2002 Ford Escape Complaint Log

WHILE ACCELERATING ON AN ON-RAMP ENTERING A STATE HIGHWAY, TRAFFIC AHEAD OF ME CAME TO A STOP. I WENT FROM APPLYING PRESSURE ON THE GAS PEDAL TO IMMEDIATELY MOVING MY RIGHT FOOT TO THE BRAKE PEDAL TO APPLY PRESSURE. THE BRAKE PEDAL GAVE VERY LITTLE RESISTANCE. I DEPRESSED THE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE. MY VEHICLE CAME TO A VERY SLOW STOP AS IF I WAS ONLY LIGHTLY DEPRESSING THE BRAKE. MY TIRES DID NOT SKID AS I WOULD EXPECT AND THE VEHICLE TOOK SEVERAL SECONDS TO FINALLY COME TO A VERY SLOW AND GRADUAL STOP. THE STOP WAS SO SLOW AND GRADUAL THAT I COULD NOT EVEN FEEL MOMENTUM PUSHING MY BODY FORWARD AS USUALLY EXPERIENCED WHEN SUDDENLY BRAKING.

BRAKES WOULD FEEL LIKE THEY WERE FADING AND THEN ABS FELT LIKE IT WAS WORKING. NO WARNING LIGHTS WOULD COME ON. DEALER FOUND CRACKED ABS TONE RINGS. AN 800 DOLLAR REPAIR. *TR

ABS MODULE CONNECTOR CAUGHT FIRE WHILE CAR WAS PARKED. RECALL FOR ABS MODULE CONNECTOR INSPECTION WAS COMPLETED 7/6/2007. BROUGHT VEHICLE BACK IN 1/7/2008 DUE TO ABS LIGHT REMAINING ON. NO MENTION OF ABS, NOTED ROTORS BELOW SPECS AND BRAKE PADS NEED REPLACING.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH WHEN SPARKS STARTED TO SHOOT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RAPIDLY MOVE THE VEHICLE FROM OFF THE ROADWAY AND AS THE HOOD WAS LIFTED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE WAS ON FIRE. THE POLICE AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE DISPATCHED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE AND THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED AS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED FOR THE CAUSE OF THE ENGINE FIRE BUT THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ADVISED THAT THE FIRE COULD POTENTIALLY HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN. UPDATED 9/16/11 *CN UPDATED 2/9/12 *CN

GAS TANK SHIELD AND STRAPS ARE RUSTED SO BADLY THAT THERE IS A 5" X 6" HOLE IN THE GAS TANK SHIELD. THE STRAPS HOLDING THE SHIELD ARE ALSO BADLY RUSTED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE FIRE INITIATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. A FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER FIWAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS INVESTIGATING THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE XLT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AS THE ACCELERATOR WAS RELEASED, THE VEHICLE MAINTAINED SPEED AND DID NOT SLOW DOWN AND THE RPMS MAINTAINED AN ABNORMALLY HIGH READING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATED 11/23/11*BF

FRONT LOWER SUB-FRAME IS ROTTED OUT AND THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. (MY SERVICE GARAGE, WHO HAVE MAINTAINED MY VEHICLE CONTINUOUSLY SINCE I BOUGHT IT, SAYS THIS IS VERY PREMATURE FOR THIS CONDITION TO OCCUR.)

HAVE NOTICED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION THAT THE SUPERLATCH ON OUR XTSL IS LOOSENING TO A VERY UNSAFE LEVEL. IT IS INSTALLED FORWARD-FACING AND CHILD DOES NOT TOUCH THAT PART OF THE SEAT GETTING IN OR OUT. WHEN I'VE CHECKED THE SECURITY OF THE SEAT, IT WILL WOBBLE AT THE BOTTOM BACK & FORTH BY 3-5 INCHES. TIGHTENING IT ONLY FIXES IT TEMPORARILY SO IT IS NOT AN INSTALLATION PROBLEM, IT IS A FAILURE OF THE SUPERLATCH. I'M VERY CONCERNED ABOUT MY CHILD'S SAFETY IN THE EVENT OF A CAR ACCIDENT. I WILL BE SWITCHING THE SEAT BACK TO OUR OTHER CAR, A 2010 FUSION SEL AS I DID NOT NOTICE IT IN THAT CAR, BUT I WILL BE MONITORING IT VERY CLOSELY. (RELATED VEHICLE INFORMATION: MODEL YEAR=2002, MAKE=FORD, MODEL=ESCAPE). *TR

APRIL 25, 2001 I DROVE THE CAR 5 MINUTES TO THE LOCAL POOL AND CAR WAS PARKED FOR ABOUT AN HOUR. |THEN DROVE FRIEND BACK HOME FROM LOCAL POOL TO HER HOUSE ABOUT A 5 MINUTE DRIVE, I THEN TURNED THE CAR IGNITION WAS OFF, SUDDENLY THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AREA. TRIED TO OPEN HOOD, GREY SMOKE BILLOWED OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD, THEN SPARKS FELL ON THE PAVEMENT FROM UNDER THE CAR AND THEN FLAMES BURST OUT THROUGH THE OPEN CRACK OF THE HOOD. THE FIRE SEEMED SPONTANEOUS, THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL LIKE DIRTY AIR JUST BEFORE THE SMOKE STARTED. FIRE DEPARTMENT, POLICE AND AMBULANCE WERE CALLED. IT HAD NEVER OCCURRED BEFORE THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL BODY SHOP AND WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER LOCATION BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. I KNOW THAT RECALL WORK WAS DONE ON THE CAR TWICE AND CAN VERIFY WITH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. I BELIEVE THAT WORK WAS DONE ON THE BRAKES AND THE GAS PEDAL AS INSTRUCTED IN THE RECALL NOTICES. I BELIEVE THE CAR IS STILL BEING EXAMINED BY THE INSURANCE INVESTIGATORS AS OF MAY 8, 2011. I HAVE BEEN INFORMED BY THE INSURANCE APPRAISER THAT THE VEHICLE IS A COMPLETE WRITE OFF. *TR

MY ABS SYSTEM WAS COMING ON WHILE STOPPING FOR NO APPARENT REASON. WHEN I TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, THEY SAID I HAD A CRACKED TONE RING. I HAD THE SAME TONE RING REPLACED 4 YEARS AGO. OF COURSE IT WASN'T UNDER WARRANTY. $400 LATER, IT IS FIXED... *TR

2002 FORD ESCAPE ELECTRICAL FIRE. VEHICLE HAD BEEN DRIVEN THAT DAY, BUT HAD GONE LESS THAN A MILE WHEN IT WAS NOTED THE SUV HAD A SMOKY SMELL AND WE PULLED OVER. WITHIN MINUTES THE ENTIRE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS INVOLVED. IT APPEARED TO START NEAR THE BATTERY, THE BATTERY WAS APPROXIMATELY 8 WEEKS OLD. *TR

DRIVING TO DOVER DE. PULLED INTO GAS STATION OUTSIDE LANCASTER PA FOR FUEL. FILLED TANK AND WENT TO PULL AWAY FROM PUMP. HEARD SOMETHING DRAGGING AND FOUND FUEL TANK STRAP HAD SNAPPED AND LEFT FUEL TANK DRAGGING ON DRIVESHAFT. *TR

ABS LIGHT CAME ON AS DID THE BRAKE SERVICE LIGHT. FOUND A RECALL NOTICE AND CALLED FORD. THEY STATED MY VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE NOTICE AND IT DID NOT MATTER IF MY VEHICLE HAD THE IDENTICAL ISSUES WITH THE ABS MODULE. THEY BASICALLY SAID THEY WOULD DO NOTHING UNLESS A NEW RECALL NOTICE WAS ISSUED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM FROM OTHERS WHOSE VEHICLES WERE NOT INCLUDED IN THE FIRST RECALL! NEVER AGAIN FORD. NEVER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH WHEN THE ABS LIGHT WANING ILLUMINATED AND THE CONTACT DETECTED AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR. THE FAILURE RECURRED SPORADICALLY BUT WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR A MECHANIC FOR THE FAILURE. SHE REFERENCED THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V156000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTI LOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE) AND CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER WHO ADVISED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,000.

