2004 Ford Escape complaints

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 THE FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000.

THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL BEGAN PULLING TO THE RIGHT. UPON INSPECTION WE FOUND THE SUB-FRAME UNDER THE RIGHT FRONT WAS RUSTED AND WAS SAGGING. I WAS ADVISED NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE FRAME COULD COLLAPSE AND CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WOULD BE LOST. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION IT WAS NOTICED THAT ONLY FRAME RUSTED OUT WHERE THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS DRIPPING CONDENSATION. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS THE ROAD SALT USED IN WINTER. IF THAT WAS THE CASE WHY WASN'T THE WHOLE SUB-FRAME ROTTED AND NOT JUST THE SECTION WHERE THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS DRIPPING? I DON'T THINK A 10 YEAR OLD VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE THE FRAME DISINTEGRATE LIKE THIS. *JB

THE RIGHT REAR INNER WHEEL HOUSING HAS ALMOST COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY CAUSING THE RIGHT REAR SHOCK ABSORBER TO BREAK AWAY FROM ITS TOP MOUNTING AND CAUSE SEVERE VEHICLE BOUNCING AND SWAYING WHILE DRIVING MAKING IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE.MANY OTHER ESCAPE OWNERS I HAVE SPOKEN TO ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND AN INTERNET SEARCH OF THIS PROBLEM CONFIRMS MY FINDINGS. *TR

THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL THAT SUPPORTS THE SHOCK TOWER HAS COMPLETELY RUST OUT,THIS IS COMMON IN THE 2004-2006 ESCAPES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS APPLIED REPEATEDLY AND THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE. THE VEHICLE VEERED OFF THE ROAD TO AVOID CRASHING INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE INTO A DITCH. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO TRAVEL AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE BARRIER AND THEN A FENCE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS 12V353000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING , VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED HIM THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED. THE EXTERIOR DAMAGES HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 192,000. UPDATED 9/5/13 *CN UPDATED 09/11/2013 *JS

THE SHOCK MOUNT ON THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL IS LOOSE BECAUSE THE METAL SUPPORTING IT IS RUSTING AWAY. WHENEVER A BUMP IS HIT THERE IS A LOUD NOISE AND SHARP JOLT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED EXCESSIVELY AS THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE THROTTLE CABLE WAS STUCK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V574000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 176,000.

HEARD A RATTLE IN REAR OF CAR. THOUGHT IT WAS EXHAUST SYSTEM RELATED. UPON INSPECTION FOUND REAR PASSENGER UPPER SHOCK CONNECTION HAD ROTTED COMPLETED AND THE SHOCK WAS DISCONNECTED FROM THE CAR. SHOCK IS BARELY HANGING ON THE VEHICLE AND APPEARS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS. VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED AS PER FORD REQUIREMENTS AT THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED FROM. NO UNUSUAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. *TR

COULD NOT TURN CAR HEATER ON AS THE INTERIOR FILLED WITH ENGINE FUMES ESPECIALLY WHEN IDLE. TOOK VEHICLE TO 2 DIFFERENT FORD DEALERS AND THEY COULD NOT LOCATE THE PROBLEM. NOW, SUMMER OF 2013 WHEN THE AC IS TURNED ON THE SAME THING HAPPENS. IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN THAT MYSELF AND 3 YEAR OLD SON ARE BREATHING THESE FUMES IN JUST DRIVING TO THE GROCERY STORE! ALSO, TOOK THE CAR TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WITHOUT ANY POSITIVE RESULTS! I HAVE BEEN DRIVING WITH NO HEAT AND NO AC FOR ALMOST A YEAR NOW. WHAT CAN SOLVE THIS PROBLEM? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER REAR SHOCK MOUNT PENETRATED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE SHOCK MOUNT HAD BECOME PERFORATED DUE TO RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 197,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

