2004 Ford Escape Complaint Log

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED AT A RAPID SPEED. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO DECELERATE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE CONTACT IMMEDIATELY SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP WITH THE ENGINE EXHIBITING AN UNUSUALLY HIGH INCREASE IN RPMS. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THEY ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS RELATED TO THE FAILURE FOR HIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NEITHER REPAIRED NOR DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,000. UPDATED 03/22/11*LJ UPDATED 12/20/11 *CN

2004 FORD ESCAPE XLT WITH 72,000 MILES. AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AFTER VEHICLE WAS STARTED. TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND AIR BAG LIGHT WENT AWAY. 4 DAYS LATER AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND NOW IT STAYS ON. THE LIGHT FLASHES A CODE OF 4-6 THREE TIMES AND THEN STAYS LIT. I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN CONCERNING THIS ISSUE AND THE FIX IS TO REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS GOING TO THE SEATBELTS FOR A COST OF AROUND $400.00, WHICH IS NOT COVERED BY THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY. SINCE THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON, THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD. SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY RELATED ITEM IT SHOULD BE COVERED BY A RECALL. *TR

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.

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.

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

2004 FORD ESCAPE - REAR WINDOW EXPLODED AFTER REAR DEFROSTER WAS TURNED ON FOR SHORT PERIOD. OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE WAS APPROX. 28 DEGREES AND FROST WAS ON WINDOWS. VEHICLE WAS STARTED TO DEFROST WINDOWS BEFORE TRAVELING. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ON AS HE DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO PAST ANOTHER VEHICLE THERE WAS SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND THE VEHICLE SPEED INCREASED MORE THAN IT SHOULD. HE HAD TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH EXTREME FORCE IN ORDER TO GET TO MOVE ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURN THE ENGINE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CLOSEST DEALER AND AFTER INSPECTION HE WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL CABLE BROKE AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL WAS DISCONNECTED; YET, THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO HIS RESIDENCE. HE THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED THE CABLE AT HIS EXPENSE FOR $160. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ALSO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,394.

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

ON SUNDAY, JULY 18TH, 2010, WHILE DRIVING ON 280 S. IN THE AFTERNOON, I PASSED A VEHICLE THAT WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. AS I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR, THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. AS THIS WAS THE 2ND OCCURRENCE, I DID NOT PANIC BUT TRIED A COUPLE OF REMEDIES. I ENSURED THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS OFF, IT WAS. I TRIED TO "POP" THE GAS PEDAL OFF THE FLOOR BUT IT WAS LIMP. I TAPPED THE ACCELERATOR TO NO AVAIL. I PUT THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL AS THE RPM'S WERE HITTING OVER 4500 RPM AND THE MPH WERE HITTING OVER 70+ AND NOT SLOWING. I COASTED TO THE SIDE AND WAITED FOR A TOW TRUCK. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THEY FOUND THE THROTTLE CABLE WAS INDEED SLACK AND THE THROTTLE BODY WAS IN THE WIDE OPEN POSITION. THEY CALLED THE FORD HOTLINE WHO SAID THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THE PROBLEM OCCURRING OR HAD A RECORD OF THE OCCURRENCE. THE DEALER CHARGED ME FOR THE INSPECTION AND SUGGESTED I REPLACE THE THROTTLE BODY AND PVC VALVE? THEY WEREN'T SURE IF THAT WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM BUT THEY SUGGESTED IT. THE THROTTLE BODY, THEY SAID WAS ON BACK ORDER BECAUSE OF INCREASED DEMAND. THE VEHICLE HAD 164,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

