Got a 2002 Ford Escape, had it for 2 years. Anything to worry about?

I got this car about a month after my 13th birthday (my dad’s a mechanic and wanted me to practice working on cars). I turned 15 two months ago, so I haven’t had a lot of driving time yet. The car has around 220k miles. Is there anything I should be concerned about?

220k miles? It might be ready to leave you stranded.

I’ve heard of oil leaks and transmission issues with these.

Sky said:
I’ve heard of oil leaks and transmission issues with these.

Yeah, my grandma had one and went through two transmissions.

Definitely change the transmission fluid regularly.

Check the tires, they could start cracking if they’re over 10 years old, which could lead to blowouts. The brakes might be rusty and noisy but should be fine after a day of driving. If it’s been sitting for 2-3 years, you should change the oil and maybe add an octane booster to the gas. Also, check for any mice that could’ve made a nest in the engine bay, they can cause a lot of damage.

Rust around the rear struts is common with this generation.

Your dad’s a mechanic, right? You should definitely talk to him about the car.

Plenty to worry about. It’s a Ford.