2004 Ford Escape Complaint Log

CAME OUT OF PARK WHILE I WAS PUMPING GAS AND ROLLED INTO THE STORE . ( ABOUT 35 FEET ). *NM

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

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE HAD TO PUT AIR IN HER TIRES EACH WEEK BECAUSE THEY WOULD CONSTANTLY DEFLATE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY INFORMED HER THAT THE FAILURE WAS WITH THE TIRES. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HER TO CALL NATIONAL TIRE AND BATTERY (NTB) AND HAVE THEM INSPECT THE TIRES. NTB STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT THE TIRES, BUT RATHER WITH THE RIMS. THE FAILURE HAS NOT YET BEEN IDENTIFIED AND THE FAILURE HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE OCTOBER 10, 2005. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 11,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 38,800. UPDATED 6/9/08 *CN UPDATED 06/09/08

ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING NO MORE THAN 30 MPH ON CITY STREETS, I HAVE LOST POWER STEERING ON MY 2004 FORD ESCAPE XLT. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS 8/11/05 WHILE I WAS 207 MILES AWAY FROM HOME ON VACATION. I MADE A RIGHT HAND TURN AFTER STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I LOST POWER STEERING. IT WAS VERY HARD TO STEER, BUT I MANAGED TO EASE TO THE RIGHT HAND LANE. FORTUNATELY, NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME. ONCE TO THE SIDE OF THE STREET, I PLACED CAR IN PARK AND STARTED TRYING TO TURN THE STEERING LEFT & RIGHT UNTIL I FELT THE POWER STEERING RETURN. I STOPPED AT A FORD DEALERSHIP TO CHECK THE VEHICLE BEFORE THE TRIP HOME. DEALER ONLY LOOKED UNDER HOOD TO CHECK FLUID AND LOOK FOR ANY OBVIOUS PROBLEM. NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND, AND WE MADE IT HOME SAFELY. THE SECOND OCCURRENCE WAS 9/6/05, SAME SITUATION. I LOST POWER STEERING AFTER MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN. I MANAGED TO MOVE TO THE SIDE OF STREET AGAIN, PLACED CAR IN PARK, TRIED TURNING STEERING WHEEL UNTIL I FELT POWER STEERING RETURN. DROVE TO LOCAL DEALERSHIP WHERE THEY ONCE AGAIN FOUND NO PROBLEM AFTER CHECKING WIRING, PRESSURE PUMP, POWER STEERING RACK, & MODULE. NOTHING WAS REPLACED. I VOICED MY CONCERN TO SERVICE ADVISOR THAT THIS WAS 2ND OCCASION AND FORTUNATELY I WASN'T ON FREEWAY OR NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME THESE TWO TIMES. ON BOTH OCCASIONS I HAD MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR. WE MAY NOT BE SO LUCKY THE NEXT TIME. I ALSO ASKED SERVICE ADVISOR ABOUT JUST REPLACING PARTS SINCE CAN'T FIND A PROBLEM, AND HE ADVISED FORD DOESN'T ALLOW THEM TO DO THAT SINCE THEY DIDN'T FIND A PROBLEM. THIS IS THE 2ND FORD/MERCURY VEHICLE THAT HAS CAUSED ME NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS, AND I DO NOT FEEL THAT WE ARE SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE. *NM

DT: CONTACT STATES WHILE DRIVING AND PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO FREE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE PLASTIC SHIELD CAUSED THE PEDAL TO STICK. . THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TO A SERVICE DEALER AS OF YET.*AK

DT: CONSUMER HAS 26,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND THE ORIGINAL TIRES ARE ON THE VEHICLE. THE TIRES ARE HYDRO PLANNING. HE CALLED THE TIRE COMPANY AND WAS TOLD TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER. THEY TOLD HIM THAT ONE TIRE WAS SLIGHTLY CUPPING ,AND ANOTHER WAS WEARING OUT. CONSUMER WAS NOT TOLD WHICH TIRES THESE WERE. CONSUMER ROTATED TIRES EVERY 2,500 MILES. THIS PROBLEM STARTED DURING A RAIN STORM GOING APPROXIMATELY 50-55 MPH LAST WEEK.*AK *JB

I WAS DRIVING IN MY 2004 FORD ESCAPE AND CHANGING LANES. AS I HAD MY FOOT ON THE ACCELERATOR, THE PEDAL STUCK. I TRIED TO HIT THE BRAKES, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP I WAS ON A CROWDED EXPRESSWAY AND THE VEHICLE WAS GOING AT A SPEED THAT EXCEEDED THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC. I FRANTICALLY HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS RECALLED AND I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK, WAS SERVICED AND STILL THE VEHICLE FAILED!

