What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2004 Ford Escape

Typical pattern

3.4% of complaints about the 2004 Ford Escape came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2004 vehicle — around the middle of the 236 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 10.7 yr in service. The most-reported system is suspension (154 complaints), typically at 11.3 yr or about 123,481 miles.

Complaints
711
Median age at failure
10.7 yr
Median mileage
111,140 n=610
Crash / fire / tow
9.8% of reports
Safety recalls
8

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Suspension
154 reports · 123,481 mi
11.3 yr
0.6%
Structure
139 reports · 120,000 mi
11.2 yr
5%
Speed control
97 reports · 90,000 mi
7.4 yr
26.8%
Air bags
45 reports · 76,900 mi
8.5 yr
13.3%
Wheels
34 reports · 125,000 mi
11.3 yr
5.9%
Engine
31 reports · 111,000 mi
10.3 yr
12.9%
Electrical system
30 reports · 75,000 mi
9.4 yr
16.7%
Power train
27 reports · 72,000 mi
8.3 yr
3.7%
Steering
26 reports · 101,000 mi
12.4 yr
3.8%
Engine cooling
18 reports · 102,000 mi
7.3 yr
16.7%
Service brakes
18 reports · 125,715 mi
12.1 yr
33.3%
Visibility
17 reports · 71,000 mi
5.3 yr
0%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

15V606000 2015-09-29
Power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:floor shift

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.

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 v

15E045000 2015-06-03
Suspension:front:wheel bearing

The Timken Company (Timken) is recalling certain aftermarket front wheel bearings, part number 510072, sold from January 22, 2015, to May 21, 2015, to be used as service parts on 2001-2012 Ford Escape, 2001-2011 Mazda Tribute, and 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles. The affected wheel bearings have incorrect dimensions of a 42mm bore, 76mm outer dimension, and 39mm width, instead of a 42mm bore, 78mm outer dimension and a 45mm width.

Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

14V165000 2014-04-02
Structure:frame and members

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.

A separation of the lower control arm can result in a significant loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

12V353000 2012-07-26
Engine cooling

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.

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.

07V156000 2007-04-10
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module

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.

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.

07E023000 2007-03-29
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder

CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.

LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

04V602000 2004-12-20
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

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.

IF THE LIFTGATE IS LEFT UNLOCKED, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL THAT IT MAY OPEN DURING A CRASH.

04V574000 2004-12-07
Vehicle speed control:cables

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES BUILT WITH 3.0L V6 ENGINES, THE ACCELERATOR CABLE MAY PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION.

AN UNEXPECTED INCREASE IN ENGINE IDLE SPEED MAY INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCE AND MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

In owners’ own words

Speed control 660 mi 3 mo in service
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO ACCELERATE FROM 60 MPH TO 70 MPH. WHEN I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, IT WENT TO THE FLOOR AND REMAINED THERE UNTIL I REACHED A MAXIMUM SPEED OF 110 MPH. I ATTEMPTED TO PUMP THE PEDAL TO UNSTICK IT AND DEPRESSED THE BRAKE. THE ONLY WAY I WAS ABLE TO STOP WAS TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND DEPRESS THE BRAKE STRONGLY. EVEN AFTER REMOVING THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION, THE PEDAL REMAINED DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR. THIS WAS A HERTZ RENTAL CAR SO I DON'T HAVE INFORMATION ON IT OTHER THAN THE REGISTRATION. MO757KFR. *AK
Speed control 3,500 mi 9 mo in service
WHILE DRIVING DOWN A HILL WITH CRUISE CONTROL ON, VEHICLE PICKED UP SPEED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK THE CRUISE CONTROL HAS FAILED EVERYTIME IT' S BEEN USED. *NM
Speed control 5,500 mi 1.3 yr in service
NHTSA CAMPAIGN 04V574000/ACCELERATOR CABLE. THE OWNER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION FROM THE MANUFACTURER ON 13 JAN 2005 REGARDING THIS RECALL. THE OWNER IMMEDIATELY MADE AN APPOINTMENT. UPON ARRIVAL AND AFTER WAITING MOST OF THE DAY, THE SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED THE OWNER THAT PARTS NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
Electrical system 74,000 mi 2.8 yr in service
THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASH BOARD FLASHES AS IT'S SUPPOSED TO AND THEN REMAINS ILLUMINATED. AFTER HAVING THE CAR INTO THE SHOP THEY INFORMED ME THAT IT'S A PROBLEM WITH THE CIRCUIT AND WOULD COST AN ADDITIONAL $100 JUST TO MOVE FORWARD AND MAY COST MORE. AFTER RESEARCHING THE ISSUE IT APPEARS THAT SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE THIS PROBLEM WITH THEIR ESCAPES AND IT FAILS AFTER BEING FIXED REPEATEDLY. *JB

Other Escape model years

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