2002 Ford Escape: windshield wiper failure

Filed Nov 4, 2005 · Visibility · 33,200 miles · MO

Wipers stopped working in the middle of the windshield and will not go back to their parked position.

Filed Jun 13, 2005 · Transmission · 61,000 miles · OH

The vehicle was being driven at roughly 35 miles per hour when the tachometer suddenly surged and the vehicle began to loose speed. The transmission had obviously failed to engage. Putting the transmission into 2nd gear allowed the transmission to re-engage and the vehcile began to surge forward. An attempt was made to drive the vehicle to a dealership about 7 or 8 miles away. The transmission continued to to engage and disengage for the next several miles. Finally, it disengaged one last time and did not engage again. Since it was on a main street, the vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road of a side street. The vehicle was towed to kreiger ford in columbus ohio. This took place a friday. The dealership was informed that a complaint was made about the transmission slipping and then thudding into gear on 1st to 2nd gear shifts on a service call prior to the experation of the warranty. At that time the dealership assured the owner that there was nothing wrong with the transmission. On this incident, not only did the car have to be towed in, but the dealership was also informed that the motor on the rear window wiper had failed and the cd player would no longer eject the cds. On monday the dealership called to inform the owner that the transmission had totally failed and would have to be replaced at a cost of $3500. Within an hour the dealership called back and said the ford was willing to put a rebuilt transmission into the vehicle, repair the wiper motor, do the 60,000 mile maintnenace, extend the drivetrain warranty to 100,000 miles, and repair the cd player for $1500. This is preposterous. No transmission should fail at 61,000 miles. And after reading the incidents reported here, it is becoming apparent that there is a problem with the transmission on the escape.

Filed Jan 25, 2005 · Visibility · 35,000 miles · OH

The windshield wiper fluid would freeze up in the hoses. The consumer was unable to clean the dirt and debris off the front windshield, this caused poor visibility while driving. The dealer was notified.

Filed Jan 20, 2004 · Engine, Visibility · OH

2002 ford escape only 2 years old and ford will not honor warranty because rear wipers not working and engine makes and jerk at 3k RPM, not part of warranty.

Filed Nov 15, 2002 · Engine · KY

My escape was still new when I first experienced a total stall. I was on a downhill exit ramp from the interstate making a left hand turn onto a very busy one way street through an even busier intersection. I coasted at about 30-35 MPH down to make my turn and realized that I had no steering or power at all. I had to fight to make the left turn and get to the curb. The experience left me shaking in shock and fear for quite some time. I had no trouble restarting it after I regained my composure. I took it to the initial point of sale and was told they had not heard of any problems. They "could not duplicate the problem". I have had three additional stalls, a different dealer replaced throttle, air intake. Another stall. Since purchasing this vehicle the cd player has been worked on twice (the dash had to be replaced because the service tech scratched it considerably), the passenger front window rolls up out of the track and the passenger front door would not unlock. The door had to be taken apart to fix the lock assembly consequently the interior door was replaced because it had to be torn off to get to the lock. Cruise control works intermittently, the rear wiper doesn't work correctly, the transmission shifts hard, the front end makes noises when turned, not to mention a rattle in the back that will drive you crazy and a musty smell. As if this weren't enough, this morning it began running rough, backfired and the engine light came on and stayed on. I made it home, thankfully and had it towed to the dealer...again I am without my car! My husband works for ford in louisville, ky and we are trying to be loyal, but this is too much! We have had trouble with different cars in the past, but I am afraid of this vehicle. I have a 16 yr. Old son about to get his license. It has been hard for me as an experienced driver to handle these situations, but I am terrified that it could happen to him. Dt

Filed Jul 8, 2002 · Brakes, Visibility · WI

This car has had various defects in the 8 months that I have owned it. I have had the rear wiper arm and windshield fluid receptacle replaced. Next the brake light came on because the vehicle was leaking brake fluid. This resulted in the replacement of the master cylinder. Next the vehicle lost power at 40 MPH right in the middle of traffic not once, but three times. I feel this SUV is not dependable or safe to drive. I am scheduled to take a vacation and drive from wisconsin to arkansas in the august heat, but I am having second thoughts. I would like to get rid of this vehicle. It is an accident waiting to happen.