APPROXIMATELY A YEAR AGO, FEB. 2011, I NOTICED THE TRUCK LIFT GATE AND WINDOW WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. I THOUGHT MAYBE BECAUSE OF THE SNOW AND COLD WEATHER IT WAS FROZEN. THE NEXT FEW WEEKS IT WORKED ON AND OFF. THEN AFTER A MONTH OR SO IT STOPPED WORKING AT ALL. I SEARCHED TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS PART AND THERE WAS ONE, I CALLED FORD BUT THEY SAID MY VIN WAS NOT ON THEIR LIST OF RECALLS FOR THAT PROBLEM SO I WAS OUT OF LUCK AND ONE YEAR LATER IT STILL DOES NOT WORK. I CANNOT OPEN OR CLOSE THE REAR LIFT DOOR OR THE WINDOW ABOVE IT. TWO MECHANICS LOOKED AT THE PROBLEM AND SAID ONLY FORD CAN REPLACE THE PART. THE PANELS ON THE DOOR MUST BE REMOVED TO GET TO THE MECHANISM. THE PART COSTS ABOUT $15.00 BUT LABOR COSTS WILL BE AROUND $400.00 I RESEARCHED THIS DEFECT AND FOUND THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL AND YEAR. *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, BURNING OIL FUMES WERE EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE VENTS. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BRAKE WARNING LAMP WAS ILLUMINATED AND THAT HE WAS CONSTANTLY REPLENISHING THE BRAKE FLUID RESERVOIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V005000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE ). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 134,000.

THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY. WHILE TURNING THE IGNITION TO START, THERE WAS A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE EXPLOSION. THE HOOD LARGELY CONTAINED THE FIRE. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS INJURED AND THE FIRE DID NOT LAST LONG AND DID NOT SPREAD TO THE SURROUNDINGS. A TOW TRUCK WAS CALLED AND THE REPAIR SHOP TECHNICIAN FOUND THE "INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD BLOWN TO PIECES". A CODE ON THE SYSTEM INDICATED A MISFIRE ON CYLINDER 5. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR $1720, INCLUDING CAM POSITION SENSOR, INTAKE MANIFOLD, AND IGNITION COIL, RELATING TO THE INCIDENT.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED WHILE HE WAS DRIVING 15 MPH. THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD THE EMERGENCY BRAKE SERVICE SIX MONTHS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE BUT THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED THE DAY BEFORE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER AND BRAKE BOOSTER. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 103,689.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR, REAR HATCHBACK, AND DRIVER'S SIDE REAR DOOR WERE RUSTED AND UNABLE TO BE OPENED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE DOORS NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,000.

OUR REAR HATCH WINDOW ON OUR 2002 FORD ESCAPE XLS EXPLODED OVERNIGHT WHILE SITTING UNDISTURBED IN OUR GARAGE. IT HAD BEEN SITTING FOR 10 HOURS IN OUR ENCLOSED GARAGE WHEN IT EXPLODED FOR NO REASON. THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE WAS IN THE SINGLE DIGITS. I'M WONDERING IF THE REAR DEFROST WASN'T CUT OFF WHEN THE CAR WAS SHUT OFF? WHEN I STARTED THE CAR AFTER THE WINDOW SHATTERED THE REAR DEFROST WAS ON. THERE ARE OTHER REPORTS ON THE INTERNET WITH SIMILAR OCCURRENCES. REAR WINDOW EXPLODING ON FORD ESCAPES SOUNDS COMMON. INSURANCE COMPANY IS SUPPOSE TO BE IN CONTACT WITH ME, BUT I IMAGINE WE WILL BE PAYING MOST OF THE REPAIR OUT OF POCKET SINCE WE HAVEN'T MET A DEDUCTIBLE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. WHEN THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO FLOOR CAUSING THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A LIGHT POLE AT 25 MPH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACTS HOME. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED, BUT THE CONTACT WAS CERTAIN THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN 07V156000, SERVICE BRAKES UNIT CONTROL MODULE; HOWEVER, THE RECALL REPAIR WAS PERFORMED TWO YEARS PRIOR TO THE CRASH AND THE REPAIR CAUSED THE CRASH TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 220,000. UPDATED 3/8/11 *CN UPDATED 12/14/11 *CN

SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE HEAD WHICH ALSO BROKE THE IGNITION COIL HOUSING. I TAPPED THE SPARK PLUG HOLE IN THE HEAD TO ACCEPT A "HELI-COIL" INSERT AND REINSTALLED THE SPARK PLUG. ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE COIL TO SECURELY MOUNT THE IGNITION COIL. FIX APPEARS TO BE WORKING... FOR NOW.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, SHE HEARD A METAL NOISE. WHEN SHE OPENED THE PASSENGER FRONT DOOR, IT FELL ON HER FOOT. SHE WAS ABLE TO PUT THE DOOR BACK IN PLACE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR PIN HAD BEEN INSTALLED UPSIDE DOWN. THE DEALER REPLACED THE DOOR PIN AND HINGE ASSEMBLY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 114,083. UPDATED 02/17/11*LJ UPDATED 12/06/2011 *LN

IN DECEMBER 2010 TOOK MY FORD ESCAPE INTO MY SERVICE CENTER TO HAVE THE BRAKES LOOKED AT WHEN THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND THE BRAKE PRESSURE FELT SLUGGISH. THEY FOUND AND REPLACED A BAD TONE RING ON THE LEFT FRONT AXLE. NOW SIX MONTHS LATER JUNE 2011 THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL PULSATING AT TIMES. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE SERVICE CENTER AGAIN AND THEY HAD TO DO THE SAME THING ON THE RIGHT SIDE FRONT. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. IF SOMEONE WOULD STOP SHORT IN FRONT OF ME OR CUT ME OFF AND I WOULD HAVE TO SLAM ON MY BRAKES, I FEEL THAT SOMEONE COULD BE SERIOUSLY HURT. I FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD RECALL THE 2002 ESCAPE FOR THIS REASON.

2002 FORD ESCAPE XLT CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT HE EVENTUALLY RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 12V005000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE), WHICH ADDRESSED THE FAILURE. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE A TIME FRAME AS TO WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

3 OF DOORS WILL NOT OPEN,SINCE 2010,A RECALL WAS ISSUE BUT FORD INSISTS NOT MY TRUCK DUE TO THE VIN NUMBER I KNOW THIS TRUCK IS 15YEARS OLD IT HAS MAJORITY OF THE PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN MADE PUBLIC I PERSONALLY PAID FOR REPAIRS NOT KNOWING BUT DESPITE ENGINE,TRANSMISSION,DOORS,AND CURRENT RECALL SUBFRAME MY COMPLAINT IS DEAF,DOORS ARE PERMANENTLY DAMAGE.

I CRASHED ON NOVEMBER 24TH OF 2010 DUE TO NOT BEING ABLE TO STOP FAST ENOUGH BECAUSE OF MY ANTI LOCK BRAKES. HURT SOMEONE IN THE PROCESS,HAD TO PAY FINES AND COURT COSTS AND AN ACCIDENT ON MY PERFECT RECORD BECAUSE I WAS AT FAULT FOR RUNNING INTO THEM. AND I WAS LEFT WITH A TOTALED TRUCK I HAD TO SELL TO PAY FOR FINES AND NOW I FOUND OUT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY ANTI LOCK BRAKES WHICH EXPLAINS WHY IT WASN'T WORKING RIGHT.... *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING THE CONTACT SMELLED SMOKE, AND NOTICED THAT THE SMOKE INITIATED UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE ABS MODULE WAS BURNED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VIN WASN'T INCLUDED IN RECALL 07V156000 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: ANTI-LOCK, CONTROL UNIT/MODULE. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 90,900.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND THEN SHUT OFF WHEN HE NOTICED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE ABS BRAKE MODULE WAS MELTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED NOR WAS THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V156000, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 96,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHERE THE DEALER LOCATED SEVERE CORROSION AT THE VEHICLE UNDER-BODY, MUFFLER AND DIFFERENTIAL SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY THEREFORE THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,000. UPDATED 01/06/11. *LJ UPDATED 02/07/11