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

WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM HAVING A FEW DRINKS WITH MY FRIENDS, A DEER RAN OUT IN FRONT OF ME AND ALTHOUGH I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES, I COULDN'T STOP QUICK ENOUGH TO AVOID HITTING THE DEER AND SMASHING IN THE GRILL OF MY NEW CAR. WHEN THE STATE PATROL ARRIVED, THEY GAVE ME A TICKET FOR SPEEDING AND AFTER I TOLD THEM THAT I WAS NOT SPEEDING WHEN I HIT THE DEER, (I HAD GOTTEN THE SPEED DOWN TO ABOUT 60MPH AT IMPACT) THEY THEN WANTED ME TO TAKE A ALCOHOL IMPAIRED TEST WHICH I NATURALLY DECLINED BECAUSE I WASN'T IMPAIRED. I ONLY HAD JUST A FEW DRINKS AND MAYBE SOME BEER & WINE AT DINNER AND MAYBE 2 DRINKS BEFORE I LEFT TO GO HOME. THEY THEN PROCEEDED TO ARREST ME LIKE A COMMON CROOK AND TOOK ME TO JAIL, WHERE I HAD TO SPEND THE NIGHT. ANYWAYS, MY INSURANCE COMPANY REFUSES TO FIX MY NEW CAR AND NOW THE CAR COMPANY REFUSES TO FIX IT ALSO. THIS CAR IS A PIECE OF JUNK. IF IT HAD BEEN MADE GOOD, IT WOULDN'T HAVE SUSTAINED ALL THAT DAMAGE FROM HITTING A LOUSY DEER. WHILE TRYING TO FIX THE DAMAGE MYSELF, MY FRIEND [XXX] PUT SOME GAS ON THE GRILL AND LIT IT TO SOFTEN UP THE PLASTIC JUNK THEY MADE THE GRILL OUT OF, SO WE COULD BEND IT BACK TOGETHER AND J.B. WELD IT. WELL, [XXX] GOT SOME OF THE HOT MELTED PLASTIC ON HIM AND IT BURNED LIKE [XXX] AND HE JUMPED UP AND KNOCKED OVER THE JAR WITH GAS IN IT AND THE WHOLE PLACE WENT UP IN FLAMES. MY CAR NOT ONLY BURNED, BUT MY GARAGE WENT UP IN SMOKE TOO. NOW THE INSURANCE COMPANY IS TELLING ME THAT THEY WON'T PAY THE CLAIM FOR THE GARAGE OR THE CAR CAUSE IT LOOKS LIKE ARSON FOR PROFIT. HOW IN THE [XXX] CAN I PROFIT FROM LOSING MY CAR AND GARAGE. [XXX] PISSED, AND HAS THREATENED TO SUE ME CAUSE HE GOT BURNED AND THINKS HE SHOULD GET SOME OF THE INSURANCE MONEY I THOUGHT I WAS GOING TO GET SINCE HE'S THE ONE THAT STARTED THE FIRE. SHOULDN'T I BE SUING HIM? ANYWAY, IF THE [XXX] CAR HAD BEEN MADE GOOD, I WOULDN'T BE IN THIS FIX. NOW I HAVEN'T GOT ANYTHING TO DRIVE AND NO PLACE TO PARK IT IF I DID. THIS REALLY SUCKS. IS THERE ANYONE I CAN SUE? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

