general problems of the 2002 Ford Escape

Gears is hard to shift to the right gear and lights went out early like a drain in electrical and my stearing is becoming hard to turn on streets and out my drive way.

While in motion, the lower control arm separated from the subframe due to corrosion. I lost steering but was able to skid to the shoulder. The same issue as recall 14s02 but my vehicle was not included.

The mounts that the engine sits on rusted away, causing the engine to drop onto the steering system while driving.

It's difficult to steer or keep straight.

My vehicle idles to 4000rpm and control the speed by itself, there is a leak in the back break area the steering wheel locks where I can't put it in any gear sometimes and getting worse. Had to get it towed home last night because while driving it idled high and as I brake it barely stopped and when releasing break it speeds up to 50 or more mph and I had to keep my feet on the break. . I pulled over and turned the switch off and waited a while and turned back on and it idled to 4000 rpm again. Could not shift the gear from park and break pedal was hard. When arriving home to back car in driveway towe guy had no problem with idle. The following morning cranked and was at 1000rpm at first start. Also ac pressure. Car runs hot but no smoke water bubbles in coolant reservoir. My check engine light never gave warning of any of the problems listed.

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.

Tl the contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. While driving 10 mph, the steering wheel shook without warning. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer (blackwell Ford, 41001 Plymouth rd, Plymouth, mi) where it was diagnosed that the cross frame, lower control arm, and exhaust needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 185,000.

Cross member bar rusted out. Please see attached.

Airbag light stays on and also I have a issue with the steering wheel and suspension there are other issues with the car and never was fixed by previous owner now im stuck with a car that has past recalled issues. If you own a car and just purchased it by previous owner make sure that recalls have been fixed on vehicle. Now I dont know what to do with my vehicle.

The 2002 Ford Escape had recall 14s02 done in sept. 2016. At the time I requested the sub frame be replaced. Ford indicated the rust was not severe enough and installed a brace. Today, the sub frame gave way rendering the vehicle a peril to drive. The steering is inoperative. The vehicle was in motion but avoided collision.

Ford dealership is refusing to fix uncarriage and control arm. They are saying there is no recall for it. However I found the recall 14s02. Describing the issue the dealership stated is wrong with my truck. But they want me to pay cash instead of them fixing the issue.

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. While driving 40 mph, the lower control arm separated from the engine cradle and caused the alignment of the steering wheel to malfunction. This made the vehicle extremely difficult to steer and almost caused a crash. In addition, the steering wheel became stuck in the left alignment position. The vehicle was taken to be repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 150,000.

Had recall 14s02 performed on 12/30/15. Installed front subframe crossbrace. This does not fix the problem. Passenger side subframe rusted out and failed. The crossbrace kept it from completely coming apart but car is now not safe to drive. Ford will not do anything about this saying they already performed the recall. This recall should be expanded to include subframe replacement.

I was making a ride an maple road when all of a sudden I hear a sort of popping noise almost like a flat tire. Thats what I thought it was so I kept drive to where I live. On the way home all I heard was a screeching. When I got home home I check and the suspension had snapped because of rusting.

Tl- the contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number:14v165000 (structure). The vehicle was taken to the dealer mechanic and repaired; a cross bar reinforcement was installed. However, the recalled failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 66,946. Bd.

On July 18, 2015 at approximately 1:30 pm I was driving up bear creek mountain and heard a loud pop then the vehicle started sliding before I finally got it to stop. I slide about 50 feet and if I'd slide about 3 more feet I would have been over the side of the mountain. The sub frame had snapped in two and it pulled the right front axle out. This made the vehicle inoperable. The vehicle had to be put on a roll back and taken away. Also damaged was the right front tire and ,molding around the fender. If I had been on the interstate with this vehicle my family would not have survived the wreck. It is lucky that we didn't go over the mountain. I did nothing to cause the sub frame to break and I think Ford should be held liable. I spoke with the Ford customer relations center and they told me that because there was no extended warranty and it was not under the 2002 Escape recall and that the fact that there was no fire or large crash that they could do nothing about the sub frame breaking. My insurance carrier has also contacted Ford customer relations and was told the same thing. I asked the lady at Ford if someone had died in the wreck would I still be told the same thing and she replied yes. According to Ford they can't give out telephone numbers to legal department or addresses or email addresses. I was also told that I could not speak to a supervisor because they could not transfer calls. I was transferred to the lady I was speaking to by another lady. Go figure. I think that Ford is liable for this structural failure and needs to make things right.

