2004 Ford Escape suspension problems

Filed Dec 30, 2021 · Body, Suspension · IA

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 rear floor panel. Without the support of the rest of the body panel, the metal is slowing ripping away where it is connected to the floor if it is driven. The vehicle is completely unsafe to drive now as the rear shock could rip away from the vehicle at any moment. There have been many complaints of this happening on the rear passenger side, which I also had on this vehicle. Roughly 5 years ago, I had an independent auto body shop repair rust on the passenger side shock mount/body panel where it had rusted through. I noticed a hole in the body panel when changing the rear shocks, but it was not large enough or bad enough at that point to create a safety issue. So, I had time to safety get it to an auto body shop for repair before it got bad. This same issue has now happened on the driver side and I am left with a car that is unsafe to drive. When the other side was repaired, there was no sign of rust or concern on the other side. So, it has completely rusted through in that 5-year time frame. I inquired about repairing this with an auto body shop, and I was told that the rust is too significant to repair safely and cost effectively. It would require extensive metal repair on the body and frame underneath it. This absolutely could have put myself, my passengers, and other drivers at risk if the rear shock and mount had unexpectedly ripped away from the body of the vehicle. It could have ripped through the rear body of the car or come in contact with the rear wheel while driving, causing a significant risk of losing control of the vehicle.

Filed May 28, 2021 · Steering, Suspension · CO

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 the recall on the sub frame existed. however my local dealership denied that this recall existed for my vehicle. I was able to get the majority of the parts installed but there is issues with the threads inside the subframe that the hardware attaching the suspension components to the vehicle. I am reading that the "fix" for this recall is installing a support brace but do not fee that is an acceptable repair as the wheels may literally fall off of the car taking the front suspension with them as they go.

Filed Mar 29, 2021 · Body, Electrical · FL

The whole underbody is rusting away especially the frame, couldn't even get regular maintence done since the rust so bad. We always washed the underbody after it snowed and that didn't stop the rust from eating away the SUV. I see there is a recall for my year but when I do a VIN check it says no recall open for my vehicle. I had to get a window put in had 4 different companies come out till I could get some one willing to put it in since they where scared of the pinch wheel from being so rusty. The frame is so bad you can see through it, I scared it going to break and leave me stranded or worse in a car accident!

Filed Mar 2, 2020 · Suspension · 109,000 miles · RI

College age daughter received a car from grandparents, 2004 for escape garaged its entire life. Received at 88,000 miles. Over the past few days, noticed a banging in trunk area. Rear passenger wheel well and shock tower mounting area has rusted out and the shock is "floating" in place. Car currently only has 109,000 miles on it! If this is such a problem as we have seen, this is clearly a manufacturing defect, and something this detrimental should be issued a recall!!! Currently trying to weigh options as the rest of the vehicle runs great, engine is strong, but the cost to repair (if we can find someone who will) almost equals the current value of the car! Now I have a commuting college student with only a part time job who will need a car! Shame on you ford for not stepping up to acknowledge this defect! We are also looking at potential lawsuits because as mentioned this car was previously enclosed and stored in a garage all its life and was only driven by her grandmother to run out to local stores, etc. Shame!

Filed Feb 24, 2020 · Steering, Suspension · 140,200 miles · IL

Just bought my 2004 ford escape k frame front passenger lower control arm mount rusted out exactly the way it is described in recall code 14s02 and my car VIN is not on the recall list for lower control arm

Filed Aug 9, 2019 · Suspension · 85,500 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford escape. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle started to veer to the right and the front passenger wheel started to make a loud noise. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road and discovered that the passenger side lower control arm housing was severely corroded and the front driver's side lower control arm was beginning to fail. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 85,500.

Filed Jun 12, 2019 · Suspension · 133,000 miles · MA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford escape. An independent mechanic stated that the lower control arm was rusted through on the front passenger side wheel. The mechanic also stated that a used subframe would be needed to repair the vehicle. The contact called jack madden ford (825 boston-providence turnpike, norwood, ma 02062, (781) 762-4200) and was informed to call the manufacturer. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in a recall and advised her to call the federal safety agency. The failure mileage was 133,000.

Filed Mar 19, 2019 · Body, Suspension · 165,000 miles · MN

As with all other postings the rear passenger wheel well has completely rusted out.and the car started making very loud clunking noises. I do not know the exact moment the wheel well completely degraded. The repair shop said it is not repairable. So we are just now out a car. I just spent way too long chatting with someone from ford who gave me a postal address to send a complaint to. I think everyone who has had the issue should send a complaint. Mail: ford motor company customer relationship center, p.o. Box 6248, dearborn, mi 48126, I am also considering hiring a lawyer. I think this is just wrong. My son is a college student and left without a car when this is obviously an inferior product and I can not believe this is the service that ford wants to provide. If you would like to be a part of the lawsuit please contact me at [xxx]. This is insane that they have admitted the issue, recalled the front end, came up with an inferior solution and now are going to just say there is no recall. This is a dangerous issue. They at the very least should buy peoples escapes for the value they would be worth. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Mar 5, 2019 · Body, Suspension · 120,000 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford escape. While driving 65 MPH on the highway, the rear drive axle fractured causing the rear drivers side wheel to detach. As a result, the vehicle spun out of control and became difficult to maneuver. The vehicle was unable to be driven. A police officer assisted with moving the vehicle off the road and towing the vehicle to a facility. An appointment was made with quick lane at apple ford lincoln (8800 stanford blvd, columbia, md 21045, (410) 290-1100) for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

Filed Jan 31, 2019 · Acceleration, Brakes · 140,000 miles · MI

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