FaultScore

2002 Ford Escape headlight problems

12 of the 1,397 complaints about the 2002 Ford Escape are about the lighting — 1% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 116,662 miles.

A

12

Complaints

0

Crashes

1

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Exterior Lighting 5 41.7%
Headlights 4 33.3%
Brake Lights 2 16.7%
Hazard Flashing Warning Lights 1 8.3%

Lights across every Ford Escape year

2001 11 8.3%
2002 12 9.1%
2013 15 11.4%
2014 15 11.4%
2015 14 10.6%
2017 41 31.1%
2018 11 8.3%
2019 13 9.8%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Rocky Point, NC Fire

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Vehicle was manufactured 04/2002 recalls state that from oct99 to jan04 multiple states had issues with rusting with suspension causing the car to crash. My vehicle was made in one of the states and has alot of underbody rusting. Back hatch latch gets stuck often and will not open. Drums on the back are sticking causing the vehicle to drag at take off, abs had a recall ford dealer "fixed" the issue abs light stays on. Radiator light stays on constantly even though fluids are at correct level radiator is not damaged. Battery light constantly stays on as well brand new battery and alternator wire are connected free of corrosion. Interior lights caught on fire and melted the plastic housing so I had to take out the small bulbs. Everything is available for inspection if needed.abs was looked at by Ford dealer and "fixed" but problem is still there. Problems have not been inspected by anyone other than the abs, no warnings at all. Events happened at different times during the time I got the vehicle. 2022 Jan

NHTSA complaint #11466662 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 108,325 miles Lake Worth, FL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING, AN ODOR OF FUEL EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE AND IT STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE HAZARD LIGHTS FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO WAYNE EKERS FORD (2000 10TH AVE N, LAKE WORTH, FL 33461, PHONE NUMBER: (800) 749-8875) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE SERVICED BECAUSE THE FUEL LEAK WAS A SAFETY CONCERN FOR THE WORKERS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,325.

NHTSA complaint #11032669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 125,000 miles Loveland, OH

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

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.

NHTSA complaint #10892135 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 132,337 miles Ocala, FL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. IN ADDITION, THE ABS AND THE OIL PRESSURE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE OVER HEAD LIGHT IN THE VEHICLE ALSO INDEPENDENTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,337.

NHTSA complaint #10701073 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 172,000 miles Elkhart, IN

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

THE VEHICLE, AFTER BEING TURNED OFF, WOULD NOT TURN BACK ON, AND THE GEAR INDICATOR SQUARE THAT SURROUNDS THE ENGAGED GEAR WAS MULTIPLYING, FLASHING AND "DANCING" FROM GEAR TO GEAR. THIS HAPPENED A SECOND TIME EXACTLY ONE WEEK LATER, AND THIS TIME THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WERE FLASHING AND COULD NOT BE STOPPED. AFTER QUITE SOME TIME ONCE THE KEY WAS REMOVED AND THE DOOR WAS CLOSED, THE FLASHING INTERIOR LIGHTS CEASED AND WOULD ONLY CONTINUE AGAIN ONCE THE KEY WAS IN THE IGNITION. THOUGH REMOVING THE KEY CAUSED THE LIGHTS TO STOP FLASHING, EVEN ONCE THE KEY WAS REMOVED, THE INDICATOR SQUARE CONTINUED THE BEHAVIOR. PERIODICALLY DURING OPERATION THE LIGHTS STRENGTHEN IN AND OUT WHEN IDLING.

NHTSA complaint #10485212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,500 miles Joliet, IL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

MY DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT WENT OUT. I WENT TO THE LOCAL AUTOZONE TO GET A REPLACEMENT BULB. WHEN I REMOVED THE HEADLIGHT PLUG, IT LOOKED LIKE IT WAS MELTED. I REMOVED AND INSTALLED A NEW LIGHT BULB. I THEN TESTED THE NEW BULB TO MAKE SURE IT WORKED. IT DID NOT TURNED ON. THE HEADLIGHT PLUG SEEMS LIKE IT MELTED AT SOME POINT.

NHTSA complaint #10343466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 190,000 miles Mogadore, OH

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

MY SISTER'S MAZDA TRIBUTE & MY FORD ESCAPE ARE THE SAME VEHICLE AND BOTH HAVE HAD THE DRIVER'S SIDE HEADLIGHT PLUG MELT.

NHTSA complaint #10298922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Irvine, CA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

I HAVE TAKEN THE 2002 FORD ESCAPE TO THE DEALER MANY TIMES FOR THE HEADLIGHTS NOT COMING ON, TURNING OFF, BLINKING WHILE IN USE, AND NOT TURNING OFF AFTER USE. THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUES THAT NEEDED TO BE ADDRESSED. THE ONLY WAY I COULD GET THE LIGHTS TO GO OFF WAS TO REMOVE THE FUSES. I AM HAVING TROUBLE EVEN FINDING OUT IF THIS ITEM WAS A DEFECT RECALL. THAT WAS PUT UP WITH THE FORD COMPANY I GREW UP WITH.

