2002 Ford Escape Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 1%of 1,027 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 116,662miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2002 Ford Escape, 1% of the 1,027 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 116,662 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My driver's side headlight went out. I went to the local autozone to get a replacement bulb. When I removed the headlight plug, it looked like it was melted. I removed and installed a new light bulb. I then tested the new bulb to make sure it worked. It did not turned on. The headlight plug seems like it melted at some point.”
NHTSA complaint #10343466, filed 2010-07, 70,500 miles“I was driving down a dark country road last week when my high beam headlights went out. I consider this a safety problem. I switched to low beams which worked. Saturday morning I went to the local Ford dealer. No mechanic was on duty ;but the owner verified the lights did not work. He said to bring it back monday for a mechanic to check it. Monday the mechanic checked it out and could not find the problem. The lights worked on monday. He said to bring it in when they were not working so they could get an error code. Well, I had done that. The problem is intermittent and the lights work now. …”
NHTSA complaint #10149548, filed 2006-02, 25,400 miles“The vehicle, after being turned off, would not turn back on, and the gear indicator square that surrounds the engaged gear was multiplying, flashing and dancing from gear to gear. This happened a second time exactly one week later, and this time the interior lights were flashing and could not be stopped. After quite some time once the key was removed and the door was closed, the flashing interior lights ceased and would only continue again once the key was in the ignition. …”
NHTSA complaint #10485212, filed 2012-11, 172,000 miles“Had been having a problem with a loud squeaking noise coming from the steering column when turning; checked the NHTSA service bulletins and found a bulletin from june 1, 2003 noting this same problem; check engine light was also on again; I made an appt at dealer to check out these issues (4/7/04). Took vehicle in on 4/9/04. …”
NHTSA complaint #10086131, filed 2004-08, 27 miles“I have taken the 2002 Ford Escape to the dealer many times for the headlights not coming on, turning off, blinking while in use, and not turning off after use. This was a safety issues that needed to be addressed. The only way I could get the lights to go off was to remove the fuses. I am having trouble even finding out if this item was a defect recall. That was put up with the Ford company I grew up with.”
NHTSA complaint #10192989, filed 2007-06Related service bulletins
- 10013423Nov 1, 2004Condensation inside the foglamps.
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 4% |
| 2024 | 1 | 1% |
| 2023 | 2 | 2% |
| 2022 | 5 | 2% |
| 2021 | 5 | 1% |
| 2020 | 7 | 0% |
| 2019 | 13 | 2% |
| 2018 | 12 | 1% |
| 2017 | 40 | 1% |
| 2016 | 6 | 1% |
| 2015 | 13 | 1% |
| 2014 | 15 | 1% |
| 2013 | 15 | 1% |
| 2012 | 2 | 0% |
| 2011 | 3 | 0% |
| 2010 | 4 | 0% |
| 2009 | 5 | 0% |
| 2008 | 6 | 0% |
| 2007 | 1 | 0% |
| 2006 | 2 | 0% |
| 2005 | 8 | 1% |
| 2004 | 2 | 0% |
| 2003 | 1 | 0% |
| 2002 | 12 | 1% |
| 2001 | 6 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2002 Ford Escape
294 complaintsBrakes
195 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 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