WENT TO PASS ANOTHER VEHICLE WHILE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON OUR ACCELORATOR STUCK AND WE CONTINUED TO PICK UP SPEED. UNABLE TO STOP CAR. BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK. ABLE TO STOP VEHICLE BY EVENTUALLY SLOWING ENOUGH TO THROW INTO PARK. IT TOOK APPROXIMATELY 1 MILE TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER INDICATED CRUISE CONTROL CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. COULD NOT PROVIDE REASON FOR CABLE FAILURE. VEHICLE HAS 33000 MILES.*AK

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK INTERMITTENTLY. CONSUMER WAS DRIVING IN THE RAIN AND THEY SHUT DOWN.*AK

COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL."MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED A 2004 ESCAPE LAST YEAR, AND WE HAVE JUST LOST THE VEHICLE TO A FIRE. UNFORTUNATELY, MY ENTIRE 5,000 SQ. FT. BARN IS TOTALLY DESTROYED AS WELL, AND I NEARLY LOST MY HOME. SHE PARKS HER ESCAPE IN AN OPENING IN OUR DETACHED BARN TO KEEP IT OUT OF THE WEATHER. ON THE MORNING OF 3/5/05 (4:45 AM), I WOKE TO A GLOW IN THE WINDOW, FINDING THAT MY BARN WAS TOTALLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. WHEN I FIRST DISCOVERED THE FIRE, THE FLAMES WERE CONTAINED TO THE AREA OF THE BARN WHERE HER ESCAPE WAS PARKED. THE FIRE SPREAD QUICKLY, AND WE LOST THE STRUCTURE AND THE ESCAPE. LOCAL FIRE INVESTIGATORS ARE LOOKING AT THE ESCAPE AS THE CAUSE OF FIRE. THEY BELIEVE THE WIRING MAY HAVE IGNITED WHILE SITTING IDLE (NOT RUNNING). I FOUND MANY INSTANCES ON THE INTERNET WHERE SOME FORD MODELS HAVE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE SITTING IDLE, BUT I HAVEN'T FOUND ANY REFERENCE TO THE ESCAPE. CAN YOU ADVISE IF YOU HAVE HISTORY OF SUCH FIRES WITH THE ESCAPE? I APPRECIATE ANY INFORMATION YOU CAN PROVIDE. MY INSURANCE COMPANY WILL BEGIN AN INVESTIGATION TOMORROW, AND I AM TRYING TO COLLECT AS MUCH INFORMATION ON SPONTANEOUS FIRES ON FORD PRODUCTS, ESPECIALLY THE ESCAPE.*JB *NM

AS MY 2004 FORD ESCAPE TURNED 25,000 MILES, THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL BRAKE SHOP, AND THEY ADVISED ME THAT THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WERE WARPED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AS WELL AS THE BRAKE PADS. THE BRAKE FLUID WAS ALSO VERY LOW. THE BRAKE SHOP MANAGER STATED THAT IT IS EXTREMELY UNUSUAL FOR ROTORS TO BE REPLACED AT 25,000 MILES. UPON INVESTIGATING OTHER SIMILAR CLAIMS ON VARIOUS WEBSITES, IT APPEARS THAT FORD MOTOR CO. HAD MANY COMPLAINTS ON VARIOUS MODELS FOR THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM. ACCORDING TO ONE COMPLAINT WEBSITE, FORD MOTOR CO. WAS SUBJECT TO A CLASS ACTION BY FORD CONSUMERS IN 2003 REGARDING THE REPLACEMENT OF WARPED ROTORS ON THEIR VEHICLES AND OTHER BRAKE ISSUES. I'D CONTACTED MY DEALERSHIP, AND THE ASSISTANT SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT IF THE BRAKE PROBLEM OCCURED WITHIN THE 12 MONTH/12,000 MILE PERIOD, IT WOULD BE COVERED; OTHERWISE, IT WAS MY FINANCIAL PROBLEM. SINCE FORD MOTOR CO.HAS BEEN AWARE OF THE INFERIOR BRAKE PROBLEM AND CONTINUES TO INSTALL THE INFERIOR ROTORS ON THEIR NEW VEHICLES, WHY SHOULD THE CONSUMER CONTINUE TO HAVE TO PAY FOR REPLACEMENTS EVERY YEAR OR 25,000 MILES? ACCORDING TO THE BRAKE SPECIALISTS, ROTORS GENERALLY ARE REPLACED BETWEEN 60,000 - 85,000 MILES, AND NOT 25,000, UNLESS THERE IS A DEFECT IN PRODUCT.*AK

