10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 2 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 3 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 116,180 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
Frame rusted out. Ford has taken over 2 weeks to attempt to fix. I'm having to rely on friends and family for a ride. No communication within dealer and customer
- Detroit, MI, USA
Rusted subframe- while getting an oil change I was told that the subframe was so rusted that the vehicle could not be placed on a lift. The mechanic said it was the worst he had ever seen and the car was unsafe to drive
- Cherry Hill, NJ, USA
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the frame of the vehicle was completely rusted. While driving various speeds, the vehicle shook violently. The vehicle was taken to brian bemis Ford (1380 dekalb ave, sycamore, il 60178, (815) 895-4584) to be diagnosed and they refused to release the vehicle back to the contact due to the dangerous condition of the rusted frame. The dealer stated that they would not charge the contact a storage fee. The contact purchased the vehicle in March of 2018. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 125,000.
- Sycamore, IL, USA
My vehicle should be covered under Ford recall 14S02. Sub frame completely rusted through while driving endangering my family's safety. Illinois, "salt state". currently at Ford dealership unsafe to drive.
- Sycamore, IL, USA
My engine coolant light stays on even after taking steps to fix it as it was a problem with the 2002 Ford Escapes, and there is a problem with my power steering as fluid and all that is fine, which I read was a recall also.
- Elkton, MD, USA
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic to be serviced. While the mechanic was test driving the vehicle at approximately 35 mph, an abnormal noise was heard coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact stated that the front passenger side lower control arm fractured, which caused the wheel to separate from the suspension. Prior to the test drive, the contact was informed by the mechanic of severe rust on the lower control arm. The vehicle was towed back to the facility. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer (elkhorn motors Ford, 910 N Wisconsin St, elkhorn, wi 53121, (262) 723-2131) was contacted and a subsequent VIN search showed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V165000 (structure). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 106,000. The consumer stated the gas tank straps were also corroded and needed to be replaced.
- Elkhorn, WI, USA
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. While driving 10 mph, the steering wheel shook without warning. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer (blackwell Ford, 41001 Plymouth rd, Plymouth, mi) where it was diagnosed that the cross frame, lower control arm, and exhaust needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 185,000.
- Plymouth, MI, USA
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. While attempting to accelerate from a traffic light, the steering failed without warning. The contact stated that the steering wheel went in one direction and the wheels went in a different direction. The vehicle was towed to reineke Ford Lincoln of lima (1360 greely chapel rd, lima, oh 45804, (419)223-3673) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the passenger side lower control arm support was severely rusted, which caused the lower control arm to fracture and separate from the vehicle. The contact was informed that the sub frame, cross member, control arm, and steering assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V165000 (structure). The manufacturer was contacted and notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
- Bluffton, OH, USA
Driving on a 45 mi/hr road I hit a minor bump (approx 1" raised road across all lanes) due to poor road maintenance. After hitting this bump there was a loud popping noise every time I turned the wheel fully left or right. I could also feel this in my feet underneath the car. I was concerned and had plans to drive it to the auto shop later that day. When turning left out of a parking lot in town, heading to the shop, I noticed when I went to straighten out the wheel the steering wheel was a complete 90 degrees off from normal once I got the vehicle going straight. It did not feel safe to drive and I had it towed into the auto shop. After inspection it was found to be a rotted out and cracked sub frame. Ford did a recall on this specific part in 2014 due to major corrosion issues with the 2001-2004 models. This vehicle was taken in for the recall, however, instead of replacing the part they decided it was good enough to drill a hole in the corroded part and install a bracket across the whole sub frame. I don't see how weakening a corroded part with a hole being drilled in it is any solution. I am not alone thinking this is a major issue that Ford is completely ignoring. If the sub frame had failed when I was on the highway instead of exiting the parking lot I could have potentially been seriously injured as the sub frame holds the wheel and steering mechanism together. Ford needs to take this issue with their vehicles seriously as they are putting peoples lives in danger.
- Chelsea, MI, USA
Sub frame cracked, corrosion. Ford is refusing to fix the sub frame instead they issue a safety recall 14S02 which does not replace the damage part. Almost had accident with child on board, car went side ways, steering control was lost. How can Ford be allowed to issue a safety recall but it doesn't fix the bad part. Recall 14S02 only installs a metal bar so the wheel doesn't come off. Once subframe is already broken Ford doesn't do the repair. People life matter.
- Brooklyn, NY, USA
Sub frame/cradle rusted and caused a separation of the right front axel and stabilizer. The failure occurred while driving, just as we were exiting the highway. A loud thud occurred and the steering wheel shifted making driving and steering extremely difficult. This vehicle, according to Ford's records, had a structure recall for the same issue (14V165000) the vehicle had been repaired at a Ford dealer for the said recall a few years ago. Ford is unwilling to help pay for the current repairs as we did not take it to a dealer for repair (which would have required towing as the car was barely drivable). This is a potentially dangerous situation and, it seems, the recall did not correct the original problem.
- Shelby Township, MI, USA
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. While driving 10 mph, the contact heard something fracture under the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was confirmed that the reinforcement cross-brace failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 14V165000 (structure), but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the cross-brace was not a sufficient repair for the control arm corrosion. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
- Manchester, CT, USA
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. While attempting to have new control arms placed on the vehicle, the contact was informed by the service technician that the subframe of the vehicle was rusted and needed to be repaired before the control arms could be installed. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V165000 (structure). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 85,900. The VIN was not available.
- Chestnut Ridge, NY, USA
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the frame of the vehicle was rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 14V165000 (structure). The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 184,000. Updated 10/13/16
- Old Bridge, NJ, USA
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a dealer for NHTSA campaign number: 14V165000 (structure), but the remedy did not provide a permanent solution. Upon further inspection, extensive rust and corrosion were found near the lower control arm to the point that the part could fracture. The failure mileage was not available.
- Marstons Mills, MA, USA
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. While pulling out of the driveway, the passenger side control arm suddenly separated from the subframe. While inspecting the vehicle, the contact discovered that the failure occurred due to rusting of the subframe. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V165000 (structure), although the vehicle experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 160,000.
- University Hieghts, OH, USA
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while making a turn at approximately 2 mph, an abnormal sound emitted from the vehicle as the contact lost control of the vehicle. The contact mentioned that after exiting the vehicle, he discovered that the front lower control arm and the sub frame had excessive rust and was fractured. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V165000 (structure). The approximate failure mileage was 177,000.
- Campton, KY, USA
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the sub frame had failed due to rust and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.
- Wakefield, MA, USA
The front passenger door locking system is defective and is stuck in the lock position. Unable to open door from the outside or the inside of the car. This is a safety issue that should have been addressed in the past since I noticed numerous complaints regarding this same problem on the internet or your NHTSA website. The Ford dealer service manager also mentioned to me that this is a recurring problem that should have been addressed in the past by Ford. Service fee is $500 if the repairman is able to open the door without breaking it as sometimes it does break causing an even more expensive repair. This is an expensive repair job for a jammed locking mechanism that should easily be working properly. God forbid I am involved in a car accident and my wife, other front passenger or myself is unable to open the door in case of an emergency. This is a major inconvenience as any passenger that wants to sit in the front has to leap through the driver door to sit in the front. My wife is the original owner of this car and it currently has 130,000 miles. All car doors should be able to work without jamming as this obviously poses a safety issue. Why NHTSA has never bothered to escalate this problem to a recall is beyond me when there are other Ford Escape owners with the same safety problem? please advice, thanks.
- Coral Gables, FL, USA
- Rocky Point, NC, USA