Page 2 of 10 · complaints 51–100 of 499

2004 Ford Escape complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2004 record →

Structure › Body
Filed Jul 9, 2017MO

WE HAD NOTICED WE WAS GETTING WATER INSIDE OUR ESCAPE BAD IT WAS STANDING WATER IN FLOOR BOARD SO WE LOOKED AT THE INNER AND OUTER WHEEL HOUSING AND IT WAS RUSTED VERY BAD THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS NOT SAFE FOR US TO DRIVE. THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS THE WORST. THEY HAD TO WELD IN PIECES TO TRUCK AND FLOOR BOARDS NOW MIND YOU WE HAVE AN 11 YEAR OLD THAT RIDES RIGHT WHERE THIS WAS RUSTED THE WORST :( WHEN WE NOTICED THIS WE WAS IN KANSAS CITY MISSOURI AND HAD TO DRIVE HOME TO CARROLLTON. MISSOURI .I WILL HAVE A REPAIR INVOICE THIS WEEK CAUSE IT IS IN THE SHOP NOW GETTING FIXED AND THEY TOLD US AT THE SHOP THEY HAVE HAD TO REDO A LOT OF THESE BUT HAS NEVER BEEN THIS BAD PLEASE HELP SOMEONE IS GONNA GET HURT BAD.ALSO THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR SO PLEASE HELP WITH THIS.IF YOU SEND ME SOMEWHERE TO SEND PICS I WILL GET THEM FROM THE SHOP BECAUSE THEY TOOK SOME.THANK YOU FOR TAKING TIME TO READ THIS

Suspension
Filed Jul 7, 2017NY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD A RATTLING NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE STRUT DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED HOWELL MOTORS (LOCATED ON 6488 RIDGE ROAD LOCKPORT 14094) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15E045000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT NHTSA ISSUED RECALLS. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 3, 2017GA

I BELIEVE I HAVE BEEN A VICTIM OF ODOMETER FRAUD. I PURCHASED MY 2004 FORD ESCAPE XLT FROM FIRST CHOICE RENTAL CARS & SALES 3517 OLD PETERSBURG RD MARTINEZ GA 30907. I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FOR $4700 IN CASH. I RECENTLY FOUND OUT THROUGH CARFAX THAT I AM THE 4TH OWNER AND THE ODOMETER WAS PREVIOUSLY AT 186,475. MY CAR ODOMETER IS CURRENTLY READING AT 147,355 AND COUNTING BECAUSE I DRIVE THIS CAR DAILY. WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THE BILL OF SALE DID NOT HAVE THE MILEAGE ON IT, THE BILL STATED EXEMPT. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW CAN I GET MY MONEY BACK FOR THE VEHICLE, BECAUSE I WOULD HAVE NEVER BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE IF I WOULD HAVE KNOW THE ODOMETER HAD BEEN ROLLED BACK.

Engine and Engine CoolingCrash
Filed Jun 28, 2017199,400 milesCT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHEN THE GEAR WAS SHIFTED INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATED IN EXCESS OF 30 MPH. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL AND SHUTTING OFF THE ENGINE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC (CT CONVEYOR LLC LOCATED AT 320 TERRYVILLE RD, BRISTOL, CT 06010; (860) 637-2926) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 12V353000 AND 14V165000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL AND STRUCTURE). THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 199,400. ..UPDATED 08/31/17 *BF *CN

Engine
Filed Jun 12, 2017120,000 milesKS

MY 04 FORD ESCAPE HAS A 4 CYLINDER AND IS A MANUAL. IT HAS BEGUN TO ACCELERATE BY ITSELF. IT WILL ACCELERATE WHETHER IT IS IN GEAR OR IN NEUTRAL. I ASSUMED THERE WOULD RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM, AS I KNOW OTHER VEHICLES HAVE BEEN IN SERIOUS ACCIDENTS WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS. I CAN TAKE MY FOOT OFF OF THE PEDAL AND IT WILL STAY AT A STEADY SPEED, OR ACCELERATE, ON ITS OWN. OFTEN WHEN I'M SWITCHING GEARS, PUT IT IN NEUTRAL, IT WILL SELF-REV ITSELF UP TO 4000+ RPMS! I WILL HAVE TO WAIT AND COAST FOR ABOUT 10 TO 30 SECONDS FOR IT TO BRING ITSELF BACK DOWN TO A REASONABLE RPM TO GET IT INTO THE NEXT GEAR. SO, IT IS INTERMITTENT, BUT HAPPENS ABOUT 50% OF THE TIME YOU ARE DRIVING IT, AND AT TIMES CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS. I ASSUMED FORD MIGHT PAY FOR THE REPAIR AS THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION, HOWEVER MY DEALER SAYS "NO" BECAUSE THERE IS NO RECALL.

