Ford Escape Complaints (2004)
499 consumer complaints on file.
- #10711871April 21, 2015STRUCTURE:BODY
I WAS DRIVING AND THE REAR END OF THE TRUCK SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS FALLING APART. WHEN I STOPPED AND LOOKED THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL WAS COMPLETELY ROTTED OUT AND THE METAL PLATE THAT HOLDS THE SHOCK IN PLACE WAS HANGING AND BANGING AROUND. THE LEFT SIDE IS COMPLETELY INTACT. I TOOK IT TO CAUSEWAY COLLISION TO LOOK AT IT AND THEY SAID ITS A DEFECT AND PROBABLY NOT FIXABLE. THE TRUCK HAS HIGH MILEAGE BUT RUNS GREAT. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10705835April 15, 2015STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE EMERGING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER STRAP MOUNT WAS RUSTED AND THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000. UPDATED 6/8/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL RUSTED AND CREATED A BIG HOLE, WHICH CAUSED THE TOP STRESS MOUNT TO FALL DOWN. UPDATED 06/11/15*JB
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10705446April 13, 2015SUSPENSION:REAR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, A RATTLING NOISE WAS HEARD NEAR THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR WHEEL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS RUSTED AROUND THE SHOCKS AND CONTROL ARMS. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 7/7/15*CN UPDATED 10/05/2017*CN
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10705268April 13, 2015SUSPENSION
PROBLEM WITH RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL RUSTED OUT. VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND PICTURES CAN BE PROVIDED. WHEN DISCUSSING WITH MECHANIC SAID THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH ALL ESCAPES. JUST HAD THE VEHICLE OVER A YEAR AND WAS NEVER SEEN WHEN PURCHASING. WHO WOULD OF THOUGHT OF CHECKING WHEEL WELLS. SHOCK IS BARELY HANGING ON AND WAS TOLD IF DRIVEN CAN FLIP OVER. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10705155April 12, 2015FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, SERVICE BRAKES, POWER TRAIN
THE CAR STALLS AFTER PUTTING IT IN GEAR / *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10705017April 10, 2015ENGINE, INTERIOR LIGHTING, STEERING, EXTERIOR LIGHTING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO START THE VEHICLE, THE RPMS INCREASED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HEAD LAMPS AND INTERIOR LIGHTING DIMMED INTERMITTENTLY AND THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE STEERING FLUID WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000. UPDATED 11/01/16*LJ UPDATED 10/05/2017*CN
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10705051April 10, 2015STRUCTURE:BODY
HAD BEEN NOTICING NOISES WHEN I DROVE OVER BUMPS AND ROUGH SURFACES COMING FROM THE BACK RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I HIT AN UNAVOIDABLE HOLE IN THE ROAD TODAY AND HEARD A LOUD THUMP FROM THE REAR RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I PROCEEDED TO MY SISTER'S HOUSE WHERE MY BROTHER IN-LAW CHECKED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE STRUT/SHOCK HAD BROKE THROUGH THE HORRIBLY RUSTED WHEEL WELL AND WAS HITTING THE UNDERSIDE OF THE PLASTIC WHEEL WELL COVER. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A DISASTER HAD IT HAPPENED A FEW DAYS AGO WHILE I WAS ON THE FREEWAY. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN TO SEE IF IT CAN BE FIXED. IN THE MEAN TIME I HAVE NO VEHICLE TO DRIVE AS IT IS NOT DRIVABLE. I SEE FROM NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS THAT THIS IS A CONTINUING PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. WHY IS FORD NOT BEING HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS ISSUE? I MAY HAVE TO GET ANOTHER VEHICLE THAT I AM NOT PREPARED TO DO. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT I FEEL SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10704227April 7, 2015STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER, WHEELS
