NHTSA Recalls
2002 Ford ESCAPE
1 open or recent recall
1 open recall
Open recalls
1
Units affected
0
Trucks in our DB
0
Carriers in DB
0
What this means
1 open or recent NHTSA recall affect the 2002 Ford ESCAPE. Recall repairs are free at OEM dealers — but only if you take the truck in. If you operate this model, verify recall service status by submitting the VIN at the OEM dealer or via NHTSA.gov. Insurance underwriters and freight brokers increasingly ask carriers to confirm recall service is current before contract loads.
All 1 recall for this vehicle
NHTSA Campaign
04V574000
Issue: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES BUILT WITH 3.0L V6 ENGINES, THE ACCELERATOR CABLE MAY PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CABLE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 10, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
Related
Frequently Asked Questions
Will an open recall fail a DOT inspection on a 2002 Ford ESCAPE?
An open recall does NOT automatically fail a Level 1, 2, or 3 DOT roadside inspection — those focus on brake, tire, light, HOS, and driver-fitness items. However, if the recall affects a safety-critical component that is showing visible defect (cracked brake line, leaking fuel line, etc.) and the inspector identifies the defect itself, it can result in an out-of-service violation. Best practice: complete recall service promptly to avoid the question entirely. Recall completion is free at the dealer.
How do I check if my specific VIN has open recalls?
Three ways: (1) Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov/recalls — free, instant. (2) Call any Ford dealer and provide your VIN — they'll look up open campaigns. (3) Use our VIN decoder tool at /vin/ which cross-references against our recall database. The fastest is the NHTSA site; the most useful for fleet operators is the dealer call (they can also schedule the repair on the spot).
Who pays for recall repairs?
The manufacturer pays. Recall service is free at any authorized OEM dealer regardless of the truck's age, mileage, or who owns it now. The exception: if recall service is more than 10 years old, some manufacturers can decline (rare on commercial trucks). Ford/ESCAPE recall service typically takes 1–4 hours of dealer shop time depending on the campaign — usually no charge for parts or labor.
What's the difference between a recall and a TSB on a Ford?
A recall (NHTSA campaign) is a manufacturer-mandated safety repair — free and required. A TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) is the manufacturer telling dealers about a known issue and the recommended fix, but TSB repairs are typically NOT free — owners pay parts and labor. Recalls fix safety risks; TSBs fix quality/reliability issues that aren't safety-related. If you're seeing a problem that ISN'T on the recall list, search TSBs for Ford ESCAPE 2002 — there may be a documented fix.
Can I keep operating a 2002 Ford ESCAPE with an open recall?
Legally yes (no federal law prohibits operating a vehicle with open recalls on a commercial truck — only some passenger-vehicle resale rules apply). Practically: depends on the specific recall. Safety-critical recalls (brakes, steering, fuel system) should be addressed immediately — both for safety and because insurance carriers and shippers increasingly track this. Less-critical recalls (lighting, infotainment) can wait until your next dealer visit. Always review the specific recall summary to understand severity.