2002 Ford Escape Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 195about this part
- Share
- 19%of 1,027 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 102,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 195 complaints about the brakes of the 2002 Ford Escape, 19% of the 1,027 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 102,000 miles. 13 of these say a crash was involved and 51 a fire, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Brake lines crack prematurely and cause a blow out of the line. Loose control of braking system for the vehicle. I have replaced front brake lines twice since owning and now for a 3rd time for 3 of the 4 wheels. It was recommended by my mechanic to file a report with the NHTSA for this as they see this on nearly every Ford Escape that comes in for brake related issues.”
NHTSA complaint #10610399, filed 2014-07, 150,000 miles“Neighbor woke me saying my car was on fire. Car wasn't on, the key was not in, and it had sat overnight. Called fire department and fire put out. Car is totaled because the firemen had to break into the engine compartment. Engine area burned with nothing but metal visible and a melted battery. I have pictures.”
NHTSA complaint #10660158, filed 2014-11, 172,000 miles“I drove my vehicle home from work (less than 5 miles). When I pulled into my driveway and parked my vehicle, smoke began to pour out from the engine compartment. When I opened the hood there were flames directly in front of the driver side near the fire wall. These flames were originating from the ABS module location.”
NHTSA complaint #10406493, filed 2011-06, 160,000 miles“I crashed on november 24th of 2010 due to not being able to stop fast enough because of my anti lock brakes. Hurt someone in the process,had to pay fines and court costs and an accident on my perfect record because I was at fault for running into them. And I was left with a totaled truck I had to sell to pay for fines and now I found out there was a recall on my anti lock brakes which explains why it wasn't working right....”
NHTSA complaint #10448107, filed 2012-02, 180,000 miles“Abs light came on as did the brake service light. Found a recall notice and called Ford. They stated my vehicle was not part of the notice and it did not matter if my vehicle had the identical issues with the ABS module. They basically said they would do nothing unless a new recall notice was issued for the same problem from others whose vehicles were not included in the first recall! Never again Ford. Never.”
NHTSA complaint #10390126, filed 2011-03, 118,000 milesRelated recalls
- 12V005000Jan 9, 2012Ford is recalling certain model year 2001-2002 escape vehicles manufactured from october 22, 1999, through july 19, 2002, equipped with a brake master…Covers: Ford Escape 2001–2002
- 07V156000Apr 10, 2007On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with antilock brakes (abs), the abs module connector may have missing or dislodged wire seals. This condition could…Covers: Ford Escape 2001–2004
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 4% |
| 2024 | 3 | 4% |
| 2023 | 4 | 4% |
| 2022 | 34 | 14% |
| 2021 | 50 | 14% |
| 2020 | 45 | 3% |
| 2019 | 10 | 2% |
| 2018 | 27 | 1% |
| 2017 | 50 | 2% |
| 2016 | 21 | 2% |
| 2015 | 26 | 2% |
| 2014 | 38 | 2% |
| 2013 | 72 | 3% |
| 2012 | 21 | 3% |
| 2011 | 26 | 2% |
| 2010 | 50 | 2% |
| 2009 | 108 | 6% |
| 2008 | 140 | 7% |
| 2007 | 48 | 19% |
| 2006 | 68 | 15% |
| 2005 | 66 | 5% |
| 2004 | 32 | 6% |
| 2003 | 57 | 10% |
| 2002 | 195 | 19% |
| 2001 | 163 | 16% |
Other parts of the 2002 Ford Escape
294 complaintsElectrical system
123 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
105 complaintsVehicle speed control
100 complaintsBody and structure
87 complaintsSuspension
80 complaintsAir bags
79 complaintsSteering
70 complaintsFuel system
37 complaintsEngine
36 complaintsOther or unknown
36 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
34 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Ford Escape
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology