Ford Escape Complaints (2004)

499 consumer complaints on file.

#10733114July 10, 2015
STRUCTURE:BODY, SUSPENSION
THE CAR BEGAN MAKING A LOUD CREAKING THAT I SUSPECTED WAS THE BACK WINDOW OR SOMETHING INSIDE. IT GOT WORSE AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS. I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED THOSE AND THEN THE WHEEL WELLS, AND THE BACK RIGHT WHEEL WELL WAS RUSTED SO BADLY THAT THE SHOCK MOUNT WAS NEARLY COMPLETELY DETACHED. IT DETACHED THE REST OF THE WAY OVER THE COURSE OF THE 2 MILE DRIVE TO MY HOME. THIS IS APPARENTLY A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL, ESPECIALLY IN THE 201-2004 RANGE, AND CAN AFFECT HANDLING. IT HAS BEEN REFERRED TO AS A FACTORY DEFECT AND A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS IN SOME VEHICLES, BUT NOT MINE. THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP WILL NOT LOOK AT IT BECAUSE ANY REPAIR WOULD REQUIRE ALTERATION TO THE BODY, SO THEY'VE REFERRED ME TO A BODY SHOP.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10732153July 6, 2015
SUSPENSION
CHANGED THE REAR SHOCKS AFTER A WEEK WITH THE NEW SHOCKS IN I NOTICED A NOISE WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS THE SHOCK MOUNT IS RUSTED OUT AND THE CAR IS NOW UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN UNTIL IT IS FIXED AND FROM WHAT I HAVE BEEN READING MOST SHOPS WILL NOT TOUCH IT BECAUSE OF A LIABILITY ISSUE, NOT TO MENTION IF I FIND A GARAGE THAT WILL FIX IT THE COST IS GOING TO BE MORE THAN THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE! WHY HAS THIS NOT BEEN RECALLED YET? VERY VERY DANGEROUS!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10732182July 6, 2015
SUSPENSION
MY WIFE WAS GOING TO THE STORE AND HIT A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD AT APPROX. 35MPH. WHEN SHE RETURNED HOME SHE SAID THERE WAS A RATTLE IN THE REAR OF HER CAR/TRUCK. I TOOK A LOOK AND THE TOP OF THE SHOCK AND THE SHOCK HOUSING WAS COMPLETELY BROKEN AWAY FROM THE SUSPENSION OF THE CAR/TRUCK. THE ENTIRE WHEEL WELL BROKE AWAY FROM THE CAR/TRUCK. CAN NOT DRIVE OUR CAR/TRUCK IN THIS CONDITION. GLAD SHE WAS NOT HURT. COULD HAVE GOT CAUGHT IN REAR WHEEL. I SEE A LOT OF THESE CARS/TRUCKS WITH SAME PROBLEM. FORD NEEDS TO REPAIR MY RIDE!!!!
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10731498July 1, 2015
SUSPENSION
DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN I HEARD A LOUD BANG. MAYBE HIT A SMALL POTHOLE. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE ENTIRE SHEET METAL SECTION WHERE THE REAR STRUT MOUNTS TO THE BODY WAS RUSTED THROUGH. ALL OTHER WHEEL WELLS DO NOT HAVE THIS PROBLEM. CLEARLY A PRODUCTION PROBLEM WITH THE UNDERBODY COATING. MANY OTHER FORMAL SAFETY COMPLAINTS TALK ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR WHEEL WELL. THIS VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN KANSAS CITY ASSEMBLY IN 10/03. THIS SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED AS A SAFETY RECALL ITEM AS IT CAN IMPACT STABILITY IN CORNERING.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10731134June 29, 2015
WHEELS, STEERING
I AM SHOCKED AT HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE THAT I AM HAVING WITH MY ESCAPE IN REGARDS TO THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL RUSTING OUT AROUND THE SHOCK MOUNT. I INITIALLY NOTICED THE ISSUE WHEN I HEARD A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE IN THE RIGHT REAR OF THE CAR. I THOUGHT THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE REAR SHOCKS SO I TOOK IT TO A NEIGHBORHOOD MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT IT WAS A FRAME ISSUE AND I NEEDED TO TAKE IT TO A BODY SHOP. HE ALSO STATED THAT IT WOULD PROBABLY COST HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX AND SOME BODY SHOPS WOULD NOT BE WILLING TO FIX IT. HE ALSO STATED THAT I SHOULD DRIVE SLOW BECAUSE THE SHOCK MOUNT IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. AT THIS POINT, I AM FURIOUS! I WENT TO A BODY SHOP TODAY ON MY LUNCH BREAK AND THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD COST UPWARDS OF $2,000 TO REPAIR. THE GUY AT THE BODY SHOP ALSO TOLD ME THAT HE HAS SEEN THIS ISSUE ON SEVERAL 2004-2006 FORD ESCAPES AND WAS WELL AWARE THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM. I AM SO FRUSTRATED AND AGITATED BECAUSE I HAVE TAKEN VERY GOOD I AM SO FED UP WITH HOW IRRESPONSIBLE THESE HUGE MILLION/BILLION DOLLAR COMPANIES ARE. FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN JUST IN MY LITTLE RESEARCH THAT I HAVE DONE TODAY, FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, YET THEY REFUSE TO ESTABLISH A RECALL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10730844June 28, 2015
