2002 Ford Escape Suspension Problems
- 59
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 59 stored complaint records:
- 3 indicate a crash
- 0 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- lower control · 26 records
- passenger side · 11 records
- right front · 9 records
- steering wheel · 8 records
- failure mileage · 7 records
- front passenger · 7 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 100–150k mi | 21 |
| 150–400k mi | 19 |
| 60–100k mi | 8 |
| 1–30k mi | 3 |
| 30–60k mi | 2 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Suspension
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 10 mph, a loud knocking noise was heard and all steering capability was lost. In addition, the front passenger tire detached and the vehicle dragged to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who confirmed that the vin was not included on nhtsa campaign number: 14v165000 (structure). The…
ODI 10748476
Steering · Suspension · Wheels
On july 18, 2015 at approximately 1:30 pm i was driving up bear creek mountain and heard a loud pop then the vehicle started sliding before i finally got it to stop. I slide about 50 feet and if i'd slide about 3 more feet i would have been over the side of the mountain. The sub frame had snapped in two and it pulled the right front axle out. This made the vehicle inoperable. The vehicle had to be put on a roll back…
Crash reported
ODI 10735511
Steering · Suspension · Wheels
Driving about 25mph hear a loud clunck lost controll of vehicle break pedle to the floor truck still moving had to use er brake to stop. Got out passanger front tire was turned completly diff way, the ball bearer was detached, this could have killed me if i was on freeway! Called ford they continued to tell me this wasnt part of recall called mehcanic said the subframe so rusted it has completly detached from ball…
ODI 10730104
Body · Suspension
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. The contact stated that the vehicle was recently serviced under nhtsa campaign number: 14v165000 (structure). The dealer was to install a newly designed reinforcement cross-brace for the unintended detachment of the lower control arm. A short time after the repair, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for another service, who noticed that the ball joint was…
ODI 10702587
Structure · Suspension
While pulling out of a parking lot, i noticed the vehicle's steering seemed loose & there was a creaking noise from the front end. Vehicle continued to pull to the right as i drove down the road, and creaking noise increased. I drove directly to dealer where i'd had the work for recall 14v165000 completed only 4 weeks prior (26 dec 2014), and their assessment was a cracked subframe. Service writer informed me that…
ODI 10680391
Steering · Suspension
My 2002 ford escape has been to multiple dealer service centers and mechanics to try to pinpoint a banging noise that comes from the front right side when driving over bumps or potholes at lower speeds. To date i have had tie rods, sway bars, sway bar links, ball joints replaced and all body mounts, engine mounts, control arms, shocks and struts all checked and all nuts and bolts tightened. I have not been able to…
ODI 10702173
Steering · Suspension
Driving down a busy highway, our escape had the control arm detach from the sub frame. We took the car to the dealer and they told us this would not be covered under any recall by ford because it had completely separated. Despite that the damaged area of the car being what is recalled in 14v165000. Ford has done nothing to help this issue. Lucky enough there was no accident, but this is a huge safety issue and…
ODI 10701003
Steering · Suspension · Underbody Shields
Vehicle sub-frame failed due to corrosion causing separation of the lower control arm resulting in diminished steering control. This issue appears to be covered by ford safety recall 14s02 and nhtsa recall 14v-166 that provided a reinforcement of the sub-frame. Unfortunately the reinforcing parts necessary for the recall action were not immediately available before the frame failed. *tr
ODI 10622366
Steering · Suspension · Underbody Shields
Corrosion-related separation lower control arm from subframe. Car start pulling instantly to the right. Have to call towing to get to dealer for repair, ford company refuse to repair under safety recall notice 14s02. Dealer quote me around $2000 for repair. *tr
ODI 10611264
Suspension
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. The contact stated that while approaching a stop sign, there was a loud abnormal noise coming from the vehicle. The contact discovered that the sub frame was on the tire and fractured. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where the diagnosis results was not yet determined. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was included in nhtsa campaign id number: 14v165000 (suspension).…
ODI 10626143
Suspension
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. The contact stated that while traveling 70 mph, the vehicle erroneously veered off road. Upon inspection, it was found that the passenger's front control arm fractured. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where the failure was confirmed. The dealer declined to repair the vehicle under nhtsa campaign number: 14v165000 (suspension) due to the excessive corrosion. The failure…
ODI 10607579
Steering · Suspension · Underbody Shields
Car was making creaking sounds. Going around a corner the car basically had no steering or control. Got car to ford dealership and based on taking photo of the car i was told that ford decided to put a cross brace on as opposed to replacing sub frame. I told dealership i did not agree with decision that subframe should be replaced car was returned to me with cross brace installed.aprox 4 weeks later car was…
ODI 10607981
Steering · Suspension · Underbody Shields
While driving her 2002 ford escape to work my daughter noticed the steering was not right. In order for her to keep driving straight she had to turn the steering wheel. She went over a pair of rough railroad tracks & lost control of the vehicle. Her front passenger tire control bar had completely separated from the frame. It was rusted through. Luckily she was driving in a 30mph zone & there were no other cars…
ODI 10585094
Suspension
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. The contact stated that while having the vehicle inspected under a manufacture's recall pertaining to the crossbar, he was advised that the front sub frame was defective and would need replacing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacture was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 188,000.
