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2004 Ford Escape Other / unspecified Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the other system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Other / unspecified reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
35
Latest Sep 13, 2016
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
7%
of 499 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2004 Ford Escape submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 35 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming other

The 25 most recent of 35, in the owner's own words

Other / unspecifiedSteeringSuspension
Filed Sep 13, 2016

MY VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR RECALL THAT WAS ISSUED. THE RECALL WAS FOR THE SUBFRAME RUSTING THROUGH WHERE IT MEETS THE CONTROL ARM RESULTING IN STEERING FAILURE. MY VEHICLE HAD THIS PROBLEM UNDER WAY AND WAS RUSTED THROUGH TO THE POINT OF SEPARATION. THE DEALERSHIP PERFORMED THE RECALL AND INSTALLED A "BRACE" ON THE SUBFRAME BUT ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE BECAUSE OF THE SEPARATION, WHICH IS EXACTLY WHAT THE RECALL IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT. THE DEALER STATED THAT SINCE THE FAILURE/SEPARATION HAD ALREADY BEGUN THEY COULD NOT REPAIR IT AND GAVE ME THE VEHICLE BACK IN A CONDITION WHICH IS "UNSAFE TO DRIVE", ACCORDING TO THE WORD OF THE DEALERSHIP. MY CONCERN IS THAT MY VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAFETY ISSUE FOR WHICH THE RECALL WAS ISSUED AND THE VEHICLE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT RESOLVE THE RECALL ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
10906243
Incident
Sep 9, 2016
Body & structureOther / unspecified
Filed Aug 30, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE AND FRAME FRACTURED AND CAUSED SPARKS TO EMIT FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD RECEIVED NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10899567
Incident
May 10, 2016
Body & structureOther / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Aug 22, 2016

REAR STRUCTURAL BODY, JOINTS, MASSIVE RUST AND CORROSION.

NHTSA ID
10897700
Incident
Aug 18, 2016
Mileage
188,000 mi
Body & structureOther / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Aug 22, 2016

STRUCTURAL EXCESSIVE RUST AND CORROSION REAR WHEELS

NHTSA ID
10897645
Incident
Aug 17, 2016
Mileage
180,000 mi
Body & structureOther / unspecified
Filed May 1, 2016

I HEARD RATTLING FROM THE BACK OF MY CAR LIKE A TIN THERMOS ROLLING AROUND. I LOOKED AT THE BACK AND WAS INSPECTING MY VEHICHLE. ONCE I TOOK OUT THE SPARE TIRE COVER I DISCOVERED A HUGE HOLE IN THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL. I CALLED MY DEALER ABOUT THE ISSUE AND BROUGHT THE CAR IN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE TO BE SERVICED. I HAVE LOOKED THIS UP ONLINE TO SEE IF THERE IS A RECALL FOR AN ISSUE LIKE THIS AND I AM FINDING THAT MANY FORD ESCAPE OWNERS FROM 2005-2006 ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THIS ISSUE IS A SAFETY HAZARD. I AM CURRENTLY UNABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR AS MY DEALER IS NOT COMFORTABLE LETTING USE DRIVE IT, AND THEIR BODY SHOP WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR IT SAYING THAT IT WAS TO COMPROMISED AND WOULD BE LIABILITY

NHTSA ID
10862381
Incident
Apr 27, 2016
Mileage
7 mi
Body & structureOther / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Feb 3, 2016

I JUST PURCHASED A USED 2004 FORD ESCAPE XLT WITH ONLY 45,000 MILES ON IT (12 YEARS OLD, 45,000'WHAT I THOUGHT WAS A DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH). IT HAD UNDERCOATING TO PROTECT FROM RUST WHEN IT WAS NEW. VERY WELL TAKEN CARE OF, LIKE NEW INSIDE! SO IMAGINE MY SURPRISE AFTER DRIVING IT 2 MONTHS WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL STARTED FALLING APART (WASN'T LIKE THAT WHEN I BOUGHT IT). WITHIN A 3 WEEK SPAN IT WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY DESTROYED. AGAIN IT WAS PROTECTED WITH UNDERCOATING AND STILL RUSTED OUT ALL THOSE YEARS IN A GARAGE BEING BARELY DRIVEN!!! I ASKED ABOUT GETTING BOTH SIDES DONE WHILE IT'S IN THE SHOP AND MECHANIC SAID THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WELL WAS FINE AND IN GOOD SHAPE, ALMOST NO RUST AT ALL. FORD STOCKS ONLY THE PASSENGER WHEEL WELL, NOT THE DRIVER SIDE. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A KNOWN MANUFACTURING FAILURE/SUBSTANDARD PART THAT FORD DOESN'T WANT TO OWN BEYOND SELLING YOU THE REPLACEMENT PART. I'M LOSING APPRECIATION FOR "AMERICAN MADE" VALUES. THIS ONE IS ESPECIALLY UPSETTING BECAUSE IT'S A BRAND I PREVIOUSLY HELD IN HIGH REGARD. THIS EASILY COULD HAVE BEEN DANGEROUS AT HIGH SPEEDS ON MY TRIPS.

