Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Ford Escape owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
Tl* the contact owned a 2002 Ford Escape. After the vehicle was parked, the driver smelled a burning odor. The contact noticed black smoke coming from the engine compartment and the vehicle exploded. The fire department extinguished the flames. The fire department assessed that the wiring harness was defective and caused the fire. The contact stated that the fire damaged the garage and the sidewalk concrete. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 07V156000 (service brakes, hydraulic) as a possible reason for the failure; however, the VIN was not provided there were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000. The VIN was not provided. Updated 04/12/17lj
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. .
As shown in attached picture my coolant container is burning as if it is trying to catch fire. As also seen the coolant level is back at max but at one point was low. Concern is 🔥 safety. I was driving down the highway when I first smelt burning I did stop driving and it made it more intense. No actual fire took place but inside container it appears to have had a small fire or burn as shown by image.
I have a 2002, Ford Escape with 92,000 miles on it. There has been no major problems with ethe vehicle leading up to the failure that I am describing in this statement. On October 31, 2006 I was driving east-bound on m59, just east of schoenherr road in sterling heights, mi. I was approx.15 miles from my home in auburn hills, mi and had approx. 10 minutes left untile I would have reached my destination. This was the first time that I had driven the vehicle all day. It was approx. 47 degrees farenheit and about 3:35 pm. It was not raining, but a little windy. Upon making a stop just past the trafic light (due to heavy traffic dlays), I noticed smoke coming out of the engine compartment from under the hood. Within a minute of noticing the smoke outside, smoke started coming through the dash of my vehicle and into the interior cab. …
April 25, 2001 I drove the car 5 minutes to the local pool and car was parked for about an hour. |then drove friend back home from local pool to her house about a 5 minute drive, I then turned the car ignition was off, suddenly there was smoke coming from under the engine compartment area. Tried to open hood, grey smoke billowed out from under the hood, then sparks fell on the pavement from under the car and then flames burst out through the open crack of the hood. The fire seemed spontaneous, there was a burning smell like dirty air just before the smoke started. Fire department, police and ambulance were called. It had never occurred before the car was towed to a local body shop and was taken to another location by the insurance company. I know that recall work was done on the car twice and can verify with the service department. …
While driving on i294 northbound between 127th street and approximately 103rd street, the engine on our 2002 Ford Escape blew up. There was no warning in terms of warning lights or other indicators that there was any problem. Shortly after entering the interstate, the car began to make a motor boating type of sound. It sounded as if the sun roof was not completely closed. Thereafter the engine blew and pieces began to fly out. A huge fireball, hot enough to melt the license plat holder in the middle of the tailgate was discharged from the tailpipe. The car began smoking and smoke was discharged into the cab of the vehicle. We were able to make an emergency stop on the shoulder of the road. The car continue to smoke and there was oil leaking from the engine. A piece of the crankshaft was found on the shoulder of the road 100-150 feet behind the vehicle. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. While the vehicle was stopped and waiting for a train to cross the tracks, the contact attempted to place the vehicle back in gear but the vehicle would not shift out of the park position. An independent mechanic was contacted and arrived at the scene. The independent mechanic diagnosed that the shift lever had disengaged from the transmission and would need to be bolted back into place. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 15V606000 (power train). The contact also stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would experience unexpected acceleration and was difficult to slow down. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 12V353000 (engine and engine cooling, vehicle speed control). …
Ford excursion v10 aluminum head complaint spark plug blew out of head. This happened while driving across country to visit my son, no warning just blew completely out of head and left me stranded along the roadside. This problem which Ford is aware is not being fixed or recalled, truck just turned 100,000 miles but if one spark plug blew when will the others let go and exploded out of the head and leave me stranded again along a busy highway route 70 in a state which I have never been in before at 5 am in the morning, without a knew head design this makes this vehicle very unreliable and not safe to drive , its like driving a time bomb just waiting for the next plug to blow, vehicle was 40,000 dollars in 2002 who has money to purchase another vehicle which is now almost 60,000 Ford should be required to make replacement heads for all triton engines
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact received a recall for the NHTSA campaign number: 12V353000 (engine and engine cooling, speed control) and the vehicle received the recall repair. The contact stated the vehicle never experienced any failures until after receiving the recall remedy. The contact stated that when attempting to accelerate the vehicle's throttle locks at high speeds and the acceleration pedal locks in the downward position. The contact stated that the brakes failed and in order to stop the vehicle's gear was moved to the park position. The contact informed the dealer and the manufacturer who stated that because the vehicle had already received the recall repair they would not be able to provide another repair. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 214,000.
NHTSA investigations
Engine stalling
Summary:the petitioner alleges that after having the recall remedy performed on her model year (my) 2001 Ford escape, it continued to exhibit an intermittent stall condition.consequently, she petitioned the agency to examine the adequacy of the recall remedy for safety recall 04v-165.on April 5, 2004, Ford motor company (Ford) notified the agency that it would conduct a recall of 321,903 my 2001 through 2002 and…
Engine stalling
Engine stalling
Ford's and Mazda's letters to NHTSA dated April 5 and April 9, 2004, state that they will recall model year 2001-03 Ford escape and Mazda tribute vehicles with the v6 engine built thru September 11, 2002.dealers will adjust engine calibration in the programmable control module (PCM), which in its current setting, can cause the engine to shut down if the vehicle is decelerating at speeds below 40 MPH.
Engine complaints in other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2002 Ford Escape?
NHTSA has 330 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2002 Ford Escape, 32% of the model year's 1,027 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline (135 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Ford Escape engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2002 Ford Escape, though it has 8 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2002 Ford Escape engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 67,000 miles, and 34% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 39 fires and 1 injury to engine & cooling problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.