD ALSO OBSERVED THIS. VEHICLE SUSTAINED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE. CALLED FORD CORP OFFICES TO ASK FOR REVIEW OF THIS BY THEIR SAFETY ENGINEERS. A CURSORY REVIEW BY THE DEALER INDICATED NO OBVIOUS TRANSMISSION LINKAGE OR OTHER ADJUSTMENT PROBLEM. FORD REFUSES ANY FURTHER REVIEW AND SHOWS LITTLE INTEREST IN FINDING ANY POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUE. I SEE SIMILAR REPORTS OF THIS IN NUMBERS 10031648, 568244, 10073682 AND 10026175. THERE ARE ALSO MANY REPORTS OF LOSS OF CONTROL IN OTHER SCENARIOS SUCH AS 10073741, 10087902, 10091048, 10092635 AND 10108659. DID NOT REVIEW COMPLAINTS ON SIMILAR MODELS SUCH AS MAZDA TRIBUTE NOR OTHER YEAR ESCAPES WHICH MAY HAVE SIMILAR ISSUES. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT FORD ENGINEERED THE CAR TO BACK DOWN A HILL, WHILE UNOCCUPIED, IN PARK, WITH THE IGNITION OFF. BUT APPARENTLY THEY CONSIDER THIS NORMAL AND OF NO CONSEQUENCE. UNFORTUNATELY, SOMEONE WILL HAVE TO BE HURT AND THE ECONOMICS TURN AGAINST FORD BEFORE THEY WILL GET INVOLVED. REMINDS ME OF THEIR SAFETY ISSUES WITH FORD CROWN VICTORIA'S THAT CONTINUE TO EXPLODE IN FLAMES WHEN HIT FROM THE REAR. *JB

AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND AIRBAGS NOT WORKING. ACCORDING TO COMPLAINTS FOUND ON THE INTERNET AND IN CHAT ROOMS AND WITH FORD ISSUING DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES THIS IS A LONG TERM ONGOING PROBLEM WHICH THE DEALERSHIP HAS DIFFICULTY FIXING. SO I AM AT RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH BECAUSE FORD MADE A FAULTY AIRBAG SYSTEM. PLEASE INVESTIGATE AND ISSUE A RECALL. *JB

BUMPED THE BUMPER OF THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, NO VISUAL DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF MY VEHICLE. BOTH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. SPEED AT THE POINT OF IMPACT NEAR 5 MILES PER HOUR OR LESS. AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT BROKE THE WINDSHIELD AND CAUSED SLIGHT INJURY TO LEFT ARM. *JB

WIPERS STOPPED WORKING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WINDSHIELD AND WILL NOT GO BACK TO THEIR PARKED POSITION. *NM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A SLIGHT ODOR, BACK FIRED ON TWO OCCASIONS, AND RAN POORLY. IN OCTOBER 2005 THE VEHICLE HESITATE D AT 20 MPH. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS THE IGNITION COIL AND REPLACED IT FOR $400. IN MAY 2006 THE VEHICLE RAN POORLY AND BACK FIRED AGAIN. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS THE COIL ONCE AGAIN AND WAS REPLACED AT 52,980 MILES. IN JULY 2006 THE VEHICLE RAN POORLY FOR A THIRD TIME. THE FORD DEALER STATED THAT TWO COILS FAILED AT 53,011 MILES. IN APRIL O 2007 THE CONTACT FELT THE VEHICLE RAN POORLY AGAIN, AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, SUSPECTING COIL FAILURE FOR THE FIFTH TIME. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 60,000 , AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000.*AK

I BROUGHT MY 2002 FORD ESCAPE IN FOR ITS 45K MILE SERVICE AND WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE ROTORS NEEDED REPLACEMENT. I SAID THE PADS HAVE NOT YET WORN OUT THOUGH. THEY SAID I WAS LUCKY TO MAKE IT THIS FAR. MOST ESCAPES HAVE THEM WEAR OUT AT 30K OR LESS DUE TO POOR QUALITY AND TOO THIN ROTORS. DEALER SAID COST TO REPLACE ROTORS AND PADS WILL BE $338.00 INCLUDING LABOR TO REPLACE. *NM

DEFECTIVE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE WILL LOCK THROTTLE IN FULL OPEN POSITION WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS FULLY DEPRESSED. POLYMER SLEEVE ON CRUISE ACTUATOR CABLE HAS BROKEN AT THE THROTTLE CONNECTOR. THIS ALLOWS THE CONNECTOR TO ROTATE TO A VERTICAL POSITION AND CATCH ON THE ENGINE COVER WHEN THE FOOT PEDAL IS PRESSED TO THE FLOOR. *JB

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

2002 FORD ESCAPE EXCITER RING CRACKED MAKING A LOUD NOISE. ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** *TS THERE WAS A SLIGHT METALLIC SOUND COMING FROM THE LEFT FRONT TIRE. THE COMPLETE FRONT AXLE SHAFT ASSEMBLY WOULD HAVE TO BE ORDERED AND INSTALLED. THE DEALER ALSO RECOMMENDED THAT THE FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS BE REPLACED. *SC

