On a trip to upper peninsula, michigan this past week we experienced a failure of the front subframe crossbrace, a near catastrophic event as the piece broke. We were in grayling, michigan and were stopped near an independent service provider who showed us the damage and attempted to find a used part. The one he found had the exact same rust and break as ours and thus he ordered a new one from ford. In the meantime we were forced to rent a car and continue on to our vacation destination. After we returned home I learned that there had been a recall of these vehicles for just such a failure. I took the car and the broken crossbrace to mike castrucci ford in alexandria, ky where the warranty officer informed me that our escape was not part of the factory recall. She was able to tell me why and was very helpful although clear that nothing could be done. The argument was presented that the failed part in the recall was made by a particular manufacturer and used in certain plants or vehicles. I get the point but I have a car that failed in exactly the same way due to excessive rust and presented the same risk of catastrophic failure that we narrowly avoided by luck. The repair replacement cost over $1000 plus labor. I believe vehicles like mine should be part of the recall. Our front wheel could have totally collapsed while we were traveling at high speed.
2004 Ford Escape suspension complaints
Page 5 of 6: complaints 101 to 130 of 154, newest first, as owners wrote them.
The right rear wheel well is rusting out so that the shock to break loose. I was told it's unsafe by several mechanics/body shops to drive. This is the only car that I have to transport my three children and it's not going to be a cheap fix. This needs to be recalled before someone gets injured or worse!!!
While driving heard a loud clunking noise coming from the passenger side rear wheel well. Arrived home to inspect the area of concern. Found that the passenger side rear shock mount had completely separated from the wheel well due to extensive rusting. This allowed the shock to travel upward striking the plastic interior trim panel. This vehicle was garage kept until two years ago. It also passed state inspection requirements nine months ago. I am not a mechanical engineer. However, I do not believe a critical suspension component should be attached to sheet metal that is prone to rust. I have taken the time and made the effort to inspect several other vehicle manufacturers and find that their suspension system is connected to a solid component of the frame. Obviously this is an engineered design flaw of a critical safety component that possibly could result in unsafe handling at highway speed. With only one rear shock attached to the vehicle an uncontrollable rear sway could occur resulting in a possible roll over. Given the number of reported complaints of the same nature, which given known statistics is a small percentage of actual cases, I do request a recall to be made.
The right rear shock tower rusted through and the shock has come through the plastic moulding. The car drives but is unstable and unsafe.
I was driving home from the store and started hearing a loud banging noise coming from the rear of the truck. Upon investigation I discovered what I believe to be a major safety concern in my 2004 ford escape. The rear passenger side wheel well over the shock tower completely rusted out and separated over the shock. I have been told and seen that this seems to be a common problem with my vehicle and other years of escapes. After speaking with an independent body shop in my area they informed me this was a common problem they have seen several times before. But when I contacted 3 local ford dealers they all claimed to have never seen it before. And wanted to charge me a hundred dollars just to look at it. I am told the vehicle is undriveable in this condition. And that in most cases can not be repaired. After doing much research online I found hundreds of other people with the same exact problem. I have also contacted ford and am awaiting a response. I would like to see a recall made on this as I can see this being a major problem that could have caused an accident. And is going to be a very expensive repair job if it is even repairable. I have photos but am not sure how to attach them.
After investigating a loud noise. I found out that my right rear shock tower was rusted out and making the noise. After researching the problem I found out that there are many people out there with the same problem. This is a very costly fix that fords should have do do as a recall. This is also dangerous. If this part breaks while driving it could cause a accident or worse. Please consider this problem and as a safety issue. Recall this problem with fords. The car is undrivable.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford escape. The contact stated while driving various speeds he heard an abnormal sound coming from the right rear passenger side of the vehicle. The contact discovered that right rear wheel well was covered with rust causing the shocks to fail. An independent mechanic discovered that the shock absorber needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.
While my son was driving he heard a loud clunking noise came from back of the car. He stop , pull over and take a look to see what happening and when he look in to the rear wheel well he see it was damaged badly . He made appointment to take car to ford dealer to check it out . They checked it and told him that the shock mount had rusted completely through the shock mount and no longer attach to the car, they told him that he should not drive it because it could cause bad accident and very dangerous . He asked them about the corrosion recall which I got a letter from ford but they said the recall is for a corrosion with the sub frame where it connect to the lower control arm and nothing about the problem my car having . They told him it will cost about $3000 to have it repair . I am very upset about this , the car only 10 years old . I check on line to see anyone has the same problem with 2004 ford escape with the same issue I could not believed that there are numerous complaint about same issue and it caught my eyes that most people had this problem at the same period of 10 years . I want to see the government should force ford to have a recall before someone get killed or hurt . Ford should stand behind their quality if they are trying to hide this problem they should be punish to the extend of the law.
