2002 Ford Escape Service Brakes, Hydraulic Problems
Owners have filed 149 complaints with NHTSA about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the 2002 Ford Escape, 15% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 96,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “control unit module” (19% of reports).
- 149service brakes, hydraulic complaints
- 96,000median miles at failure
- 7mention a crash
- 7mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- $580typical repair cost reported by owners
- 14%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Control unit module: mentioned in 29 of 149 complaints (19%)
- Brakes hydraulic antilock: mentioned in 22 of 149 complaints (15%)
- Master cylinder: mentioned in 18 of 149 complaints (12%)
- Anti lock: mentioned in 14 of 149 complaints (9%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical service brakes, hydraulic repair on the 2002 Ford Escape at $580, and half of them between $380 and $590.
Based on 5 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2005–2012), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do service brakes, hydraulic problems happen?
Based on 95 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 149 complaints, 7 mention a crash, 39 a fire, 7 an injury.
Ford Escape service brakes, hydraulic complaints by model year
| Model year | Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Escape | 1 | 4% | 5,000 |
| 2024 Escape | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2022 Escape | 1 | 0% | — |
| 2021 Escape | 9 | 3% | 17,000 |
| 2020 Escape | 6 | 0% | 37,500 |
| 2019 Escape | 2 | 0% | 15,832 |
| 2018 Escape | 2 | 0% | 61,500 |
| 2017 Escape | 4 | 0% | 94,301 |
| 2016 Escape | 4 | 0% | 91,511 |
| 2015 Escape | 1 | 0% | 70,000 |
| 2014 Escape | 7 | 0% | 45,000 |
| 2013 Escape | 9 | 0% | 48,250 |
| 2012 Escape | 4 | 1% | 14,848 |
| 2011 Escape | 4 | 0% | 77,000 |
| 2010 Escape | 7 | 0% | 33,000 |
| 2009 Escape | 12 | 1% | 112,000 |
| 2008 Escape | 19 | 1% | 50,500 |
| 2007 Escape | 13 | 5% | 45,217 |
| 2006 Escape | 20 | 4% | 45,600 |
| 2005 Escape | 24 | 2% | 51,000 |
| 2004 Escape | 11 | 2% | 45,459 |
| 2003 Escape | 41 | 7% | 60,000 |
| 2002 Escape | 149 | 15% | 96,000 |
| 2001 Escape | 122 | 12% | 93,153 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
Problem: Ford is recalling certain model year 2001-2002 escape vehicles manufactured from october 22, 1999, through july 19, 2002, equipped with a brake master cylinder reservoir cap that could leak brake fluid. If brake fluid leaks from the cap, it could come in contact with the antilock brake system (abs) module wiring harness connector.
Risk: Corrosion can develop in the electrical connector leading to melting, smoke or a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder reservoir cap and the abs electrical system will be modified. An interim letter was mailed on january 20, 2012. Due to a parts delay, however, the remedy may not be available currently. If parts are not available, ford will instruct owners to park their vehicles outside until such time as parts become available. Owners may contact the ford motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332. This recall campaign is related to 07v-156.
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
Problem: On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with antilock brakes (abs), the abs module connector may have missing or dislodged wire seals. This condition could allow contamination to enter the module connector, creating a potential for an electrical short.
Risk: An electrical short might cause an abs malfunction that would illuminate the abs warning light, and in some cases, the module may overheat resulting in burning odor, smoke, and/or fire. This condition could occur either when the vehicle ignition switch is in the off position or while the vehicle is being operated.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the wire harness connector to the abs module for missing or dislodged wire seals, and repair or replace the harness connector as appropriate. The dealer will also inspect the connector on the abs module and replace it if it is found to be corroded or damaged. The recall began on april 23, 2007. Owners may contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
Tl* the contact owned a 2002 ford escape. The contact stated that the vehicle caught fire while parked in her driveway. The fire department extinguished the fire and filed a report. The fire department stated that the master brake cylinder and the cruise control cables were melted. The vehicle was…
Tl* the contact owned a 2002 ford escape. After exiting the vehicle, there was a fire that erupted under the hood. The fire was extinguished by a fire company. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The insurance company was to investigate the failure. The vehicle was included in nhtsa campaign…
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 ford escape. The vehicle was repaired under nhtsa campaign number: 12v005000 (service brakes, hydraulic). While the vehicle was stopped at a red light, the brake pedal was depressed to the floor and the contact had to use the emergency brake to stop the vehicle. The abs…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2002 Ford Escapes have service brakes, hydraulic problems?
No. NHTSA has 149 owner complaints about service brakes, hydraulic for the 2002 Ford Escape (15% of the 1,027 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2002 Ford Escape service brakes, hydraulic?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list service brakes, hydraulic. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do service brakes, hydraulic problems start?
The median reported mileage is 96,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
How much does it cost to fix service brakes, hydraulic problems on the 2002 Ford Escape?
Owners report a typical cost of $580 (half paid between $380 and $590), from 5 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about service brakes, hydraulic problems on the 2002 Ford Escape?
The most frequent phrase is “control unit module”, in 29 of 149 complaints, followed by “brakes hydraulic antilock” (22).
Other 2002 Ford Escape problems
See all 2002 Ford Escape problems or service brakes, hydraulic problems across all Escape years.