Engine
Filed May 1, 2017140,000 milesNY

VEHICLE AT IDLE, MISFIRED. PULLED OFF AND WENT TO DRIVE ONTO THE HIGHWAY. VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AND IT GOT WORSE. A SMELL CAME FROM THE FRONT AND SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE DASH. HAD THE DRIVER, TWO TODDLERS, AND I (PASSENGER) IN THE VEHICLE. DRIVER AND I WERE COUGHING FROM THE SMELL AND THE SMOKE. HAD TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS IN THE FRONT AND PARTLY ROLL THEM DOWN IN THE REAR DURING THE RAIN. MADE IT 2-3 MILES BEFORE WE TURNED AROUND AND WENT BACK HOME.

Structure › Body
Filed Apr 24, 2017PA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS CRACKED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DAMAGE WAS TOO EXTENSIVE TO BE REMEDIED PER THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT DUE TO THE AGE AND MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE, ASSISTANCE WOULD BE DENIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Structure › Body
Filed Apr 12, 2017118,000 milesIA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY BOUNCED UP AND DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED AND CORRODED AND THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE), BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Apr 12, 2017160,270 milesMI

WHEN PRESSIG ON THE GAS PEDAL TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE , MY VEHICLE BEGAN TO INCRESS IN SPEED AND WOULD NOT STOP.THE PEDAL STUCK AND I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE SPEED OF THIS VEHICLE. SPEED REDUCED WHEN GEAR SHIFT PLACED IN NETURAL AND THEN WHEN SLOW ENOUGH INTO REVERSE. WHEW!!!! WIFE AND I THOUGHT WE WERE A GONNER. THIS HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY. SEED REACHED COLSE TO 90 MILE AN HOUR BEFOR BROUGHT UNDER CONTROL.

Suspension
Filed Apr 12, 2017155,000 milesMI

STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS. MY LOWER CONTROL ARM REAR RIGHT RUSTED OUT SEPARATING ENTIRELY FROM THE BODY OF MY ESCAPE. I LIVE IN MICHIGAN AND NOTICED A FORD RECALL 14V165000 BUT WHEN I CALLED THE FORD DEALERSHIP THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT AFFECTED BY IT. I QUIT DRIVING MY FORD FOR RISK OF CRASHING. PLEASE INFORM ME WHY MY VEHICLE IS NOT AFFECTED BUT IT IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO MY FORD. [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'*JB

Structure › Body
Filed Mar 29, 2017PA

MY 2004 FORD ESCAPE HAS MAJOR RUST ISSUES THAT HAS AFFECTED THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEABLE UNLESS THE RUST IS REPAIRED. I JUST FILED A COMPLAINT WITH FORD (CASE #CAS12002459). CURRENTLY THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE AND AS A CONSUMER I AM TURNING TO THE NHTSA FOR SUPPORT IN HAVING FORD MAKE THE NCESSARY REPAIRS YO MY VEHICLE.

Unknown or Other
Filed Mar 13, 2017188,259 milesMI

DANGEROUS FAILURE OF MY CAR FRAME, WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A PUBLIC ROAD. THIS FAILURE HAPPENED AFTER THE FRAME PROBLEM WAS IDENTIFIED AND REMEDIED A FEW YEARS EARLIER. IT WAS A SEPARATION OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WHERE IT MEETS THE FRAME. VERY SCARY.

Power Train
Filed Feb 10, 2017135,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE BECAME UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 135,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Jan 24, 2017209,000 milesWI

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON A SMOOTH ROADWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY REAR END STARTED TO CLUNK AND BANG. I WAS SO STARTLED THAT I HAD TO PULL OVER IN HEAVY MORNING TRAFFIC AND HAD TO MISS WORK AND TAKE IT TO A MECHANIC WHERE I WAS TOLD THE REAR SHOCK ASSEMBLIES HAD SNAPPED FROM THE VEHICLE. AFTER DUE DILIGENCE I FOUND THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED FOR THE FRONT END FOR THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL BECAUSE OF MOUNTS SEPARATING FROM THE AUTO DUE TO SALT AND CORROSION. WHEN I CONTACTED FORD I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THAT SITUATION, BUT I DID FIND A LARGE AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS FROM INDIVIDUALS WITH THE SAME ISSUE IN THEIR SAME YEAR AND MODEL ESCAPES. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME AT THE LEAST IT WILL BE 1800 TO FIX, BUT SINCE THERE IS NO METAL TO WELD TO IT WILL REQUIRE A FULL REBUILD OF THE BODY, MOUNTS, AND FRAME IN THAT AREA. THE FOLLOWING SITE IS A REPRESENTATION OF THE ISSUEHTTP://WWW.FORDFORUMS.COM/F59/2005-ESCAPE-SHOCK-MOUNT-RUSTED-OUT-177762/INDEX4.HTML. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jan 23, 201778,446 milesMI