TWO AXLES ON THE CAR HAVE BROKEN. BOTH TIMES, THE CAR WAS USED FOR REGULAR USE (NO "OFF-ROADING", NO ACCIDENTS). THE CAR WAS DRIVING FINE, THEN SUDDENLY, WHEN BRAKING, A GRINDING NOISE WAS HEARD. WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO BE REPAIRED, THEY FOUND A CRACKED BOOT, CRACKED ABS RING, AND CRACKED AXEL. FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS IN 2007 (REAR AXEL), AND NOW IN 2010 (FRONT AXEL). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARRANT. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE, WITH THE ENGINE STILL REVVING, BY PLACING THE GEAR IN NEUTRAL AND APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V574000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CABLES) AND THAT REPAIRS WOULD BE COVERED AT THE MANUFACTURERS EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 90,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 35 MPH WITH HER FOOT STEADY ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UP TO SPEEDS OF 70 MPH WITHOUT WARNING. SHE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL GEAR AND HAD TO USE BOTH FEET TO APPLY EXTREME PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL, IN ORDER TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP. SHE STATED THAT THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR THROUGHOUT THE FAILURE. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH REVEALED THAT THE VEHICLE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE HAD BROKEN AND CAUSED A SHARD OF METAL TO BECOME LODGED IN THE ACCELERATOR MECHANISM. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 73,272.

2004 FORD ESCAPE - A B S RINGS ON AXEL CRACKED AND ALLOWED THEM TO MOVE .RESULT IN BRAKE FAILING -HAVE TO LET OFF THE BRAKE SO IT CAN GRAB AGAIN AND A SENSOR MAKE IT PULSE THE BRAKES. USING GASKET REPAIR TO HOLD THE RINGS IN PLACE...BOTH SIDES HAVE THIS PROBLEM. WE KNOW OF THREE ESCAPES DIFFERENT YEARS THAT HAVE NOW THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT UNKNOWN SPEEDS AND REMOVING HIS FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. HE WAS ABLE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A STOP WITHOUT INCIDENT. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD EXHIBIT UNUSUAL INCREASES IN RPMS OF UP TO 4500 WHILE IN ANY GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V574000: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CABLES, HOWEVER THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE MALFUNCTIONING. HE PROCEEDED TO EXPLAIN THE IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE WAS NOT CLOSING CORRECTLY, THEREFORE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72667. THE IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE FAILED WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE AT AN EXCESSIVE SPEED. UPDATED 05/03/10. *JB UPDATED 06/03/10*BF UPDATED 06/10/10.*JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH WITH THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DEPRESSED MORE THAN OF THE WAY, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PEDAL WOULD NOT RELEASE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE. HE APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL WHICH SLOWED THE VEHICLE DOWN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 104,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE AND DECELERATE AND HE HAD TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF TO AVOID A COLLISION. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL 04V5740000 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, CABLES IN 2005; THEREFORE THEY WILL NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WILL BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

AIR BAG LIGHT IS CONTINUALLY ON FOR MANY YEARS - FEEL A SAFETY ISSUE I HAVEN'T RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON THE AIRBAGS NO CRASH REAR INNER FENDER WELLS RUST THROUGH ON 2004 FORD ESCAPE MODELS ACCORDING TO DEALERSHIP- MANUFACTURER ISSUE - WOULD LIKE REPLACED - SAFETY ISSUE MY ENTIRE FAMILY OWNS FORD VEHICLES. MY FATHER RETIRED FROM FORD, CANTON, OHIO WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN PROUD TO BE FORD OWNERS. *TR

1. THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELT WAS NOT RETRACTING THE WAY IT SHOULD WHEN MY SON WOULD UNBUCKLE FROM HIS BOOSTER SEAT. I WOULD HAVE TO FEED THE BELT THROUGH TO HAVE IT RETRACT. 2. IT HAPPENED EVERY TIME WE UNBUCKLED HIS SEAT. 3. WE SWITCHED HIS SEAT WITH MY DAUGHTER'S, AS SHE IS STILL IN A CAR SEAT AND IS LATCHED TO THE CAR ITSELF, AND WAS NOT USING HER SEAT BELT. WE CALLED FORD AND IT WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND THEY RECOMMENDED THAT WE GET THE PART FIXED THROUGH THEM BECAUSE IF IT FAILS AGAIN, IT WILL BE UNDER WARRANTY. IT COST US $223 TO HAVE HIS SEAT BELT REPLACED. I ASKED FORD TO CHECK THE OTHER SEAT BELT, ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE (BACK SEAT) AND THEY AGREED THAT ONE HAS TO BE REPLACED TOO, BECAUSE IT TOO RETRACTS SLOWLY AND CATCHES WHEN TRYING TO BUCKLE IT. WE DIDN'T KNOW THAT IT WASN'T RIGHT, UNTIL WE MOVED OUR SON TO THAT SIDE. AGAIN, WE DON'T USE THE SEAT BELT BECAUSE OF THE LATCH SYSTEM ON OUR DAUGHTER'S CAR SEAT. IT WILL COST US ANOTHER $223 TO HAVE THAT ONE FIXED TOO. WE ARE GOING TO WAIT UNTIL WE HAVE TO MOVE OUR DAUGHTER TO A BOOSTER BEFORE HAVING IT FIXED. BUT WE FIND IT INTERESTING THAT BOTH REAR SEAT BELTS NEED TO BE REPLACED AND WHEN FOR THE MAJORITY OF THE TIME WE'VE OWNED THE CAR, THE 2 CAR SEATS WERE LATCHED IN AND WE DIDN'T USE THE SEAT BELTS. *TR

