No events leading to this... it just started about 2 yrs ago summer of 08. Clunking noise in the front of car. Can be felt by the steering wheel (which also has the squeaking problem). Occurs only when the temperature outside is warm. Went to the Ford dealer several times complaining of this... never was able to recreate the problem. Finally had both left and right arm assembly link, bolt, hex for front suspension replaced June 09. On Sept 09 noise returned and had everything tightened, lubed. Problem went away until again the weather warmed up then is now back worse than ever. Not only when turning the wheel but when driving straight.

- Zionsville, IN, USA

Front knocking noise. Has been present since we first bought the car new. Many mechanics, including the Ford dealer, could not find the problem. Brakes, transmission, and struts were checked or replaced. The knocking persisted. On 8/15/08, the ball joint failed as my wife was traveling at 45 mph around a corner causing the driver side wheel to flop at a 90 degree angle. Steering was impossible. Luckily, my wife was able to get the car stopped safely without out any life threatening consequences. Ford Escape 2002 XLT.

- Bend, OR, USA

In April 2007, I took my 2002 Ford Escape because of constant clicking noise that I heard coming from the left front side of the car for about 3 months. I was told that it was my sway bar end link, but the right side. The left end link had been replaced in April 2006, so I had to pay for the right end link to be replaced. The clicking noise persists. Now, the dealer is saying that it is the right lower control arm that is making the noise and I must have done something to it, even though it is the same noise and started only 2 days after being serviced. Also, the car has stalled twice. The front brake rotors have been replaced twice and needs a third replacement. The transmission has been replaced. The air bag light comes on intermittently and remains on for months at a time; started in 2004. The windows and door locks have been serviced for intermittently not working three times before the problem was resolved.

- Gaithersburg, MD, USA

- the contact stated that on 01/05/06 while driving her 2002 Ford Escape at 10 mph. The vehicle made a loud noise. When she tried to stop the vehicle she applied the brakes, but the vehicle didn't come to an immediate stop. The contact stated that the brake pedal had to be pushed to the floor. The vehicle continued to make a loud noise that sounded like the something loose. The contact did take the vehicle to her mechanic, but before reaching the mechanic her ABS light turned on. The contact stated that the mechanic told her that the reluctor ring had failed and that the vehicle needed the left front axle assembly replaced. Updated 03/19/07.

- Rochester, NY, USA

2002 Ford Escape. While making low speed turns, clicking nosie coming from front end wheel well area. Clicking nosie sounds like rotatining parts are binding. Frequency of the clicking sound is directly related to vehicle speed (the slower the speed, the longer the time between each sucessive click). The sound occurs with either right or left turns, but is much more noticable while turning left. This clicking is not a healthy sound and I am worried about a failure of the affected parts.

- Milford, CT, USA

My 2002 Ford Escape was less than two months old and had less than 1000 miles when I returned to the dealer for repair. I hear a loud continuous clicking noise when I turn the steering wheel to the right. Ford has issued a special service message (#16016) describing this problem with 2001-2002 Escapes. They have no solution and dealer will not attempt to repair car. I am concerned for my daughter and my safety when driving the car. Ford needs a recall to repair these cars.

- Ridgewood, NJ, USA