NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Ford Escape. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE REVVED AND UNINTENDED ACCELERATED, WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO ENGAGE THE BRAKE PEDAL, SHIFTED THE GEAR INTO NEUTRAL, ENGAGED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, AND COASTED THE VEHICLE OUT OF TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V353000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000. UPDATED 01/05/2017*CT THE CONSUMER STATED ON JANUARY 18, 2016, THE DEALER REPLACED THE PCV HOSE CONNECTOR. ON FEBRUARY 14, 2016 IT FROZE UP AGAIN AND ON FEBRUARY 17TH THEY CLEANED IT AGAIN AND REPLACED THE VACUUM COUPLING. ON DECEMEBR 15, 2016 WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY, THE THROTTLE STUCK WIDE OPEN AGAIN. THE PVC AREA WAS COMPLETELY FROZEN AGAIN. THE CONSUMER CLEANED IT, ONLY TO FREEZE AGAIN. UPDATED 02/14/17.*JB
THE FRAME AROUND THE REAR SUSPENSION IS RUSTED OUT (THROUGH) THE REAR SHOCK IS NOT CONNECTED TO ANYTHING. IS THERE A RECALL ON THIS ? I KNOW THE VEHICLE IS OLD BUT I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS ON EVEN OLDER VEHICLES.
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.
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.
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.
RIGHT REAR FENDER WELL RUSTED AWAY SHOWING INSIDE OF TRUNK LINER AND MAKING LOUD BANGING NOISES
RIGHT, REAR BACK WINDOW HINGE BOLT RUSTED OFF AND BROKE
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.
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.
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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE SPEED ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT FAILED TO RESPOND CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A GUARD RAIL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V353000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE EMITTED A CLUCKING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, WHICH INDICATED THAT THE FRONT SUSPENSION BAR WAS FRACTURED. THE FRONT SUSPENSION BAR WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKE LINES ALSO FAILED DUE TO CORROSION. THE BRAKE LINES WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,715. ..UPDATED 02/01/16 *BF *JS
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.
AT INTERMITTENT TIMES VEHICLE WILL STALL AND DIE. AFTER DRIVING AT 45MPH AND STOP CAR WILL DIE IN THE INTERSECTION. DRIVING AT 70MPH ON THE HIGHWAY VEHICLE WILL STALL WOTH CRUISE CONTROL ON. WHEN IT STALLS AT HIGHWAU SPEED IT JERKS SO VIOLENTLY THAT KIDS IN THE BACK SEAT GET BOUNCED AROUND. IT DOESNT STALL WHEN IDLING. ONLY IN DRIVE WHEN START TO TAKE OFF FROM A STOP OR IF YOUR MAINTANING A STEADY SPEED. THEN TRY TO SPEED UP OR SPEED DOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY VEERED TO THE RIGHT WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE) BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO PREVENT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 59,000.
FORD'S 14S02 RECALL WAS TO DEAL WITH EXCESSIVE RUST ON A SUBFRAME UNIT. IF THE RECALL INSPECTION OF THE SUBFRAME DID NOT RESULT IN CHARACTERISTICS WARRANTING REPLACEMENT, FORD INSTRUCTED DEALERS TO INSTALL A CROSS BRACE. APPROXIMATELY 13 MONTHS AFTER OUR 2004 FORD ESCAPE HAD THE CROSS BRACE INSTALLED THE SUBFRAME UNIT FAILED WHILE WE WERE DRIVING. THE CAR VIOLENTLY JERKED TO THE SIDE AND IF THERE HAD BEEN ANOTHER CAR OR ANY OBSTACLE ON THAT SIDE OF OUR VEHICLE WE WOULD HAVE HIT IT. I CONTACTED FORD SEVERAL TIMES AND ON EACH OCCASION WAS TOLD FORD WOULD NOT COVER THE COST OF THE REPAIRS BECAUSE THEY HAD ALREADY INSTALLED THE CROSS BRACE - WHICH WAS NOT THE PART THAT FAILED AND WAS NOT THE PART FOR WHICH THE RECALL WAS INITIATED. THE REPAIR COST OVER $800. AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT THE ESCAPE HAD FEWER THAN 60,000 MILES. DURING EACH ON MY CALLS TO FORD, AND AFTER BEING TOLD FORD WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIR COSTS, I ASKED TO SPEAK WITH A SUPERVISOR. EACH TIME I WAS TOLD THEY COULD HAVE A SUPERVISOR CALL ME 1 BUSINESS DAY LATER, BUT THEY WOULD NOT GIVE ME A TIME WHEN I COULD EXPECT THE CALL SO I HAD TO BE AVAILABLE AT ANY TIME THROUGHOUT THE DAY. TO SUMMARIZE, THE BAND-AID FORD PUT ON TO DEAL WITH THE SUBFRAME PROBLEM (THE CROSS BRACE) DID NOT FAIL. THE PART FOR WHICH THE RECALL WAS INITIATED DID FAIL EVEN WITH THE CROSS BRACE. FORD IS DENYING COVERAGE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS.
