Ford Escape Complaints

29,499 consumer complaints on file.

#10287232October 13, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THROUGHOUT THE TIME I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE THE TRANSMISSION HAS ACTED STRANGELY. SOMETIMES IT SHIFTS VIOLENTLY AND JERKS THE ENTIRE VEHICLE FORWARD. OTHER TIMES IT SEEMS THAT IT SIMPLY WON'T SHIFT INTO GEAR WHEN FIRST STARTED. LAST MARCH I WAS WAITING FOR A TRAIN TO PASS SO I PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK WHILE I WAITED. TWO OR THREE SECONDS AFTER I PUT IT IN PARK, THE ENTIRE VEHICLE JUMPED FORWARD A COUPLE FEET. IT SCARED THE CRAP OUT OF ME SINCE THE TRAIN WAS MOVING AT 60+ MPH AND WAS ONLY MAYBE TEN FEET IN FRONT OF ME. WHEN THE TRAIN PASSED I PUT IT BACK IN DRIVE AND IT DIDN'T ENGAGE. I PUT IT BACK IN PARK AND MOVED THE SHIFTER THROUGH THE GEARS. AFTER THIS IT WORKED AGAIN, BUT I WAS WORRIED. I NOTICED TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE RADIATOR AREA THIS MORNING. I NEEDED AN OIL CHANGE ANYWAY SO I TOOK IT IN TODAY AND WAS TOLD THAT IT IS THE TRANSMISSION / AC COOLER THAT IS LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID AND IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I CALLED FORD ABOUT IT AND THEY SAID THAT THEY COULDN'T GUARANTEE WARRANTY SUPPORT, BUT THAT I SHOULD MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH A FORD DEALER FOR THE REPAIRS. BASED ON WHAT I'VE READ, THE WARRANTY IS NOT GOING TO COVER IT SINCE I HAVE 51,000 MILES ON IT. THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT BIG O TIRES GAVE ME AN ESTIMATE FOR $512 FOR THE REPAIR WORK, WHICH IS MUCH LESS THAN WHAT OTHERS HAVE BEEN PAYING. BUT IN THE MEAN TIME I HAVE A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD DUE TO TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING ON COMPONENTS BELOW THE ENGINE. I CAN'T HELP BUT THINK THAT THESE EVENTS ARE SOMEHOW RELATED. ESPECIALLY WHEN FACTORING IN ALL OF THE PRIOR COMPLAINTS THAT I'VE FOUND EASILY WITH SIMPLE INTERNET SEARCHES. UNFORTUNATELY, IT APPEARS THAT IT WILL TAKE SOMEONE BEING HIT BY A TRAIN FOR ANYTHING TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS. FOR NOW I AM GOING TO WAIT UNTIL I TAKE IT IN FOR MY APPOINTMENT AT THE FORD DEALER. CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS THAT MAKE A VEHICLE SAFE TO TRANSPORT THEIR FAMILIES IN THEIR EVERY DAY LIVES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10287254October 13, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FOR THE CURRENT FORD RECALL, THE RECALL DOES NOT INCLUDE FORD ESCAPES. I HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH MY VEHICLE; MALFUNCTIONING CRUISE CONTROL (CRUISE WILL JUST DISENGAGE ON THE FREEWAY OR WILL ALL OF A SUDDEN START ACCELERATING), BRAKE LIGHT ON DASH, AND DIFFICULTLY WITH DISENGAGING VEHICLE OUT OF PARK. I CONTACTED FORD AND WAS TOLD MY VEHICLE IS NOT ON THE RECALL AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT. THEY ISSUED ME A "CASE NUMBER". *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10287263October 13, 2009
VISIBILITY
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10287128October 12, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
THE TRANSMISSION COOLANT LINE RUNNING TO THE A/C CONDENSER LEAKS AND SPRAYS TRANSMISSION FLUID EVERYWHERE. STARTED AT AROUND 36,000 MILES FOUND IT AT 38,000 AND FORD HAS INFORMED ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION HOSE IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY BECAUSE IT IS AN AC PART. *TR BOGUS
