Our 2002 ford escape caught on fire while parked in the garage. It appears that the fire originated in or around the ABS module. Thankfully there were no initial serious injuries, though we incurred smoke damage and the inconvenience of a non functioning vehicle.
2002 Ford Escape electrical complaints
Page 3 of 5: complaints 41 to 70 of 123, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. On february 9, 2007 the vehicle caught on fire in the garage and burned to the frame. The fire began on the electrical instrument panel on the driver's side. The vehicle was destroyed while parked in the garage. The fire marshall and insurance company have photos. The fire marshall stated that the switch or sensor caused the fire. The insurance company investigator stated that the fire was due to an electrical failure. The contact's vehicle burned 20 days after it was purchased. The current and failure mileage were 86,000.
On march 13th 2007 my car was parked in the driveway and smoke was coming out of the bottom of the escape and the hood. It smelled like an electrical fire- I investigated where the smell was and it all looked fine- I turned on the escape and then the brake lights and ABS light came on along with the engine check light. I looked up on the internet and saw that several complaints on the brake system catching on fire.
2002 ford escape. Parked> 3 hrs. Caught fire. Engine and front of car completely destroyed. Have detailed pictures understand investigation into this problem began in november 2006 would like to speak to someone before car is towed to junk yard.
Dt*: the contact stated while parking a bystander noticed smoke billowing from under the hood. The ignition would not turn off so the battery was disconnected and the smoke stopped. The vehicle was towed to an auto collision facility, where it has not been inspected by a mechanic.
Dt*: the contact stated while parked in the driveway for one day, the vehicle caught on fire. The fire extinguished itself. The vehicle was driven to the dealer who replaced the ABS module and a wiring harness. Updated 01/17/07. *jb the consumer stated the ABS light illuminated and stayed on until the ABS module was replaced. The right front wheel bearing was replaced.
The key lock cylinder has been defective for quite a period of time in that it allows me to take out the keys when the vehicle is in drive or reverse. Car has rolled on some occasions. So far I have caught the problem before anything is damaged but I know for all the cars I have owned it is not proper that the keys can be withdrawn while in drive. I just reported it to the ford dealer 10-22-06 and they said it was not correct but there had been no recall so probably I would have to repair at my own cost.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled. It was maneuvered off the road and restarted however, the vehicle would not accelerate past 20 MPH and stalled again when the brake pedal was depressed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who determined the PCM, six ignition coils and six spark plugs needed to be replaced.
At first start up of morning, while driving the idle kicks up to 2000 RPM's. When I stop the car and put it in neutral, that's where I notice the tach revving to 2000. After driving for 3 to 5 miles, it finally goes to normal. If I shut off car, and restart it, its fine. I had the car to the dealer several times to no avail, the put a recorder device in the car and when I noticed the problem, I was to push the button. They sent the box to ford, who in turn said it was supposed to do that. I am at a standstill right now, with no fix in site. The vehicle is harder to stop in the mornings due to the increased idle. This started right before the 3 year bumper to bumper warranty expired. It is continuing to happen to date. Thank you.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the ABS light and emergency brake light illuminated constantly. The vehicle was taken to a service dealer. While being inspected by the dealer, the vehicle began to smoke. The dealer determined that there was an electrical problem with the ABS wiring and that all the wiring needed to be replaced at an estimated cost of $1600. The dealership refused to honor the extended warranty and the owner refused to pay for the repair costs out of pocket. Dealer then refused to return the vehicle to owner without repair due to fire hazard. The dealer assisted the owner with the purchase of a 2006 mercury mariner by paying off the remainder of the loan balance on the ford escape updated 10/25/2006 -
2002 ford escape xlt caught fire under the hood. *kb the vehicle was towed to the dealer who replaced the booster, hcu and hcu harness. After doing some research the consumer believes the fire was the result of a faulty cruise control deactivation switch. This switch had been recalled in 1994-2002 ford f150's, navigators and expeditions. .
Follow up to an earlier report regarding a 2002 ford escape xlt with ignition coil problems. On may 30, the vehicle lost another ignition coil (3 previously had died) after sitting overnight in a rainstorm. This problem seems to manifest itself when it has been raining or very humid. The truck was taken to macquire ford and was again diagnosed with a failed number 1 ignition coil. The coil was replaced at a cost of $390. The truck was picked up friday, june 2, driven home and parked. When we went to drive the truck at 6pm that night, the check engine light came on and the truck ran rough. The dealer wasn't happy to see us back saturday morning. This time coil number 3 had gone. No one knows why 5 coils have now failed at the cost of $1300. The final original coil has also been replaced. No one at ford can give an answer and I am out a considerable amount of money and I somehow doubt this problem will be resolved.
