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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

Wheels complaints

2 reports
Clear category filter
56,200 miles · Dec 3, 2007
Wheels

12/01/05, 03/08/07.11/19/07 HAD TO REPLACE TIE-ROD ION MY 2002 FORD ESCORT. NOTICED THUMPING, TOOK TO MECHANIC. HE SAID HAD I NOT BROUGHT IT IN, THERE COULD HAVE BEEN VERY SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES. THIS FREQUENCY OF THESE INCIDENTS SEEMS TO INDICATE A SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS DEFECT IN THIS CAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10210686

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

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.