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.
VALUE STEM FAILURE. I TWO FAIL ON ME IN TWO DAYS THE TIRES WHERE BROUGHT FROM GOODYEAR TIRE ON WILLIAMSBURG ROAD IN RICHMOND VA THE FIRST WAS SAT MAY 24 2008 HAD TO REPLACE THE TIRE THE OTHER MAY 26 ONLY REPLACE STEM. *TR
AIRBAG LIGHT FLASHES AND THEN STAYS ON. WARNING CODE IS 46. TOOK VEHICLE INTO FORD DEALERSHIP TO FIX THIS APPROXIMATELY 4 YEARS AGO. NOT SURE WHAT SERVICE WAS PERFORMED, BUT THE ISSUE WAS NEVER FIXED. LIGHT WENT ON AGAIN A YEAR LATER AND HAS GONE ON AND OFF FOR YEARS. DUE TO TIME AND COST , COULD NOT BRING VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR A SECOND TIME. WAS RECENTLY TOLD BY FORD SERVICE REP THAT I WOULD PROBABLY PAY $400 TO FIX. MAY BE SEATBELT PRETENSIONER. WAS INFORMED THAT AIRBAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY IF THIS WAS NOT FIXED.THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND THERE WAS A TSB (TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN)REGARDING THIS ISSUE. IN MY RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THERE ARE MANY FORD ESCAPE OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. DUE TO THE HIGH COST TO REPAIR, AND WITH SO MANY PEOPLE OUT OF WORK, MANY CONSUMERS MAY NOT HAVE THIS WORK DONE, WHICH IS A SAFETY HAZARD. TO DATE, I AM NOT ABLE TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR. DUE TO SAFETY ISSUE THIS POSES THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS. *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT ENGINE START UP,AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ON A SEPERATE OCCASSION, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE ATTEMPTING A TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND A PRIVATE MECHANIC TO DIAGNOSE BOTH FAILURES. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT A COMPUTER CHIP FAILED AND THE PRIVATE MECHANIC REPLACED THE THROTTLE CABLE FOR THE DETACHED ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,116.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE SIDE VIEW MIRROR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE EXPLODED AND GLASS SHATTERED EVERYWHERE. THERE WAS NO IMPACT OR CRASH. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CAUSED THE EXPLOSION; HOWEVER, THE DEALER DISAGREED. THE DEALER PLACED A NEW MIRROR ON THE VEHICLE AND THE CONTACT PAID APPROXIMATELY $330 FOR THE REPAIR. THE PURCHASE DATE, POWERTRAIN, AND TRANSMISSION TYPE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 13,406 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 13,366.
FORD ESCAPE 2004 IDLING PROBLEMS WITH ONLY 39,000 MILES ENGINE STARTS TO MISFIRE WHILE RUNNING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 40 MILES AN HOUR. WHILE IDLING IT ALSO MISFIRE KEEPING THE ENGINE UNSTABLE. HAVE TAKING IT TO THE MECHANICS FOR ELECTRONIC DIAGNOSIS AND SOME TELL ME IT IS THE ENGINE GASKET THAT HAS TO BE REPLACED. HELP *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHEN APPROACHING A RED LIGHT OR STOP SIGN AT 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V574000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES). AFTER THE REPAIR, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THEY TEST DROVE THE VEHICLE, BUT WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED AND THE RECALL IS ONLY REPAIRED ONCE; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD NEED TO PAY FOR ANY ADDITIONAL REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED UNEXPECTEDLY. AS A RESULT, THE STOPPING DISTANCE INCREASED. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V574000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES). THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE BUTTON ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON MY 2004 FORD ESCAPE LIMITED EDITION HAS BROKE. THE FIRST TIME WAS FIXED UNDER WARRANTY, THIS TIME FORD IS REFUSING TO FIX IT FOR FREE. THIS IS SAFETY EQUIPMENT THAT HAS FAILED TWICE ON A SUV THAT IS LESS THAN 3 YEARS OLD. *TR