NHTSA ID
10824001
Incident
Jan 29, 2016
Mileage
47,900 mi
Other / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Aug 19, 2015

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE SHOCK AND WHEEL DETACHED DUE TO THE CORROSION OF THE BACK OF THE FRAME.

NHTSA ID
10749674
Incident
Aug 5, 2015
Body & structureOther / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Aug 12, 2015

WHEEL WELL RUSTED THROUGH TO INTERIOR OF CAR, SHOCK DISLOCATED FROM WHEEL WELL. WE JUST MOVED TO RALEIGH FROM MICHIGAN. SEE RELATED NEWS ARTICLES: HTTP://WWW.USATODAY.COM/STORY/MONEY/CARS/2014/04/07/FORD-RECALL-FUSION-ESCAPE/7427299/ HTTP://TRUCKYEAH.JALOPNIK.COM/ALMOST-400-000-OLD-FORD-ESCAPE-SUVS-RECALLED-1560352974 HTTP://WWW.RIPOFFREPORT.COM/R/FORD-MOTOR-COMPANY/DEARBORN-MICHIGAN-/FORD-MOTOR-COMPANY-FACTORY-DEFECT-TO-ESCAPE-VECHICLES-DEARBORN-MICHIGAN-904056 HTTP://WWW.ARFC.ORG/COMPLAINTS/2004/FORD/ESCAPE/SUSPENSION/PROBLEM.ASPX

NHTSA ID
10748089
Incident
Aug 12, 2015
Mileage
160,000 mi
Other / unspecifiedSteering
Filed Jun 29, 2015

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.

NHTSA ID
10731134
Incident
Jun 9, 2015
Mileage
157,000 mi
Other / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Jun 28, 2015

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.

NHTSA ID
10730844
Incident
Jun 19, 2015
Mileage
130,000 mi
Other / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Jun 20, 2015

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.

NHTSA ID
10726317
Incident
May 14, 2015
Mileage
175,000 mi
Body & structureOther / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Jun 10, 2015

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

NHTSA ID
10724555
Incident
Jun 5, 2015
Mileage
195,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Jun 3, 2015

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.

NHTSA ID
10723243
Incident
Jun 3, 2015
Mileage
80,000 mi
Body & structureOther / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed May 18, 2015

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.

NHTSA ID
10717058
Incident
May 15, 2015
Mileage
130,000 mi
Body & structureOther / unspecified
Filed Apr 7, 2015

PASSENGER (RIGHT) REAR WHEEL WELL RUSTED THROUGH, CAUSING THE STRUT TO DETACH. *TR

NHTSA ID
10704227
Incident
Mar 28, 2015
Mileage
188,000 mi
Body & structureOther / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Mar 16, 2015

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

NHTSA ID
10694733
Incident
Mar 13, 2015
Mileage
118,222 mi
Body & structureOther / unspecified
Filed Jan 7, 2015

EXCESSIVE CORROSION IN REAR WHEEL WELLS, STRAPS HOLDING GAS TANK AND UNDERSIDE OF RUNNING BOARDS. BOTH RUNNING BOARDS COMPLETELY FELL OFF, THE STRAPS HOLDING THE TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE TANK WAS IN DANGER OF FALLING OFF. THIS CAR IS IN A COVERED GARAGE 90% OF THE TIME. *TR

NHTSA ID
10670695
Incident
Jan 1, 2013
Mileage
80,000 mi
Body & structureOther / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Dec 31, 2014

