Two problems related to brake sensor have been reported for the 2002 Ford Escape. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2002 Ford Escape based on all problems reported for the 2002 Escape.
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.
Brakes and steering failed once while driving down a curvy mountain road, speed approx. 25 mph, second failure at approx 45 mph on a straight and level city road. Both times two feet had to be used on the brake pedal and with heavy steering and the vehicle was just stopped before crashing into obstacles. No warning preceeded the incidents. Three dash warning lights came on after. The dealer took the vehicle back to the dealership both times and the first time said perhaps we had more than one key on the key ring in the ignition key hole. This was noted as a potential cause of turning off the engine. This was not the case in either incident, only the ignition key was on the ring. First incident they said Ford noted the heavy key posibility and Ford engineering also recommended reprogramming the computer and a new mass air flow sensor was installed. This did not help as a few days later the same failure occurred again, almost resulting in a crash. Currently (Feb. 23, 2002) the Escape is at the dealer now after the second near crash incident as we will not drive it anymore. They say they are asking their engineering staff again what to do. This is the same source that originally said to tell us we probably had too many keys hanging from the ignition key. None has any firm answer and sources on the internet confirm this problem and Ford has no solution at this time. We would like to terminate the purchase which was done about a month ago as the vehicle is not save to drive. Both my wife, first incident, and daughter, second incident will not drive the vehicle they were so frightened and barely were able to avoid crashes. Date Feb. 23, 2002 signed eugene lally.