MY WIFE AND I WERE COMMUTING HOME WHEN THE REAR WINDSHIELD IN OUR 2004 ESCAPE SHATTERED ON ITS OWN; WE WERE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 70MPH. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY INFORMED US IT'S NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY SAYING, "WELL...YOU GUYS MUST HAVE HIT SOMETHING OR SOMETHING MUST HAVE HIT IT BECAUSE GLASS JUST DOESN'T SHATTER LIKE THAT." UPON FURTHER INSISTANCE THAT IT DOES, THE DEALER STILL REFUSED TO REPAIR IT UNDER WARRANTY AND WE CAN'T BELIEVE THIS REPAIR ISN'T COVERED (WE JUST PASSED THE 12,000 MILE MARK).*AK

I WAS IN A GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT, LOOKING FOR A PARKING PLACE,WENT DOWN ONE AISLE, TURNED LEFT TO AND STARTED UP THE NEXT AISLE. RIGHT AFTER I MADE THE TURN I PULLED INTO THE AISLES SECOND PARKING SPOT ON MY LEFT SIDE. I NEVER PICKED UP SPEED AFTER TURNING INTO THE AISLE. JUST AFTER I STARTED INTO THE PARKING SPOT MY CAR LITERALLY LUNGED FORWARD AND "TOOK OFF" ALL ON ITS OWN. (I DID NOT HAVE MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL)....I RUSHED TO PUSH DOWN ON THE BRAKE BUT BY THAT TIME MY CAR HAD ALREADY RUN UP ON THE HOOD OF THE CAR FACING ME FROM THE OTHER AISLE. I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR. I WAS TO STUNNED AT THE TIME TO KNOW NOW IF MY BRAKE STOPPED THE CAR OR IF THE CAR'S ACCELERATION STOPPED ON IT'S OWN ONCE IT WAS ON THE HOOD OF THE OTHER CAR. I AM SO THANKFUL NO ONE WAS INJURED AND HOW BAD THIS COULD HAVE BEEN IF I WAS STOPPING TO LET A PEDESTRIAN CROSS AND THIS HAPPENED AT THAT TIME. *JB

WITHIN 2 HOURS OF BUYING A NEW 2004 FORD ESCAPE AND AT 180 MILES THE THROTTLE STUCK ON THE HIGHWAY ACCELERATING ME TO NEARLY 90 MPH BEFORE I COULD SHIFT IT INTO NEUTRAL, GET IT OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE. HAD THERE BEEN ANY CARS NEXT TO ME ON THE HIGHWAY I WOULD HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN A HORRIBLE ACCIDENT. THE CAR IS AT THE DEALER TO BE FIXED, BUT I READ ON THE FORD MOTOR CO. WEB PAGE THERE IS A RECALL FOR ACCELERATOR PROBLEMS. HOW/WHY CAN A DEALER SELL A CAR WITH A KNOWN DEFECT? I VERY EASILY COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED.

2004 FORD ESCAPE DEVELOPED A PROBLEM WITH THE ACCELERATOR STICKING.*MR PRIOR TO THE RECALL NOTIFICATION, THE CONSUMER HAD ALREADY EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM AND IT WAS DETERMINED TO BE A STICKING GAS LINKAGE CABLE. RECALL#04V5774000 *JB

NHTSA CAMPAIGN 04V574000/ACCELERATOR CABLE. THE OWNER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION FROM THE MANUFACTURER ON 13 JAN 2005 REGARDING THIS RECALL. THE OWNER IMMEDIATELY MADE AN APPOINTMENT. UPON ARRIVAL AND AFTER WAITING MOST OF THE DAY, THE SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED THE OWNER THAT PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB

THE CONSUMER CONTACTED FORD REGARDING RECALL NUMBER 04V602000/LATCH/LOCKS/DOORS. HOWEVER, THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HE HAD THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER RAN BY THE DEALER, AND THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED; BUT DID NOT RECEIVE A LETTER. THE DEALER CONTACTED FORD, AND WAS TOLD NOT TO PERFORM THE RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. *AK *SC *JB

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

THE HEADLIGHTS ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS AT TIMES, THE HEADLIGHTS CUT ON AND OFF. WHEN TAKEN TO GET SERVICED, THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. *NM

THE ENGINE STALLED AT 55 MPH, CAUSING CONSUMER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR CHECKUP FOUR TIMES, BUT THE CAUSE WAS UNDETERMINED. *AK THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED 3 ADDITIONAL FAILURES. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD TO PRESS A BUTTON WHENEVER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE DEALER INSTALLED A SPECIAL COMPUTER. *SC *JB

IN NOVEMBER OF '03 I BOUGHT THE ESCAPE. NO PROBLEMS ALL WINTER. LAST WINTER OF '04-'05 I WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WHERE THE TRUCK WOULD NOT START UP RIGHT AWAY. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT WAS THE WINTER GAS AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. AFTER BRINGING IT BACK TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, THEY FINALLY GOT IT TO DUPLICATE. THEY REPLACED THE OXYGEN CELLINODE. UNFORTUNETLY THE PROBLEM JUST CAME BACK

PURCHASED 2/04. HESITATION PROBLEMS SINCE FIRST MONTH- FOUND NOTHING WRONG. CHNAGED OIL AT 5000K MILES, CHECKED AGAIN, FOUND NOTHING WRONG. NOW HAS 7000K MILES, STILL HESITATING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND HAS BEGUN NOT STARTING. TOWED TO DEALER, FUEL PUMP REPLACED DUE TO WEAK PRESSURE. TWO DAYS LATER, WOULD NOT START AND HESITATING STILL. TOWED BACK AGAIN DID START, SMELLED BAD, BUT NO CODES OR PROBLEMS FOUND.*AK

1. USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE NORMALY THROUGHOUT THE DAY. 2. ON 10/21/2004 THE EMERGENCY BRAKE RELEASE BUTTON FELL DOWN INSIDE THE E-BRAKE HAND GRIP, HAD TO USE THE END OF A PEN TO GET THE E-BRAKE TO RELEASE.*AK 3. TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP, THEY TOOK IT APART, AND PUT THE BUTTON BACK UP WHERE IT SHOULD BE, AND ORDERED A REPLACEMENT E-BRAKE ASSEMBLY, STILL HAVE OLD ASSEMBLY, THEY WEREN'T SURE WHY IT FELL DOWN AND BECAME STUCK.

WINDSHIELD OF 2004 FORD ESCAPE SUDDENLY CRACKED FROM LOWER SEAL UP TO ABOUT 12 INCHES IN LENGTH. NO EVIDENT SIGN OF IMPACT TO THE GLASS, VEHICLE WASN'T EVEN ON THE ROAD WHEN IT HAPPENED. *JB

ON FIVE (5) OCCASIONS OF FILLING UP MY 2004 FORD ESCAPE GAS TANK THERE HAS BEEN GAS SPILLAGE. GAS WILL COME FLYING BACK OUT OF THE TANK AFTER THE PUMP CUTS OFF. I TOOK THE ESCAPE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD NOTHING WAS CLOGGING OR IMPEDING THE FLOW OF GAS. I WAS TOLD NOT TO USE THE AUTOMATIC PUMP BECAUSE THE FLOW OF GAS MIGHT BE TOO FAST. I DO NOT USE THE AUTOMATIC PUMP ANYMORE AND THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. WHEN THE PUMP SITS IN THE OPENING FOR THE TANK THE PUMP IS AT AN UNEVEN LEVEL AND EVEN WHEN I PUMP SLOWLY SPILLAGE STILL OCCURS. (IT TAKES 5 MINUTES FOR ME TO GET 8 GALLONS OF GAS. I'VE TIMED IT.) THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED AT SEVERAL DIFFERENT GAS STATIONS. I HAVE ALSO TALKED WITH ANOTHER OWNER OF A FORD ESCAPE AND HE/SHE DOES NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE TO KEEP A FULL BOTTLE OF WATER IN MY CAR TO RINSE OFF THE SPILLED GAS BEFORE IT DRIES ON THE SIDE OF MY CAR. THIS IS AN ANNOYING PROBLEM AND I'M TIRED OF DEALING WITH IT. *NM

2004 ESCAPE WILL NOT START. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2003. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 6 TIMES FOR IT NOT STARTING AND THEY SAY THAT THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT AND TO LET THE PROBLEM GET A "LITTLE WORSE" AND MAYBE THEY CAN FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG. THIS HAS HAPPENED IN WARM WEATHER AND COLD WEATHER. I CONTACTED FORD'S CONSUMER TELEPHONE NUMBER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE DEALER CANNOT FIND ANY CODES SO THEY CAN'T FIX IT. JUST BECAUSE A COMPUTER CAN'T TELL THE MECHANIC HOW TO DO THEIR JOB DOES NOT MEAN THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR. FORD OFFERED TO REIMBURSE ME A CAR RENTAL SO II COULD LEAVE MY CAR AT THE DEALER AGAIN FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME SO THEY CAN TRY AND FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG. I DO NOT HAVE EXTRA MONEY LAYING AROUND FOR A RENTAL SO THEY CAN HAVE MY CAR AGAIN FOR SERVICE AND THEN HAVE TO WAIT FOR A REIMBURSEMENT. THIS VEHICLE STARTS WHEN IT WANTS TO AND HESITATES. THIS IS A CONSTANT ISSUE AND I BELIEVE I HAVE A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE. *NM

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

VEHICLE OCCASIONALLY DIFFICULT TO START AFTER SITTING ALL DAY (I.E. 8 HOUR WORK DAY). IT WILL CRANK, BUT WILL NOT CATCH. HAS HAPPENED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. HAS TAKEN UP TO 4 TIMES TO START. DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG AND SUGGESTED CHECKING TSBS. *JB

BRAKES SCREECH, SQUEAL, AND FEEL JERKY. ALSO WHEN I PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK, THE VEHICLE ROLLS FORWARD A DISTANCE OF FOUR (4) TO SIX (6) INCHES. MY BOYFRIEND, JODY, IS AN ATTORNEY. HE SAYS THAT ON OCCASION WHEN HE HAS DRIVEN THE VEHICLE, IT ROLLED FORWARD AFTER HE PUT IT IN PARK, AND TOUCHED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE IN THE PARKING LOT. HE ALSO REPORTED THAT MY VEHICLE ROLLED FORWARD FOUR (4) TO SIX (6) INCHES IN THE WAL-MART PARKING LOT, WHICH RESULTED IN THE FRONT END BEING BURIED UP AGAINST A HEDGE OF TALL THICKLY WOVEN (WEAVED[?] BUSHY LIMBS WHICH SCRAPED AND SCRATCHED MY FRONT END. ANYWAY, THE PAINT IS NOW SCRATCHED AND PEELING ON THE LOWER PART OF THE FRONT END, WHERE THE "CLADDING" IS PAINTED, AND THE LEADING EDGE OF THE METAL HOOD.*JB

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

AFTER 5000 MILE SERVICE, WHICH INCLUDE INSPECTING BRAKES AND ROTATING TIRES. I STARTED HEARING SOUND FROM THE REAR BRAKE WHILE APPLYING. THE NOISE WAS A TYPE OF THUMP WHICH SEEM TO CATCH ON THE DRUM. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER THE FOLLOWING DAY. MECHANIC RODE WITH ME AND DID HEAR NOISE. SAID THAT IT SOUNDED LIKE THE DRUM BRAKE WAS CATCHING. DEALER MACHINED DRUMS AND TAPERED ENDS OF REAR SHOES. NOISE WAS FIXED BUT I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS BEFORE. *NM

WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HILL WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON, VEHICLE PICKED UP SPEED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE CRUISE CONTROL HAS FAILED EVERYTIME IT' S BEEN USED. *NM

