NHTSA vehicle safety data

2002 Ford Escort Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2002 Ford Escort has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 33 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Ford dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2002 Ford Escort, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2002 Ford Escort owner complaints

Owners have filed 33 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Ford Escort, describing incidents dated May 26, 2002 to March 4, 2017.

Most-cited components

Engine 11 complaints
Power Train 5 complaints
Service Brakes 4 complaints
Suspension 4 complaints
Steering 3 complaints
Tires 3 complaints

Of the 33 complaints on file, 4 report a crash and 1 a fire; across all 33 complaints, owners report 9 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #10958928 · Filed March 6, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 FORD ESCORT. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND FOUR OCCUPANTS IN THE OTHER VEHICLE WERE INJURED. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ON…
ODI #10435936 · Filed November 17, 2011
2002 FORD ESCORT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE STOPPING AND DYING WHILE DRIVING *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WERE REPLACE THREE TIMES, AS WELL AS OTHER COMPONENTS. HOWEVER, THE STALLING CONTINUED. NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO DETERMINE THE REASON FOR THE STALLING. *JB
ODI #10278977 · Filed July 31, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCORT. WHENEVER THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE CONTACT WOULD HEAR A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE FRONT ROTORS AND PADS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 7,367.

Read all 33 complaints

TRW/FMVSS 209/SEAT BELT/NO LOCK CONDITION

NHTSA #04E048000 · Seat Belts — Front · NHTSA notice

Reported July 12, 2004 · TRW OCCUPANT SAFETY SYSTEMS

Potentially affected: 388 vehicles

Owners notified August 27, 2004

Defect description

CERTAIN TRW DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELTS MANUFACTURED ON DECEMBER 6 AND 9, 2002, FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR 1997 FORD ESCORT 4-DOOR AND STATION WAGON PLATFORM VEHICLES, FORD'S P/N F7CZ54611B09AAC. THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES EXHIBIT A NO-LOCK CONDITION WHICH DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES.

Safety consequence

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM MAY NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT, WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

TRW WILL NOTIFY THE CUSTOMERS WHO PURCHASED THE REPLACEMENT SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 27, 2004.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO SERVICE REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE IN 1997-2003 MODEL YEAR FORD ESCORT AND MERCURY TRACER 4-DOOR AND STATION WAGON VEHICLES AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED IN FORD VEHICLES BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY.FOR MORE INFORMATION CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

2002 Ford Escort 4-DR.

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 3, Passenger: 3

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 3, Passenger: 3

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

33 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Ford Escort.

Vehicle Speed Control; Service Brakes

ODI #10958928

Crash 5 injuries

Incident: March 4, 2017 · Filed: March 6, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 FORD ESCORT. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE DRIVER OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE AND FOUR OCCUPANTS IN THE OTHER VEHICLE WERE INJURED. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS RECEIVED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED ON IMPACT. PRIOR TO THE CRASH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WHILE THE BRAKES WERE BEING APPLIED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10435936

Incident: November 1, 2011 · Filed: November 17, 2011

2002 FORD ESCORT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE STOPPING AND DYING WHILE DRIVING *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WERE REPLACE THREE TIMES, AS WELL AS OTHER COMPONENTS. HOWEVER, THE STALLING CONTINUED. NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO DETERMINE THE REASON FOR THE STALLING. *JB

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #10278977

Incident: July 23, 2009 · Filed: July 31, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCORT. WHENEVER THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, THE CONTACT WOULD HEAR A GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE FRONT ROTORS AND PADS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 7,367.