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10286632October 7, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2008 FORD ESCAPE - I WAS INFORMED THAT THE FLUID LINE LEADING FROM THE TRANSMISSION TO THE CONDENSER HAD SPRUNG A LEAK. AFTER ASKING TWO SEPARATE FORD DEALERS AND DOING A LOT OF WEB RESEARCH, I HAVE COME TO FIND THAT THIS ISSUE IS WIDELY PREVALENT WITH THIS MODEL AND IS A RESULT OF A DESIGN FLAW. I ASKED ABOUT THE REPLACEMENT PART AND IF IT WOULD SUFFER THE SAME FATE. I WAS TOLD THAT THE REPLACEMENT PART, ENGINEERED AND MANUFACTURED BY FORD HAS BEEN DESIGNED DIFFERENTLY TO ACCOMMODATE THE ORIGINAL FLAW. THIS TO ME REPRESENTS A SITUATION WHERE FORD KNEW OF THIS ISSUE AND FAILED TO INFORM CUSTOMERS OR ISSUE A RECALL. AS A RESULT I AM OUT ALMOST $800 FOR THE REPAIR. FORD WILL NOT COVER IT UNDER WARRANTY AND ACCEPTS NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DEFECT. THERE IS A TECHNICAL SAFETY BULLETINS ISSUED ON THIS DEFECT TSB -08-5-7 IF I RECALL RIGHT. IT TOOK ME ABOUT 30 MINUTES TO DISCOVER THAT THIS ISSUE IS WIDE SPREAD AND THAT ALL OTHERS AFFECTED WITH THIS PROBLEM ON THEIR FORD ESCAPE VEHICLE HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE SAME BRUSH OFF BY FORD. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS. THE RESULTING ISSUE CREATED BY THIS PROBLEM, DOCUMENTED SEVERAL PLACES IS A TRANSMISSION FAILURE. SOME HAVE RESULTED IN THE VEHICLE JUMPING INTO GEAR AND OTHERS CREATING A LURCHING ISSUE WHICH ULTIMATELY LEADS TO A POTENTIAL ACCIDENT SITUATION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10286582October 6, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
THE ABS WARNING LIGHT CAME ON IN MY 2001 FORD ESCAPE. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THEY RAN SOME TESTS. THEY SAID THE ABS MODULE WAS PROBABLY THE CAUSE BUT THEY DID NOT HAVE ONE IN STOCK. THEY WOULD ORDER IT AND CONTACT ME TO SCHEDULE INSTALLATION. THEY DID NOT INDICATE THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO OPERATE. I DROVE THE CAR BACK HOME AND TO WORK THE NEXT DAY. ON THE WAY HOME AFTER WORK A FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT LEFT FRONT SIDE WHICH IS NEAR THE BRAKE SYSTEM COMPONENTS. I PUT THE FIRE OUT AND CONTACTED MY INSURANCE COMPANY. THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER DRIVABLE. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE FORD DEALER THE NEXT DAY. NEITHER FORD OR FARMERS INSURANCE COULD PINPOINT THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE BUT THEIR WAS DAMAGE AROUND THE ABS AND ITS WIRING. FORD HAS DENIED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DAMAGE. I REMEMBERED A SAFETY RECALL WAS DONE PREVIOUSLY HAVING TO DO WITH THE ABS. I RECHECKED AND DISCOVERED THAT SIMILAR FIRES WERE THE REASON FOR THE RECALL. FORD SAID THEY DID PERFORM THE RECALL ON MY VEHICLE. I CHECKED FURTHER ON LINE AND SAW THAT A SAFETY INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED BECAUSE THE REMEDY BY FORD HAS NOT ELIMINATED VEHICLE ABS WIRING FIRES. I BELIEVE MY FORD ESCAPE IS ANOTHER CASE OF THIS SAFETY DEFECT AND FORD SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DAMAGE AND RELATED EXPENSES I HAVE INCURRED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10286132October 2, 2009
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. HE HEARD A NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND WHEN HE EXAMINED THE BUMPER HE NOTICED THAT THE BASE WAS LOOSE, THE BRACKET WAS BROKEN, AND IT WAS MADE OF ALUMINUM. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENTIRE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT THE COST OF $1,200.00. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10286006October 1, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A ROD CAUSED THE ENGINE TO LOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE FORD DEALER AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE PER THE WARRANTY SINCE IT HAS EXPIRED AND THE MILEAGE WAS 44,000. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10285533September 28, 2009
