2004 Ford Escape

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/31/2014· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

  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.

• 12/31/2014· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE,WHEELS

  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

• 12/31/2004· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  WHEN FILLING THE GAS TANK, THE AUTOMATIC SHUT OFF WHEN THE TANK IS FULL DOES NOT FUNCTION. THIS LEADS TO EXCESS GAS SPILLING OUT. THIS HAS OCCURED AT NUMEROUS SELF-SERVE AND FULL SERVE GAS STATIONS INDICATING THAT IT IS NOT A PROBLEM WITH THE PUMP BUT A PROBLEM WITH THE DESIGN OF THE GAS TANK/INTAKE MECHANISM.*AK

• 12/30/2021· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

  The body panel around the rear driver side shock mount has almost completely rusted away. Driving one day, I started to hear a loud clunking noise from the rear driver side. It started to get louder the more I drove it. Upon inspection, I found the body panel had completely rusted around the shock mount tower, which is only now connected to the rear floor panel. Without the support of the rest of the body panel, the metal is slowing ripping away where it is connected to the floor if it is driven. The vehicle is completely unsafe to drive now as the rear shock could rip away from the vehicle at any moment. There have been many complaints of this happening on the rear passenger side, which I also had on this vehicle. Roughly 5 years ago, I had an independent auto body shop repair rust on the passenger side shock mount/body panel where it had rusted through. I noticed a hole in the body panel when changing the rear shocks, but it was not large enough or bad enough at that point to create a safety issue. So, I had time to safety get it to an auto body shop for repair before it got bad. This same issue has now happened on the driver side and I am left with a car that is unsafe to drive. When the other side was repaired, there was no sign of rust or concern on the other side. So, it has completely rusted through in that 5-year time frame. I inquired about repairing this with an auto body shop, and I was told that the rust is too significant to repair safely and cost effectively. It would require extensive metal repair on the body and frame underneath it. This absolutely could have put myself, my passengers, and other drivers at risk if the rear shock and mount had unexpectedly ripped away from the body of the vehicle. It could have ripped through the rear body of the car or come in contact with the rear wheel while driving, causing a significant risk of losing control of the vehicle.

• 12/30/2016· STRUCTURECrash

  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.

• 12/30/2003· STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  I PURCHASED A 2004 FORD ESCAPE XLT ON 12/8/03. ON THE WAY HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP, THE VEHICLE PULLED STRONGLY TO THE LEFT, AND AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED. ON 12/17/03, THE LEFT REAR POWER WINDOW HAD AN ELECTRICAL SHORT AND WOULD NOT CLOSE. IT WENT INTO SERVICE AND THE ELECTRICAL SHORT WAS REPAIRED. ON 12/19/03 WE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN TO SERVICE FOR THE PULLING TO THE LEFT. THEY TRIED AN ALIGNMENT ON THE VEHICLE, AND IT STILL PULLED TO THE LEFT. THE SERVICE PEOPLE TOLD MY WIFE TO DRIVE IT FOR 400-600 MILES TO SEE IF IT CORRECTS ITSELF. ON 12/22/03 I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO HAVE THEM CORRECT THE PROBLEM; AS I DID NOT FEEL THAT CONTINUING TO DRIVE IT WAS A PROPER SOLUTION. THE SERVICE TRIED THE ALIGNMENT AGAIN, TRIED TO ROTATE THE TIRES, CHANGING THE TIRES, BUT NOTHING CORRECTED THE VEHICLE FROM PULLING TO THE LEFT. THEY CONTACTED FORD WHO ADVISED THAT THE TROUBLE MAY BE THE STEERING RACK. ON 12/26/2003 I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE SERVICE DEPT, AND THEY PUT ON A NEW STEERING RACK, BUT THE VEHICLE STILL PULLED TO THE LEFT. THE INFORMED THAT THEY HAVE NO IDEA WHY THE NEW 2004 WITH NOW 600 MILES ON IT STILL PULLS TO THE LEFT. THE INFORMED THAT THEY WILL HAVE A FORD ENGINEER COME OUT TO SEE THE VEHICLE TO SEE IF THEY CAN FIGURE OUT WHAT THE ISSUE IS. I HAVE SPOKEN TO THE FORD SALESMAN THAT SOLD ME THE VEHICLE AND THE SALES MANAGER ON MY CONCERNS ON BUYING A NEW VEHICLE WITH THESE ISSUES RIGHT FROM THE START. THEY INFORMED THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO UNTIL THE FORD ENGINEER COMES TO CHECK THE VEHICLE OUT. OUR CONCERN NOW IS THAT THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE LEFT FOR UNKNOWN REASON THAT THE FORD SERVICE EXPERTS CANNOT FIGURE OUT, THESE PROBLEMS ARE OCCURING WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD ONLY 42 MILES ON IT.

