2004 FORD ESCAPE Problems
Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2004 Ford Escape. This model year has 499 NHTSA complaints — top issue: Suspension Failures.
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This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.
Worst 2004 Ford Escape Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Suspension Failures
Structural Problems
Unintended Acceleration
Considering a 2004 Ford Escape?
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2004 Ford Escape. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension Failures | 154 | 1 | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 138 | 5 | 1 | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 98 | 23 | 4 | — | |
| Engine Problems | 49 | 3 | 4 | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 45 | 6 | 1 | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 34 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 31 | — | 5 | — | |
| Brake System | 30 | 5 | 2 | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 27 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 26 | 1 | — | — | |
| Visibility | 16 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 15 | 1 | 2 | — | |
| Hydraulic | 11 | 1 | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 10 | — | 1 | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 10 | 1 | — | — | |
| Gasoline | 9 | — | 1 | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Door Lock Issues | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Issues | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control (Esc) | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Parking-Brake Issues | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 1 | 1 | — | — | |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Electric | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment Adaptive/Mobility | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Other | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2004 Ford Escape. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Showing 400 most recent complaints of 499 total. View all on NHTSA ↗
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V602000 (Latches/Locks/Linkages); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to a local dealer, where other recal…
The contact owned a 2004 Ford Escape. The contact's son stated while driving at approximately 45 MPH, he lost control of the vehicle and rolled. The contact stated that her son had gone unconscious and did not remember any details. The contact arrived at the scene and saw that th…
A few times I have pressed the brakes when coming to a red light and stop signs But instead of my vehicle stopping it propelled me forward as it excellerated out of no where and pushed me into oncoming traffic, I almost was hit by other cars and I almost hit other cars and even h…
Brake master cylinder is leaking brake fluid I read about a previous recall not sure if it pertains to my model but it leaks everytime I push my brake pedal
UNKNOWN
I have a 2004 Ford Escape which I absolutely love knocking on the door of almost 300,000 miles. Go Ford. But lately my airbag light blinks and my escape beeps 5 times every 8 seconds or so and then it repeats itself with a total of 20 beeps. After the beeping is finished my airba…
The contact owns a 2004 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, he heard an abnormal noise coming from the rear of the vehicle and started to smell fuel in the vehicle. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to park on the side of …
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 ruste…
There seems to be a wiring grounding problem. I have had to replace multiple alternators over the length of time that I've had this vehicle. Whenever I have to use my windshield wipers during mid to heavy rain, along with lights, and heat/ac. The next day my alternator doesn't …
after experiencing steering issues with this vehicle I had it inspected by a mechanic and was told the sub frame was rusted out. my research indicated repairs may be covered under a recall for this issue but found no recalls for this vin. the problem is exactly as described on th…
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 i…
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 V…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ASHEVILLE FORD LOCATED AT (611 BREVARD RD ASHEVILLE NC 28806 828 253 2731) BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTAC…
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"…
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
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 LOW…
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 B…
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 …
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 …
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
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2004 Ford Escape.
Recalls for 2004 Ford Escape
8 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2004 Ford Escape. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
2004 Ford Escape — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2004 Ford Escape reliable?▾
Severe Issues. The 2004 Ford Escape has 499 NHTSA owner complaints, 29 crash-related, and 8 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Suspension Failures (154 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Ford Escape?▾
#1: Suspension Failures (154 complaints). #2: Structural Problems (138 complaints). #3: Unintended Acceleration (98 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2004 Ford Escape?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2004 Ford Escape?▾
The 2004 Ford Escape has 29 crash-related complaints and 14 fire reports out of 499 total NHTSA complaints. 16 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2004 Ford Escape have any recalls?▾
Yes — 8 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2004 Ford Escape. The largest issue: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.
Should I buy a 2004 Ford Escape?▾
The 2004 Ford Escape has severe issues — review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Suspension Failures issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Ford Escape reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Check Your Specific 2004 Ford Escape
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.