2002 Ford Escape Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 87about this part
- Share
- 8%of 1,027 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 125,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 87 complaints about the body and structure of the 2002 Ford Escape, 8% of the 1,027 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 125,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, 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.
“My vehicle began to make unknown noises when driving, and steering control became very loose. I promptly took the car to my mechanic. I was told the subframe was so badly rotted that the passenger wheel control arm had separated from the subframe and can not be reattached without replacing the subframe. The vehicle is now no longer safe to drive.”
NHTSA complaint #10547293, filed 2013-10, 119,000 miles“While driving along a highway in virginia, I heard. (and felt) a loud noise from the rear of the car. I thought I hit a pothole. I continued driving toward florida, stopping in a motel in south carolina. The next morning, while re-packing the car, I noticed the gas tank had fallen and was partly sitting on the rear axle.”
NHTSA complaint #10578090, filed 2014-04, 176,000 miles“Lower control arm ripped off under cradle & ripped passenger side drive shaft off the transmission - the wheel fell off the car. It appears under cradle rusted from inside. I shudder at the thought of that happening when my wife was on the freeway, instead of coming to a stop. This vehicle was always kept in the garage.”
NHTSA complaint #10512534, filed 2013-05, 86,036 miles“My engine coolant light stays on even after taking steps to fix it as it was a problem with the 2002 Ford escapes, and there is a problem with my power steering as fluid and all that is fine, which I read was a recall also.”
NHTSA complaint #11103674, filed 2018-06, 165,000 miles“The passenger side door is stuck in the locked position. This is not an uncommon problem according to an internet search. I believe this should be a recall as it is a safety problem, and my car won't pass state inspection unless it is fixed. It is an expensive repair (I was quoted $700).”
NHTSA complaint #10574155, filed 2014-03, 142,000 milesRelated recalls
- 14V165000Apr 2, 2014Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2004 Escape vehicles manufactured October 22, 1999, through January 23, 2004, originally sold…Covers: Ford Escape 2001–2004
Related service bulletins
- 10183772Apr 21, 20162001-2004 Escape vehicles Safety Recall 14S02 has been issued for vehicles that are operated in high corrosion areas for an extended period, where a corrosion-related separation…
- 10014265Dec 27, 2004Serviceability of instrument panel register vents.
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 8% |
| 2024 | 2 | 3% |
| 2023 | 5 | 5% |
| 2022 | 20 | 8% |
| 2021 | 92 | 26% |
| 2020 | 671 | 41% |
| 2019 | 12 | 2% |
| 2018 | 20 | 1% |
| 2017 | 62 | 2% |
| 2016 | 21 | 2% |
| 2015 | 36 | 3% |
| 2014 | 84 | 4% |
| 2013 | 87 | 3% |
| 2012 | 68 | 11% |
| 2011 | 43 | 3% |
| 2010 | 84 | 4% |
| 2009 | 32 | 2% |
| 2008 | 41 | 2% |
| 2007 | 18 | 7% |
| 2006 | 63 | 14% |
| 2005 | 434 | 31% |
| 2004 | 138 | 28% |
| 2003 | 121 | 22% |
| 2002 | 87 | 8% |
| 2001 | 54 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2002 Ford Escape
294 complaintsBrakes
195 complaintsElectrical system
123 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
105 complaintsVehicle speed control
100 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 27, 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