2004 Ford Escape complaints

REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL RUSTED SHOCK CAME OFF. FORD WON'T FIX IT. DRIVING WITH ONE REAR SHOCK.

I WAS LEAVING MY PARKING SPOT WHERE THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY 45 MINUTES WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND MY BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. I DISCOVERED THAT BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING OUT OF THE BRAKE LINE IN THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL WELL. THE RUBBER HOSE HAD DETERIORATED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. YESTERDAY I WAS DRIVING WHEN MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AGAIN. WHEN I PARKED THE CAR I FOUND THAT BRAKE FLUID IS LEAKING FROM THE BRAKE LINE IN THE FRONT PASSENGERS SIDE WHEEL WELL. THE VEHICLE NOW HAD APPROXIMATELY 137000 MILES. IT APPEARS THAT THE RUBBER BRAKE LINE HOSE HAD DETERIORATED ON THAT SIDE AS WELL. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AS BOTH TIMES I WAS DRIVING MY KIDS AND HAD TO WORRY ABOUT INJURING THEM AND POTENTIALLY ANYONE ELSE ON THE ROAD AT THE TIMES THIS OCCURRED.

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

RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND SHOCK MOUNT WHICH WAS BOLTED TO IT FELL AND IS HANGING NEXT TO AND ON THE WHEEL ALONG WITH A BALL OF SHARP TWISTED METAL FROM THE WHEEL WELL. HEARD NOISES FROM BACK OF CAR PAST MONTH OR SO BUT THOUGHT IT WAS SOMETHING IN THE CARGO COMPARTMENT. THEN WENT OVER POTHOLE AND LOUD BANG LIKE THE EXHAUST PIPE FELL AND WAS DRAGGING. THEN A BURNING RUBBER SMELL. THE METAL PIECE IS ABOUT TO PIERCE THE TIRE AND THE SHOCK ITSELF IS HANGING AND BANGING AGAINST TIRE. CAR IS UNDRIVABLE AND MAY BE UNFIXABLE IN THAT THE FIX WOULD BE WORTH MORE THAN THE CAR. I OF COURSE CAN NOT GET ANOTHER CAR RIGHT NOW DUE TO FINANCIAL REASONS SO WITHOUT A CAR NOW BECAUSE OF THIS. THE OTHER WHEEL WELLS SEEM FINE, NO RUST. THOUGH THERE IS A FEW RUST SPOTS ON THE BOTTOM OF THE RUNNING BOARDS AND ONE OF THE DOORS (WHICH THERE SHOULD NOT BE IN THIS DAY AND AGE ANY RUST) TO HAVE THIS IMMENSE AMOUNT OF RUST ONLY IN ONE WELL TELLS ME SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE DESIGN OR THE PAINT JOB AT THE FACTORY. IF A TIRE BLOWS OUT IT COULD KILL SOMEONE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN AN SUV . THIS IS A DEFECT, NOT AGING. NEEDS TO BE A RECALL. THOUGH THE CAR IS 11 I HAVE LESS THAN 90,000 ON IT. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO TRASH THE CAR DUE TO BODY ROT AT 90,000. IF THIS WAS DUE TO AGING OR WEATHER ALL THE WHEEL WELLS WOULD BE LIKE THIS.

FRONT TIRES NOW EXPERIENCING EXCESSIVE WEAR AFTER THE LOWER CONTROL ARM RUSTED THROUGH. RE-ENFORCED BRACE IN MAY 2014 RECALL DOES NOT HELP PREVENT AN ACCIDENT. STEERING PULLS TO THE RIGHT WHEN TURNING. THE CONTROL ARMS NEED REPLACED.

VEHICLE AIRBAG LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THIS HAPPENS WHETHER PARKED OR DRIVING, WHETHER THERE IS A PASSENGER OR NOT. VEHICLE WILL "REV" IN PARK, IF THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED SLIGHTLY, BUMPED OR MOVE. TWICE VEHICLE HAS "JUMPED" WHILE IN PARKED WHEN THIS HAS HAPPENED. MAJOR ISSUE: DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT OPEN. THERE IS NO MANUAL LOCK ON THE DOORS, ONLY ELECTRONIC. NO PLACE FOR A KEY. PASSENGERS HAVE BEEN LOCKED INSIDE WITH NO WAY TO EXIT VEHICLE EXCEPT TO CLIMB OVER SEAT. WILL HAPPEN TO VARIOUS DOORS, MOST OFTEN THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR, BUT NOT ALL DOORS AT THE SAME TIME (WE BELIEVE THIS MAY HAPPEN,) DOOR LOCK WILL CLICK 3 TIMES BUT WILL NOT UNLOCK.

REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL WHERE THE SHOCK MOUNTS TO THE BODY IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND DETACHED FROM THE UPPER BODY OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AT ABOUT 65MPH WHEN THIS PIECE BROKE LOOSE FROM THE REST OF THE BODY. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, AND ALMOST CAUSED ME A SERIOUS ACCIDENT ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS FILED JUST IN THIS DATABASE ALONE WITH THE SAME EXACT ISSUE, RUST/CORROSION OF THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL WHERE THE SHOCK MOUNTS TO THE BODY. THE FORD DEALERSHIP THAT I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO TOLD US THAT THEY HAVE RECENTLY SEEN 4 OR 5 OTHER ESCAPES THAT HAVE THE SAME EXACT ISSUE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE, THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN.

THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL RUSTED OUT AND SEPARATED FROM VEHICLE BODY. CREATED SUSPENSION PROBLEM AND HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITION. THIS IS APPARENTLY A KNOWN ISSUE WITH SEVERAL FORD PRODUCTS ACCORDING TO THE REPAIR SHOP THAT HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED BY FORD.

CLUNKING NOISE AND ROUGH RIDE. FOUND PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL EXTREMELY RUSTED OUT AND SHOCK ESSENTIALLY DETACHED FROM VEHICLE. THE REST OF THE VEHICLE HAS NO RUST ASIDE FROM SMALL SURFACE RUST ON NON-PAINTED PIECES. SEARCHED ONLINE TO FIND THIS PROBLEM IS EXTREMELY COMMON WITH THESE ESCAPES, YET NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED DESPITE THE OBVIOUS DEFECT AND SAFETY CONCERNS. *TR

THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL HOUSING WHERE THE SHOCK MOUNT IS LOCATED RUSTED AND THERE IS A BIG HOLE. LOOKING ONLINE THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. THANK GOD I BROUGHT IT INTO MY MECHANIC BEFORE IT TORE MY TIRE APART. *TR

I WAS DRIVING AND THE REAR END OF THE TRUCK SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS FALLING APART. WHEN I STOPPED AND LOOKED THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL WAS COMPLETELY ROTTED OUT AND THE METAL PLATE THAT HOLDS THE SHOCK IN PLACE WAS HANGING AND BANGING AROUND. THE LEFT SIDE IS COMPLETELY INTACT. I TOOK IT TO CAUSEWAY COLLISION TO LOOK AT IT AND THEY SAID ITS A DEFECT AND PROBABLY NOT FIXABLE. THE TRUCK HAS HIGH MILEAGE BUT RUNS GREAT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE EMERGING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER STRAP MOUNT WAS RUSTED AND THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000. UPDATED 6/8/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL RUSTED AND CREATED A BIG HOLE, WHICH CAUSED THE TOP STRESS MOUNT TO FALL DOWN. UPDATED 06/11/15*JB

