2004 Ford Escape problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Suspension (125) · Vehicle Speed Control (76) · Structure:body (43)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ford Escape model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
426 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (4)
Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift 2015-09-29 · campaign 15V606000 · 57 vehicles
Defect: 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
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 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.
Suspension:front:wheel Bearing 2015-06-03 · campaign 15E045000 · 576 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Timken has begun notifying distributors who will offer purchasers replacement wheel bearings, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2015. Owners may contact Timken customer service at 1-866-984-6536.
Structure:frame And Members 2014-04-02 · campaign 14V165000 · 348,950 vehicles
Defect: 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 at
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.
Vehicle Speed Control:cables 2012-07-26 · campaign 12V353000 · 529,719 vehicles
Defect: 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.
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.
Service bulletins (47)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe 2016-09-21 · SSM 46085 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
the powertrain control/emissions diagnosis (pc/ed) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (etbs). the etc_act and etc_dsd pids should not used to diagnose possible etb concerns. the ids has a limited refresh rate when reading these pids and cannot display quickly enough to
Suspension 2016-04-21 · TSB160071 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
safety recall 14s02 - corrosion at forward attachment of lower control arm - requests for recall service action
Suspension 2016-04-21 · 16-0071 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
2001-2004 escape vehicles safety recall 14s02 has been issued for vehicles that are operated in high corrosion areas for an extended period, where a corrosion-related separation of the forward attachment of the lower control arm (lca) from the subframe may occur. separation of the lca from the subfr
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm 2014-08-11 · TSB-14-0143 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
ford: the lower control arm (lca) forward attachment will separate from subframe, causing diminishing directional control, due to operating in high corrosion areas for extended period of time. model 2001-2004 escape. *pe
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine 2006-01-01 · 06116 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
possible engine damage - install special service tools prior to removing crankshaft pulley bolt - service tip. *tt
Electrical System 2006-01-01 · 0693 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
pcm failure - electrical accessories intermittent - inoperative. *tt
Showing the 6 most recent of 47 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-03-03 · Latches/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 …”
2024-04-02 · Structure · 217,000 mi · 💥 crash“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…”
2024-01-22 · Vehicle Speed Control“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 …”
2023-04-14 · Service 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…”
2022-04-11 · Air 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…”
2022-02-04 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly · 160,000 mi“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…”
2021-12-30 · 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 rea…”
2021-10-08 · Electrical 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…”
2021-06-28 · Steering“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 whe…”
2021-05-28 · 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 t…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.