2004 Ford Escape problems and complaints

Owners have filed 499 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Ford Escape. The most-reported areas: Suspension (154), Structure (138), Vehicle Speed Control (98).

Key takeaways

  • 499 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
  • 29 involve a crash, 14 a fire, 16 reported injuries.
  • Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
Complaints by component
ComponentComplaintsShare
Suspension15431%
Structure13828%
Vehicle Speed Control9820%
Air Bags459%
Wheels347%
Electrical System316%
Engine316%
Service Brakes306%
Power Train275%
Steering265%
Engine And Engine Cooling184%
Visibility163%

One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

NHTSA 5-Star crash ratings
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
2004 Ford Escape 4-DR.Not ratedNot ratedNot ratedNot rated

Latest complaints, as filed

Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.

Latches/Locks/Linkages - filed 2026-03-03

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 recall repairs were performed; however, the c...

Structure - filed 2024-04-02

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 the vehicle had rolled into a ditch. The c...

Vehicle Speed Control,unknown Or Other,service Brakes - filed 2024-01-22

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 have had to swerve onto the side walk to ...

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More for the 2004 Ford Escape

Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.