Ford Escape Complaints (2003)

558 consumer complaints on file.

#10060399March 4, 2004
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
I PURCHED MY NEW VEHICLE ON 7/12/03 AND ON 3/3/04 UPON OPENING MY DRIVER DOOR, I HEARD A CLANKING NOISE AND THE DRIVER DOOR FELL OFF. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION I LOCATED THE TOP PIN INSIDE THE CAR BUT THE CLIP WAS NO WHERE TO BE FOUND. I CLOSED THE DOOR & CLIMED OUT THE PASSENGER SIDE. I CONTACTED A LOCAL FORD DEALER (NOT WHERE I PURCHASED IT FROM) TO GET IT FIXED. THEY SAID THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS AND THEY WERE VERY SUPRISED. BUT, FROM WHAT I JUST READ.... ITS HAPPENED BEFORE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY DID NOT HAVE THE CLIP SO THEY JERRY-RIGGED SOMETHING TO HOLD THE PIN IN PLACE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10061254March 3, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION SLIPPED INTO NEUTRAL AND 2ND GEAR ON ITS OWN. *PH THE GEAR INDICATOR STATED THE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN DRIVE, WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE PARKED THE VEHICLE AND THEN RETURNED, HE NOTICED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN THE SAME PLACE WHERE HE HAD LEFT IT. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10059602February 23, 2004
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35 TO 40 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER WORE A SEAT BELT. *AK
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10070811January 15, 2004
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
MY 2003 FORD ESCAPE WHICH I PURCHASED IN APRIL OF 2003 CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE FUEL INJECTORS. WITHIN 20 MINUTES THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND DESTROYED. THE FLAMES ALSO PENETRATED THROUGH THE FIRE WALL WITHIN LITTLE TIME. I AM CURRENTLY WORKING WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY AS THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. AT THIS TIME I HAVE HAD NO RESPONSE TO MY CALLS TO FORD REGARDING THIS EXTREME MALFUNCTION.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10069644January 15, 2004
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
WHEN THE TEMPERATURE IS WARMER, THE ESCAPE INTERMITTEDLY WILL NOT START. TAKES ANYWHERE FROM 4 TO 7 TIMES OF CRANKING BEFORE SUV STARTS. OCCURED FIRST IN AUG., THE FORD SHOP REPROGRAMMED THE COMPUTER. ONE MONTH LATER DOESN'T START AGAIN. FORD SHOP LEFT TICKET OPEN BECAUSE THEY CAN'T FIND PROBLEM. IN OCTOBER, HAPPENS AGAIN. NOW THEY HAVE INSTALLED A PIECE OF EQUIPMENT THAT I HAVE TO PUSH A BUTTON AS I'M CRANKING IF THE CAR DOESN'T START. THE PIECE OF EQUIPMENT IS ONLY GOOD FOR 1 WEEK, HAVE TO KEEP GOING IN TO HAVE IT RESET.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10051175December 27, 2003
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
TO START, MY VEHICLE IS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE WITH 36,000 MILES. IT IS A COMPANY VEHICLE THAT I'M ABLE TO USE PROFESSIONALLY AND PERSONALLY. I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM A QUICK TRIP TO TOWN AND THE ACCELERATOR BEGAN TO HAVE A MIND OF ITS OWN. I WAS TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT PUSHING ON THE GAS. LUCKILY I ACTED QUICKLY AND WAS ABLE TO PUT THE TRUCK IN NEUTRAL AND PULL OVER TO THE SIDE SAFELY. I TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND LOOKED TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANYTHING ON THE FLOORBOARD THAT WAS CAUSING CONSTANT ACCELERATION, THERE WASN'T. I TURNED THE VEHICLE BACK ON TO SEE WHAT WOULD HAPPEN AND THE RPM'S SORED TO 4 WITH BEING IN PARK. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THIS VEHICLE HAD PERFORMED IN THIS MANNER. I MUST SAY THAT THIS WAS VERY FRIGHTNING. I WASN'T SURE I WAS GOING TO BE ABLE TO STOP.*AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10051611December 16, 2003
STEERING
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10049128December 3, 2003
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
UPON TURNING THE IGNITION TO THE "ON" POSITION IN MY 2003 FORD ESCAPE, THE SUNROOF WILL AUTOMATICALLY OPEN. THIS OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TURNED OFF BETWEEN 10-15 MINUTES, AND THEN RESTARTED. THIS HAS OCCURRED 6 TIMES WITHIN A 4 WEEK PERIOD. *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10047609November 26, 2003
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC., ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL, EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES
I BOUGHT A 2003 FORD ESCAPE IN NOVEMBER 2002 AND I HAVE EXPERIENCED A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH MY SUV OVER 5 TIMES. RIGHT NOW, MY SUV IS IN THE SHOP FOR A COOLANT SYSTEM REPLACEMENT AND A RADIO REPLACEMENT. MY RADIO WAS REPLACED TWICE THIS YEAR ALREADY. MY SUV WOULDN'T START TWICE THIS YEAR. I BELIEVE I HAVE DRIVEN A LOANER CAR AT LEAST 5 TIMES SINCE NOV 2003. I AM NOT HAPPY WITH MY SUV. I FEEL IT IS A LEMON. IT HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR ME SINCE DAY ONE. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10048606November 24, 2003
