Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. While driving 10 MPH, the steering wheel shook without warning. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer (blackwell ford, 41001 plymouth rd, plymouth, mi) where it was diagnosed that the cross frame, lower control arm, and exhaust needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 185,000.
2002 Ford Escape body complaints
Page 2 of 4: complaints 11 to 40 of 87, newest first, as owners wrote them.
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, (419)223-3673) 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 the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v165000 (structure). The manufacturer was contacted and notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. The contact stated that while stationary, the vehicle would not accelerate forward. The contact stated that upon depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle would not accelerate forward. The vehicle was pushed manually, in the neutral position, to an unknown place of business. Furthermore, the contact stated that upon depressing the brake pedal there was a squealing and cracking noise. The wheel bearing and struts were faulty on the vehicle as stated by the contact. The steering wheel made a loud squeaking noise when turned left or right while driving various speeds in addition to the vehicle frame becoming severely rusted underneath. The dealer was not contacted about the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
Driving on a 45 mi/hr road I hit a minor bump (approx 1" raised road across all lanes) due to poor road maintenance. After hitting this bump there was a loud popping noise every time I turned the wheel fully left or right. I could also feel this in my feet underneath the car. I was concerned and had plans to drive it to the auto shop later that day. When turning left out of a parking lot in town, heading to the shop, I noticed when I went to straighten out the wheel the steering wheel was a complete 90 degrees off from normal once I got the vehicle going straight. It did not feel safe to drive and I had it towed into the auto shop. After inspection it was found to be a rotted out and cracked sub frame. Ford did a recall on this specific part in 2014 due to major corrosion issues with the 2001-2004 models. This vehicle was taken in for the recall, however, instead of replacing the part they decided it was good enough to drill a hole in the corroded part and install a bracket across the whole sub frame. I don't see how weakening a corroded part with a hole being drilled in it is any solution. I am not alone thinking this is a major issue that ford is completely ignoring. If the sub frame had failed when I was on the highway instead of exiting the parking lot I could have potentially been seriously injured as the sub frame holds the wheel and steering mechanism together. Ford needs to take this issue with their vehicles seriously as they are putting peoples lives in danger.
Sub frame cracked, corrosion. Ford is refusing to fix the sub frame instead they issue a safety recall 14s02 which does not replace the damage part. Almost had accident with child on board, car went side ways, steering control was lost. How can ford be allowed to issue a safety recall but it doesn't fix the bad part. Recall 14s02 only installs a metal bar so the wheel doesn't come off. Once subframe is already broken ford doesn't do the repair. People life matter.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. While driving 10 MPH, the contact heard something fracture under the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was confirmed that the reinforcement cross-brace failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was serviced per the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v165000 (structure), but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the cross-brace was not a sufficient repair for the control arm corrosion. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. While attempting to have new control arms placed on the vehicle, the contact was informed by the service technician that the subframe of the vehicle was rusted and needed to be repaired before the control arms could be installed. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v165000 (structure). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 85,900. The VIN was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. The contact stated that the frame of the vehicle was rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v165000 (structure). The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 184,000. Updated 10/13/16*lj
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. The contact's wife was stopped by the police because the brake lights were not illuminated. There was no warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer who was unable to open the rear door in order to repair the brake lights. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a dealer for the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v165000 (structure), but the remedy did not provide a permanent solution. Upon further inspection, extensive rust and corrosion were found near the lower control arm to the point that the part could fracture. The failure mileage was not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. While pulling out of the driveway, the passenger side control arm suddenly separated from the subframe. While inspecting the vehicle, the contact discovered that the failure occurred due to rusting of the subframe. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v165000 (structure), although the vehicle experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 160,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. The contact stated that while making a turn at approximately 2 MPH, an abnormal sound emitted from the vehicle as the contact lost control of the vehicle. The contact mentioned that after exiting the vehicle, he discovered that the front lower control arm and the sub frame had excessive rust and was fractured. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v165000 (structure). The approximate failure mileage was 177,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the sub frame had failed due to rust and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. The contact heard an abnormal noise upon making a turn. The steering wheel turned, but the wheels remained straight when the failure occurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was repaired under the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v165000 (structure), but the failure recurred. The contact stated that the technician installed two brackets but not the engine mount brackets. The contact felt that the recall remedy was not performed accurately. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 228,000.