I WANT TO BRING TO YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN I HAVE WITH MY 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WE HAVE OWNED THE CAR SINCE 2007 (MILEAGE 102,000) AND HAVE RECENTLY EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT STALLING WHILE THE CAR IS IN MOTION. I HAVE HAD 4 EXPERIENCES WHERE THE CAR WOULD STALL WHILE IN MOTION. IT APPEARS TO OCCUR WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURES ARE ABOVE 80 DEGREES AND I HAVE TRAVELED IN THE CAR FOR >30 MINUTES AND HAVE MADE A SHORT STOP (FOR GAS OR SHOPPING). AFTER CONTINUING MY DRIVE AFTER A SHORT STOP, THE CAR SUDDENLY SHUTS OFF AT SOME POINT ON THE WAY HOME WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, LOSING ALL POWER TO THE STEERING AND BREAKING SYSTEM. THE CAR WILL START UP AGAIN (WHILE COASTING) WITH NO ISSUE BUT STALL AGAIN AFTER A SHORT WHILE. THESE HAVE BEEN VERY HARROWING EXPERIENCES ON BUSY ROADS AND FORTUNATE THAT IT WAS ME AND NOT MY PREGNANT WIFE, AS I DON'T BELIEVE SHE WOULD HAVE HAD THE STRENGTH TO EXECUTE THESE EMERGENCY ACTIONS WITH NO POWER. THE CAR HAS BEEN AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP FOR >1 WEEK BUT THEY HAVE FAILED TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE CAR REMAINS AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP UNTIL THE CAUSE CAN BE DETERMINED. *TR

SON CAME HOME FROM COLLEGE. BANGING NOISE NOTICED WHEN SISTER RIDING WITH HIM COMING FROM RIGHT REAR OF VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION AT OIL CHANGE GARAGE IT WAS NOTICED THAT RIGHT REAR SHOCK MOUNT HAD COMPLETELY CORRODED AND BROKEN OFF FROM THE WHEEL WELL SHEET METAL. VEHICLE NOT DRIVABLE IN THAT CONDITION AS WHEEL COULD POSSIBLY BREAK OFF OR AT THE LEAST POOR HANDLING OF VEHICLE. ONLINE SEARCH CAME UP WITH SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FOR 2003/2004/2005 ESCAPES. CALLED FORD BUT NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED SO OWNERS OUT OF LUCK FOR VERY EXPENSIVE FIX. *TR

IT WAS LAST FRIDAY WHEN I ALMOST REAR ENDED SOMEONE. THE SPEED CONTROL RECALL IS NOT FIXED. I WENT TO KEITH HAWTHORN FORD ON SOUTH BLVD, HERE IN CHARLOTTE, LAST YEAR, AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD TO ORDER A PART. I WAITED A FEW WEEKS, THEN I CALLED THEM AGAIN, AND WAS TOLD THAT THE PART WAS IN, I TOOK MY CAR IN, AND IT DID NOT TAKE 40 MINUTES THE CAR WAS READY. I DON'T KNOW WHAT THEY DID BUT I AM STILL HAVING ISSUES WITH SPEED. IT IS VERY SCARY. THIS IS ALL THE TIME, NOT JUST LAST FRIDAY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER DRIVING THE VEHICLE A SMALL DISTANCE, SHE SMELLED A BURNING ODOR FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 129,790. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

MY DAUGHTER NOTICED HER ESCAPE WASN'T DRIVING RIGHT IT WAS TRAVELING SIDEWAY`S DOWN THE HIGHWAY, I NOTICED HER FRONT TIRE`S WERE WORN, ESPECIALLY THE PASSENGER`S FRONT, IT WAS WORN ON THE OUTSIDE. I SPOKE WITH A FORD MECHANIC THAT SUGGESTED NEW TIRE`S AND A FRONT END ALIGNMENT, SHE HAD THAT SERVICE DONE, WHICH DID NOT MAKE THE VEHICLE DRIVE ANY DIFFERENTLY. SHE THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK IN FOR SERVICE IN WHICH NOW THE VEHICLE WAS DOG TRACKING WHEN DRIVING AND WAS THEN INFORMED THAT THE WHEEL WELL`S WERE TOTALLY RUSTED THROUGH AND THAT THEY WOULD NOT REPLACE THE REAR SHOCKS BECAUSE OF IT. THERE ARE SEVERAL HUNDREDS OF OTHER FORD ESCAPE OWNERS WHOM HAVE EXPRESSED THE SAME CONCERN. THE WHOLE REAR END HAS APPARENTLY SHIFTED OUT OF LINE, BECAUSE OF THE RUSTED OUT WHEEL WELL`S THAT ATTACH TO THE SHOCK`S TO HOLD THE REAR END IN ALIGNMENT. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE, AND FORD IS NOT DOING ANYTHING ABOUT IT. THIS ISSUE DOE`S NOT JUST INCLUDE 2004 MODEL`S , IT HAS ALSO BEEN BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION, THAT EVEN A NEW 2013 MODEL HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE HAVE THIS ISSUE INVESTIGATED IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