MY CRUISE CONTROL STOPPED WORKING AFTER I HAD A 30,000 MILE CHECK UP AT THE BOB DAVIDSON FORD DEALERSHIP. I EMAIL FORD AND GOT A RESPONSE TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A DIAGNOSIS TEST. I TOOK THE CAR TO BOB DAVIDSON AND FOUND IT WOULD COST ME $123.00 FOR THE DIAGNOSE AND THE COST WOULD NOT BE APPLIED TO ANY REPAIRS. I DO NOT HAVE $123.00 FOR THEM TO TELL ME I HAVE A PROBLEM THE PROBLEM IS THE ENGAGE LIGHT COMES ON, BUT THE SPEED TROTTER DOES NOT ENGAGE TO KEEP THE SET SPEED. *TR
2004 ESCAPE REFUSED TO OPERATE STARTER AFTER BEING OPERATED WITH LOAD AT SLOW SPEEDS, FOUND NEW BATTERY WAS DEAD AND NEW ALTERNATOR WAS INSTALLED WHILE UNDER WARRANTY 6M MILES AGO LAST YEAR. SAME PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED BEFORE AND AFTER BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR REPL. PRIVATE AUTO SERVICE SHOP TESTED... SYSTEM CHARGING SUBNORMAL BELOW 900 RPM. WILL NOT KEEP BATTERY CHARGED ESPECIALLY WHILE A/C ON, DRIVING IN CITY TRAFFIC IN PHOENIX,. AZ. DEALER REFUSES TO LOOK AT IT OR TEST IT NOW, EVEN THOUGH THEY ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR PROBLEM UNDER WARRANTY AND PROBLEM CONTINUED TO EXIST. SUV HAS 31,301 MILES ON IT AS OF 10/20/07. THEY HAVE STALLED EVERY TIME I TOOK IT BACK AND JUST KEEP SAYING "IT CANNOT BE." *TR
FORD 2004 ESCAPE - SLOWLY MAKING ASCENT UP A DRIVEWAY - SUDDENLY ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKS, ENGINE RACING, CAR BEGINS RAPID ACCELERATION - DRIVER ABLE TO SLAM ON BRAKES WITH EXTREME PRESSURE TO STOP CAR - ENGINE CONTINUES TO RACE - DRIVER ABLE TO PUT CAR IN PARK WITH ENGINE STILL RACING - TURNS OFF CAR. HE THEN TURNS CAR BACK ON, ONLY TO HAVE ENGINE STILL RACING - IMMEDIATELY TURNS OFF AGAIN. DEALERSHIP CALLED TO COME PICK UP CAR. *TR
LEAVING A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE VEHICLE IDLE INCREASED TO OVER 4000 RPMS AFTER I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I SHUT OFF THE ENGINE BUT THE IDLE DID NOT RETURN TO NORMAL. I'VE BEEN TOLD THAT WAS AN UNUSUAL CASE OF THE "IDLE SPEED CONTROL" FAILURE. THIS "RACING" HAD HAPPENED ONCE BEFORE AT 48,000 MILES BUT AFTER I RESTARTED THE VEHICLE IDLE SPEED RETURNED TO NORMAL. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD POP COMING FROM THE SUNROOF. SHE LOOKED UP AND NOTICED CRACKS IN THE SUNROOF GLASS THAT RESEMBLED A SPIDER WEB. THE SUNROOF WAS TILTED AND NOT FULLY OPEN AT THE TIME THE FAILURE WAS NOTICED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 43,000 THE CONSUMER STATED THE GLASS SHATTERED. UPDATED 12/12/07*LJ
TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 65K MILES. TRANS FLUID FLUSHED BY FORD @ 30K MILES. CAR IS LESS THAN 3 YEARS OLD AND ALMOST EVERY MILE IS ON A FLAT EASY INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. I ASKED FOR ASSISTANCE, FORD TOLD ME TO GO FLY A KITE. I ALSO INFORMED FORD THAT THEY LOST AN ENTIRE FAMILY'S FUTURE PURCHASES OF ANY FORD PRODUCT / SERVICE. *TR