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

MY 2001 FORD ESCAPE HAD ITS AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BREAK AT 40,00 MILES. IT HAD TO BE REPAIRED 3 MORE TIMES WITHIN THE YEAR,THE THIRD TIME AFTER HAVING THE RECALL FOR THE STALLING PROBLEM. THERE WAS A SEAM WELD BROKEN IN CLUTCH DRUM IN 2ND REPAIR. *NM

COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT FREEWAY SPEED. NO ACCIDENT, INJURIES, OR PROPERTY DAMAGE WAS INVOLVED. THE VEHICLE A '04, FORD, ESCAPE, 2WD, AUTO, HAD 5,104 MILES AND WAS LESS THAN 90 DAYS OLD. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, WHICH PROMPTLY REPLACED DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION WITH A NEW ONE. TOTAL TIME REQUIRED WAS (6) WORKING DAYS. MOST OF THE REQUIRED TIME WAS WAITING FOR THE DELIVERY OF A NEW TRANSMISSION. DEALERSHIP REPORTED THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE "PLANETARY BEARING". THE "NEEDLE BEARINGS" IN THE "PLANETARY BEARING" HAD FAILED. THEY DISINTEGRATED. SMALL METAL FRAGMENTS WORKED THROUGH OUT THE TRANSMISSION, RESULTING IN EXCESSIVE INTERNAL DAMAGE. TRANSMISSION WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. ALL COSTS FOR TOWING, REPAIR, AND LOANER WERE PAID BY FORD MOTOR CO. REPAIR WORK WAS PERFORMED BY DICK MASHETER - FORD AND THEY DID A GOOD JOB. I DID REQUEST A 3YR, 36,000 MILE WARRANTY FOR THE NEW TRANSMISSION. THIS WAS DENIED. I STILL HAVE THE ORIGINAL FACTORY WARRANTY OF 3 YR, 36,00 MILES; BUT I WANTED THE CLOCK RESET FOR THE NEW TRANSMISSION. THIS WOULD HAVE EXTENDED THE WARRANTY FOR THE NEW TRANSMISSION TO 41,104 MILES. A SINGLE FAILURE MAY HAPPEN, SINCE WE DON'T LIVE IN A PERFECT WORLD. I'M FILING A COMPLAINT FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES, SO THE NHTSA MAY TRACK THIS TYPE OF FAILURE AND PERHAPS DETERMINE IF IT REQUIRES FURTHER INVESTIGATION AND/OR A RECALL. *NM

THE DRIVER'S SEAT IN MY 2004 FORD ESCAPE CAUSES SEVERE BACK PAIN AFTER 15-20 MINUTES. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD, BECAUSE CONSTANTLY ADJUSTING THE SEAT CREATES A DISTRACTION. *LA

MY 2004 FORD ESCAPE ROLLS BACKWARD WHEN IN DRIVE ON AN INCLINE (MODERATE TO STEEP). THE DEALER SAYS THIS IS NORMAL. I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM. *JB

CONSUMER NOTICED THE VEHICLE WAS USING EXCESSIVE FUEL AND WAS NOT SHIFTING INTO GEAR PROPERLY. AT ONE TIME, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. THE DEALER EXAMINED VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. *AK *JB

VEHICLE BROUGHT INTO REPAIR SHOP AND FOUND THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE AND WAS ROTTED CONSIDERABLY. A RECALL NOTICE ON THIS PROBLEM WAS SENT TO THE CUSTOMER AND CUSTOMER TOOK INTO BRIGHT FORD, INC FOR THE RECALL. REPAIR WAS DONE SEVERAL MONTHS LATER AND RETURNED TO CUSTOMER MAY 16, 2004. THREE MONTHS LATER WE AGAIN HAVE THIS VEHICLE IN THE SHOP AND UPON INSPECTION THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BRACKET ROTTED OFF OF THE CRADLE AND CAUSED THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO BE ONLY MOUNTED BY THE REAR BOLT. THIS CAR IS CONSIDERED A HAZARD TO DRIVE DUE TO THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE MOVEMENT NOT BEING CONTROLLED BY STEERING. BRIGHTON FORD ON THEIR INVOICE #19744, FOUND THE FRONT SUB FRMAE RUSTING THROUGH ON RIGHT HAND SIDE. SENT QUOTE FOR NEW SUB-FRAME AND WERE DENIED AND THEY WERE TOLD TO PUT THIS CROSS BRACE ON THE VEHICLE. THIS REPAIR IS NOT IN LINE WITH THE REPAIRS THAT WERE NEEDED. THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE DRIVEN AT THIS TIME AND BRIGHTON FORD SAYS IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO DETERMINE REPAIR. THIS WAS NOT A SAFE REPAIR AND KNOWINGLY TOLD CUSTOMER THAT IT WAS REPAIRED. *TR