THE PROBLEM STARTED WHEN THE CAR WAS DRIVING AND ALL OF SUDDEN THE CAR STARTS STRUGGLING AND THEN SHUTS OFF. IT WOULD TAKE A SEVERAL ATTEMPTS FOR THE CAR TO RESTART BUT EVENTUALLY IT WOULD. NOW THE CARS JUST IDLES AND RUNS REALLY ROUGH AND SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. TOOK IT TO FORD AND THEY SAID ALL IT NEEDED WAS A NEW CAT-CONVERTER MANIFOLD, NOT STATING WHY. WE REPLACED IT ($1500) BUT THE PROBLEM STILL REPEATED. TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY SAID IT NEEDED TO REPLACE 6 IGNITION COILS AND PLUGS AND POSSIBLY THE PCM. THEY ALSO SAID THE IGNITION COILS CAUSED THE CAT-CONVERTOR MANIFOLD TO MALFUNCTION IN THE FIRST PLACE. SO WE REPLACED ALL COILS AND PLUGS FOR $1600 BUT THEY SAID THE PCM WAS FINE FOR NOW BUT IT WAS A MATTER OF TIME FOR THE PCM TO FAIL. I'M NOT SURE IF FORD DELIBERATELY NEGLECTED THIS IGNITION COIL ISSUE BUT IT IS SUSPICIOUS. MY COMMUTE IS MAINLY INTERSTATE HWY AND I'M AFRAID THIS PROBLEM IS MIGHT CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT WHILE ON A MAJOR INTERSTATE HWY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR REPAIR. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WIRING IN THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEATS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000. *TR

GOING UP A HILL ON SNOW COVERED ROADS SO WAS GOING SLOW WHEN CAR STARTED ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN. KEPT STEPPING ON THE BRAKE, BUT CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. GOT OFF THE ROAD AND STOPPED THE RPM WAS UP TO 7. THE ACCELERATION CONTINUED TO HAPPEN A FEW TIMES EVERY WINTER FOR THE NEXT FEW YEARS AND I WOULD TAKE IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT CHECKED EACH TIME IT HAPPENED. THEY TRIED A FEW DIFFERENT REPAIRS AND NOTHING WORKED. JAN. 21,2011 CALLED FORD AND REPORTED THE PROBLEM AND THEY SAID THIS IS THE FIRST THEY HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. IN SEPT. OF 2011 THE RECALL #12S37 CAME AND I TOOK IT IN TO HAVE THE RECALL TAKEN CARE OF. SINCE JAN. OF 2013 IT HAS DONE IT TO ME TWICE - THIS RECALL OBVIOUSLY DID NOT FIX THE HAZARDOUS PROBLEM! I AGAIN CALLED FORD, GOT A CASE NUMBER, AND [XXX] - THE FORD REGIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER CALLED ME AND SAID HE INVESTIGATED MY CASE AND WITH THE VEHICLE BEING OUT OF WARRANTY AND THERE ARE NO CURRENT RECALLS THERE IS NOTHING FORD CAN DO. I TOLD HIM THAT I FELT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THE VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE OFF THE ROAD AND I CAN'T ETHICALLY TRADE IT BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO PUT ANYBODY ELSE IN HARM'S WAY AND I HOPED FORD WOULD MAKE IT RIGHT BY ME AND HE SAID THERE IS NO TRADE ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE FROM FORD. I ASKED HIM IF FORD WOULD PAY ME WHAT IT WAS WORTH SINCE THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE OFF THE ROAD AND HE REPEATED IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND FORD WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO PAY ME. OBVIOUSLY THE SPOKESPERSON FOR FORD DOESN'T HAVE THE SAME ETHICS I HAVE.[XXX

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL KNOCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THAT THEY COULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE TO THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

AS I WAS SITTING IN MY CAR WITH MY 9 YEAR OLD IN THE BACKSEAT, IN PARK, WITH THE ENGINE ON, WAITING FOR MY OLDER SON, WE HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION AND THE BACK WINDSHIELD HAD SHATTERED INTO A MILLION PIECES. I THOUGHT SOMEONE HAD SHOT OR THROWN SOMETHING AT THE CAR BUT ONCE I GOT OUTSIDE AND LOOKED AT IT I COULD TELL BY THE WAY THE GLASS HAD BLOWN OUTWARD (FOR THE MOST PART) THAT SOMETHING THAT I COULD NOT EXPLAIN MUST HAVE HAPPENED/MALFUNCTIONED WITH THE WINDSHIELD. IT WAS VERY SCARY AND, AS I WAS A HALF HOUR FROM HOME AND IT WAS RAINING, PRETTY INCONVENIENT. THE EXPLOSION WAS SO FORCEFUL THAT IT DAMAGED BOTH THE REAR WIPER SYSTEM AND THE HYDRAULIC ARM WHICH LIFTS THE REAR WINDOW. I AM GLAD MY DOG WAS NOT TRAVELING IN THE BACK OF THE CAR AS PLENTY OF GLASS ENDED UP IN THE BACK OF THE CAR. ALSO, NOW I HAVE TO PAY FOR ALL OF THIS TO GET FIXED? THIS IS A PROBLEM. *TR