2002 FORD ESCAPE COLD PARKED, KEY-OFF VEHICLE FIRE - TOTAL LOSS UNINSURED AND FORD SO FAR HAS REFUSED COMPENSATION. *TR

MY DAUGHTER ( A TEACHER) WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON I94 TO WORK IN 2010 WITH THE SPEED CONTROL SET. THE VEHICLE SPEED INCREASED AND SHE HIT THE BRAKE, BUT THE ACCELERATOR WAS STUCK AND SHE COULD NOT SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN AS IT OVER-POWERED THE BRAKE. SHE DID NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO AND CALLED 911. THE POLICE OFFICER TOLD HER TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AND TURN THE KEY OFF AFTER SHE GOT THE VEHICLE UNDER CONTROL. SHE WAS EXTREMELY LUCKY NO ONE WAS AHEAD OF HER ON THE EXPRESSWAY. THE ACCELERATOR REMAINED STUCK AFTER SHE HAD PULLED OFF THE ROAD WITH THE MOTOR OFF. I WENT TO GET HER AND THE VEHICLE. I WAS ABLE TO RELEASE THE ACCELERATOR BY HITTING IT HARD WITH MY FOOT. I CAREFULLY DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME. I WAS ABLE TO RECREATE THE ACCELERATOR STICKING ON THE EXPRESSWAY SEVERAL TIMES. I REPORTED THIS TO FORD (DEARBORN) AND TOLD THEM THEY HAD A PROBLEM, HOWEVER, THEY DID NOT SEEM INTERESTED IN INVESTIGATING THE ISSUE, AND SUGGESTED I PAY A DEALER TO FIX IT. I HAVE DRIVEN THE VEHICLE, WITHOUT USING THE SPEED CONTROL AND BEING VERY CAREFUL TO ACCELERATE SLOWLY (AS MY DAUGHTER STILL HAS MY VEHICLE). BUT, NOW I WILL TAKE IT A DEALER AND FORD (THANKS TO THE GOVERNMENT AND THE VEHICLE SAFETY LAW) WILL PAY TO FIX IT! *TR

THE STRAPS WHICH HOLD UP THE GAS TANK ON MY 2002 FORD ESCAPE ARE RUSTED AND HAVE SNAPPED IN HALF DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION. THE FRONT STRAP IS JUST HANGING THERE. FORD SAID THERE IS NO RECALL. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE WENT TO GET IN THE VEHICLE, HE SMELLED AN ODOR OF BURNING PLASTIC. WHEN HE STARTED THE VEHICLE, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN REPAIRED ACCORDING TO RECALL 07V156000 (ABS CONTROL UNIT MODULE). THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR WAS EXAMING AND A LUBRICANT WAS INJECTED AT THAT TIME. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAD NO FAILURES WITH THE VEHICLE UNTIL AFTER THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO IDENTIFIED THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE REPAIR EXPENSES WOULD HAVE TO BE PAID AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE CONTACT PLANNED TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 102,000.

PURCHASED VEHICLE WAS USED AROUND TOWN FOR 4 DAYS ON THE FORTH DAY DROVE ON HWY WAY AT 65 MPH THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT CAME ON FLASHING CAR FAILED TO SHIFT OUT OF GEAR. PULLED OFF ROAD TURNED OFF. FOUND CAR LEAKING AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID AND WOULD NO LONGER GO INTO GEAR ONCE IT HAD BEEN SHUT OFF. IS CURRENTLY AT TRANSMISSION SHOP THE ARE ATTEMPTING TO FIND WHAT THE ISSUE IS. VEHICLE IS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. *TR

MY WIFE'S 02 FORD ESCAPE (WITH LESS THAN 50K MILES) JUST HAD ONE OF THE GAS TANK STRAPS BREAK DUE TO CORROSION. MAJOR FIRE/SAFETY HAZARD IF THE GAS TANK HITS THE GROUND. VERY SIMILAR ISSUE KNOWN WITH F150. THE DEALER IS CHARGING US $1K TO FIX!!! THIS SAME CAR IS ALSO IN THE SHOP EVERY OTHER MONTH FOR A FAULTY AIRBAG SWITCH/RELAY THAT WE'VE SPENT HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX. THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY MAKES ME SICK! WHY IS IT SO HARD FOR THESE GUYS TO DO THE RIGHT THING? IT BLOWS MY MIND. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE CONTACT HEARD THE ALARM, LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD AND SAW A FIRE IN THE ABS AREA. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSIS LOCATED THE FAILURE AS THE ABS WIRING HARNESS. THE MANUFACTURER WILL BE CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 150,000.

