Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA
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Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2002 Ford Escape submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 197 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
The 25 most recent of 197, in the owner's own words
I bought a vehicle that has recalls on it. I contacted a dealer. Im told the car is to old to fix the recalled abs relay. Now I have a vehicle thats on the road a fire hazard. The ford dealership have left me my with and kids and grand kids in danger
Vehicle was manufactured 04/2002 recalls state that from oct99 to jan04 multiple states had issues with rusting with suspension causing the car to crash. My vehicle was made in one of the states and has alot of underbody rusting. Back hatch latch gets stuck often and will not open. Drums on the back are sticking causing the vehicle to drag at take off, abs had a recall ford dealer "fixed" the issue abs light stays on. Radiator light stays on constantly even though fluids are at correct level radiator is not damaged. Battery light constantly stays on as well brand new battery and alternator wire are connected free of corrosion. Interior lights caught on fire and melted the plastic housing so I had to take out the small bulbs. Everything is available for inspection if needed.abs was looked at by Ford dealer and "fixed" but problem is still there. Problems have not been inspected by anyone other than the abs, no warnings at all. Events happened at different times during the time I got the vehicle. 2022 Jan
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WAS WATER IN THE FUSE BOX. THE CONTACT CALLED FRIENDLY FORD (2800 N TELEGRAPH RD, MONROE, MI 48162, (734) 243-6000) HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 195,002.
BREAKS MAKE SCRAP SOUND LIKE METAL GRINDING AND IT'S HARD TO BREAK I ALMOST HAVE TO PUSH THE BREAKS ALL THE WAY DOWN AND YOU FEEL IT IN THE PEDDLE IF YOU DRIVE AROUND 40 MPH AND GO TO PUT ON THE BREAKS THE SCRAPING SOUND HAPPENS AND SOMETIMES THE PEDDLE TRY'S TO LOCK UP. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED IN HER DRIVEWAY. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND FILED A REPORT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER AND THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLES WERE MELTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS, BUT WAS NOT TOWED FROM THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE DEALER (LITHIA FORD OF MISSOULA, 3943 BROOKS ST, MISSOULA, MT 59804) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE CALLED AND THE CONTACT WAS AWAITING A CALL BACK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD NOT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 12V005000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AND 12V353000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000. .*BF *TR
BOUGHT THIS CAR AND 2 MILES DOWN ROAD CHECK ENGINE, ABS, AND THE BRAKE AS WELL AS THE OVER DRIVE (ONLY ONE FLASHING) CAME ON. THE CAR GEAR SHIFT LEVER POPS OUT OF GEAR. THE VEHICLE HAS A NEW TRANNY. THE VEHICLE STALLS, AND IS BLOWING TRANNY FLUID. IT HAS HAD THE COMPUTE REPLACEE ON A RECALL. EVERY ISSUE I HAVE FOUND RELATES TO RECALLS, YET FORE TOLD ME NOPE ZERO RECALLS ON THIS EVEN AFTER I SHOWED HIM PROOF OF A RECALL ON THE ENGINE ITSELF. SO RECALLS; 07V156000, 15V606000, 12V005000, AND 04V165000 SOMEHOW DO NOT APPLY? SO I HAVE TO CRASH BEFORE FORD WILLL EVEN LOOK AT THE CAR. IT POPS OUT OF GEAR! CLEARLY AN ABS MALFUNCTION OR NOT? ALL HAZARDS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A FIRE THAT ERUPTED UNDER THE HOOD. THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED BY A FIRE COMPANY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS TO INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 12V353000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) AND 12V005000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT. *TT *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STATIONARY, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE FORWARD. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED MANUALLY, IN THE NEUTRAL POSITION, TO AN UNKNOWN PLACE OF BUSINESS. FURTHERMORE, THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL THERE WAS A SQUEALING AND CRACKING NOISE. THE WHEEL BEARING AND STRUTS WERE FAULTY ON THE VEHICLE AS STATED BY THE CONTACT. THE STEERING WHEEL MADE A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN TURNED LEFT OR RIGHT WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS IN ADDITION TO THE VEHICLE FRAME BECOMING SEVERELY RUSTED UNDERNEATH. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS STOPPED BY THE POLICE BECAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS WERE NOT ILLUMINATED. THERE WAS NO WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO OPEN THE REAR DOOR IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE BRAKE LIGHTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V005000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC); HOWEVER, THE REPAIR DID NOT REMEDY THE CONDITION. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FAILURES PRIOR TO THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT NOTICED EXCESSIVE SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD AND THE CAP LEAKED BRAKE FLUID, WHICH IMPACTED THE POWER STEERING PUMP AND CAUSED A SHORT WITHIN THE WIRES AND THE ABS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND REPAIR. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 169,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE. THE DETAILS OF THE FIRE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE), 12V353000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL), AND 12V005000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE SUSPENSION WAS UNSTABLE IN THE FRONT. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE ON A SECOND OCCASION. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAD TO CUT THE HOOD OPEN AND INSPECTED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS ON FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS AWAITING DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 151,703.
