2004 Ford Escape complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WHEEL HOUSE STRUT MOUNT WAS ENTIRELY RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM, THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE 105,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE BEING SERVICED, IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS EXTREMELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT WORTH REPAIRING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V165000 (SUSPENSION FRONT) HOWEVER, THE CONTACT NO LONGER OWNED THE VEHICLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.

I HAVE A 2004 FORD ESCAPE (6 CYL., FRONT WHEEL DRIVE) THAT NOW HAS OVER 110,000 MILES. AT 108,465 MILES, THE #2 CATALYTIC CONVERTER BLEW AND WAS REPLACED (ALONG WITH ALL 6 IGNITION COILS). A SECOND MECHANIC FOUND DEBRIS IN THE #3 CATALYTIC CONVERTER, CLEANED IT AND THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. (THE ENGINE WAS NOT GETTING ENOUGH AIR PASSING THROUGH THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND WOULD BARELY MAKE IT UP A HILL.) THEN HE DISCOVERED THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL WAS RUSTING OUT POSING A SEVERE THREAT THAT THE SHOCK ABSORBER WILL PUNCH THROUGH INTO THE BODY OF THE CAR MAKING THE ESCAPE TOTALLY INOPERABLE. A RECALL IS ALREADY OUT FOR FORD MINIVANS FOR THE SAME ISSUE BUT APPARENTLY NOT FOR THE ESCAPES. WHY NOT? THIS CAN BE REPAIRED AT A COST OF NEARLY $2,000. WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND IGNITION COILS, I'VE ALREADY SPENT OVER $2500 AND DON'T HAVE THE $2,000 FOR THIS NECESSARY REPAIR DUE TO POOR MATERIALS USED TO MAKE THIS VEHICLE. *TR

THE REAR HATCH GLASS HINGE BOLTS SHEARED ON BOTH HINGES DURING HATCH CLOSURE. THE REAR HATCH GLASS IS ONLY HELD ON BY REAR SHOCKS. THE INSIDE BOLTS BOTH HAVE SOME CORROSION. THE REAR GLASS IS NOT DAMAGED. *TR

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND HIT A POTHOLE, AFTER HITTING THE POTHOLE THERE WAS A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR. AFTER INSPECTION THE ENTIRE SHOCK MOUNT HAD RUSTED AWAY FROM THE BODY AND BECAME SEPARATED. IT WAS FREE TO JOLT AROUND AND CAUSE FURTHER DAMAGE. NOT SAFE TO BE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE NOW. *TR

I'M DRIVING ON A NEWLY PAVED STREET WHEN I HEARD A LARGE NOISE, LIKE A BOMB GOING OFF, NEAR THE RIGHT REAR OF MY VEHICLE. THEN I HEARD SOMETHING HITTING AGAINST THE RIGHT REAR TIRE. I PULLED OVER AND LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE WHEN I LOOKED UNDER THE VEHICLE TO THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL THE WELL WAS RUSTED OUT AND THE SHOCK AND MOUNT WAS NOW DETACHED FROM THE FRAME. THE FORD ESCAPE IS NOT DRIVABLE. THE REAR WHEEL WELL IS SO RUSTED OUT THERE IS A HOLE INTO THE STORAGE COMPARTMENT IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN I LOOK FROM INSIDE THE STORAGE COMPARTMENT/HATCH AREA OF THE ESCAPE I CAN SEE THE OUTSIDE THROUGH THE HOLE. *TR

RUBBER BRAKE HOSE ON PASSENGER SIDE FRONT RUPTURED CAUSING ALL BRAKE FLUID TO DRAIN FROM SYSTEM. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS FOUND THE DRIVER SIDE REAR RUBBER BRAKE HOSE WAS NEAR FAILURE. FORD SERVICE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT HE HAD SEEN SEVERAL FAILURES ON FORD ESCAPES. THIS FAILURE CAUSES THE BRAKES TO FAIL COMPLETELY WITH NO BRAKE PEDAL RESPONSE. *TR

