NHTSA lists 499 complaints for the 2004 Ford Escape, 29 of them mention a crash and 14 mention a fire. 13 complaints mention an injury, with 16 injuries and 1 deaths reported.
Data build 2026-10-07.
NHTSA lists this vehicle as FORD ESCAPE.
Model-generated complaint tags: This model year has not been tagged.
Recalls
6 recalls.
Date: 2015-09-29. Systems: POWER TRAIN.
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 transmissio (excerpt)
Consequence: 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 (excerpt)
Remedy: 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. (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2014-04-02. Systems: STRUCTURE.
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, Wisconsi (excerpt)
Consequence: A separation of the lower control arm can result in a significant loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash. (excerpt)
Remedy: 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. (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2012-07-26. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.
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 regard (excerpt)
Consequence: 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. (excerpt)
Remedy: 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 (excerpt)
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2007-04-10. Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR TO THE ABS MODULE FOR MISSING OR DISLODGED WIRE SEALS, AND REPAIR OR REPLACE THE HARNESS CONNECTOR AS APPROPRIATE. THE DEALER WILL ALSO INSPECT THE CONNECTOR ON THE ABS MODULE AND REPLACE IT IF IT IS FOUND TO BE CORRODED OR DAMAGED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2004-12-20. Systems: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES.
Defect: 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.
Consequence: IF THE LIFTGATE IS LEFT UNLOCKED, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL THAT IT MAY OPEN DURING A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH RELEASE ROD, THE RELEASE ROD ATTACHMENT CLIP AND THE DOOR HANDLE RETURN SPRING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Date: 2004-12-07. Systems: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.
Defect: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES BUILT WITH 3.0L V6 ENGINES, THE ACCELERATOR CABLE MAY PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION.
Consequence: AN UNEXPECTED INCREASE IN ENGINE IDLE SPEED MAY INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCE AND MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CABLE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 10, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
Do not drive: No. Park outside: No.
Investigations
6 investigations; 0 open.
PE12019
Opened: 2012-07-17. Closed: 2013-02-21.
Stuck Throttle
In a letter dated July 25, 2012 Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR), NHTSA Recall No. 12V-353 to NHTSA identifying a safety defect involving inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector, which could result in a stuck throttle condition.The vehicles involved are model year (MY) 2001 through MY 2004 Ford Escape vehicles equippe
Systems: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.
Linked campaign numbers: 12V353000, 12V357000.
DP12005
Opened: 2012-07-17. Closed: 2012-07-17.
Cruise Control Cable
On July 8, 2012, The Center for Auto Safety has petitioned NHTSA to open defect investigations on Model Year (MY) 2002 ? 2004 Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute vehicles with certain cruise control cables.The Center for Auto Safety has also petitioned for a hearing to address whether Ford Motor Company (Ford) and Mazda North American Operations (Mazda) met their obligations to notify owners and correct
Systems: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL.
Linked campaign numbers: None listed.
AQ10001
Opened: 2010-11-18. Closed: 2015-12-28.
Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit
On November 18, 2010, NHTSA's Recall Management Division (RMD) opened an audit query (AQ10-001) to investigate recall remedy completion by rental car companies on safety recall campaigns.It was expected to provide the agency an indication of how completely and how quickly rental car fleets perform necessary recall-related remedies on the vehicles owned and then rented/leased for use on the roadway
Systems: UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
Linked campaign numbers: None listed.
EA10002
Opened: 2010-01-14. Closed: 2012-02-29.
Engine Compartment Fire
Ford and Mazda recalled model year (MY) 2001 through 2004 Ford Escape (07V-156) and Mazda Tribute (07V-157) vehicles due to non-crash fires or non-fire thermal events originating in the engine compartment at or near the ABS control module.Approximately 545,700 vehicles were subject to the initial safety recalls and approximately 424,700 vehicles were serviced under those campaigns. The campaigns a
Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.
Linked campaign numbers: 12V005000, 12V016000.
RQ09002
Opened: 2009-04-15. Closed: 2010-01-15.
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
IN LETTERS DATED MARCH 30, 2007, FORD MOTOR COMPANY (FORD) AND MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS (MAZDA) NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT THEY WILL CONDUCT RECALLS 07V-156 AND 07V-157, RESPECTIVELY, TO REMEDY A SAFETY DEFECT THAT MAY RESULT IN FIRE IN A WIRING CONNECTOR USED IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2001-2004 FORD ESCAPE AND MAZDA TRIBUTE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ABS.THE RECALL CAMPAIGN PRESCRIBES AN INSPEC
Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.
Linked campaign numbers: None listed.
DP09003
Opened: 2009-04-14. Closed: 2009-04-15.
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) RECEIVED A DEFECT PETITION DATED MARCH 5, 2009 ALLEGING THAT THE PETITIONER NEVER RECEIVED THE RECALL REMEDY FOR 07V-156 AND THAT, AS A RESULT, THE PETITIONER'S MY2003 FORD ESCAPE CAUGHT FIRE AT THE ABS CONTROL MODULE.IN RESPONSE TO ODI FOLLOW-UP, THE MANUFACTURER VERIFIED THAT THE PETITIONER'S VEHICLE HAD IN FACT RECEIVED SERVICE RELATED TO SAFETY RECALL
Systems: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC.
Linked campaign numbers: None listed.
Manufacturer communications
47 manufacturer communications.
Communications by system| System | Count |
|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 9 |
|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 8 |
|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 6 |
|---|
| SEAT BELTS | 4 |
|---|
| AIR BAGS | 3 |
|---|
| STEERING | 3 |
|---|
| SUSPENSION | 3 |
|---|
| VISIBILITY | 3 |
|---|
10109070
Date: 2016-09-21. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.
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
10183772
Date: 2016-04-21. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: STRUCTURE, SUSPENSION.
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
10205036
Date: 2016-04-21. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: SUSPENSION.
Safety recall 14S02 - Corrosion at forward attachment of lower control arm - requests for recall service action
10056443
Date: 2014-08-11. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: SUSPENSION.
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
10018934
Date: 2006-01-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: TRAILER HITCHES.
NEUTRAL TOW CAPABILITY -- SERVICE KIT REQUIREMENTS. *TT
10019076
Date: 2006-01-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.
REPLACE TIMING BELT IDLER PULLEY DURING 2.0L ZETEC ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD REPLACEMENT - SERVICE TIP. *TT
10019382
Date: 2006-01-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.
CAMSHAFT TICK NOISE - 3.0L 4V ENGINE ONLY. *TT
10019947
Date: 2006-01-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.
NEUTRAL TOW CAPABILITY - SERVICE KIT REQUIREMENTS. *TT
10020067
Date: 2006-01-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
PCM FAILURE - ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES INTERMITTENT - INOPERATIVE. *TT
10020173
Date: 2006-01-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.
POSSIBLE ENGINE DAMAGE - INSTALL SPECIAL SERVICE TOOLS PRIOR TO REMOVING CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT - SERVICE TIP. *TT