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, EVEN WITH UP TO DATE SERVICE RECORDS, AND NOTED THAT PROBLEM FIRST STARTED AT 49,000 MILES, MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO ASSIST IN REPAIR. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. ON AUGUST 8, 2007, THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH THAT WAS RELATED TO A PREVIOUS RECALL REPAIR FOR THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 04V574000). A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED BY FORD AND CHEVROLET. IN MAY OF 2007, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED PAST 100 MPH AND BEGAN SHAKING AS IF IT WOULD FLIP OVER. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT WAS FORCED TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY PLACING IT IN PARK AND REMOVING THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, NO SOUND OR WARNING LIGHTS WERE PRESENT. THE CONTACT HAS PHOTOS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE SURGES FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL IS LEAKING FLUID INTO THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER RECALL AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 39,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE FOR 30 SECONDS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE BUTTERFLY CAUSED THE ACCELERATOR CABLE TO STICK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED IN JULY OF 2007 FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V574000 (ACCELERATOR CABLE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 01/09/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED SHORTLY AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO EXHIBITED THE SAME PROBLEMS PRIOR TO THE RECALL BEING PERFORMED. UPDATED
SERVICE BULLETIN 042612 NHTSA ITEM NUMBER 10014302 AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY CHARGED US $50.00 TO FIX..WAS IT A SAFETY PROBLEM IN THAT WE DID NOT KNOW IF AIRBAG WOULD FUNCTION PROPERLY? SHOULD THEY HAVE CHARGED US A FEE? *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.
ON 5/21/2007 WHILE ON MY WAY TO WORK THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON THE INTRUMENT CLUSTER BEGAN TO FLASH. AFTER A FEW SEQUENCES OF FLASHING THE LIGHT CAME ON STEADY. WHEN I ARRIVED AT WORK I CALLED AND ARRANGED A TIME TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP TO BE REPAIRED. ON 5/23/2007 I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE DEALERSHI,P AND THEY INFORMED ME IT WAS A BAD AIRBAG WIRING HARNESS THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND THE COST OF PARTS AND LABOR WOULD BE APPROXIMATELY $390.00. ALSO, THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON THIS VEHICLE. THE FIRST TIME APPROXIMATELY 1 YEAR AGO, I CAN GET DETAILS WHEN I GET THE VEHICLE BACK. I GOT THE SAME INDICATIONS , AND A DEALER MADE THE REPAIR AND THE EXPLANATION WAS A SHORTED OUT TWIRE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR. THAT REPAIR COST WAS APPROXIMATELY $300.00. I AS WONDERING IF THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM, AND IF THIS WAS A SAFETY RELATED FAILURE AM I RESPONSIBE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR.*AK
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL # 07V156000 CONCERNING SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE, BUT WAS UNACKNOWLEDGED BY THE DEALER. ALSO, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALER WAS UNAWARE OF THE RECALL IN A TIMELY MANNER, AND FEARED THAT THE VEHICLE MAY CATCH ON FIRE. THE VEHICLEWAS NOT BEING DRIVEN , AND THE CONTACT HAD AN APPOINTMENT ON MAY 2, 2007 TO GET THE RECALL REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 32,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *AK UPDATED 05/23/07. *JB
I HAVE A 2004 FORD ESCAPE THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH (DEACTIVATION SWITCH) HAS GONE BAD ON TWO (2) OCCASIONS SINCE I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE. THE FIRST TIME THE DEALER REPLACED IT AND I HAVE NOT YET REPLACED IT THE SECOND TIME. IS THIS COMMON AND IS THEIR A PROBLEM WITH THESE SWITCHES? *JB
AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE 2004 FORD ESCAPE FLASHES OR STAYS ON. MY SUV HAS 71,000 MILES. *AK