MY WIFE NOTICED A CLUNKING COMING FROM THE RIGHT REAR OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS ABLE TO IDENTIFY THAT THE ISSUE IS A SEPARATION IN THE WHEELHOUSE WHERE THE STRUT ATTACHES TO THE WHEEL WELL. THE FACTORY-APPLIED UNDERCOATING FAILED AND CAUSED THE METAL AREA BENEATH IT TO RUST OUT. THERE IS A VISIBLE HOLE IN THE STRUCTURE, AND WE ARE ABLE TO SEE INTO THE TRUNK AREA. OUR BODY SHOP ADVISES THAT THE VEHICLE IS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE, AND THAT FULL DETACHMENT OF THE TOP STRUT MOUNT IS IMMINENT. AFTER INVESTIGATION, HE ALSO ADVISES US THAT HE FOUND ONLINE NEARLY 100 SIMILAR INCIDENTS ON SIMILAR VEHICLES RANGING FROM 2004-2006, ALL WITH VARYING MILEAGE. IN FACT, HE HAS TWO VEHICLES ON HIS PROPERTY THAT SHARE THE SAME CONCERN: ONE LOST FULL INTEGRITY, AND THE STRUT BLEW THROUGH THE BODY INTO THE CARGO SPACE; THE OTHER SHARES A SIMILAR LEVEL OF FAILURE AS OUR CAR. IT IS ALSO HIS PROFESSIONAL OPINION THAT THIS SORT OF RUST-OUT IS NOT COMMON NOR EXPECTED OF A VEHICLE THIS AGE. AFTER EXTENSIVE LOCAL RESEARCH AND PERSONAL INVESTIGATION, I HAVE FOUND IN MY CITY ALONE A HALF DOZEN FORD ESCAPE-STYLE VEHICLES OF THE SAME YEARS-RANGE WITH SIMILAR ISSUES AT VARIOUS STAGES OF CONCERN. I ALSO HAVE RECORDED OVER 200 COMPLAINTS FROM SEVERAL BULLETIN BOARDS ACROSS THE INTERNET NOTING SIMILAR CONCERNS. WE HAVE YET TO PERSONALLY CONTACT FORD, YET WE SEE FROM THE POSTINGS THAT THE RESPONSE IS THE SAME: FORD DOES NOT CONSIDER THIS AN ISSUE. FORD, HOWEVER, HAS SLATED LATER THIS MONTH TO ISSUE A RECALL RELATED

RIGHT REAR SUSPENSION SHOCK ABSORBER MOUNT DETACHED AND PUSHED THROUGH BODY OF VEHICLE. VEHICLE NOW IS UNSTABLE AND DANGEROUS. *TR

A RATTLING FROM REAR PASSENGER WHEEL AREA. UPON INVESTIGATION TO SEE WHAT IT WAS I FOUND THAT THE UPPER CONNECTION POINT OF THE SHOCK TOWER WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND WAS BARELY CONNECTED TO THE REST OF THE BODY. WITHIN A DAY OR TWO AFTERWARDS THE UPPER PART HAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED AND THE SHOCK WAS BOUNCING AROUND FREELY. I REMOVED THE SHOCK YESTERDAY (5/1/2014) AS IT HAD PUSHED UP (SINCE IT HAS NO RESISTANCE OR MEANS TO HOLD IT COMPRESSED) AND PUNCHED A HOLE THROUGH THE PLASTIC INTERIOR SIDE WALL LINER IN THE TAILGATE AREA. THERE IS NOW AN APPROXIMATELY 10" SQUARE HOLE IN THE SIDE OF MY VEHICLE WHERE I CAN SEE THE TIRE AND ROAD. I WILL NEED TO SEAL THE OPENING TO KEEP ROAD WATER FROM ENTERING. PHOTOS CAN BE PROVIDED. *TR

WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND NOTICED A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF MY VEHICLE AND NOTICED THE NOISE WAS GETTING LOUDER. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC THINKING I NEEDED SHOCKS. MY MECHANIC STATED TO ME THAT I COULD NOT PUT NEW SHOCKS ON MY ESCAPE BECAUSE MY INNER FENDER WELL WAS RUSTED OUT AND MY SHOCK WAS NO LONGER BOLTED TO THE FRAME. I THEN HAD TO TAKE IT TO A BODY SHOP TO BE REPAIRED. MY SHOCK WAS JUST BOUNCING AROUND AND COULD HAVE BROKEN THROUGH THE BACK SEAT OR BROKEN OFF ALL TOGETHER. ONCE I TOOK IT TO THE BODY SHOP I WAS TOLD I WOULD ALSO HAVE TO REPLACE THE SHOCKS BECAUSE MY RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE SHOCK WAS CRACKED IN HALF. I JUST PURCHASED THIS "USED" VEHICLE IN NOVEMBER AND MY HUSBAND REALLY LIKES FORD PRODUCTS BUT AFTER THIS HAPPENING TO US AND FINDING OUT THAT FORD HASN'T DONE ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM FOR ANYBODY WHO HAS HAD THE SAME ISSUE IT IS VERY DISAPPOINTING. LUCKILY NOBODY IN MY FAMILY WAS INJURED DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. I REALIZE THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED TO MOST VEHICLES WHERE THERE IS SNOW AND ICE HAS TO BE USED ON THE ROADS, I FEEL FORD SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL FOR THE VEHICLES THAT HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. *TR

AS I WAS DRIVING TODAY A BEGAN TO HEAR A LOUD BANGING NOISE. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID THE WHEEL WELL IS SO RUSTED THAT THE STRUTS ARE BARELY ATTACHED. HE TOLD ME THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ONLINE I HAVE CAME ACROSS HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. I THINK FORD SHOULD RECALL THESE VEHICLES! *TR

THE REAR PASSENGER FENDER WELL HAS RUSTED OUT. WE CAN SEE INTO OUR TRUCK. THE RUST IS SO BAD THE TOP SHOCK MOUNT IS NO LONGER CONNECT AND THE FRAME IS CRACKED. I WENT TO TWO DIFFERENT BODY SHOPS BECAUSE FORD IS UNWILLING TO DO ANYTHING. BOTH BODY SHOPS SAID A 10 YEAR OLD VEHICLE SHOULD NOT RUST LIKE THIS AND IT WOULD COST MORE THAN WHAT THE VEHICLE IS WORTH TO FIX. WE CAN NOT LONGER DRIVE OUR VEHICLE AND WILL HAVE TO CONSIDER IT AS TOTAL UNLESS FORD STANDS BEHIND THEIR VEHICLES AND CREATES A RECALL. FORD CREATED A RECALL FOR THE FRONT OF THEIR FORD ESCAPES RUSTING OUT BUT HAVE NOT DONE THE SAME FOR THE REARS. I HAVE READ ONLINE SEVERAL HUNDRED OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR FORD ESCAPE. *JS

I AM WRITING TO INFORM YOU OF MY PROBLEM WITH MY 2004 FORD ESCAPE. I HAVE RECENTLY NOTICED A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE CAR. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION I SAW THAT AROUND THE RIGHT REAR STRUT IT'S COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND THE STRUT IN NEARLY FREE. I DID RESEARCH AND NOTICED THAT I AM DEFINITELY NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. I WOULD LIKE IT FIXED OR POINTED IN THE DIRECTION AS TO WHERE I CAN GET IT TAKEN CARE OF. *TR

