2004 Ford ESCAPE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
499 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
107,698 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 426 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension is the most frequently named component, appearing in 148 of 499 complaints (29.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 78 | 15.6% |
| Steering behavior | 34 | 6.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 26 | 5.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 24 | 4.8% |
| Engine operation | 17 | 3.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 10 | 2.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Suspension | 148 |
| Structure:Body | 111 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 76 |
| Air Bags | 41 |
| Wheels | 33 |
| Engine | 31 |
| Electrical System | 26 |
| Steering | 26 |
Suspension: 148; Structure:Body: 111; Vehicle Speed Control: 76; Air Bags: 41; Wheels: 33; Engine: 31; Electrical System: 26; Steering: 26
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 36 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 32 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 53 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 70 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 150 |
| 150,000 and above | 85 |
Under 25,000: 36; 25,000 to 49,999: 32; 50,000 to 74,999: 53; 75,000 to 99,999: 70; 100,000 to 149,999: 150; 150,000 and above: 85
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (150). 73 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 17 |
| 2005 | 26 |
| 2006 | 15 |
| 2007 | 20 |
| 2008 | 14 |
| 2009 | 18 |
| 2010 | 21 |
| 2011 | 10 |
| 2012 | 32 |
| 2013 | 37 |
| 2014 | 96 |
| 2015 | 84 |
| 2016 | 42 |
| 2017 | 26 |
| 2018 | 17 |
| 2019 | 7 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2003: 2; 2004: 17; 2005: 26; 2006: 15; 2007: 20; 2008: 14; 2009: 18; 2010: 21; 2011: 10; 2012: 32; 2013: 37; 2014: 96; 2015: 84; 2016: 42; 2017: 26; 2018: 17; 2019: 7; 2020: 3; 2021: 5; 2022: 2; 2023: 2; 2024: 2; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Suspension leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 78 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 34 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 26 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10049781 · 2003-12-15 (December 15, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO ACCELERATE FROM 60 MPH TO 70 MPH. WHEN I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, IT WENT TO THE FLOOR AND REMAINED THERE UNTIL I REACHED A MAXIMUM SPEED OF 110 MPH. I ATTEMPTED TO PUMP THE PEDAL TO UNSTICK IT AND DEPRESSED THE BRAKE. THE ONLY WAY I WAS ABLE TO STOP WAS TO SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND DEPRESS THE BRAKE STRONGLY. EVEN AFTER REMOVING THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION, THE PEDAL REMAINED DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR. THIS WAS A HERTZ RENTAL CAR SO I DON'T HAVE INFORMATION ON IT OTHER THAN THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 660 miles reported. Look up ODI 10049781 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10093880 · 2004-10-10 (October 10, 2004)
AFTER 5000 MILE SERVICE, WHICH INCLUDE INSPECTING BRAKES AND ROTATING TIRES. I STARTED HEARING SOUND FROM THE REAR BRAKE WHILE APPLYING. THE NOISE WAS A TYPE OF THUMP WHICH SEEM TO CATCH ON THE DRUM. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER THE FOLLOWING DAY. MECHANIC RODE WITH ME AND DID HEAR NOISE. SAID THAT IT SOUNDED LIKE THE DRUM BRAKE WAS CATCHING. DEALER MACHINED DRUMS AND TAPERED ENDS OF REAR SHOES. NOISE WAS FIXED BUT I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS BEFORE. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 4,650 miles reported. Look up ODI 10093880 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10051342 · 2003-12-30 (December 30, 2003)
I PURCHASED A 2004 FORD ESCAPE XLT ON 12/8/03. ON THE WAY HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP, THE VEHICLE PULLED STRONGLY TO THE LEFT, AND AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED. ON 12/17/03, THE LEFT REAR POWER WINDOW HAD AN ELECTRICAL SHORT AND WOULD NOT CLOSE. IT WENT INTO SERVICE AND THE ELECTRICAL SHORT WAS REPAIRED. ON 12/19/03 WE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN TO SERVICE FOR THE PULLING TO THE LEFT. THEY TRIED AN ALIGNMENT ON THE VEHICLE, AND IT STILL PULLED TO THE LEFT. THE SERVICE PEOPLE TOLD MY WIFE TO DRIVE IT FOR 400-600 MILES TO …