RIGHT SIDE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER TOWER RUSTED OUT
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000.
WHEEL WELL RUSTED THROUGH TO INTERIOR OF CAR, SHOCK DISLOCATED FROM WHEEL WELL. WE JUST MOVED TO RALEIGH FROM MICHIGAN. SEE RELATED NEWS ARTICLES: HTTP://WWW.USATODAY.COM/STORY/MONEY/CARS/2014/04/07/FORD-RECALL-FUSION-ESCAPE/7427299/ HTTP://TRUCKYEAH.JALOPNIK.COM/ALMOST-400-000-OLD-FORD-ESCAPE-SUVS-RECALLED-1560352974 HTTP://WWW.RIPOFFREPORT.COM/R/FORD-MOTOR-COMPANY/DEARBORN-MICHIGAN-/FORD-MOTOR-COMPANY-FACTORY-DEFECT-TO-ESCAPE-VECHICLES-DEARBORN-MICHIGAN-904056 HTTP://WWW.ARFC.ORG/COMPLAINTS/2004/FORD/ESCAPE/SUSPENSION/PROBLEM.ASPX
RIGHT REAR INNER FENDER WELL RUSTED OUT. CAUSING SHOCK NOT TO BE ATTACHED. UNSAFE TO DRIVE AS IS. FORD SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUBFRAME WAS SEPARATED FROM THE LOWER CONTROL ARM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE LISTED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.
RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL RUSTED THROUGH AND THE SHOCK AND SPRING PUNCHED THROUGH THE BODY OF THE CAR. HIGHLY DANGEROUS, AS OUR CHILDREN AND MY WIFE DRIVE THE CAR, BUT THE ONLY INDICATION THAT THIS OCCURRED WAS AN OCCASIONAL LOUD NOISE (MIMICKING A SHOCK ABSORBER BOTTOMING OUT). UNTIL I INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, NOTHING ELSE, SUCH AS HANDLING OR OTHER FACTORS WARNED OF THE DIRE SITUATION. FOR INSTANCE, MY WIFE TRAVELS BACK AND FOURTH TO HER PARENTS VIA A BUSY HIGHWAY COVERING ABOUT 50-60 MILES MULTIPLE TIMES A WEEK AND THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A FATAL CRASH. MY GUESS IF WE HAVE BEEN DRIVING ON THIS BASED ON THE OCCASIONAL NOISE FOR 2 MONTHS.
I HAVE 2004 FORD ESCAPE THE REAR SHOCK TOWERS RUSTED OUT I THINK FORD SHOUD RECALL FOR FIX AT THERE COST OTHERS HAVE THAT ISSUE TO I THINK IT A SAFETY ISSUE AND IT NEEDS TO BE FIXED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SHOCK TOWER COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,200.
WHILE DRIVING HOME, I HEARD A LOUD BANG COMING FROM THE PASSENGER-SIDE REAR WHEEL. WHEN I GOT HOME AND LOOKED AT IT, I NOTICED THE STRUT HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY FROM THE FRAME. I RESEARCHED THIS ISSUED ON THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND IT TO BE VERY COMMON TO THE YEAR AND MAKE OF THIS VEHICLE.
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE SHOCK AND WHEEL DETACHED DUE TO THE CORROSION OF THE BACK OF THE FRAME.
RIGHT REAR SHOCK BREAKING FREE DUE TO RUSTED OUT INNER FENDER WELL. CALLED FORD. THEY WONT BACK THE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH THOUSANDS OF OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED AND THERE ARE CURRENTLY NO REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR REPAIR. THIS IS AN UNSAFE SITUATION AND CAUSES A SWERVE IN STABILITY. IT IS ALSO CAUSING REPAIRS TO BE MADE UNSAFELY WITH COB JOB FIXES. IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED WITH FORD TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT...UPDATED 08/27/15 *BF UPDATED 12/3/15 *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE). WHILE HAVING THE REPAIRS PERFORMED, THE FAILURE LISTED IN THE NOTICED OCCURRED. DUE TO CORROSION, THE CROSS BRACE THAT WAS INSTALLED FAILED TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT AND FRACTURED, RENDERING THE PART UNUSABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE MANUFACTURER WOULD ONLY PROVIDE RECALL REPAIRS ONCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 145,000.
