KnownCarProblems2004 Ford Escape Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 499 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Ford Escape, most often about the suspension (31% of complaints, typically around 123,500 miles). It is 18th of 27 Escape model years by number of complaints and has 6 recalls.
Most common 2004 Ford Escape problems
Suspension
154 complaints · 31%Half of these problems showed up before 123,500 miles. Parts named most often: rear, front.
I was driving down the road when I hit a pot hole. The body/frame part of the passenger side rear wheel well broke loose around the rear passenger shock. So there is nothing holding the shock in place. It is causing further damage to the area. The body/frame has deteriorated in that area. I cannot drive my vehicle.…
I am writing to inform you of my problem with my 2004 Ford Escape. I have recently noticed a loud clunking noise in the rear of the car. Upon further inspection I saw that around the right rear strut it's completely rusted out and the strut in nearly free. I did research and noticed that I am definitely not the only…
Body and structure
138 complaints · 28%Half of these problems showed up before 120,000 miles. Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
My husband was driving home with our son and started to hear a loud noise. Took it to our repair guy who stated the frame was completely rusted through and was no longer safe to drive. We then took it for a 2nd look and was told the same thing and that its not fixableso we'll have to buy a new car. We've only had this…
I am writing to inform you of my problem with my 2004 Ford Escape. I have recently noticed a loud clunking noise in the rear of the car. Upon further inspection I saw that around the right rear strut it's completely rusted out and the strut in nearly free. I did research and noticed that I am definitely not the only…
Speed control
98 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 90,000 miles. Parts named most often: cables, cruise control, accelerator pedal.
Ford escapes were recalled for sticking accelerators while this vehicle was under warranty. At ~90k miles, accelerator began sticking (three separate occasions). Fortunately all occurred on the highway where there was enough time to pull over and 'unstick' the accelerator. Mats were not the issue since I removed the…
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Escape. While driving at speeds of 35 MPH, the vehicle abnormally accelerated without warrant. The contact was able to stop the vehicle, with the engine still revving, by placing the gear in neutral and applying the brakes. The dealer advised the contact that the vehicle was included in…
Engine
49 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 105,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
I want to bring to your immediate attention a serious safety concern I have with my 2004 Ford Escape. We have owned the car since 2007 (mileage 102,000) and have recently experienced intermittent stalling while the car is in motion. I have had 4 experiences where the car would stall while in motion. It appears to…
I have a 2004 Ford Escape (6 cyl., front wheel drive) that now has over 110,000 miles. At 108,465 miles, the #2 catalytic converter blew and was replaced (along with all 6 ignition coils). A second mechanic found debris in the #3 catalytic converter, cleaned it and the exhaust system. (the engine was not getting…
Air bags
45 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 75,500 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
The air bag warning light stays on. Took it in to see what the problem was. They said we need to replace the pretensioner and connecters. Very expensive estimate. I did a little research and someone suggested checking under the seat (driver side) for a loose connection. We have been adjusting the seat back and forth…
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Escape. While driving at 35 MPH, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician replaced two front seat belt buckles and terminals. Also, the air bag warning fault code was cleared. The contact stated that the failure recurred intermittently. The…
Wheels and tires
37 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 124,000 miles. Parts named most often: sidewall, rim.
On a trip to upper peninsula, michigan this past week we experienced a failure of the front subframe crossbrace, a near catastrophic event as the piece broke. We were in grayling, michigan and were stopped near an independent service provider who showed US the damage and attempted to find a used part. The one he found…
Noticed loud rattle, knocking in rear of truck. Stopped to have mechanic look at it. Discovered severe erosion in rear wheel well and shock mechanism completely separated from vehicle. Appears to be very common for 2004-05 escapes.
Electrical
31 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 77,500 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, instrument cluster/panel, 12v/24v/48v battery, alternator/generator/regulator.