FOR THE 5TH TIME WHILE DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS, THE AIRBAG LIGHT FLASHED AND REMAINED ON CONSTANTLY. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO SAME DEALER THAT HAS WORKED ON VEHICLE REPEATEDLY FOR SAME AIRBAG PROBLEM. PER DEALER, PERFORM SELF TEST ON RCM MODULE KOEO B1994. PINPOINT TEST FOUND AND REPLACED BOTH SIDE AIR BAG CONNECTOR ON HARNESS SIDE. CLEARED CODE AND RETEST OK AFTER REPAIR. *JB
AS I PULLED OFF I88 INTO A GAS STATION IN CHENANGO FORKS, NY, I ATTEMPTED TO BRAKE. THE CAR FELT AS IF IT DID NOT WANT TO BRAKE AND WANTED TO SPEED UP. THE CAR "PULLED" ME AND WOULD NOT STOP. THE ENGINE STARTED TO "REV" AS IF SOMEONE HAD THEIR FOOT DOWN ON THE GAS. THE BRAKE GAVE AND I PUT THE CAR IN PARK. I CHECKED TO SEE IF THE GAS PEDAL WAS "STUCK", CREATING THE "REV". IT WAS NOT. I STARTED IT 3 MORE TIMES AND EACH TIME I DID IT WOULD "REV" LOUD . I TURNED THE CAR OFF. I WAS TOWED BY AAA TO COREYS NORTHGATE FORD/MAZDA IN BINGHAMTON , NY. THEY CHECKED IT OUT, DROVE IT, SAID IT WAS FINE. WAS THERE FROM 10:00 AM-12:00 PM. LEFT AT 12:00 PM VIA I-88.10 MINUTES PRIOR TO EXIT 23 (THE EXIT FOR ROUTE 30), I FELT THE CAR ACCELERATING W/O MY FOOT ON THE GAS. THE CAR FELT LIKE IT WAS ON CRUISE, AND CONTINUING TO ACCELERATE. I COULD TAKE MY FOOT OFF THE GAS AND IT WOULD ACCELERATE. I HAD TO BRAKE TO KEEP THE CAR FROM GOING OVER 80 DOWN A HILL. BRAKING DID NOT FEEL RIGHT. I FELT VERY OUT OF CONTROL. I REACHED EXIT (ROUTE 30), PULLED OFF , TRIED TO BRAKE AND PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER. THE CAR DID NOT WANT TO BRAKE AND WAS ACCELERATING. VERY SCARY. THE BRAKE "GAVE" ,THE CAR SLOWED DOWN. I PUT IT INTO NEUTRAL, PARK, AND TURNED IT OFF. VERY SCARY. I CALLED AAA (AGAIN) THEY TOWED ME TO AERO-FORD MERCURY - COBLESKILL, NY. GOT THERE AT 2:30 PM. WAS TOLD THE THROTTLE BODY WAS RUSTED, WATER WAS LEAKING IN. THIS MADE THE SEPARATOR NOT "SEAL" WELL, WHICH LEFT IT OPEN. WHEN IT IS OPEN, THE CAR ACCELERATES OUT OF CONTROL. THEY FOUND A CHUNK OF ICE WEDGED INTO THE SEPARATOR KEEPING IT OPEN. THEY SAID THIS IS UNUSUAL. ON 3-18-05 I BROUGHT MY CAR IN DUE TO THE RECALL & WAS GIVEN A NEW ACCELERATOR CABLE. WHAT HAPPENED TODAY WAS WHAT THE RECALL DESCRIBED WOULD HAPPEN WITH THE OLD CABLE. SCARY. THE 1ST SERVICE TEAM SHOULD NOT HAVE LET ME GO. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. AFTER THEY FIX IT TOMORROW I WILL STILL BE NERVOUS TO DRIVE. THE FIRST SERVICE TEAM LET ME GO AND SAID THE CAR WAS FINE. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT HE MAY HAVE PASSED OUT WHILE DRIVING. HE DID NOT REMEMBER CROSSING THE INTERSECTION AND CRASHING INTO A FOUR FOOT PIPE FILLED WITH CONCRETE, AND THEN FLIPPING THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A RUPTURED LEFT LUNG. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 87,000. *AK
ENGINE WOULD REMAIN AT FULL THROTTLE AFTER HIGHWAY DRIVING AND WOULD NOT RETURN TO IDLE. FOUND THAT THERE WERE PING PONG SIZE YELLOWISH ICE CHUNKS STUCK IN THROTTLE BODY KEEPING IT HELD OPEN. ALSO FOUND THAT THROTTLE BODY WAS SEVERELY ICED. REMOVED THROTTLE BODY AND REMOVED ICE AND CLEANED THROTTLE BODY. CONCERN HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES WITHIN 9 DAYS. *JB
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GAP UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WHERE THE TOW HOOK IS LOCATED IS DAMAGED. HE IS ATTEMPTING TO TRADE IN THE VEHICLE AND GOT IT INSPECTED. THE INSPECTOR DISCOVERED THE DAMAGE AND STATED THAT THE TOW HOLE HOOK IS TOO LARGE FOR THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE SIZE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 84,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.