STRUCTURE
2003 FORD ESCAPE ... PAINT PEELING ON ROOF AROUND SUN ROOF OPENING. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10285168September 24, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANS FLUID LEAKING ON FLOOR. DEALER SAYS IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE BY FORD AND THEY WILL NOT PAY FOR IT. TSB # 08-5-7 .MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ON THIS FORM AND OTHERS . MAY CAUSE TRANS FAILURE AT ANY TIME AND CAUSE SOMEONE TO GET KILLED IN TRAFFIC. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10284882September 22, 2009
POWER TRAIN, SUSPENSION:FRONT
FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS FAILING. CALLED FORD AND THEY WILL NOT COVER THIS UNDER WARRANTY. BEARINGS SHOULD LAST OVER 100,000 MILES. MINE STARTED TO GO BAD AT 58,000 (APPROX) MILES. WHEN BEARINGS FAIL DRIVER COULD LOSE FRONT BRAKES AND/OR FRONT WHEELS LEADING TO A CRASH. I HAVE OVER 35 YEARS EXPERIENCE WITH AUTOMOBILES AND KNOW WHAT A FAILING WHEEL BEARING SOUNDS LIKE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10284256September 17, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING ABOVE 60 MPH THE OVERHEAT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL, THEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. AS A CONSEQUENCE HIS RISK OF A SERIOUS INJURY WAS INCREASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, BUT THE TECHNICIANS HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 79,000. UPDATED 10/29/09 *CN THE PUMP FOR THE COOLING SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE. UPDATED 10/29/09.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10284014September 15, 2009
TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM, AIR BAGS
WARNING LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD APPEAR INTERMITTENTLY. THE LIGHTS THAT COME ON ARE THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT AND THE ADVANCE TRACTION CONTROL. ALSO THE PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE MIDDLE OF THE DASHBOARD FLASHES OFF AND ON. ONLY HAPPENS MAYBE 20% OF THE TIME. HAVE HAD IT TO THE DEALER TWICE, THE CODES THAT COME UP THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN BEFORE SO CAN'T DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. WHEN I DO TAKE IT IN MOST OF THE TIMES THE LIGHTS DON'T COME ON SO THEY ASK WHETS THE PROBLEM? I DON'T KNOW IF THE CAR IS SAFE TO DRIVE OR NOT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10283889September 14, 2009
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN ENTERING THE VEHICLE AND STARTING THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED THAT THE ABS LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME THEN SHUT OFF. HE ALSO NOTICED WHEN IT RAINED WHILE DRIVING, THE ABS LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE DROVE AS IF IT WAS NOT ACTIVATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING HYDRAULIC MOTOR CIRCUIT FAILURE IN THE ABS SYSTEM. THE CONTACT WAS GIVEN AN ESTIMATE FOR $1216.87 TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 07V156000, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE; HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,400 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 81,679.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10283836September 13, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