UNABLE TO ACCELERATE CAR WHILE DRIVING FORWARD ON A CITY STREET. AFTER GETTING THE VEHICLE TO A SAFE LOCATION WE NOTICED THE CABLE CONNECTING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAD SHEARED AND COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE PEDAL. *TR

Structure › BodyCrash
Filed Dec 30, 2016130,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SWERVED INDEPENDENTLY INTO A DITCH. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED AND DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Nov 21, 2016100,000 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT WANT TO REPLACE THE SUBFRAME FOR FREE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN LONG DISTANCES. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Suspension
Filed Nov 17, 2016116,000 milesWI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD AT ANY SPEED, A THUMPING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL WAS RUSTED AND THE SHOCK ABSORBER HAD LOOSENED. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000.

Electrical System
Filed Nov 2, 201672,000 milesCA

ABS LIGHT AND ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING AND VEHICLE SHUT DOWN COMPLETELY. TOWED TO SHOP TO HAVE REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY BAD. SINCE THEN 3- ALTERNATORS, 2- BATTERIES, 3- O2 SENSORS, AND AN AIRBAG LIGHT THAT BLINKS ON AND OFF AND ILLUMINATES WHEN YOU HONK THE HORN ON THE STEERING WHEEL. ALSO WHEN TURNING ON HEADLIGHTS, ALL DASH LIGHTS AND STEREO CONSOLE LIGHTS DIM TO ALMOST INVISIBLE. TOOK TO 4 DIFFERENT FORD DEALERSHIPS AND NO ONE CAN FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM!!!! THIS COMPANY SHOULD REALIZE THIS CAR IS A LEMON, AND BACK THEIR WORKMANSHIP. AND BLOW THIS CAR UP !!! *TR

Power Train
Filed Oct 25, 2016150,000 milesNJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND SHIFTING INTO PARK, THE GEAR SHIFT INDICATED THAT IT WAS IN THE PARK POSITION. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN THE DRIVE POSITION AND WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF THE DRIVE POSITION. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V606000 (POWER TRAIN). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Oct 24, 2016111,255 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED AND AFFECTED THE CONTROL ARM. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FRONT SUBFRAME RUST; HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT REQUESTED THAT THE VIN BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,255.

Suspension
Filed Sep 30, 2016MI

STRUT MOUNT PASSENGER SIDE REAR RUSTED RIGHT OUT

Steering
Filed Sep 13, 2016OH

MY VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR RECALL THAT WAS ISSUED. THE RECALL WAS FOR THE SUBFRAME RUSTING THROUGH WHERE IT MEETS THE CONTROL ARM RESULTING IN STEERING FAILURE. MY VEHICLE HAD THIS PROBLEM UNDER WAY AND WAS RUSTED THROUGH TO THE POINT OF SEPARATION. THE DEALERSHIP PERFORMED THE RECALL AND INSTALLED A "BRACE" ON THE SUBFRAME BUT ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF THE SEPARATION, WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT THE RECALL IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT. THE DEALER STATED THAT SINCE THE FAILURE/SEPARATION HAD ALREADY BEGUN THEY COULD NOT REPAIR IT AND GAVE ME THE VEHICLE BACK IN A CONDITION WHICH IS "UNSAFE TO DRIVE", ACCORDING TO THE WORD OF THE DEALERSHIP. MY CONCERN IS THAT MY VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAFETY ISSUE FOR WHICH THE RECALL WAS ISSUED AND THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT RESOLVE THE RECALL ISSUE.

