2004 Ford Escape Complaint Log

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ABRUPTLY AND THE RPMS INCREASED. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT EXAMINED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD AND NOTICED THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL COMPONENT THAT WAS BURNED ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WHEN THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARK POSITION, IT SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED ONCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE NEAR THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL SHOCK AND TOWER WERE SEVERELY CORRODED AND PENETRATED THE SUBFRAME AND FLOOR INTERIOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

AFTER INVESTIGATING A LOUD NOISE. I FOUND OUT THAT MY RIGHT REAR SHOCK TOWER WAS RUSTED OUT AND MAKING THE NOISE. AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM I FOUND OUT THAT THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE OUT THERE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A VERY COSTLY FIX THAT FORDS SHOULD HAVE DO DO AS A RECALL. THIS IS ALSO DANGEROUS. IF THIS PART BREAKS WHILE DRIVING IT COULD CAUSE A ACCIDENT OR WORSE. PLEASE CONSIDER THIS PROBLEM AND AS A SAFETY ISSUE. RECALL THIS PROBLEM WITH FORDS. THE CAR IS UNDRIVABLE. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 FORD ESCAPE . I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR A CORROSION ISSUE WITH THE SUB FRAME WHERE IT CONNECTS TO THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS . I HAVEN'T HAD AN ISSUE WITH IT YET AND WAS PLANNING ON GETTING THE RECALL WORK DONE WITHIN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS . ON 8/02/2014 WHEN I PULLED IN MY DRIVEWAY I HEARD A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAROF MY ESCAPE . WHEN I LOOK IN THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL I COULD SEE AN 8 INCH AREA AROUND THE SHOCK MOUNT HAD RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH THE SHOCK MOUNT WAS NO LONGER ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE . I'M SURE THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A ACCIDENT HAD I BEEN DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN IT HAPPENED . I DID A GOOGLE SEARCH AND FOUND AN ENDLESS LIST OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME ISSUE . I CALLED MY LOCAL FORD DEALER AND WAS TOLD THEY COULD DO THE RECALL WORK ON THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE BUT THERE WAS NOT A RECALL FOR THE REAR WHEEL WELL /SHOCK MOUNT . I CAN NOT BELIEVE THERE IS NOT A RECALL YET FOR SUCH A SERIOUS AND COMMON PROBLEM . PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS SITUATION . I WORK FOR FORD AND THIS MAKES ME SICK , THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE FORCED INTO IMPLEMENTING A RECALL FOR SUCH A SERIOUS PROBLEM . FORD SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL ON THEIR OWN BEFORE SOMEONE IS HURT OR DIES FROM THIS PROBLEM . THIS IS A CONTROL ITEM AND FORD SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE ! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEED, THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL SOUND THAT CAME FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND OBSERVED THAT THE REAR WHEEL CONTROL ARMS HAD BECOME DETACHED DUE TO CORROSION. THE CONTACT DID NOT NOTIFY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC HOWEVER, SHE CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WERE NO SAFETY RECALLS IN REGARD TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

WHILE MY SON WAS DRIVING HE HEARD A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE CAME FROM BACK OF THE CAR. HE STOP , PULL OVER AND TAKE A LOOK TO SEE WHAT HAPPENING AND WHEN HE LOOK IN TO THE REAR WHEEL WELL HE SEE IT WAS DAMAGED BADLY . HE MADE APPOINTMENT TO TAKE CAR TO FORD DEALER TO CHECK IT OUT . THEY CHECKED IT AND TOLD HIM THAT THE SHOCK MOUNT HAD RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH THE SHOCK MOUNT AND NO LONGER ATTACH TO THE CAR, THEY TOLD HIM THAT HE SHOULD NOT DRIVE IT BECAUSE IT COULD CAUSE BAD ACCIDENT AND VERY DANGEROUS . HE ASKED THEM ABOUT THE CORROSION RECALL WHICH I GOT A LETTER FROM FORD BUT THEY SAID THE RECALL IS FOR A CORROSION WITH THE SUB FRAME WHERE IT CONNECT TO THE LOWER CONTROL ARM AND NOTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM MY CAR HAVING . THEY TOLD HIM IT WILL COST ABOUT $3000 TO HAVE IT REPAIR . I AM VERY UPSET ABOUT THIS , THE CAR ONLY 10 YEARS OLD . I CHECK ON LINE TO SEE ANYONE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM WITH 2004 FORD ESCAPE WITH THE SAME ISSUE I COULD NOT BELIEVED THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINT ABOUT SAME ISSUE AND IT CAUGHT MY EYES THAT MOST PEOPLE HAD THIS PROBLEM AT THE SAME PERIOD OF 10 YEARS . I WANT TO SEE THE GOVERNMENT SHOULD FORCE FORD TO HAVE A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE GET KILLED OR HURT . FORD SHOULD STAND BEHIND THEIR QUALITY IF THEY ARE TRYING TO HIDE THIS PROBLEM THEY SHOULD BE PUNISH TO THE EXTEND OF THE LAW. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL WAS COVERED WITH RUST CAUSING THE SHOCKS TO FAIL. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE SHOCK ABSORBER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