Dt*: the contact stated during the night, the vehicle alarm sounded. When the vehicle was approached, it was noticed that smoke was coming from under the hood. The police and fire department were alerted to the scene. A police report was filed. The fire department determined it occurred in the engine compartment and it was an electrical fire. The vehicle was operating normal prior to the fire. The vehicle is currently at a local dealership awaiting further inspection. The manufacturer has been alerted.
I own a 2002 ford escape xlt which I purchased new in 2001. Last june, I did not use the vehicle for several days during which time it rained. When I went to start the engine, it ran sluggishly and shuddered. After a few moments, the engine light came on and the truck began emitting smoke. I turned the engine off, called my local dealer, varney ford, and had the vehicle towed there. I was told that the #3 "spark plug coil" (ignition coil) had burned out. I was told that moisture had entered the coil. No explanation for how that was happening was given. Cost $180 to repair. Yesterday, after several days of rain, I went to once again start my truck. It exactly repeated the previous incident. This time however, I drove the truck to the dealer...it could not travel more than 30 miles an hour. I was told that this time coils number 4 and 6 had failed. Cost this time $325. Once again I was told moisture had somehow gotten into the coil system. So in other words, I own a truck that cannot sit idle for even a day in rainy or damp weather without a coil burning out. From what I gather from reading the travails of other escape owners is that this is not an uncommon problem. Ford says "there must be a pin hole somewhere that they will never be able to fix". While this wouldn't present a problem if I elected to live in a desert environment, it will continue to be an expense and render the truck useless in inclement weather. Thank you. Heidi robbins.
Have 2002 ford escape and 3 years and 7 months later the odometer lcd lights goes out.
Dt: the contact stated 2002 ford escape caught on fire on 4-4-05 in front of the dealership where she bought it. The vehicle was parked. The fire originated from under the hood. The day before on sunday she was having problems starting the car. Her brother had to jump it to get it started; he then drove it around the block. When he took the key out of the ignition, the vehicle was still running. She put the key back in, put it in gear, and put it back in park and turned the ignition and took the key out. She drove it to the dealership where she bought it. The vehicle was turned off when she left. The next day the fire department called her and told her the car had caught on fire at the dealership and was totaled. The fire department did tell the contact they thought the fire was electrical.
My 2002 ford escape has had too many problems since I have owned it. I purchased the vehcile used in march of 2005 with 23k miles. It now has 30k. Please note it is still under warranty, however I feel the vehcile is riddled with problems to date: the cd4e automatic transmission was replaced at 4500 miules by the previous owner(performed by ford) along with the front wheel bearings and retainer rings. Since I have owned the vehicle: 1. The vehcile stalled while driving along. The PCM was re-flashed by ford, however it still feels like it will stall at certain times. 2. The thermostat housing leaked antifreeze and took three trips to the dealer to fix it. 3. The accerlerator cable was replaced under recall. 4. The rear glass rattles as the latch looks worns out already. 5. The engine had valve train noise and the camshaft retainers were replaced 6. The engine leaked oil due to the dealers faulty repair 7. The fan assembly/blower motor bearings have failed and a new part is on order. I am very upset and disapointed in the quality of this vehicle and I question it as I have no confidence it it.
On several occasions, my 2002 ford escape has stalled out in the middle of intersections, on the freeway, and at many inopportune times!!!!! I have been quite scared to drive my SUV any more. It starts to chug like it is not getting any fuel, the check engine light will come on, and the SUV will immediately die. I lose my power steering, my brakes, my everything! And almost get hit. I have taken my escape in for service several times, but they claim that it is just a glitch in the computer, and reset it. Then they told me that they could never get it do what I was saying, so I had to come in right when it was doing it, or they wouldn't be able to help. In the mean time, I have stalled out several more times, gone in, and no one can figure out what is wrong. I have heard from several people that this is happening with many ford escapes, and I am scared that the situation will escalate to me being in an accident, or my SUV starting on fire when it gets so warm.
The vehicle was traveling about 70 MPH in the far right lane when all of a sudden driver heard a loud explosion from the front of the vehicle. Driver pulled over immediately due to smoke coming inside the vehicle. The driver got out and watched the vehicle burn within 7 minutes. *ak the white smoke seemed to indicate a fuel line.
