2002 Ford Escape Overview, Reviews, Ratings & Specs

2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001
Crash Test Rating
Source   NHTSA
MPG (up to)
18 -22 City / 23 -25 HWY
Source FuelEconomy.gov
Horsepower
127 -201
Seats
5
Drivers side profile with drivers side door open.

Positive Owner Reviews

accountCircle Char M
It can go through snow and also can handle the beach sand.
The Ford Escape is the best car I ever owned. Reliable durable and his greatest hits. It is very functional for the area I live in and gets great mileage. I also love the comfort of it, it is ergonomically wonderful. I have never felt so much comfort in any vehicle before.
accountCircle keith c
Very reliable great car. Runs very well, never had a problem other than normal wear and tear
Very nice car to own well built and good reliability
accountCircle Shelly C
Great Car/SUV gets you to where you're going smoothly and safely!
I really enjoy driving my 2002 Ford Escape. It is a very roomy car for being a smaller SUV. My family likes riding in my car, too. The Escape is a very smooth riding SUV.
accountCircle Bethany C
His name is Bruce and he is wonderful.
I love my Escape. After 16 years, it still runs like a champ. It's got plenty of room for hauling stuff. The gas mileage isn't great and it does have a small oil leak, but what can you do?
accountCircle Dennis L
Great little SUV for coaches on the run.
My is small SUV is great. I am a coach so I can carry all my training stuff with me wherever I go. It does not eat up a lot of gas. Perfect size so it fits in small spaces. Plenty of legroom. Good radio for the long drives home. I love my car. Right now I would buy the same car again.
accountCircle Ronald D
The driving lights, cruise control, window,
My car runs great, performance is good a good reliable car smooth riding car I would recommend my car to everyone. It a Ford Escape xlt 4x4 it is has everything that I enjoyed. It can get out of tight places and it is has cruise control that helps a lot.
accountCircle Theresa Y
Fords with dependability and reliability.
My car has a shape that still looks up to date. The shape of the car gives very good visibility while driving. It sits just high enough to allow the driver to have very good road vision but not so high that it is a problems for petite people. I have had very few repairs with this car. I have had only two unexpected repairs. The inside of the car is roomy for the driver and also passengers riding in the vehicle. There is also plenty if space for storage and for anything that needs to be hauled in the vehicle.
accountCircle Dale M
2002 Ford Escape xlt SUV: a fine family car.
It has had a few issues with the exhaust system in the 7 plus years I have owned it. Overall it runs great and the 4WD works wonderfully in the ice and snow. The one thing I would have liked to have fixed is the sunroof. The buttons no longer work and even though I have cleaned around the Edges it sometimes leaks when it rains inside the vehicle.

Negative Owner Reviews

accountCircle William M
It could have held up better for the care it was given.
It is old. It has a lot of mechanical issues. It could do better on gas mileage. I did not mind the way it drove when it was in better condition.
accountCircle Darlene F
It's a high maintenance car. It's a lemon
It's very high maintenance. The radiator leaks, the oil leaks and the transmission fluid leaks. And in spite of a new battery, it wont start.
accountCircle Katie G
It could break down at any time, always be prepared!
Every time i fix something, another thing breaks. It gets horrible gas mileage and doesn't ride very well at all.
accountCircle Laken C
It does have a nice sunroof but there is a short in the motor so it only works when it wants to.
We have had nothing but issues with our 2002 Ford Escape. Yes it is older but it has been constant issues one after the other with no break in between.
accountCircle William M
The car drove well when it was newer, but it could have held up better mechanically.
The vehicle was taken care of, but has not held up well for the miles on it.
accountCircle Michelle W
It is a nice little ride, roomy for a smaller SUV, good condition for age.
Gas guzzler, when purchased was sold on how "good on gas" it would be I fill this tank 3 times a week crazy.
accountCircle Mary k
It is a means of transportation nothing more and not my dream vehicle
The interior is peeling because of poor quality material. The electrical system has issues- radio not working, windows not working properly
accountCircle kaley D
This car is alright if you don't need to drive long distances without something breaking.
It was a fine vehicle when I bought it 5 years ago, but now it is old and breaking down a lot so I wish I had a nicer car. It gets me from point A to point B though so I guess it serves Its purpose.

Ford Escape Models

Models also known as Trim Levels, are used to identify a vehicle's level of equipment or special features.

car
XLS Value
127 HP 24-24 MPG 5 Seats
car
XLS Sport
127 HP 24-24 MPG 5 Seats
car
XLS Choice
201 HP 21-21 MPG 5 Seats
car
XLT Choice 2
201 HP 22-22 MPG 5 Seats
car
XLT Choice
201 HP 21-21 MPG 5 Seats
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XLT Sport
201 HP 21-21 MPG 5 Seats
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XLT Premium
201 HP 21-21 MPG 5 Seats
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XLT Midnight
201 HP 21-21 MPG 5 Seats
Photos may not match model

2002 Ford Escape Owner Reviews

4.11
132 Reviews
close Write Review
5 stars 44%
4 stars 34%
3 stars 14%
2 stars 5%
1 star 3%
accountCircle Kara W on March 24, 2021
It is very easy to see out of and drive.
I like my vehicle because I have not experienced any problems with it and it has all of the features I want in a car. It is a good size, easy to drive, and comfortable. I do not have any complaints about the car itself, except for that it is obvious it is used.
accountCircle Michelle G on March 22, 2021
It is reliable. Good to get around.
The Ford escape uses a lot of gas. It is a good car other than that. It is good in Alaska where some roads are not paved and during the winter when the road is covered in ice.
View All Reviews (132) chevronRightAlternative

Ranks #6 Compact SUV by Owners

The 2002 Ford Escape has an average owner rating of 4.11 out of 5 which ranks it #6 of 13 other Compact SUVs.

1
car
2002 Audi allroad
5
2
car
2002 Subaru Forester
4.46
6
car
2002 Ford Escape
4.11

Ranks #3 Compact SUV by Fuel Economy

The 2002 Ford Escape has a combined MPG of 26 which ranks it #3 of 13 other Compact SUVs.

1
car
2002 Toyota RAV4
31 MPG
2
car
2002 Subaru Forester
27 MPG
3
Tie
car
2002 Honda CR-V
26 MPG
3
Tie
car
2002 Ford Escape
25 MPG

Is The 2002 Ford Escape A Good Car?

Yes this has been a great vehicle! It is just the perfect size. Not too big and not too small. It gets excellent gas mileage
Karen M.
Yes it has been reliable and still runs well. The paint has been peeling and now rusting. Mechanically it has had a few problems that were easily fixed, but nothing major. I like the steering and... Read More
Chris D.
Very good. It has a lot of features that still hold up today. It rides nice and has a lot of cargo space in back when the seats are folded down. Good acceleration, too.
Susan G.

How Reliable Is The 2002 Ford Escape?

Very reliable vehicle. Is in need of basic tune-up and driver side reverse light needs to be replaced.
Kathleen L.
It is reliable. Mine has over 140,000 miles and runs well. The paint is poor, peeling and rusting. Only problem that needed repairs were the power steering. It has had a small oil leak for many years... Read More
Daniel K.
It has problems with the struts, but otherwise performs very well. It starts on the first turn of the key in warm weather and cold. Not great on the gas mileage but OK.
Dawn S.

Is The 2002 Ford Escape A Good Value?

I paid $400 for it and think it has been a great value for what I paid for it. Have no idea how much a current model year costs.
Charles J.
The current value of the vehicle is less than 3K. It has been a good value for me as it has gotten a lot of use in a variety of ways.
Sylvia B.
I paid $3,500 for it used. At 17 years old, the interior looks pretty close to brand new. Air conditioning still works, heater still works, outside of the car only has rust on the back tire... Read More
Jacqueline D.

Related Articles for 2002 Ford Escape

From the Vehicle History blog

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2021 Ford Escape Review: Reliable Small SUV With Reasonable Ownership Costs As It Ages
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2004 Ford Escape Review: Not the Best Compact SUV of 2004, but Maybe the Best at This Price
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2019 Ford Escape Review: Safe SUV With Improved Reliability Ratings Than Earlier Years 

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the fuel pump driver module located in the 2002 ford escape?

Answer: The fuel pump driver module in a 2002 Ford Escape can be found in the rear cargo area of the vehicle behind a panel on the passenger side. This is the controller for Your fuel pump. Usually if there is a...

What does code p1409 mean for the 2002 ford escape?

Answer: The P1409 error code for the 2002 Ford Escape indicates a malfunction with the Exhaust Gas Recirculation Vacuum Regulator solenoid circuit. The circuit voltage is either too low or high when the test compares...

What type of antifreeze does the 2002 ford escape use?

Answer: The type of antifreeze the 2002 Ford Escape uses is green. You will come into many issues with an engine. A gasket may be loose and that needs to be tightened up quickly. You can have oil leaks and those need...

How do I reset the anti theft system in the 2002 ford escape?

Answer: If You're having an issue with the anti-theft system being enabled even though You are using the right key then You'll need to try a trick with the battery so You can reset the vehicle back to it's factory...

2002 Ford Escape: What is the tire size and pressure, and wheel size?

Answer: The 2002 Ford Escape base model wheel size for the is 15" silver aluminum rims. The tire size for the SUV is 225/70r15 for both the front and rear with a required 36 PSiAs reported by the manufacturer. Having...
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Answers are provided by third parties. We do not guarantee accuracy of responses

Safety & Reliability

NHTSA Logo
NHTSA Crash Test

Overall

Front

Rollover

Side

*National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
IIHS Logo
IIHS Crash Test

Moderate Overlap Front

Side

Roof Strength

Not Rated

Driver-side Overlap Front

Not Rated
*Insurance Institute for Highway Safety