WHILE MOVING MY 2004 FORD ESCAPE IN MY DRIVEWAY THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT MY FOOT ON THE PEDAL. I STRUCK A BUSH IN MY YARD AND WAS ABLE TO STOP. THE BUSH WAS DESTROYED AND THERE WAS APPROX. $500 DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE. A RECALL REPAIR ON THE ACCELERATOR CABLE WAS PERFORMED BY FORD IN MARCH OF 2005. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALER WHO WOULD NOT EVEN LOOK AT THE VEHICLE WITHOUT CHARGING ME. I REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO FORD MOTOR CO. WHO STATED THAT THEY REPAIRED THE ACCELERATOR CABLE WHEN IT WAS RECALLED AND WOULD NOT REPAIR IT AGAIN. I HAVE SINCE HAD THE BUMPER DAMAGE REPAIRED AND WILL HAVE THE ACCELERATOR CABLE INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT GARAGE. I AM LUCKY THAT NO ONE WAS HURT DURING THIS INCIDENT. I AM HESITANT TO DRIVE THIS CAR AGAIN AND I AM VERY CAREFUL WHEN I HAVE TO. I AM A RETIRED POLICE OFFICER AND HAVE SEEN WHAT M/V CRASHES CAN DO. *TR

THE ENGINE REVS IN BELOW ZERO WEATHER EVER SINCE I BOUGHT THE ESCAPE IN 2003. I'LL BE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT 60 MPH AND THE ONLY WAY I CAN SLOW THE SPEED OF THE CAR IS BY APPLYING THE BRAKES AND THE ENGINE CONTINUES REVVING AS IF IT WERE STILL GOING 60. THEN WHEN I GET OFF THE FREEWAY THE CAR CONTINUES TO REV LIKE THAT AND I STOP AT STOP SIGNS AND IT REVS AND ONLY BY PUSHING DOWN HARD ON THE BRAKE CAN I CONTROL THE CAR AS IT CONTINUES TO REV AS IF GOING ABOUT 60MPH. OFTEN WHEN I START IT IN THE MORNING IT REVS (WHEN BELOW ZERO) AND CONTINUES TO REV AS I DRIVE A MILE OR SO TO HAVE COFFEE. THIS HAS BEEN THE CASE SINCE I GOT THE CAR. I INITIALLY TOOK IT IN TO TOUSLEY FORD IN WHITE BEAR, MINNESOTA. THEY SAID IT WAS FIXED AND CHARGED SOMETHING LIKE $186 AND IT DID THE SAME THING ON DRIVING IT HOME (ABOUT 12 MILES). I TOOK IT BACK THEN AND THERE AS IT WAS DANGEROUS AND THEY TRIED TO FIX IT AGAIN AND IT STILL REVVED. ATTEMPTED FIXES: FEB 18, 08 REPLACED IAC, REPLACED 1L8Z*9F715*AA X-VALVE. THEN FEB. 19, '08 REPLACED IAC AGAIN PER INVOICE. I JUST GAVE UP AND DUE TO FINANCES DECIDED TO TAKE MY CHANCES DRIVING IT AS IS (STILL REVS). WHAT DO I DO NOW? THE DATE OF INCIDENT INSTEAD OF JAN. 8, 2010 SHOULD BE STATED AS "EVERY WINTER SINCE 2003". NEVER HAS BEEN FIXED.*CW

