My wife was coasting (traveling downhill) in our 2002 Ford Escape XLT (2 wheel drive) when the engine suddenly stopped. The effect was as if the key had been turned off. She lost all power (steering, brakes, etc) and coasted into a sidewalk. It could have been much worse. Taking the proper precautions, she had the car towed to the nearest dealership (hayward Ford - very helpful, performed the tsb work right away), where they told her of a tsb that described the appropriate steps for the mechanics to take. The supposed tsb included replacement of the following items: Throttle body assembly, air charge body, mass air flow sensor, air charge sensor gasket, power relay for PCM, egr sensor, and the purge regulation valve for vapor system. I searched the NHTSA tsb site for the bulletin and couldn't find it. The number we were given was tsb 02-23-01. I noticed that an investigation into the cause of this problem by the NHTSA was closed and reopened in Sep 2002. From what I have read here at the NHTSA site, I think it's time for Ford to warn their Escape owners of this problem before someone is injured.

- Castro Valley, CA, USA

While driving at any speed, the engine was rumbling. The dealer could not duplicate or correct the problem. There was uncontrollable jumping and or kicking. The dealer replaced one defective part and was told that the rumbling noise would need to be investigated by Ford engineers. Ford did not know what was causing the noise, but say it was not dangerous. The vehicle would shake at certain speeds and cd's would get stuck in the cd player. The rotors were replaced because they were out of round, the stabilizer end links were replaced

- Norristown, PA, USA

While driving at 35 mph, the engine died without warning. This resulted in brake failure. The consumer had to coast the vehicle to a stop. The dealership replaced the idle error control valve, mass air flow sensor, throttle body, eec relay, dpfe sensor and the evap valve. The manufacturer has a new letter ref#02-23-1 on this issue.

- San Francisco, CA, USA

The 2002 for ecape that I have owned for 16 months has a defect in the engine that has made it unoporable and the computer system that is supposed to warn you of engine trouble never worked.

- Richmond Heights, OH, USA

2002 Ford Escape stalls while being driven. This happened twice in the past week, speed 30 mph. Loss of all power steering & brakes.

- Raleigh, NC, USA

My Ford Escape stalled while driving down an exit ramp. I lost all steering and braking capability.

- Sterling, VA, USA

Ford Escape stalled while driving, lost control of steering and brakes at the same time!!!

- Atlanta, GA, USA

Today, at approximately 11:45 am est, I was driving about 35 mph when all of a sudden I felt the steering tighten up and the brakes as well. I was unaware that my car had stalled out in the middle of the road. I coasted off of the road into a parking lot where I turned off my vehicle and restarted it. I had no problems after that. This is the second stall that has happened to my vehicle. The last one was in May 03.

- Valrico, FL, USA

While driving at 50 mph engine failed without warning.

- Sugar Hill, GA, USA

While driving about 45 mph, the vehicle shut down without warning. Engine check light appeared on the dashboard. The cause was due to defective engine controls. Other problems are as followed: Both rear door's body weatherstrips had come loose and were warped and the left rear quarter panel window.

- La Mirada, CA, USA

2002 Ford Escape, 23K000miles, stalled for the first time going less than 20 miles per hour onto freeway. At first I thought it was the battery, but then the car restarted immediately. I veered off the road but am very very frightened about this happening in a circumstance where I couldn't veer off the road. Does Ford require a death before it will recall?

- San Francisco, CA, USA

2002 Escape stalled twice without warning - dangerous, as you are unaware when this happens except that the steering becomes tight, difficult to steer and braking is difficult. Happens while traveling at 40 mph. No lights come on in the dash to let you know - very scary.

- Towaco, NJ, USA

2002 Ford Escape has stalled in traffic 4 times since I purchased the car new 13 months ago. All 4 times the car was gliding down a hill. I lost all steering and brakes. I have almost hit other cars while trying to stop the car. This is a extremely dangerous vehicle and should be removed from the road. I am extremely disgusted with Ford for not telling me of this prior to purchase or my driving the car. I checked with Ford and they did have a notice out on the problem prior to purchase but did not tell me of this potentially lethal problem.

- Kettering, OH, USA

Ford Escape 2002 suddenly stalled on major road while going 40 mph, was able to veer off into a side street but was scared to death.

- Newtown, PA, USA

2002 Ford Escape engine stalled while travelling about 30mph down road. Oil, engine, and battery lights came on and both power steering and power brakes failed. Had to leave roadway to avoid collision. Put vehicle in park and it restarted without problem. Currently at dealership.

- Surprise, AZ, USA

The vehicle stalled while driving. This happened four times and the dealer couldn't determine the problem.

- Damascus, PA, USA

Engine stalls without warning. Loses all power. After three complaints, dealer still cannot diagnose.

- Timonium, MD, USA

The vehicle stalled. Once while the vehicle was in the drive, the horn began to blow, and the lights started to blink. No one was in the vehicle or had touched the vehicle. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealership to be repaired, however they were unable to repair it because they could not duplicate the problems. The vehicle also rolled away with the ignition locked, keys removed and vehicle in park. Also the accelerator became stuck on four occasions. A representative from told the consumer the reason why the vehicle rolled away, was because the emergency brake had not been applied.

- Alkol, WV, USA

Consumer states that while driving at 35mph and with no warning vehicle will stall, and it will be hard for the consumer to control the vehicle. Dealer notified.

- Destin, FL, USA

Engine stalls intermittently on my Ford Escape V6 when decelerating.

- Horsham, PA, USA