VEHICLE BROUGHT INTO REPAIR SHOP AND FOUND THAT THE ENGINE CRADLE AND WAS ROTTED CONSIDERABLY. A RECALL NOTICE ON THIS PROBLEM WAS SENT TO THE CUSTOMER AND CUSTOMER TOOK INTO BRIGHT FORD, INC FOR THE RECALL. REPAIR WAS DONE SEVERAL MONTHS LATER AND RETURNED TO CUSTOMER MAY 16, 2004. THREE MONTHS LATER WE AGAIN HAVE THIS VEHICLE IN THE SHOP AND UPON INSPECTION THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BRACKET ROTTED OFF OF THE CRADLE AND CAUSED THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO BE ONLY MOUNTED BY THE REAR BOLT. THIS CAR IS CONSIDERED A HAZARD TO DRIVE DUE TO THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE MOVEMENT NOT BEING CONTROLLED BY STEERING. BRIGHTON FORD ON THEIR INVOICE #19744, FOUND THE FRONT SUB FRAME RUSTING THROUGH ON RIGHT HAND SIDE. SENT QUOTE FOR NEW SUB-FRAME AND WERE DENIED AND THEY WERE TOLD TO PUT THIS CROSS BRACE ON THE VEHICLE. THIS REPAIR IS NOT IN LINE WITH THE REPAIRS THAT WERE NEEDED. THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE DRIVEN AT THIS TIME AND BRIGHTON FORD SAYS IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO DETERMINE REPAIR. THIS WAS NOT A SAFE REPAIR AND KNOWINGLY TOLD CUSTOMER THAT IT WAS REPAIRED. *TR

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

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.

ONGOING MUSTY MILDEW ODOR FROM VENTS AND A/C UNIT. HAVE BROUGHT IT FOR SERVICE 3 TIMES, NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT PROBLEM. AFTER DRIVING IN THE CAR FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME, I FEEL ILL AND HAVE SLIGHT DIFFICULTY BREATHING. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A FLAPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF VEHICLE. CONSUMER PARKED ON THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, DISCOVERED THAT REAR RIGHT TIRE COLLAPSED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO CLAIMED THAT THE TIRE WAS PUNCTURED WHICH CAUSED IT TO COLLAPSE. *AK THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TIRE WAS PROBABLY PUNCTURED BEFORE THE SIDEWALL COLLAPSED, BUT THE SIDEWALL SHOULD NOT HAVE EVER COLLAPSED. *SC

WHILE BEING OPERATED ON AN EXPRESSWAY, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL COULD NO LONGER BE CONTROLLED AND REMAINED IN AN OPEN AND HIGH SPEED POSITION. *PH (NAR) *CB

CONSUMER 2004 FORD ESCAPE STALLED AT SLOW SPEEDS, ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. *TS THE CONSUMER WAS AWARDED A REPURCHASE OF HER 2004 FORD ESCAPE AFTER ARBITRATION DUE TO THE STALLING PROBLEM. *NM

2004 FORD ESCAPE WITH GEAR SELECTOR AND AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ISSUES. CONSUMER STATES THAT MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS A FAULTY WIRING HARNESS FOR THE FRONT SEAT BELTS. HE GAVE THE OK TO REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS. *KB THE GEAR SELECTION AT THE BASE OF THE STEERING COLUMN DID NOT LIGHT UP AT NIGHT. *JB