The contact owned a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact's neighbor informed him that his vehicle was on fire in his driveway. The contact used two full fire extinguishers and a water hose in an attempt to extinguish the fire. He was unsuccessful. The fire department arrived and successfully extinguished the flames. A fire report was filed and the fire department stated that an electrical fire started in the engine compartment. The fire marshall verified that numerous Ford vehicles had caught fire as well. The vehicle was completely destroyed. The grass outside of the contact's house, a large tree, and the driveway all sustained major damage. There were no injuries. The failure and current mileages were less than 89,000.

- Highland, TX, USA

Recently as I was leaving work I went to start my 2002 Ford Escape. When I turned the key there was a slight hesitation followed by what sounded like a really bad backfire followed by smoke pouring out from under the hood. When I lifted the hood, the plastic engine cover and intake were blown to pieces under the hood.

- Bethel, OH, USA

While driving, usually first thing in morning, the RPM's will rev up to approx. 2000. The vehicle becomes harder to stop...

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

Warped rotors on my 2002 Ford Escape. Has been ongoing problem. Have had to replace rotors several times but rotors keep warping dealer says to have rotors turned. This only works for a short time. I had brakes completely redone in Oct.08, problem recurring in Jan. 09.

- Elyria, OH, USA

My family and I were driving along the insterstate with cruise controll set at 75 mph. We were going up a small hill and about to go into the passing lane. The car sounded like the transmission slipped in over drive and the rpms went through the roof. We were able to coast to the side of the road. We turned the vehicle off for serveral minutes and then turned it back on. The oil pressure light flickered on and off and the engine made a horrible screeching noise. We checked the oil and it was full. The car had to be towed to the mechanic were he then informed us that the car needed a new engine. He stated the the catalytic convereted had gone out causing the engine to fail. The car also will need a new transmission. The total cost to fix this is around $8000. I contacted Ford today to tell them what had happened and they stated that there was nothing they could do since the car had not been serviced at a Ford service station consistantly since the car was first purchased and that they have had no other similiar complaints with this vechile. After researching online I have found many similar complaints where ever one has seemed to contact Ford and they say the same things to them. I also have had some smaller problems with this vehicle like the engine light going on and the emergency break light going on and brought them in to the shop and have had to replace the sensors. Right now I am not able to replace the vehicle due to finicial reasons.

- Spearfish, SD, USA

2002 Ford Escape stalls when backing up, going forward going down the road. Going around a corner. Went to Ford dealer and they had the vehicle for a week and found nothing. I can't drive this vehicle because it's unsafe. This is my only vehicle.

- Indpls, IN, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. While driving 45 mph, the vehicle shut off without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and drive home. The dealer test drove the vehicle, but could not diagnose the cause of the failure. The manufacturer stated that if the dealer was unable to diagnose the cause of the failure, they could not assist. The failure and current mileages were 80,000.

- Princeton , KY, USA

I own a Ford 2002 Escape. While visiting my mother on 06/25/08, I had parked my car in her drive and turned the ignition off. The keys were in the ignition. I had been at my mothers for aprx. 30-40 mins when I heard a loud explosion. I ran to the door and looked out and my vehicle was in flames. The fire dept. Seems to think that it was electrical. After researching this online, I see that this has happened with several Ford vehicles. My car is totaled.

- Newton Grove, NC, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. While driving 60 mph, the accelerator pedal went down to the floor and would not release. The contact was able to place the vehicle into second gear. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they stated that the cruise control cable failed and jammed the throttle cover. The transmission became damaged when the contact shifted into reverse gear. The manufacturer may not be able to assist. On November 25, 2007, the vehicle was taken to the dealer due to reverse. The dealer cleaned the throttle body, flushed the injectors, and cleaned the upper intake gasket and spark plugs. The fuel filters, coil boots, and ignitions wires were replaced. The current and failure mileages were 62,000. The consumer stated the battery light comes on while driving, replace fuel filter, and A/C is not blowing cold. Updated 03/31/08

- Idyllwild, CA, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact stated that he is experiencing that same failure as noted in NHTSA action # PE06048. He took the vehicle to the dealer to be inspected and they found nothing wrong with the vehicle. The vehicle caught fire under the hood. The contact disconnected the battery before the fire could spread. The current and failure mileages were 65,000.

- Anthony, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. When the vehicle was repaired under recall # 07V156000 (service brakes, hydraulic:antilock:control unit/module), the dealer stated that the oil pan gasket leaked and needed to be replaced. The dealer stated that the contact would be responsible for the cost to replace the oil pan. The contact is aware of the safety risk involved. The current mileage is 5,360 and failure mileage was 4,800.

- Norwalk, CT, USA

I took my 2002 Ford Escape to a Ford dealer to see if the recent recall of the ABS module connector affected my car only to find out that I had an oil leak from the master cylinder which was dropping onto the ABS module. Maybe this is why the cars are catching fire to begin with. If I hadn't taken my car in to be checked the oil probably would have caused a fire. I had to replace the master cylinder and my car only has 70K miles on it. I have never replaced one on any car I have ever owned and I have driven them over 150kmiles. It cost me 278 dollars..this car also had to have the rotors replaced when I replaced the brakes at 42K. The fuel pump was replaced at 34614 miles, the coolant recovery tank was replaced at the same time as the light was on. At 51K miles ck engine light came on. #4 coil had to be replaced at a cost of $282.17. At 70K the engine light came on. The gas cap failed and had to be replaced. This coast 97 dollars because it had to go on a diagnostic machine to find the problem. I was going to buy a Ford Escape hybrid but now I will never buy another Ford.

- Levittown, PA, USA

: 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.

- East Hanover, NJ, USA

: 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.

- Fullerton, CA, USA

: the contact stated the check engine light illuminated. The dealership determined the vehicle misfired on cylinder #1 and the engine needed to be replaced.

- Pelham, AL, USA

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.

- Pensacola, FL, USA

: 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.

- Angola, NY, USA

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. 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.

- Collegeville, PA, USA

Consumer experienced two problem with this vehicle on two separated occasions. First, vehicle stalled while driving, consumer tried to restarted, but was unable to do so. Secondly, while traveling vehicle started to accelerate uncontrollably. Consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle. Applied the brakes and the pedal went to the floor. Consumer was able to pull over. Afterwards vehicle was towed on both occasions. Mechanic determined that a head gasket blew out, and the speed control cable snapped. The head gasket, and speed control cable needed to be replaced.

- Wamego, KS, USA

While driving under 40 mph vehicle stalled. Consumer was concerned that the vehicle will be rear ended.

- Shawnee Mission, KS, USA