The problem started when the car was driving and all of sudden the car starts struggling and then shuts off. It would take a several attempts for the car to restart but eventually it would. Now the cars just idles and runs really rough and shuts off while driving. Took it to Ford and they said all it needed was a new…
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…
Brakes
31 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 105,500 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, conventional, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
Rubber brake hose on passenger side front ruptured causing all brake fluid to drain from system. Upon inspection it was found the driver side rear rubber brake hose was near failure. Ford service technician indicated that he had seen several failures on Ford escapes. This failure causes the brakes to fail completely…
I own three of these vehicles and again right front ABS ring snapped while driving. Ford will not do anything even though I've had the same problem on all three cars.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2004 Ford Escape recalls
Transmission: floor shift
Risk: If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "park" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "park" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "park" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the v
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on october 23, 2015. Owners may contact ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15s28.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 ford escape and mercury mariner vehicles manufactured march 31, 2001, to september 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3l or 3.0l engine and have had their cd4e transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between june 11, 2015 through july 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.
Body and structure: frame and members
Risk: A separation of the lower control arm can result in a significant loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install a newly designed reinforcement cross-brace, free of charge. The recall began on may 30, 2014. Owners may contact ford at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14s02.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company (ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2004 escape vehicles manufactured october 22, 1999, through january 23, 2004, originally sold, or currently registered in, connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west virginia, wisconsin and the district of columbia. These vehicles may experience excessive corrosion at the forward attachment of the lower control arm.
Speed control: cables
Risk: A stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop or slow the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles by increasing the engine cover clearance, free of charge. The safety recall began august 3, 2012. Remedy parts are expected to be available in mid-august 2012. Until then dealers will disconnect the speed control cable as an interim remedy, if parts are not available at the time of an owner's service appointment. Owners may contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Full defect summary
Ford motor company is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2004 escape vehicles equipped with 3.0l v6 engines and speed control manufactured from october 22, 1999, through january 23, 2004. Inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector could result in a stuck throttle when the accelerator pedal is fully or almost-fully depressed. This risk exists regardless of whether or not speed control (cruise control) is used.
Brakes: control unit/module
Risk: An electrical short might cause an ABS malfunction that would illuminate the ABS warning light, and in some cases, the module may overheat resulting in burning odor, smoke, and/or fire. This condition could occur either when the vehicle ignition switch is in the off position or while the vehicle is being operated.
Fix: Dealers will inspect the wire harness connector to the ABS module for missing or dislodged wire seals, and repair or replace the harness connector as appropriate. The dealer will also inspect the connector on the ABS module and replace it if it is found to be corroded or damaged. The recall began on april 23, 2007. Owners may contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Full defect summary
On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with antilock brakes (ABS), the ABS module connector may have missing or dislodged wire seals. This condition could allow contamination to enter the module connector, creating a potential for an electrical short.
Doors and locks: latch
Risk: If the liftgate is left unlocked, there is the potential that it may open during a crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the rear liftgate latch release rod, the release rod attachment clip and the door handle return spring. The recall began on march 31, 2005. Owners should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Full defect summary
Certain 2004-2005 sport utility vehicles and certain 2001-2003 sport utiity vehicle having rear liftgate components serviced with 2004 equivalent components fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 206, 'door locks and door retention components.' the rear liftgate latching system does not meet the inertia load requirement in one direction.
Speed control: cables
Risk: An unexpected increase in engine idle speed may increase stopping distance and may result in a vehicle crash.