ON 10/18/09 MY SON WAS IN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR STUCK THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESPOND TO BRAKING AND EVENTUALLY RAN INTO A PARKED VEHICLE ONE PERSON INJURED AND THE VEHICLE PARKED RECEIVED DAMAGE MY 2004FORD ESCAPE TOTAL LOSS. *TR

I WAS THE OWNER OF A 2004 FORD ESCAPE THAT WAS RECALLED BECAUSE THE ENGINE WOULD SUDDENLY ACCELERATE UNCONTROLLABLE. I HAD TO CALL MY INSURANCE CO. GEICO BECAUSE OF THIS THEY SENT OUT A TOW TRUCK TO CHECK THE SITUATION. THE TOW OPERATOR GOT THE ENGINE TO RUN NORMALLY. I PUT IN A CLAIM AGAINST FORD AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY DID NOT THINK THEY WERE LIABLE. MY ESCAPE ACCELERATED AGAIN AND WAS INVOLVED IN A ACCIDENT THAT TOTALED THE VEHICLE. I NEED HELP TO PRESENT MY CASE TO FORD MOTOR CO. *TR

THE REAR WINDOW OF MY 2004 FORD ESCAPE LIMITED EXPLODED ON OCT 4. THE VEHICLE WENT THROUGH A CAR WASH APPROXIMATELY 20 MINUTES BEFORE IT OCCURRED. THE TEMPERATURE OUTSIDE WAS AROUND 50 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. THERE WERE NO KNOWN CRACKS OR DAMAGE TO THE WINDOW. THE VEHICLE WAS SITTING AT AN ATM MACHINE WHEN IT SPONTANEOUSLY SHATTERED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AROUND A TURN ABOUT CIRCLE, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REPLICATE NOR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE SEVERAL TIMES TO NO AVAIL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

MY 2004 FORD ESCAPE I BOUGHT USED FROM A DEALER AFTER LESS THEN 4 MONTHS AN IGNITION COIL POPPED I TOOK IT IN FOR REPAIR CHANGED COIL AND SPARK PLUGS GOT IT BACK AND LESS THEN 2 DAYS LATER ANOTHER IGNITION COIL POPPED. *TR

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

I HAVE A 2004 FORD ESCAPE XLT W/ 60000 MILES. IT REQUIRED A TORQUE CONVERTER REPLACEMENT AS PART OF THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING PROBLEM. WHY ISN'T THIS LISTED AS A RECALL ITEM/ ONLINE IT APPEARS THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL TRANSMISSION FAILURES FOR THIS VEHICLE. ALL VEHICLES, INCLUDING MINE HAVE BEEN WELL MAINTAINED. THIS VEHICLE AND THOSE IN ONLINE REPORTS INDICATE VERY SIMILAR FAILURES. THIS SEEMS TO BE A MANUFACTURING DEFICIT/ FAULT. THIS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM SHOULD BE A RECALL/REPLACEMENT ITEM! *TR

WHILE BODY WORK WAS BEING CONDUCED AT A DEALER FOR A SCRAPED FENDER, DEALER EMPLOYEE STARTED VEHICLE AFTER PAINT OPERATIONS. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD INSTANTLY AND VIOLENTLY EXPLODED INTO SEVERAL PIECES. THE VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000 MILE, WAS DRIVEN INTO THE DEALER FOR THE BODY WORK, AND HAS HAD NO SIMILAR PROBLEMS. THE DEALER REPORTS THAT THE VEHICLE STILL STARTS AND WILL HOLD AN ROUGH IDLE. THE TIMING BELT IS INTACT. THIS VEHICLE USES DIRECT FUEL INJECTION AND A DRY INTAKE SYSTEM. THE DEALER STATED THAT ALL PROCEDURES INCLUDING PAINTING PROCESS WERE PROPERLY FOLLOWED LEADING UP TO THE EXPLOSION. CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. THE VEHICLE IS STILL AT THE BODY SHOP FINISHING BODY WORK. NO RESOLUTION HAS BEEN REACHED CONCERNING THE MECHANICAL FAILURE. *TR