ANOTHER CASE OF A 2004 FORD ESCAPE WITH EXTENSIVE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL RUST PUTTING THE STRUT IN DANGER OF COMING THROUGH THE BODY. I'M CURRENTLY TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW AND WHERE TO GET IT REPAIRED. THIS SEEMS TO BE A FLAW IN THE DESIGN OF THE PRODUCT. WHILE ONE WOULD HOPE FORD WOULD STEP UP I'M NOT SEEING ANYTHING ON THEIR PART SO FAR. *JS

NHTSA ID
10669299
Incident
Dec 30, 2014
Mileage
155,000 mi
Other / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Nov 15, 2014

A FEW WEEKS AGO I WAS DRIVING SLOWLY DOWN A DIRT ROAD AND I STARTED TO HEAR A BUMPING NOISE TOWARDS THE BACK OF MY CAR, ONLY WHEN I WHEN OVER BUMPS. I FIGURED IT WAS JUST GEAR IN MY TRUNK MAKING THE NOISE AND I WAS GOING TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT LATER, BUT IT DIDN'T SEEM LIKE ANYTHING TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT. YESTERDAY I FINALLY GOT ALL MY IGNITION COILS FIXED AFTER SOME TROUBLE WITH THE MECHANICS DOING IT WRONG ORIGINALLY. WHEN I LEFT HE TOLD ME I MAY HAVE A SUSPENSION PROBLEM, BUT THAT IT IS NOT LIKELY TO BE A PROBLEM ASIDE FROM THE ANNOYINGNESS OF IT. WHEN I GOT HOME I DECIDED TO HAVE A LOOK AROUND MY CAR AND AFTER DISCOVERING THAT IT DID NOT HAVE TO DO WITH MY TRUNK I LOOKED UNDER THE WHEEL WELL AND SAW THAT THE SUSPENSION MOUNT HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED OFF AND HAD BOUNCING AROUND AS I DROVE. IT WAS COMPLETELY DETACHED, AND AFTER GOODLING THIS I SAW THAT MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE THIS SAME EXACT PROBLEM AND THAT IT IS VERY UNSAFE, AND MOST LIKELY TO EXPENSIVE TO FIX. I HAD BEEN DRIVING WITH THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM FOR A FEW WEEKS WITH NO IDEA OF THE DANGER THAT IT COULD CAUSE. THERE IS NO RECALL ON IT BUT I FEEL THAT WITH THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WITH THIS PROBLEM AND THE SEVERITY OF IT, FORD NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10655221
Incident
Nov 1, 2014
Mileage
135,000 mi
Body & structureOther / unspecified
Filed Sep 25, 2014

THE RIGHTSIDE OF MY WHEELWELL WAS ROTTED OUT ALONG WITH THE FLOOR AROUND IT THAT HELD THE WHEEL WELL THE SHOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. WHEN I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET THE WHEEL WELL THEY TOLD ME THIS WAS A WELL KNOWN PART TO BE REPLACED. SO I ASKED WHY WAS IT NOT A RECALL ON IT NO ANSWER COULD HE GIVE ME. I WAS GETTING A BURNING SMELL FROM MY EXHAUST (MUFFLER FUMES) AS I DROVE HOME MANY TIMES I FELT MYSELF GETTING SLEEPY AS I DROVE ON TO GET TO MY DESTINATION I PRAYED TOGET SAFELY THERE LITTLE DID I KNOW I WAS GETTING FUMES IN MY CAR THAT CAUSED THIS. I HAVE DRIVEN WITH MY YOUNG GRANDCHILDREN IN THIS DANGEROUS CONDITION IN THIS CAR MY QUESTION IS IF THE FORD DEALERSHIP KNEW OF THIS TO BE A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM WHY DID THEY NOT RECALL IT I ONLY THANK THE LORD THAT IT DID NOT KILL ME OR MY GRANDCHILDREN. ALSO IT PAST INSPECTION A YEAR AGO HOW COULD THEY HAVE NOT SEEN WHAT WAS HAPPENING IN THIS AREA. I DO HAVE PICTURES OF IT AND IT WAS EVEN WORST THEN THE PICTURES I HAVE SEEN ONLINE PROOF ONE MORE TIME THAT GOD IS ALWAYS ON YOURSIDE IF YOU BELIEVE EVERYONE ELSE PLEASE CHECK YOUR WHEEL WELL GOD BLESS! *TR

NHTSA ID
10639108
Incident
Sep 4, 2014
Mileage
80,850 mi
Other / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Sep 12, 2014

