Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
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).
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. …
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 vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V165000 (structure) at 80,707 miles. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle failed to accurately respond to the steering wheel. The vehicle was driven back to the contact's residence where it was discovered that the lower control arm became detached from the vehicle and the front passenger wheel was turned outward. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 84,000.
Dt: while driving at speed of about 62 MPH, it was dry and clear, the car in front slowed down ,and as consumer was applying the brakes the side wall of tire blew out. There was crash, no roll over. The tire has not been inspected, but the insurance was going too. Took pictures, and got all the information that on the tires.
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
We drive Ford Escape 2002. In January 2006 we bought 4 new tires from Firestone p23570r16 with 60,000.00miles guarantee. We have driven only 30,000 on this fires. We noticed very often air leaking from these tires and we decided to use the guarantee and go to Firestone service for repair. The tires ,all four, have cracks al over the tire with next white color layer visible. We are afraid to use the car. When we went to the service they told us that the reason of this kind of damage is weather. Joke. None of the cars driving around has the same problem and we live on the same earth and the weather is the same too. We hardly believed them and even conversation with people from the main office didn't help. They fix one tire,checked the rest and they still are sure that these tires are OK and safe to drive. …
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 65 MPH on normal road conditions, the left rear tire made a noise. Upon visual inspection it was noticed that the tire had completely separated from the tread belt. The tires were the vehicle's original ones and had only 25800 miles. The vehicle had not been to the dealership for replacement. The tire size was p225/70r15. Updayed 10/4/2006 -
Tire blew out in the sidewall. Tire is a continental contitrac SUV 235/70r16 (note that you do not have this tire size listed for this tire model but this is the correct size). Area where defect occurred appears to be where tread and sidewall meet. There is no evidence of prior damage to tire. I did not hit anything prior to the blowout. Defect is approximately 6 inches long.
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.
Lower control arm ripped off under cradle & ripped passenger side drive shaft off the transmission - the wheel fell off the car. It appears under cradle rusted from inside. I shudder at the thought of that happening when my wife was on the freeway, instead of coming to a stop. This vehicle was always kept in the garage.
Wheel & Tire complaints in other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 2002 Ford Escape?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 2002 Ford Escape, 2% of the model year's 1,027 complaints. The component named most often is tread/belt (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Ford Escape wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires 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 wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles, and 25% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to wheels & tires 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.