Model year guide

2002 Ford Escort

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2002 Ford Escort is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 10 on record.

2002 Ford Escort — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2002 Ford Escort at a glance

Safety recalls1
Owner complaints90
Combined26 mpg
Typical price$1,835

Free: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2002 Ford Escort recalls 1

Seat Belts:front NHTSA Campaign #04E048000 · 12/07/2004

CERTAIN TRW DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELTS MANUFACTURED ON DECEMBER 6 AND 9, 2002, FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR 1997 FORD ESCORT 4-DOOR AND STATION WAGON PLATFORM VEHICLES, FORD'S P/N F7CZ54611B09AAC. THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES EXHIBIT A NO-LOCK CONDITION WHICH DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES.

Fix: TRW WILL NOTIFY THE CUSTOMERS WHO PURCHASED THE REPLACEMENT SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 27, 2004.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2002 Ford Escort common problems

Owners have filed 90 complaints with NHTSA. These are the most-reported areas in a sample of the most recent — and what to check before you buy.

Vehicle Speed Control
Test cruise control and throttle response, and watch for any hesitation or unintended acceleration.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Hydraulic
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.

2002 Ford Escort MPG & running costs

Combined26 mpg
City23 mpg
Highway32 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,600

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.

What's a 2002 Ford Escort worth?

Low
$750
Typical price
$1,835
High
$5,995

From 7 comparable 2002 Ford Escort listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2002 Ford Escort costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$13,000
Depreciation (5 yrs)$1,050
Total$14,050
Per mile$0.19

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($1,835) with the same model 5 model-years older ($792), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2002 Ford Escort trims & engines on record

Trims
ZX2 Deluxe · Premium Fleet · ZX2 · SE
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl 125 hp · 2.0L 4-cyl 110 hp

2002 Ford Escort vehicles on record

2002 Ford Escort 2002 Ford Escort ZX2 Deluxe3FAFP11332R227034 2002 Ford Escort 2002 Ford Escort ZX2 Deluxe3FAFP11342R152067 2002 Ford Escort 2002 Ford Escort ZX2 Deluxe3FAFP11362R185202 2002 Ford Escort 2002 Ford Escort Premium Fleet3FAFP13P32R193497 2002 Ford Escort 2002 Ford Escort ZX2 Deluxe3FAFP11332R121070 2002 Ford Escort 2002 Ford Escort ZX23FAFP11392R182259 2002 Ford Escort 2002 Ford Escort ZX2 Deluxe3FAFP11372R227182 2002 Ford Escort 2002 Ford Escort ZX2 Deluxe3FAFP11362R198421 2002 Ford Escort 2002 Ford Escort ZX2 Deluxe3FAFP11352R145418 2002 Ford Escort 2002 Ford Escort SE3FAFP11342R139304

Other Ford Escort model years

2003 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993

2002 Ford Escort — frequently asked questions

Does the 2002 Ford Escort have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2002 Ford Escort. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are free.

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Ford Escort?

Owners have filed 90 complaints with NHTSA; in a sample of the most recent, the most-reported problem areas are vehicle speed control, service brakes, power train.

What gas mileage does the 2002 Ford Escort get?

The 2002 Ford Escort has a U.S. EPA estimate of 26 mpg combined (23 city / 32 highway).

How much is a 2002 Ford Escort worth?

Comparable 2002 Ford Escort listings run roughly $750–$5,995, typically around $1,835 (from 7 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.