The Lemon Index2002 Ford Escape.
The 2002 Ford Escape is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 475 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 281, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 10 recalls, and it gets 18 to 22 mpg combined. The best Ford Escape year is 2019.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 1,027 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Ford Escape year. 2002 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 38K to 130K miles on the car (649 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 14K–90K miles
- brakes complaints mostly came at 54K–125K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 21K–117K miles
Recalls 10
- transmission & drivetrain 2015
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.
- suspension 2015
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.
- body structure 2014
These vehicles may experience excessive corrosion at the forward attachment of the lower control arm.
Show all 10 recalls
- engine 2012
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.
- brakes 2012
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.
- brakes 2007
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ANTILOCK BRAKES (ABS), THE ABS MODULE CONNECTOR MAY HAVE MISSING OR DISLODGED WIRE SEALS.
- brakes 2007
CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUI…
- latches/locks/linkages 2004
CERTAIN 2004-2005 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND CERTAIN 2001-2003 SPORT UTIITY VEHICLE HAVING REAR LIFTGATE COMPONENTS SERVICED WITH 2004 EQUIVALENT COMPONENTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE S…
- speed control 2004
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES BUILT WITH 3.0L V6 ENGINES, THE ACCELERATOR CABLE MAY PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION.
- transmission & drivetrain 2004
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L V6 ENGINES, DURING DECELERATION, THE ENGINE CAN STALL.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 109 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Some engine assemblies with aluminum cylinder heads repaired in-vehile have been found to leak…
- Gear shifter buzz or rattle when in 3rd or 4th gear.*yd
- Intermittent engine quit condition, usually 1 time during closed throttle decel
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedCruise control cable2012
- ClosedStuck throttle2012–2013
- ClosedFleet vehicle recall completion audit2010–2015
- ClosedEngine compartment fire2010–2012
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2900–3550 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Engine will quit and vehicle will stall out while driving.contacted dealer.
2002 Ford Escape owner · NHTSA complaint 8015682
More owner reports
While driving at 40/45mph , put turn signal on , radio came off. A few seconds later vehicle stalled out. Contacted dealer, dealer replaced altinator, but vehicle stalled out again.
NHTSA complaint 8018814
While traveling on the highway and without prior warning. The vehicle will stall and will not restart at all. The dealership is aware of the problem. Nlm
NHTSA complaint 8019365
Quick answers
Is the 2002 Ford Escape reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 2.8× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 281; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ford Escape year by this measure since 2010 is 2025.
What are the most common 2002 Ford Escape problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (50%), electrical (15%) and transmission & drivetrain (11%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2002 Ford Escape have?
10 safety recalls (latest: transmission & drivetrain). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Ford Escape get?
18 to 22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2002 Ford Escape problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 38,000 and 130,000 miles. The middle report was at 85,800 miles, from 649 complaints.
Does the 2002 Ford Escape have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 11% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2002 Ford Escape cost in fuel a year?
About $2900 to $3550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2002 Ford Escape have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
What Ford Escape year is better than the 2002?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2019, 2015 and 2018.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works