Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2002 Ford Escort
NHTSA data on file today
The 2002 Ford Escort has 1 NHTSA recall campaign and 33 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #04E048000 TRW/FMVSS 209/SEAT BELT/NO LOCK CONDITION NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 11 complaints
- Power Train 5 complaints
- Suspension 4 complaints
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic 3 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).
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $4,000–$7,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2002 Ford Escort has a moderate number of owner complaints and just one recall, indicating average reliability. The majority of complaints focus on the engine and powertrain, suggesting these areas may need attention as the vehicle ages. The data is limited, so the rating may not capture all potential issues.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| engine and cooling | 80,000–120,000 miles | $400–$1,200 | common |
| power train | 70,000–110,000 miles | $500–$2,000 | occasional |
| suspension | 60,000–100,000 miles | $300–$800 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- oil and filter changes
- brake fluid replacement
- coolant flush
- timing belt replacement
- tire rotation and balance
- spark plug change
- transmission fluid change
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- engine overheating
- transmission slipping
- suspension noises
- brake fluid leaks
- uneven tire wear
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2002 Ford Escort at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.