2002 FORD ESCAPE Steering Problems

GEARS IS HARD TO SHIFT TO THE RIGHT GEAR AND LIGHTS WENT OUT EARLY LIKE A DRAIN IN ELECTRICAL AND MY STEARING IS BECOMING HARD TO TURN ON STREETS AND OUT MY DRIVE WAY

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.

THE MOUNTS THAT THE ENGINE SITS ON RUSTED AWAY, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO DROP ONTO THE STEERING SYSTEM WHILE DRIVING.

IT'S DIFFICULT TO STEER OR KEEP STRAIGHT

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.

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 SWITCH OFF AND WAITED A WHILE AND TURNED BACK ON AND IT IDLED TO 4000 RPM AGAIN. COULD NOT SHIFT THE GEAR FROM PARK AND BREAK PEDAL WAS HARD. WHEN ARRIVING HOME TO BACK CAR IN DRIVEWAY TOWE GUY HAD NO PROBLEM WITH IDLE. THE FOLLOWING MORNING CRANKED AND WAS AT 1000RPM AT FIRST START. ALSO AC PRESSURE. CAR RUNS HOT BUT NO SMOKE WATER BUBBLES...

CROSS MEMBER BAR RUSTED OUT. PLEASE SEE ATTACHED.

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, 41001 PLYMOUTH RD, 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.

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.

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.

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

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. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

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.

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. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE RECALL REMEDY WAS NOT PERFORMED ACCURATELY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 228,000. *TR

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

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 AND TAKEN AWAY.ALSO DAMAGED WAS THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE AND ,MOLDING AROUND THE FENDER. IF I HAD BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE WITH THIS VEHICLE MY FAMILY WOULD NOT HAVE SURVIVED THE WRECK. IT IS LUCKY THAT WE DIDN'T GO OVER THE MOUNTAIN. I DID NOTHING TO CAUSE THE SUB FRAME TO BREAK AND I THINK FORD SHOULD BE HELD LIABLE. I SPOKE WITH THE FORD...

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 BEARERS CAUSING TIRE TO BASICALLY FALL OFF. FORD WILL NOT FIX IT, GAVE ME EVERY OTHER ALTERNITIVE ON WHAT IT COULD BE. I HAD IT TOWED TO MY HOUSE, FORD WONT HAVE IT TOWED TO THE LOT TO LOOK AT IT AND ON TOP OF THAT WONT SEE IT FOR A WEEK IF I DO GET IT TOWED UP THERE! WHAT A MESS. ILL NEVER SHOP WITH THEM AGAIN. THEY WONT CARE UNTIL THIS...

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 100,000. UPDATED 7/16/15*CN

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 HAVE A MECHANIC TELL ME WHAT THE ISSUE IS. I HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND SEE SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. I KNOW MY TRUCK IS NOT THE ONLY ONE, HOWEVER I CANNOT AFFORD TO CONTINUE REPLACING PARTS IN HOPES THAT WE MIGHT FINALLY FIND THE CAUSE OF THE SOUND. I FEEL FORD NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHATEVER IT IS THAT IS FAILING BEFORE SOMEONE ENDS UP SERIOUSLY INJURED. *TR

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 SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED. FORD NEEDS TO FIX THE DAMAGED SUB FRAMES, NOT JUST FIX THOSE THAT HAVEN'T ALREADY BROKE AND CONSUMERS HAVE HAD TO PAY THOUSANDS TO GET FIXED. *TR

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 REPORTED THAT THE MECHANIC "PUSHED BACK" THE VACUUM PLATE COVER FOR THE ROTOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE TO RESOLVE THE SCRAPING/GRINDING/KNOCKING ISSUE WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE ISSUE WITH THE BRAKING ACTION AND SUBSEQUENT NOISES AND RESPONSE OF VEHICLE EXHIBITED ITSELF AGAIN BY THE SECOND STOPLIGHT AWAY FROM THE FAIR OAKS FORD DEALER LOCATION. TWO DAYS LATER, ON AUGUST 28, 2014, I TOOK MY 2002 FORD ESCAPE TO GEARHEAD AUTO SALES & REPAIR IN GLEN ELLYN, ILLINOIS FOR AN INSPECTION AND REPAIR COST...

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

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 WAS 76,812.

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

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 UNDRIVEABLE. CONTACTED FORD TOLD ME TO TOW CAR BACK TO DEALERSHIP. AFTER INSPECTION OF VEHICLE WAS TOLD NOW THAT SUB- FRAME WAS BROKEN DEALERSHIP CONTACTED FORD AND WAS TOLD THAT THEIR REQUEST TO REPLACE SUB FRAME WAS DENIED. THE SUB FRAME HOLDS ENGINE,TRANS, ALL STEERING AND BRAKE COMPONENTS. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS. MY FAMILY COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. I WAS TOLD BY FORDSUPV THAT BECAUSE THEY PUT ON BRACE INSTEAD OF MAKING THE...

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 OPPOSITE DIRECTION OF THE CAR, AND PUSHED TO THE BACK OF THE WHEEL WELL. THE CV SHAFT HAD COME COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE DRIVE SHAFT. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO A LOCAL SHOP THAT DID SUB-FRAME WORK. UPON INSPECTION AT THE AUTO BODY SHOP IT WAS REVEALED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE HAD ALSO BECOME DETACHED DUE TO THE PROXIMITY TO...

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 AROUND. THANKFULLY SHE WAS NOT HURT BUT QUITE SHAKEN UP. WE WERE UNAWARE OF A VEHICLE RECALL ON THIS MODEL UNTIL A FRIEND OF HERS RECALLED SEEING AN ARTICLE IN THE NEWS ABOUT CONTROL BARS RUSTING THROUGH CAUSING STEERING PROBLEMS. HER FRONT TIRE WAS COMPLETELY BALD AFTER THIS INCIDENT. (TREAD WAS GOOD BEFORE). I CALLED FORD AS SOON AS I WAS ABLE & REPORTED THE INCIDENT. THE REP TOLD ME THAT IN ORDER FOR...

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

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

I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 FORD ESCAPE AND COMING TO A STOP AT AN INTERSECTION WHEN I HEARD A LOUD POPPING SOUND. AFTER I STOPPED, I RELEASED THE BRAKE AND ROLLED FORWARD A FEW FEET BEFORE RE-APPLYING THE BRAKES AND THE SOUND REPEATED. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT ACROSS THE HIGHWAY TO A FORD DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. UPON INSPECTION THE FOLLOWING MORNING IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SUBFRAME ASSEMBLY HAD RUSTED OUT COMPLETELY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND HAD CAUSED THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO BECOME LOOSE THUS BENDING IT AND MAKING IT UNUSABLE. I AM THANKFUL THAT THIS HAPPENED AT A VERY SLOW SPEED AND FEAR THAT IF OTHER FOLKS HAVE THIS HAPPEN AT HIGHWAY SPEED IT COULD BE A VERY BAD OUTCOME ! THIS ALLOWED MY PASSENGER SIDE TIRE TO PULL OUTWARD HENCE PULLING THE CONTROL ARM LOOSE. IT WAS A VERY EXPENSIVE FIX AND THE WARRANTY...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A GRINDING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE NOISE BECAME MORE PREVALENT DURING HOT WEATHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE COULD BE THE RESULT OF A BEARING ISSUE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. ..UPDATED 09-17-12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE NOISE DID CEASE FOR A PERIOD OF TIME. UPDATED 09/18/12

NO EVENTS LEADING TO THIS... IT JUST STARTED ABOUT 2 YRS AGO SUMMER OF 08. CLUNKING NOISE IN THE FRONT OF CAR. CAN BE FELT BY THE STEERING WHEEL (WHICH ALSO HAS THE SQUEAKING PROBLEM). OCCURS ONLY WHEN THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE IS WARM. WENT TO THE FORD DEALER SEVERAL TIMES COMPLAINING OF THIS... NEVER WAS ABLE TO RECREATE THE PROBLEM. FINALLY HAD BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT ARM ASSEMBLY LINK, BOLT, HEX FOR FRONT SUSPENSION REPLACED JUNE 09. ON SEPT 09 NOISE RETURNED AND HAD EVERYTHING TIGHTENED, LUBED. PROBLEM WENT AWAY UNTIL AGAIN THE WEATHER WARMED UP THEN IS NOW BACK WORSE THAN EVER. NOT ONLY WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL BUT WHEN DRIVING STRAIGHT. *TR

FRONT KNOCKING NOISE. HAS BEEN PRESENT SINCE WE FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR NEW. MANY MECHANICS, INCLUDING THE FORD DEALER, COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. BRAKES, TRANSMISSION, AND STRUTS WERE CHECKED OR REPLACED. THE KNOCKING PERSISTED. ON 8/15/08, THE BALL JOINT FAILED AS MY WIFE WAS TRAVELING AT 45 MPH AROUND A CORNER CAUSING THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL TO FLOP AT A 90 DEGREE ANGLE. STEERING WAS IMPOSSIBLE. LUCKILY, MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR STOPPED SAFELY WITHOUT OUT ANY LIFE THREATENING CONSEQUENCES. FORD ESCAPE 2002 XLT. *TR

WHILE DRIVING AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE ILLUMINATION OF AIR BAG LIGHT HAPPENED IN AN INTERMITTENT BASIS. CONSUMER WAS ALSO INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE HIS AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. IN ADDITION, CONSUMER EXPERIENCED NOISE IN STEERING WHEEL AND RATTLING NOISE IN EXHAUST. *LA

VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, IT EFFECTED THE ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE.*AK DEALER WOULD HONOR THE WARRANTY. IN THE TSB THAT WAS ISSUED, THE DIAGNOSTICS ITEMS WERE FINE. FORD THINK THEY NEED TO CHANGE THE ITEMS ON THE TSB. *PH

CAR WENT OUT OF CONTROL DURING A SIMPLE LANE CHANGE LEFT ON INTERSATE I-90, UNABLOE TO STEER, SWERVED AND SPUN AROUND AND HIT TALL CONCRETE MEDIUM, AIR BAGS WERE EMPLOYED. GOOD WEATHER 48 DEGREES, NO ICE OR OIL, WAS NOT UP TO FULL SPEED AS HAD JUST GOTTEN ON THE INTERSTATE.

PURCHASED 2002 FORD ESCAPE FROM HINDER FORD OF ABERDEEN, MD IN JUNE 02 AND FROM THE START THE LEFT REAR WHEEL WAS CRACKED AND THE VEHICLE PULLS (NOT DRIFTS) TO THE LEFT SO BAD THAT THE VEHICLE LEFT FRONT TIRE WILL CROSS THE LINE IN 5 SECONDS IF STEERING WHEEL IS RELEASED WHILE IN THE RIGHT LANE OF A TWO LANE AND WITHIN 3 SECONDS IF IN THE LEFT LANE. HINDER FORD GAVE ME THE FORD 800 NUMBER TO CALL BECAUSE THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO EVEN AFTER I PROVIDED THEM EXCERPTS FROM MARYLAND LAW THAT STATES A VEHICLE WITH A STEERING OR BRAKING PROBLEM THAT CAN NOT BE FIXED THE FIRST TIME IS TO BE REPLACED. THEY HAVE REFUSED. I COMPLAINED TO THE ON-LINE CUSTOMER SERVICE SEVERAL TIMES UNTIL THEY FINALLY SENT THE AREA FORD TECH TO INVESTIGATE. HE REPLIED THAT THERE WAS DEFINITELY A PROBLEM (HE STATED...