• 12/29/2014· SUSPENSION

  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.

• 12/29/2011· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE, SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED AND BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT ALL OF THE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 116,000.

• 12/29/2006· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  TL* - THE CONTACT WAS ACCELERATING ONTO THE INTERSTATE WHEN THE THROTTLE BECAME STUCK. THE VEHICLE WAS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE WITH 47,000 MILES. THE CONTACT HAD BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE VEHICLE REACHED 100 MPH. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS OR NOISES PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE TRAVELED AT THIS SPEED FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 MILE. THE CONTACT KEPT APPLYING THE BRAKES AND WAS ABLE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE TO 45 MPH. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE POLICE , AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A FORD DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE CABLE. THE CONTACT HAS THE REPAIR ORDER. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE DRY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. AK UPDATED 01/29/07. *JB

• 12/27/2014· SUSPENSION

  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

• 12/24/2014· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

  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

• 12/21/2014· SUSPENSION

  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

• 12/20/2006· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS FORD ESCAPES JUST STALLS WHILE DRIVING, THERE ARE NO WARNINGS SIGNS. THE VEHICLE WILL JUST STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THIS HAPPENS AT ANY SPEED. THE VEHICLE WILL START BACK UP RIGHT AWAY. THIS STARTED HAPPENING DURING THE WEEK SECOND WEEK OF NOVEMBER 2006. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS ON 12/9/06 AND THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH. THE NEXT DAY THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK IN AND THE DEALER CHANGED THE AIR CONTROL VALVE, AND THE CRANK SHAFT TIMING SENSOR. THE DEALER ALSO TOLD CONTACT THAT THEY HAD CONTAMINATED FUEL AND REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND FILTER. THE STALLING OCCURS TWO OR THREE TIMES A DAY. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER AGAIN FOR REPAIRS FOR THE SAME ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAS THE REPAIR ORDER, NO INJURIES HAVE OCCURRED DUE TO THIS FAILURE.

• 12/19/2012· SERVICE BRAKES

  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.

• 12/18/2013· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE

  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.

• 12/18/2010· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS

  AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 10 MILES MY AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. ON THE WAY BACK, IT AGAIN CAME ON AFTER ABOUT 10 MILES - IT FLASHED A FEW TIMES AND THEN STAYED ON. THE FORD DEALER TESTED THE CAR AND SAID THE WARNING LIGHT WAS CAUSED BY BOTH FRONT PRETENSIONER CONNECTORS COSTING $397.99. I LOOKED UP PRETENSIONER ON THE INTERNET AND SAW MANY COMPLAINTS SPECIFIC TO 2004 FORD ESCAPES. THERE WERE ALSO SOLUTIONS SUCH AS DISCONNECTING THE LIGHT, IGNORING THE LIGHT, AND RIGGING THE WIRES UNDER THE SEAT. MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD DEFECT THAT MAY LEAD TO LACK OF SAFETY AND HIGHWAY DEATH. IT IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR THAT CONSUMERS MAY IGNORE.

• 12/16/2015· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD, AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE ACCELERATOR CABLE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V574000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL), BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

• 12/15/2015· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,400.