WHILE STARTING THE ENGINE AFTER OVERNIGHT PARKING, A LOUD EXPLOSION WAS HEARD AND WHITE SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE IGNITION WAS IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF. EXAMINATION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED A DAMAGED DECORATIVE COVER OVER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD AND SHATTERED INTAKE MANIFOLDS. TWO SPARK COILS WERE LATER FOUND TO BE DAMAGED BY THE EXPLOSION. THE HEADS WERE RECONDITIONED AS IGNITION LEAKAGE THRU THE UNSEATED VALVES WAS A FACTOR CONTRIBUTING TO THE IGNITION OF THE RESIDUAL GASES IN THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. SECONDARY CONTRIBUTION WAS THE ORIGINAL INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS OF AN OLD STYLE AND NOT CAPABLE OF WITHSTANDING THE BACKFIRE FORCE. A NEW, MODIFIED COMPOSITE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS AVAILABLE BUT NOT ON A RECALL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL BURNING ODOR EMITTING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CRUISE CONTROL, ABS AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHTS SUDDENLY ILLUMINATED AS SMOKE BEGIN EMITTING FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT THEN NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE AS FLAMES POURED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BUT INDEPENDENTLY RE-IGNITED . THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE/FIRE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 134,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHEN HE AS ADVISED THAT THE ABS NEEDED REPLACING. THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V156000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: ANTILOCK: CONTROL UNIT/MODULE). THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER RECALL, AND FURTHER REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 200,130.

RECALL ON 2002 FORD ESCAPE FOR THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE RECALL NUMBER 07V-156 I HAD THIS RECALL DONE AT LONG FORD IN EUREKA, MO. OCTOBER 13, 2008. ON AUGUST 7, 2010 THE WIRE BURNT ON THIS AND WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE MODULE. FORD SAID THAT THEY HAD ALREADY FULFILLED THEIR OBLIGATION AND WOULD NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING. UPDATED IVOQ 09./08/10*JB *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES FAILED. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL # 07E023000. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 155,000. UPDATED 04/06/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER. UPDATED 04/16/12

REF.: 2002 FORD ESCAPE ON JULY 22 THE CAR WAS IN THE DRIVEWAY, NOT RUNNING, MY SON WAS WASHING IT. IT STARTED BILLOWING SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WITHOUT CAUSE. HE LIFTED THE HOOD, WATERED DOWN THE AREA THAT WAS BURNING. IT STARTED AND WE PUT IT IN THE GARAGE. THE NEXT MORNING MY WIFE ENTERED OUR GARAGE, AT ABOUT 7:00 AM, THE GARAGE WAS ENGULFED IN SMOKE WITH A SMELL OF BURNT RUBBER. I DROVE THE FORD OUT ON TO THE DRIVE WAY. NOW IT MALFUNCTIONED, THE ABS AND ENGINE CHECK LIGHT WERE ON. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET. WHEN I TYPED IN 'SMOKE COMING FOR THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT OF A 2002 FORD ESCAPE' IT SENT ME TO A NHTSA WEBSITE WHERE LISTED WERE MANY 2002 FORD ESCAPES THAT HAD FOR NO REASON CAUGHT FIRE. THE PROBLEM STATED WAS THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM WITH RECALLS ON THIS YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL OF FORD. I CONTACTED THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT FORD ESCAPES HAD NO PROBLEMS AND NOT ON A RECALL LIST. I LATER CALLED THEM BACK AND GAVE THEM A RECALL NUMBER. I WAS ADVISED THAT HIS WAS NOT ONE OF THE VEHICLES COVERED BY THAT RECALL. I CALLED MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND THEY SUGGESTED A DIAGNOSIS BY LOCAL FORD DEALER TO DETERMINE PROBLEM. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER AND IT WAS THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM. MY WIFE IS NOW AFRAID OF IT, BECAUSE IT IS DANGEROUS AND AFRAID IT WILL BURST INTO FLAMES. I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY OFFICE OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL CLAIMS DEPARTMENT P.O BOX 70, DEARBORN, MICHIGAN 48121-0070 WHERE I AN DIRECTED TO PERFORM A FULL COMPLETE INVESTIGATION FOR THEM WITH PICTURES OF THE ENTIRE VEHICLE, DAMAGED PARTS, COPY OF PINK SLIP, REGISTRATION, COMPLETE ACCOUNT OF INCIDENT, REPAIR RECEIPTS OR ESTIMATES AND LETTER OF DENIAL OF THE INSURANCE COMPANY CLAIM. IF THE INSURANCE COMPANY SETTLES THE CLAIM THEY WILL NOT COVER THE VEHICLE. I HAVE 90 DAYS TO RESPOND BEFORE THEY CLOSE THE CASE. MY INSURANCE COMPANY STATES THEY WILL ONLY REPAIR WHAT BURNT AND NOT GET MY VEHICLE TO FUNCTION AS IT DID PRIOR TO IT CATCHING FIRE. *TR

