2004 Ford Escape: ball joint or control arm failure

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 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 Nov 20, 2018 · Body, Steering · 128,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford escape. While driving approximately 10 MPH, the steering wheel failed due to severe rust and corrosion of the subframe. The contact attempted to replace the control arms and noticed that a huge chunk on the subframe was rotted and corroded with a large hole near the front passenger side of the subframe. The contact stated that the steering wheel was approximately 40 degrees off balance. In addition, the steering wheel was adjusted while turning left or right to prevent independently intrusive steering due to the steering imbalance. The contact was unable to make repairs to the vehicle due to the damage associated with the mount of the subframe that had partially detached from the vehicle. The contact concluded that any replacement measures in relation to the failure would be faulty. Champion ford volvo (2502 west 26th street, erie, pennsylvania 16506, (814) 878-2500) was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the vehicle was inspected in 2014 per the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v165000 (structure), in which the crossbrace was applied to the vehicle for preventative subfame damage in july of 2014. The failure mileage was approximately 128,000.

Filed Aug 28, 2017 · Steering, Suspension · 173,200 miles · MN

The federal safety agency campaign number 14v16500. Lower control arm on the front passenger side lose, resulting in loss of steering control and increased risk of accident when driving. It may be due to rust and corrosion for the lose bolt that holds the underneath bracket.

Filed Aug 22, 2017 · Body · 70,000 miles · IL

Catastrophic failure of the front sub-frame engine cradle assembly. It completely rusted apart on the passenger side causing the lower control arm to come loose. My daughter was driving when it came loose causing the escape to run off the road. Thankfully there was plenty of shoulder on the rural road and no one was hurt. Had this been in traffic, an accident would have been inevitable. Called ford customer service - no help, there is nothing they can do. The car has been garage kept, well maintained with on 70k miles. Nothing else is rusted. This is clearly a defective part. More disturbing is that there was a recall 14s04 back in 2014. All that was done was to add reinforcement cross brace if rust was present. This did not address the defective part, nor, did the ford dealer notify us of the rusting part which was destine to fail. Based on this type of product support and concern for customer safety, we will be looking elsewhere for vehicles in the future.

Filed Aug 4, 2017 · Suspension · CA

Driver's side rear lower control arm broke causing left rear wheel to collapse. This occurred while backing out of garage. Just an hour before we had been on the freeway. Fortunately due to the low speed no major damage occurred and lower control arm was replace at a local firestone store.

Filed Jul 20, 2017 · Body · NY

2004 ford escape. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle front sub-frame crossbrace corrosion separation of lower control arm recall notice repairs. *m updated 07/20/2017

Filed Apr 12, 2017 · Body, Suspension · 118,000 miles · IA

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford escape. While driving 35 MPH, the vehicle violently bounced up and down without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear subframe was rusted and corroded and the rear lower control arm separated from the vehicle. The technician stated that the rear lower control arms needed to be replaced. The vehicle was serviced per the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v165000 (structure), but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 118,000.

Filed Apr 12, 2017 · Suspension · 155,000 miles · MI

Structure: frame and members. My lower control arm rear right rusted out separating entirely from the body of my escape. I live in michigan and noticed a ford recall 14v165000 but when I called the ford dealership they informed me that my vehicle is not affected by it. I quit driving my ford for risk of crashing. Please inform me why my vehicle is not affected but it is exactly what happened to my ford. [xxx] [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).'

Filed Mar 13, 2017 · 188,259 miles · MI

Dangerous failure of my car frame, while I was driving on a public road. This failure happened after the frame problem was identified and remedied a few years earlier. It was a separation of the lower control arm where it meets the frame. Very scary.