2008 FORD ESCAPE: FAILURE MILEAGE 21,775. ENGINE REV-ED FOR NO REASON AT < 10 MPH. VEHICLE STALLED WHILE COMING TO STOP. VEHICLE LEAKED LARGE PUDDLE OF TRANSMISSION FLUID UNDER RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. FORD REPLACED TRANSMISSION COOLING ASSEMBLY (PART #8L8Z-19712-J) UNDER WARRANTY NOTING TSB 09 09 04. I PURCHASED THIS ESCAPE ON 08-04-09 AS A CERTIFED USED FORD OFF A FORD LEASE WITH MILEAGE 20,227. I HAD NOT YET MADE THE 1ST PAYMENT. THIS APPEARS TO BE AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH MANY 2008 ESCAPE OWNERS AND OVER THE LONG TERM CAUSES DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION DUE TO A DANGEROUSLY FLAWED DESIGN. THERE IS NO RECALL AT THIS TIME. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10283776September 12, 2009
SEATS
ON SEPTEMBER 11, 2009 I WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR-END COLLISION. I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND BY A TOWING TRUCK WHILE I WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. I SPUN AROUND AND WENT INTO THE INTERSECTION. THERE WAS SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE, A 2009 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. UPON INSPECTION I NOTED THAT THE BACK OF THE FRONT DRIVER'S SEAT (THE ONE I WAS SITTING IN) HAD COLLAPSED BACKWARD SO THAT THE BACK AND HEADREST WERE LAYING DOWN AND IN THE BACK (STILL ATTACHED TO THE SEAT HOWEVER). I WAS ALARMED AS IF I HAD SOMEONE IN THE BACK BEHIND ME THEY WOULD HAVE SUSTAINED SERIOUS INJURY IF NOT DEATH. I WAS ALONE HOWEVER AND SUSTAINED SOME ACHES AND PAINS INCLUDING A NECK INJURY. I DO NOT KNOW WHETHER THE VEHICLE WILL BE TOTALED YET. I DO NOT KNOW IF I WILL HAVE ONGOING NECK ISSUES. I ASSUME THE BACK OF ONE'S SEAT IS TO REMAIN UPRIGHT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. I LOOKED ON LINE AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT IN MY FORD. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10283555September 10, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS EATING DINER AT A LOCAL RESTAURANT, HER 2002 FORD ESCAPE CAUGHT FIRE WHILE PARKED WITH THE ENGINE OFF. ACCORDING TO OUR LOCAL FORD DEALER ALL RECALL WORK ON THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN COMPLETED. I HAVE LEARNED TODAY THAT THIS MODEL FORD HAS A HISTORY OF FIRES IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10283368September 9, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
2008 FORD ESCAPE - 41,800 MILES. RPM'S WOULD FLUCTUATE - CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE - CAR WOULD ROLL BACKWARDS ON INCLINE- CAR WOULD STALL OUT . TOOK IN FOR SERVICE DEALER ADVISED TRANSMISSION FLUID IS LEAKING DUE TO CRACKED IN THE TRANSMISSION COOLER. DEFECT IS NOT COVERED BY POWERTRAIN BECAUSE THEY SAY THIS PART IS NOT PART OF THE TRANSMISSION IT IS A COOLING UNIT. APPROXIMATELY $750 TO FIX. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10283321September 8, 2009
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE LIFT GATE LATCH WOULD NOT RELEASE, THE BACK GLASS WOULD NOT OPEN, AND THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT WOULD NOT UNLOCK WHEN THE RELEASE BUTTON WAS PUSHED. THE DEALER TRIED TO REMEDY THE SEAT BELT FAILURE AND WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE CONTACT IS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY RISK AND THE POSSIBILITY THAT HE COULD BECOME TRAPPED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 88,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10283031September 6, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK WITHIN CONDENSER RESULTING IN TRANSMISSION DAMAGE AND GEAR SLIPPAGE. THE VEHICLE WOULD SUDDENLY NOT ACCELERATE OR WOULD LURCH FORWARD. THERE IS NO EVIDENCE TO SUGGEST IT WAS CAUSED BY AN OUTSIDE SOURCE, RATHER A FAULTY LINE THAT CRACKED. THIS REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND OCCURRED SHORTLY AFTER 36K MILE WARRANTY EXPIRED. TOTAL COST FOR REPAIR WAS $1025, PLUS OUT OF POCKET TOW BECAUSE IT TURNED OUT NOT TO BE COVERED UNDER A WARRANTY REPAIR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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