2002 Ford Escape XLS from North America - Comments

Parking-Brake sensor was a little too sensitive, replaced by dealer under warranty.

Feels pretty well screwed down after a year of ownership.

Most people have ignored the small SUV segment because it was ubiquitous with cramped, underpowered drones. Then with vehicles like the CR-V, they became carlike, but underpowered drones. Now that the Ford Escape is here, I think for families who mostly have less than 5 people in a car should not need any more SUV than this one!

First off, this thing does haul!

The V6, although it doesn't have the sweetest sound, goes. You press on the accelerator, and you haul off. Even when you've got a full car with luggage, it's never short on power. One of my friends who also owned a CR-V claimed that it merely wasted gas. Actually, the Escape manages about 22 City, and 27 highway (mpg)! That's pretty darn good, and it's a Low Emissions Vehicle. So there you go.

The reason I purchased this vehicle was that I constantly make trips through less-than-beaten paths. Although I would not go rock-hopping in this vehicle, it's wonderfully competent at tackling muddy, snowy, and dusty paths that a Front wheel drive car would most certainly not make it on.

The four wheel drive system is pretty brainless... "Auto," or "On." The Auto mode is like the CR-V's... once wheelspin is detected, the rear wheels kick in. The "On" mode is kind of like All wheel drive, suitable for when you're driving on an unplowed road up a steep hill. There's no low range.

If you're going to be tackling some bad trails, It's a good idea to change the tires... the ones that come with the Escape like asphalt, and it makes a whopping difference.

The interior is comfortable, and for the 2002 model year they introduced adjustable front headrests. The interior in my Escape is clad in "Leatherette", and a cloth that reminds me of a mix between those rip-proof-last-forever sofas, and a cloth backpack. But it's comfortable, and the seats hold you in around the curves. Some people have criticized the interior of the Escape, saying it looks "Cheap." Well, I'm not a fan of these new plastic dashboards, but the molding grain Ford used gets my thumbs up. The interior was kind of drab-ish bland, so I purchased a satin Nickel trim peice, and that really jazzed up the interior. The gauges are black-on-white, which certainly adds to the "sport" part of it.

The rear seat is perfect. 2 adults or 3 kids will fit in the back just fine. 3 adults will fit if necessary, too. The rear seat is high up, so the rear passengers have a nice view and tend to get less car sick, and there's plenty of head-foot-knee room, too.

Cargo capability is also excellent. We've manage to pack in 4 suitcases plus our assorted junk and have been able to load it in the Escape and not have the rear window obscured. (Taking out the rear cargo cover helps make this possible.)

Handling - The Escape feels like a car. The steering is perfect... not to light or heavy, and very precise. It goes around curves predictably with little pitch and roll. I should also mention the Escape stops VERY well... even without ABS.

Problems - None so far. The dealership is friendly, and despite how many people say the Escape MUST have terrible reliability because of all of it's recalls (it was rushed out onto the market, remember), it's actualy one very reliable vehicle, especially for a Ford! It still feels as screwed together after 23,000 miles as it did when I purchased it, and I've driven the snot out of this car. Also, none of the recalls have affected my car or involved it.

Compared to my last car, a 1997 CR-V (which was decent... if underpowered transportation), the Escape to me seems like the perfect vehicle. It's fun to drive, secure in the rough stuff, and eco-friendly enough to quell any guilt about SUV's.

If you ask me its worth the money to get it loaded. With the leather seats. They are so nice! The color and feel of them make you fell like a millionaire!

You mentioned problems with the brake light. Have you ever had problems about the brake slipping? My dad owns a 2002 Escape and the brakes didn't work while he was stopped on the driveway. Thank you for a positive review.

The EPA rates the Escape 22 city and 27 highway - for the 4 cylinder, 5 speed. V6 (which only comes in an automatic) gets 18/24. The review claims he has a V6. He cannot personally claiming 22-26mpg. I think he works for Ford.

"YOUR MILEAGE MAY VARY"

My car (not a ford) was rated at 38 mpg highway. It now has 103000 miles on it and gets 44 mpg at 75mph. I have checked and rechecked this over the course of several 1000 mile road trips.

I was so surprised by this I assumed there was something wrong with the odometer, but the mileage checks out with the signs posted on the highway.

Have had my 2002 Ford Escape with 24000 miles on it for 4 weeks. Love the power and handling. Sound system is above par and the vehicle just rides well. My only problem, thus far, is the gas mileage. After 5 fill ups I average 16 MPG. I tried premium gas and averaged 15.8 mpg. I have changed the air filter and am wonder why the car is not as efficient as advertised. Any help regarding fuel efficiency would be appreciated.

To the last responder. The things you have done to improve fuel economy are right on. What you need to also check is the air pressure in the tires. Many people have the pressure in their tires way too low, which significantly lowers fuel economy, and also increases the risk of tire blow out due to sidewall wear. For example, my tires list a max pressure rating of 44psi, I run them at 40psi. This level of pressure will lead to a slightly bumpier ride in the vehicle, but is safer to reduce premature tire wear and greatly improves fuel economy. Having said that, do not over-inflate them either, for this leads to premature center wearing of the tire. Not to make you feel bad, but the small V-8 in my pickup averages 16 to 18mpg, and it is driven in stop light traffic on a regular basis.

Good Luck-

Another point on fuel economy that I missed before. Premium gas will NOT get you better fuel economy. In fact it will most often give you worse fuel economy. Most cars, not all, are rated to run on 87 octane gasoline. Think of the money you will save at the pump using 87 instead of 93 octane gasoline.

I purchased a pre-owned 2002 Escape XLS 5-speed manual, 4-cylinder about 3 months ago. So far, I've driven about 5,000 miles. My highway gas mileage consistently averages 30 mpg. I like everything about the car except the excessive front end noise. It seems to be loudest at around 50 mph. Fortunately, at 65 - 70 mph the noise is acceptable. At lower speeds, I need ear plugs. At first I thought the problem might be related to a front-end collision that the previous owner reported to me, but now I'm reading that road noise is a common complaint from other owners. Has anyone found a solution to this problem, short of buying another car?

I purchased a used 2002 Ford Escape last week and not even 48 hours later my truck would not start. It didn't seem like a battery problem because everything such as my radio, power windows, etc. were still operating. The dealership had the vehicle towed to their mechanics and are currently working on the problem. I am scared to take the truck back in fear of what problems may occur next. Is it worth giving another chance?

We have 2002 Escape V6 4x4 and we love it - it is fast, fun and roomy vehicle. It is easy to get in and to put our two kids in, and the trunk is nice size.

Now the noise and the MPG: Wind noise is bad, but the road noise is worse yet - we did so many things to reduce the noise but it seems that it is coming from the transmission housing. The expert told us that we have a "planetary burnup " = new tranny.

Gas mileage is 12-15 city and 20 MPG highway - we just couldn't get any better!

Ask a private garage before your warranty runs out, apparently these are one of the most unreliable SUVs available today, when the warranty runs out the big problems will start.