The front passenger door locking system is defective and is stuck in the lock position. Unable to open door from the outside or the inside of the car. This is a safety issue that should have been addressed in the past since I noticed numerous complaints regarding this same problem on the internet or your the federal safety agency website. The ford dealer service manager also mentioned to me that this is a recurring problem that should have been addressed in the past by ford. Service fee is $500 if the repairman is able to open the door without breaking it as sometimes it does break causing an even more expensive repair. This is an expensive repair job for a jammed locking mechanism that should easily be working properly. God forbid I am involved in a car accident and my wife, other front passenger or myself is unable to open the door in case of an emergency. This is a major inconvenience as any passenger that wants to sit in the front has to leap through the driver door to sit in the front. My wife is the original owner of this car and it currently has 130,000 miles. All car doors should be able to work without jamming as this obviously poses a safety issue. Why the federal safety agency has never bothered to escalate this problem to a recall is beyond me when there are other ford escape owners with the same safety problem? Please advice, thanks.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v165000 (structure). The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the cross bar reinforcement was installed; however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 66,946.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. While driving approximately 25 MPH, a strange noise was heard coming from the front of the vehicle before the steering wheel suddenly veered to the right. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the subframe fractured due to severe rusting and corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was informed that the vehicle was previously serviced under the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v165000 (structure). The failure mileage was 180,000. The VIN was not available. Ma 10/2
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the wheel bearing completely detached from the vehicle, which resulted in the wheel detaching from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. An independent mechanic diagnosed that corrosion from the subframe caused the wheel bearing to detach and it needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 190,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. The contact stated that there was extensive rust and corrosion on the underbody framing and the cross member. The vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v165000 (structure). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who installed a newly designed reinforcement; however, the frame and the cross member were rusted and not covered under the recall repairs. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 189,000. The VIN was not available.
Received notice in mail my ford was recalled due to corrosion related separation of forward attachment of lower control arm from subframe. This was fix with just reinforced crossbar...an independent mechanic just recently check my veh due to steering and front end issue I have been having and discovered the area where the crossbar hold on to is rusted off..I can not drive vehicle...this rust they tell me was/or would have been notice of time cross bar was install and should have notified me that more work should have been done. Perhaps correct/replace the whole thing...I would like to have it repaired at fords request,,,the dealership denied due to recall fixed according to ford. Had I been aware if this rust issue at time of repair I would have been able to deal with it and not be at risk driving all these past months....
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. The contact stated that the vehicle was recently serviced under the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v165000 (structure). The dealer was to install a newly designed reinforcement cross-brace for the unintended detachment of the lower control arm. A short time after the repair, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for another service, who noticed that the ball joint was separated from the control arm and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 152,000.
2002 ford escape. Consumer writes in regards to excessive corrosion and large crack in the engine cradle/ subframe. *smd the consumer stated the steering went to the left approximately 15 degrees while driving straight down the road. The sent in recall notice # 14v165000. According to ford, the vehicle did not have complete separation of the lower control arm.
While pulling out of a parking lot, I noticed the vehicle's steering seemed loose & there was a creaking noise from the front end. Vehicle continued to pull to the right as I drove down the road, and creaking noise increased. I drove directly to dealer where I'd had the work for recall 14v165000 completed only 4 weeks prior (26 dec 2014), and their assessment was a cracked subframe. Service writer informed me that the car was dangerous to drive, and the cost to repair would be a minimum of $2000 in parts and labor, plus the likelihood of additional repairs needed once they found other corroded parts in need of replacement. I declined the repair and purchased a new car (not a ford) instead.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. The contact stated that the cross-brace fractured. The contact stated that the vehicle was previously repaired under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 14v165000 (structure) but the recall remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic, who diagnosed that the sub frame and the control arm needed to be replaced. In addition, the mechanic advised that the vehicle could not be driven. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 111,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. While traveling 25 MPH, the front lower control arm fractured and the wheel detached from the vehicle. After inspecting the vehicle, the contact indicated that there was rust on the front end of the lower control arm and the subframe. Also, the subframe was rusted through on the front passenger side. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop who replaced the front lower cross member and the front subframe. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v165000 (structure: body). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 139,145. Updated 01/23/15*lj updated 6/3/2015
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. While driving approximately 10 MPH on uneven pavement, the steering wheel suddenly turned approximately 45 degrees to the right. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who diagnosed that the passenger side subframe was rusted and corroded, which caused the lower control arm to fail. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,900.
Vinyl door panel of front passenger door pealed off.
My car is included in the recall for the rusted out subframe. It has at least 2 oblong rusted out holes near the control arm. It was taken to the dealer. They installed a cross brace. 3 different dealers told me the brace will hopefully, if I am lucky, help me pull over without crashing when (not if) the subframe gives away and the control arm falls off. Two of the three literally told me, "good luck." I feel if ford realizes the issue is serious enough for a recall they should properly fix the problem.
Vehicle sub-frame failed due to corrosion causing separation of the lower control arm resulting in diminished steering control. This issue appears to be covered by ford safety recall 14s02 and the federal safety agency recall 14v‑166 that provided a reinforcement of the sub-frame. Unfortunately the reinforcing parts necessary for the recall action were not immediately available before the frame failed.
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