Representative 2004 model. Photo: OSX, Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

Recalls & complaints · NHTSA data

2002 Ford Escape recalls

Every recall campaign and owner complaint NHTSA has on file for the 2002 model year. Not every vehicle is affected by every campaign: check a specific car by VIN below.

Recall campaigns: 10
Park-it warnings: 0
Complaints: 1,070
Latest campaign: Sep 29, 2015

Recall summary by component10

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

Component	Campaigns	Latest	Campaign IDs
Service brakes, hydraulic	3	Jan 9, 2012	12V005000 07V156000 07E023000
Power train	2	Sep 29, 2015	15V606000 04V165000
Suspension	1	Jun 3, 2015	15E045000
Structure	1	Apr 2, 2014	14V165000
Engine and engine cooling	1	Jul 26, 2012	12V353000
Latches/locks/linkages	1	Dec 20, 2004	04V602000
Vehicle speed control	1	Dec 7, 2004	04V574000

Safety recalls10

NHTSA Recalls API · cached ≤24 h

0Park-it warnings

0Fixable over the air

Sep 29, 2015Latest campaign


Sep 29, 201515V606000	Power train: automatic transmission lever and linkage If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position… DetailsHide details for campaign 15V606000 What's wrong Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning. Risk If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders. Remedy Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28. Campaign NHTSA 15V606000 · Sep 29, 2015
Jun 3, 201515E045000	Suspension: front wheel bearing Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 15E045000 What's wrong The Timken Company (Timken) is recalling certain aftermarket front wheel bearings, part number 510072, sold from January 22, 2015, to May 21, 2015, to be used as service parts on 2001-2012 Ford Escape, 2001-2011 Mazda Tribute, and 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles. The affected wheel bearings have incorrect dimensions of a 42mm bore, 76mm outer dimension, and 39mm width, instead of a 42mm bore, 78mm outer dimension and a 45mm width. Risk Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy Timken has begun notifying distributors who will offer purchasers replacement wheel bearings, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2015. Owners may contact Timken customer service at 1-866-984-6536. Campaign NHTSA 15E045000 · Jun 3, 2015
Apr 2, 201414V165000	Structure: frame and members A separation of the lower control arm can result in a significant loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash. DetailsHide details for campaign 14V165000 What's wrong Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2004 Escape vehicles manufactured October 22, 1999, through January 23, 2004, originally sold, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. These vehicles may experience excessive corrosion at the forward attachment of the lower control arm. Risk A separation of the lower control arm can result in a significant loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash. Remedy Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install a newly designed reinforcement cross-brace, free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S02. Campaign NHTSA 14V165000 · Apr 2, 2014
Jul 26, 201212V353000	Engine and engine cooling A stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop or slow the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death. DetailsHide details for campaign 12V353000 What's wrong Ford Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2004 Escape vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control manufactured from October 22, 1999, through January 23, 2004. Inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector could result in a stuck throttle when the accelerator pedal is fully or almost-fully depressed. This risk exists regardless of whether or not speed control (cruise control) is used. Risk A stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop or slow the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death. Remedy Ford will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles by increasing the engine cover clearance, free of charge. The safety recall began August 3, 2012. Remedy parts are expected to be available in mid-August 2012. Until then dealers will disconnect the speed control cable as an interim remedy, if parts are not available at the time of an owner's service appointment. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332. Campaign NHTSA 12V353000 · Jul 26, 2012
Jan 9, 201212V005000	Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip control unit/module CORROSION CAN DEVELOP IN THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR LEADING TO MELTING, SMOKE OR A FIRE. DetailsHide details for campaign 12V005000 What's wrong FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001-2002 ESCAPE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 22, 1999, THROUGH JULY 19, 2002, EQUIPPED WITH A BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR CAP THAT COULD LEAK BRAKE FLUID. IF BRAKE FLUID LEAKS FROM THE CAP, IT COULD COME IN CONTACT WITH THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS) MODULE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTOR. Risk CORROSION CAN DEVELOP IN THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR LEADING TO MELTING, SMOKE OR A FIRE. Remedy DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR CAP AND THE ABS ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WILL BE MODIFIED. AN INTERIM LETTER WAS MAILED ON JANUARY 20, 2012. DUE TO A PARTS DELAY, HOWEVER, THE REMEDY MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE CURRENTLY. IF PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE, FORD WILL INSTRUCT OWNERS TO PARK THEIR VEHICLES OUTSIDE UNTIL SUCH TIME AS PARTS BECOME AVAILABLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER AT 1-866-436-7332. THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN IS RELATED TO 07V-156. Campaign NHTSA 12V005000 · Jan 9, 2012
Apr 10, 200707V156000	Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip control unit/module AN ELECTRICAL SHORT MIGHT CAUSE AN ABS MALFUNCTION THAT WOULD ILLUMINATE THE ABS WARNING LIGHT, AND IN SOME CASES, THE MODULE MAY OVERHEAT RESULTING IN BURNING ODOR,… DetailsHide details for campaign 07V156000 What's wrong ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ANTILOCK BRAKES (ABS), THE ABS MODULE CONNECTOR MAY HAVE MISSING OR DISLODGED WIRE SEALS. THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW CONTAMINATION TO ENTER THE MODULE CONNECTOR, CREATING A POTENTIAL FOR AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. Risk AN ELECTRICAL SHORT MIGHT CAUSE AN ABS MALFUNCTION THAT WOULD ILLUMINATE THE ABS WARNING LIGHT, AND IN SOME CASES, THE MODULE MAY OVERHEAT RESULTING IN BURNING ODOR, SMOKE, AND/OR FIRE. THIS CONDITION COULD OCCUR EITHER WHEN THE VEHICLE IGNITION SWITCH IS IN THE OFF POSITION OR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED. Remedy DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR TO THE ABS MODULE FOR MISSING OR DISLODGED WIRE SEALS, AND REPAIR OR REPLACE THE HARNESS CONNECTOR AS APPROPRIATE. THE DEALER WILL ALSO INSPECT THE CONNECTOR ON THE ABS MODULE AND REPLACE IT IF IT IS FOUND TO BE CORRODED OR DAMAGED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. Campaign NHTSA 07V156000 · Apr 10, 2007