PASSENGER (RIGHT) REAR WHEEL WELL RUSTED THROUGH, CAUSING THE STRUT TO DETACH. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10702479March 30, 2015AIR BAGS, STRUCTURE:BODY
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
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10702513March 30, 2015SEAT BELTS, STRUCTURE:BODY, AIR BAGS
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.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10701644March 25, 2015STRUCTURE:BODY, SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED INDEPENDENTLY WITH A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM SEPARATED AND THE ENTIRE FRAME WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE). THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10701715March 25, 2015ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THERE WAS A HESITATION WHEN DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE DETERMINE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10701246March 23, 2015ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ORIGINAL OWNER, FOR ALMOST 3 YEARS NOW THE AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON PERIODICALLY, SOMETIMES FOR 1 DRIVE, SOMETIMES FOR DAYS AT A TIME THEN GO AWAY. THE LIGHT COMING ON AND GOING OFF WOULD HAPPEN FOR NO APPARENT REASON. IT DOESNT MATTER IF SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OR NOT, IVE CHECKED THE CONNECTOR UNDER THE SEAT AND IT IS FIRMLY SEATED. IN THE PAST YEAR I HAVE ALSO HAD THE BATTERY, BRAKE AND NOW ABS LIGHT COME ON. IN JANUARY OF 2014 MY ALTERNATOR DIED AND I HAD IT REPLACED, IN JANUARY OF 2015 I HAD TO REPLACE MY BATTERY. BATTERY LIGHT HAS SINCE GONE AWAY, BUT OTHER LIGHTS COME ON RANDOMLY. BASED ON THE TYPE OF WORK I DO, IM CONVINCED THERE IS A SHORT OR BAD GROUND SOMEWHERE BUT I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE TO BEGIN. FORD WANTS $160/ HR TO DIAGNOSE THIS. MY VEHICLE IS NOT ABUSED AND HAS ABOUT 110K MILES. SINCE THE WHOLE CAR IS BASED ON THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, I FEEL THIS IS SOMETHING FORD SHOULD LOOK AT, DIAGNOSE AND FIX. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10701255March 23, 2015SUSPENSION
I WAS DRIVING MY 2004 ESCAPE WHEN I HEARD A RATTLING ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE. A MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE ENTIRE SHOCK TOWER HAS RUSTED OUT AND THERE IS A WHOLE IN THE WHEEL WELL. I JUST GOT OFF THE PHONE WITH FORD ON 2/23/15 AND TOLD THEM OF THIS PROBLEM AND THEY NEVER HEARD OF SUCH A THING. I TOLD THEM IT AMAZING THAT I CAN FIND ALOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS AND YOU KNOW THING. ALSO TOLD THEM THAT THE LEFT SIDE SHOCK TOWER LOOKS GOOD. SO WHY IS THE RIGHT SIDE RUSTED OUT. SHE COULDN'T EXPLAIN IT. SHE SAYS SHE WILL TAKE THE COMPLAINT AND IT WILL ALSO GO TO NHTSA. WELL IT SEEM THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS. YOUR COMPLAINTS SEEM TO BE VERY SIMILAR. I DON'T HAVE MONEY TO GET THIS FIXED. BECAUSE THE BRAKE LINES WENT IN MY VEHICLE AND THE MASTER CYLINDER COST ME $860. TO GET FIXED. WHICH I THINK WAS IN A RECALL THAT YOU HAD BUT FORD COMPANY DOESN'T HAVE THAT RECALL. SO KEEP RECEIPTS FORD SAYS TO GET REIMBURSED IF STUFF GETS RECALLED. PLEASE RECALL THE SHOCK TOWER ON PASSENGER SIDE FOR RUSTING OUT AND DRIVER SIDE IS OK. SOMETHING IS VERY WRONG. FORD COMPANY NEEDS TO DEAL WITH THIS EVEN THOUGH THE CLAIM THEY NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10700652March 20, 2015SEAT BELTS, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WAS DRIVING 25 MILES AN HOUR DOWN SMALL HILL, THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME STOPPED. I HIT THE BRAKES AND THE CAR DIDN'T STOP IT FELT AS IF I WAS PUSHING THE ACCELERATOR LIKE WHEN PUSHING BUTTON! TO SPEED UP CRUISE CONTROL AND IT SLOWLY INCREASES SPEED. I SLAMMED BOTH FEET TO THE BRAKE AND WENT TO REACH FOR EMERGENCY BRAKE BUT NEVER MADE IT. I HIT THE OTHER CAR. LAST THING I REMEMBER IS HEARING METAL CRUNCH, THE NEXT THING I REMEMBER IS SMOKE, TOP OF MY HEAD ON LEFT SIDE HAIRLINE ACHED LOOKED