CAR'S ENGINE VIBRATED VIOLENTLY AND COMPLETELY STALLED GOING 45 MPH DOWN A HIGHWAY, ACCIDENT AVOIDED AS CAR BEHIND ME SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES. CAR WOULD NOT START, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. TOWED VEHICLE TO FORD DEALERSHIP WHO FOND TWO ENGINE COILS DEFECTIVE AND ALL SPARK PLUGS REPLACED. THIS VEHICLE HAS REPEATED ISSUES WITH DEFECTIVE COILS AND DANGEROUS TO TRAVEL ON A HIGHWAY WHEN ENGINE ABRUPTLY STOPS. THIS IS POOR ENGINEERING ON FORD'S PART AND DEMAND THE US GOVERNMENT FORCE A RECALL! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THE SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER CONNECTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000. UPDATED 3/14/13 *CN

I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY. THE ROADS WERE CLEAR, FLAT, AND SMOOTH. OUTSIDE TEMP WAS IN THE 20'S. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES, AFTER LETTING THE VEHICLE WARM UP FOR 15 MINUTES, WHEN THE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED FOR NO REASON ON THE EXPRESS WAY. THERE WERE NO BRIDGES OR OVERPASSES FOR ANYTHING TO FALL ON IT. THE REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER HAD BEEN ON FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES PRIOR. I RECENTLY PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED FROM A PRIVATE PARTY. I HAD DRIVEN IT LESS THAN 200 MILES SINCE MY PURCHASE. APPROXIMATE TIME OF INCIDENT 16:36. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH DOWNHILL AND THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL REPEATEDLY HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO DECELERATE UNTIL THE GEAR LEVER WAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONLY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 12V353000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 215,198.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ABS MODULE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V156000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME ELAPSED, THE CONTACT BEGAN TO NOTICE A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND A GRINDING SOUND WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT HAD THE BRAKES REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 203,258.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE POLICE WERE NOTIFIED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V353000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES) WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

I OWN THREE OF THESE VEHICLES AND AGAIN RIGHT FRONT ABS RING SNAPPED WHILE DRIVING. FORD WILL NOT DO ANYTHING EVEN THOUGH I'VE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM ON ALL THREE CARS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME JAMMED. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DECELERATE. THE CONTACT VEERED IN AND OUT OF TRAFFIC AND CRASHED INTO TWO GUARD RAILS, FORCING THE VEHICLE ONTO TWO WHEELS UNTIL THE VEHICLE FINALLY CAME TO A STOP. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD, NECK AND BACK. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS PENDING AN INVESTIGATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 110,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BRUISED LEG AND KIDNEY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167,000. PMB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING UP A STEEP INCLINE APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED ABNORMALLY AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A NEARBY AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000. UPDATED 01/15/13*LJ UPDATED 12/23/2013*JS

I WAS ON I-30 WESTBOUND APPROACHING THE MIXMASTER IN DOWNTOWN DALLAS. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO PASS A SLOW MOVING VEHICLE THE THROTTLE CABLE STUCK. MY VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. I TRIED PULLING THE GAS PEDAL UP, BUT IT CONTINUED TO GAIN SPEED. REACHING 80 MPH IN A 60 MPH ZONE I BRAKED BUT COULD ONLY GET DOWN TO 50 MPH. I WAS HAVING TO WEAVE THROUGH TRAFFIC TO AVOID HITTING OTHER CARS. THIS CONTINUED FOR ABOUT 5 MILES. I DECIDED TO TRY TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL TO STOP IT. THEN CAR THEN SLOWED DOWN TO ABOUT 30 MPH. I WAS IN THE FAR LEFT LANE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. I NEEDED TO TRY TO GET OFF THE FREEWAY, SO I PUT IT BACK IN DRIVE. THE CAR STARTED ACCELERATING OUT CONTROL AGAIN. I MADE IT TO THE RIGHT LANE AND PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AGAIN. THE CAR CAME TO A STOP. THE ENGINE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED BY THIS. I AM OUT AROUND $1,500. SO FAR, FORD IS NOT BEING VERY HELPFUL, THEY ARE GIVING ME THE RUNAROUND WHEN I CALL. THEY ACT LIKE THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR KILLED SOMEONE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY FROM 5 TO 50 MPH AND THEN COMING TO STOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD SURGE FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. AFTER DIAGNOSIS THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS COVERED UNDER THE NHTSA CAMAPIGN ID NUMBER 04V574000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. APPROXIMATELY 2 WEEKS LATER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 121,120. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 146,298.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE LIMITED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AFTER ENGAGING THE BRAKES. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE POLICE WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ABOUT REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:12V353000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 145,000.