Fix: Dealers will replace the accelerator cable. The recall began on january 10, 2005. Owners should contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Full defect summary
On certain sport utility vehicles built with 3.0l v6 engines, the accelerator cable may prevent the throttle from returning to the idle position.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Cruise control cable
Summary
On july 8, 2012, the center for auto safety has petitioned NHTSA to open defect investigations on model year (my) 2002 ? 2004 ford escape and mazda tribute vehicles with certain cruise control cables.the center for auto safety has also petitioned for a hearing to address whether ford motor company (ford) and mazda north american operations (mazda) met their obligations to notify owners and correct a defect in certain ford escape and mazda tribute vehicles.the petitions to open investigations are denied as unnecessary and the petitions to conduct hearingsare denied.odi ids referenced above are: 10109921, 10116267, 10116574,10121108, 10125928, 10128545, 10130133,10137520, 10153327, 10155295, 1
Stuck throttle
Summary
In a letter dated july 25, 2012 ford motor company (ford) submitted a defect information report (dir), NHTSA recall no. 12v-353 to NHTSA identifying a safety defect involving inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector, which could result in a stuck throttle condition.the vehicles involved are model year (my) 2001 through my 2004 ford escape vehicles equipped with 3.0l v6 engines and speed (cruise) control.a redesigned engine cover was implemented in production beginning in my 2005, which provided additional clearance of the speed control cable to the engine cover.similarly on july 26, 2012 mazda north american operations (mazda) on behalf of mazda mot
Fleet vehicle recall completion audit
Summary
On november 18, 2010, NHTSA's recall management division (rmd) opened an audit query (aq10-001) to investigate recall remedy completion by rental car companies on safety recall campaigns.it was expected to provide the agency an indication of how completely and how quickly rental car fleets perform necessary recall-related remedies on the vehicles owned and then rented/leased for use on the roadways.rmd queried three (3) major motor vehicle manufacturers (ford, chrysler, and general motors) and requested data regarding completion figures for fifteen (15) discreet safety recalls.analysis of this data demonstrated that rental car recalls completion was neither complete nor consistent.the rental
Engine compartment fire
Summary
Ford and mazda recalled model year (my) 2001 through 2004 ford escape (07v-156) and mazda tribute (07v-157) vehicles due to non-crash fires or non-fire thermal events originating in the engine compartment at or near the ABS control module.approximately 545,700 vehicles were subject to the initial safety recalls and approximately 424,700 vehicles were serviced under those campaigns. The campaigns addressed potentially damaged, missing or misplaced seals in the ABS control module wiring harness electrical connector that could allow brake fluid to enter the connector, possibly resulting in corrosion, short-circuit, melting, smoke and/or fire.since the recall, the agency is aware of 260 subject
Engine compartment fire
Summary
In letters dated march 30, 2007, ford motor company (ford) and mazda north american operations (mazda) notified the agency that they will conduct recalls 07v-156 and 07v-157, respectively, to remedy a safety defect that may result in fire in a wiring connector used in certain model year (my) 2001-2004 ford escape and mazda tribute vehicles equipped with ABS.the recall campaign prescribes an inspection of the subject components, which shall be repaired or replaced only if necessary.if the subject vehicle passes the visual inspection then the recall instructs the technician to apply electrical grease (ford part number xg-12) to the ABS module connector and verify system operation.to date, appr
Engine compartment fire
Summary
The office of defects investigation (odi) received a defect petition dated march 5, 2009 alleging that the petitioner never received the recall remedy for 07v-156 and that, as a result, the petitioner's my2003 ford escape caught fire at the ABS control module.in response to odi follow-up, the manufacturer verified that the petitioner's vehicle had in fact received service related to safety recall 07v156 - a fact later corroborated by the petitioner.circumstances of the fire experienced in the petitioner's remedied vehicle indicate that the remedy was ineffective.additional review by odi identified an additional 6 similar (alleged to have originated in the engine compartment at or near the AB
Questions about the 2004 Ford Escape
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Ford Escape?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: suspension (154 complaints, typically around 123,500 miles); body and structure (138 complaints, typically around 120,000 miles); speed control (98 complaints, typically around 90,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2004 Ford Escape have?
- 6 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from September 29, 2015 (transmission). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2004 a bad year for the Ford Escape?
- It is 18th of 27 Escape model years by number of complaints, with 499 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.