FORD ESCAPES WERE RECALLED FOR STICKING ACCELERATORS WHILE THIS VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY. AT ~90K MILES, ACCELERATOR BEGAN STICKING (THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS). FORTUNATELY ALL OCCURRED ON THE HIGHWAY WHERE THERE WAS ENOUGH TIME TO PULL OVER AND 'UNSTICK' THE ACCELERATOR. MATS WERE NOT THE ISSUE SINCE I REMOVED THE MATS AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT. FORD CLAIMED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG YET REPLACED SEVERAL COMPONENTS (AT MY EXPENSE). NO INCIDENTS SINCE THEN - ABOUT 20K MILES LATER. OBVIOUSLY THEY STILL HAVE A PROBLEM. *TR

THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2004 FORD ESCAPE STOPPED WORKING WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE CAR WENT FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL AT 60 MPH. IT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS ACCELERATING TO CHANGE LANES AND ALMOST CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT AS THE CAR BEHIND ME HAD TO SLAM ON IT'S BRAKES AND SWERVE TO AVOID OTHER VEHICLES. *TR

TONE RINGS ON FORD ESCAPES BREAKING. THESE RINGS ARE FOR THE ABS SYSTEM. TRUCK DOESN'T STOP PROPERLY. I READ ALOT OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THESE TONE RINGS. FORD CHARGES $250 PER SIDE. IN MY CASE BOTH SIDES ARE BROKE . SOUNDS LIKE A FACTORY FAULTY PART. *TR

ACCELERATING UP HILL TO POSTED 50MPH WHEN ACCELERATOR PEDAL PUNCHED TO THE FLOOR ON IT'S OWN. VEHICLE REACHED 85MPH AND SLOWED TO APPROX 55MPH WHEN DOWNSHIFTED TO 1ST WHILE SIMULTANEOUSLY PRESSING BRAKE PEDAL AND PULLING UP ON EMERGENCY BRAKE. ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULDN'T COME UP DESPITE ATTEMPTS WITH FOOT. ULTIMATELY CRASHED, VEHICLE TOTALED, PROPERTY DAMAGE TO A HOUSE AND NEIGHBOR'S YARD, PERSONAL INJURIES SUSTAINED BY DRIVER ONLY; NO PASSENGERS. *TR

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY ALTERNATOR IN MY VEHICLE THREE TIMES NOW SINCE 2006. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY. THE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM CAN'T FIND ANYTHING AND IS NOT WILLING TO HELP SINCE THE LAST TIME IT WAS REPAIRED WAS OVER TWO YEARS AGO. WHEN IT WAS IN FOR REPAIRS THEY STATED THE FORD DEALER IT WAS TAKEN TOO COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. I EVEN FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE BUT THEY GOT A LETTER OF SUCH IN ACCURATE INFO FROM THE DEALER THE CLAIM WAS DROPPED. I KNOW TWO OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME YEAR FORD I HAVE WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I WOULD LIKE YOUR COMPANY TO BUY MY CAR AND GET ME INTO A NEW ONE OR AT THE VERY LEAST REPAIR THIS ISSUE AND ANY ISSUES THAT MAY BE FOUND IF AND WHEN THIS IS LOOKED INTO. I FEEL I SHOULD NOT NEED TO BE MAKING PAYMENTS ON A CAR THAT BREAKS DOWN EVERY TWO YEARS. SOMETIME MORE. PLEASE HELP. MY CAR IS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE XLT 4WD. MILEAGE: 111925VEHICLE LOCATION: INPOSSESSIONIF CONTACTED DEALER: YESDEALER NAME: DIEHL MOTOR. *TR