IN MIRROR AND SAW BLOOD. STARTED LOOKING FOR MY PHONE ON THE DASH BUT IT WAS BROKEN.COULD HEAR SOMEONE TALKING, THEN PEOPLE WERE WALKING UP TO CAR. WHEN THE OFFICER GOT THERE HE ASKED WHAT I HIT MY HEAD ON I DIDN'T KNOW, HE ASKED IF I HAD MY SEATBELT ON I SAID YES. I TOLD HIM MY CAR WOULDN'T STOP. REALIZED WHEN E.M.T ASKED SAME QUESTION I KNEE I HAD IT ON BUT COULDN'T REMEMBER TAKING IT OFF, AND I TOLD HIM THAT. HE LOOKED AT CHEST DIDN'T SEE MARKS OR BRUISING, HE ASKED AGAIN IF I WAS SURE, I WAS SURE I PUT IT ON. AFTER CRASH, WHEN GOT TO TOW YARD NEXT DAY SAW MY SEAT BELT BROKE, I CRACKED THE WINDSHIELD WITH MY HEAD AND BROKE ALL UNDER STEERING WHEEL WITH MY KNEES...BUT THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED MUST HAVE BEEN AFTER I HIT EVERYTHING BECAUSE IT HIT ME IN THE ARM ONLY BASED ON THAT STINGING RED RAISED RASH THAT LATER BRUISED ON MY FOREARM, NO AIRBAG TO FACE INJURIES, JUST HIT TOP OF HEAD ON WINDSHIELD AND KNEES ON LOWER DASH UNDER STEERING WHEEL, BRUISING ON STOMACH LOWER ABDOMEN NEAR PELVIC BONE MAY HAVE BEEN STEERING WHEEL. MY CAR KEPT GOING FASTER BRAKES DIDN'T SLOW ME AT ALL WITNESS SAID AND MY SEATBELT LATCH IS IN PIECES, MY AIRBAG WENT OF LATE. MY BUMPER IS FOLDED LIKE A FLAT PIECE OF METAL ABOUT ONE INCH WIDE HIT IT PUSHING IT INTO MY RADIATOR. MY SUV WAS GOING 25 MILES AN HOUR, MY SUV BUMPER HIT A SMALL CAR BUMPER, THAT CAR WAS STOPPED. WHAT WENT WRONG? *TR
- Crash:
- Yes
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 2
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10695287March 19, 2015SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE:BODY, STEERING
WHILE DRIVING ON A ROUGH ROAD I NOTICED A RATTLING IN THE REAR COMPARTMENT THAT I HAD NEVER HEARD BEFORE. WHEN I INVESTIGATED I FOUND THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL HAD DISINTEGRATED FROM RUST DAMAGE AND THE SHOCK IS NOW FLOATING BASICALLY FREELY WHICH IS CAUSING THE NOISE. I AM CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY AND HANDLING OF THE VEHICLE AT THIS POINT. THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH ESCAPES AND ALWAYS THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL. WHY HAS FORD NOT ISSUED A RECALL? THIS IS CLEARLY A SYSTEMATIC FAILURE. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10694733March 16, 2015STRUCTURE:BODY, SUSPENSION, WHEELS
THE CAR STARTED TO RIDE ROUGH OVER SMALL BUMPS AND A THUMPING SOUND COULD BE HEARD FROM THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL. THINKING I NEEDED NEW SHOCKS I INSPECTED THE WHEEL WELL AND WAS HORRIFIED TO SEE THAT THE WHEEL WELL HOLDING THE SHOCK WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY. THERE IS A HOLE WHERE THE STEEL USED TO BE. THIS IS ONLY ON THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL AS FAR AS I CAN SEE. A LOCAL AUTO BODY SHOP WILL NOT FIX IT BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY LIABILITY AND WARNED ME NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR. THE CAR IS UNSAFE AND I AM AT A LOSS AS TO WHAT TO DO WITH IT. AFTER DOING SOME SEARCHING I HAVE FOUND MANY FORD ESCAPES WITH THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. APPARENTLY THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT THAT FORD KNOWS ABOUT AND SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR. HAD I DRIVEN THE CAR A LITTLE LONGER I COULD HAVE BEEN IN A CATASTROPHIC CRASH! FORD NEEDS TO FIX THIS OR REPLACE MY CAR. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10692481March 6, 2015VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
THE THROTTLE WILL STAY OPEN AS IF I HAVE THE GAS PEDAL BEING APPLIED. *TR
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10692511March 6, 2015SUSPENSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SHOCK DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0
- #10692006March 4, 2015SUSPENSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SHOCK DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. UPDATED 6/3/15*CN UPDATED 9/27/2017*CN
- Crash:
- No
- Fire:
- No
- Injuries:
- 0
- Deaths:
- 0