WE JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE . W E KNEW ABOUT A PAINT ISSUE BENEATH THE HATCH WINDOW. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A VERY REPUTABLE GLASS AND BODY SHOP . THE SHOP OWNER IMMEDIATELY WENT TO THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL AND TOLD US TO LOOK AT IT . THE AREA BEHIND THE TIRE IS VERY EATEN WITH RUST. A GOOD SIZED HOLE EXISTS EXTENDING TO THE SHOCK AND STRUT. THE SHOP OWNER SAID THAT HE HAS SEEN MANY OF THEM. ALWAYS THE SAME WHEEL WELL AND NOWHERE ELSE. ASSUREDLY THE STRUT AND SHOCK ARE COMPROMISED. HE SAID THAT HE ALMOST ALWAYS SEES THIS ON THE ESCAPES. THE PREVIOUS OWNER WAS EXTREMELY METICULOUS ABOUT SERVICING AND UPKEEP WITH THE VEHICLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE REAR WHEEL WELD BECAME FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR WHEEL WELD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO REPAIRS WERE DONE TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURE WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT WAS 110,000.

I WAS DRIVING HOME ON THE HIGHWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR PULLED REALLY HARD TO THE RIGHT SIDE AND STARTED MAKING A LOUD HORRIBLE NOISE. EVERYTIME I WOULD HIT A BUMP, IT PULLED THE CAR. I MADE IT HOME AND HAD IT LOOKED AT. MY REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL WAS RUSTED SO BAD THAT MY SHOCK WENT RIGHT THROUGH IT. ALL OF THE OTHER WHEEL WELLS ARE JUST FINE AND APPEAR TO STILL BE COATED. *JS

RIGHT FRONT WHEEL SEPARATED FROM METAL ATTACHMENT, PRESUMABLY A RUST-THROUGH FAILURE. *JS

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN I HIT A POT HOLE. THE BODY/FRAME PART OF THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL BROKE LOOSE AROUND THE REAR PASSENGER SHOCK. SO THERE IS NOTHING HOLDING THE SHOCK IN PLACE. IT IS CAUSING FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE AREA. THE BODY/FRAME HAS DETERIORATED IN THAT AREA. I CANNOT DRIVE MY VEHICLE. FORD HAS ISSUED A RECALL FOR THE FRONT END RUSTING PREMATURELY AND CAUSING DAMAGE. BUT, I THINK THIS IS THE SAME REASON. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INSPECTION, SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS COMPLETELY COVERED WITH RUST AND HAD BECOME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE REAR SUB FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL HOUSING WAS TOTALLY CORRODED AWAY. AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE FOUND MANY WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THE OTHER THREE WHEEL HOUSINGS WERE IN GOOD CONDITION WITHOUT RUST. I TOOK SUV TO WOLTZ & WIND FORD IN HEIDELBURG, PA WHERE THEY TOLD ME THAT THEIR SUPPLY OF THIS PART WAS USED UP AND FORD WAS NOT MAKING ANY AT THAT TIME. THE REAR HOUSINGS SUPPORT THE REAR SHOCKS AND "COULD HAVE" CAUSED A SEVERE ACCIDENT. IT TOOK 3 1/2 MONTHS BEFORE PART WAS REPLACED. OF COURSE FORD DOWN PLAYS THE SEVERITY OF THE PROBLEM AND I WAS GIVEN A TOTAL RUN-A-ROUND BY THE DEALERSHIP AND WITH FORDS CUSTOMER SERVICE. I AM 78 YEARS OLD WIDOW WHO DREADS TO THINK WHAT "COULD HAVE" HAPPENED. PLEASE DO NOT WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE GETS KILLS TO MAKE THIS A PRIORITY. YOU MAY SPEAK TO MYSELF OR MY SON-IN-LAW [XXX] WHO HAS BEEN HELPING WITH THIS MESS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TRANSMISSION BROKE IN THE YEAR2008 AND THEN AGAIN IN LESS THEN 18 MONTHS LATER. THE CAR WE AS NOT EVEN 5YEARS OLD. TWO TRANSMISSION JOB. FORD NEED TO DO RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION. SPOKE TO OTHER OWNERS AND THEY HAD PROBLEMS TOO. I WILL LET THEMKNOW WHERE TO FILE COMPLAINT. FORD KNOWS THEIR IS PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION BUT WON'T ADMIT TO IT BECAUSE IT IS A SO COSTLY FOR THEM TO FIX IT. *TR

