2002 Ford Escape Latches, locks and linkages Problems
- Complaints
- 20about this part
- Share
- 2%of 1,027 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 53,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 20 complaints about the latches, locks and linkages of the 2002 Ford Escape, 2% of the 1,027 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 53,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Passenger rear door was locked shut. Would not open manually or otherwise. I had problem repaired (still under warranty), but now I think the other rear door and the passenger front door are having the same problem. It is starting to not open on the first try and this is very frusterating and unsettling.”
NHTSA complaint #10086977, filed 2004-08, 33,000 miles“Left rear door is jammed closed. Will not unlock either electrically or manually. Door cannot be opened from inside or outside handle. Dealer is very helpful but unable to repair. Ntsb lists several of same complaint but Ford has no solution. Only one remaining exit from rear and likely to fail from same design and trap passengers.”
NHTSA complaint #10157957, filed 2006-05, 59,000 miles“Twice in the past year door latches and/or electric locks have failed such that the door could not be opened from inside or outside the vehicle. First the rear passenger door failed and was repaired at a cost of $400.00 now the front passenger door is experiencing the same symptoms. This could be a considerable safety risk in the event of an emergency.”
NHTSA complaint #10112249, filed 2005-02, 37,000 miles“I have a 2002 Ford Escape, and the rear liftgate window hinges have broken 3 times [one twice, the other once] in normal operation. This is exactly the problem covered by safety recall 04s20, but Ford says that only applies to cars built in different assembly plants, not mine.”
NHTSA complaint #10266464, filed 2009-04, 43,000 miles“(1) ce light on again (2) vehicle not idling normally (3) vehicle not advancing from stop (4) smell burning oil from engine when shut off, no visible oil leak found on driveway (5) rattling from lf of the vehicle; speed of rattling directly related to speed of vehicle; starts around 25 MPH. (6) driver's seat lurches forward on seat track when braking; only occurs with lighter weight drivers. Took vehicle to dealer for the 30k mile check & to have them address the issues. …”
NHTSA complaint #10086134, filed 2004-08, 29,085 milesRelated recalls
- 04V602000Dec 20, 2004Certain 2004-2005 sport utility vehicles and certain 2001-2003 sport utiity vehicle having rear liftgate components serviced with 2004 equivalent components…Covers: Ford Escape 2001–2005
Latches, locks and linkages: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 | 2% |
| 2022 | 1 | 0% |
| 2021 | 1 | 0% |
| 2020 | 54 | 3% |
| 2019 | 1 | 0% |
| 2018 | 5 | 0% |
| 2017 | 8 | 0% |
| 2015 | 29 | 3% |
| 2014 | 65 | 3% |
| 2013 | 65 | 2% |
| 2012 | 8 | 1% |
| 2011 | 4 | 0% |
| 2010 | 2 | 0% |
| 2009 | 1 | 0% |
| 2008 | 2 | 0% |
| 2007 | 3 | 1% |
| 2005 | 6 | 0% |
| 2004 | 4 | 1% |
| 2003 | 7 | 1% |
| 2002 | 20 | 2% |
| 2001 | 30 | 3% |
| 2000 | 1 | 20% |
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 29, 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