After a short errand, vehicle was parked. Minutes later, fire erupted under the hood, apparently from a wiring harness. Motor area appears to be a complete loss. It was determined that he fire originated in the ABS control modulator. The insurance company determined that ford was responsible for the incident and has been attempting to recoup their money.
In watching the news about ford SUV's catching on fire, one of the warning signs was a brake light going out or the cruise control light on the dash. I have a 2002 escape, and recently have replaced two brake lights going out. I only have 40000 miles, yet I did not see a recall on this car concerning this. Has this happened to any escapes model year 2002 ??
Airbag lights continuosly flash. Was told by ford service dept at dealer that this could possibly mean that the seatbelts and airbags will not work. Cost to fix is $609
2002 ford escape xlt - 38,000 miles. Radio turned off by itself, dashboard gages illuminated and then car died. Car was able to be re-started but then died shortly after. Ford has determined that the alternator has blown. As 38,000 is out of the warranty period, the dealership and ford corporate has declined paying for the repairs. For a vehicle that has been well maintained, it seems that this type of problem should not have occurred so early in the vehicles life. Of course considering the many, many issues I have had with this vehicle that were covered I guess I should not be surprised. As a side note, I supply components to the automotive oem's including ford. That is why I bought a ford. After this experience and seeing how ford works internally I don't think I will ever be able to buy one again. Alan goldenstein.
2002 ford escape xlt stalling (2 times) and hesitating and engine skipping. Complained about engine problems for 2 years. Engine stalled at 40 MPH and told the dealership my SUV was now a safety hazard when the motor cuts off without warning at 40 MPH. They replaced what they said was ford's latest part for this problem and I have since had another cut off at 10 MPH. There seems to be little effort and no concern from ford about my vehicles safety problem. You would think ford has learned a lesson for ignoring safety problems!!! When I bout my SUV I was LED to believe I was fords most important customer and they would stand behind what they sale. For sure I am not a valuable customer and they are not standing behind what I thought was an outstanding product.
Took vehicle to dealer for repair of the sun roof. Complaint was already on file. Also, dealer replaced the battery.
Check battery light comes on intermittently when starting the vehicle and while driving the vehicle; took vehicle into dealer; dealer replaced the alternator. Emergency brake light on dashboard comes on and stays on regardless of whether the emergency brake is engaged; took vehicle into dealer; dealer repaired the short to ground in the brake lamp circuit.
2002 ford escape was parked in driveway at my residence following returning rentla movies at approximately 11:30 pm on 6/30/2004. At approximately 6:00 am on 7/1/2004, I was awakened by the car alarm. Looking at the car from the balcony outside the bedroom window, I could see thick dark smoke coming from under the hood. I took the car keys and manually unlocked the vehicle to get the hood release. As soon as the door was unlocked, the alarm silenced. I then opened the hood and as soon as I did the wiring harness on the driver's side firewall burst into flame. I ran into the garage and got a fire extinguisher and put out the fire. After the fire was out, I could hear a strong electrical hum. At that point I went back the garage and got tools to remove the positive battery terminal. As soon as terminal was removed the sound ceased. The car was later towed to stepp brothers lincoln mercury where it remains as of today. Stepp brother has ordered a new wiring harness in order to diagnose the problem and it is still on back order. *jb phone interview update (nov. 7, 05) ford did the repair under warranty and kept the old parts; they said the fire was due to an ABS sensor shorted out. Mr. Evermon also said that he had to fill the master cylinder three times since he purchsed the vehicle.
Ford escape engines may stall at certain speeds.*mr the consumer's vehicle has stalled three times in the last two years. The consumer contacted the manufacturer about recall related to stalling. The manufacturer explained to the consumer that her vehicle was not included in the recall.
While driving SRS light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. Consumer pressed down the horn and it failed. Consumer took vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic informed consumer that this vehicle was not on recall.
The brake light came on while driving. This occurred because the brake master cylinder had a slow leak that progressed. The dealership indicated the leak may be due to a bad cylinder cap. The cap was replaced. Also at 100 miles the steering wheel became loose and felt like it was going to separate from it's linkage. A screw in the steering wheel had became loose and needed to be tightened. The dealership tightened the screw and put a punch mark into the side of the screw to make it stay in place but the problem recurred. *nm the master parts were not working the steering wheel was loose after 50 miles. The master cylinder had a slow leak, which worsened over time and tightening did not fix. The consumer found the back light behind the gear selector and odometer went out, the airbag light had come on, the check engine light had come on, the radio did not start, the vehicle stalled, and the seat belts were inoperative. *sc
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