2002 Ford Escape Vehicle Speed Control Problems
Owners have filed 100 complaints with NHTSA about vehicle speed control problems on the 2002 Ford Escape, 10% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 85,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “control cable” (10% of reports).
- 100vehicle speed control complaints
- 85,000median miles at failure
- 26mention a crash
- 12mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- 41%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 cable: mentioned in 10 of 100 complaints (10%)
- Accelerator stuck: mentioned in 7 of 100 complaints (7%)
- Put park: mentioned in 7 of 100 complaints (7%)
- Unintended acceleration: mentioned in 5 of 100 complaints (5%)
At what mileage do vehicle speed control problems happen?
Based on 67 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 100 complaints, 26 mention a crash, 9 a fire, 12 an injury.
Ford Escape vehicle speed control complaints by model year
| Model year | Vehicle Speed Control complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Escape | 2 | 8% | 30,099 |
| 2024 Escape | 4 | 5% | 4,500 |
| 2023 Escape | 7 | 7% | — |
| 2022 Escape | 9 | 4% | 20,252 |
| 2021 Escape | 5 | 1% | — |
| 2020 Escape | 19 | 1% | 13,500 |
| 2019 Escape | 8 | 1% | 3,889 |
| 2018 Escape | 23 | 1% | 29,682 |
| 2017 Escape | 31 | 1% | 14,642 |
| 2016 Escape | 32 | 3% | 22,000 |
| 2015 Escape | 14 | 1% | 78,700 |
| 2014 Escape | 42 | 2% | 54,000 |
| 2013 Escape | 92 | 3% | 57,500 |
| 2012 Escape | 70 | 12% | 43,050 |
| 2011 Escape | 245 | 19% | 45,000 |
| 2010 Escape | 558 | 27% | 52,000 |
| 2009 Escape | 279 | 16% | 68,000 |
| 2008 Escape | 175 | 9% | 76,500 |
| 2007 Escape | 40 | 16% | 75,500 |
| 2006 Escape | 99 | 21% | 70,000 |
| 2005 Escape | 149 | 11% | 85,500 |
| 2004 Escape | 98 | 20% | 90,000 |
| 2003 Escape | 90 | 16% | 87,450 |
| 2002 Escape | 100 | 10% | 85,000 |
| 2001 Escape | 107 | 11% | 99,405 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Vehicle speed control:cables; engine and engine cooling
Problem: Ford Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2004 Escape vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control manufactured from October 22, 1999, through January 23, 2004. Inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector could result in a stuck throttle when the accelerator pedal is fully or almost-fully depressed. This risk exists regardless of whether or not speed control (cruise control) is used.
Risk: A stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop or slow the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles by increasing the engine cover clearance, free of charge. The safety recall began August 3, 2012. Remedy parts are expected to be available in mid-August 2012. Until then dealers will disconnect the speed control cable as an interim remedy, if parts are not available at the time of an owner's service appointment. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Vehicle speed control:cables
Problem: On certain sport utility vehicles built with 3.0l v6 engines, the accelerator cable may prevent the throttle from returning to the idle position.
Risk: An unexpected increase in engine idle speed may increase stopping distance and may result in a vehicle crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the accelerator cable. The recall began on january 10, 2005. Owners should contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.
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 contact stated that while stationary, the vehicle would not accelerate forward. The contact stated that upon depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle would not accelerate forward. The vehicle was pushed manually, in the neutral position, to an…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2002 Ford Escapes have vehicle speed control problems?
No. NHTSA has 100 owner complaints about vehicle speed control for the 2002 Ford Escape (10% 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 vehicle speed control?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list vehicle speed control. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do vehicle speed control problems start?
The median reported mileage is 85,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about vehicle speed control problems on the 2002 Ford Escape?
The most frequent phrase is “control cable”, in 10 of 100 complaints, followed by “accelerator stuck” (7).
Other 2002 Ford Escape problems
See all 2002 Ford Escape problems or vehicle speed control problems across all Escape years.