CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2004 Ford Escape looks pretty good compared to other Ford Escape model years, but still has a trend of transmission problems, and engine problems from the NHTSA complaint data — so it's not a model year we can recommend.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
4 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
81,131 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
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 hit by another car. If there were people walking, I would have definitely hit them! When I press the brake, I-??m not expecting to accelerate instead Also apparently this recall of this issue was already done back in 2005 but i just purchased this vehicle in the fall of 2023 And the dealer says there is no recall since it-??s already been fixed by the previous owner years ago But it needs to be fixed as it-??s still doing it to
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
Vehicle was U able to control, constant issues with transmission and idle kept getting stuck, speed up on its own and was unable stop without throwing car in park while driving
On 916/17, we were just getting off the entrance onto route 276, East bound, North of philly. I was starting to accelerate and merge with traffic when the accelerator pedal suddenly went to the floor on its own. I then turned off the engine with the key and was able to pull off the right hand side of the road. After we were towed a mechanic was able to lift the pedal after detangling it from the cruise control cable. There was a recall for faulty cruise control (sticking accelerator pedal) in 2015. I took my vehicle in for the recall and it was repaired by a Ford dealer on 6/1/15. The recall notice # is 12S37/NHTSA recall 12V-353 I do not have the ability to scan a repair bill, which amounted to a mechanic tying the cable up out of the way of the pedal
- Orrville, OH, USA
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The contact owns a 2004 Ford Escape. While driving approximately 35 mph and depressing the brake pedal, the brakes malfunctioned and the vehicle would not stop. The contact also indicated that the check engine light illuminated during the incident. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000.
We own a 2004 Escape. That two weeks ago caught fire due to the ABS control module. We also have had brake lines go bad due to part failure twice. And the total of three alternators. Now we have spoken to Ford regarding the 01-03 fire issue. But they will not do anyrhing to consider the 04 even though in researching the actual recall it was the same issue. I woulf like to see this happen. We are selling our vehicle to the sealer sue to lack of reliability. But wanted to vet the word out on this issue. Our engine also idle and tries to pull the vehicle forward even with the brakes applied. This is due to a faulty idle air controll valve.
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Escape. While driving at an unknown speed over a bump in the road, the vehicle emitted a clucking noise. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing, which indicated that the front suspension bar was fractured. The front suspension bar was replaced. The contact also stated that the brake lines also failed due to corrosion. The brake lines were replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 125,715...updated 02/01/16
The contact owned a 2004 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 20 mph, the speed accelerated independently, the brake pedal was depressed but failed to respond causing the vehicle to crash into a guard rail. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was destroyed. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 12V353000 (engine and engine cooling, vehicle speed control). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.
I was leaving my parking spot where the vehicle had been parked for approximately 45 minutes when the brake pedal went to the floor and my brakes were not working properly. I discovered that brake fluid was leaking out of the brake line in the front drivers side wheel well. The rubber hose had deteriorated and had to be replaced. Yesterday I was driving when my brake pedal went to the floor again. When I parked the car I found that brake fluid is leaking from the brake line in the front passengers side wheel well. The vehicle now had approximately 137000 miles. It appears that the rubber brake line hose had deteriorated on that side as well. This is a major safety issue as both times I was driving my kids and had to worry about injuring them and potentially anyone else on the road at the times this occurred.
I first noticed a surging and squeal type noise while coming to a stop. Spouse had repaired 3 times yet it continues. During this time I also heard a clanking noise from rear end as if hatch (window/door) was not securely closed but then assumed it may be related to the aforementioned issue. I mentioned noise increased, loud, frightening (steering difficulties). He contacted Ford by phone (X3) and emailed however their reply was no fatalities or incidents had been reported therefore we have 2 options. 1) take it to a Ford dealer for repair at our expense, 2) trade in for a new Ford vehicle. Both school/city/govt employed and cannot afford $2000 to repair. Yesterday my husband removed the entire right shock when I returned home from work after a 12 hr day & told him I felt as if the back end was going to fall off & clanking sound intensified. At 8pm he was laying under car on garage floor and found the shock hanging! he was forced to remove as I had to work the next day at 6am. I am driving without one shock, new tires, rusted rear frame and surge continues. I would appreciate any suggestions as to other avenues for reporting. I have 2 coworkers with similar issues, both Escapes. The removed shock is rusted, near crumbling of sort but saved along with several photos. Thank you in advance for reviewing my lengthy email and look forward to any input and recommendations. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). Updated 1/21/15
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 with no brake pedal response.
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Escape. While parked, the contact noticed that the ABS warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The mechanic stated that the ABS module would have to be replaced. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 07V156000 (service brakes, hydraulic:antilock:control unit/module) but was advised by the manufacturer that the VIN was not included in the recall. After a period of time elapsed, the contact began to notice a loud squeaking noise coming from the rear of the vehicle and a grinding sound when depressing the brake pedal. The contact had the brakes replaced but the failure persisted. The vehicle was not further repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 203,258.
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.
Driving on a state highway approaching a red light, I applied brakes and felt a pulsing sensation in the brake pedal, it became very hard to stop and I had to pull to the shoulder of the road. This has happened several more times since, at various speeds and with no warning. The ABS light on the dash does not come on and there are no obd codes. The vehicle becomes very hard to stop. I had the vehicle checked by my mechanic this week. He felt the problem once, but could not find any problems or obd codes, even after running diagnostic tests. At this point I am in a quandry; I need to use the vehicle, but feel it is unsafe to do so and will probably park it until someone can tell me what is happening and find a resolution. I have read of similar problems due to a defective 'tone ring' in the ABS system, but mine is not defective.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Aurora, IL, USA