Ford Escape Complaints

29,499 consumer complaints on file.

#10041340October 6, 2003
TIRES:SIDEWALL, EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL:ACCESSORY SCISSOR/SCREW/BOTTLE JACK/LIFT
HELLO. I RECENTLY PURCHASED A NEW FORD ESCAPE WITH CONTINENTAL TIRES IN JUNE 2003. TIRE MODEL: CONTINENTAL CONTITRAC SUV TIRE MODEL #: 235/70R16 WE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE TIRE FAILURE WHILE TRAVELING AT 60 MPH, WITH SIDEWALL AND TREAD SEPARATION, FOR NO APPARENT REASON. AS YOU CAN IMAGINE THIS WAS VERY DANGEROUS AND UNPLEASANT SITUATION, THANKFULLY NO ONE WAS HURT. THE VEHICLE (AND TIRES) HAVE 5K MILES. THERE WAS NO LOAD OR OTHER UNUSUAL CIRCUMSTANCES AT THE TIME. I AM WRITING FOR SEVERAL REASONS: 1. WHERE DO I OFFICIALLY REPORT SUCH AN INCIDENT AS A PUBLIC SAFETY ISSUE? 2. WHERE CAN I OBTAIN SAFETY RATINGS REGARDING THIS TIRE IN COMPARISON TO OTHER SUV TIRES? THANK YOU, SINCERELY, JOHN W. COLE, MD DETAILS OF INCIDENT: FORD ESCAPE TIRE BLOWOUT FORD ESCAPE, PURCHASED JUNE 2003, APPROX 4900 TOTAL MILES CONTINENTAL TIRES (STOCK TIRE WITH VEHICLE) DATE AND TIME OF INCIDENT: 9/25/03, 8:20 PM WIFE AND SON (10 WEEKS OLD) DRIVING EAST BOUND ON ROUTE 50, CROSSING SEVERN RIVER BRIDGE. TRAVELING AT 60 MPH IN MODERATE TRAFFIC. LOUD POP HEARD BY WIFE AND DRIVER REAR TIRE BLOWS OUT. WIFE AND INFANT SON TRAPPED AT FAR SIDE OF BRIDGE, VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION! VEHICLE UNDRIVEABLE. POLICE CALLED, SET UP FLARES, AND NOTIFIED TOW COMPANY. TOW COMPANY STATED SUPPLIED JACK WOULD NOT LIFT THE TRUCK CHASSIS HIGH ENOUGH TO PUT ON SPARE!! TOW COMPANY USED ADDITIONAL JACK TO RAISE CHASSIS. KEY ISSUES: SUV PURCHASED FOR SAFETY PURPOSES. TIRE NEW, WITH LITTLE MILEAGE. BLOWOUT OCCURS ON HIGHWAY WITHOUT REASON. TRUCK WITH NO LOAD, LESS PASSENGERS, AT THE TIME. TIRE JACK DID NOT WORK ADEQUATELY. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION! IF THIS HAD OF BEEN A FRONT TIRE, VEHICLE MAY HAVE ROLLED? *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10042282October 3, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
BETWEEN JULY AND AUGUST OF 2003 VEHICLE HAS STALLED SEVERAL TIMES INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR ONE WEEK BUT THE PROBLEM RE-OCCURRED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10042156October 2, 2003
AIR BAGS
WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. VEHICLE SUFFERED SEVERE DAMAGE.*AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10041039October 1, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
EXHAUST SYSTEM COMPONENTS RADIATE EXCESSIVE HEAT WHEN VEHICLE IS PARKED. HEADER, MANIFOLD, AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER COMBINED TEMPERATURES CAUSE SCORCHING OF GRASS WHEN PARKED IN A LOWLY-CUT, GRASSY AREA. RAMIFICATIONS COULD BE SAFETY IMPACTS TO OCCUPANTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10037870October 1, 2003
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, TIRES:TREAD/BELT
WHILE DRIVING THE LEFT REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED AND THE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. THE TIRE WAS ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT (TIRE SIZE P235.70R16) . DEALER NOTIFIED AND INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE CAUSE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE BRAKES AND ROTORS FAILED WHICH CAUSED NOISE WHILE BRAKING. *AK *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10041996September 30, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE DETENTION PULLEY COMING OUT WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH. ALSO, STEERING LOCKED UP. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED, AND STATED THAT THEY WILL PAY FOR THE REPAIRS ON THE VEHICLE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10040994September 30, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
