MyCarTSB

2002 Ford Escape Lights Problems

7 owner-reported lights complaints from NHTSA data

7
Complaints
2
Fires
Feb 2006Oct 2017
Date Range

Data sourced from NHTSA public database. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified mechanic.

Owner Complaints (7)

criticalEXTERIOR LIGHTING,STRUCTURE,SERVICE BRAKES
FireFiled: May 2022

Your 2002 Ford Escape has several warning lights that stay on even though you've replaced the battery and alternator — including the ABS, radiator, and battery lights. Your rear brake drums are sticking, causing the vehicle to drag when accelerating, and the back hatch latch frequently gets stuck and won't open. Additionally, interior dome lights caught fire and melted the plastic housing. The vehicle has significant underbody rust consistent with known suspension corrosion issues from that model year, and the ABS was recalled and serviced by a Ford dealer but the warning light remains on. Addressing these issues will likely require a full diagnostic scan of the electrical system, inspection and possible replacement of the brake drum assembly, repair of the hatch latch mechanism, and replacement of the melted interior light housing.

NHTSA #: 11466662
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Filed: Oct 2017

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 #: 11032669
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING,STRUCTURE
Filed: Aug 2016

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 #: 10892135
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING,ENGINE
Filed: Mar 2015

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 #: 10701073
mediumINTERIOR LIGHTING
FireFiled: Jun 2007

THE DOME LIGHT ON THE 2002 FORD ESCAPE 3.0L CAUSED BURNING ON THE SUNROOF SLIDING COVER WHEN THE COVER WAS OPENED. THIS HAS THE POTENTIAL TO STARTING A FIRE, ALTHOUGH NOW THEREWAS ONLY A SLOW BURN. *AK

NHTSA #: 10193794
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Jun 2007

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. *AK

NHTSA #: 10192989
mediumEXTERIOR LIGHTING
Filed: Feb 2006

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.*JB

NHTSA #: 10149548

Other 2002 Ford Escape Issues