2002 Ford Escape Gas Tank Size & Fuel Capacity

SUV 14 trims listed ← 2001 2003 →

Fuel tank capacity

15.0–16.0gal · 57–61 L

The 2002 Ford Escape has a fuel tank capacity of 15.0 to 16.0 gallons (57–61 liters), depending on the trim. The most common size is 16.0 gallons, used on 10 trims.

A full tank is good for roughly 345–375 highway miles or 256–300 miles around town, going by the EPA ratings.

16.0 gal · Smaller than 78% of 2002 models we list.

Highway range
345–375 mi
City range
256–300 mi
Fuel
Regular unleaded
EPA combined
18–22 MPG
EPA size class
Sport Utility Vehicle

2002 Ford Escape fuel tank capacity by trim

What changes the tank sizeTap an option to filter the table

Drive
no difference
Engine

All 14 trims

MPG and range are city / highway.

TrimEngineDrive Tank MPG city / hwy Range city / hwy
XLS Sport 2WD 4dr SUV 2.0L 4cyl 5M · FWD MPG 20 / 25Range 300 / 375 mi 2.0L 4cyl 5M FWD 15.0 gal57 L 20 / 25 300 / 375 mi
XLS Sport 4WD 4dr SUV 2.0L 4cyl 5M · 4WD MPG 19 / 23Range 285 / 345 mi 2.0L 4cyl 5M 4WD 15.0 gal57 L 19 / 23 285 / 345 mi
XLS Value 2WD 4dr SUV 2.0L 4cyl 5M · FWD MPG 20 / 25Range 300 / 375 mi 2.0L 4cyl 5M FWD 15.0 gal57 L 20 / 25 300 / 375 mi
XLS Value 4WD 4dr SUV 2.0L 4cyl 5M · 4WD MPG 19 / 23Range 285 / 345 mi 2.0L 4cyl 5M 4WD 15.0 gal57 L 19 / 23 285 / 345 mi
XLS Choice 2WD 4dr SUV 3.0L 6cyl 4A · FWD MPG 17 / 23Range 272 / 368 mi 3.0L 6cyl 4A FWD 16.0 gal61 L 17 / 23 272 / 368 mi
XLS Choice 4WD 4dr SUV 3.0L 6cyl 4A · 4WD MPG 16 / 22Range 256 / 352 mi 3.0L 6cyl 4A 4WD 16.0 gal61 L 16 / 22 256 / 352 mi
XLT Choice 2 2WD 4dr SUV 3.0L 6cyl 4A · FWD MPG 17 / 23Range 272 / 368 mi 3.0L 6cyl 4A FWD 16.0 gal61 L 17 / 23 272 / 368 mi
XLT Choice 2WD 4dr SUV 3.0L 6cyl 4A · FWD MPG 17 / 23Range 272 / 368 mi 3.0L 6cyl 4A FWD 16.0 gal61 L 17 / 23 272 / 368 mi
XLT Choice 4WD 4dr SUV 3.0L 6cyl 4A · 4WD MPG 16 / 22Range 256 / 352 mi 3.0L 6cyl 4A 4WD 16.0 gal61 L 16 / 22 256 / 352 mi
XLT Midnight 2WD 4dr SUV 3.0L 6cyl 4A · FWD MPG 17 / 23Range 272 / 368 mi 3.0L 6cyl 4A FWD 16.0 gal61 L 17 / 23 272 / 368 mi
XLT Midnight 4WD 4dr SUV 3.0L 6cyl 4A · 4WD MPG 16 / 22Range 256 / 352 mi 3.0L 6cyl 4A 4WD 16.0 gal61 L 16 / 22 256 / 352 mi
XLT Premium 2WD 4dr SUV 3.0L 6cyl 4A · FWD MPG 17 / 23Range 272 / 368 mi 3.0L 6cyl 4A FWD 16.0 gal61 L 17 / 23 272 / 368 mi
XLT Premium 4WD 4dr SUV 3.0L 6cyl 4A · 4WD MPG 16 / 22Range 256 / 352 mi 3.0L 6cyl 4A 4WD 16.0 gal61 L 16 / 22 256 / 352 mi
XLT Sport 4WD 4dr SUV 3.0L 6cyl 4A · 4WD MPG 16 / 22Range 256 / 352 mi 3.0L 6cyl 4A 4WD 16.0 gal61 L 16 / 22 256 / 352 mi

Tank figures are the manufacturer's rated capacity, sorted smallest tank first. Range is tank size times EPA city or highway MPG.

How far a 2002 Ford Escape goes on a tank

Gallons left and the distance they cover at each mark on the fuel gauge, at EPA city and highway mileage. At the combined rating of 19 MPG, a full 16.0-gallon tank covers about 304 miles.

GaugeGallonsHighway milesCity miles
Full16.0368272
3/412.0276204
1/28.0184136
1/44.09268
1/82.04634

Over 15,000 miles a year (the EPA's yearly estimate) this configuration uses about 789 gallons, roughly 49 full tanks.

In real driving: owners who log fill-ups at fueleconomy.gov average 20.3 MPG in the Escape (21 drivers), about 325 miles on a full 16.0-gallon tank.

Fuel gauges aren't perfectly linear and the low-fuel light comes on with a few gallons still in the tank, so plan your stop before the last eighth.

EPA combined
18–22 MPG
Tailpipe CO2
404–494 g/mi
Source
EPA ratings

What it costs to fill up a 2002 Ford Escape

$68.32 to fill the 16.0-gallon tank from empty with regular, at this week's US average of $4.27 a gallon.

