2004 Ford Escape

499 complaints on file, page 1 of 25.

1. Filed Mar 3, 2026Failure Feb 20, 2026Los Angeles, CALatches/locks/linkages

   The contact owns a 2004 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V602000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where other recall repairs were performed; however, the contact was advised that parts for NHSTA Campaign: 04V602000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages); were no longer being manufactured. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure.

   NHTSA complaint 11721781
2. Filed Apr 2, 2024Failure Mar 20, 2024217,000 milesNeosho, MOStructureCrash

   The contact owned a 2004 Ford Escape. The contact's son stated while driving at approximately 45 MPH, he lost control of the vehicle and rolled. The contact stated that her son had gone unconscious and did not remember any details. The contact arrived at the scene and saw that the vehicle had rolled into a ditch. The contact stated that the vehicle had been rolled back over onto its four wheels. The contact noted that none of the air bags had deployed. The contact stated that the police were on the scene but had not issued a report. The contact drove her son to a local hospital where he received stitches to close a cut over his left eye on his forehead. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact was not aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V165000 (Structure). The manufacturer had not been notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 217,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11580651
3. Filed Jan 22, 2024Failure Jan 15, 2024Aurora, ILService brakes, Unknown or other, Vehicle speed control2 injured

   A few times I have pressed the brakes when coming to a red light and stop signs But instead of my vehicle stopping it propelled me forward as it excellerated out of no where and pushed me into oncoming traffic, I almost was hit by other cars and I almost hit other cars and even have had to swerve onto the side walk to prevent myself from getting g hit by another car. If there were people walking, I would have definitely hit them! When I press the brake, I’m not expecting to accelerate instead Also apparently this recall of this issue was already done back in 2005 but i just purchased this vehicle in the fall of 2023 And the dealer says there is no recall since it’s already been fixed by the previous owner years ago But it needs to be fixed as it’s still doing it to me

   NHTSA complaint 11566969
4. Filed Apr 14, 2023Failure Mar 15, 2023Norwalk, IAService brakes

   Brake master cylinder is leaking brake fluid I read about a previous recall not sure if it pertains to my model but it leaks everytime I push my brake pedal

   NHTSA complaint 11516988
5. Filed Jan 22, 2023Failure Oct 2, 2022Summerville, SCAutomatic emergency braking, Service brakes, Vehicle speed controlCrash

   UNKNOWN

   NHTSA complaint 11503053
6. Filed Apr 11, 2022Failure Jan 3, 2022Davie, FLAir bags

   I have a 2004 Ford Escape which I absolutely love knocking on the door of almost 300,000 miles. Go Ford. But lately my airbag light blinks and my escape beeps 5 times every 8 seconds or so and then it repeats itself with a total of 20 beeps. After the beeping is finished my airbag light stays illuminated. When I checked online what it means it says a defective airbag. It is intermittent or when I am on long trips.

   NHTSA complaint 11460368
7. Filed Feb 4, 2022Failure Feb 1, 2022160,000 milesCatonsville, MDFuel system, Tank assembly

   The contact owns a 2004 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, he heard an abnormal noise coming from the rear of the vehicle and started to smell fuel in the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to park on the side of the road and noticed the fuel tank straps were corroded and had caused the fuel tank to detach from the vehicle. The contact stated he manually taped the fuel tank straps and drove to his destination. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer and made them aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA ID Number: 10183774, however his year, make and model were not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11450444
8. Filed Dec 30, 2021Failure Nov 11, 2021Cedar Rapids, IABody, Suspension

   The body panel around the rear driver side shock mount has almost completely rusted away. Driving one day, I started to hear a loud clunking noise from the rear driver side. It started to get louder the more I drove it. Upon inspection, I found the body panel had completely rusted around the shock mount tower, which is only now connected to the rear floor panel. Without the support of the rest of the body panel, the metal is slowing ripping away where it is connected to the floor if it is driven. The vehicle is completely unsafe to drive now as the rear shock could rip away from the vehicle at any moment. There have been many complaints of this happening on the rear passenger side, which I also had on this vehicle. Roughly 5 years ago, I had an independent auto body shop repair rust on the passenger side shock mount/body panel where it had rusted through. I noticed a hole in the body panel when changing the rear shocks, but it was not large enough or bad enough at that point to create a safety issue. So, I had time to safety get it to an auto body shop for repair before it got bad. This same issue has now happened on the driver side and I am left with a car that is unsafe to drive. When the other side was repaired, there was no sign of rust or concern on the other side. So, it has completely rusted through in that 5-year time frame. I inquired about repairing this with an auto body shop, and I was told that the rust is too significant to repair safely and cost effectively. It would require extensive metal repair on the body and frame underneath it. This absolutely could have put myself, my passengers, and other drivers at risk if the rear shock and mount had unexpectedly ripped away from the body of the vehicle. It could have ripped through the rear body of the car or come in contact with the rear wheel while driving, causing a significant risk of losing control of the vehicle.