THE AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHES CODE 46 AND STAYS ON, WILL NOT GO OFF. TAKEN IT TO FORD DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES DOES NOT FIX PROBLEM. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND IT IS VERY WIDESPREAD PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE A RECALL. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE! PLEASE DO A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM!!! *TR

THE VEHICLE WILL NOT DECELERATE. IT IS OK WHEN YOU FIRST START IT, BUT THE FIRST TIME YOU PUSH THE ACCELERATOR AND LET OFF IT WILL NOT DECELERATE. YOU MUST HOLD THE BRAKE. IF YOU LET GO OF THE BRAKE IT WILL SURGE. VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

PASSENGER REAR WHEEL WELL HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND SHOCK AND MOUNT HAVE RUSTED OFF OF FRAME. *TR

STEERING FAILURE.

MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING HOME WITH OUR SON AND STARTED TO HEAR A LOUD NOISE. TOOK IT TO OUR REPAIR GUY WHO STATED THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND WAS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE. WE THEN TOOK IT FOR A 2ND LOOK AND WAS TOLD THE SAME THING AND THAT ITS NOT FIXABLESO WE'LL HAVE TO BUY A NEW CAR. WE'VE ONLY HAD THIS CAR FOR 6 YEARS AND I BOUGHT IT FROM OUR LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP WHO WHEN CONTACTED SAID THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING TO HELP BECAUSE THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE FOR THIS PROBLEM. WE HAVE 2 SMALL CHILDREN AND I'M VERY LUCKY THAT SOMETHING DIDN'T HAPPEN TO THEM. WHAT IS A RECALL GOING TO TAKE? SOMEONE GETTING HURT OR WORSE?? THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND FORD NEEDS TO BE RESPONSIBLE CLEARLY ITS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM WHEN THERE'S 1000'S OF CUSTOMERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM!!!! *TR

THE VEHICLE WILL NOT DECELERATE. IT IS OKAY WHEN YOU FIRST START IT, BUT THE FIRST TIME YOU PUSH THE ACCELERATOR IT WILL NOT DECELERATE. YOU MUST HOLD THE BRAKE. IF YOU LET GO OF THE BRAKE IT WILL SURGE. IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED, WHICH LOCATED A FAILURE AT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

AIRBAG SENSOR DISPLAYED ON DASH. WILL NOT GO OFF. SCHEDULING DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON FRIDAY 2/21/2014. RESEARCHED PROBLEM ON INTERNET, APPARENTLY THIS IS HAPPENING MUCH TO OFTEN FOR IT TO BE A INDIVIDUAL PROBLEM. MY MECHANIC STATED IT HAS BECOME A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD ESCAPES. THE COST TO REPAIR IS NOT CHEAP. I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT THE GOVERNMENT HAS NOT INTERVENED AND ALERTED THE PUBLIC OR AT THE VERY LEAST FORD ESCAPE OWNERS. I AM DISABLED AND HAVE NO INCOME AT THIS TIME. I TRULY HOPE THAT THE GOVERNMENT WILL HOLD FORD MOTOR COMPANY TO THIS ISSUE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUS HURT OR WORSE KILLED. *TR

WELL, MY FORD ESCAPE 2004 LTD EDITION HAD ISSUES SLOWING DOWN. I HAD USED THE CRUISE CONTROL INTERMITTENTLY AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED AS IF CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON EVEN AFTER I BRAKED HARD AND CANCELLED THE CRUISE CONTROL. I SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND TRIED TURNING IT BACK ON. WHEN IT STARTED BACK UP, THE VEHICLE REVVED TO 5,000 RPM IN UNDER 5 SECONDS. I DID THIS TWICE WITH THE SAME EFFECT. I BROUGHT IT IN TO MY FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL (ALTHOUGH NOW I SEE THEM ALL OVER THE INTERNET). I GOT A CALL BACK AFTER THIS WHOLE ORDEAL THAT THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND THAT THE SHOCK WAS NOT ATTACHED TO ANYTHING. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON TREND WITH THESE VEHICLES, BUT THERE ARE NO RECALLS. MY DEALERSHIP IS BRINGING IT TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP TODAY. I AM EXPECTING A $3,000 REPAIR NOW. *TR