MY DAUGHTER WAS ABOUT A MILE FROM HOME AFTER TAKING A FRIEND HOME. IT WAS AUGUST 27, 2012 AROUND 9:30PM. HER CAR WENT OFF THE ROAD CRASHED INTO A TREE AND CAUGHT FIRE. SHE WAS KILLED IN THE ACCIDENT. WHAT IS PUZZLING IS THERE WERE NO SKID MARKS, NO SIGNS OF BRAKING. IT HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO OUR ATTENTION JUST YESTERDAY THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON HER AUTOMOBILE THAT WE WERE NEVER AWARE OF. WE WERE TOLD THAT IF THERE WAS A THROTTLE PROBLEM THEN THAT WOULD MAYBE EXPLAIN THE ABSENT SKID MARKS AND NO SIGNS OF BRAKING. SHE WAS ONLY 19 YEARS OLD. I WAS TOLD TO CONTACT YOU AND THAT MAYBE YOU COULD HELP. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU CAN DO. [XXX] HEARTSICK MOTHER INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

ALL THREE OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS FAILED TO OPERATE IN THE CAR. WE WERE INITIALLY TOLD THAT THE CONVERTERS WERE UNDER WARRANTY BOTH FOR MILEAGE AND TIME (8 YEAR/80,000 MILE WARRANTY). DEALERSHIP REQUESTED CAR BE BOUGHT, WHICH WE DID. AFTER THE CAR ARRIVED, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE CAR WAS MANUFACTURED IN JANUARY 2004 AND THAT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED IN JANUARY 2012. ADDITIONALLY, THEY WANT TO CHARGE US OVER $3,000 FOR THE REPAIRS. I ALSO ADVISED THEM THAT WE PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY IN NOVEMBER 2007 WHEN THE CAR WAS PURCHASED FROM CARMAX. WE WERE ADVISED THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER EITHER. MY CAR REMAINS AT THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE WE CAN NOT AFFORD TO REPAIR IT, HOWEVER, WE ARE STILL MAKING THE CAR PAYMENTS ON IT. I CONTACTED FORD MOTORS, FILED A REPORT AND WAS LATER ADVISED THAT THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING FOR ME. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN JERKING AND JUMPING ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE ALL OF THE SPARK PLUGS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 111,500.

I MADE A LEFT TURN FROM EASTBOUND STEWART ROAD ONTO THE INSIDE LANE OF NORTHBOUND M125 (N. MONROE STREET), MONROE, MI AT APPROXIMATELY 09:00. WHEN APPROACHING FRENCHTOWN MALL AREA ON THE LEFT, CARS AHEAD WERE STOPPED FOR OTHERS MAKING LEFT TURNS INTO THE MALL. I TOOK MY RIGHT FOOT OFF OF THE GAS PEDAL TO COAST SO AS NOT TO HAVE TO BRAKE. SUDDENLY MY CAR ACCELERATED (SPED UP); MY RIGHT FOOT WAS STILL OFF OF THE GAS PEDAL AND ON THE FLOOR. I HIT THE BRAKE HARD WITH MY RIGHT FOOT AND THE VEHICLE DID STOP. (I NEVER USE MY LEFT FOOT TO BRAKE. I ALWAYS USE THE RIGHT FOOT TO DRIVE AND TO BRAKE.) I THOUGHT OF ALL OF THE INCIDENTS OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION; NOW KNEW HOW IT FELT. RESEARCHED, FOUND INFO AS TO RECALL ISSUED . WE NEVER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE. PUT VIN # IN FORD SITE. OUR VEHICLE, 2004 ESCAPE 3.0L V6 NOT RECALLED. THE CRUISE CONTROL QUIT WORKING MAY, 2011. WE HAD THE ESCAPE IN FOR REGULAR SERVICE RECENTLY AND WE TOLD THE SERVICE ADVISOR, WHO IS ALSO THE ASSISTANT SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALER, THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL NO LONGER WORKED. HE SAID IT COULD BE CHECKED BUT IT WOULD BE EXPENSIVE TO FIX. WE CHOSE NOT TO INCUR ADDITIONAL EXPENSE GIVEN THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE HAS CONSISTENTLY HAD ALL SERVICE, OIL CHANGES, REPAIRS DONE AT THE FORD DEALER. WE DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THE RECALL, NOR OF THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED TO ALL DEALERS BY FORD. INTERESTING NOTE: WE OWN AND DRIVE A 1989 FORD F150 AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WORKS FINE! *TR

AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHING RED, CODE 47, CONNECTORS REPLACED LIGHT STILL ILLUMINATED. DEALER COST ESTIMATE $400+ DOLLARS AND NO WARRANTY. UNABLE TO FIX DUE TO COST WITH NO WARRANTY. REAL SAFETY CONCERN AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN CRASH. *TR

AS I WAS ACCELERATING TO GET ON THE FREEWAY I FELT MY CAR ACCELERATE BEYOND THE SPEED IN WHICH I WAS APPLYING PRESSURE. I IMMEDIATELY REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE PEDAL BUT THE PEDAL REMAINED ALL THE WAY ON THE FLOOR BOARD. I TRIED BRAKING BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL APPLIED NO STOPPING FORCE. I EXITED THE FREEWAY NOT KNOWING WHAT WAS AHEAD IN TERMS OF INNOCENT BYSTANDERS AND TRAFFIC. NOT KNOWING HOW TO PROCEED I BEGAN STANDING ON THE BRAKE WITH BOTH FEET AND LIFTING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. MY CAR CONTINUED TO GAIN SPEED AND SHOWED NO SIGNS OF SLOWING DOWN. I DROVE THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY VEHICLE DOWN SOME CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION BARRIERS ON THE FEEDER IN HOPES THAT IT WOULD SLOW THE VEHICLE BUT OUR SPEED WAS SO GREAT AT THIS POINT WE WERE BOUNCING OFF AND I WAS AFRAID WE WOULD CAUSE A MORE HORRIFIC ACCIDENT BY BEING THROWN BACK ON TO THE FREEWAY. I MADE IT THROUGH AN INTERSECTION NARROWLY MISSING A TRUCK DRIVING THROUGH. I GOT ON TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CONCRETE BARRIERS AT THE INTERSECTION AND BEGAN DRIVING ON THE DIRT ROAD UNDER CONSTRUCTION. SEARCHING FOR SOMETHING TO CRASHED INTO TO STOP MY VEHICLE AS EACH PASSING SECOND OUR SPEED INCREASED, I LOCATED A TELEPHONE POLE AND CRASHED INTO IT WITH MY TWO SMALL CHILDREN, MY MOTHER AND MYSELF IN THE VEHICLE. I AM UNSURE IF THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE BUT THERE WERE BYSTANDERS WOULD CAME WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND SPRAYED MY ENGINE. I AM ALSO UNSURE OF THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE AT THE POINT OF IMPACT. THE LAST TIME I LOOKED IT WAS AROUND 60 MILES PER

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING, THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN THE ENGINE RPMS AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD ONCE SHIFTED INTO GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY GASKET AND SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,769 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY EXHIBIT SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKES ON EACH OCCASION, BUT THE WHEELS CONTINUED SPINNING. THE CONTACT'S MECHANIC CLEANED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BUT STATED THAT THEY DID NOT FIND A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER THE CLEANING OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 146,000. UPDATED 08/28/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PUT INTO REVERSE AND THEN ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE CONSUMER DEPRESSED THE BRAKE BUT, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP UNTIL THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS PULLED. THE FRONT WHEELS CONTINUED TO SPIN. THE SECOND TIME SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO PARK, THEN TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AGAIN. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS PULLED AND THE FRONT WHEELS CONTINUED TO SPIN. UPDATED 09/05/2012 *JS