   NHTSA complaint 11445535
9. Filed Oct 8, 2021Failure Oct 1, 2021Macon, GAElectrical system

   There seems to be a wiring grounding problem. I have had to replace multiple alternators over the length of time that I've had this vehicle. Whenever I have to use my windshield wipers during mid to heavy rain, along with lights, and heat/ac. The next day my alternator doesn't respond properly and generally will not run. After checking batteries, replacing batteries, blown fuses, I still end up having to get a new alternator. Which last until I back in the same situation. This car has completely shutoff while driving on the interstate and in traffic. The cigarette lighters do not work properly either; therefore I'm not able to charge my phone or use navigation systems.

   NHTSA complaint 11436088
10. Filed Jun 28, 2021Failure Jun 11, 2021Oberlin, OHSteering

    after experiencing steering issues with this vehicle I had it inspected by a mechanic and was told the sub frame was rusted out. my research indicated repairs may be covered under a recall for this issue but found no recalls for this vin. the problem is exactly as described on the Ford web site yet this vehicle is not covered. was curious as to whether there is something that could be done.

    NHTSA complaint 11422592
11. Filed May 28, 2021Failure May 25, 2020silverthorne, COSteering, Suspension

    in an attempt t improve the safety and drivability of m 2004 ford escape I went to have my shocks, struts, control arms, sway bar end links and ball joints and steering arms replaced. upon the installation I was informed that the rust on the sub frame is at a critical level and in danger of catastrophic failure. I did some research and found that the recall on the sub frame existed. however my local dealership denied that this recall existed for my vehicle. I was able to get the majority of the parts installed but there is issues with the threads inside the subframe that the hardware attaching the suspension components to the vehicle. I am reading that the "fix" for this recall is installing a support brace but do not fee that is an acceptable repair as the wheels may literally fall off of the car taking the front suspension with them as they go.

    NHTSA complaint 11418853
12. Filed Mar 29, 2021Failure Mar 29, 2021Saint Johns, FLElectrical system, Body, Suspension

    THE WHOLE UNDERBODY IS RUSTING AWAY ESPECIALLY THE FRAME, COULDN'T EVEN GET REGULAR MAINTENCE DONE SINCE THE RUST SO BAD. WE ALWAYS WASHED THE UNDERBODY AFTER IT SNOWED AND THAT DIDN'T STOP THE RUST FROM EATING AWAY THE SUV. I SEE THERE IS A RECALL FOR MY YEAR BUT WHEN I DO A VIN CHECK IT SAYS NO RECALL OPEN FOR MY VEHICLE. I HAD TO GET A WINDOW PUT IN HAD 4 DIFFERENT COMPANIES COME OUT TILL I COULD GET SOME ONE WILLING TO PUT IT IN SINCE THEY WHERE SCARED OF THE PINCH WHEEL FROM BEING SO RUSTY. THE FRAME IS SO BAD YOU CAN SEE THROUGH IT, I SCARED IT GOING TO BREAK AND LEAVE ME STRANDED OR WORSE IN A CAR ACCIDENT!

    NHTSA complaint 11405483
13. Filed Mar 30, 2020Failure Mar 17, 2020180,000 milesCandler, NCBody

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ASHEVILLE FORD LOCATED AT (611 BREVARD RD ASHEVILLE NC 28806 828 253 2731) BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED THE FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 14V165000 (STRUCTURE) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

    NHTSA complaint 11319742
14. Filed Mar 2, 2020Failure Feb 27, 2020109,000 milesSmithfield, RISuspension

    COLLEGE AGE DAUGHTER RECEIVED A CAR FROM GRANDPARENTS, 2004 FOR ESCAPE GARAGED ITS ENTIRE LIFE. RECEIVED AT 88,000 MILES. OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS, NOTICED A BANGING IN TRUNK AREA. REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL AND SHOCK TOWER MOUNTING AREA HAS RUSTED OUT AND THE SHOCK IS "FLOATING" IN PLACE. CAR CURRENTLY ONLY HAS 109,000 MILES ON IT! IF THIS IS SUCH A PROBLEM AS WE HAVE SEEN, THIS IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT, AND SOMETHING THIS DETRIMENTAL SHOULD BE ISSUED A RECALL!!! CURRENTLY TRYING TO WEIGH OPTIONS AS THE REST OF THE VEHICLE RUNS GREAT, ENGINE IS STRONG, BUT THE COST TO REPAIR (IF WE CAN FIND SOMEONE WHO WILL) ALMOST EQUALS THE CURRENT VALUE OF THE CAR! NOW I HAVE A COMMUTING COLLEGE STUDENT WITH ONLY A PART TIME JOB WHO WILL NEED A CAR! SHAME ON YOU FORD FOR NOT STEPPING UP TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS DEFECT! WE ARE ALSO LOOKING AT POTENTIAL LAWSUITS BECAUSE AS MENTIONED THIS CAR WAS PREVIOUSLY ENCLOSED AND STORED IN A GARAGE ALL ITS LIFE AND WAS ONLY DRIVEN BY HER GRANDMOTHER TO RUN OUT TO LOCAL STORES, ETC. SHAME!