WHILE DRIVING, THE THROTTLE STUCK. APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT VEHICLE WAS DIFFICULT TO SLOW AND TACHOMETER INDICATED HIGH ENGINE SPEED. SHIFTING TO NEUTRAL, THE ENGINE RPMS PUT THE NEEDLE IN THE RED BEYOND THE GAUGE. AFTER SHUTTING OFF THE VEHICLE, AND OPENING THE HOOD THE PROBLEM DID NOT PERSIST, BUT RETURNED AFTER DRIVING AGAIN. *TR

THE RIGHT REAR FENDER WELL HAS RUSTED OUT AROUND THE SHOCK MOUNT CAUSING THE SHOCK MOUNT TO SEPARATE FROM THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DISENGAGE WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE TO 85 MPH INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AND WAS ABLE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL MALFUNCTIONED DUE TO EXTREME COLD WEATHER. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REMEDIED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. NUMBER: 12V353000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

DRIVING DOWN ROAD AND THE RPMS ON MY 2004 ESCAPE JUMP UP. SO I TRY TO SLOW DOWN AND CAR KEEPS ACCELERATING. THROW CAR INTO PARK BECAUSE BRAKES WOULDN'T SLOW IT DOWN. EVER SITE I READ SAYS IT IS THE ACCELERATOR CABLE. SUPPOSEDLY THIS WAS REPLACED BY DEALER WHILE IN FOR AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT REPAIR IN DECEMBER 2012. UNDER RECALL. NOW WHEN I START VEHICLE RPMS JUMP, AND GET BURNING SMELL FROM MOTOR. CARS RPMS JUMP WHILE DRIVING DOWN ROAD ALSO. BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR WERE REPLACED IN MAY 2013 BUT SINCE THEY WERE REPLACED BATTERY INDICATOR LIGHT IS DIMLY LITE UPON ACCELERATING. I HAVE SPENT A FORTUNE ON THIS VEHICLE AND EVERY TIME I TURN AROUND IT NEEDS MORE WORK. I ALSO AFTER GETTING BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR REPLACED HAD TO PUT A NEW THROTTLE BODY COMPONENT IN BECAUSE MOTOR WAS RACING TO 3000 RPMS WHILE IN PARK OR WHILE FOOT WAS ON BREAK. PLEASE HELP. I AM SCARED TO DEATH TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE LIKE IT IS. CAN NOT AFFORD TO PUT ANYMORE MONEY INTO IT EITHER. *TR

THESE WAS A LOUD BANG WHEN DRIVING OVER SMALL BUMPS IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL. WHEN I WAS HOME I CHECKED THE WHEEL WELL AND THE TOP SHOCK MOUNT WAS TOTALLY ROTTED THROUGH TO THE TRUCK AREA. THE MOUNT HOUSE IN THE BODY HAD BROKEN OFF AND DESTROYED THE INNER WHEEL WELL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 80 MPH, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE ALTHOUGH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS NOT DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER 12V353000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING , VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

2004 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE ACCIDENT AND SAFETY RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. SHE BELIEVED THE ACCIDENT, WAS DUE TO THE SAFETY RECALL.

AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH ON A CROWDED INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT ILLUMINATED THE VEHICLE SLOWED AND I WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY. AFTER SWITCHING THE ENGINE OFF AND WAITING A FEW MINUTES, I WAS ABLE TO START THE CAR AND MOVE FORWARD FOR ABOUT A MILE WHEN THE SAME THING HAPPENED. AFTER THE THIRD TIME THIS HAPPENED, I DECIDED THE CAR WAS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE IN TRAFFIC AND PULLED OVER TO CALL A TOW TRUCK. THE CAR HAS LESS THAN 20,000 MILES ON IT. THE LOCAL FORD DEALER INDICATES NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM. LOSING SPEED IN FAST-MOVING HIGHWAY TRAFFIC IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS; THANKFULLY THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT OR INJURY IN THIS CASE. *TR

RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. DAUGHTER TOOK ME FOR A RIDE AND I SAT IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE TO TRY AND FIND THE SOURCE OF THE RATTLING. CHECKED THE STORAGE COMPARTMENT FOR THE SPARE, ALL OTHER PARTS AND COULD NOT DETERMINE THE SOURCE. THE NEXT DAY THE NOISE WAS MUCH MORE PRONOUNCED. TOOK IT TO A BODY SHOP AND THEY IMMEDIATELY FOUND THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM, THAT BEING A TOTALLY RUSTED OUT SHOCK/STRUT TOWER. THE BODY SHOP MANAGER SAID HE HAS SEEN THIS ON MULTIPLE ESCAPES. HE REFUSED TO QUOTE THE JOB AS HE DID NOT WANT TO BE LIABLE IN CASE IT DID NOT WORK OUT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD FROM OUTSIDE THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE SHOCKS AND STRUT MOUNT WERE COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED FOR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. UPDATED 12/4/13*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE RIGHT REAR SIDE OF THE SHOCK STRUT MOUNT RUSTED AWAY. UPDATED 12/12/13

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT COMMUNICATE TO THE AIR BAG TO ACTIVATE WHILE ENGAGED. THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WIRING SYSTEM TO THE SEAT BELT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER DID NOT REPLACE THE WIRING SYSTEM. THE DEALER STATED THAT IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE AIR BAGS POSSIBLY WOULD NOT DEPLOY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACTS OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A HOLE ABOVE THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR BODY PANEL AND AS A RESULT, THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE STRUCTURE OF THE UNIBODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND HAD BECOME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE FRONT SUB FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 11/19/13*LJ UPDATED 11/29/2013 *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENTERING A RESIDENTIAL GARAGE, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SHE ENGAGED THE BRAKES IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 106,000. UPDATED 11/15/13*CN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, SHE HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, SHE FOUND THAT THE REAR WHEEL WELL SUFFERED FROM SEVERE CORROSION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

I HIT A BUMP AND THE BACK OF MY VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A BANGING NOISE AFTERWARD ANY TIME I WENT OVER THE SLIGHTEST BUMP. I TOOK IT TO THE GARAGE AND THE MECHANIC WOULDN'T EVEN TOUCH IT. THE REAR SHOCK MOUNT PLATE IS RUSTED OUT AND HE SAID THE WHEEL WELL IS BREAKING RIGHT OFF THE FRAME. THERE IS NOTHING LEFT AROUND IT - THE METAL WAS ONLY HELD TOGETHER BY UNDERCOATING IN SOME PLACES. HE SAID IT WAS PUSHING DOWN ON THE BRAKE LINE, TOO. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL INCIDENTS WITH THIS MAKE/MODEL/YEAR AND THE 2005 AS WELL. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. MY CHILDREN WERE IN THAT VEHICLE! *TR

NOTICED A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER ARRIVING HOME I CHECKED THE MUFFLER AREA THINKING IT WAS LOOSE WHICH IT WAS NOT. I THEN CHECKED INSIDE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL AND FOUND THAT THE SHOCK THAT WAS ATTACHED TO THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE HAD TOTALLY RUSTED OUT LEAVING A HUGE HOLE IN THE FRAME. THE HOLE NOW LEAVES THE VEHICLE UNSTABLE AND EXPOSED TO ALL ELEMENTS OF THE WEATHER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED AND THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS WOULD NOT RESPOND TO PRESSURE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL AFTER MUCH EFFORT BUT SHORTLY AFTER, CRASHED INTO A UTILITY BOX. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 04/22/14 MA WHEN THE CONSUMERS DAUGHTER CRASHED INTO THE ELECTRICAL BOX, IT CAUGHT ON FIRE, AND SPREAD TO THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 04/24/14