Approximately a year ago, feb. 2011, I noticed the truck lift gate and window was not working properly. I thought maybe because of the snow and cold weather it was frozen. The next few weeks it worked on and off. Then after a month or so it stopped working at all. I searched to see if there was a recall on this part and there was one, I called ford but they said my VIN was not on their list of recalls for that problem so I was out of luck and one year later it still does not work. I cannot open or close the rear lift door or the window above it. Two mechanics looked at the problem and said only ford can replace the part. The panels on the door must be removed to get to the mechanism. The part costs about $15.00 but labor costs will be around $400.00 I researched this defect and found that many people have had the same problem with this model and year.
2002 Ford Escape body complaints
Page 4 of 4: complaints 71 to 87 of 87, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Metal straps holding up the gas tank rusted and broke on july 28, 2011 while filling the gas tank. Had to have it towed to dealership where they replaced the two metal straps on august 1, 2011. On august 2, 2011 a recall was issued for the same problem on similar ford vehicles that were manufactured during the same year. Dealership confirmed it was the same problem that was cited in the recall and stated that I was very lucky that I was not driving the vehicle at the time this occurred.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH the lower control arm detached from the vehicle and the front passenger side wheel pointed sideways, causing the driver to loose control of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who stated that the failure was due to corrosion. As a result, the front subframe assembly and the lower control arms needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure, but offered no assistance because the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 78,000. Updated 11/22/11*lj updated 03/13/12
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. The contact stated that the rear window hinge for the tail gate detached from the vehicle while the tail gate was ajar. The glass window struck the contact in the head but the contact was not injured. The contact called the manufacturer regarding the hinge and they stated that there were no recalls for the failure. The contact stated that the rear window could have caused serious injuries. The failure mileage was 93,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. The contact stated that while driving 55 MPH, she heard a metal noise. When she opened the passenger front door, it fell on her foot. She was able to put the door back in place. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who stated that the front passenger door pin had been installed upside down. The dealer replaced the door pin and hinge assembly. The current and failure mileages were 114,083. Updated 02/17/11*lj updated 12/06/2011
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for routine maintenance where the dealer located severe corrosion at the vehicle under-body, muffler and differential system. The manufacturer was contacted and advised the contact that the vehicle was out of warranty therefore they would not assist with the repair. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 76,000. Updated 01/06/11. *lj updated 02/07/11
The straps which hold up the gas tank on my 2002 ford escape are rusted and have snapped in half due to severe corrosion. The front strap is just hanging there. Ford said there is no recall.
In january of 2010 I opened the back hatch on my 2002 ford escape and when I shut the door the glass shattered. Then 3 months later I was driving down the road and the back passenger door glass shattered. My dog was in the back and luckily he was ok but if there had been a child in the seat they would have been severely injured. Glass should not just shatter like this. Since the incidents I have replaced both windows and paid for it out of pocket.
Rear fenders rusting through, paint bubbling badly.
Paint peeling on left side of my ford escape 2003.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. The contact is disabled and was stranded in her vehicle for over two hours. The vehicle doors do not have key holes. The fire department had to remove the rear door panel in order to free the contact from the vehicle. The contact stated that she was unaware that the vehicle did not have key holes when it was purchased. The doors only operated by remote. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the contact would receive a call back from the dealer. The door panel has been repaired. The dealer information was unknown. The current mileage was 22,074 and failure mileage was 22,064. Updated 4/8/08 *cn the consumer stated frank is paralyzed. The consumer stated there is a great concern for no keyhole on the vehicle. Updated 04/08/08
Dt*: the contact stated that the vehicle's passenger side door did not open from both sides. The dealership determined that the door panel needed to removed to locate the problem but had not inspected the vehicle for repair.
Dt: the contact stated while unlocking the driver's side door the tailgate locked. The contact had previous problems with the door locks, and they have been repaired. But the tailgate has not been repaired. The contact contacted the service dealer, but they wanted to charge him for repairs. He has not contacted the manufacturer.
The windshield leaked water when it rained. The dealer stated that the windshield was separating from the molding, and it's not a safety defect it was normal. *ak while driving water would get inside the vehicle. *sc
While driving about 45 MPH, the vehicle shut down without warning. Engine check light appeared on the dashboard. *ak the cause was due to defective engine controls. Other problems are as followed: both rear door's body weatherstrips had come loose and were warped and the left rear quarter panel window. *scc
While driving a piece of metal that was in the road pierced through the bottom vehicle's floorboard and rug, cutting consumer on the leg. Consumer stated dealer replaced floorboard and rug. Please provide any further information.
Consumer stated that white gelatinous material was leaking from multiple areas of vehicles locks and crevices onto the interior upholstery of vehicle, dealer stated that lubricant was applied to the various internal locking mechanisms and that the excess was settling by leaking out of crevices and seams, dealer wiped off excess lubricant.
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