8.3

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$340
Average Mileage:
121,350 miles
Total Complaints:
7 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. rethread #6 spark plug hole (3 reports)
  2. not sure (2 reports)
  3. changed spark plug and coil (1 reports)
  4. remove heads and rethread all of the spark plug holes (1 reports)
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2002 Ford Escape:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #7

Oct 312017

Escape V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

Driving on a highway, coasting down hill, step on gas hear a pop. Back off gas and check to make sure tires and handling are good. Think it must be another car. Carry on. Hear a strange sound of air escaping engine every time I touch gas. Check engine light came on and was blinking. Limp car to off ramp and get towed. Pain in the butt to fix because of where the spark plugs are located.

- Stephen S., Arvada, CO, US

problem #6

Aug 282017

Escape XLT 3.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,504 miles

trying to take child to walk in er clinic started the car and poof the spark plug ejected again!!!!!!!! at home with a sick kid and no way to get help for him. so pissed off. third time this has happened!

- Sidney H., Crescent City, US

problem #5

Aug 092017

Escape XLT 3.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,024 miles

was driving home from the river with my kids and husband, car died in our driveway, thankfully we had gotten home. the spark plug had ejected again!

- Sidney H., Crescent City, US

problem #4

Jul 052017

Escape XLT 3.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 128,023 miles

was driving down the road and the car started making this weird noise. then it stopped running. almost got hit by a semi truck trying to pull off the road. had to get a tow 100+ miles home.

- Sidney H., Crescent City, US

problem #3

Mar 262015

Escape XLT 3.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 106,843 miles

click to see larger images

spark plug ejected spark plug ejected spark plug ejected spark plug ejected spark plug ejected

Extreme Cost for an Aluminum Motor... Fix Or Repair Daily! ...is right... Never going to a Dealer again for repairs!

- Linda L., Eastanollee, GA, US

problem #2

Mar 302015

Escape XLT 3.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 107,023 miles

Getting rid of this vehicle...the SUV is a Transverse mounted Pain-in the Butt... Simple Tune-Up Costs $400 plus labor...replacing Coils, Plugs, and Diagnostic... You have to remove the Plenum /intake just to get to the rear plugs (3)...and Heaven help you if you just want to change the Air Filters ... Give me back the days of carburetors and distributors...the new "engineered" cars and trucks are a royal PITA to maintain...

- Linda L., Eastanollee, GA, US

problem #1

Jul 272014

Escape XLT 3.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 126,770 miles

Obviously it was extremely annoying, and possibly very dangerous.

I was returning home from vacation, on a Sunday. No place open to even attempt to get this resolved easily. I had 1 spark plug eject on the road. Absolutely no warning of any issue until, I heard a sound under the vehicle, checked my dash panel and saw the engine light. Fortunately I stopped immediately and called for road service. I had to be towed over 200 miles to get home and drop the vehicle off at my mechanic. He discovered that a 2nd plug was about to come out. It's my understanding that due to this problem it could have also caused an engine fire. Ford needs to get this issue resolved! I don't care if it is aluminum engines or the short threaded plugs, etc. FIX IT! I have been a loyal Ford owner for the majority of my whole driving life. Pintos, Fairlaines, Aerostars, Mustangs, and now my Escape. And unfortunately, my Escape has had the most recalls!

- Delilah O., Parma, OH, US