THE SHOCK TOWER IN THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL HAS BROKEN, DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION, AND PUNCTURED THROUGH THE INTERIOR OF THE TRUNK AND THE BACK SEAT. THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR BODY HAS SEPARATED FROM THE EXTERIOR BODY SO THAT THE WHEEL AND ROAD CAN BE SEEN FROM INSIDE THE BACK SEAT THROUGH A LARGE (INCH OR MORE WIDE) GAP. THERE IS NO CORROSION OR DAMAGE IN ANY OTHER WHEEL WELL. THERE IS A CORROSION RELATED RECALL ON THIS CAR WHICH THE DEALERSHIP SAYS IS UNRELATED TO THIS PARTICULAR AREA OF THE CAR (SAFETY RECALL 14S02). FORD'S CUSTOMER "CARE" CENTER ACKNOWLEDGED MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS YET HAS NO INVESTIGATION OR ACTIVITY AIMED AT A REMEDY FOR THIS COMMON PROBLEM. DUE TO FORD'S APPARENT NEGLIGENCE WHICH HAS CAUSED HUNDREDS OF FORD OWNERS IDENTICAL DAMAGE, MY CAR IS UNSAFE AND FORD IS UNWILLING TO ACT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE STARTED TO RATTLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSE THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL WAS CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000.

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WIRHT MY 2 YOUNG KIDS AND ALL SUDDEN GO OVER THE TRAIN TRACKS AND THE REAR STRUT BROKE FROM THE SHOCK MOUNT AND CAME RIGHT UP THRU THE VEHICLE I HAVE FOUND THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE, FORD NEEDS TO STEP UP LUCK I GAINED CONTROL OF VEHICLE WITH A 1 MONT OLD BABY AND A 3 YEAR OLD THIS IS SEARIOUS MATTER! SOMEONE IS GOING TO DIE BECAUSE OF THIS IT NEEDS TO BE FIXED! *TR

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.

I BOUGHT MY 04 ESCAPE BRAND NEW, AND AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER CAR GARAGE KEPT, THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE!! RUSTED OUT WHEEL WELL AND SHOCK MOUNT WENT RIGHT THROUGH THE FRAME WHILE DRIVING AT ONLY 15 MPH OUT OF A PARKING LOT. *TR

MY DAUGHTER COMPLAINED ABOUT A LOUD CLANGING NOISE FROM THE RIGHT REAR OF HER CAR. I BOUGHT IT USED FROM A DEALER AND IT HAS BEEN KEPT IN A GARAGE AND USED SPARINGLY. UPON INSPECTION I NOTED THAT THE RIGHT REAR STRUT HAD COMPLETELY BROKEN FREE DUE TO EXTENSIVE RUST OF THE WHEEL WELL. I CANNOT ALLOW HER TO DRIVE IT IN THIS CONDITION. NOT SURE IF IT CAN BE REPAIRED YET OR WHETHER IT WILL COST MORE THAN THE CAR IS WORTH. I NOW RECOGNIZE THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER OWNERS WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. WITH SO MANY OWNERS HAVING THE SAME EXPERIENCE SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE. *JS

MY ESCAPE HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT ON THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL. THE STRUT IS JUST HANGING THERE. I CAN NOT BELIEVE THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE TO GET A RECALL. COME ON FORD STAND UP AND DO SOMETHING.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE INNER FENDER WELL WAS RUSTED DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.