TankFuelUS avg / galFrom emptyFrom 1/4 tank
15.0 galRegular$4.27$64.05$48.04
16.0 galRegular$4.27$68.32$51.24

By region, 16.0-gallon tank

RegionRegular / galFill from empty
East Coast$4.02$64.32
Midwest$4.27$68.32
Gulf CoastLowest$3.70$59.20
Rocky Mountain$4.46$71.36
West Coast$5.42$86.72
CaliforniaHighest$5.89$94.24

Prices: U.S. Energy Information Administration retail averages for the week of October 26, 2026. This week's prices by state and city.

Your own price

  • 15.0-gallon tank$64.05
  • 16.0-gallon tank$68.32
  • A year of driving (15,000 mi)$3,371

Starts at the US average for regular; type in what your station charges. For other tank sizes, use the fill-up calculator.

Escape tank size in other years

The tank changed for 2002: 15.0–16.0 gal, against 15.3 gal on the 2001 Escape.

Model yearTankLongest highway range
2007 Escape 16.5 gal 446 mi
2006 Escape 16.5 gal 446 mi
2005 Escape 15.0–16.5 gal 446 mi
2004 Escape 16.0 gal 400 mi
2003 Escape 15.0–16.0 gal 375 mi
2002 Escape 15.0–16.0 gal 375 mi
2001 Escape 15.3 gal 398 mi
Ford Escape fuel tank by model yearSmallest tank Larger tank options

2002 Ford Escape vs similar 2002 SUVs

At 16.0 gallons, the Escape's largest tank ranks second of the seven 2002 SUVs compared here. The Mazda Tribute carries the most (16.4 gal) and the Suzuki Grand Vitara the least (14.8 gal).

2002 modelTankLongest highway range
Mazda Tribute 15.3–16.4 gal 383 mi
Ford Escape 15.0–16.0 gal 375 mi
Kia Sportage 15.8 gal 332 mi
Isuzu Rodeo Sport 15.6 gal 328 mi
Saturn VUE 15.5 gal 403 mi
Honda CR-V 15.3 gal 398 mi
Suzuki Grand Vitara 14.8 gal 296 mi

Other 2002 SUVs of a similar size, one model per brand.

2002 Ford Escape fuel system recalls

None of the 8 recalls NHTSA lists for the 2002 Ford Escape involve the fuel system.

All Ford fuel recalls Look up your tank by VIN

2002 Ford Escape fuel pump and gauge parts

NHTSA lists no fuel-system recall for the 2002 Ford Escape, so a failed pump or gauge is a normal repair. These are the part numbers the makers list for it.

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

Frequently asked questions

What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2002 Ford Escape?

The 2002 Ford Escape holds between 15.0 and 16.0 gallons, depending on the trim. 16.0 gallons is the usual size; the smaller 15.0-gallon tank is on the XLS Sport 2WD 4dr SUV.

How many gallons and liters does the 2002 Ford Escape gas tank hold?

The 2002 Ford Escape tank holds 57–61 liters, or 15.0–16.0 gallons in US gallons.

Which 2002 Ford Escape has the biggest gas tank?

The 16.0-gallon tank is on the XLS Choice 2WD 4dr SUV, XLS Choice 4WD 4dr SUV, XLT Choice 2 2WD 4dr SUV and 7 other trims. The smallest tank, 15.0 gallons, is on the XLS Sport 2WD 4dr SUV.

Does 4WD change the 2002 Ford Escape gas tank?

No. FWD and 4WD versions of the 2002 Ford Escape use the same 15.0–16.0 gal tank.

How far can a 2002 Ford Escape go on a full tank?

About 345–375 miles on the highway and 256–300 miles in town, going from full to empty at its EPA ratings. Expect less in practice, since nobody runs the tank dry.

How many miles can a 2002 Ford Escape go on a quarter tank?

About 92 highway miles or 68 in town from the 16.0-gallon tank, which has roughly 4.0 gallons left at the quarter mark. Gauges aren't exact, so treat that as a guide.

How many miles does a 2002 Ford Escape really get on a tank?

Drivers who log their fill-ups at fueleconomy.gov average 20.3 MPG in the 2002 Ford Escape (21 drivers), which works out to about 325 miles on a full 16.0-gallon tank.

What gas does the 2002 Ford Escape take?

Regular unleaded. The label inside the fuel door confirms it for your car.

How much does it cost to fill up a 2002 Ford Escape?

At the US average of $4.27 a gallon for regular (EIA, week of October 26, 2026), filling the 16.0-gallon tank from empty costs $68.32. It ranges from $59.20 in the Gulf Coast to $94.24 in California.

How much does a full tank of gas weigh in a 2002 Ford Escape?

About 99 pounds for the 16.0-gallon tank. Gasoline weighs roughly 6.2 pounds a gallon.

Does the 2002 Ford Escape have a bigger gas tank than the Mazda Tribute?

No. The 2002 Mazda Tribute holds up to 16.4 gallons; the 2002 Ford Escape holds up to 16.0.

Has the 2002 Ford Escape had a fuel pump or fuel system recall?

No. None of the 8 recalls NHTSA lists for the 2002 Ford Escape involve the fuel system.

Sources

  • Tank sizes: manufacturer-rated capacities from US-market specifications, checked against independent references. Updated October 2026.
  • MPG and range: EPA ratings (fueleconomy.gov). Range is tank size times EPA MPG.
  • Fuel prices: U.S. Energy Information Administration, week of October 26, 2026 (this week's prices).
  • Recalls: NHTSA recall database (Ford fuel system recalls).
  • Real-world MPG: driver-reported fill-ups shared at fueleconomy.gov (My MPG).

Does your owner's manual say something different? Let us know and we'll fix it. More on how we check the numbers.

Other 2002 Ford models