To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Ford recall lookup. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer (federal law; see limits).

Buying a used 2002 Ford Escape? Recalls cover the model; a history report checks one car's title, odometer and accident records. VinAudit history report → Sponsored · disclosure

Owner complaints by component1,070

NHTSA Complaints API · cached ≤24 h

1,070Complaints filed

68Involving a crash

108Involving a fire

45Injuries reported · 2 deaths

Component	Complaints	%	Crashes	Fires	Injuries
Engine and engine cooling	296	28	3	31	1
Service brakes	198	19	13	51	11
Hydraulic	152	14	7	39	8
Electrical system	125	12	0	32	0
Power train	115	11	5	2	3
Vehicle speed control	103	10	26	10	18
Suspension	90	8	3	1	1
Structure	90	8	3	1	3
Air bags	83	8	25	0	17
Steering	71	7	7	0	1
Engine	36	3	2	8	0
Unknown or other	33	3	0	5	1
Visibility	33	3	0	0	0
Fuel system	23	2	2	2	0
Latches/locks/linkages	21	2	1	0	0

18 more components with fewer complaints not shown. An owner can tag several components, so percentages add up to more than 100. Complaints are unverified owner reports, de-duplicated by NHTSA ODI number.

Latest reports

Electrical system
“I bought a vehicle that has recalls on it. I contacted a dealer. Im told the car is to old to fix the recalled abs relay. Now I have a vehicle thats on the road a fire hazard.”
Filed 04/18/2026 · ODI 11732085
Electrical system
“The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while shifted in park(P), the key failed to release while the engine was running.”
Filed 07/28/2025 · ODI 11676792
Engine
“I have had to replace my engine/transmission several times and the problem keeps repeating itself. The engine will just die for no reason which is an extremely severe safety risk.”
Filed 08/12/2024 · ODI 11608125

Other Ford Escape model years

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2002 Ford Escape recall questions

How many recalls does the 2002 Ford Escape have?

NHTSA lists 10 safety recall campaigns for the 2002 Ford Escape. The most recent, 15V606000 (reported September 29, 2015), concerns power train. Not every vehicle is covered by every campaign; check a specific car by VIN.

What are the 2002 Ford Escape recalls for?

The largest group is service brakes, hydraulic, with 3 campaigns. Others: power train (2), suspension (1), structure (1). Each campaign below lists the defect, the risk and the free remedy.

What is the most common complaint about the 2002 Ford Escape?

Engine and engine cooling is the most-reported component, named in 296 complaints out of 1,070 filed with NHTSA (28%). Across all complaints, owners reported 68 crashs and 108 fires. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How do I check if a recall is open on my 2002 Ford Escape?

Enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or the Ford recall lookup. That shows campaigns still unrepaired on that exact car. Safety recall repairs are free at a franchised Ford dealer.

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