2002 Ford Escape XLT Choice
1FMYU04182KC39048
Vehicle history report for the 2002 Ford Escape XLT Choice (VIN 1FMYU04182KC39048). Black, sport utility vehicle [suv]/multipurpose vehicle [mpv], 3.0L 6-cyl 201 hp, gasoline. 136,433 mi reported. Registered in Il. No open recalls. Unlock full title, salvage, lien & accident history.
![2002 Ford Escape XLT Choice, Black, Sport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV] — representative vehicle photo for VIN 1FMYU04182KC39048](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/0/0c/%2701-%2702_Ford_Escape_V6.JPG)
At a glance
Vehicle identity & specifications
What's a 2002 Ford Escape worth?
What comparable 2002 Ford Escape vehicles are listed for — a quick gut-check before you negotiate.
Is the seller's price fair? Get this exact VIN's current market value — retail, trade-in & loan value — in the full report.
See this car's exact value →MPG & running costs
Official U.S. EPA fuel-economy estimates for the 2002 Ford Escape.
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. EPA estimates for this year/make/model; actual mileage varies by trim and driving conditions.
Full vehicle history report
What a full report checks for VIN 1FMYU04182KC39048
A full report searches national title databases (NMVTIS) and licensed history providers for this VIN and shows whatever records are on file — not every vehicle has every record type. The decode, safety recalls and owner complaints above are always free.
Safety recalls None found
No open NHTSA recall campaigns were found for this 2002 Ford Escape.
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Common problems & what to inspect
Based on 1,079 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Ford Escape, here are the most-reported problem areas — and exactly what to check before you buy.
💥 1 involved a crash 🔥 1 involved a fire
🔍 Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
🔍 Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
🔍 Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
🔍 Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
🔍 Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
🔍 Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Pre-purchase checklist
- Match the VIN on the dash, door jamb and title — they must be identical.
- Cold-start the engine; listen for knocks and check for blue or white exhaust smoke.
- Test-drive through all gears at low and highway speed — no slipping, shudder or pulling.
- Confirm every warning light clears at startup (none should stay on).
- Check fluids — oil, coolant, transmission — for level, color and leaks.
- Look underneath for rust, fresh undercoating or signs of collision repair.
- Always get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic.
Owner complaints 1079
Complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of the 2002 Ford Escape.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,SERVICE BRAKES
I bought a vehicle that has recalls on it. I contacted a dealer. Im told the car is to old to fix the recalled abs relay. Now I have a vehicle thats on the road a fire hazard. The ford dealership have left me my with and kids and grand kids in danger
NHTSA ODI #11732085ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while shifted in park(P), the key failed to release while the engine was running. The contact drove to a local O'Reilly's where one of the employees was able to remove the key from the ignition. The failure had gotten progressively worse. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the ig…
NHTSA ODI #11676792ENGINE
I have had to replace my engine/transmission several times and the problem keeps repeating itself. The engine will just die for no reason which is an extremely severe safety risk.
NHTSA ODI #11608125SUSPENSION
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle made an abnormal sound and started drifting to the left. The vehicle was towed to the residence. An independent mechanic diagnosed the vehicle with a rusted subframe. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The…
NHTSA ODI #11503115POWER TRAIN
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH and depressing forcefully on the accelerator pedal, the accelerator pedal got stuck. The contact was unable to disengage the accelerator pedal. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated he did not attempt to depress the brake pedal to stop the vehicle. …
NHTSA ODI #11491872EXTERIOR LIGHTING,STRUCTURE,SERVICE BRAKES
Vehicle was manufactured 04/2002 recalls state that from oct99 to jan04 multiple states had issues with rusting with suspension causing the car to crash. My vehicle was made in one of the states and has alot of underbody rusting. Back hatch latch gets stuck often and will not open. Drums on the back are sticking causing the vehicle to drag at take off, abs h…
Fire · NHTSA ODI #11466662STRUCTURE
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer, he was informed that the subframe was severely corroded. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number 14V165000 (Structure) however, the remedy failed to fix the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 1…
NHTSA ODI #11435096AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS
The passenger side flashes with the Air bag symbol and has the seat belt too. Sometimes the symbol just stays on the dash board.
NHTSA ODI #11421224+ 1071 more complaints on record.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I find out who owns this vehicle from the VIN?
No — and no legitimate service can. Linking a VIN or plate to a named owner is restricted by the U.S. Driver's Privacy Protection Act, the EU GDPR and equivalent laws. CarLogs shows the vehicle only — specs, recalls, problems and value — never the person.
Is the VIN 1FMYU04182KC39048 valid?
1FMYU04182KC39048 is a structurally valid 17-character VIN with a correct ISO 3779 check digit, assigned to a manufacturer in United States. It decodes to the 2002 Ford Escape.
Does the 2002 Ford Escape have any open safety recalls?
No open NHTSA safety-recall campaigns were found for the 2002 Ford Escape. CarLogs checks this against official NHTSA data on every lookup.
What is a fair price for a 2002 Ford Escape?
Comparable 2002 Ford Escape listings run roughly $850–$3,500, typically around $2,156 (from 122 comparable vehicles). The full report shows this exact VIN's valuation.
What fuel economy does the 2002 Ford Escape get?
The U.S. EPA rates the 2002 Ford Escape at about 20 mpg combined (18 city / 23 highway).
Data last checked 10 Sep 2026 · Sources: NHTSA (recalls & complaints), U.S. EPA (fuel economy), NHTSA vPIC (specifications). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.