Our Escape has had a knocking noise from about the first month that we bought this car brand new. We have over the years taken it to several mechanics, including our local Ford Dealership (Robberson Ford, Bend Or.) CV boots have been replaced, still knocked. Brakes redone, still knocked. Transmission tune up, still knocking. We have had this vehicle in the ford dealership every time a recall has come up, and we have always mentioned this knocking. They fix something else and send us on our way. Still knocking. So my wife (and 2 6 year old daughters) are driving around a corner at 45 mph and the ball joint comes apart, broke, fell out, something (was not found). Needless to say, steering the car is next to impossible. Catastrophic failure, catastrophic results. I guess the knocking has stopped now.

When talking with our local dealership, they "understand my frustration" but since the the car is out of warranty there is nothing they will do. Even with the history of us trying to track down the front knocking issue, they don't care.

My suggestion- if your car has a front knocking noise, change the ball joint before it kills your family.

So I have a 2002 ford escape, I paid 400bucks in January to have the whole 60K mileage stuff done early and check for ANY issues. Had an oil lead on my oil pan ...400 bucks to repair...okay fine,.... then the front end starts knocking...so I'm thinkin shock absorbers and that I'll get around to it a little later. Then my airbag light comes on...now time to bring in...so here is all the issue on my 2002 ford escape XLS which we drive very softly and have never done offroading or any crazy driving (especially with two small kids)..

1. The Airbag pretensioners connectors aren't contacting all the time, causing a fault code --- cost to fix $472.00! 2. Front Sway bar Links on front suspension (cause of the knocking)..$211.00 to fix(replace) 3. Lower Control arms with Alignment necessary..guess they have to replace these for some reason! ---$535.00 to fix!! 4. Rear and Front Axle Seals leaking --$284.00 to fix! 5. Rear Pinion Seal leaking ---$158.00 to fix!

Grand total!! $1660!!!! for a Fricking Car that is now only worth maybe 5K on trade in..if I'm lucky!! This is the first Ford I ever bought and absolutely the LAST I WILL EVER BUY!! These guys should be shut down!!!