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON I WAS TOLD IT WAS SEVERAL DIFFERENT PROBLEMS ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT OCCASIONS ALL RESULTING IN THE DEALER REPLACING MY SAFETY HARNESS WHICH WAS OH BY THE WAY NOT COVERED UNDER THE ELECTRICAL WIRING EXTENDED WARRANTY. THEY REPLACED THE SAFETY HARNESS AND GUESS WHAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS BACK ON. I WAS TOLD IT WOULD HAPPEN EVERY TIME I ADJUST THE SEAT. ( A DEFECT IN DESIGN). *TR

MY 2002 FORD ESCAPE WITH 52000 MILES ON IT WAS GREAT UNTIL LAST WEEK WHEN IT STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY ROAD WITH NO SHOULDER LATE AT NIGHT. I HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY TOLD ME THAT I NEEDED A NEW BATTERY BECAUSE IT WAS LEAKING ACID (HUH?) AND THAT THEY WOULD KINDLY PUT IN THE TWO RECALL PARTS ONE OF WHICH MIGHT BE CAUSING THE PROBLEM (PCM I BELIEVE). THE STRANGE THING WAS ABOUT TWO HOURS AFTER I HAD STALLED I COULD START THE CAR AGAIN FINE BUT I FIGURED THEY WOULD STILL WANT TO SEE IT SINCE IT COULD BE A DANGEROUS SITUATION. HOWEVER, THEY DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. THEN LAST NIGHT MY CAR WOULDN'T START...SOUNDS WERE VERY SIMILAR TO THE TIME BEFORE ONLY THIS TIME I WASN'T DRIVING I WAS IN A PARKING GARAGE. SO I GAVE UP AND CALLED A FRIEND AND DECIDED TO HAVE IT TOWED IN TH EMORNING WHEN THE DEALER WAS OPEN. ONLY IN THE MORNING MY CAR STARTED FINE AGAIN. I DROVE TO THE DEALER ANYWAY THOUGH BECAUSE THIS WAS NOT VERY SAFE AND FIGURED THEY WOULD WANT TO LOOK IT OVER. PROBLEM. THEY SAID THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING UNLESS THE PROBLEM IS ACTUALLY OCCURING SO I WOULD HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL IT HAPPENS AGAIN. THIS DIDN'T SIT WELL WITH ME SO I CALLED FORD AND THEY SAID THE SAME THING. THEN I WENT ONLINE AND DID A SEARCH AND IT SEEMS I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM BUT NO ONE SEEMS TO HAVE AN ANSWER. I AM NERVOUS BECAUSE I SOMETIME DRIVE ON BUSY HIGHWAYS AND IF IT STALLS I MIGHT END UP IN A CRASH BUT FORD DIDN'T SEEM TO CARE ABOUT THIS SCENARIO. I AM AT A LOSS AND WANT A BETTER ANSWER THEN WAIT UNTIL IT HAPPENS AGAIN BUT I THOUGHT I SHOULD FILE A COMPLAINT IN CASE OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND TO WARN OTHER DRIVERS ABOUT FOLLOWING TOO CLOSE TO A FORD ESCAPE.

STEERING STARTED TO CLUNK AND BIND ON OCCASION. EFFORT WOULD GO UP BUT IT WOULD RESPOND WHEN TURNED. IT RAPIDLY GOT WORSE WHERE IT WOULD CLUNK AND BIND AND SKIP A SECTION WHILE TURNING. ONLY THREE DAYS FROM START TO SKIPPING WHILE TURNING. FINALLY IT WAS SKIPPING AND BINDING ON EVERY TURN. TOOK TO DEALER THEY FOUND RACK AND PINION WAS BAD. (THE CAR WAS NEVER IN AN ACCIDENT OR TAKEN OFF ROAD.) RACK WAS ORDERED AND REPLACED.*AK

DT: FORD 2002 ESCAPE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THIS HAPPENED ON JULY 27, 2005. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE DEPARTMENT RESPONDED TO THE SCENE. THE FIRE WAS CONTAINED IN THE VEHICLE. THE WALLS IN THE GARAGE HAD HEAVY SMOKE DAMAGE. THEY HAD TO CUT THE GARAGE DOOR TO GET IN. THE CONSUMER CAN'T SLEEP IN THE HOUSE DUE TO THE SMOKE DAMAGE. *AK *JB *SC PHONE INTERVIEW UPDATE (NOVEMBER 7, 2005): DROVE THE VEHICLE FOR TWO HOURS. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE TOWN HOUSE GARAGE FOR AN HOUR BEFORE IT CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE HEAVIEST DAMAGE WAS AT THE DRIVE SIDE FIREWALL AREA. THE YELLOW ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ON THREE WEEKS AGO; THE DEALER SAID BRING THE VEHICLE IN WHEN THE NEXT OIL CHANGE IS DUE.