2002 Ford Escort Recalls

No recalls on record Updated July 2026

No NHTSA recalls on record for the 2002 Ford Escort. That means NHTSA has no open safety campaign for this vehicle — it does not guarantee the absence of problems. Owners have filed 41 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the engine and engine cooling. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Complaints by component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
4
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
3
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
2
1crashes1fires4injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
2
STEERING
2
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS
2
TIRES
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
1
Total complaints41

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“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…”

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL · reported 2017-03-04

“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…”

SERVICE BRAKES · reported 2017-03-04

“2002 ford escort. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle stopping and dying while driving *tgw the consumer stated the battery and alternator were replace three times, as well as other components. However, the stalling continued. No one has been able to determine the reason for the stalling. *jb”

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING · reported 2011-11-01

“Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford escort. Whenever the brakes were applied, the contact would hear a grinding noise coming from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they replaced the front rotors and pads. The current and failure mileages were 7,367.”

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS · reported 2009-07-23

“Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford escort. Whenever the brakes were applied, the contact would hear a grinding noise coming from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they replaced the front rotors and pads. The current and failure mileages were 7,367.”

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR · reported 2009-07-23

“We have a 2002 escort zx2 . The car was bought february 2002 . I have had some real problems with the tie -rods having to be replaced. But the problem now is the wiring to the tail lights. We have had a few problems with the fuse blowing and we replace it , then the light bulbs blow then we…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2009-04-18

“We have a 2002 escort zx2 . The car was bought february 2002 . I have had some real problems with the tie -rods having to be replaced. But the problem now is the wiring to the tail lights. We have had a few problems with the fuse blowing and we replace it , then the light bulbs blow then we…”

STEERING · reported 2009-04-18

“Tl*the contact owns a 2002 ford escort. While driving approximately 10 mph to make a left turn, both frontal air bags deployed without an impact or crash. The passenger sustained minor injuries. The windshield on the passenger side was shattered and the passenger compartment became engulfed with…”

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL · reported 2008-12-05
Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2002 Ford Escort as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.