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
THE SUNROOF COMPLETELY SHATTERED. THE CONSUMER STATED PIECES OF GLASS FELL INTO THE FRONT SEAT. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE DESCRIBE FURTHER. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10047388November 22, 2003
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
WHEN DRIVING OUR 2003 FORD ESCAPE, THE CAR'S ENGINE SPEED WOULD SUDDENLY JUMP FROM 1,500 RPMS TO AS HIGH AS 4,000+ RPMS WHILE BRAKING. SAME DEAL WHILE TRYING TO COAST TO A STOP - THE PEDAL SEEMED TO BE STUCK IN POSITION AND ENGINE RPMS WOULD NOT DECREASE. THE CAR WAS NURSED TO THE CLOSEST TOWN AND TAKEN TO A FORD DEALERSHIP FIRST THING IN THE MORNING. THE SHOP FOREMAN DID AN ON-THE-SPOT DIAGNOSIS WITHOUT TAKING A REAL LOOK UNDER THE HOOD STATING THAT THE PROBLEM WAS MOST LIKELY DUE TO THE ACCELERATOR CABLE BINDING. THERE WAS ADDITIONAL DAMAGE TO THE CAR'S BRAKES. WE ASKED FOR AN APPRAISAL OF THE BRAKES, AND FOUR INDIVIDUAL FORD PERSONNEL (ONE SHOP FOREMAN, ONE DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT MANAGER, AND TWO SEPARATE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE PERSONNEL) STATED THE DAMAGE SUSTAINED WAS UNNECESSARY WEAR DIRECTLY CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE ACCELERATOR CABLE. HOWEVER, NONE OF THE PEOPLE ASSOCIATED WITH FORD WERE WILLING TO REPLACE THE DAMAGED BRAKES UNDER WARRANTY. THE FINAL PERSON WE SPOKE WITH WENT SO FAR AS TO PUT THE RESPONSIBILITY ON THE SHOULDERS OF THE DEALERSHIP THAT SOLD US THE CAR. THE ANALOGY GIVEN WAS THAT ALL FORD DEALERSHIPS ARE COMPLETELY INDEPENDENT, AND THAT ANY PROBLEMS WITH A FORD VEHICLE IS THE DIRECT RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SELLING DEALERSHIP. UNFORTUNATELY THIS INCIDENT HAPPENED WHEN WE WERE RELOCATING FROM THE EAST COAST TO ALASKA. IT HAS BEEN OUR EXPERIENCE THAT FORD CARES NOT AT ALL ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO SPEND TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON THEIR PRODUCTS - PEOPLE WHO RIGHTLY EXPECT A SAFE AND DEPENDABLE VEHICLE. FORD'S CHIEF CONCERN IS LINING THEIR POCKETS WITH MONEY, AND NOT WITH THE SAFETY OF THE CUSTOMER, THEIR FAMILY, AND THE OTHER PEOPLE ON THE ROAD. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10045793November 9, 2003
TIRES:SIDEWALL, TIRES
MY 2003 FORD ESCAPE HAD ONLY 1500 MILES ON IT WHEN THE DRIVERS SIDE REAR TIRE BLEW OUT ON THE FREEWAY. I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE CAR TO COME TO A STOP. THE CONTINENTAL TIRE BLEW OUT THE SIDE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10044845October 24, 2003
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S ENGINE, AND WINDOWS.*MR PRIOR TO DATE, VEHICLE WAS SERVICED SIX TIMES FOR: DIFFICULTY IN CRANKING, CLINKING NOISES IN THE ENGINE AND DIFFICULTY WITH THE IDLE. DESPITE THE LATEST SERVICE, CRANKING AND IDLING CONTINUED. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE RECURRING PROBLEMS WHICH CONTINUED TO EXIST. CONSUMER LATER DISCOVERED THE REAR WINDOW LEAKED. CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE IS A DEFECTIVE AND INFERIOR PRODUCT. *PH *NLM
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10043060October 16, 2003
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
ABOUT 70% OF THE TIME, WHEN I TRY TO START UP FROM A STOP THE ACCELERATOR WILL NOT GO DOWN UNDER GRADUAL PRESSURE. I HAVE TO PUSH HARDER AND HARDER UNTIL THE ACCELERATOR SUDDENLY JERKS DOWN AND THE CAR SURGES AHEAD AT A FAST SPEED. SOMETIMES WHEN THE CAR IS MOVING AND I TRY TO SPEED UP, THE SAME THING HAPPENS. THIS IS VERY ANNOYING ON GOOD ROADS, DIFFICULT TO CONTROL IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AND EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ON SLIPPERY OR SNOW COVERED ROADS. I TOOK THE CAR IN TO THE DEALERSHIP (GERMAIN FORD OF COLUMBUS) AND THE SERVICE MANAGER SAID THAT THEY HAD RECEIVED MANY COMPLAINTS BUT HAD NO IDEA OF WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. I HAVE JUST PUT A RANDOM DATE DOWN BECAUSE IT HAPPENS EVERY DAY THAT I DRIVE THE CAR. *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10044032October 15, 2003
TIRES:TREAD/BELT
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 60 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT WARNING DRIVER'S SIDE REAR TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM THE TRUCK, THE SIDEWALL COMPLETELY CAME OFF. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE, AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10041750October 13, 2003
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
SIZZLING NOISE WHEN AIR CONDITION IS USED. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN IN TO 2 SEPARATE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY CLAIM THAT THEY CANNOT LOCATE ANY PROBLEMS. KEARNY MESA FORD (ORIGINAL DEALER) AND NORTH COUNTY FORD BOTH CLAIM NOT TO BE ABLE TO DETECT A PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST!!! *LA
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#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
#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
#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

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