PROBLEM WITH RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL RUSTED OUT. VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND PICTURES CAN BE PROVIDED. WHEN DISCUSSING WITH MECHANIC SAID THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH ALL ESCAPES. JUST HAD THE VEHICLE OVER A YEAR AND WAS NEVER SEEN WHEN PURCHASING. WHO WOULD OF THOUGHT OF CHECKING WHEEL WELLS. SHOCK IS BARELY HANGING ON AND WAS TOLD IF DRIVEN CAN FLIP OVER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, A RATTLING NOISE WAS HEARD NEAR THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR WHEEL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS RUSTED AROUND THE SHOCKS AND CONTROL ARMS. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 7/7/15*CN UPDATED 10/05/2017*CN

THE CAR STALLS AFTER PUTTING IT IN GEAR / *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE RPMS INCREASED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAD LAMPS AND INTERIOR LIGHTING DIMMED INTERMITTENTLY AND THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000. UPDATED 11/01/16*LJ UPDATED 10/05/2017*CN

HAD BEEN NOTICING NOISES WHEN I DROVE OVER BUMPS AND ROUGH SURFACES COMING FROM THE BACK RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I HIT AN UNAVOIDABLE HOLE IN THE ROAD TODAY AND HEARD A LOUD THUMP FROM THE REAR RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I PROCEEDED TO MY SISTER'S HOUSE WHERE MY BROTHER IN-LAW CHECKED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE STRUT/SHOCK HAD BROKE THROUGH THE HORRIBLY RUSTED WHEEL WELL AND WAS HITTING THE UNDERSIDE OF THE PLASTIC WHEEL WELL COVER. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A DISASTER HAD IT HAPPENED A FEW DAYS AGO WHILE I WAS ON THE FREEWAY. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN TO SEE IF IT CAN BE FIXED. IN THE MEAN TIME I HAVE NO VEHICLE TO DRIVE AS IT IS NOT DRIVABLE. I SEE FROM NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS THAT THIS IS A CONTINUING PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. WHY IS FORD NOT BEING HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS ISSUE? I MAY HAVE TO GET ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT I AM NOT PREPARED TO DO. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT I FEEL SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. *TR

PASSENGER (RIGHT) REAR WHEEL WELL RUSTED THROUGH, CAUSING THE STRUT TO DETACH. *TR

AIR BAG LIGHT IS CONTINUALLY ON FOR MANY YEARS - FEEL A SAFETY ISSUE I HAVEN'T RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON THE AIRBAGS NO CRASH REAR INNER FENDER WELLS RUST THROUGH ON 2004 FORD ESCAPE MODELS ACCORDING TO DEALERSHIP- MANUFACTURER ISSUE - WOULD LIKE REPLACED - SAFETY ISSUE MY ENTIRE FAMILY OWNS FORD VEHICLES. MY FATHER RETIRED FROM FORD, CANTON, OHIO WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN PROUD TO BE FORD OWNERS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELTS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER INNER FENDER WELL CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER CONNECTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED INDEPENDENTLY WITH A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM SEPARATED AND THE ENTIRE FRAME WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE). THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THERE WAS A HESITATION WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE DETERMINE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