Driving about 25mph hear a loud clunck lost controll of vehicle break pedle to the floor truck still moving had to use er brake to stop. Got out passanger front tire was turned completly diff way, the ball bearer was detached, this could have killed me if I was on freeway! called Ford they continued to tell me this wasnt part of recall called mehcanic said the subframe so rusted it has completly detached from ball bearers causing tire to basically fall off. Ford will not fix it, gave me every other alternitive on what it could be. I had it towed to my house, Ford wont have it towed to the lot to look at it and on top of that wont see it for a week if I do get it towed up there! what a mess. Ill never shop with them again. They wont care until this kills someone.

Tl-the contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicles control arm seized and he lost control of the vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The failure occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the cross member was faulty. The vehicle was repaired but failure still persists. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was unavailable. Ddr.

Driving down a busy highway, our Escape had the control arm detach from the sub frame. We took the car to the dealer and they told us this would not be covered under any recall by Ford because it had completely seperated. Despite that the damaged area of the car being what is recalled in 14v165000. Ford has done nothing to help this issue. Lucky enough there was no accident, but this is a huge safety issue and someone is going to get killed. Ford needs to fix the damaged sub frames, not just fix those that haven't already broke and consumers have had to pay thousands to get fixed.

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.

Vehicle sub-frame failed due to corrosion causing separation of the lower control arm resulting in diminished steering control. This issue appears to be covered by Ford safety recall 14s02 and NHTSA recall 14v-166 that provided a reinforcement of the sub-frame. Unfortunately the reinforcing parts necessary for the recall action were not immediately available before the frame failed.

The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. While driving 20 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was previously repaired according to NHTSA campaign number 14v165000 (steering), but the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to a dealer but was not diagnosed for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified about the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 76,812.

Corrosion-related separation lower control arm from subframe. Car start pulling instantly to the right. Have to call towing to get to dealer for repair, Ford company refuse to repair under safety recall notice 14s02. Dealer quote me around $2000 for repair.

Car was making creaking sounds. Going around a corner the car basically had no steering or control. Got car to Ford dealership and based on taking photo of the car I was told that Ford decided to put a cross brace on as opposed to replacing sub frame. I told dealership I did not agree with decision that subframe should be replaced car was returned to me with cross brace installed. Aprox 4 weeks later car was undriveable. Contacted Ford told me to tow car back to dealership. After inspection of vechicle was told now that sub- frame was broken dealership contacted Ford and was told that their request to replace sub frame was denied. The sub frame holds engine,trans, all steering and brake components. This is a very dangerous. My family could have been killed. I was told by Fordsupv that because they put on brace instead of making the correct repair that was actually part of sub frame recall they would not replace sub frame. This is how Ford treats their customers and puts them in harms way. If you look at the history of Ford vechicles Ford windstar Ford Escape etc. You will see they are using defective steel on under body components causing excessive rust resulting in critical component failures. In my 48 years of driving I have never had a vechicle with a broken frame when I asked Ford for phone number or address to mr. Fields I was told that is not given out and that the Ford supervisors denail was final decision. I feel Ford is 100% wrong in this issue and is not making safe cars, and when there is a recall will not even fix the recalled parts. Once again this is an extremely dangerous situation that could have resulted in death to my family if I was driving on the x-way shame shame on you Ford motor. I will be looking into filing law suit or class action law suit againstyou. Please do the right thing for the unlucky individuals who own these cars.

While driving her 2002 Ford Escape to work my daughter noticed the steering was not right. In order for her to keep driving straight she had to turn the steering wheel. She went over a pair of rough railroad tracks & lost control of the vehicle. Her front passenger tire control bar had completely separated from the frame. It was rusted through. Luckily she was driving in a 30mph zone & there were no other cars around. Thankfully she was not hurt but quite shaken up. We were unaware of a vehicle recall on this model until a friend of hers recalled seeing an article in the news about control bars rusting through causing steering problems. Her front tire was completely bald after this incident. (tread was good before). I called Ford as soon as I was able & reported the incident. The rep told me that in order for a repair the vehicle had to be towed to a Ford dealer & to keep the tow bill as they would cover it. Right now the SUV is at the dealer. It has been 2 days since they've had it & I've heard nothing. I am getting very impatient. Because it's a recall I have a hunch they put it on the back burner. This vehicle is her only way to school & work. I asked about a loaner & they explained that because of the huge volume of recalls, a loaner would be difficult to come by. What has happened to customer service? I am expecting not only the vehicle to be fixed but I feel we should be compensated for the 1 tire - maybe 2 depending on the condition of the other side. I don't need a set of new ones - just something to pass inspection. If anyone has experienced the same issues please post something back. Thank you ! [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

While driving on a rural city street at 30 mph I decelerated to prepare to turn right. When I began to make my right hand turn I heard a loud pop and the car began to rattle the car came to a stop within 10 feet of the pop. I applied a small amount of power to the engine to try and get completely out of the road, but the car would not move. Upon inspection of the front passenger tire it was facing 90 degrees in the opposite direction of the car, and pushed to the back of the wheel well. The cv shaft had come completely detached from the drive shaft. The vehicle had to be towed to a local shop that did sub-frame work. Upon inspection at the auto body shop it was revealed that the engine cradle had also become detached due to the proximity to the exhaust from the engine heating it up constantly. Along with the following parts needing replacement: right front cv shaft, front engine cradle, front control arm bolts, control arm bushing, cv drive axle, heavy duty exhaust clamps. The shop had to remove and replace the engine cradle and the right front sub-frame. If I had been on a high speed interstate, and this happened I would have probable flipped, because the front right tire was unable to move, and was pulling towards the inside of the car. The total cost to get this repaired to a safe driving condition was $1352. 69.