• 12/15/2003· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO ACCELERATE FROM 60 MPH TO 70 MPH. WHEN I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, IT WENT TO THE FLOOR AND REMAINED THERE UNTIL I REACHED A MAXIMUM SPEED OF 110 MPH. I ATTEMPTED TO PUMP THE PEDAL TO UNSTICK IT AND DEPRESSED THE BRAKE. THE ONLY WAY I WAS ABLE TO STOP WAS TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND DEPRESS THE BRAKE STRONGLY. EVEN AFTER REMOVING THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION, THE PEDAL REMAINED DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR. THIS WAS A HERTZ RENTAL CAR SO I DON'T HAVE INFORMATION ON IT OTHER THAN THE REGISTRATION. MO757KFR. *AK

• 12/13/2010· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, IT STUCK TO THE FLOORBOARD AND ACCELERATED UP TO 80 MPH ALTHOUGH THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS ALSO DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 141,000.

• 12/13/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT INTERMITTENT STALLING AT LOW SPEED THAT WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS APPLIED FROM A STOP POSITION OR COMING TO A STOP. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER ON EIGHT OCCASIONS, AND DEALER UNABLE TO RESOLVED / DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

• 12/10/2018· UNKNOWN OR OTHERFire

  ON THURSDAY 15 NOVEMBER 2018, I PARKED MY 2004 FORD ESCAPE LTD IN A PARKING-LOT AND WENT INTO MY OFFICE. WITHIN ONE HOUR, A FIRE BEGAN IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT THAT QUICKLY SPREAD TO THE REST OF THE VEHICLE. THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE IS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS DETERMINED A TOTAL LOSS BY MY INSURANCE COMPANY.

• 12/10/2015· SUSPENSION

  RIGHT REAR FENDER WELL RUSTED AWAY SHOWING INSIDE OF TRUNK LINER AND MAKING LOUD BANGING NOISES

• 12/10/2012· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  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.

• 12/10/2007· PARKING BRAKE

  THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE BUTTON ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON MY 2004 FORD ESCAPE LIMITED EDITION HAS BROKE. THE FIRST TIME WAS FIXED UNDER WARRANTY, THIS TIME FORD IS REFUSING TO FIX IT FOR FREE. THIS IS SAFETY EQUIPMENT THAT HAS FAILED TWICE ON A SUV THAT IS LESS THAN 3 YEARS OLD. *TR

• 12/07/2015· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

  SHOCK FRAME SUPPORT ON RIGHT REAR SIDE COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT MAKING VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE ALONG WITH ENTIRE AREA RUSTING OUT PREMATURELY. I CAN SEE THE OUTSIDE THRU MY SPEAKER GRILL. HOW COULD THIS NOT BE A SAFETY RECALL WHEN IT IS CLEARLY A FORD DEFECT? REPAIR QUOTES IN THE $2000- $2500 RANGE.

• 12/06/2015· STRUCTURE

  OUR 2004 FORD ESCAPE IS MAKING METALLIC CREAKING, SQUEAKING AND GROANING SOUNDS FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR. THE SOUND IS TRIGGERED BY JUST SITTING IN THE STATIONARY CAR AND ROCKING BACK AND FORTH. IT BECOMES CONSTANT AS SOON AS THE VEHICLE STARTS MOVING. THERE ARE ALSO OCCASIONAL HEAVY METALLIC THUMPS OR KNOCKS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OR UNDERSIDE OF THE CAR, AND THE RIDE IS ROUGH. THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR INNER METAL WHEELHOUSE IS EXTREMELY RUSTY. A FEW HOLES ARE SEVERAL INCHES SQUARE & GO ALL THE WAY THROUGH INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. PART OF THE RUST IS VERY NEAR WHERE THE TOP OF THE SHOCK ABSORBER BOLTS INTO THE WHEELHOUSE. THE WHEELHOUSE METAL IS SO RUSTY THAT I CAN FLEX IT WITH MY HAND AND CAUSE THE CREAKING SOUNDS. I BELIEVE THE HEAVY METALLIC THUMPS ARE CAUSED WHEN THE CONICAL BUMPER INSIDE THE TOP OF THE SPRING BOTTOMS OUT AND HITS THE SUSPENSION MOUNTED TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SPRING. THIS LIKELY HAPPENS BECAUSE THE SHOCK ABSORBER CANNOT STOP IT, SINCE THE RUSTY WHEELHOUSE BENDS SO MUCH. THIS SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM IS HEAVILY DOCUMENTED ON THE INTERNET BY A VERY LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE. THE TOP OF THE SHOCK ABSORBER COULD CRASH THROUGH THE WHEELHOUSE AND PROTRUDE INTO THE CAR INTERIOR, INJURING OCCUPANTS OF THE CAR. THIS WOULD MAKE LOSS OF CONTROL MORE LIKELY. IT WOULD BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IF THE SHOCK ABSORBER BREAKS FREE AND BECOMES TANGLED UP WITH THE REAR WHEEL OR PUNCTURES THE TIRE. THIS CAR IS A UNIBODY CONSTRUCTION, SO THIS WHEELHOUSE IS SUPPOSED TO PROVIDE STRUCTURAL STRENGTH FOR THAT PART OF THE CAR. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH THIS RUSTY WHEELHOUSE WILL DISINTEGRATE AND NOT PROPERLY ABSORB THE CRASH ENERGY LIKE IT IS SUPPOSED TO. THIS MAKES IT MORE LIKELY THAT THE OCCUPANTS WILL GET INJURED. PLEASE FORCE A VEHICLE RECALL ASAP WHICH MAKES FORD MOTOR CO. REPLACE THIS DANGEROUS WHEELHOUSE WITH ONE THAT HAS A SAFER, NON-RUSTING DESIGN.