I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK 7AM. IT WAS SNOWING LIGHTLY AND I BRIEFLY TURNED ON THE REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER TO MELT THE SNOW. APPROXIMATELY 1 MILE FROM HOME I TURNED OFF THE DEFROSTER WHILE SITTING AT A RED LIGHT AND HEARD AN EXTREMELY LOUD POP. I LOOKED AROUND AND DID NOT OBSERVE ANYTHING UNUSUAL. WHEN I LOOKED IN MY REARVIEW MIRROR I SAW THE DEFROSTER WIRES HANGING WITH PIECES OF GLASS ATTACHED AND THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR ASSEMBLY HANGING BY A THREAD, I REALIZED THE LOUD NOISE WAS MY REAR WINDSHIELD EXPLODING. I HEADED BACK HOME TO ARRANGE TO HAVE THE GLASS REPLACED - FINAL COST $369.15. THE REAR WIPER MOTOR WAS DAMAGED DURING THE EXPLOSION. AFTER THE WINDSHIELD WAS REPLACED IT MADE A LOUD VIBRATING NOISE THAT WAS NOT THERE BEFORE. RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET INDICATES THAT OTHER FORD ESCAPE (04, 05 & 06) OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME EXACT POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS OCCURRENCE. THESE COMPLAINTS CAN BE VIEWED AT: WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM I CALLED FORD OWNER SERVICES AT 800-392-3673 AND FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT. THEY TOLD ME THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND NO RECALL ISSUED BUT I SHOULD BRING THE VEHICLE TO FORD DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THE DEALER WOULD DECIDE IF REPAIR EXPENSE WOULD BE COVERED. THE FORD DEALER TOLD ME THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND NO RECALL WAS ISSUED AND THAT FORD MOTOR WOULD DECIDE IF REPAIR EXPENSE WOULD BE COVERED. DEALER TOLD ME THAT FORD WILL NOT COVER ANY OF THE REPAIR EXPENSES. THE NEW WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR WILL COST $150 FOR THE PART AND $50 TO INSTALL. I AM CONCERNED THAT IF THE DAMAGED MOTOR IS NOT REPLACED, IT COULD CAUSE A MAJOR ELECTRICAL PROBLEM NOT TO MENTION THE SAFETY ISSUE OF NOT BEING ABLE TO SEE OUT OF THE TAILGATE WINDOW. THE DEALER OFFERED TO CHARGE ME ONLY FOR THE PART AND ABSORB THE LABOR TO INSTALL MOTOR. FOR OBVIOUS REASONS THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AND FORD SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS; NOT THE CONSUMER WHO UNKNOWINGLY PURCHASED A DEFECTIVE AND DANGEROUS PRODUCT. *TR

WENT TO PULL CAR OUT OF GARAGE AND FOUND THAT THE REAR WINDOW HAD EXPLODED. FOUND PARTS OF THE WINDOW MORE THAN 20 FEET FROM CAR. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. NOTHING HAD FAILED OR HIT THE WINDOW TO HAVE CAUSED THIS. *TR

REPORTING AN EXPLODING BACK WINDOW ISSUE ON A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. ONCE IN 2005 AND NOW AGAIN IN 2009. THE ONLY THING BOTH TIMES HAD IN COMMON WAS THE RUNNING OF THE REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER. FORD HAS NO RECALLS OR BULLETINS AND WILL NOT PAY FOR SECOND REPAIR AS IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I AM CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF PEOPLE DRIVING THESE VEHICLES AND PASSENGERS THEY MAY HAVE. THERE IS NO REASON FOR THIS TO HAPPEN ONCE BUT TWICE IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. I WAS GIVEN NOTHING FOR MY TROUBLE AND THEY ARE NOT RESEARCHING THIS DEFECT. OH WAIT, I GOT A FREE OIL CHANGE. THE DEALERSHIP I WAS DEALING WITH WAS AWESOME...BUT THE CORRESPONDENCE FROM FORD MOTOR LEAVES A LOT TO BE DESIRED! SOMEONE NEEDS TO CHECK INTO THIS ISSUE. *TR