Steering; Electrical System

ODI #10266763

Incident: April 18, 2009 · Filed: April 26, 2009

WE HAVE A 2002 ESCORT ZX2 . THE CAR WAS BOUGHT FEBRUARY 2002 . I HAVE HAD SOME REAL PROBLEMS WITH THE TIE -RODS HAVING TO BE REPLACED. BUT THE PROBLEM NOW IS THE WIRING TO THE TAIL LIGHTS. WE HAVE HAD A FEW PROBLEMS WITH THE FUSE BLOWING AND WE REPLACE IT , THEN THE LIGHT BULBS BLOW THEN WE REPLACE THEM . WE HAD A MECHANIC LOOK INTO THE PROBLEM THIS TIME AND HE HAS FOUND THAT THE WIRING HARNESS AND THE REFLECTOR ARE MELTED. THE PROBLEM IS WE HAVE TAIL LIGHTS WORKING WITH NO BRAKE LIGHTS OR CRUISE CONTROL . UPON THE REMOVAL OF THE BULBS THE BULBS HAD GOTTEN SO HOT THE LIGHT BULBS HAD HOLES IN THEM BUT STILL WORKED AS BRAKE LIGHTS . THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH YOUNG CHILDREN IN THE REAR SEAT CLOSEST TO THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. *TR

Air Bags

ODI #10251511

Fire 1 injury

Incident: December 5, 2008 · Filed: December 11, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCORT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT AN IMPACT OR CRASH. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE WINDSHIELD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS SHATTERED AND THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT BECAME ENGULFED WITH SMOKE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD CONTACT HER BY LETTER OR PHONE WITHIN 15 DAYS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 59,890.

Electrical System

ODI #10221489

Incident: March 16, 2008 · Filed: March 17, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD FOCUS. FOR ONE MONTH, THE KEY DIDN'T FIT INTO THE IGNITION AND WHEN IT WAS IN THE IGNITION, IT WOULD NOT TURN. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START. AS OF MARCH 16, 2008, THE VEHICLE WILL NO LONGER START. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TOWED TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 98,000.

Wheels

ODI #10210686

Incident: November 18, 2007 · Filed: December 3, 2007

12/01/05, 03/08/07.11/19/07 HAD TO REPLACE TIE-ROD ION MY 2002 FORD ESCORT. NOTICED THUMPING, TOOK TO MECHANIC. HE SAID HAD I NOT BROUGHT IT IN, THERE COULD HAVE BEEN VERY SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES. THIS FREQUENCY OF THESE INCIDENTS SEEMS TO INDICATE A SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS DEFECT IN THIS CAR. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #10203013

Incident: September 1, 2006 · Filed: September 14, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE VIBRATED WHEN IDLING. AS OF SEPTEMBER 14, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. NHTSA TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER 042410 REGARDING THE ENGINE WAS REFERENCED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000. UPDATED 12/12/07 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED SHE BEGAN HEARING SQUEAKING NOISES COMING FROM THE ENGINE. UPDATED 12/12/07

Tires

ODI #10200523

Incident: August 9, 2007 · Filed: August 22, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT PURCHASED TWO BRIDGESTONE POTENZA G009 (NA) SUMMER TIRES (SIZE 205/40/R17) ON MAY 12, 2007. ONE OF THE TIRES EXPLODED AS THE CONTACT'S WIFE WAS DRIVING 25 MPH. THE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TIRE AND THE SIDEWALLS SEPARATED FROM THE BEADS. BRIDGESTONE STATED THAT SHE MUST HAVE STRUCK SOMETHING IN THE ROAD TO CAUSE THE BLOW OUT. SHE INFORMED THEM THAT SHE DID NOT DRIVE OVER ANY POTHOLES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TREAD ON THE TIRES STILL LOOKS BRAND NEW AND THERE IS LESS THAN 10,000 MILES LEFT ON THEM. THE DOT NUMBER MAY NOT BE ACCURATE. THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 9,500 AND THE VEHICLE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 97,000.

Suspension

ODI #10175921

Incident: December 12, 2006 · Filed: December 12, 2006

BOTH REAR SPRINGS BROKE. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN LESS THEN 6 MONTHS FOR THE 2002. THIS SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR DESIGN FLAW IN FORD ESCORT. I HAVE A 1998 & 2002 AND BOTH HAVE BROKEN REAR SPRINGS. ALSO EVERY TECHNICIAN I HAVE TALKED TO KNOWS THE PROBLEM. *JB

Other Ford Escort model years

Check your 2002 Ford Escort VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Ford Escort at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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