• 12/06/2010· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  THE #5 SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF CYLINDER HEAD ON MY 2004 FORD ESCAPE WHILE I WAS DRIVING APPROX 30 MPH. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED TO ME IN A YEAR (IT HAPPENED 1ST TIME IN AUG 2009). THESE WERE BOTH THE ORIGINAL FACTORY INSTALLED SPARK PLUGS, NOT REPLACEMENT PARTS. *TR

• 12/06/2010· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  THE #5 SPARK PLUG BLEW OUT OF CYLINDER HEAD ON MY 2004 FORD ESCAPE WHILE I WAS DRIVING APPROX 30 MPH IN AUGUST 2010. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED TO ME IN A YEAR (IT HAPPENED 1ST TIME IN AUG 2009). IT HAPPENED AGAIN 12/5/10 AND I AM AWAITING REPORT ON WHICH SPARK PLUG IT HAPPENED TO THIS TIME. THE FIRST TWO WERE THE ORIGINAL FACTORY INSTALLED SPARK PLUGS, NOT REPLACEMENT PARTS. *TR

• 12/05/2012· ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC),SERVICE BRAKES

  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

• 12/04/2014· AIR BAGSCrash

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

• 12/04/2004· AIR BAGS

  I PURCHASED USED 2004 FORD ESCAPE WITH 5650 MILES IN 8/04. IN SEPT04, FRONT PASSENGER DOOR UNLATCHED WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN PARKING LOT. MY 13-YR-OLD SON WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. AFTER I STOPPED THE VEHICLE, HE ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE DOOR USING THE DOOR HANDLE, AND THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. HE THEN TRIED UNLOCKING THE DOOR USING THE PWR DOOR CONTROL TO NO AVAIL. I THEN USED THE DRIVER SIDE PWR DOOR CONTROL TO LOCK/UNLOCK THE DOOR, AND DOOR STILL WOULD NOT OPEN. SUDDENLY THE DOOR LOOK CONTROL ON PASSENGER SIDE BEGAN LOCKING/UNLOCKING BY ITSELF. IN ORDER TO OPEN THE DOOR, I HAD TO GET OUT OF THE CAR AND OPEN THE PASSENGER DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. I TOOK CAR INTO DEALERSHIP, AND THEY DID NOT FIND A PROBLEM. FIVE DAYS LATER ON 10/5/04, THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. RETURNED VEHICLE TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP ADVISED BLINKING CODE 37. THEY RAN SELF TEST ON RCM MODULE. FAULT CODE IS B1998 (PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG HIGH RESISTANCE). CODE WAS CLEARED & SELF TEST RE-RAN. THEY ALSO FLEXED WIRES AT CONNECTORS & FAULT DID NOT RETURN. ON 11/24/04, I RETURNED VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP AGAIN BECAUSE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. THE FOUND SAME FAULT CODE. DEALER FOUND OASIS MESSAGE 18280. FORD IS WORKING ON A FIX THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE AVAILABLE 4TH QUARTER 2004. DEALER CLEANED TERMINALS PER FORD INSTRUCTIONS & RE-TESTED. I ASKED SERVICE ADVISOR IF MY AIRBAGS WILL WORK, AND HE ADVISED HE DIDN'T KNOW. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD.*AK

• 12/03/2012· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  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.

