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2002 Ford Escort

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Fewer warning signs than most model years

Owner complaints for the 2002 Ford Escort are lower than the model-year median of 101.

About this comparison →
33Owner complaints

Model-year median: 101

0Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
325
199998
200068
200133
200210
2003
Compare all Escort years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Engine And Engine Cooling
11Power Train
5Suspension
4Service Brakes, Hydraulic
3Steering
3
All reported categories
Tires
3Air Bags
2Electrical System
2Wheels
2Exterior Lighting
1Service Brakes
1Structure
1Vehicle Speed Control
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 18 of 33 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports1 fire reports3 injury reports

Power Train complaints

5 reports
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47,000 miles · Sep 5, 2006
Power TrainSuspension

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HAVING ROUTINE TIRE MAINTENANCE DONE AT A GARAGE, THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE REAR SPRING WAS FRACTURED. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 11/21/2006 - THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURE BUT THEY DID NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT FROM PARK. THE DEALE…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HAVING ROUTINE TIRE MAINTENANCE DONE AT A GARAGE, THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THE REAR SPRING WAS FRACTURED. THE CONTACT DID NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 11/21/2006 - THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURE BUT THEY DID NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT FROM PARK. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SHIFT LOCK SYSTEM. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10167354

Mileage unknown · Mar 1, 2005
Power Train

STOPPED AT LIGHT, HEARD NOISE LIKE A POP, WENT TO GO CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. GOT OUT LOOKED UNDER CAR HOLE IN TRANSMISSION PARTS LYING ON GROUND. TOWED TO A MECHANIC ASKED WHY THIS WOULD HAPPEN? MECHANIC STATED DEFECTIVE TRANSAXLE, REAR END GEARS GO OUT LITERALLY POP OUT OF TRANSMISSION. JASPER WILL NOT REBUILD THESE TRANSMISSIONS D…

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STOPPED AT LIGHT, HEARD NOISE LIKE A POP, WENT TO GO CAR WOULD NOT MOVE. GOT OUT LOOKED UNDER CAR HOLE IN TRANSMISSION PARTS LYING ON GROUND. TOWED TO A MECHANIC ASKED WHY THIS WOULD HAPPEN? MECHANIC STATED DEFECTIVE TRANSAXLE, REAR END GEARS GO OUT LITERALLY POP OUT OF TRANSMISSION. JASPER WILL NOT REBUILD THESE TRANSMISSIONS DUE TO DEFECTIVE ONLY PLACE TO GET NEW IS FROM FORD WHICH WOULD HAVE COST $3300 TO REPLACE. FOUND USED REPAIRS COST OVER $1300. MECHANIC STATED JUST HAD A 1999 ESCORT IN REPAIRED BEFORE IT PUT HOLE IN TRANSMISSION. NO WARNING OR ANYTHING BUT NOISE THAT DAY. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10112353

15,900 miles · Aug 1, 2003
Power TrainSuspension

WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE LET OFF A HOWLING NOISE. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND THE DEALER STATED THE FRONT AXLE PREMATURELY FAILED. *AK THE LEFT WHEEL BEARING ON THE FRONT WENT OUT PREMATURELY, PER MECHANIC. *SCC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10024948

Mileage unknown · Jun 17, 2003
Power TrainWheelsCrash

WHILE DRIVING DRIVE SHAFT FELL OUT OF VEHICLE. NAR 06/18/2003. *MR THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT LOSING FRONT TIRE AND RIM AS A RESULT DRIVE SHAFT FAILURE. *CB

NHTSA ODI #10024668

Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 2003
Power TrainStructure

THE BUMPER SEPARATED, AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*JB

NHTSA ODI #10006928

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.