I have a 2004 ford escape . I received a recall notice for a corrosion issue with the sub frame where it connects to the lower control arms . I haven't had an issue with it yet and was planning on getting the recall work done within the next couple of weeks . On 8/02/2014 when I pulled in my driveway I heard a loud clunking noise coming from the rearof my escape . When I look in the right rear wheel well I could see an 8 inch area around the shock mount had rusted completely through the shock mount was no longer attached to the vehicle . I'm sure this could have caused a accident had I been driving down the road when it happened . I did a google search and found an endless list of people with the same issue . I called my local ford dealer and was told they could do the recall work on the front of the vehicle but there was not a recall for the rear wheel well /shock mount . I can not believe there is not a recall yet for such a serious and common problem . Please look into this situation . I work for ford and this makes me sick , they should not have to be forced into implementing a recall for such a serious problem . Ford should issue a recall on their own before someone is hurt or dies from this problem . This is a control item and ford should be held accountable !
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford escape. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speed, there was an unusual sound that came from the rear of the vehicle. The contact was able to maneuver the vehicle to the side of the road and observed that the rear wheel control arms had become detached due to corrosion. The contact did not notify a dealer or an independent mechanic however, she contacted the manufacturer and was told that there were no safety recalls in regard to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 113,000.
Driving down the road wirht my 2 young kids and all sudden go over the train tracks and the rear strut broke from the shock mount and came right up thru the vehicle I have found thousands of complaints on this issue, ford needs to step up luck I gained control of vehicle with a 1 mont old baby and a 3 year old this is searious matter! Someone is going to die because of this it needs to be fixed!
July 26,2014 in october 2013, I could not get my car inspected ( ford escape 2004 ) because the sub frame in the front was so badly rusted the steering rods was falling off and would not pass inspection. This was before the recall notice. 14502/the federal safety agency recall 14v‑165, so I had a new subframe installed. Reference # 10547199. [xxx] at clarion ford would do nothing because there was no recall at the time. I have sent all the information, and cost, to ford in june 2014 and have not heard nothing from ford. Is there anything that you could do that would have ford contact me? Thank you information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Right side shock tower rusted out . Car is unsafe to drive.
I bought my 04 escape brand new, and am the original owner car garage kept, this is a severe safety issue!! Rusted out wheel well and shock mount went right through the frame while driving at only 15 MPH out of a parking lot.
The right rear shock tower mount completely broke away from the vehicle subframe due to corrosion/rust. This caused the shock to lean outward toward the tire. This could not be seen by the undercoating as a problem previous and apparently allowed it to corrode to the point that it broke free. This exact same issue occurred in my insurance lady's ford escape, which I believe was only one model year different. Also only on the right rear shock tower. In speaking with the body shop on the repair, they have also heard of this issue and state that ford has not recognized it as a recall issue. This is a costly repair, and time consuming repair as the vehicle is gone for almost a week. This is also a very dangerous issue due to how it falls apart. We are lucky we were within the city limits and only traveling about 30 MPH when it occurred.
2004 ford escape. Consumer writes in regards to lower control arm rust recall notice. *smd the consumer stated while driving on the interstate, he heard a loud noise from the rear wheel well on the passenger side. He pulled over, and discovered the shock was hanging down. He was unable to pull it of. So he drove back home, and upon further examination, he discovered there was no fender left on the shock. Also, the trunk lid was rusting. *jb the consumer he was able to remove the key from the ignition while the gear was in drive. The consumer stated he pulled into the driveway, shut the engine off and placed the keys in the console. He exited the vehicle to remove items from the back seat. Soon after, the vehicle started to roll backwards. Updated 06/01/16.
Rusted out right wheel well with structural collapse. We bought this car used from a local ford dealer in april of 2013. This car was being driven on a freeway on june 15, 2014 when a loud thumping started in the right rear wheel on . On inspection the right rear wheel well is rusted out. The support that the shock absorber is attached to was completely eroded and a part of it punched through the wall into the interior of the trunk area. We felt it was not safe to drive. We had it towed to another ford dealer who diagnosed the problem. The estimated cost of repair is $2259. Review of the federal safety agency complaint web site reveals many other owners with exactly the same problem.
I have a hole and rust forming in the passenger side rear wheel. This is beginning to expose the shock area. I live in a high salt area.