MY 2004 FORD ESCAPE FAILED STATE INSPECTION DUE TO A LOOSE WHEEL BEARING AT 21,500 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT I SHOULD NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE AS THIS WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. WHEN ASKED WHY THIS WASN'T FOUND DURING A COMPLETE SUSPENSION CHECK 2 MONTHS PRIOR, I WAS TOLD THAT THIS DEFECT MAY NOT BE DETECTED UNTIL THERE WAS A FAILURE. WHEN I ASKED ABOUT THE OTHER WHEEL BEARINGS I WAS TOLD THIS WAS AN UNUSUAL EVENT. I HAVE SINCE DISCUSSED THIS WITH ENGINEERS FROM DETROIT AND WAS TOLD THESE WHEEL BEARINGS ARE A MAJOR WARRANTY PROBLEM. I AM CONCERNED THAT I AM DRIVING A VEHICLE THAT MAY LOOSE CONTROL WITHOUT WARNING SHOULD OTHER BEARINGS BECOME LOOSE. SHOULD WHEEL BEARING BE REPLACED EVERY 20,000 MILES? *NM
TL* - THE CONTACT WAS ACCELERATING ONTO THE INTERSTATE WHEN THE THROTTLE BECAME STUCK. THE VEHICLE WAS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE WITH 47,000 MILES. THE CONTACT HAD BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THE VEHICLE REACHED 100 MPH. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS OR NOISES PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE TRAVELED AT THIS SPEED FOR APPROXIMATELY 1 MILE. THE CONTACT KEPT APPLYING THE BRAKES AND WAS ABLE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE TO 45 MPH. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE POLICE , AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A FORD DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE THROTTLE CABLE. THE CONTACT HAS THE REPAIR ORDER. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE DRY. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. AK UPDATED 01/29/07. *JB
TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS FORD ESCAPES JUST STALLS WHILE DRIVING, THERE ARE NO WARNINGS SIGNS. THE VEHICLE WILL JUST STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. THIS HAPPENS AT ANY SPEED. THE VEHICLE WILL START BACK UP RIGHT AWAY. THIS STARTED HAPPENING DURING THE WEEK SECOND WEEK OF NOVEMBER 2006. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS ON 12/9/06 AND THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH. THE NEXT DAY THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK IN AND THE DEALER CHANGED THE AIR CONTROL VALVE, AND THE CRANK SHAFT TIMING SENSOR. THE DEALER ALSO TOLD CONTACT THAT THEY HAD CONTAMINATED FUEL AND REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND FILTER. THE STALLING OCCURS TWO OR THREE TIMES A DAY. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER AGAIN FOR REPAIRS FOR THE SAME ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAS THE REPAIR ORDER, NO INJURIES HAVE OCCURRED DUE TO THIS FAILURE.
2004 FORD ESCAPE REAR DEFOGGER WAS ON AND THE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED THROWING GLASS EVERYWHERE. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 50 MPH ON SMOOTH DRY PAVEMENT, THE VEHICLE HAD SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE ACCELERATOR CABLE FRACTURED AND WRAPPED ITSELF AROUND THE HOUSING, WHICH CAUSED THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THERE WAS AN NHTSA RECALL, # 04V574000, REGARDING THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL: CABLES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. UPDATED 9/15/2006 - THE CONSUMER HAS THE OLD PARTS IN HIS POSSESSION. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATOR FAILED TO DEACTIVATE WHEN PRESSURE WAS RELEASED FROM THE PEDAL, WHILE PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE AT 40 MPH. THE CONTACT SHIFTED THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL, BROKE TO A STOP AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A SERVICE DEALER AND INSPECTED FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, CABLE ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. UPDATED 08/25/06. 8JB
THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASH BOARD FLASHES AS IT'S SUPPOSED TO AND THEN REMAINS ILLUMINATED. AFTER HAVING THE CAR INTO THE SHOP THEY INFORMED ME THAT IT'S A PROBLEM WITH THE CIRCUIT AND WOULD COST AN ADDITIONAL $100 JUST TO MOVE FORWARD AND MAY COST MORE. AFTER RESEARCHING THE ISSUE IT APPEARS THAT SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE THIS PROBLEM WITH THEIR ESCAPES AND IT FAILS AFTER BEING FIXED REPEATEDLY. *JB
THE AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHES CODE 46 AND STAYS ON, WILL NOT GO OFF. TAKEN IT TO FORD DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES DOES NOT FIX PROBLEM. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND IT IS VERY WIDESPREAD PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE A RECALL. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE! PLEASE DO A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM!!! *TR
I PURCHASED A 2004 ESCAPE ON MAY 13, 2004 WITH THE STANDARD 3-YEAR/ 36,000 MILES COVERAGE. ON THE JUNE 11, 2006 THE CD PLAYER STARTED GRINDING. IT GAVE ME A NON-DESCRIPT ERROR MESSAGE AND WHEN I TRIED TO EJECT THE CD IT WOULD NOT COMPLY. I WOULD ESTIMATE MY MILEAGE AT ABOUT 42,000 MILES. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL FORD DEALER WHO STATED THAT SINCE MY MILEAGE WAS OVER 36,000 MY CAR WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST ME, UNLESS I CHOSE TO PURCHASE A NEW CD PLAYER. IT NO LONGER WORKS. I HAVE FILED COMPLAINTS WITH THE BBB AND MICHIGAN ATTORNEY GENERAL OFFICE TO RESOLVE THE MATTER. SIMILAR PROBLEMS EXIST IN 2005 MODELS AND THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS INDICATES TO REPLACE IT ONLY IF THE CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY, TELLING ME FORD HAS A DEFECTIVE PART AND IS HEDGING ITS BET THAT SOME PEOPLE WON'T FIGURE IT OUT BEFORE THE END OF THE WARRANTY PERIOD. *NM
2004 FORD ESCAPE, CONSUMER WOULD LIKE REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. *KB FRONT AND REAR CATALYTIC CONVERTERS PLUGGED. THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH. THE EGR VALVE HAD A HOLE IN IT. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DEACTIVATE. DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL DID NOT SLOW THE VEHICLE OR TURNING OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL. TO STOP THE VEHICLE, IT WAS PLACED IN NEUTRAL AND PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER WHERE THEY DETERMINED THE CABLES WERE DEFECTIVE. THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE WAS DISCONNECTED UNTIL THE ORDERED PARTS ARE RECEIVED BY THE DEALER.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ENTERING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS NOTICED THE THROTTLE CABLE WAS IN THE FLOOR BOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE THROTTLE CABLE WAS REPLACED. A NHTSA RECALL, #04V574000 WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE CONCERNING, THE CABLES HOWEVER, THE RECALL DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT OFFER A SECOND REPAIR WITHOUT CHARGE UNDER THE RECALL.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. IT WAS PULLED OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT AND TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE FUEL PUMP AND FILTER WERE REPLACED. THREE DAYS LATER THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN WHILE BEING DRIVEN 35 MPH. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED AND WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACTS RESIDENCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT ALERTED.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE WEATHER IS WET OR WHEN SAND HAS BEEN PLACED ON THE GROUND DUE TO SNOW, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES FAIL TO ILLUMINATE. HE STATED THAT WHEN THE WEATHER IS NICE, THE DASHBOARD ILLUMINATES AS IT SHOULD. THE FAILURE HAS BEEN ONGOING FOR ONE YEAR. HE CURRENTLY HAS AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT SAFETY RECALL NUMBER 07V56000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE) DOES NOT APPLY TO HIS VIN. THE PURCHASE DATE AND SPEED WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,175 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELTS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER INNER FENDER WELL CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER CONNECTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON THE HIGHWAY AND ALL OF THE SUDDEN MY 2004 FORD ESCAPE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE EVEN WITH MY FOOT OFF THE GAS PEDAL AND THE FLOOR MAT WAS NOT STUCK AGAINST PEDAL. CAR CONTINUED TO DO SO. BROUGHT TO DEALER, THEY SAID IT WAS THE ACCELERATOR CABLE BRACKET BROKE CAUSING THE THROTTLE TO STICK OPEN. *NM
PREMATURE FAILURE, EXCESSIVE PREMATURE WEAR OF THE BRAKE ROTORS. VEHICLE SERVICED BY TREBOUR FORD EVERY 5,000 MILES ACCORDING TO SERVICE SCHEDULE. AT THIS VISIT, INFORMED THAT BRAKE PADS WERE CLOSE TO NEEDING REPLACEMENT. THIS IS NORMAL AND UNDERSTANDABLE. HOWEVER, WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE BRAKE ROTORS WERE BEYOND THE POINT OF BEING USED FURTHER. THEY WERE WORN SO BADLY THAT THEY COULD NOT BE MACHINED EVEN ONCE. MY EXPERIENCE IS THAT BRAKE ROTORS WHEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED PROPERLY AND HAS 34,917 MILES WHICH HAS BEEN PRIMARILY HIGHWAY USAGE. THE NEED FOR BRAKE ROTOR REPLACEMENT AT THIS POINT WAS DUE TO DEFECTIVE EQUIPMENT INSTALLED AT TIME OF PRODUCTION.*AK
(1) NORMAL DRIVING TO WORK & SCHOOL. (2) WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY TO WORK APPROX 70 MPH, AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON FOR 3RD TIME. (3) RETURNED VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER WITH FOLLOWING RESULTS: PERFORM SELF TEST ON RCM MODULE KOEO B1881. PINPOINT TEST FOUND HIGH RESISTANCE ON PASSENGER SIDE PRETENSIONER. REMOVE BOTH FROM SEAT & REPLACED PRETENSIONER CONNECTORS PER TSB 05-17-11. CLEARED CODE & RETEST OK AFTER REPAIR. *JB
(1) I DRIVE APPROXIMATELY 60 MILES PER DAY. VEHICLE IS USED PRIMARILY FOR DRIVING TO WORK AND TRANSPORTING CHILDREN TO SCHOOL & ACTIVITIES. (2) ON 12/6/05, I RETURNED VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP FOR 2ND TIME DUE TO AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATING. (3) PER DEALER DESCRIPTION: PERFORMED SELF TEST ON RCM MODULE KOEO B1998. PINPOINT TEST FOUND HIGH RESISTANCE IN SIDE AIR BAG HARNESS. REPLACED CONNECTOR UNDER PASSENGER SEAT PER TSB 04-26-12. CLEARED CODE & RETEST OKAY. *AK
THE HOOD ON OUR 2004 FORD ESCAPE WITH 36,758 MILES ON IT UNLATCHED AND FLEW UP AGAINST THE WINDSHIELD ON OCT 25, 2005 WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM A SOCCER GAME. THE HOOD HAD NOT BEEN OPENED IN A COUPLE OF WEEKS, AND THERE WAS NO RATTLING OR OTHER SIGNS THAT THE HOOD LATCH HAD BEEN POPPED FROM THE INSIDE. THE CAR IS DRIVEN DAILY TO WORK. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT OR INJURIES, JUST DAMAGE TO THE HOOD, WHICH WAS REPLACED BY A BODY SHOP FOR $695.02 (THE LATCH WAS ALSO REPLACED). IT TOOK TWO WEEKS TO REPAIR DUE TO THE HOOD BEING ON BACKORDER FROM FORD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVEN FOR THIS TWO WEEK PERIOD. PICTURES WERE TAKEN OF THE DAMAGED HOOD, AND THE OLD LATCH IS IN OUR POSSESSION. A LETTER IS BEING SENT TO FORD, WITH A CC. GOING TO NHTSA AS WELL. *JB
2004 FORD ESCAPE HOOD FLEW OPEN WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH. *TS ***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** THE VEHICLE'S WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED TWO WEEKS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT THEREFORE THE DEALER WOULD NOT COVER THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL BODY SHOP FOR REPAIR. *NM
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026