MY AIRBAG LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON EVERY TIME I START MY FORD ESCAPE. UPON REVIEW OF THIS IT'S BEEN ON COMPLAINT WEBSITES SEVERAL TIMES BY HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE. HOW MANY OF THESE PEOPLE NEED TO DIE DUE TO MALFUNCTION OF THE AIR BAGS BEFORE WE HAVE A RECALL. THIS LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE I'VE OWNED THE VEHICLE. ALSO MY WINDOW STOPPED GOING UP. THE DIPSTICK CAN'T GIVE A CLEAR READING OF THE OIL AMOUNT. THESE THINGS LEAD TO DEATH, CONSTANT AND COSTLY REPAIR, AND CONSTANT PROBLEMS. *TR

THE CAR HAD THE ORIGINAL PLUGS IN IT AT THE TIME OF THE FIRST INCIDENT. IT HAD ALWAYS RAN GREAT SO WE HAD NO REASON TO CHANGE THEM. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IT WENT FROM FINE TO A LOUD BANG AND RUNNING TERRIBLE SOUNDING LIKE IT HAD OPEN HEADERS. THE SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF THE HEAD BREAKING THAT CYLINDER 3 COIL PACK AS WELL. WE HAD IT HELI COILED AND CHANGED THE PLUGS TORQUEING THEM TO SPEC WITH A TORQUE WRENCH AND CHANGING ALL THE COIL PACKS AS WELL JUST BECAUSE, ABOUT 30000 MILES LATER (2-21-12) IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON CYLINDER 6. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A CASTING ISSUE WITH THE HEAD BEING TOO THIN AT THE PLUG THREADS. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS AND IT IS EXTREMELY COMMON ONLINE. PLEASE HAVE THEM RECALL. *TR

MY DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT WENT OUT. I WENT TO THE LOCAL AUTOZONE TO GET A REPLACEMENT BULB. WHEN I REMOVED THE HEADLIGHT PLUG, IT LOOKED LIKE IT WAS MELTED. I REMOVED AND INSTALLED A NEW LIGHT BULB. I THEN TESTED THE NEW BULB TO MAKE SURE IT WORKED. IT DID NOT TURNED ON. THE HEADLIGHT PLUG SEEMS LIKE IT MELTED AT SOME POINT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND ERUPTED INTO FLAMES WITHOUT WARNING. THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENT WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. THE FIRE ORIGINATED FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER PRIOR TO THE FAILURE FOR AN UNKNOWN REPAIR REGARDING THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATION. THE VEHICLE REMAINED AT THE DEALER FOR FIVE DAYS TO PERFORM THE SERVICE REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY TO DECLARE WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED; AND TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNAVAILABLE.