Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
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).
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the contact heard a loud noise coming from the suspension of the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with the control arm needing to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle had been serviced in 2014 under NHTSA campaign number: 14V165000 (Structure) however, the failure still occurred. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist and that he had to pay out of pocket for the repair. The failure mileage was approximately 82,000.
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound and started drifting to the left. The vehicle was towed to the residence. An independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle with a rusted subframe. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
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. …
While driving through a parking lot my 2002 Ford Escape suddenly made a clunking sound then suddenly stopped. I could not steer the car to the side or move it forward or backward. I exited the car and looked at the drivers side tire and it seemed fine . I then went over to the passenger side and saw that my wheel was completely turned in the opposite direction. I figured that I probably broke a tie rod. I called aaa to have the auto towed to a local service station. When the tow driver arrived he took a look at my Escape and said that my subframe was rusted so bad that it had separated in two. By doing that my wheel axle had completely separated from the transmission. His opinion was that if I was driving on a highway and this had happened it probably would have caused a major auto collision and maybe even causing my Escape to roll over. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic to be serviced. While the mechanic was test driving the vehicle at approximately 35 MPH, an abnormal noise was heard coming from the front of the vehicle. The contact stated that the front passenger side lower control arm fractured, which caused the wheel to separate from the suspension. Prior to the test drive, the contact was informed by the mechanic of severe rust on the lower control arm. The vehicle was towed back to the facility. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer (elkhorn motors Ford, 910 n wisconsin st, elkhorn, wi 53121, [phone]) was contacted and a subsequent VIN search showed that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V165000 (structure). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 106,000. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. While attempting to accelerate from a traffic light, the steering failed without warning. The contact stated that the steering wheel went in one direction and the wheels went in a different direction. The vehicle was towed to reineke Ford Lincoln of lima (1360 greely chapel rd, lima, oh 45804, [phone]) to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the passenger side lower control arm support was severely rusted, which caused the lower control arm to fracture and separate from the vehicle. The contact was informed that the sub frame, cross member, control arm, and steering assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V165000 (structure). The manufacturer was contacted and notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
My 2002 Ford Escape has been to multiple dealer service centers and mechanics to try to pinpoint a banging noise that comes from the front right side when driving over bumps or potholes at lower speeds. To date I have had tie rods, sway bars, sway bar links, ball joints replaced and all body mounts, engine mounts, control arms, shocks and struts all checked and all nuts and bolts tightened. I have not been able to have a mechanic tell me what the issue is. I have searched the internet and see several complaints all for the same problem. I know my truck is not the only one, however I cannot afford to continue replacing parts in hopes that we might finally find the cause of the sound. I feel Ford needs to take responsibility for whatever it is that is failing before someone ends up seriously injured.
Tl* the contact owns 2002 Ford Escape. The contact stated while reversing of the parking lot, the passenger's side wheel turned into the wheel well. The contact turned off the vehicle after hearing an abnormal noise. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to contact residence. The contact stated that the failure was related to NHTSA campaign number 14V165000 (structure). The vehicle was towed to Ford country (280 n gibson rd, henderson, nv 89014) where it was diagnosed and it was stated that the parts to fix the vehicle was the same parts of the recall. The dealer stated that due to the mileage and age of recall the repair was declined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of failure. The failure mileage was approximately 215,158.
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.
Sub frame/cradle rusted and caused a separation of the right front axel and stabilizer. The failure occurred while driving, just as we were exiting the highway. A loud thud occurred and the steering wheel shifted making driving and steering extremely difficult. This vehicle, according to Ford's records, had a structure recall for the same issue (14V165000) the vehicle had been repaired at a Ford dealer for the said recall a few years ago. Ford is unwilling to help pay for the current repairs as we did not take it to a dealer for repair (which would have required towing as the car was barely drivable). This is a potentially dangerous situation and, it seems, the recall did not correct the original problem.
Suspension complaints in other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
How common are suspension problems on the 2002 Ford Escape?
NHTSA has 80 complaints about the suspension of the 2002 Ford Escape, 8% of the model year's 1,027 complaints. The component named most often is front (6 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Ford Escape suspension problems?
No. NHTSA lists no suspension 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 suspension problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 125,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to suspension 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.