MY 2001 FORD ESCAPE XLT STALLS FREQUENTLY AND ALSO HAS AN EXHAUST SMELL COMING FROM THE AIR VENTS. I HAVE TAKEN IT IN OVER 10 TIMES AND THEY TELL ME IT'S FIXED WHEN IT ISN'T.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10040992September 30, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
WE OWN A 2001 FORD ESCAPE WITH LESS THAN 42000 MILES ON IT. WE HAVE GOTTEN ALL OF THE REQUIRED OIL CHANGES AND SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE DONE ON IT. WE WENT THROUGH THE DEALER FOR ALL SERVICE WORK AND ALL BUT ONE OIL CHANGE. RECENTLY IT BEGAN SHAKING EVEN WHEN THE CAR WAS NOT IN MOTION. WE TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AGAIN AND THEY INFORMED US THAT THE ENGINE WAS BAD AND NEEDED REPLACED (COSTING $4000). THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN HAD ORIGINALLY TOLD US THAT THE ENGINE HAD GONE BAD BECAUSE WE HAD NOT CHANGED THE OIL OR HAD PUT THE WRONG OIL IN IT. THIS IS UNTRUE, WE HAVE MET THE REQUIREMENTS SET OUT BY FORD AND HAD PROOF. THEN, HE SAID THAT WE MUST HAVE GONE THROUGH HIGH WATER IN THE CAR BECAUSE THE AIR FILTER WAS YELLOWED. WE HAVE NEVER TAKEN THE CAR THROUGH HIGH WATER. WE WERE TOLD BY A DIFFERENT FORD MECHANIC THAT DUST AND POLLEN IN THE AIR CAN CAUSE THE YELLOWING. THEN THEY TOLD US THAT THE ENGINE COULD HAVE BECOME RUINED BECAUSE OF HEAVY RAIN. THE DEALER THAT WE HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH IS: RUSTY ECK FORD 7310 EAST KELLOGG WICHITA KS 67207 PHONE: 316.685.9211 FAX: 316.685.2890 THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECT IN THE MANUFACTURING OF THE ENGINE AND WE FEEL THAT FORD SHOULD REPLACE THE ENGINE. WE HAVE OWNED MORE THAN A DOZEN CARS (ONE HAVING OVER 180,000 ON IT) AND HAVE NEVER HAD AN ENGINE GO BAD ON US. WE HAVE OWNED 7 DIFFERENT FORD VEHICLES. WE HAVE DONE OUR PART IN TAKING CARE OF THE FORD ESCAPE, AND WE FEEL THAT IT IS RIDICULOUS TO HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS KIND OF REPAIR SO EARLY IN ITS LIFE. THE EXCUSES THAT WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN FOR THE ENGINE FAILURE ARE LUDICROUS. CERTAINLY, VEHICLES MUST BE ABLE TO WITHSTAND RAIN SHOWERS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10040819September 27, 2003
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 24,000 MILES ON MY 2001 FORD ESCAPE ON SEPTEMBER 25, 2003. I HAD THE VEHICLE IN FOR A MASTER CYLINDER PROBLEM IN DECEMBER OF 2002 AND THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY COULD FIND ANY LEAKS AND JUST TOPPED THE FLUID AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED IN MARCH AND ON MARCH 7, 2003 THE DEALERSHIP FINALLY FOUND OUT I HAD A MASTER CYLINDER LEAK AND REPLACED IT UNDER WARRANTY. I BELIEVE THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER PROBLEM MAY HAVE CAUSED THE ROTOR PROBLEM (THE ROTORS WERE SO BAD THEY COULD NOT EVEN BE TURNED.) THE INDEPENDENT SHOP THAT REPLACED THE ROTORS ALSO SAID THE PADS WERE JUST ABOUT METAL TO METAL. I HAD NOT FORWARNING OF THIS PROBLEM. FORD WOULD NOT EVEN REFUND HAVE OF THE CHARGE FOR THE ROTOR PROBLEM OR EVEN LOOK AT THE OLD ROTORS WHICH WERE RETURNED TO ME THE THE SPECS MARKED ON THEM.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10040492September 24, 2003
SEAT BELTS, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND NEITHER OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. ALSO SEAT BELTS DID NOT HOLD THE PASSENGERS IN THE SEATS. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10040552September 24, 2003
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHILE AT A STOP WITH FOOT ON BRAKE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL AND HIT A BUILDING. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10039414September 23, 2003
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS, VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
STIFF ACCELERATOR PEDEL. CANNOT MAKE A SMOOTH ACCELERATION FROM A COMPLETE STOP. THE PEDAL DOESN'T SEEM TO "GIVE" UNTIL IT'S PUSHED TOO MUCH. WHEN IT'S PUSHED TOO MUCH. THERE IS A SURGE OF ACCELERATION AND USUALLY THE TIRES JUST SPIN, WHETHER IT'S RAINING, SNOWING OR JUST PLAIN DRY OUT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10033651September 23, 2003