Structure › Body
Filed Aug 30, 2016OH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE AND FRAME FRACTURED AND CAUSED SPARKS TO EMIT FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD RECEIVED NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Structure › Body
Filed Aug 29, 2016111,140 milesIL

PASSENGER REAR WHEEL WELL HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND SHOCK AND MOUNT HAVE RUSTED AND BROKEN OFF OF FRAME. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON A VILLAGE STREET, HIT A ROUGH PATCH OF ROAD BY A MANHOLE AND HEARD A TERRIFYING NOISE, THEN IT SOUNDED LIKE THE BACK OF THE CAR WAS GOING TO FALL OFF. UPON PARKING AND INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE BROKEN PIECE WAS PRESSED AGAINST THE REAR TIRE, AND HAD RUBBED SOME OF THE RUBBER OFF IN THE SHORT TIME IT WAS DRIVEN AFTERWARD. RESEARCH SHOWS THAT FRAME CORROSION SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE, AND THERE WAS A RECALL FOR CORROSION ON THE FRONT END. IT SEEMS THAT IT SHOULD BE FOR THE ENTIRE FRAME, AND RECTIFIED BEFORE ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES OCCUR. MY VEHICLE FALLS UNDER THOSE DATE AND STATE PARAMETERS, YET THE VIN # IS NOT INCLUDED FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON. FRONT RECALL: FORD MOTOR COMPANY (FORD) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001-2004 ESCAPE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED OCTOBER 22, 1999, THROUGH JANUARY 23, 2004, ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THESE VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE CORROSION AT THE FORWARD ATTACHMENT OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM. CONSEQUENCE: A SEPARATION OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM CAN RESULT IN A SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. REM

Suspension
Filed Aug 28, 201685,000 milesOH

END OF MARCH 2015 OWNER OF SERVICE STATION DECLARED MY VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. UNDERNEATH BAR THAT GOES BETWEEN THE FRONT TIRES WAS RUSTED AND SNAPPED. FORTUNATELY THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE DRIVE WAY WHEN THE BAR SNAPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN FORWARD MOTION IN THE DRIVEWAY WHEN BAR SNAPPED. DRIVING THE VEHICLE YOU FELT UNSAFE.

Structure › Body
Filed Aug 22, 2016180,000 milesCA

STRUCTURAL EXCESSIVE RUST AND CORROSION REAR WHEELS

Structure › Body
Filed Aug 22, 2016188,000 milesMN

REAR STRUCTURAL BODY, JOINTS, MASSIVE RUST AND CORROSION.

Suspension
Filed Aug 9, 2016103,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE SHOCK ABSORBER ENTERED THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHOCK MOUNT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

Service Brakes
Filed Aug 2, 2016160,000 milesMA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED DURING THE INCIDENT. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

Steering
Filed Aug 2, 2016WI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING FAILED AND THE MANUAL STEERING WOULD ACTIVATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE TO BE TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED IN ORDER TO ACTIVATE THE POWER STEERING. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL AND NO LONGER COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

Engine
Filed Jul 26, 2016169,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE SERVICING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS OBSERVED THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 169,000.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 21, 2016135,004 milesVA

IN APRIL 2016, I PURCHASED A USED 2004 FORD ESCAPE WITH APPROXIMATELY 130,000 MILES ON IT. THE VEHICLE HAD A RECENT STATE INSPECTION STICKER VERIFYING THAT IT PASSED ALL STATE SAFETY STANDARDS. HOWEVER, AFTER DRIVING THE ESCAPE FOR ONLY A FEW DAYS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON INTERMITTENTLY AND THE VEHICLE WOULD QUIT RUNNING PROPERLY AND STALL. THIS WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTINGLY WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AND OTHER TIMES WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE INTO TWO DIFFERENT MECHANICS AND THEY COULD NOT PROPERLY DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM DUE TO THE COMPLEXITY OF THE STALLING ISSUE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT NO LONGER COMES ON, BUT THE STALLING PROBLEM KEEPS GETTING WORSE. MY SPOUSE NO LONGER DRIVES THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY ISSUES OF STALLING ON THE HIGHWAYS AND IT STORE PARKING LOTS. ON JULY 21, 2016, I DROVE THE ESCAPE FOR A 200 MILE ROUND-TRIP. DURING THE FIRST 100 MILES, GOING TO THE DESTINATION, THE VEHICLE RAN GREAT WITHOUT A SINGLE PROBLEM. UNFORTUNATELY, DURING THE RETURN TRIP HOME, I BECAME SCARED AS THE VEHICLE BEGAN INTERMITTENTLY STALLING IN 4 LANES OF INTERSTATE TRAFFIC THAT WAS TRAVELING AT 55+ MILES PER HOUR'AND I HAD TO TRY RESTARTING MY VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, WHILE TRAVELING IN NEUTRAL IN THE MIDDLE OF 4 LANES OF INTERSTATE TRAFFIC. I PLAN TO BRING OUR VEHICLE BACK TO ANOTHER MECHANIC, SO THEY CAN TRY TO PROPERLY ADDRESS THIS SAFETY ISSUE'HOPEFULLY BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT ACCIDENTALLY WITH THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLING IN HEAVY TRA

Air Bags
Filed Jul 21, 2016130,000 milesVA

IN APRIL 2016, I PURCHASED A USED 2004 FORD ESCAPE WITH APPROXIMATELY 130,000 MILES ON IT. THE VEHICLE HAD A RECENT STATE INSPECTION STICKER VERIFYING THAT IT PASSED ALL STATE SAFETY STANDARDS, TO INCLUDE HAVING WORKING AIRBAGS. HOWEVER, AFTER DRIVING THE ESCAPE FOR ONLY A FEW DAYS, THE AIRBAG LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND LATER STAYED ON. NOW THE AIRBAG STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. DURING THIS SAME TIME, THE VEHICLE ALSO STARTED EXPERIENCE AN INTERMITTENT STALLING PROBLEM. NOT SURE IF THESE PROBLEMS ARE CONNECTED TO A LARGER ISSUE...ESPECIALLY SINCE BOTH PROBLEMS STARTED OCCURRING AT THE SAME TIME. AFTER READING VARIOUS ARTICLES ONLINE, I REALIZED THAT THE AIRBAG LIGHT ISSUE IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG FORD ESCAPES AND EXPENSIVE TO FIX AND SOMETIMES A REOCCURRING PROBLEM. I HAVE DRIVEN MANY OTHER VEHICLES (NON-FORD) WITH OVER 200,000 MILES ON THEM, AND NONE OF THESE VEHICLES HAVE EVER HAD ANY NON-OPERABLE AIRBAG ISSUES. DUE TO THIS BEING A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, WITH AIRBAG(S) IN THE FORD ESCAPES BECOMING PREMATURELY INOPERABLE, FORD SHOULD MAKE A SAFETY RECALL TO FIX THIS PROBLEM...BEFORE SOMEONE ACCIDENTALLY GETS HURT OR KILLED, FROM HAVING AN INOPERABLE AIRBAG OR AIRBAGS IN THEIR VEHICLE.

Steering
Filed Jul 14, 201699,987 milesMA

HAD A RECALL FROM FORD SHORTLY AFTER BUYINY CAR IN 2014 ABOUT SUBFRAME RUST.FORD SAID THEY FIXED PROBLEM.ABOUT A YEAR LATER THE SUBFRAME BROKE COMPLEXLY MAKING FRONE WHEEL WOBBLE AND PULL TO RIGHT I WENT OFF THE ROAD INTO SOME BRUSH BEFORE I GOT CONTROL OF CAR!!I MADE IT HOME AND SAW THE (FIX)A PIECE OF FLAT STEEL HOLDING LEFT FRAME TO RIGHT NOT A REPAIR AT NEED TO REPLACE COMPLETE SUB FRAME.FORD BLAMED IT ON DEALER.DEALER WILL NOT SPEAK TO ME ABOUT IT.I ALSO HAD PROMLEM WITH RIGHT REAR SHOCK COMING UP THROUGH FLOOR NO RECALL ON THAT.LUCKY NO INJURY OR DEATH.

Structure › Body
Filed Jun 24, 2016101,000 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME FOR THE STEERING WAS DETERIORATING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Jun 16, 2016190,000 milesIN

DROVE MY 2004 FORD ESCAPE 20 MINUTES TO GET PIZZA AND COME BACK HOME PARKED IT AT 8PM BY 12:30AM NEIGHBORS BANGING ON DOOR YOUR CARS ON FIRE!!!! I'M IN BELIEVE THE ABS MODULE CAUGHT FIRE RECALL IS OUT FORD SAYS MY VEHICLE DOESN'T APPLY

Suspension
Filed Jun 16, 2016120,000 milesOH

THE RIGHT REAR SUSPENSION SYSTEM DISINTEGRATED REQUIRING $1,300 FOR BODY SHOP REPAIR. THIS APPARENTLY OCCURS REGULARLY ON THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 12, 2016144,500 milesPA

AIRBAG LIGHT BLINKS OR CONTINUOUSLY STAYS ON...ALSO REAR PASSENGER SHOCK HAS BROKEN AWAY FROM WHEEL WELL CAUSING UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITIONS. I JUST HAD THIS VEHICLE FINANCED BACK IN FEBRUARY 2016.