ORIGINAL OWNER, FOR ALMOST 3 YEARS NOW THE AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON PERIODICALLY, SOMETIMES FOR 1 DRIVE, SOMETIMES FOR DAYS AT A TIME THEN GO AWAY. THE LIGHT COMING ON AND GOING OFF WOULD HAPPEN FOR NO APPARENT REASON. IT DOESNT MATTER IF SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OR NOT, IVE CHECKED THE CONNECTOR UNDER THE SEAT AND IT IS FIRMLY SEATED. IN THE PAST YEAR I HAVE ALSO HAD THE BATTERY, BRAKE AND NOW ABS LIGHT COME ON. IN JANUARY OF 2014 MY ALTERNATOR DIED AND I HAD IT REPLACED, IN JANUARY OF 2015 I HAD TO REPLACE MY BATTERY. BATTERY LIGHT HAS SINCE GONE AWAY, BUT OTHER LIGHTS COME ON RANDOMLY. BASED ON THE TYPE OF WORK I DO, IM CONVINCED THERE IS A SHORT OR BAD GROUND SOMEWHERE BUT I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE TO BEGIN. FORD WANTS $160/ HR TO DIAGNOSE THIS. MY VEHICLE IS NOT ABUSED AND HAS ABOUT 110K MILES. SINCE THE WHOLE CAR IS BASED ON THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, I FEEL THIS IS SOMETHING FORD SHOULD LOOK AT, DIAGNOSE AND FIX. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 ESCAPE WHEN I HEARD A RATTLING ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE. A MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE ENTIRE SHOCK TOWER HAS RUSTED OUT AND THERE IS A WHOLE IN THE WHEEL WELL. I JUST GOT OFF THE PHONE WITH FORD ON 2/23/15 AND TOLD THEM OF THIS PROBLEM AND THEY NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING. I TOLD THEM IT AMAZING THAT I CAN FIND ALOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS AND YOU KNOW THING. ALSO TOLD THEM THAT THE LEFT SIDE SHOCK TOWER LOOKS GOOD. SO WHY IS THE RIGHT SIDE RUSTED OUT. SHE COULDN'T EXPLAIN IT. SHE SAYS SHE WILL TAKE THE COMPLAINT AND IT WILL ALSO GO TO NHTSA. WELL IT SEEM THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS. YOUR COMPLAINTS SEEM TO BE VERY SIMILAR. I DON'T HAVE MONEY TO GET THIS FIXED. BECAUSE THE BRAKE LINES WENT IN MY VEHICLE AND THE MASTER CYLINDER COST ME $860. TO GET FIXED. WHICH I THINK WAS IN A RECALL THAT YOU HAD BUT FORD COMPANY DOESN'T HAVE THAT RECALL. SO KEEP RECEIPTS FORD SAYS TO GET REIMBURSED IF STUFF GETS RECALLED. PLEASE RECALL THE SHOCK TOWER ON PASSENGER SIDE FOR RUSTING OUT AND DRIVER SIDE IS OK. SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG. FORD COMPANY NEEDS TO DEAL WITH THIS EVEN THOUGH THE CLAIM THEY NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. *TR

WAS DRIVING 25 MILES AN HOUR DOWN SMALL HILL, THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED. I HIT THE BRAKES AND THE CAR DIDN'T STOP IT FELT AS IF I WAS PUSHING THE ACCELERATOR LIKE WHEN PUSHING BUTTON! TO SPEED UP CRUISE CONTROL AND IT SLOWLY INCREASES SPEED. I SLAMMED BOTH FEET TO THE BRAKE AND WENT TO REACH FOR EMERGENCY BRAKE BUT NEVER MADE IT. I HIT THE OTHER CAR. LAST THING I REMEMBER IS HEARING METAL CRUNCH, THE NEXT THING I REMEMBER IS SMOKE, TOP OF MY HEAD ON LEFT SIDE HAIRLINE ACHED LOOKED IN MIRROR AND SAW BLOOD. STARTED LOOKING FOR MY PHONE ON THE DASH BUT IT WAS BROKEN.COULD HEAR SOMEONE TALKING, THEN PEOPLE WERE WALKING UP TO CAR. WHEN THE OFFICER GOT THERE HE ASKED WHAT I HIT MY HEAD ON I DIDN'T KNOW, HE ASKED IF I HAD MY SEATBELT ON I SAID YES. I TOLD HIM MY CAR WOULDN'T STOP. REALIZED WHEN E.M.T ASKED SAME QUESTION I KNEE I HAD IT ON BUT COULDN'T REMEMBER TAKING IT OFF, AND I TOLD HIM THAT. HE LOOKED AT CHEST DIDN'T SEE MARKS OR BRUISING, HE ASKED AGAIN IF I WAS SURE, I WAS SURE I PUT IT ON. AFTER CRASH, WHEN GOT TO TOW YARD NEXT DAY SAW MY SEAT BELT BROKE, I CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD WITH MY HEAD AND BROKE ALL UNDER STEERING WHEEL WITH MY KNEES...BUT THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED MUST HAVE BEEN AFTER I HIT EVERYTHING BECAUSE IT HIT ME IN THE ARM ONLY BASED ON THAT STINGING RED RAISED RASH THAT LATER BRUISED ON MY FOREARM, NO AIRBAG TO FACE INJURIES, JUST HIT TOP OF HEAD ON WINDSHIELD AND KNEES ON LOWER DASH UNDER STEERING WHEEL, BRUISING ON STOMACH LOWER ABDOMEN NEAR PELVIC BONE MAY