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. *TR

NHTSA ID
10632770
Incident
Aug 20, 2014
Mileage
125,000 mi
Other / unspecifiedSteeringSuspension
Filed Sep 9, 2014

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 HAD THE EXACT SAME RUST AND BREAK AS OURS AND THUS HE ORDERED A NEW ONE FROM FORD. IN THE MEANTIME WE WERE FORCED TO RENT A CAR AND CONTINUE ON TO OUR VACATION DESTINATION. AFTER WE RETURNED HOME I LEARNED THAT THERE HAD BEEN A RECALL OF THESE VEHICLES FOR JUST SUCH A FAILURE. I TOOK THE CAR AND THE BROKEN CROSSBRACE TO MIKE CASTRUCCI FORD IN ALEXANDRIA, KY WHERE THE WARRANTY OFFICER INFORMED ME THAT OUR ESCAPE WAS NOT PART OF THE FACTORY RECALL. SHE WAS ABLE TO TELL ME WHY AND WAS VERY HELPFUL ALTHOUGH CLEAR THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE ARGUMENT WAS PRESENTED THAT THE FAILED PART IN THE RECALL WAS MADE BY A PARTICULAR MANUFACTURER AND USED IN CERTAIN PLANTS OR VEHICLES. I GET THE POINT BUT I HAVE A CAR THAT FAILED IN EXACTLY THE SAME WAY DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST AND PRESENTED THE SAME RISK OF CATASTROPHIC FAILURE THAT WE NARROWLY AVOIDED BY LUCK. THE REPAIR REPLACEMENT COST OVER $1000 PLUS LABOR. I BELIEVE VEHICLES LIKE MINE SHOULD BE PART OF THE RECALL. OUR FRONT WHEEL COULD HAVE TOTALLY COLLAPSED WHILE WE WERE TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10631901
Incident
Sep 1, 2014
Mileage
123,481 mi
Body & structureOther / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Sep 2, 2014

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM THE STORE AND STARTED HEARING A LOUD BANGING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE TRUCK. UPON INVESTIGATION I DISCOVERED WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN IN MY 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL OVER THE SHOCK TOWER COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND SEPARATED OVER THE SHOCK. I HAVE BEEN TOLD AND SEEN THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE AND OTHER YEARS OF ESCAPES. AFTER SPEAKING WITH AN INDEPENDENT BODY SHOP IN MY AREA THEY INFORMED ME THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM THEY HAVE SEEN SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE. BUT WHEN I CONTACTED 3 LOCAL FORD DEALERS THEY ALL CLAIMED TO HAVE NEVER SEEN IT BEFORE. AND WANTED TO CHARGE ME A HUNDRED DOLLARS JUST TO LOOK AT IT. I AM TOLD THE VEHICLE IS UNDRIVEABLE IN THIS CONDITION. AND THAT IN MOST CASES CAN NOT BE REPAIRED. AFTER DOING MUCH RESEARCH ONLINE I FOUND HUNDREDS OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. I HAVE ALSO CONTACTED FORD AND AM AWAITING A RESPONSE. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A RECALL MADE ON THIS AS I CAN SEE THIS BEING A MAJOR PROBLEM THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. AND IS GOING TO BE A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR JOB IF IT IS EVEN REPAIRABLE. I HAVE PHOTOS BUT AM NOT SURE HOW TO ATTACH THEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10629957
Incident
Aug 30, 2013
Mileage
98,954 mi
Other / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Aug 8, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL WAS COVERED WITH RUST CAUSING THE SHOCKS TO FAIL. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE SHOCK ABSORBER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ID
10620880
Incident
Jul 23, 2014
Mileage
110,000 mi
Body & structureOther / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed Jul 31, 2014
Crash reported

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WIRHT MY 2 YOUNG KIDS AND ALL SUDDEN GO OVER THE TRAIN TRACKS AND THE REAR STRUT BROKE FROM THE SHOCK MOUNT AND CAME RIGHT UP THRU THE VEHICLE I HAVE FOUND THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE, FORD NEEDS TO STEP UP LUCK I GAINED CONTROL OF VEHICLE WITH A 1 MONT OLD BABY AND A 3 YEAR OLD THIS IS SEARIOUS MATTER! SOMEONE IS GOING TO DIE BECAUSE OF THIS IT NEEDS TO BE FIXED! *TR

NHTSA ID
10618053
Incident
Jul 1, 2014
Mileage
220,000 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .