Two problems related to steering rack and pinion 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.
Steering started to clunk and bind on occasion. Effort would go up but it would respond when turned. It rapidly got worse where it would clunk and bind and skip a section while turning. Only three days from start to skipping while turning. Finally it was skipping and binding on every turn. Took to dealer they found rack and pinion was bad. (the car was never in an accident or taken off road. ) rack was ordered and replaced.
The power steering fluid was leaking due to rack and pinion failure. The dealer replaced the rack and pinion.