RUSTED OUT RIGHT WHEEL WELL WITH STRUCTURAL COLLAPSE. WE BOUGHT THIS CAR USED FROM A LOCAL FORD DEALER IN APRIL OF 2013. THIS CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN ON A FREEWAY ON JUNE 15, 2014 WHEN A LOUD THUMPING STARTED IN THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL ON . ON INSPECTION THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL IS RUSTED OUT. THE SUPPORT THAT THE SHOCK ABSORBER IS ATTACHED TO WAS COMPLETELY ERODED AND A PART OF IT PUNCHED THROUGH THE WALL INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE TRUNK AREA. WE FELT IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. WE HAD IT TOWED TO ANOTHER FORD DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM. THE ESTIMATED COST OF REPAIR IS $2259. REVIEW OF THE NHTSA COMPLAINT WEB SITE REVEALS MANY OTHER OWNERS WITH EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

REAR PASSENGER SHOCK MOUNT RUSTING OUT. *TR

ON A FAMILY VACATION, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE UPPER SHOCK MOUNT EXPERIENCED COMPLETE FAILURE, BREAKING AWAY FROM THE REAR WHEEL WELL ENTIRELY. IMAGINE MY OUTRAGE WHEN I COME TO FIND OUT THAT RUSTED OUT PASSENGER REAR WHEEL WELLS ARE A COMMON PROBLEM ON THE FORD ESCAPES FOR THIS YEAR. THE WELL-BEING OF MY FAMILY WAS PUT IN JEOPARDY BECAUSE FORD HAS FAILED TO ISSUE A RECALL ON THIS FLAWED ENGINEERING. THAT IS SHAMEFUL. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD'VE ENDED POORLY FOR ME AND MY FAMILY! PLEASE ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. *TR

RECALL NOTICE ARRIVED IN THE MAIL ON SATURDAY MAY 31ST. CALLED LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP ON MONDAY MORNING JUNE 2ND AT 8 AM< TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT AND WAS TOLD THE EARLIEST OPENING THEY HAD WAS DECEMBER 22ND 2014- THIS IS WAY TOO FAR AWAY IF THERE IS A SAFETY CONCERN WITH MY VEHICLE - DEALERSHIP IS ROMANO FORD ON BURDICK STREET, FAYETTEVILLE NY 13066 - (315) 637-4668 IS THERE ANY WAY TO GET FASTER REPAIRS??? *TR

2004 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO LOWER CONTROL ARM RUST RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM THE REAR WHEEL WELL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. HE PULLED OVER, AND DISCOVERED THE SHOCK WAS HANGING DOWN. HE WAS UNABLE TO PULL IT OF. SO HE DROVE BACK HOME, AND UPON FURTHER EXAMINATION, HE DISCOVERED THERE WAS NO FENDER LEFT ON THE SHOCK. ALSO, THE TRUNK LID WAS RUSTING. *JB THE CONSUMER HE WAS ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION WHILE THE GEAR WAS IN DRIVE. THE CONSUMER STATED HE PULLED INTO THE DRIVEWAY, SHUT THE ENGINE OFF AND PLACED THE KEYS IN THE CONSOLE. HE EXITED THE VEHICLE TO REMOVE ITEMS FROM THE BACK SEAT. SOON AFTER, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO ROLL BACKWARDS. UPDATED 06/01/16.*JB

2004 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO CRUISE CONTROL CABLE RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE, IN 2013, AND THE PART IS STILL NOT AVAILABLE. *JB

