2002 Model Year

Ford Escape

NHTSA Complaints & Reliability Data

Compare
Complaints
1,026
Recalls
1
Crashes
66
Severe
206

Active Recalls

Manufacturer safety recalls

12V005000 Jan 2012

Other

No consequence data available

Recent Complaints

Latest owner reports

Electrical System
Jul 2025

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. The con...

Engine
Dec 2024

I have had to replace my engine/transmission several times and the problem keeps repeating itself. The engine will just die for no reason which is an...

Suspension
Jan 2023

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound and started dri...

EXTERIOR LIGHTING,STRUCTURE,SERVICE BRAKES Fire
May 2022

Vehicle was manufactured 04/2002 recalls state that from oct99 to jan04 multiple states had issues with rusting with suspension causing the car to cra...

Power Train
Feb 2022

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH and depressing forcefully on the accelerator pedal, the accelerator pedal...

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE
Nov 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT NOTICED...

AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS
Jun 2021

The passenger side flashes with the Air bag symbol and has the seat belt too. Sometimes the symbol just stays on the dash board.

SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE
Jun 2021

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the contact heard a loud noise coming from the suspension of...

Structure
Jan 2021

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer, he was informed that the subframe was severely corro...

Suspension
Dec 2020

VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN HEARD A LOUD BANG WHEN HITTING A BUMP. STEERING BECAME ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE BUT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY GET OFF THE...

VS

Vehicle Safety Research Team

Automotive Data Analysts

Independent researchers analyzing NHTSA data to help consumers make informed vehicle decisions.

Data updated: March 4, 2026

Summary

The 2002 Ford Escape has 1026 complaints and 1 recalls on record. The most commonly reported issue is Engine. 66 crash-related incidents have been reported.

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