Sell your 2002 Ford Escape for cash

The 2002 Ford Escape is a SUV that came with a choice of 2.0L 4-cyl and 3.0L 6-cyl engines. At 24 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.

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2002 Ford Escape at a glance

Body styleSport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines2.0L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl
TransmissionsManual 5-spd, Automatic 4-spd
DriveFront-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
FuelRegular Gasoline
Fuel economy16–20 city / 22–25 highway / 18–22 combined MPG
EPA annual fuel cost$3,050–$3,700 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles)
Tailpipe CO₂404–494 grams per mile
Versions tested by EPA4 configurations: Escape 2WD, Escape 4WD
Age24 years

Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data. Your car's exact equipment may differ.

What affects its junk value

  • Age: at 24 years old, most of a 2002 Escape's value comes from reusable parts and scrap metal, not resale.
  • Weight: as a SUV, it's heavier than a typical car, and scrap weight is a big part of any junk offer. See how scrap prices by weight work.
  • Catalytic converter: like all gas and diesel cars, it has a catalytic converter containing precious metals, one of the most valuable parts on a junk car. An offer assumes it's still in place. More on catalytic converters.
  • Recalls: NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 2002 Escape. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking it.
  • Known problems: owners reported the most issues with the engine and engine cooling, typically around 9,000 miles. If that's what failed on yours, it can still be sold as-is.

How junk car offers are calculated

2002 Ford Escape recalls

NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls covering the 2002 Ford Escape. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.

Power TrainSep 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V606000

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11…

Risk: If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is be

StructureApr 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V165000

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2004 Escape vehicles manufactured October 22, 1999, through January 23, 2004, originally sold, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York…

Risk: A separation of the lower control arm can result in a significant loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Vehicle Speed ControlJul 2012 · NHTSA campaign 12V353000

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…

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.

Service Brakes, HydraulicJan 2012 · NHTSA campaign 12V005000

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.

Service Brakes, HydraulicApr 2007 · NHTSA campaign 07V156000

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 ign

Latches/Locks/LinkagesDec 2004 · NHTSA campaign 04V602000

Certain 2004-2005 sport utility vehicles and certain 2001-2003 sport utiity vehicle having rear liftgate components serviced with 2004 equivalent components fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 206, 'door locks and door retention components.' the rear liftgate latching system does not meet…

Risk: If the liftgate is left unlocked, there is the potential that it may open during a crash.

Vehicle Speed ControlDec 2004 · NHTSA campaign 04V574000

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.

Power TrainApr 2004 · NHTSA campaign 04V165000

On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with 3.0l v6 engines, during deceleration, the engine can stall.

Risk: Should the engine stall, a vehicle crash could occur.

Common 2002 Escape problems

Owners have filed 1,027 complaints about the 2002 Ford Escape with NHTSA. 66 reports involved a crash and 104 reports involved a fire. Owners reported 42 injuries.

Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.

Most-reported components

  • Engine and Engine Cooling135
  • Engine and Engine Cooling76
  • Vehicle Speed Control74
  • Electrical System66
  • Engine and Engine Cooling63
  • Suspension62

Typical mileage when problems were reported

  • Engine and Engine Cooling9,000 mi
  • Engine and Engine Cooling19,000 mi
  • Vehicle Speed Control100,000 mi
  • Electrical System89,000 mi
  • Engine and Engine Cooling71,000 mi
  • Suspension130,000 mi

2002 Ford Escape crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2002 Ford Escape.

VersionOverallFrontal crashSide crashRolloverRollover risk
4 DrNot rated——★★★☆☆—

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP). Ratings from different model years or rating systems aren't directly comparable.

2002 Ford Escape service bulletins

Manufacturers have filed 109 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 2002 Ford Escape. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.

Most common bulletin topics

  • Electrical System10
  • Engine and Engine Cooling8
  • Service Brakes7
  • Engine and Engine Cooling6
  • Suspension6
  • Unknown or Other5

Recent bulletins

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsApr 2016 · 16-0071

    2001-2004 Escape vehicles Safety Recall 14S02 has been issued for vehicles that are operated in high corrosion areas for an extended period, where a corrosion-related sep

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsApr 2016 · TSB160071

    Safety recall 14S02 - Corrosion at forward attachment of lower control arm - requests for recall service action

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsAug 2014 · TSB-14-0143

    Ford: the lower control arm (lca) forward attachment will separate from subframe, causing diminishing directional control, due to operating in high corrosion areas for ex

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJan 2006 · 19016

    Replace timing belt idler pulley during 2.0l zetec engine cylinder head replacement - service tip. *tt

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA opened 10 defect investigations covering the 2002 Ford Escape.

