10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 18
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 70,091 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.
When attempting to start the vehicle it would take along time to start. Vehicle checked nothing found, no trouble code. Changed things like fuel filter, air filter and other simple thing. Now vehicle stalls while driving but the vehicle will start back up immediately. Again no trouble codes. The truck stalled in traffic 5 times in less than one mile, a road that is traveled several times a day.
- Indianapolis, IN, USA
The contact owned a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the driver of the vehicle parked the vehicle and moments later, the vehicle ignited into flames. There were no injuries and the vehicle was destroyed. A fire report was filed. The contact stated that the cause of the fire was unknown. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 80,000.
- Bloomfield, MI, USA
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact stated that a burning odor was exhibited form the vehicle while driving 70 mph. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that there were two leaks coming from the engine. The vehicle was repaired however, the burning odor remained after the vehicle was repaired. The contact also stated that she received notification of NHTSA campaign id number 07V156000 (service brakes, hydraulic:antilock:control unit/module) but was informed that the parts would not be available to repair the vehicle until the second quarter of 2012. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000.
- Dublin, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked outside of her home when she noticed smoke coming from under the hood of the vehicle. The smoke cleared within moments, before the contact could reach the vehicle and investigate. The vehicle was taken and left with the dealer. The dealer later contacted the owner of the vehicle to inform him that the vehicle had exploded while at the dealer and damaged five other vehicles. The vehicle was destroyed. The current and failure mileage was 99,000. Updated 05/24/12
- Ocala, FL, USA
The car had the original plugs in it at the time of the first incident. It had always ran great so we had no reason to change them. While driving down the road it went from fine to a loud bang and running terrible sounding like it had open headers. The spark plug blew out of the head breaking that cylinder 3 coil pack as well. We had it heli coiled and changed the plugs torqueing them to spec with a torque wrench and changing all the coil packs as well just because, about 30000 miles later (2-21-12) it happened again on cylinder 6. obviously this is a casting issue with the head being too thin at the plug threads. I have researched this and it is extremely common online. Please have them recall.
- Parma, MI, USA
Received notice from Ford regarding safety recall 11S24 for Escape 2002 dated January 2012. Advised not to park car near any structures to prevent a potential fire from spreading in unlikely event that your ABS module develops an electrical short. Ford dealer inspection performed 2/9/2012 states car will need safety recall parts but will not be available for 45 days or later. Contacted Ford mfg, customer service supervisor tried to locate parts- unavailable. Supervisor says notice is not official yet, there are no implementation plans or parts available for older cars, no repair procedures available. Offered to help me qualify for a new car and work with local dealership. 2nd offer to place aftermarket parts at my cost and apply for reimbursement/partial reimbursement/no reimbursement based on if the recall is going to go through. Is this official or not official, and is Ford releasing themselves of liability if there is property damage and that is the nature of the letter.
- Riverside, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 65 mph, the vehicle decreased while depressing the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where they diagnosed that the catalytic converter was clogged. The vehicle was repaired with a new catalytic converter. The failure mileage was 142,000 and the current mileage was 143,000.
- Normo, IL, USA
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, burning oil fumes were emitted into the vehicle through the vents. The contact mentioned that the brake warning lamp was illuminated and that he was constantly replenishing the brake fluid reservoir. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 12V005000 (service brakes, hydraulic:antilock:control unit/module ). the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 120,000 and the current mileage was 134,000.
- Brooklyn , NY, USA
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked in the garage, the engine caught fire. The fire department stated that the fire initiated in the engine compartment. A fire department report was filed. The manufacturer fiwas made aware of the failure and the insurance company was investigating the cause of failure. The failure and the current mileage was 110,000.
- Oklahoma City, OK, USA
The vehicle was parked in the driveway. While turning the ignition to start, there was a catastrophic engine explosion. The hood largely contained the fire. Luckily no one was injured and the fire did not last long and did not spread to the surroundings. A tow truck was called and the repair shop technician found the "intake manifold had blown to pieces". a code on the system indicated a misfire on cylinder 5. the vehicle was repaired for $1720, including cam position sensor, intake manifold, and ignition coil, relating to the incident.