NHTSA complaint #10192989 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 25,400 miles Chattanooga, TN

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A DARK COUNTRY ROAD LAST WEEK WHEN MY HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS WENT OUT. I CONSIDER THIS A SAFETY PROBLEM. I SWITCHED TO LOW BEAMS WHICH WORKED. SATURDAY MORNING I WENT TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER. NO MECHANIC WAS ON DUTY ;BUT THE OWNER VERIFIED THE LIGHTS DID NOT WORK. HE SAID TO BRING IT BACK MONDAY FOR A MECHANIC TO CHECK IT. MONDAY THE MECHANIC CHECKED IT OUT AND COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. THE LIGHTS WORKED ON MONDAY. HE SAID TO BRING IT IN WHEN THEY WERE NOT WORKING SO THEY COULD GET AN ERROR CODE. WELL, I HAD DONE THAT. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AND THE LIGHTS WORK NOW. I CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE; BUT I CANNOT FIND OUT IF OTHER CARS ARE HAVING A SIMILAR PROBLEM. I WAS ADVISED TO TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN. THE PROBLEM IS THEY HAVE TO CATCH IT WHILE IT IS HAPPENING. ALSO THE DEALER IS NOT OPEN AT NIGHT. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW ABOUT OTHERS WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND IF THEY KNOW HOW TO FIX IT.

NHTSA complaint #10149548 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 27 miles Gilbert, AZ

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

HAD BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHEN TURNING; CHECKED THE NHTSA SERVICE BULLETINS AND FOUND A BULLETIN FROM JUNE 1, 2003 NOTING THIS SAME PROBLEM; CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ALSO ON AGAIN; I MADE AN APPT AT DEALER TO CHECK OUT THESE ISSUES (4/7/04). TOOK VEHICLE IN ON 4/9/04. DEALER FOUND THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS: NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN BECAUSE THE WIRING FOR THE HORN WAS PULLED OUT AND RUBBING ON THE CONTACT PLATE; ADDITIONAL NOISE FOUND AT LOWER END OF STEERING COLUMN DEALER DEACTIVATED THE AIRBAG SYSTEM TO REMOVE AND REPLACE THE STEERING WHEEL AND CONTACT; ALSO FOUND THAT THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE STEERING COLUMN BOOT, WHICH HAD TO BE ORDERED AT THE SAME TIME, A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS VEHICLE REGARDING THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE; DEALER PERFORMED THE RECALL VEHICLE WAS IN THE SHOP FROM 4/9 - 4/14 AND DEALER HAD TO PAY FOR A RENTAL CAR STEERING COLUMN BOOT WAS ORDERED AND I HAD TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK INTO THE DEALER ON 4/23/04 TO HAVE THEM INSTALL IT. AFTER LEAVING THE DEALER ON THE 23RD, I REALIZED THAT MY HORN, CRUISE CONTROL AND LEFT BRAKE LIGHT WERE ALL INOPERABLE, SO I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK INTO THE DEALER ON 4/26/04. DEALER FOUND THAT THE CLOCK SPRING WAS NOT MAKING CONTACT, SO THEY HAD TO DEACTIVATE THE AIRBAG AGAIN TO REMOVE THE STEERING WHEEL AND REPLACE THE CLOCK SPRING; FOR THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT, THE DEALER HAD TO REPLACE THE BULB ELEMENT VEHICLE WAS IN THE DEALER FOR TWO DAYS AND THEY HAD TO PAY FOR A RENTAL CAR FOR ME AGAIN,

NHTSA complaint #10086131 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Alkol, WV

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

THE VEHICLE STALLED. ONCE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE DRIVE, THE HORN BEGAN TO BLOW, AND THE LIGHTS STARTED TO BLINK. NO ONE WAS IN THE VEHICLE OR HAD TOUCHED THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE REPAIRED, HOWEVER THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPAIR IT BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEMS. *AK THE VEHICLE ALSO ROLLED AWAY WITH THE IGNITION LOCKED, KEYS REMOVED AND VEHICLE IN PARK. ALSO THE ACCELERATOR BECAME STUCK ON FOUR OCCASIONS. A REPRESENTATIVE FROM TOLD THE CONSUMER THE REASON WHY THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY, WAS BECAUSE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HAD NOT BEEN APPLIED. *PH

NHTSA complaint #10031648 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Washtenaw, MI

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

CONSUMER STATED ON JULY 2, 2002 THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR A BROKEN HEADLIGHT AND MISSING EQUIPMENT FROM THE VEHICLE, ON JULY 23, 2002 THE VEHICLE BEGAN EXPERIENCING STALLING, BRAKE AND ODOMETER PROBLEMS, THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED DUE TO A FLAW, THE STALLING AND THE ODOMETER PROBLEMS COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED, ALSO THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE SPEAKERS AND THE CLUTCH STICKING, CONSUMER STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE PARKING BRAKE DISENGAGED AND THE VEHICLE ROLLED INTO A HOTEL.

NHTSA complaint #568244 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2002 Ford Escape problems

← Full 2002 Ford Escape report