THE RIGHT REAR SHOCK TOWER MOUNT COMPLETELY BROKE AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE SUBFRAME DUE TO CORROSION/RUST. THIS CAUSED THE SHOCK TO LEAN OUTWARD TOWARD THE TIRE. THIS COULD NOT BE SEEN BY THE UNDERCOATING AS A PROBLEM PREVIOUS AND APPARENTLY ALLOWED IT TO CORRODE TO THE POINT THAT IT BROKE FREE. THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE OCCURRED IN MY INSURANCE LADY'S FORD ESCAPE, WHICH I BELIEVE WAS ONLY ONE MODEL YEAR DIFFERENT. ALSO ONLY ON THE RIGHT REAR SHOCK TOWER. IN SPEAKING WITH THE BODY SHOP ON THE REPAIR, THEY HAVE ALSO HEARD OF THIS ISSUE AND STATE THAT FORD HAS NOT RECOGNIZED IT AS A RECALL ISSUE. THIS IS A COSTLY REPAIR, AND TIME CONSUMING REPAIR AS THE VEHICLE IS GONE FOR ALMOST A WEEK. THIS IS ALSO A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE DUE TO HOW IT FALLS APART. WE ARE LUCKY WE WERE WITHIN THE CITY LIMITS AND ONLY TRAVELING ABOUT 30 MPH WHEN IT OCCURRED. *TR

TL -THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IN JUNE 2014, SHE RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000(SUSPENSION). SHE ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BUT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE; HOWEVER, FORD ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS COULD NOT PROVIDE A SOLID ANSWER ON WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE OR HOW LONG IT WOULD TAKE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE.

OPENED REAR WINDOW WHEN BOLT CONNECTING WINDOW TO HINGE BROKE. WINDOW SHIFTED DOWNWARDS AND HAD IT NOT BEEN CAUGHT COULD'VE SHATTERED AND INFLICTED LACERATIONS TO HANDS, ARMS, FACE, AND CHEST. INSPECTION OF BLOT SHOW CORROSION DUE TO BEING IMPROPERLY SEALED FROM WATER AND OTHER ELEMENTS. *TR

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

WE WERE DRIVING OUT OF OUR SUBDIVISION AND HEARD A LOUD BANGING NOISE THAT CONTINUED FROM THAT POINT. WE PULLED OVER AN INVESTIGATED AND FOUND THE RIGHT REAR SHOCK HAD COME LOOSE AT THE TOP MOUNT. UPON FURTHER REVIEW BY A REPAIR SHOP, THE WHEEL/FENDER WELL HAS CORRODED INCLUDING THE INTEGRAL SHOCK MOUNT. THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE) WAS RECEIVED IN MAY OF 2014. IN JUNE OF 2014, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE SUBFRAME AND THE LOWER CONTROL ARM. THE REMEDY INCLUDED INSTALLATION OF A NEWLY DESIGNED REINFORCEMENT CROSS-BRACE. THE RECALL REMEDY WAS NOT PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. IN JULY OF 2015, WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AN ABNORMAL PUMPING SOUND WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,450.

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

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

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

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

I HAVE A HOLE AND RUST FORMING IN THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL. THIS IS BEGINNING TO EXPOSE THE SHOCK AREA. I LIVE IN A HIGH SALT AREA. *TR

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

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

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

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

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

HAD SPEED CONTROL ON, WHEN TO SLOW DOWN, STEPPED ON BRAKES CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT CAME OFF BUT THE CAR DIDN'T SLOW DOWN IT SPEED UP! I DID HAVE A RECALL CALL DONE ON THE CAR FOR THIS. BUT THE FIX DIDN'T WORK. THE CAR SPEED UP TO 90 MPH. I HAD TO TAKE IT OUT OF GEAR TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN. I DID EVERYTHING I COULD THINK OF TO STOP THE CAR FROM SPEEDING UP. STOMPED ON THE BRAKES, PUSH THE CRUISE CONTROL BUTTON ON AND OFF. TOWED THE CAR AND THE REPAIR GUY SAID THERE WAS SNOW IN THE CRUISE CONTROL CASING, THAT WAS CAUSING IT. HE DISCONNECTED IT. *TR

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

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

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

THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASH BOARD FLASHES AS IT'S SUPPOSED TO AND THEN REMAINS ILLUMINATED. THIS DEFECT WAS PRESENT AND KNOWN ABOUT LONG BEFORE THE 2013 MODEL RECALL. INCLUDE EARLIER YEAR ESCAPES IN THE AIRBAG RECALL--WE ARE STILL DRIVING THEM. *TR

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