- Houston, TX, USA
Spark plug blew out of the head which also broke the ignition coil housing. I tapped the spark plug hole in the head to accept a "heli-coil" insert and reinstalled the spark plug. Also had to replace the coil to securely mount the ignition coil. Fix appears to be working... for now.
- Crossville, TN, USA
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact stated that there was an abnormal burning odor emitting from the vehicle. The cruise control, ABS and check engine warning lights suddenly illuminated as smoke begin emitting from the front end of the vehicle. The contact then noticed that the vehicle was on fire as flames poured from under the hood. The fire was extinguished but independently re-ignited. The fire department was called and extinguished the fire. A police/fire report was available. The vehicle was then towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not repaired and had not been driven since the failure. The contact called the manufacturer who offered no assistance. The current and failure mileage was approximately 134,000.
- Akron, OH, USA
While starting the engine after overnight parking, a loud explosion was heard and white smoke was seen coming from under the hood. The ignition was immediately turned off. Examination of the engine revealed a damaged decorative cover over the intake manifold and shattered intake manifolds. Two spark coils were later found to be damaged by the explosion. The heads were reconditioned as ignition leakage thru the unseated valves was a factor contributing to the ignition of the residual gases in the intake manifold. Secondary contribution was the original intake manifold was of an old style and not capable of withstanding the backfire force. A new, modified composite intake manifold was available but not on a recall.
- Summerville, SC, USA
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact stated the vehicle was parked and erupted into flames without warning. The fire and police department were called to the scene. The fire department extinguished the flames. The fire originated from the engine compartment. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle had been taken to the dealer prior to the failure for an unknown repair regarding the anti-lock brake system warning light indicator illumination. The vehicle remained at the dealer for five days to perform the service repair. The contact stated at the time of the complaint the vehicle had not been inspected by the insurance company to declare whether the vehicle was completely destroyed; and to determine the cause of failure. The failure mileage and VIN were unavailable.
- Oak Harbor, WA, USA
My 2002 Ford Escape caught fire while parked and was recorded as a total loss. The consumer stated the fire started under the hood. Updated 06/23/10
- Chesterfield, MO, USA
Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) I am requesting that you obtain a history on the *flex hose* for the Ford Escape. My daughter owns a 2002 Ford Escape and on Friday March 5,2010 narrowly escaped a major tragedy. She was traveling with her two children when she was required to stop at a railway crossing as a train was approaching. She was successful in coming to a complete stop, however, at that precise moment her brake pedal went right to the floor board. She was fortunate to be ale to move her vehicle out of harms way. We went to a nearby service station and requested the mechanic make arrangements to tow the vehicle and make the necessary repairs. When we informed him what the problem was and what type of vehicle was involved, he informed us (without having seen the vehicle) that he had no doubt it would be the *flex hose*. he informed us that the Ford Escape was notorious for that problem. He researched and confirmed there was no call back. When he returned the vehicle to us, he showed us where one of the flex hoses had blown, where another one should have blown and that the other two were within kilometers of being blown. This is a terrible and dangerous situation. I am amazed no accidents have not already happened due to the *flex hose* safety issue. For the safety of all concerned, please ensure that this matter is researched an appropriate steps taken. [xxx]
- Nepean, 00, USA
While my daughter was eating diner at a local restaurant, her 2002 Ford Escape caught fire while parked with the engine off. According to our local Ford dealer all recall work on the vehicle has been completed. I have learned today that this model Ford has a history of fires in the engine compartment.
- Frisco, TX, USA
2002 Ford Escape caught fire around 3:00 am, had not been driven since 5:30 pm on previous day.
- Fayetteville, AR, USA
Hi; I just want to report my incident with my SUV Ford Escape, model 2002, the truck was on fire form the front side of it.
- Kirkland, WA, USA
- Lolo, MT, USA