    NHTSA complaint 11315554
15. Filed Feb 24, 2020Failure Feb 19, 2020140,200 milesPekin, ILSteering, Suspension

    JUST BOUGHT MY 2004 FORD ESCAPE K FRAME FRONT PASSENGER LOWER CONTROL ARM MOUNT RUSTED OUT EXACTLY THE WAY IT IS DESCRIBED IN RECALL CODE 14S02 AND MY CAR VIN IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST FOR LOWER CONTROL ARM

    NHTSA complaint 11311078
16. Filed Aug 9, 2019Failure Jul 7, 201985,500 milesNorth Chesterfield, VALower arm

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO VEER TO THE RIGHT AND THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL STARTED TO MAKE A LOUD NOISE. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND DISCOVERED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM HOUSING WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS BEGINNING TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,500.

    NHTSA complaint 11242847
17. Filed Jun 12, 2019Failure May 26, 2019133,000 milesBoston, MASuspension

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS RUSTED THROUGH ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT A USED SUBFRAME WOULD BE NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CALLED JACK MADDEN FORD (825 BOSTON-PROVIDENCE TURNPIKE, NORWOOD, MA 02062, (781) 762-4200) AND WAS INFORMED TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL AND ADVISED HER TO CALL NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000.

    NHTSA complaint 11219534
18. Filed Mar 19, 2019Failure Mar 13, 2019165,000 milesMinneapolis, MNBody, Suspension

    AS WITH ALL OTHER POSTINGS THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT.AND THE CAR STARTED MAKING VERY LOUD CLUNKING NOISES. I DO NOT KNOW THE EXACT MOMENT THE WHEEL WELL COMPLETELY DEGRADED. THE REPAIR SHOP SAID IT IS NOT REPAIRABLE. SO WE ARE JUST NOW OUT A CAR. I JUST SPENT WAY TOO LONG CHATTING WITH SOMEONE FROM FORD WHO GAVE ME A POSTAL ADDRESS TO SEND A COMPLAINT TO. I THINK EVERYONE WHO HAS HAD THE ISSUE SHOULD SEND A COMPLAINT. MAIL: FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER, P.O. BOX 6248, DEARBORN, MI 48126, I AM ALSO CONSIDERING HIRING A LAWYER. I THINK THIS IS JUST WRONG. MY SON IS A COLLEGE STUDENT AND LEFT WITHOUT A CAR WHEN THIS IS OBVIOUSLY AN INFERIOR PRODUCT AND I CAN NOT BELIEVE THIS IS THE SERVICE THAT FORD WANTS TO PROVIDE. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE A PART OF THE LAWSUIT PLEASE CONTACT ME AT [XXX]. THIS IS INSANE THAT THEY HAVE ADMITTED THE ISSUE, RECALLED THE FRONT END, CAME UP WITH AN INFERIOR SOLUTION AND NOW ARE GOING TO JUST SAY THERE IS NO RECALL. THIS IS A DANGEROUS ISSUE. THEY AT THE VERY LEAST SHOULD BUY PEOPLES ESCAPES FOR THE VALUE THEY WOULD BE WORTH. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TT

    NHTSA complaint 11190114
19. Filed Mar 5, 2019Failure Mar 4, 2019120,000 milesBurke, VABody, Suspension

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE REAR DRIVE AXLE FRACTURED CAUSING THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL TO DETACH. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. A POLICE OFFICER ASSISTED WITH MOVING THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD AND TOWING THE VEHICLE TO A FACILITY. AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE WITH QUICK LANE AT APPLE FORD LINCOLN (8800 STANFORD BLVD, COLUMBIA, MD 21045, (410) 290-1100) FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

    NHTSA complaint 11184424
20. Filed Jan 31, 2019Failure Mar 10, 2018140,000 milesSaginaw, MIService brakes, Suspension, Vehicle speed control

    VEHICLE WAS U ABLE TO CONTROL,CONSTANT ISSUES WITH TRANSMISSION AND IDLE KEPT GETTING STUCK,SPEED UP ON ITS OWN AND WAS UNABLE STOP WITHOUT THROWING CAR IN PARK WHILE DRIVING

    NHTSA complaint 11173313