2002 Ford Escort problems
NHTSA has received 41 complaints about the 2002 Ford Escort, and 27% of them involve engine. After that come brakes (12%) and suspension (10%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 41 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 27% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 6 and 1
- Injuries and deaths
- 14 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 52,000 miles 24 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 6 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 0 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 8 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 2 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 3 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 2 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 1 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 2 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Among the 24 complaints that report mileage, the typical (median) problem appeared at about 52,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 6 complaints mention a crash; 1 complaint mentions a fire; 14 injuries reported. Its complaints are more severe on average than those of 90% of model years in our database.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 2002 ranks 13th most-complained-about out of 13 model years of the Ford Escort with enough data (29 complaints in that window).
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
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.
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle was involved in a crash at 20MPH, neither front air bags deployed. The front end of the vehicle was damaged while striking another vehicle. The vehicle was able to be driven 2 miles from the initial impact sight before the engine stalled. All three occupants of the vehicle received injuries to the neck and back. The police were at the scene of the accident and inspected the air bags.
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. The left wheel bearing on the front went out prematurely, per mechanic. *scc
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.