WHILE DRIVING ON A ROUGH ROAD I NOTICED A RATTLING IN THE REAR COMPARTMENT THAT I HAD NEVER HEARD BEFORE. WHEN I INVESTIGATED I FOUND THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL HAD DISINTEGRATED FROM RUST DAMAGE AND THE SHOCK IS NOW FLOATING BASICALLY FREELY WHICH IS CAUSING THE NOISE. I AM CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY AND HANDLING OF THE VEHICLE AT THIS POINT. THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH ESCAPES AND ALWAYS THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL. WHY HAS FORD NOT ISSUED A RECALL? THIS IS CLEARLY A SYSTEMATIC FAILURE. *TR

THE CAR STARTED TO RIDE ROUGH OVER SMALL BUMPS AND A THUMPING SOUND COULD BE HEARD FROM THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL. THINKING I NEEDED NEW SHOCKS I INSPECTED THE WHEEL WELL AND WAS HORRIFIED TO SEE THAT THE WHEEL WELL HOLDING THE SHOCK WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY. THERE IS A HOLE WHERE THE STEEL USED TO BE. THIS IS ONLY ON THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL AS FAR AS I CAN SEE. A LOCAL AUTO BODY SHOP WILL NOT FIX IT BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY LIABILITY AND WARNED ME NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR. THE CAR IS UNSAFE AND I AM AT A LOSS AS TO WHAT TO DO WITH IT. AFTER DOING SOME SEARCHING I HAVE FOUND MANY FORD ESCAPES WITH THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. APPARENTLY THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT THAT FORD KNOWS ABOUT AND SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR. HAD I DRIVEN THE CAR A LITTLE LONGER I COULD HAVE BEEN IN A CATASTROPHIC CRASH! FORD NEEDS TO FIX THIS OR REPLACE MY CAR. *TR

THE THROTTLE WILL STAY OPEN AS IF I HAVE THE GAS PEDAL BEING APPLIED. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SHOCK DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SHOCK DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. UPDATED 6/3/15*CN UPDATED 9/27/2017*CN

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE EQUIPPED WITH GOODRICH TIRES, TIRE LINE: LONG TRAIL, TIRE SIZE: P235/70/R16, AND DOT NUMBER: UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FRONT TIRES SLIPPED ACROSS THE ROAD WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE OBSERVED THAT THE TREADS WERE COMPLETELY WORN DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 5,000.

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE 11 MONTHS AGO, ON FEB 13,2015 AS I WAS DRIVING MY CAR BEGAN TO MAKE A VERY LOUD NOISE AS WELL AS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE UNSTABLE. THE MECHANIC REPORT STATED THAT 3 SEPARATE SPARK PLUGS HAD BLOWN OUT AND EJECTED CAUSING EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO MULTIPLE MECHANICAL MECHANISMS TO MY VEHICLE. MY VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY UN DRIVABLE, ALSO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DID NOT COME ON THE DASH BOARD OR THE MACHINE. ALSO PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT MY VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE WHILE DRIVING AND ALSO IN PARK. *JS