• 12/02/2015· AIR BAGS

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEATBELT ALARM PRE-TENSIONER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

• 12/02/2014· SUSPENSION

  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.

• 11/30/2012· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  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

• 11/29/2005· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  2004 FORD ESCAPE HOOD FLEW OPEN WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH. *TS ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** THE VEHICLE'S WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT THEREFORE THE DEALER WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL BODY SHOP FOR REPAIR. *NM

• 11/24/2005· BACK OVER PREVENTION

  1. I AM COMPLAINING ABOUT MY BACK UP ALARM SENSORS. I HAVE HAD ABOUT 5 INCIDENTS IN WHICH I HAVE RECEIVED FALSE POSITIVES WHEN NOTHING IS BEHIND ME. AT WORK WHILE BACKING OUT, THE SYSTEM WILL SOUND AND GO CRAZY. 2. I HAVE NOT HAD ANY ACCIDENTS WITH THIS MALFUNCTION TO DATE. I JUST DO NOT TRUST THE PRODUCT THAT WAS PURCHASED WITH MY CAR 3. I TOOK MY CAR TO MOSSY FORD IN SAN DIEGO ON OCTOBER 18, 2005. MADE THE COMPLAINT AND THEY SAID THAT EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT GOOD. I HAVE NOTICED ONE THING IN COMMON WITH ALL FIVE OF MY INCIDENTS, I HAVE BEEN AROUND NEXTEL CELLULAR PHONE TOWERS. IN MY WORK PARKING LOT WE HAVE A NEXTEL CELL TOWER AND THIS IS WHERE THE SYSTEM SEEM TO BE UNRELIABLE. ALSO AT A PLACE OF BUSINESS THAT I FREQUENT THERE IS A CELL SITE DOWN THE STREET. I DID SEE A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS ON YOUR WEB SITE WITH THIS TYPE OF COMPLAINT. IT IS SERVICE BULLETIN NUM : 04262 DATE OF BULLETIN: MAR 07, 2005 NHTSA ITEM NUMBER: 10014671.*JB

• 11/21/2016· STRUCTURE

  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.

• 11/20/2018· STEERING,STRUCTURE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED DUE TO SEVERE RUST AND CORROSION OF THE SUBFRAME. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE THE CONTROL ARMS AND NOTICED THAT A HUGE CHUNK ON THE SUBFRAME WAS ROTTED AND CORRODED WITH A LARGE HOLE NEAR THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE SUBFRAME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS APPROXIMATELY 40 DEGREES OFF BALANCE. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS ADJUSTED WHILE TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT TO PREVENT INDEPENDENTLY INTRUSIVE STEERING DUE TO THE STEERING IMBALANCE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO MAKE REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE DAMAGE ASSOCIATED WITH THE MOUNT OF THE SUBFRAME THAT HAD PARTIALLY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CONCLUDED THAT ANY REPLACEMENT MEASURES IN RELATION TO THE FAILURE WOULD BE FAULTY. CHAMPION FORD VOLVO (2502 WEST 26TH STREET, ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA 16506, (814) 878-2500) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED IN 2014 PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE), IN WHICH THE CROSSBRACE WAS APPLIED TO THE VEHICLE FOR PREVENTATIVE SUBFAME DAMAGE IN JULY OF 2014. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 128,000.

• 11/20/2015· STRUCTURE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, A LOUD BANGING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL, AND THE SHOCK ABSORBER TOWER WERE SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000.

• 11/19/2014· SUSPENSION

  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

• 11/17/2016· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

  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.

