Overview & Reviews

Additional standard equipment makes the 2002 Ford Escape an even better value. XLS models get a dual-media cassette/CD stereo, while XLT adds a V6 engine, privacy glass, power driver seat and an in-dash six-CD changer. New Sport packages also debut. The XLS Sport includes 15-inch alloy wheels with larger tires, side-step bars, Sport-embroidered floor mats and dark tinted privacy glass. The XLT Sport, new for 2002, provides, in addition to XLS Sport equipment, a special No Boundaries roof rack system and unique 16-inch alloy wheels with meatier rubber. Four new colors are also available.

• Strong V6 engine, comfortable cabin, plenty of cargo space, car-like road manners.

• Lacks the off-road capability of a truck-based SUV, barely adequate base engine, shoddy build quality, unimpressive interior materials.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 182.00

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  Buy this and your repair shop will know you by name! - 2002 Ford Escape
  By dylywylly - July 27 - 5:06 pm

  I will start with the positives. It really is a fun car to drive, when it is not in the shop. The negatives, it is always in the shop. I bought this car two years ago and from day two it has had problems. It was first something in the 4x4 that was leaking that was a $400 fix. Then came the first oil leak (yes I have had three!) that was another $150 to repair. After that it was something in my front axle that was causing my car to pull like it was out of alignment. New front axle and $600 I though the car was good to go again. After that it was my break line that broke, it left me break-less in a ND winter. And many more! In short dont buy this car! It is yellow, like the lemon it is.

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  Pretty Good Car until 130K! - 2002 Ford Escape
  By dragonfly58 - August 3 - 12:42 pm

  Purchased my Escape used w/80K miles on it. Three years later w/150K Im now having BIG problems. Before it hit 130K the car was great! No problems, fun to drive, but now having big problems with E-Vap codes, check engine light always on, fuel hoses replaced, plugs/wires/coils burnt out, back seat release broke, falling apart all at once, cruise control wont work, CD player died, interior falling apart. Mileage horrible, no where near projected, getting 17-19mpg at best. Drivers seat wearing out, no cush left, but lumbar adjust ok. Have always had problems w/cargo door staying locked for days on end, the pits when groceries loaded & you gotta unload over back of seat.

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  Hard Pressed to Find One Better - 2002 Ford Escape
  By JSampson - November 12 - 2:00 am

  4 cyl 5 spd model @ 80k now: Bought used with 38k on it. Im very meticulous about car issues and I have noticed only a couple things that have needed attention over the years. In my mind these issues are less about Ford and more about components manufactured in Asia (Id bet). 1. Idle Air Control Valve needs some cleaning/replacement after 75k miles or so and is a total pain to get to. 2. DPEF sensor craps out about the same time. Neither one ever left me stranded or were $$$ but did create an erratic idle at times. Outside of that, absolutely nothing has gone wrong. Engine has adequate power and has returned 25 mpg avg, consistently. Handling and braking even w/o all discs is good.

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  fordmamma - 2002 Ford Escape
  By smoochypoochy - September 16 - 2:00 am

  Bought my Escape new in sept of 02. previously owned a 95 escort wagon (5 speed) with over 200,000 miles on it. just wanted a 4x4 for my commute in the snow. Wow! great little car in snow. handles well. Too bad it now has over 250,000 miles on it. looking for another manual Ford transmission. They seem to never give up. 4 cylinder engines lacks power, but didnt buy it for that. Only had oil changes and fluid changes. Totally recommend Fords. Just test drove a 97 toyota Avalon, not impressed. STICK WITH AMERICAN

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  2002 limited 3.0 ford escape - 2002 Ford Escape
  By kia - August 11 - 3:10 am

  I bought this car when it had 114k mi. Black on Black. I had it for a year. the car was absolutely awesome. It had great pickup,good break system and great handling. I never took the car to mechanic for any reason. The only reason that I sold it was ,because I was trying to upgrade it but now I regret it. I changed 2 cars after that but Im still not happy with what I have. I recommend this car 100%. If you can get the limited, because than the car would have all the options you would need, and there isnt so much difference in the price. the only good upgrade from this car is nissan murano or BMW X3, dont waist you time with other SUVs

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  This Little SUV is a Bull - 2002 Ford Escape
  By Paul D. - July 31 - 10:06 pm

  First of all I bought this Ford new. I have 50,000 miles on it. The repairs Ive made, other than routine maintenance, are. Fuel pump and a tie rod end and thats it ( knock on wood). Power from this 200hp V-6 is more than ample and its good to know you have that extra power when needed. The ride is a bit stiff but that is to be expected from an SUV. The seats are very comfortable so that makes the stiff ride more bearable. Very roomy. Highway road noise is above average. If your looking to improve on that a good set of passenger tire would help. A/T tires are not the way to go unless your looking for more traction. Fuel-ok at 20 mpg combined city/hwy for a V-6. Nice SUV.

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  One of my best! - 2002 Ford Escape
  By wado - May 6 - 12:00 am

  I drive a lot and have had many cars, trucks, SUVs but my 2002 Ford Escape was by far one of the best vehicles, that I have ever owned! The "ease", of entry/exit, is awesome, for me, and the performance vs mpg is a "perfect combination" I have owned over a hundred vehicles, mostly used, but 37 new, mostly Ford,GM, and this one stands out! Bravo to Ford for such a nice ride, just wish that they had left the spare INSIDE, where it belongs, and continued offering the column shift, for those of us, that are cramped by consoles. The redesigned 2008 and up are much more refined however!! Definitely worth a look!

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  A Real Trooper With Love - 2002 Ford Escape
  By Jenny - February 23 - 1:12 pm

  Had it since 2002. Yes, Ive had some major repairs. The engine went at 96K miles, so it cost us $7k to fix that. It cost me $4k to fix all 3 converters, and yes I had to pay to fix 3 of six coils. They said driving of fast accelerating and sudden stops could contributed to it, and we also drove it in England for 3 years, so that didnt help either. But its always been there for us through the worse of times. Blizzards are no problem for me. I have better traction than most newer SUVs and trucks, including your MBs and Lexus. It does make squeaky sounds in the interior, but its older. Not much you can do. With all the accidents, its always gotten lesser damage and held up the most!

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  Love my 2002 Escape - 2002 Ford Escape
  By Cameron Brown - December 15 - 2:00 am

  Powerful, sporty, and fun to drive. Perfect size for our small family plus groceries and dogs. We absolutely love the car. One caution: we originally had a 2001 model which we also loved but had a problem which would cause the engine to stall when decelerating at about 40mph which Ford could not fix at the time (see NHTSA web site for info). After four attempts to fix, Ford respected the California Lemon Law and replaced our 2001 (with over 25,000 miles on it) with an identical 2002 model for only $800. The new one is working perfectly so far with 4,000 miles on it.

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  Great Vehicle - 2002 Ford Escape
  By JC - December 5 - 9:27 pm

  This is really great SUV. My mom has 2002 Ford Escape that already has over 273,000 miles. Her friend drove a lot for work and vacation. Then she brought it from her friend because they got new car. We take a good care of this vehicle and thanks god its working very good. We rode/drove it A LOT. Ford Escape goes very well on winter, I remember we made it on the hill with 2WD which is awesome. This SUV is better gas than Jeep and Chevy blazer. Her vehicle is a little bit bad shape now but as long its run like reliable and were keeping until the car break down but this SUV never die.