GOING UP A HILL ON SNOW COVERED ROADS SO WAS GOING SLOW WHEN CAR STARTED ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN. KEPT STEPPING ON THE BRAKE, BUT CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. GOT OFF THE ROAD AND STOPPED THE RPM WAS UP TO 7. THE ACCELERATION CONTINUED TO HAPPEN A FEW TIMES EVERY WINTER FOR THE NEXT FEW YEARS AND I WOULD TAKE IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP TO HAVE IT CHECKED EACH TIME IT HAPPENED. THEY TRIED A FEW DIFFERENT REPAIRS AND NOTHING WORKED. JAN. 21,2011 CALLED FORD AND REPORTED THE PROBLEM AND THEY SAID THIS IS THE FIRST THEY HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. IN SEPT. OF 2011 THE RECALL #12S37 CAME AND I TOOK IT IN TO HAVE THE RECALL TAKEN CARE OF. SINCE JAN. OF 2013 IT HAS DONE IT TO ME TWICE - THIS RECALL OBVIOUSLY DID NOT FIX THE HAZARDOUS PROBLEM! I AGAIN CALLED FORD, GOT A CASE NUMBER, AND [XXX] - THE FORD REGIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE MANAGER CALLED ME AND SAID HE INVESTIGATED MY CASE AND WITH THE VEHICLE BEING OUT OF WARRANTY AND THERE ARE NO CURRENT RECALLS THERE IS NOTHING FORD CAN DO. I TOLD HIM THAT I FELT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THE VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE OFF THE ROAD AND I CAN'T ETHICALLY TRADE IT BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO PUT ANYBODY ELSE IN HARM'S WAY AND I HOPED FORD WOULD MAKE IT RIGHT BY ME AND HE SAID THERE IS NO TRADE ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE FROM FORD. I ASKED HIM IF FORD WOULD PAY ME WHAT IT WAS WORTH SINCE THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE OFF THE ROAD AND HE REPEATED IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND FORD WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO PAY ME. OBVIOUSLY THE SPOKESPERSON FOR FORD DOESN'T HAVE THE SAME ETHICS I HAVE.[XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 40 MPH, THE CONTACT PLACED THE VEHICLE INTO DRIVE AND PROCEEDED TO DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED FORWARD. SHE ATTEMPTED TO DEPRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THERE WAS NO RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A PLOWED AREA OF SNOW. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE ROADS WERE NOT ICY AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V574000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES), ALTHOUGH THE FAILURES WERE IDENTICAL. UPDATED 02-23-09 *BF UPDATED 02/24/09.*JB

THE BRAKES ON MY 2004 FORD ESCAPE, WHICH ONLY HAS 23,000 MILES ON IT, STARTED SQUEALING, AND I WAS HAVING TO PUSH A LITTLE HARDER THAN USUAL. ON DECEMBER 26, 2008 MY HUSBAND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOP TO HAVE THE BRAKES CHECKED, INSTEAD OF NEW BRAKE PADS, WHICH WERE CURIOUSLY IN GOOD CONDITION, WE ARE GOING TO NEED NEW FRONT DISCS, FRONT AND BACK CALIPERS, AS WELL AS BRAKE PADS. WE WERE ABLE TO AFFORD THE BRAKE PADS AS WELL AS THE RIGHT FRONT DISC AT COST OF 400 DOLLARS BUT WE ARE GOING TO NEED TO SHELL OUT ANOTHER 400.00 PLUS TO REPAIR THE REST. THE WAIT WOULDN'T BE SO BAD IF I DIDN'T NEED THE ESCAPE TO TRANSPORT MY DAUGHTER BACK AND FORTH TO SCHOOL EVERY DAY. *TR

THROTTLE CABLE WOULD NOT RETURN TO IDLE POSITION WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEED. HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THROTTLE AND RELATED COMPONENTS RECENTLY VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOWED 3 TIMES IN TWO WEEKS BECAUSE THROTTLE BECOMES STUCK WIDE OPEN AND IS HAZARDOUS TO DRIVE. RECALL ON THROTTLE CABLE WAS COMPLETED 3 YEARS PRIOR. BOTTOM LINE IS $1,000 PLUS DOLLARS LATER ON A FOUR YEAR OLD VEHICLE WITH 60,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

WHILE DRIVING HOME LAST WINTER MY ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK OPEN AND WOULD NOT RELEASE. I APPROACHED THE EXIT AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH AND HAD TO PUSH THE BRAKES TO THE FLOOR TO STOP THE VEHICLE. AFTER LETTING THE CAR SET FOR APPROXIMATELY 10 MINUTES EVERYTHING WORKED FINE AGAIN UNTIL THE MORNING WHEN I STARTED THE ENGINE AND IT STAYED AT 3000 RPM UNTIL THE CAR WARMED COMPLETELY UP. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WOULD CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE AUTO SHOP REPLACED THE SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER CONNECTORS AT THE COST OF $480.48. THERE HAD BEEN NO OTHER FAILURES SINCE THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,731. UPDATED 02/24/09. *LJ UPDATED 02/26/09. *JB