THE CAR BEGAN MAKING A LOUD CREAKING THAT I SUSPECTED WAS THE BACK WINDOW OR SOMETHING INSIDE. IT GOT WORSE AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS. I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED THOSE AND THEN THE WHEEL WELLS, AND THE BACK RIGHT WHEEL WELL WAS RUSTED SO BADLY THAT THE SHOCK MOUNT WAS NEARLY COMPLETELY DETACHED. IT DETACHED THE REST OF THE WAY OVER THE COURSE OF THE 2 MILE DRIVE TO MY HOME. THIS IS APPARENTLY A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL, ESPECIALLY IN THE 201-2004 RANGE, AND CAN AFFECT HANDLING. IT HAS BEEN REFERRED TO AS A FACTORY DEFECT AND A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS IN SOME VEHICLES, BUT NOT MINE. THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP WILL NOT LOOK AT IT BECAUSE ANY REPAIR WOULD REQUIRE ALTERATION TO THE BODY, SO THEY'VE REFERRED ME TO A BODY SHOP.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH OVER A SPEED BUMP, AN ABNORMAL NOISE CAME FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SHOCK TOWER HAD EXCESSIVE RUST AND FRACTURES, AND HAD BEGUN TO DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,911.
CHANGED THE REAR SHOCKS AFTER A WEEK WITH THE NEW SHOCKS IN I NOTICED A NOISE WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS THE SHOCK MOUNT IS RUSTED OUT AND THE CAR IS NOW UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN UNTIL IT IS FIXED AND FROM WHAT I HAVE BEEN READING MOST SHOPS WILL NOT TOUCH IT BECAUSE OF A LIABILITY ISSUE, NOT TO MENTION IF I FIND A GARAGE THAT WILL FIX IT THE COST IS GOING TO BE MORE THAN THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE! WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN RECALLED YET? VERY VERY DANGEROUS!
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN I HEARD A LOUD BANG. MAYBE HIT A SMALL POTHOLE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE ENTIRE SHEET METAL SECTION WHERE THE REAR STRUT MOUNTS TO THE BODY WAS RUSTED THROUGH. ALL OTHER WHEEL WELLS DO NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM. CLEARLY A PRODUCTION PROBLEM WITH THE UNDERBODY COATING. MANY OTHER FORMAL SAFETY COMPLAINTS TALK ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR WHEEL WELL. THIS VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN KANSAS CITY ASSEMBLY IN 10/03. THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AS A SAFETY RECALL ITEM AS IT CAN IMPACT STABILITY IN CORNERING.
MY WIFE WAS GOING TO THE STORE AND HIT A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD AT APPROX. 35MPH. WHEN SHE RETURNED HOME SHE SAID THERE WAS A RATTLE IN THE REAR OF HER CAR/TRUCK. I TOOK A LOOK AND THE TOP OF THE SHOCK AND THE SHOCK HOUSING WAS COMPLETELY BROKEN AWAY FROM THE SUSPENSION OF THE CAR/TRUCK. THE ENTIRE WHEEL WELL BROKE AWAY FROM THE CAR/TRUCK. CAN NOT DRIVE OUR CAR/TRUCK IN THIS CONDITION. GLAD SHE WAS NOT HURT. COULD HAVE GOT CAUGHT IN REAR WHEEL. I SEE A LOT OF THESE CARS/TRUCKS WITH SAME PROBLEM. FORD NEEDS TO REPAIR MY RIDE!!!!
THE RIGHT REAR (PASSENGER REAR) WHEEL WELL HAS CORRODED SO BAD THAT THE STRUT MOUNTS ARE BEGINNING TO FAIL. ALL OTHER WHEEL WELLS HAVE NOT CORRODED AT ALL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY VEERED TO THE RIGHT. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE LEANED OUTWARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE). THE CONTACT BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO OPERATE BECAUSE THE SUBFRAME WAS EXTREMELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000.
