2002 Ford Escape Steering Problems
- 36
- 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 36 stored complaint records:
- 4 indicate a crash
- 0 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- steering wheel · 13 records
- lower control · 7 records
- failure mileage · 5 records
- safety recall · 4 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 150–400k mi | 10 |
| 100–150k mi | 9 |
| 60–100k mi | 9 |
| 1–30k mi | 5 |
| 30–60k mi | 1 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Steering · Suspension
While in motion, the lower control arm separated from the subframe due to corrosion. I lost steering but was able to skid to the shoulder. The same issue as recall 14s02 but my vehicle was not included.
ODI 11243003
Engine · Steering · Unknown Or Other
The mounts that the engine sits on rusted away, causing the engine to drop onto the steering system while driving.
ODI 11230636
Steering
IT'S DIFFICULT TO STEER OR KEEP STRAIGHT
ODI 11210478
Electrical System · Fuel/Propulsion System · Steering
My vehicle idles to 4000rpm and control the speed by itself, there is a leak in the back break area the steering wheel locks where i can't put it in any gear sometimes and getting worse. Had to get it towed home last night because while driving it idled high and as i brake it barely stopped and when releasing break it speeds up to 50 or more mph and i had to keep my feet on the break..i pulled over and turned the…
ODI 11093482
Body · Electronic Stability Control · Steering
My engine coolant light stays on even after taking steps to fix it as it was a problem with the 2002 ford escapes, and there is a problem with my power steering as fluid and all that is fine, which i read was a recall also.
ODI 11103674
Body · Exhaust System · Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. While driving 10 mph, the steering wheel shook without warning. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer (blackwell ford, [redacted], plymouth, mi) where it was diagnosed that the cross frame, lower control arm, and exhaust needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 185,000.
ODI 11065850
Steering
Cross member bar rusted out. Please see attached.
ODI 11073388
Air Bags · Steering · Suspension
Airbag light stays on and also i have a issue with the steering wheel and suspension there are other issues with the car and never was fixed by previous owner now im stuck with a car that has past recalled issues. If you own a car and just purchased it by previous owner make sure that recalls have been fixed on vehicle. Now i dont know what to do with my vehicle.
ODI 11023506
Steering · Suspension
The 2002 ford escape had recall 14s02 done in sept. 2016. At the time i requested the sub frame be replaced. Ford indicated the rust was not severe enough and installed a brace. Today, the sub frame gave way rendering the vehicle a peril to drive. The steering is inoperative. The vehicle was in motion but avoided collision.
ODI 10972096
Steering · Suspension · Wheels
Ford dealership is refusing to fix uncarriage and control arm. They are saying there is no recall for it. However i found the recall 14s02. Describing the issue the dealership stated is wrong with my truck. But they want me to pay cash instead of them fixing the issue
Crash reported
ODI 10926789
Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. While driving 40 mph, the lower control arm separated from the engine cradle and caused the alignment of the steering wheel to malfunction. This made the vehicle extremely difficult to steer and almost caused a crash. In addition, the steering wheel became stuck in the left alignment position. The vehicle was taken to be repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue.…
ODI 10906926
Steering · Suspension
Had recall 14s02 performed on 12/30/15. Installed front subframe crossbrace.this does not fix the problem. Passenger side subframe rusted out and failed. The crossbrace kept it from completely coming apart but car is now not safe to drive. Ford will not do anything about this saying they already performed the recall. This recall should be expanded to include subframe replacement.
ODI 10888629
Steering · Suspension · Unknown Or Other
I was making a ride an maple road when all of a sudden i hear a sort of popping noise almost like a flat tire. Thats what i thought it was so i kept drive to where i live.on the way home all i heard was a screeching. When i got home home i check and the suspension had snapped because of rusting
ODI 10783190
Steering · Structure
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. The contact heard an abnormal noise upon making a turn. The steering wheel turned, but the wheels remained straight when the failure occurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was repaired under nhtsa campaign number: 14v165000 (structure), but the failure recurred. The contact stated that the technician installed two brackets but not the engine mount brackets.…
ODI 10783795
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
Engine · Power Train · Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. While driving at 30 mph, the vehicle jerked and the contact heard a noise coming from the steering wheel and front of the vehicle. The check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer multiple times. The technician was unable to diagnose the failure and repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was…
ODI 10721459
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
Service Brakes · Steering
On august 26, 2014, i went to fair oaks ford lincoln dealership service in naperville, illinois for safety recall notice 14s02 / nhtsa recall 14v-165 repairs, and i asked them to check an issue where when brakes are applied, there is a scraping/grinding noise, followed by a knocking noise, which can affect reliable stopping and the vehicle steering stability. Safety recall repairs were completed, then it was…
ODI 10630072
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
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. While driving 20 mph, the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was previously repaired according to nhtsa campaign number 14v165000 (steering), but the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed to a dealer but was not diagnosed for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified about the failure. The approximate failure mileage…
ODI 10622044
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
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