Tl -the contact owns a 2004 ford escape. The contact stated that in june 2014, she received the federal safety agency recall campaign number: 14v165000(suspension). She attempted to have the vehicle repaired but the parts were unavailable; however, ford on numerous occasions could not provide a solid answer on when the parts would be available or how long it would take to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact had not experienced the failure.
Rear passenger shock mount rusting out.
On a family vacation, the rear passenger side upper shock mount experienced complete failure, breaking away from the rear wheel well entirely. Imagine my outrage when I come to find out that rusted out passenger rear wheel wells are a common problem on the ford escapes for this year. The well-being of my family was put in jeopardy because ford has failed to issue a recall on this flawed engineering. That is shameful. This is a serious safety issue that could've ended poorly for me and my family! Please address this issue.
Recall notice arrived in the mail on saturday may 31st. Called local ford dealership on monday morning june 2nd at 8 am< to make an appointment and was told the earliest opening they had was december 22nd 2014- this is way too far away if there is a safety concern with my vehicle - dealership is romano ford on burdick street, fayetteville ny 13066 - (315) 637-4668 is there any way to get faster repairs???
We were driving out of our subdivision and heard a loud banging noise that continued from that point. We pulled over an investigated and found the right rear shock had come loose at the top mount. Upon further review by a repair shop, the wheel/fender well has corroded including the integral shock mount. The vehicle is unsafe to drive.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle being serviced, it was advised that the sub frame was extremely corroded. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who advised that the vehicle was not worth repairing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the vehicle was included in the federal safety agency campaign id number: 14v165000 (suspension front) however, the contact no longer owned the vehicle. The approximate failure mileage was 111,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford escape. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, there was an abnormal noise coming from the front passenger side wheel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the wheel house strut mount was entirely rusted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem, the approximate failure mileage 105,000.
I have a 2004 ford escape (6 cyl., front wheel drive) that now has over 110,000 miles. At 108,465 miles, the #2 catalytic converter blew and was replaced (along with all 6 ignition coils). A second mechanic found debris in the #3 catalytic converter, cleaned it and the exhaust system. (the engine was not getting enough air passing through the exhaust system and would barely make it up a hill.) then he discovered the right rear wheel well was rusting out posing a severe threat that the shock absorber will punch through into the body of the car making the escape totally inoperable. A recall is already out for ford minivans for the same issue but apparently not for the escapes. Why not? This can be repaired at a cost of nearly $2,000. With the catalytic converter and ignition coils, I've already spent over $2500 and don't have the $2,000 for this necessary repair due to poor materials used to make this vehicle.
I was driving down the road and hit a pothole, after hitting the pothole there was a loud clunking noise coming from the rear. After inspection the entire shock mount had rusted away from the body and became separated. It was free to jolt around and cause further damage. Not safe to be driving this vehicle now.
I'm driving on a newly paved street when I heard a large noise, like a bomb going off, near the right rear of my vehicle. Then I heard something hitting against the right rear tire. I pulled over and looked at the vehicle when I looked under the vehicle to the right rear wheel well the well was rusted out and the shock and mount was now detached from the frame. The ford escape is not drivable. The rear wheel well is so rusted out there is a hole into the storage compartment in the rear of the vehicle. When I look from inside the storage compartment/hatch area of the escape I can see the outside through the hole.
My wife noticed a clunking coming from the right rear of the vehicle. I was able to identify that the issue is a separation in the wheelhouse where the strut attaches to the wheel well. The factory-applied undercoating failed and caused the metal area beneath it to rust out. There is a visible hole in the structure, and we are able to see into the trunk area. Our body shop advises that the vehicle is no longer safe to drive, and that full detachment of the top strut mount is imminent. After investigation, he also advises us that he found online nearly 100 similar incidents on similar vehicles ranging from 2004-2006, all with varying mileage. In fact, he has two vehicles on his property that share the same concern: one lost full integrity, and the strut blew through the body into the cargo space; the other shares a similar level of failure as our car. It is also his professional opinion that this sort of rust-out is not common nor expected of a vehicle this age. After extensive local research and personal investigation, I have found in my city alone a half dozen ford escape-style vehicles of the same years-range with similar issues at various stages of concern. I also have recorded over 200 complaints from several bulletin boards across the internet noting similar concerns. We have yet to personally contact ford, yet we see from the postings that the response is the same: ford does not consider this an issue. Ford, however, has slated later this month to issue a recall related to a similar suspension-rust issue in the vehicle's right front wheelhouse. As the loss of an effective strut can cause serious handling, braking and suspension safety issues at any corner of the automobile, this concern from the rear of the vehicle should be no different.
Right rear suspension shock absorber mount detached and pushed through body of vehicle. Vehicle now is unstable and dangerous.
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