SUSPENSION, WHEELS
THE RIGHT REAR (PASSENGER REAR) WHEEL WELL HAS CORRODED SO BAD THAT THE STRUT MOUNTS ARE BEGINNING TO FAIL. ALL OTHER WHEEL WELLS HAVE NOT CORRODED AT ALL.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10726317June 20, 2015
SUSPENSION, WHEELS
GOING 20 MPH DOWN SIDE ROAD AND HIT POT HOLE. THE PART THAT YOU MOUNT THE REAR SHOCK TO CAME APART DO TO RUST AND KNOCKED A HOLE IN REAR WHEEL HOUSING. CAR IS UNRIVALLED AND INSURANCE WILL NOT COVER DO TO IT BEING A TIME RELATED THING. THERE WAS NO RUST IN WHEEL WELL OR HOLES BEFORE. VERY VERY DISAPPOINTED. I INSURANCE SAID IT'S A FLAW IN THE DESIGN OF FORD. THEY HAVE NO RECALLS IN PAST OR PRESENT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10725562June 16, 2015
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY VEERED TO THE RIGHT. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE LEANED OUTWARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10725318June 15, 2015
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE). THE CONTACT BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO OPERATE BECAUSE THE SUBFRAME WAS EXTREMELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10725099June 13, 2015
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
DRIVING 25 TO 30 MILES PER HOUR THROTTLE STICKS AT 3 RPMS . I HAD TO RIDE BRAKE TO PULL OVER SAFELY. I SHUT CAR OFF AND RESTARTED, IDLE WENT UP TO 3 RPMS AND SLOWLY WENT TO 1 RPM I DROVE CAR HOME WITH NO PROBLEM. I STARTED CAR TODAY WITH IDLE STICKING ON 2 TO 3 RPM BEFORE GOING BACK TO 1.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10725124June 13, 2015
SUSPENSION
REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL RUSTED SHOCK CAME OFF. FORD WON'T FIX IT. DRIVING WITH ONE REAR SHOCK.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10724465June 10, 2015
SERVICE BRAKES
I WAS LEAVING MY PARKING SPOT WHERE THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED FOR APPROXIMATELY 45 MINUTES WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND MY BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. I DISCOVERED THAT BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING OUT OF THE BRAKE LINE IN THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL WELL. THE RUBBER HOSE HAD DETERIORATED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. YESTERDAY I WAS DRIVING WHEN MY BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AGAIN. WHEN I PARKED THE CAR I FOUND THAT BRAKE FLUID IS LEAKING FROM THE BRAKE LINE IN THE FRONT PASSENGERS SIDE WHEEL WELL. THE VEHICLE NOW HAD APPROXIMATELY 137000 MILES. IT APPEARS THAT THE RUBBER BRAKE LINE HOSE HAD DETERIORATED ON THAT SIDE AS WELL. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AS BOTH TIMES I WAS DRIVING MY KIDS AND HAD TO WORRY ABOUT INJURING THEM AND POTENTIALLY ANYONE ELSE ON THE ROAD AT THE TIMES THIS OCCURRED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10724555June 10, 2015
STRUCTURE:BODY, SUSPENSION, WHEELS
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
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10723739June 6, 2015
SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE:BODY
RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND SHOCK MOUNT WHICH WAS BOLTED TO IT FELL AND IS HANGING NEXT TO AND ON THE WHEEL ALONG WITH A BALL OF SHARP TWISTED METAL FROM THE WHEEL WELL. HEARD NOISES FROM BACK OF CAR PAST MONTH OR SO BUT THOUGHT IT WAS SOMETHING IN THE CARGO COMPARTMENT. THEN WENT OVER POTHOLE AND LOUD BANG LIKE THE EXHAUST PIPE FELL AND WAS DRAGGING. THEN A BURNING RUBBER SMELL. THE METAL PIECE IS ABOUT TO PIERCE THE TIRE AND THE SHOCK ITSELF IS HANGING AND BANGING AGAINST TIRE. CAR IS UNDRIVABLE AND MAY BE UNFIXABLE IN THAT THE FIX WOULD BE WORTH MORE THAN THE CAR. I OF COURSE CAN NOT GET ANOTHER CAR RIGHT NOW DUE TO FINANCIAL REASONS SO WITHOUT A CAR NOW BECAUSE OF THIS. THE OTHER WHEEL WELLS SEEM FINE, NO RUST. THOUGH THERE IS A FEW RUST SPOTS ON THE BOTTOM OF THE RUNNING BOARDS AND ONE OF THE DOORS (WHICH THERE SHOULD NOT BE IN THIS DAY AND AGE ANY RUST) TO HAVE THIS IMMENSE AMOUNT OF RUST ONLY IN ONE WELL TELLS ME SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE DESIGN OR THE PAINT JOB AT THE FACTORY. IF A TIRE BLOWS OUT IT COULD KILL SOMEONE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN AN SUV . THIS IS A DEFECT, NOT AGING. NEEDS TO BE A RECALL. THOUGH THE CAR IS 11 I HAVE LESS THAN 90,000 ON IT. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO TRASH THE CAR DUE TO BODY ROT AT 90,000. IF THIS WAS DUE TO AGING OR WEATHER ALL THE WHEEL WELLS WOULD BE LIKE THIS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10723243June 3, 2015
WHEELS
FRONT TIRES NOW EXPERIENCING EXCESSIVE WEAR AFTER THE LOWER CONTROL ARM RUSTED THROUGH. RE-ENFORCED BRACE IN MAY 2014 RECALL DOES NOT HELP PREVENT AN ACCIDENT. STEERING PULLS TO THE RIGHT WHEN TURNING. THE CONTROL ARMS NEED REPLACED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10722376May 29, 2015
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, AIR BAGS
VEHICLE AIRBAG LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF INTERMITTENTLY. THIS HAPPENS WHETHER PARKED OR DRIVING, WHETHER THERE IS A PASSENGER OR NOT. VEHICLE WILL "REV" IN PARK, IF THE STEERING WHEEL IS TURNED SLIGHTLY, BUMPED OR MOVE. TWICE VEHICLE HAS "JUMPED" WHILE IN PARKED WHEN THIS HAS HAPPENED. MAJOR ISSUE: DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT OPEN. THERE IS NO MANUAL LOCK ON THE DOORS, ONLY ELECTRONIC. NO PLACE FOR A KEY. PASSENGERS HAVE BEEN LOCKED INSIDE WITH NO WAY TO EXIT VEHICLE EXCEPT TO CLIMB OVER SEAT. WILL HAPPEN TO VARIOUS DOORS, MOST OFTEN THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR, BUT NOT ALL DOORS AT THE SAME TIME (WE BELIEVE THIS MAY HAPPEN,) DOOR LOCK WILL CLICK 3 TIMES BUT WILL NOT UNLOCK.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10717058May 18, 2015
SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE:BODY, WHEELS
REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL WHERE THE SHOCK MOUNTS TO THE BODY IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND DETACHED FROM THE UPPER BODY OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AT ABOUT 65MPH WHEN THIS PIECE BROKE LOOSE FROM THE REST OF THE BODY. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, AND ALMOST CAUSED ME A SERIOUS ACCIDENT ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS FILED JUST IN THIS DATABASE ALONE WITH THE SAME EXACT ISSUE, RUST/CORROSION OF THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL WHERE THE SHOCK MOUNTS TO THE BODY. THE FORD DEALERSHIP THAT I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO TOLD US THAT THEY HAVE RECENTLY SEEN 4 OR 5 OTHER ESCAPES THAT HAVE THE SAME EXACT ISSUE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE, THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10715684May 11, 2015
SUSPENSION
THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL RUSTED OUT AND SEPARATED FROM VEHICLE BODY. CREATED SUSPENSION PROBLEM AND HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITION. THIS IS APPARENTLY A KNOWN ISSUE WITH SEVERAL FORD PRODUCTS ACCORDING TO THE REPAIR SHOP THAT HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED BY FORD.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10713717April 30, 2015
SUSPENSION
CLUNKING NOISE AND ROUGH RIDE. FOUND PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL EXTREMELY RUSTED OUT AND SHOCK ESSENTIALLY DETACHED FROM VEHICLE. THE REST OF THE VEHICLE HAS NO RUST ASIDE FROM SMALL SURFACE RUST ON NON-PAINTED PIECES. SEARCHED ONLINE TO FIND THIS PROBLEM IS EXTREMELY COMMON WITH THESE ESCAPES, YET NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED DESPITE THE OBVIOUS DEFECT AND SAFETY CONCERNS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10713288April 28, 2015
SUSPENSION
THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL HOUSING WHERE THE SHOCK MOUNT IS LOCATED RUSTED AND THERE IS A BIG HOLE. LOOKING ONLINE THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. THANK GOD I BROUGHT IT INTO MY MECHANIC BEFORE IT TORE MY TIRE APART. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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