I WOULD LIKE TO ADD MY COMPLAINT TO THE ACCELERATION PROBLEMS OF THE 2001-2004 FORD ESCAPES WHICH MY 2004 HAS ALSO EXPERIENCED. THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW SITUATIONS OVER THE LAST 2-3 YEARS WHERE MY CARS ENGINE WOULD SUDDENLY START RACING WHILE PARKED AT IDLE. WHEN THE ISSUE FIRST BEGAN I WAS ABLE TO TAP THE GAS PEDAL WITH MY FOOT AND THE CAR WOULD RETURN TO A STANDARD IDLE. THE MORE RECENT INSTANCES NOW REQUIRE TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF AND IT WOULD IDLE NORMAL AGAIN AFTER BEING RESTARTED. I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM IS CONNECTED TO A CURRENT INVESTIGATION AND THE LETTER DATED 7/10/12 WRITTEN TO FORD FROM THE CENTER FOR AUTO SAFETY. THIS MAY ALSO BE CONNECTED TO A PRIOR RECALL 04V-574 THAT I WAS RECENTLY MADE AWARE OF. PLEASE KEEP ME ADVISED OF YOUR EFFORTS OR ANYTHING I CAN DO TO HELP. THANK YOU *TR

I DO NOT OWN A FORD ESCAPE BUT RATHER I'M A MECHANIC THAT HAS RAN INTO THIS PROBLEM 2 OR 3 TIMES OVER THE LAST COUPLE YEARS. THE THROTTLE STICKS ON THESE VEHICLES DUE TO THE SPEED CONTROL ACTUATOR TO THROTTLE CABLE. THERE IS A PLASTIC SLEEVE AROUND THE STEEL CABLE THAT ALLOWS THE CABLE TO RETRACT FREELY. THE PLASTIC DEGRADES AND BRAKES UP OVER TIME ALLOWING THE SPEED CONTROL THROTTLE CABLE TO BIND AND WEDGE ITS SELF UNDER THE ENGINE COVER CAUSING A STUCK WIDE OPEN THROTTLE CONDITION. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS CABLE. IT RUNS FROM THE SPEED CONTROL (CRUISE CONTROL) ACTUATOR TO THE THROTTLE BODY BUTTERFLY. REMOVAL OF THE ENGINE COVER IS THE SIMPLE FIX FOR THIS ISSUE, BUT THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE IS INDEED AT FAULT. *TR

AS I WAS ACCELERATING TO PASS A SLOW MOVING VEHICLE, I PRESSED ON THE GAS PETAL AND AFTER I WAS BACK IN MY PROPER LANE, MY VEHICLE KEPT SPEEDING AND NOT BACKING OFF ON THE GAS. I THEN PUT THE CAR IN NEURAL AND THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO KEEP RACING. I TRIED TO STOMP LIGHTLY ON THE GAS PETAL TO SEE IF IT WOULD COME BACK UP BUT IT DIDN'T. I THEN SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND CALLED THE TOW TRUCK COMPANY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT WAS TRYING TO OPEN THE TRUNK BY ENGAGING THE KEY ALARM BUT THE TRUNK WOULD NOT OPEN. THE TRUNK ALSO COULD NOT BE OPENED MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY STATED THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE TRUNK LATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,100 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,000. . UPDATED 07/27/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THAT DEALER WANTED TO CHARGER 24,500 TO REPAIR THE MOTOR AND 125.00 TO EVALUATE. THE CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS TOO EXPENSIVE. UPDATED 08/02/2012 *JS

DRIVING ON A STATE HIGHWAY APPROACHING A RED LIGHT, I APPLIED BRAKES AND FELT A PULSING SENSATION IN THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT BECAME VERY HARD TO STOP AND I HAD TO PULL TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL MORE TIMES SINCE, AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND WITH NO WARNING. THE ABS LIGHT ON THE DASH DOES NOT COME ON AND THERE ARE NO OBD CODES. THE VEHICLE BECOMES VERY HARD TO STOP. I HAD THE VEHICLE CHECKED BY MY MECHANIC THIS WEEK. HE FELT THE PROBLEM ONCE, BUT COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS OR OBD CODES, EVEN AFTER RUNNING DIAGNOSTIC TESTS. AT THIS POINT I AM IN A QUANDRY; I NEED TO USE THE VEHICLE, BUT FEEL IT IS UNSAFE TO DO SO AND WILL PROBABLY PARK IT UNTIL SOMEONE CAN TELL ME WHAT IS HAPPENING AND FIND A RESOLUTION. I HAVE READ OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE 'TONE RING' IN THE ABS SYSTEM, BUT MINE IS NOT DEFECTIVE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED AND WAS REPLACED BY HIS PERSONAL MECHANIC. ONE YEAR LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL AND PROVIDED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 177,000.