• 11/17/2015· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKESFire

  WE OWN A 2004 ESCAPE. THAT TWO WEEKS AGO CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO THE ABS CONTROL MODULE. WE ALSO HAVE HAD BRAKE LINES GO BAD DUE TO PART FAILURE TWICE. AND THE TOTAL OF THREE ALTERNATORS. NOW WE HAVE SPOKEN TO FORD REGARDING THE 01-03 FIRE ISSUE. BUT THEY WILL NOT DO ANYRHING TO CONSIDER THE 04 EVEN THOUGH IN RESEARCHING THE ACTUAL RECALL IT WAS THE SAME ISSUE. I WOULF LIKE TO SEE THIS HAPPEN. WE ARE SELLING OUR VEHICLE TO THE SEALER SUE TO LACK OF RELIABILITY. BUT WANTED TO VET THE WORD OUT ON THIS ISSUE. OUR ENGINE ALSO IDLE AND TRIES TO PULL THE VEHICLE FORWARD EVEN WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED. THIS IS DUE TO A FAULTY IDLE AIR CONTROLL VALVE.

• 11/17/2015· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  RIGHT, REAR BACK WINDOW HINGE BOLT RUSTED OFF AND BROKE

• 11/15/2014· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

  DRIVING AND SOUNDS LIKE A SQUARE BOWLING BALL IS ROLLING AROUND IN BACK. LOOK TO FIND A RUSTY MESS FROM SHOCK MOUNT GOING THROUGH WHEEL WELL. ASKED AROUND AND SEEMS TO BE COMMON PROBLEM. THANK GOODNESS I WASN'T FAR FROM HOME. VERY DANGEROUS, WHY IS THIS NOT RECALLED YET! *TR

• 11/15/2014· SUSPENSION,WHEELS

  A FEW WEEKS AGO I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY DOWN A DIRT ROAD AND I STARTED TO HEAR A BUMPING NOISE TOWARDS THE BACK OF MY CAR, ONLY WHEN I WHEN OVER BUMPS. I FIGURED IT WAS JUST GEAR IN MY TRUNK MAKING THE NOISE AND I WAS GOING TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT LATER, BUT IT DIDN'T SEEM LIKE ANYTHING TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT. YESTERDAY I FINALLY GOT ALL MY IGNITION COILS FIXED AFTER SOME TROUBLE WITH THE MECHANICS DOING IT WRONG ORIGINALLY. WHEN I LEFT HE TOLD ME I MAY HAVE A SUSPENSION PROBLEM, BUT THAT IT IS NOT LIKELY TO BE A PROBLEM ASIDE FROM THE ANNOYINGNESS OF IT. WHEN I GOT HOME I DECIDED TO HAVE A LOOK AROUND MY CAR AND AFTER DISCOVERING THAT IT DID NOT HAVE TO DO WITH MY TRUNK I LOOKED UNDER THE WHEEL WELL AND SAW THAT THE SUSPENSION MOUNT HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED OFF AND HAD BOUNCING AROUND AS I DROVE. IT WAS COMPLETELY DETACHED, AND AFTER GOODLING THIS I SAW THAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THIS SAME EXACT PROBLEM AND THAT IT IS VERY UNSAFE, AND MOST LIKELY TO EXPENSIVE TO FIX. I HAD BEEN DRIVING WITH THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM FOR A FEW WEEKS WITH NO IDEA OF THE DANGER THAT IT COULD CAUSE. THERE IS NO RECALL ON IT BUT I FEEL THAT WITH THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM AND THE SEVERITY OF IT, FORD NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. *TR

• 11/15/2014· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  ON THREE PREVIOUS OCCASIONS THROTTLE STUCK ON HIGH WHEN STOPPED OR IN PARK WHILE PARKING VEHICLE. AFTER GOOGLING INFORMATION ON POSSIBLE CAUSES I FOUND A COMPLAINTS ALREADY FILED WITH THIS ISSUE. FORD ACKNOWLEDGED RECALL NUMBER 12S37. WHEN I CONTACTED MY LOCAL FORD DEALER SATURDAY MORNING 11/15/2014 WITH THIS NUMBER THEY WHERE UNAWARE,AND FOUND NO REFERENCE THIS ISSUE. PLEASE ASSIST. *TR

• 11/14/2012· POWER TRAIN

  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

• 11/13/2013· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLCrash

  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.