Vehicle Speed ControlDP12005 · opened Jul 2012, closed Jul 2012

Cruise Control Cable

On July 8, 2012, The Center for Auto Safety has petitioned NHTSA to open defect investigations on Model Year (MY) 2002 ? 2004 Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute vehicles with certain cruise control cables.The Center for Auto Safety has also petitioned for a hearing to address whether Ford Motor Company (Ford) and Mazda Nort

Vehicle Speed ControlPE12019 · opened Jul 2012, closed Feb 2013Led to recall 12V353000

Stuck Throttle

In a letter dated July 25, 2012 Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR), NHTSA Recall No. 12V-353 to NHTSA identifying a safety defect involving inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector, which could result in a stuck throttle condition.The vehicle

Unknown or OtherAQ10001 · opened Nov 2010, closed Dec 2015

Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit

On November 18, 2010, NHTSA's Recall Management Division (RMD) opened an audit query (AQ10-001) to investigate recall remedy completion by rental car companies on safety recall campaigns.It was expected to provide the agency an indication of how completely and how quickly rental car fleets perform necessary recall-rela

Service Brakes, HydraulicEA10002 · opened Jan 2010, closed Feb 2012Led to recall 12V005000

Engine Compartment Fire

Ford and Mazda recalled model year (MY) 2001 through 2004 Ford Escape (07V-156) and Mazda Tribute (07V-157) vehicles due to non-crash fires or non-fire thermal events originating in the engine compartment at or near the ABS control module.Approximately 545,700 vehicles were subject to the initial safety recalls and app

Service Brakes, HydraulicRQ09002 · opened Apr 2009, closed Jan 2010

Engine compartment fire

In letters dated march 30, 2007, Ford motor company (Ford) and mazda north american operations (mazda) notified the agency that they will conduct recalls 07v-156 and 07v-157, respectively, to remedy a safety defect that may result in fire in a wiring connector used in certain model year (my) 2001-2004 Ford Escape and m

Service Brakes, HydraulicDP09003 · opened Apr 2009, closed Apr 2009

Engine compartment fire

The office of defects investigation (odi) received a defect petition dated march 5, 2009 alleging that the petitioner never received the recall remedy for 07v-156 and that, as a result, the petitioner's my2003 Ford Escape caught fire at the ABS control module.in response to odi follow-up, the manufacturer verified that

Service Brakes, HydraulicPE06048 · opened Oct 2006, closed Apr 2007Led to recall 07V156000

Engine compartment fire

In letters dated march 30, 2007, Ford and mazda notified NHTSA that they will conduct safety recalls to remedy a safety defect that may result in fire in a wiring connector used in certain model year (my) 2001-2004 Ford Escape and mazda tribute sport utility vehicles equipped with ABS.recall 07v-156 involves approximat

Engine and Engine CoolingRP04002 · opened Jun 2004, closed Aug 2004

Engine stalling

Summary:the petitioner alleges that after having the recall remedy performed on her model year (my) 2001 Ford Escape, it continued to exhibit an intermittent stall condition.consequently, she petitioned the agency to examine the adequacy of the recall remedy for safety recall 04v-165.on april 5, 2004, Ford motor compan

Engine and Engine CoolingEA02027 · opened Sep 2002, closed Apr 2004Led to recall 04V165000

Engine stalling

Ford's and mazda's letters to NHTSA dated april 5 and april 9, 2004, state that they will recall model year 2001-03 Ford Escape and mazda tribute vehicles with the v6 engine built thru september 11, 2002.dealers will adjust engine calibration in the programmable control module (PCM), which in its current setting, can c

Engine and Engine CoolingPE01043 · opened Dec 2001, closed Sep 2002

Engine stalling

Other Ford Escape years

‹ Sell a 2001 Escape · Sell a 2003 Escape › · All Ford Escape years

Other 2002 Ford models

Selling a 2002 Escape: questions

How much is a 2002 Ford Escape worth for junk?

It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. As a heavier vehicle, its scrap weight adds to the offer. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.

Can I junk a 2002 Escape that doesn't run?

Yes. We buy 2002 Escapes that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.

Can I sell a 2002 Escape with open recalls?

Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 8 recalls for the 2002 Ford Escape; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What paperwork do I need to sell my 2002 Escape?

Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.

Before you sell

Sources

Data retrieved October 2026.

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