FOR OVER A YEAR I HAVE BEEN HEARING A RATTLING SOUND BUT THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT, FIGURED A SCREW WAS LOOSE IN THE PANELLING CAUSING A VIBRATION. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A FORD SERVICE CENTER NUMEROUS TIMES COMPLAINING OF NOISE, THEY SAID THEY WOULD BALANCE THE TIRES AND CHECK THE BRAKES, BUT NEVER SAID ANYTHING ABOUT WHEEL WELL RUSTING THROUGH. THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL IS RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH AND THE STRUT IS LOOSE DUE TO THE RUST DAMAGE THAT IS CONTINUING TO GROW. I HAVE RECENTLY BEEN INVESTIGATING THE ENTIRE VEHICLE TRYING TO LOCATE THE SOURCE OF THE SOUND, I FINALLY FIGURED IT OUT AND DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO AUTO BODY SHOP ON 5/22/2012 AT 11:33 AM AND THEY WERE STUNNED TO SEE THE INSIDE OF THE WHEEL WELL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE APPRAISER CAME OUT AND TOOK PICTURES AND LOOKED AT IT. AFTER LOOKING IT OVER HE TURNED TO ME AND ASKED ME HOW OLD THE VEHICLE IS, I SAID IT IS A 2004. HE SAID, "I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS HAPPEN BEFORE." HE CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT IT MUST BE A FACTORY DEFECT. HE SAID WHEN FORD WAS PUTTING THE COATING ON THE INSIDE OF THE WHEEL WELL, THEY MUST NOT HAVE COATED IT ENOUGH AND MOISTURE GOT INSIDE CAUSING IT TO RUST. HE WENT BACK INSIDE AND ONE OF THE GUYS FROM THE SHOP HAPPENED TO BE INSIDE, SO HE CAME AND LOOKED AT IT AND SAID HE HAS NEVER SEEN THAT HAPPEN BEFORE EITHER AND HE HAS BEEN DOING BODY WORK FOR 25 YEARS! HE ALSO SAID IT IS POSSIBLY BECOMING A SAFETY ISSUE, BECAUSE THE STRUT IS COMING LOOSE, DUE TO THE RUSTING OUT FROM AROUND THE STR

AT FIRST, MY ESCAPE ONLY STARTED HESITATING ON RAINY DAYS WHEN I GOT TO ABOUT 45-55 MPH. AT FIRST I THOUGHT I HAD BAD GAS SO I STOPPED AT AUTO ZONE TO GET DRY GAS FOR IT. THIS SEEM TO WORK LIKE A CHARM AND I THOUGHT THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN; SPUDERING, NOT ACCELERATING, CAR SHAKING, AND ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH ONCE I REACHED 45MPH. THIS HAD BEEN AN ISSUE FOR A FEW MONTHS ON AND OFF, THEN ONE SUNNY DAY ITS BEGAN HESITATING AND MISFIRING VERY BADLY NOW NOT ONLY IN 5TH GEAR BUT AT IDLE AND 1ST GEAR. IT MISFIRED AND HESITATED EVERY TIME I DROVE IT FOR A WEEK BEFORE THE MECHANIC COULD GET IT INTO THE SHOP. I DID A LOT OF RESEARCH ON THE TWO CODES THAT THE ENGINE WAS PULLING P0305 AND P0316 PENDING. I FOUND OUT THAT THERE WERE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AS ME WHEN THEIR ESCAPES REACH 90,000 MILES OR HIGHER, SOME EVEN WORSE. PEOPLE ARE SAYING THAT THE ISSUES BEING CAUSED ARE A RESULT OF FORD PUTTING IN THE WRONG SPARK PLUGS WHICH IS CAUSING THE COMPUTER CHIP TO BURN OUT LEADING TO MISFIRES IN THE COIL PACKS. MY MECHANIC JUST INFORMED ME THAT IT WILL COST $400 TO FIX TWO OF THE COILS AND THERE IS ONLY A 50/50 CHANCE THAT IT WILL FIX THE PROBLEM (FOR NOW). HE SAID IT WILL PROBABLY HAPPEN AGAIN BUT THERE IS NO TELLING HOW LONG THAT MIGHT BE, IT MIGHT BE RIGHT AWAY, A WEEK FROM NOW, OR A YEAR. WILL ALL THESE PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH NO WAY TO TELL IF IT IS ACTUALLY GOING TO FIX THE PROBLEM THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL OR AT LEAST A WARNING TO

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL ACCUMULATED WATER ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER LOCATED CORROSION IN THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL THAT CAUSED THE SUSPENSION AND BOLTS TO CORRODE. THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WELL WAS ALSO SHOWING SIGNS OF CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR, STATING THAT THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.