I AM SHOCKED AT HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE THAT I AM HAVING WITH MY ESCAPE IN REGARDS TO THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL RUSTING OUT AROUND THE SHOCK MOUNT. I INITIALLY NOTICED THE ISSUE WHEN I HEARD A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE IN THE RIGHT REAR OF THE CAR. I THOUGHT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE REAR SHOCKS SO I TOOK IT TO A NEIGHBORHOOD MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A FRAME ISSUE AND I NEEDED TO TAKE IT TO A BODY SHOP. HE ALSO STATED THAT IT WOULD PROBABLY COST HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX AND SOME BODY SHOPS WOULD NOT BE WILLING TO FIX IT. HE ALSO STATED THAT I SHOULD DRIVE SLOW BECAUSE THE SHOCK MOUNT IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. AT THIS POINT, I AM FURIOUS! I WENT TO A BODY SHOP TODAY ON MY LUNCH BREAK AND THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD COST UPWARDS OF $2,000 TO REPAIR. THE GUY AT THE BODY SHOP ALSO TOLD ME THAT HE HAS SEEN THIS ISSUE ON SEVERAL 2004-2006 FORD ESCAPES AND WAS WELL AWARE THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM. I AM SO FRUSTRATED AND AGITATED BECAUSE I HAVE TAKEN VERY GOOD I AM SO FED UP WITH HOW IRRESPONSIBLE THESE HUGE MILLION/BILLION DOLLAR COMPANIES ARE. FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN JUST IN MY LITTLE RESEARCH THAT I HAVE DONE TODAY, FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, YET THEY REFUSE TO ESTABLISH A RECALL.
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
DRIVING 25 TO 30 MILES PER HOUR THROTTLE STICKS AT 3 RPMS . I HAD TO RIDE BRAKE TO PULL OVER SAFELY. I SHUT CAR OFF AND RESTARTED, IDLE WENT UP TO 3 RPMS AND SLOWLY WENT TO 1 RPM I DROVE CAR HOME WITH NO PROBLEM. I STARTED CAR TODAY WITH IDLE STICKING ON 2 TO 3 RPM BEFORE GOING BACK TO 1.
FRONT TIRES NOW EXPERIENCING EXCESSIVE WEAR AFTER THE LOWER CONTROL ARM RUSTED THROUGH. RE-ENFORCED BRACE IN MAY 2014 RECALL DOES NOT HELP PREVENT AN ACCIDENT. STEERING PULLS TO THE RIGHT WHEN TURNING. THE CONTROL ARMS NEED REPLACED.
REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL WHERE THE SHOCK MOUNTS TO THE BODY IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND DETACHED FROM THE UPPER BODY OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AT ABOUT 65MPH WHEN THIS PIECE BROKE LOOSE FROM THE REST OF THE BODY. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, AND ALMOST CAUSED ME A SERIOUS ACCIDENT ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS FILED JUST IN THIS DATABASE ALONE WITH THE SAME EXACT ISSUE, RUST/CORROSION OF THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL WHERE THE SHOCK MOUNTS TO THE BODY. THE FORD DEALERSHIP THAT I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO TOLD US THAT THEY HAVE RECENTLY SEEN 4 OR 5 OTHER ESCAPES THAT HAVE THE SAME EXACT ISSUE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE, THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN.
GOING 20 MPH DOWN SIDE ROAD AND HIT POT HOLE. THE PART THAT YOU MOUNT THE REAR SHOCK TO CAME APART DO TO RUST AND KNOCKED A HOLE IN REAR WHEEL HOUSING. CAR IS UNRIVALLED AND INSURANCE WILL NOT COVER DO TO IT BEING A TIME RELATED THING. THERE WAS NO RUST IN WHEEL WELL OR HOLES BEFORE. VERY VERY DISAPPOINTED. I INSURANCE SAID IT'S A FLAW IN THE DESIGN OF FORD. THEY HAVE NO RECALLS IN PAST OR PRESENT.
THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL RUSTED OUT AND SEPARATED FROM VEHICLE BODY. CREATED SUSPENSION PROBLEM AND HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITION. THIS IS APPARENTLY A KNOWN ISSUE WITH SEVERAL FORD PRODUCTS ACCORDING TO THE REPAIR SHOP THAT HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED BY FORD.
REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL RUSTED SHOCK CAME OFF. FORD WON'T FIX IT. DRIVING WITH ONE REAR SHOCK.
RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND SHOCK MOUNT WHICH WAS BOLTED TO IT FELL AND IS HANGING NEXT TO AND ON THE WHEEL ALONG WITH A BALL OF SHARP TWISTED METAL FROM THE WHEEL WELL. HEARD NOISES FROM BACK OF CAR PAST MONTH OR SO BUT THOUGHT IT WAS SOMETHING IN THE CARGO COMPARTMENT. THEN WENT OVER POTHOLE AND LOUD BANG LIKE THE EXHAUST PIPE FELL AND WAS DRAGGING. THEN A BURNING RUBBER SMELL. THE METAL PIECE IS ABOUT TO PIERCE THE TIRE AND THE SHOCK ITSELF IS HANGING AND BANGING AGAINST TIRE. CAR IS UNDRIVABLE AND MAY BE UNFIXABLE IN THAT THE FIX WOULD BE WORTH MORE THAN THE CAR. I OF COURSE CAN NOT GET ANOTHER CAR RIGHT NOW DUE TO FINANCIAL REASONS SO WITHOUT A CAR NOW BECAUSE OF THIS. THE OTHER WHEEL WELLS SEEM FINE, NO RUST. THOUGH THERE IS A FEW RUST SPOTS ON THE BOTTOM OF THE RUNNING BOARDS AND ONE OF THE DOORS (WHICH THERE SHOULD NOT BE IN THIS DAY AND AGE ANY RUST) TO HAVE THIS IMMENSE AMOUNT OF RUST ONLY IN ONE WELL TELLS ME SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE DESIGN OR THE PAINT JOB AT THE FACTORY. IF A TIRE BLOWS OUT IT COULD KILL SOMEONE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN AN SUV . THIS IS A DEFECT, NOT AGING. NEEDS TO BE A RECALL. THOUGH THE CAR IS 11 I HAVE LESS THAN 90,000 ON IT. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO TRASH THE CAR DUE TO BODY ROT AT 90,000. IF THIS WAS DUE TO AGING OR WEATHER ALL THE WHEEL WELLS WOULD BE LIKE THIS.
2004 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE FRONT SUB-FRAME CROSSBRACE CORROSION SEPARATION OF LOWER CONTROL ARM RECALL NOTICE REPAIRS. *M UPDATED 07/20/2017*JS
CLUNKING NOISE AND ROUGH RIDE. FOUND PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL EXTREMELY RUSTED OUT AND SHOCK ESSENTIALLY DETACHED FROM VEHICLE. THE REST OF THE VEHICLE HAS NO RUST ASIDE FROM SMALL SURFACE RUST ON NON-PAINTED PIECES. SEARCHED ONLINE TO FIND THIS PROBLEM IS EXTREMELY COMMON WITH THESE ESCAPES, YET NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED DESPITE THE OBVIOUS DEFECT AND SAFETY CONCERNS. *TR
THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL HOUSING WHERE THE SHOCK MOUNT IS LOCATED RUSTED AND THERE IS A BIG HOLE. LOOKING ONLINE THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. THANK GOD I BROUGHT IT INTO MY MECHANIC BEFORE IT TORE MY TIRE APART. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, A RATTLING NOISE WAS HEARD NEAR THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR WHEEL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS RUSTED AROUND THE SHOCKS AND CONTROL ARMS. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 7/7/15*CN UPDATED 10/05/2017*CN
HAD BEEN NOTICING NOISES WHEN I DROVE OVER BUMPS AND ROUGH SURFACES COMING FROM THE BACK RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I HIT AN UNAVOIDABLE HOLE IN THE ROAD TODAY AND HEARD A LOUD THUMP FROM THE REAR RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I PROCEEDED TO MY SISTER'S HOUSE WHERE MY BROTHER IN-LAW CHECKED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE STRUT/SHOCK HAD BROKE THROUGH THE HORRIBLY RUSTED WHEEL WELL AND WAS HITTING THE UNDERSIDE OF THE PLASTIC WHEEL WELL COVER. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A DISASTER HAD IT HAPPENED A FEW DAYS AGO WHILE I WAS ON THE FREEWAY. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN TO SEE IF IT CAN BE FIXED. IN THE MEAN TIME I HAVE NO VEHICLE TO DRIVE AS IT IS NOT DRIVABLE. I SEE FROM NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS THAT THIS IS A CONTINUING PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. WHY IS FORD NOT BEING HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS ISSUE? I MAY HAVE TO GET ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT I AM NOT PREPARED TO DO. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT I FEEL SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. *TR