FOR THE PAST YEAR AND A HALF THE ABS WARNING LIGHT HAS BEEN ILLUMINATED. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE LATEST RECALL FIXED REGARDING THE RESERVOIR CAP. FORD COULDN'T GET THE ABS WARNING LIGHT TO TURN OFF...SO, HENCE THE LIGHT STILL INTERMIDANTLY COMES ON AND OFF. ALSO, THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON WHEN I START MY CAR AND WHEN I AM SLOWING DOWN. I JUST HAD MY MECHANIC CHANGE THE OIL A WEEK AGO AND AND STILL HAVING THE PROBLEM. ONE LAST THING, THE AIR BAG ILLUMINATION LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS. I TOOK IT TO MY DEALER AND THEY COULDN'T GET IT TO TURN OFF. AM I SAFE IN THINKING THAT MY AIR BAG WON'T DEPLOY JUST FOR THE HECK OF IT? NOT SURE WHAT TO DO? BUT IT SCARES ME.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V005000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR AND THE CONTACT HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE ABS AND BRAKE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR WHEEL SENSOR SHORT CIRCUITED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 209,000. UPDATED 04/06/15*LJ
DRIVING THE VEHICLE DOWN A RESIDENTIAL STREET. APPLIED THE BRAKES, PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CAR ROLLED TO A STOP WITH LIMITED BRAKING. PLACED INTO PARK AND HAD PASSENGER PUMP BRAKES. FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE HOSE ADJACENT TO THE CALIPER HAD RUPTURED. SAW ONLINE THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 1ST GENERATION FORD ESCAPES. COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC! *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKE PEDAL DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR AND THERE WAS SMOKE EMITTING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHICH WAS EXTINGUISHED BY THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V005000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE THE RECALL NOTICE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE HAD SURPASSED THE STATUE OF LIMITATIONS FOR THE RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 196,000.
MY COMPLAINT IS ABOUT THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE REAR DOOR LATCH. I CALLED THE FORD DEALER AND COMPLAINED ABOUT MY MASTER CYLINDER LEAKING, THEY TOLD ME THAT RECALL WAS ALREADY PERFORMED ON MY VEHICLE IN 2012. I WANTED TO KNOW WHY WOULD MY MASTER CYLINDER BE LEAKING AGAIN TWO YEARS LATER? I WONDER IF THIS JOB WAS EVER DONE. I DON'T FEEL THAT THE CUSTOMER SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR A JOB THAT WASN'T PERFORMED. MY OTHER COMPLAINT IS MY REAR DOOR LATCH. I WENT TO THE DEALER AND TOLD THEM THAT I WAS HAVING A PROBLEM WITH MY REAR DOOR LOCKING AND OPENING. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOLD ME I HAD TO PAY FOR THIS SERVICE. NOW I SEE THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE REAR DOOR LATCH BUT I WAS NOT INFORMED ABOUT THIS RECALL NOR DID I RECEIVE A RECALL LETTER. I WANT TO KNOW HOW I GO ABOUT HAVING THESE SERVICES COMPLETED. *TR
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. *TR
ON AUGUST 26, 2014, I WENT TO FAIR OAKS FORD LINCOLN DEALERSHIP SERVICE IN NAPERVILLE, ILLINOIS FOR SAFETY RECALL NOTICE 14S02 / NHTSA RECALL 14V-165 REPAIRS, AND I ASKED THEM TO CHECK AN ISSUE WHERE WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THERE IS A SCRAPING/GRINDING NOISE, FOLLOWED BY A KNOCKING NOISE, WHICH CAN AFFECT RELIABLE STOPPING AND THE VEHICLE STEERING STABILITY. SAFETY RECALL REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED, THEN IT WAS REPORTED THAT THE MECHANIC "PUSHED BACK" THE VACUUM PLATE COVER FOR THE ROTOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE TO RESOLVE THE SCRAPING/GRINDING/KNOCKING ISSUE WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE ISSUE WITH THE BRAKING ACTION AND SUBSEQUENT NOISES AND RESPONSE OF VEHICLE EXHIBITED ITSELF AGAIN BY THE SECOND STOPLIGHT AWAY FROM THE FAIR OAKS FORD DEALER LOCATION. TWO DAYS LATER, ON AUGUST 28, 2014, I TOOK MY 2002 FORD ESCAPE TO GEARHEAD AUTO SALES & REPAIR IN GLEN ELLYN, ILLINOIS FOR AN INSPECTION AND REPAIR COST ESTIMATE. ON THE LIFT, THE ISSUE WAS APPARENT TO THE MECHANIC AT GEARHEAD TO BE THE RIGHT FRONT AXLE BEING FAULTY, AND HE REPLACED THE RIGHT FRONT AXLE, WITH BOOTS, CLAMPS AND GREASE. MY ISSUE IS THAT THE FORD DEALER MECHANIC INSPECTED AND REPAIRED MY VEHICLE FOR THE FORD SAFETY RECALL NOTICE 14S02 / NHTSA RECALL 14V-165 IN THE SAME PROXIMITY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHEN IT WAS ON THE LIFT, BUT HE FAILED TO FIND AND REPORT THE EASILY SEEN FAULTY RIGHT FRONT AXLE PROBLEM THE GEARHEAD MECHANIC PROMPTLY REPORTED TO ME. INSTEAD, THE FORD REPRESENTATIVE FALSELY POINTED TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT BRAKE ROTOR VACUUM PLATE BEING OUT OF PLACE AS BEING THE ISSUE CAUSING THE SCRAPING/GRINDING/KNOCKING NOISE WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. IS THERE ANY TIE TO THE "CORROSION-RELATED SEPARATION" SAFETY RECALL ISSUE THAT LED TO THE FAULTY RIGHT FRONT AXLE CONDITION? SINCE MY UNEMPLOYMENT OVER THE PAST 3 YEARS, MY FORD ESCAPE HAS RARELY BEEN DRIVEN, AND ONLY IN MY LOCAL AREA. *TR
LOST BRAKES SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING; MANAGED TO CONTROL STOP WITH PARKING BRAKE. MECHANIC SAYS RIGHT FRONT BRAKE HOSE BROKE. HE MENTIONED THAT HOSE LINES ARE TOO SHORT IN THIS MODEL AND TEND TO CRACK AND BREAK, ESPECIALLY WHEN WHEEL FULLY TURNED, STRETCHING HOSE. ALL OTHER BRAKE LINES ARE CRACKED AND MUST BE REPLACED TO AVOID SAME ISSUE. MECHANIC REPORTS THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN FORD ESCAPES AND AN INTERNET SEARCH RETURNED MULTIPLE CONSUMER COMPLAINTS ABOUT SAME ISSUES, BUT NO RECALL OR WARNINGS ISSUED. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE THRESHOLD FOR RECALLS IS, BUT MY BRAKES WENT OUT JUST WHEN I WAS LEAVING A CROWDED GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT. HAD MY REACTION TIME NOT BEEN AS QUICK IT IS QUITE POSSIBLE SOMEONE COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED OR KILLED. THANK YOU. *TR
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. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL FOUR BRAKE LINES HOSE HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO RUST. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE ALTERNATOR FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,037.
THE CAR WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY. A COUPLE HOURS BEFORE I HAD RUN THE CAR IDLE IN THE DRIVE TO ADD COOLANT. AT AROUND 3 PM MY NEIGHBOR CALLED THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND NOTIFIED US OF SMOKE UNDER OUR CARPORT. FIRE DEPARTMENT SAID IT LOOKED LIKE THE BRAKES CAUGHT FIRE. AFTER THE INCIDENT THE RESEARCH AND TALKING TO THE DEALER BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION SAFELY RECALL NOTICE 11 S24 THAT WOULD HAVE PREVENTED THE FIRE. I NEVER GOT RECALL INFO AS I BOUGHT THE CAR SECOND HAND. CALLED FORD AND THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUNIMATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 166,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 55 IN THE RAIN, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO DECELERATE BUT THE VEHICLE SKID AND CRASHED INTO A MEDIAN. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,600.
I WAS APPROACHING A TRAFFIC LIGHT TO TURN. AS I APPLIED THE BRAKE INSTEAD OF STOPPING THE TRUCK ACCELERATED. HITTING THE BACK OF A VEHICLE. *TR
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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