Air Bags
Filed Jun 8, 2016100,000 milesGA

THE SRS AIRBAG LIGHT WAS BLINKING-THE CODE SAID THAT THE SEATBELT CONNECTOR HAD FAILED-THEY HAD TO REMOVE AND REPLACE THE SEATBELT CONNECTORS COSTING US 493.13, AND THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT FORD SHOULD COVER UNDER A WARRANTY OR SAFETY RECALL. I AM OUT 493.13 PLUS THE 100.00 DIAGNOSTIC FEE AND NEED TO BE COMPENSATED FOR THIS. I HAVE ATTACHED THE SERVICES PERFORMED BY THE REPAIR SHOP. FORD SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY OR ANY RECALL. THAT IS RIDICULOUS. PLEASE ADVISE. THANKS

Air BagsCrashFire1 injured
Filed May 28, 2016FL

TAKATA RECALL

Power Train
Filed May 10, 2016133,000 milesIL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE WOULD NEED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000.

Structure › Body
Filed May 1, 20167 milesIN

I HEARD RATTLING FROM THE BACK OF MY CAR LIKE A TIN THERMOS ROLLING AROUND. I LOOKED AT THE BACK AND WAS INSPECTING MY VEHICHLE. ONCE I TOOK OUT THE SPARE TIRE COVER I DISCOVERED A HUGE HOLE IN THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL. I CALLED MY DEALER ABOUT THE ISSUE AND BROUGHT THE CAR IN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO BE SERVICED. I HAVE LOOKED THIS UP ONLINE TO SEE IF THERE IS A RECALL FOR AN ISSUE LIKE THIS AND I AM FINDING THAT MANY FORD ESCAPE OWNERS FROM 2005-2006 ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THIS ISSUE IS A SAFETY HAZARD. I AM CURRENTLY UNABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR AS MY DEALER IS NOT COMFORTABLE LETTING USE DRIVE IT, AND THEIR BODY SHOP WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR IT SAYING THAT IT WAS TO COMPROMISED AND WOULD BE LIABILITY

Structure › Body
Filed Apr 29, 2016MI

VEHICLE STEERING HAS BECOME UNSTABLE AND WOBBLY. TOOK IT TO THE SHOP TO CHECK ON THE ALIGNMENT, AND WAS TOLD THE ENTIRE SUBFRAME HAS CORRODED. I FOUND A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE, BUT APPARENTLY MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, EVEN THOUGH IT HAS THE SAME ISSUE.

Structure › Body
Filed Apr 7, 2016154,000 milesMI

PASSENGER SIDE REAR INNER WHEEL WELL AND STRUT MOUNT RUSTED OUT. HOLE THE SIZE OF A GRAPEFRUIT. APPARENTLY THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR OF VEHICLE. COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS EXACT ISSUE ALL OVER THE INTERNET YET NO SAFETY RECALL REGARDING THE PROBLEM. MY STRUT HAS NOT YET PROTRUDED AND BROKEN THROUGH THE MOUNT BUT WILL SHORTLY IF NOT ADDRESSED.

Structure › Body
Filed Mar 28, 2016111,000 milesMS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED FROM A PARKING SPOT, THERE WAS EVIDENCE OF FRAGMENTS OF CORRODED METAL UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELLS WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE INSPECTED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS EXTREME CORROSION TO THE FUEL TANK, THE FUEL TANK STRAPS, AND THE ENTIRE REAR SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Mar 25, 2016IN

PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL RUSTED. SHOCK MOUNT IS NOW COMPLETELY DISCONNECTED.

Suspension
Filed Mar 21, 2016109,250 milesWI

RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL IS TOTALLY RUSTED THROUGH, LEFT SIDE SLIGHTLY STARTED RUSTING, CAUSING SHOCKS TO BREAK FREE FROM FRAME

Structure › Body
Filed Mar 18, 2016200,000 milesMT

THE WHEEL WELL ON THE RIGHT REAR SIDE OF CAR COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT CAUSING MY SHOCK TO BE FREE IN MY CAR. FORD WILL NOT FIX IT AND IT IS A SERIOUS ISSUE. A QUICK SEARCH WILL REVEAL AT LEAST 96 OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THE EXACT SAME ISSUE IN THE EXACT SAME AREA OF THE VEHICLE

Air BagsCrash
Filed Mar 11, 2016120,000 milesNM

TAKATA RECALL

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2004 Ford Escape → · Every Escape year → · How the figures are calculated →