Owner-reported narrative. 42 miles reported. Look up ODI 10051342 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10135498 · 2005-09-07 (September 7, 2005)
ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING NO MORE THAN 30 MPH ON CITY STREETS, I HAVE LOST POWER STEERING ON MY 2004 FORD ESCAPE XLT. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS 8/11/05 WHILE I WAS 207 MILES AWAY FROM HOME ON VACATION. I MADE A RIGHT HAND TURN AFTER STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I LOST POWER STEERING. IT WAS VERY HARD TO STEER, BUT I MANAGED TO EASE TO THE RIGHT HAND LANE. FORTUNATELY, NO ONE WAS BEHIND ME. ONCE TO THE SIDE OF THE STREET, I PLACED CAR IN PARK AND STARTED TRYING TO TURN THE STEERING LEFT & RIGHT UNTIL I F…
Owner-reported narrative. 28,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10135498 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10057197 · 2004-03-03 (March 3, 2004)
CONSUMER NOTICED THE VEHICLE WAS USING EXCESSIVE FUEL AND WAS NOT SHIFTING INTO GEAR PROPERLY. AT ONE TIME, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE. THE DEALER EXAMINED VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE. THE MANUFACTURER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. *AK *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 7,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10057197 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10113511 · 2005-03-30 (March 30, 2005)
COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL."MY WIFE AND I PURCHASED A 2004 ESCAPE LAST YEAR, AND WE HAVE JUST LOST THE VEHICLE TO A FIRE. UNFORTUNATELY, MY ENTIRE 5,000 SQ. FT. BARN IS TOTALLY DESTROYED AS WELL, AND I NEARLY LOST MY HOME. SHE PARKS HER ESCAPE IN AN OPENING IN OUR DETACHED BARN TO KEEP IT OUT OF THE WEATHER. ON THE MORNING OF 3/5/05 (4:45 AM), I WOKE TO A GLOW IN THE WINDOW, FINDING THAT MY BARN WAS TOTALLY ENGULFED IN FLAMES. WHEN I FIRST DISCOVERED THE FIRE, THE FLAMES WERE CONTAINED TO THE AREA OF THE BARN WHERE HER ESCAPE WAS PARKED. THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10113511 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10093803 · 2004-10-08 (October 8, 2004)
MY 2001 FORD ESCAPE HAD ITS AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BREAK AT 40,00 MILES. IT HAD TO BE REPAIRED 3 MORE TIMES WITHIN THE YEAR,THE THIRD TIME AFTER HAVING THE RECALL FOR THE STALLING PROBLEM. THERE WAS A SEAM WELD BROKEN IN CLUTCH DRUM IN 2ND REPAIR. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10093803 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10103623 · 2004-12-13 (December 13, 2004)
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT INTERMITTENT STALLING AT LOW SPEED THAT WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS APPLIED FROM A STOP POSITION OR COMING TO A STOP. VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER ON EIGHT OCCASIONS, AND DEALER UNABLE TO RESOLVED / DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10103623 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10096425 · 2004-10-26 (October 26, 2004)
PURCHASED 2/04. HESITATION PROBLEMS SINCE FIRST MONTH- FOUND NOTHING WRONG. CHNAGED OIL AT 5000K MILES, CHECKED AGAIN, FOUND NOTHING WRONG. NOW HAS 7000K MILES, STILL HESITATING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND HAS BEGUN NOT STARTING. TOWED TO DEALER, FUEL PUMP REPLACED DUE TO WEAK PRESSURE. TWO DAYS LATER, WOULD NOT START AND HESITATING STILL. TOWED BACK AGAIN DID START, SMELLED BAD, BUT NO CODES OR PROBLEMS FOUND.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 2,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10096425 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10104838 · 2004-12-31 (December 31, 2004)
WHEN FILLING THE GAS TANK, THE AUTOMATIC SHUT OFF WHEN THE TANK IS FULL DOES NOT FUNCTION. THIS LEADS TO EXCESS GAS SPILLING OUT. THIS HAS OCCURED AT NUMEROUS SELF-SERVE AND FULL SERVE GAS STATIONS INDICATING THAT IT IS NOT A PROBLEM WITH THE PUMP BUT A PROBLEM WITH THE DESIGN OF THE GAS TANK/INTAKE MECHANISM.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10104838 at NHTSA ↗