I PURCHASED A 2004 ESCAPE A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO. MY COUSIN HAD THE SAME CAR. WE BOTH HAD TO TAKE A FEW THOUSAND LOSS AND SELL THESE VEHICLES DUE TO SEVERE, UNSAFE WHEEL WELL RUST .NOT TO MENTION CATALYTIC CONVERTERS ON BOTH CARS WERE BAD. TWO ON EACH ESCAPE. I WAS READY TO DO REPAIRS, UNTIL A FRIEND WITH THE SAME ESCAPE HAD JUST REPAIRED THE BODY IN HIS FOR THE SAME ISSUE. SO WE ALL TOOK LOSS. WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS?? I HAD FAMILY THAT WORKED, AND RETIRED FROM FORD. I HAD SEVERAL FORD'S OVER THE YEARS. THIS HAS PUT ME IN A HOLE..BOUGHT IT FOR 6,000. JUST GAVE IT AWAY FOR 1,000. HELP. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO INDEPENDENTLY ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ACTIVATED AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HAD TO BE APPLIED IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE, BUT DISCONNECTED THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,835. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

2ND ESCAPE I'VE OWNED THAT HAS HAD THE REAR RIGHT WHEEL WELL RUST OUT, SHOCK BREAKS LOOSE. FORD SAYING IT HAS NEVER HEARD OF IT, AND YET EVERY DEALER AND BODY SHOP I'VE TALKED TO KNOWS ALL ABOUT IT. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL, FAULTY PART. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL SHOCK WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED AND FRACTURED OFF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER SETTING THE CRUISE CONTROL AT 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELERATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DEACTIVATE THE CRUISE CONTROL AND STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SEVERAL TIMES IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP ACCELERATING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PLASTIC PIECE COVERING THE THROTTLE BODY FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V353000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) BUT THE RECALL REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 7/21/15*CN THE DEALER REPLACED THE PART. UPDATED 07/28/15*JB

WHILE DRIVING TO MY HOME WENT OVER A SMALL DIP IN ROAD AND SUV MADE A VERY LOAD CLUNKING NOISE IN RIGHT REAR SECTION OF VEHICLE AND STARTED HANDLING POORLY GOT IT TO MY PARENTS HOME WHICH IS ONLY FEW MINUTES FROM INCIDENT,FATHER LOOKED AT AND FOUND RIGHT REAR STRUT MOUNT AND WHEEL TUB RUSTED OUT UNDER A THICK LAYER OF SOUND DEADENING MATERIAL APPLIED AT FACTORY MAKING IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE UNTIL IT BREAKS FREE, FATHER HAS BEEN A MECHANIC ALL HIS LIFE AND TRIED TO GET PIECES AT LOCAL SALVAGE YARDS TO REPAIR BUT FOUND ALL IN A 50 MILE RADIUS AT SALVAGE YARDS FROM YEARS 2001-2007 TO BE IN AS BAD OR WORSE CONDITION AND IS CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR PARTS ON LINE OUT OF THE RUSTBELT ,I BELIEVE IF IT HAD HAPPENED ON A TWISTY ROAD IT COULD HAVE BEEN A BIGGER PROBLEM FORTUNATELY IT WAS A FAIRLY LEVEL STRAIGHT ROAD I CAN ONLY ASSUME THERE ISN'T AN INVESTIGATION ON THESE IS THAT MOST PEOPLE DON'T NOW WHERE TO GO TO FILE A COMPLAINT I ONLY NEW TO GO HERE BECAUSE MY FATHER TOLD ME TOO,AS HE BELIEVES IT TO BE A MAJOR DESIGN FLAW THAT MAY OR COULD LEAD TO INJURIES *TR

HIT A BUMP AND VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A RATTLING NOISE ON EVERY LITTLE BUMP.FOUND PASSENGER SIDE REAR SHOCK MOUNT HAD BROKEN THROUGH BODY-RUST ALL AROUND WHEEL WELL.CHECKED DRIVERS SIDE-OK. HAVE ALWAYS WASHED ON REGULAR BASIS.HAS TO BE SOME MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *TR

