2002 Ford Escape electrical problems

Filed Apr 18, 2026 · Brakes, Electrical · OH

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. The ford dealership have left me my with and kids and grand kids in danger

Filed Jul 28, 2025 · Electrical · 227,000 miles · CA

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. The contact drove to a local O'Reilly's where one of the employees was able to remove the key from the ignition. The failure had gotten progressively worse. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the ignition lock cylinder had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 227,000.

Filed Feb 11, 2021 · Brakes, Electrical · 195,002 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. The contact stated the vehicle failed to start. The brake warning light was illuminated. The contact noticed that there was water in the fuse box. The contact called friendly ford (2800 n telegraph rd, monroe, mi 48162, (734) 243-6000) however, the vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 195,002.

Filed May 12, 2018 · Electrical, Fuel system · 116,349 miles · GA

My vehicle idles to 4000rpm and control the speed by itself, there is a leak in the back break area the steering wheel locks where I can't put it in any gear sometimes and getting worse. Had to get it towed home last night because while driving it idled high and as I brake it barely stopped and when releasing break it speeds up to 50 or more MPH and I had to keep my feet on the break..I pulled over and turned the switch off and waited a while and turned back on and it idled to 4000 RPM again. Could not shift the gear from park and break pedal was hard. When arriving home to back car in driveway towe guy had no problem with idle. The following morning cranked and was at 1000rpm at first start. Also AC pressure. Car runs hot but no smoke water bubbles in coolant reservoir. My check engine light never gave warning of any of the problems listed.

Filed Jan 17, 2017 · Electrical, Engine · 150,000 miles · NC · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 2002 ford escape. After the vehicle was parked, the driver smelled a burning odor. The contact noticed black smoke coming from the engine compartment and the vehicle exploded. The fire department extinguished the flames. The fire department assessed that the wiring harness was defective and caused the fire. The contact stated that the fire damaged the garage and the sidewalk concrete. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign number: 07v156000 (service brakes, hydraulic) as a possible reason for the failure; however, the VIN was not provided there were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000. The VIN was not provided. Updated 04/12/17lj

Filed Jan 22, 2016 · Brakes, Electrical · 169,000 miles · OR · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. The vehicle was repaired according to the federal safety agency campaign number: 12v005000 (service brakes, hydraulic); however, the repair did not remedy the condition. The contact had not experienced any failures prior to the recall repair. The contact noticed excessive smoke under the hood and the cap leaked brake fluid, which impacted the power steering pump and caused a short within the wires and the ABS. The manufacturer was notified of the failures and stated that the vehicle would need to be towed to the dealer for diagnostic testing and repair. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 169,000.

Filed Jul 4, 2015 · Airbags, Brakes · 190,000 miles · ID

For the past year and a half the ABS warning light has been illuminated. I took it to the ford dealership to have the latest recall fixed regarding the reservoir cap. Ford couldn't get the ABS warning light to turn off...so, hence the light still intermidantly comes on and off. Also, the oil pressure light keeps coming on when I start my car and when I am slowing down. I just had my mechanic change the oil a week ago and and still having the problem. One last thing, the air bag illumination light has been on for the past two years. I took it to my dealer and they couldn't get it to turn off. Am I safe in thinking that my air bag won't deploy just for the heck of it? Not sure what to do? But it scares me.

Filed Apr 2, 2015 · Electrical · 163,000 miles · OH · fire

Tl* the contact owned a 2002 ford escape. The contact walked outside and discovered that the vehicle caught fire. The engine was not turned on and the key was not in the ignition switch at the time of the incident. The fire department was called to the scene to extinguish the flames. The vehicle was destroyed. The cause of the incident could not be determined. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 163,000.

Filed Nov 21, 2014 · Brakes, Electrical · 172,000 miles · TX · fire

Neighbor woke me saying my car was on fire. Car wasn't on, the key was not in, and it had sat overnight. Called fire department and fire put out. Car is totaled because the firemen had to break into the engine compartment. Engine area burned with nothing but metal visible and a melted battery. I have pictures.

Filed Oct 3, 2014 · Electrical · 128,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle, but the failure recurred fifteen times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 128,000.