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING 40/45 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT.*AK *PH *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10039301September 22, 2003
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
WHEN CAR WAS STARTED, IT MOVED ONLY IN REVERSE, REGARDLESS OF THE GEAR SELECTION. THIS WAS ONLY REMEDIED AFTER THE CAR WAS RESTARTED. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10039093September 18, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
LEAKING FRONT OIL SEAL AND OIL PAN GASKET WITH ONLY 60,000 MILES. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10039151September 18, 2003
STEERING
MY WIFE GOT DISTRACTED AND SIDE SWIPED THE TRAILER OF AN 18 WHEELER WHILE PASSING ......A VERY BAZAAR ACCIDENT......SHE WAS ONLY SLIGHTLY INJURED AND HER 2001 FORD ESCAPE WAS DESTROYED..... MY COMPLAINT IS......HER STEERING WAS COMPLETELY BROKE...NO CONNECTION BETWEEN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE FRONT END.... HER STEERING WHEEL JUST SPINS AROUND .... BEING A CAR GUY I SEE THIS AS A FAILURE IN THE FORDS STEERING.....I WALKED THE ACCIDENT SCENE AND DID NOT SEE ONE THING SHE COULD HAVE HIT TO BREAK HER STEERING. HER IMPACT WITH THE TRUCK SHOULD NOT HAVE BROKE HER STEERING EITHER .....PLEASE INVESTIGATE. *JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10040190September 17, 2003
TIRES:SIDEWALL
ALL FOUR TIRE SIDEWALLS WERE THIN AND PUNCTURED EASILY. THE TIRE WILL BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10039075September 17, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY HUSBAND AND I PURCHASED A 2002 FORD ESCAPE ON 07/04/02. THERE WAS A LITTLE OVER 500 MILE ON THE VEHICLE AT DATE OF PURCHASE. SINCE THEN, WE HAVE HAD THE SUV AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS 6 TIMES FOR PROBLEM RELATING TO WHAT SEEMS TO BE ELECTRICAL. #1 THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLY, #2 SHORT IN THE HEATER WIRING CAUSING AN ARCH SOUND AND FOUL ODOR. #3 VEHICLE GOT STUCK IN PARK, #3 & #4, VEHICLE WAS STRANDED WITH THE VEHICLE NOT STARTING AND #6 BECAME STUCK IN PARK FOR THE SECOND TIME. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10038971September 16, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
THE ENGINE ON MY 2002 FORD ESCAPE STALLS UNEXPECTEDLY. IT STALLS WHILE SHIFTING GEARS AT A STANDSTILL AND WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THIS LAST CONDITION ESPECIALLY IS QUITE DANGEROUS AS THERE IS A LOSS OF BRAKING AND POWER STEERING. SOMETIMES IT WILL STALL UP TO 5 TIMES BEFORE GETTING IT OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. IT STALLS WHEN THE ENGINE IS BOTH COLD AND HOT. I HAVE HAD IT TO MY FORD DEALER, WHO HAS EVEN HAD IT STALL WHILE HOOKED UP TO THEIR COMPUTER. AND STILL THEY HAVE NOT SOLVED THE PROBLEM. I HAVE HAD IT IN ON 4 SEPARATE OCCASIONS SINCE JULY 2003. IT ONCE STALLED WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING IT AROUND A HAIRPIN TURN. FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS COMING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. IT HAS BEEN STALLING SINCE BEFORE JULY 11, WHEN IT WAS FIRST BROUGHT TO THE DEALER FOR THIS PROBLEM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10033891September 12, 2003
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS, STEERING:HYDRAULIC POWER ASSIST:POWER STEERING FLUID
THERE WAS A GROANING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP BUT IDLING. THERE WAS ALSO A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM THE AIR VENTS. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE BY THE DEALERSHIP THE STEERING PUMP AND PRESSURE LINE HAD RUPTURED. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED IT WAS CAUSED BY THE POWER STEERING FLUID BEING CONTAMINATED. *AK *SCC *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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