WHEN DRIVING HOME ON 12/30/14, I HEARD A LOUD RATTLE COMING FROM THE RIGHT REAR OF THE VEHICLE. I LOOKED IN THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A LOT OF RUST. I DID NOT DRIVE IT AGAIN UNTIL I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC TO HAVE IT INSPECTED ON 1/6/15. HE INFORMED ME THAT THE WHEEL WELL WAS RUSTED AND THE STRUT COULD BREAK LOOSE. HE ALSO INFORMED ME THAT HE HAD NEVER SEEN A VEHICLE DO THIS. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND I SHOULD NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT IS FIXED. HE ALSO CHECKED TO SEE IF ANYONE IN THE AREA WOULD BE ABLE TO FIX IT SINCE HE IS NOT EQUIPPED TO DO SO. NO LUCK WITH THAT. AFTER SEEING HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR FORD ESCAPE, I WOULD EXPECT THAT THE FORD COMPANY WOULD DO THE RIGHT THING, TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DEFECT AND MAKE IT RIGHT. I AM PREPARED TO FOLLOW THROUGH TO HAVE THIS MATTER TAKEN CARE OF, EVEN IF I HAVE TO TAKE IT TO LANSING AND WASHINGTON. *TR

EXCESSIVE CORROSION IN REAR WHEEL WELLS, STRAPS HOLDING GAS TANK AND UNDERSIDE OF RUNNING BOARDS. BOTH RUNNING BOARDS COMPLETELY FELL OFF, THE STRAPS HOLDING THE TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE TANK WAS IN DANGER OF FALLING OFF. THIS CAR IS IN A COVERED GARAGE 90% OF THE TIME. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT A UNKNOWN SPEED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER AND THE DRIVER SIDE SUB FRAME AND THE SUSPENSION WAS RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

ANOTHER CASE OF A 2004 FORD ESCAPE WITH EXTENSIVE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL RUST PUTTING THE STRUT IN DANGER OF COMING THROUGH THE BODY. I'M CURRENTLY TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW AND WHERE TO GET IT REPAIRED. THIS SEEMS TO BE A FLAW IN THE DESIGN OF THE PRODUCT. WHILE ONE WOULD HOPE FORD WOULD STEP UP I'M NOT SEEING ANYTHING ON THEIR PART SO FAR. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE REAR HOUSE PANEL STRUCTURE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

I HEARD A LOUD THUMP IN RIGHT REAR OF MY VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION THE ENTIRE RIGHT REAR WHEEL IS ROTTED OUT AND IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN I STARTED HEARING A LOUD THUMPING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION I DISCOVERED THERE WAS RUST INSIDE THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL AND THAT THE SHOCK MOUNT WAS UNATTACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. *TR

RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL ROTTED OUT WHERE SHOCK ATTACHES TO THE BODY. SEEMS THROUGH RESEARCH THAT THIS IS PROBLEM WITH MOST OWNERS IN THE MID WEST. CONTACTED LOCAL FORD DEALER AND INFORMED TO CONTACT YOU AS WELL AS FORD MOTOR COMPANY. THE TOOK PICTURES TO FORWARD ON TO THE ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT AT FORD. *TR

I WAS IN A HEAD ON CRASH GOING APPROXIMATED 35 MPH AND MY AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SHOCK MOUNT WAS RUSTED AND FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 162,000.

I HAD TO AVOID A BICYCLIST AND RAN UP OVER THE CURB AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 35, I NOTICED RIGHT AWAY UPON DRIVING AWAY THAT THERE WAS A GREAT RATTLE IN THE RIGHT SIDE REAR SUSPENSION. I HAD IT LOOKED AT BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY, THEY TOLD ME THE UPPER STRUT MOUNT BROKE OFF. BECAUSE OF THE RUST NOONE WILL FIX IT. THE CAR OTHERWISE IS IN PERFECT SHAPE, NO OTHER RUST PRESENT ON THE CAR. THIS OBVIOUSLY IS A DEFECT IN THE FORD PRODUCT, FORD WILL NOT RETURN MY CALLS! *TR