I HAVE A 2004 FORD ESCAPE THE REAR WINDOW BLEW OUT WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME ON THE ESCAPE THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME PERSONALLY. I HAVE NUMEROUS FRIENDS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THESE REAR WINDOWS. I WONDER IF THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE REAR WINDOW? VERY DANGEROUS. I HAVE THE WINDOW COMPANY COMING TO REPLACE ANOTHER WINDOW. *TR

TRANSMISSION BROKE IN THE YEAR2008 AND THEN AGAIN IN LESS THEN 18 MONTHS LATER. THE CAR WE AS NOT EVEN 5YEARS OLD. TWO TRANSMISSION JOB. FORD NEED TO DO RECALL ON THE TRANSMISSION. SPOKE TO OTHER OWNERS AND THEY HAD PROBLEMS TOO. I WILL LET THEMKNOW WHERE TO FILE COMPLAINT. FORD KNOWS THEIR IS PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION BUT WON'T ADMIT TO IT BECAUSE IT IS A SO COSTLY FOR THEM TO FIX IT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE FRONT AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND BLINKED THREE TIMES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS A SHORTAGE IN THE SEAT BELT SENSOR. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. AS OF AUGUST 12, 2008, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND REMAINS AT THE DEALER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 66,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE PULLING INTO THE DRIVEWAY AT A LOW SPEED, THE BOLT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM ROTTED/RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THIS FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS A THREE YEAR/36,000 MILE WARRANTY. THERE WERE NO WARNINGS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 51,000. UPDATED 09/09/08 *BF UPDATED 09/09/08. *JB

STARTING APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK AGO, THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON CONSTANTLY IN MY 2004 FORD ESCAPE, INDICATING THAT THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT WHEN IT IS NEEDED. I CALLED RAMSEY FORD, WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR, DESCRIBED THE PROBLEM AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THEM. THEY COULD NOT FIT IT INTO THEIR SCHEDULE UNTIL YESTERDAY. THEY PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT INDICATED THAT BOTH SEAT BELT CONNECTORS SHOULD BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $332.27. THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS IN STOCK, BUT TOLD ME THAT THE AIRBAG WOULD NOT WORK DURING A CRASH. I PAID $42.50 FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC. BEING FORCED TO WAIT UNTIL PARTS ARRIVED, BUT WORRIED THAT THE AIRBAG WOULD NOT WORK IF NEEDED, I RESEARCHED AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FORD ESCAPE AND MANY PEOPLE ARE DRIVING ON THE ROADS WITH NO AIRBAG PROTECTION. IF THIS SAFETY HAZARD IS SO PREVALENT IN THESE VEHICLES, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL BY FORD TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT LIT. FORD DEALER HAD A SERVICE BULLETIN TO CHANGE WIRING HARNESS FOR $415 WIRING FOR SAFETY EQUIPMENT SHOULD NOT FAIL IN 4 YEARS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V156000 COMPONENT: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE. THE REPAIR WAS DONE AND NOW THE FAILURE HAS RECURRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT TO REPAIR IT AGAIN THE COST WOULD BE APPROXIMATELY 200.00, AND THEY ARE ONLY RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRING IT ONE TIME. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 56,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS APPROXIMATELY 82,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR CABLE LINKAGE SNAPPED AND THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT WITH THE ENGINE THROTTLE WIDE OPEN. THE CONTACT HAD TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL, SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, AND COAST TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND THE ACCELERATOR CABLE, CRUISE CONTROL, THROTTLE BODY, AND ROLL CABLE WERE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $430. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V574000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CABLES) WAS REFERENCED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,900 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,800. UPDATED 07/08/08. *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE RECALL WAS NOT DONE CORRECTLY BACK IN JAN 2005, BECAUSE OF THE FAILURE HE EXPERIENCED IN MAY 2008. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE RECALL WAS COMPLETED. UPDATED.