Clicking noise while making a right hand turn. Steering wheel no longer in the straight up position when vehicle is traveling in a straight line. Approximately turned 20-25 degrees clockwise. Inspection of the front end revealed that the front suspension crossmember has rusted through at the passenger side lower control arm front mount area.

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.

I was driving my 2002 Ford Escape and coming to a stop at an intersection when I heard a loud popping sound. After I stopped, I released the brake and rolled forward a few feet before re-applying the brakes and the sound repeated. I was able to drive it across the highway to a Ford dealership for repairs. Upon inspection the following morning it was determined that the subframe assembly had rusted out completely on the passenger side and had caused the lower control arm to become loose thus bending it and making it unuseable. I am thankful that this happened at a very slow speed and fear that if other folks have this happen at highway speed it could be a very bad outcome ! this allowed my passenger side tire to pull outward hence pulling the control arm loose. It was a very expensive fix and the warranty I had purchased at the time of buying the vehicle was no avail. I contacted Ford and was told that if there is no recall then there is no problem !! sorry but it was a very expensive fix and I believe Ford should make good on this. How many injuries are required before someone takes notice ?? the repair bill was $ 1160. 96. I had only owned the vehicle for 7 months at that time. It still has many payments to be made before it is payed off. It would appear that the air conditioning drain runs down this area causing it perhaps ? just an observation from a running vehicle identical to mine. Any help would be appreciated on this matter and hopefully it gets resolved before any fatalities happen if they haven't already !! thank you !.

Front knocking noise. Has been present since we first bought the car new. Many mechanics, including the Ford dealer, could not find the problem. Brakes, transmission, and struts were checked or replaced. The knocking persisted. On 8/15/08, the ball joint failed as my wife was traveling at 45 mph around a corner causing the driver side wheel to flop at a 90 degree angle. Steering was impossible. Luckily, my wife was able to get the car stopped safely without out any life threatening consequences. Ford Escape 2002 XLT.

No events leading to this. . . It just started about 2 yrs ago summer of 08. Clunking noise in the front of car. Can be felt by the steering wheel (which also has the squeaking problem). Occurs only when the temperature outside is warm. Went to the Ford dealer several times complaining of this. . . Never was able to recreate the problem. Finally had both left and right arm assembly link, bolt, hex for front suspension replaced June 09. On sept 09 noise returned and had everything tightened, lubed. Problem went away until again the weather warmed up then is now back worse than ever. Not only when turning the wheel but when driving straight.

Car went out of control during a simple lane change left on intersate I-90, unabloe to steer, swerved and spun around and hit tall concrete medium, air bags were employed. Good weather 48 degrees, no ice or oil, was not up to full speed as had just gotten on the interstate.

Purchased 2002 Ford Escape from hinder Ford of aberdeen, MD in June 02 and from the start the left rear wheel was cracked and the vehicle pulls (not drifts) to the left so bad that the vehicle left front tire will cross the line in 5 seconds if steering wheel is released while in the right lane of a two lane and within 3 seconds if in the left lane. Hinder Ford gave me the Ford 800 number to call because there was nothing they could do even after I provided them excerpts from maryland law that states a vehicle with a steering or braking problem that can not be fixed the first time is to be replaced. They have refused. I complained to the on-line customer service several times until they finally sent the area Ford tech to investigate. He replied that there was definitely a problem (he stated he had seen this before), attempted to fix the problem. Hinder returned the vehicle and again stated there was nothing they could do. I sent certified/return receipt letters twice to Ford motor CO. And latest result was a call last week from mr. Duncan alberson who agreed that a cracked wheel and this vehicle leaving the road within three seconds was not safe, but that he was going with a report that he had from the area Ford tech who stated that the vehicle was within specification and that I should drive with my hands on the steering wheel! I stated I release the wheel only to emphasize the drastic pull of this steering and of course I drive with my hand on the wheel at all times! I told mr. Duncan to simply send another tech to test drive my vehicle any time and any place and his response . . . He hung up! possibly because I also told him hinder Ford has sold two other vehicle with the exact same problem. If you know of a good law firm in my area please give me their number. Ts.