ODI 10586120
Structure · Suspension
My car is included in the recall for the rusted out subframe. It has at least 2 oblong rusted out holes near the control arm. It was taken to the dealer. They installed a cross brace. 3 different dealers told me the brace will hopefully, if i am lucky, help me pull over without crashing when (not if) the subframe gives away and the control arm falls off. Two of the three literally told me, "good luck." i feel if…
ODI 10631872
Suspension
While traveling out my drievway the subframe broke on the passenger side on the front. This let the wheel go 90 degrees th the car and pulled out my front axle making the car inoperable.ford says my car is not included in the subframe recall.can you get my car added to the recall so they will pay for the repairs. *tt
ODI 10583016
Body · Steering · Suspension
While driving on a rural city street at 30 mph i decelerated to prepare to turn right. When i began to make my right hand turn i heard a loud pop and the car began to rattle the car came to a stop within 10 feet of the pop. I applied a small amount of power to the engine to try and get completely out of the road, but the car would not move. Upon inspection of the front passenger tire it was facing 90 degrees in the…
ODI 10593903
Air Bags · Suspension
On 12/20/2013 i had the lower control arms replaced, and had to pay 1,279.79. In april 2014 you announced a recall for this same item. For some treason you excluded my car. Considering my car required the exact item replaced only 4 months prior, i am requesting to be reimbursed for the cost of that repair. Also a complaint i have is the warning light for the airbag will not go out. A defect that does not seem…
ODI 11245533
Steering · Suspension
Clicking noise while making a right hand turn. Steering wheel no longer in the straight up position when vehicle is traveling in a straight line. Approximately turned 20-25 degrees clockwise. Inspection of the front end revealed that the front suspension crossmember has rusted through at the passenger side lower control arm front mount area. *tr
ODI 10551341
Suspension · Underbody Shields
I was driving my 2002 ford escape at 25 mph on a suburban side street. Suddenly there was a loud clunk sound on the right front of the car with the front dropping and the car grinding to a stop. Inspection revealed the right front wheel was basically broken off with that side of the car sitting on the ground. Further inspection revealed that the lower front suspension a-frame pulled loose from the engine cradle due…
ODI 10547889
Steering · Suspension · Underbody Shields · Wheels
My vehicle began to make unknown noises when driving, and steering control became very loose. I promptly took the car to my mechanic. I was told the subframe was so badly rotted that the passenger wheel control arm had separated from the subframe and can not be reattached without replacing the subframe. The vehicle is now no longer safe to drive. *tr
ODI 10547293
Suspension · Underbody Shields
The subframe was so badly rusted that the control arm separated from the subframe. I found several complaints of the same thing happening to other people with ford escapes. And it always seems to happen at the right front passenger area. This is a very dangerous flaw, and one that could cause serious injury or death if the failure happens at high speed. I think the ford ranger frames were recalled for a similar…
ODI 10511860
Suspension · Underbody Shields
Was approaching a stop sign and the tire fell sideways. Called for a tow truck and the garage called and said the subframe was so badly rusted that the control arm separated from the subframe. I find this hard to believe that a vehicle with such little mileage could rust so bad. Ford should seriously look into this issue because if your traveling @ a high speed and the control arm separates you can have a major…
ODI 10494658
Suspension · Underbody Shields
While driving through a parking lot my 2002 ford escape suddenly made a clunking sound then suddenly stopped. I could not steer the car to the side or move it forward or backward. I exited the car and looked at the drivers side tire and it seemed fine . I then went over to the passenger side and saw that my wheel was completely turned in the opposite direction. I figured that i probably broke a tie rod. I called aaa…
Crash reported
ODI 10493468
Suspension · Underbody Shields
Driving 15mph down home street and heard a clunk. Put in reverse to get back to driveway and right front wheel was sideways and dragging. After calling local garage was informed it was the subframe that holds the control arm that was rusted through. Able to maneuver car onto front lawn where it still sits. *tr
ODI 10477335