2003 Ford Escape Complaint Log

SEPARATION OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FROM THE SUB-FRAME CAUSING HARD STEERING AND LOSS OF PROPER CONTROL. *TR

THIS VEHICLE IS PART OF THE FORD RECALL 14S02 (NHTSB #14V165000 ). I HAD THE RECALL DIRECTED CROSS-BRACE INSTALLED IN JUNE 2014 (3 MONTHS AGO). I WAS TURNING A CORNER AT ABOUT 5-10 MPH, HEARD A POP IN THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE CAR AND THEN HEARD A SCRAPING SOUND AND HAD DIFFICULTY STEERING. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO FOUND THAT THE CROSS-BRACE HAD FAILED BECAUSE THE SUBFRAME GAVE WAY. I WAS TOLD THAT THE BRACE WAS ONLY TO PROVIDE AN ENVELOPE OF SAFETY IF THE SUBFRAME FAILED BUT IT WAS NOT MEANT TO PREVENT FRAME FAILURE OR CORRECT FRAME WEAKNESS. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE SUBFRAME REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED AS PART OF THE RECALL AND THAT THE REPAIR WOULD COST ABOUT $2000. I DON'T THINK THAT A QUALITY VEHICLE WOULD HAVE A FRAME FAILURE AFTER ONLY 10 YEARS. I THINK THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND THAT SIMILAR TO TOYOTA, FORD IS TRYING TO SAY THEY PUT IN A FIX BUT NOT REALLY FIX THE REAL PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THAT MY FRAME WAS SEVERELY WEAKENED BEFORE THE CROSS-BRACE WAS INSTALLED AND THAT THE SUBFRAME SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED INSTEAD OF THE PATCH FIX DESIGNED IN THE RECALL WHICH FORD ADMITTED TO ME WAS ONLY TO HELP PREVENT INJURIES, NOT TO FIX A KNOWN DESIGN PROBLEM. YOU WOULD THINK THE MECHANICS WOULD WANT TO PROTECT CUSTOMERS FROM POTENTIALLY LETHAL STRUCTURAL FAILURES. MAYBE THEY DO BUT MANAGEMENT IS ONLY CONCERNED WITH PROFITS. FAILING TO STAND BEHIND THE QUALITY OF THEIR PRODUCT WILL COST FORD; THEY CERTAINLY HAVE LOST ME. *TR

ON JUNE 9 2014, I TOOK MY ESCAPE TO THE FORD DEALER TO HAVE RECALL 14S02 PERFORMED. WE HAD RECENTLY PURCHASED THE CAR AND HAD GOTTEN THE RECALL NOTICE. THE SERVICE WRITER CALLED ME TO SAY THAT "THE CAR WASN'T SAFE TO DRIVE" BECAUSE OF THE RUST SPOTS THAT HAD EATEN THROUGH THE ENGINE CRADLE. HE WARNED ME THAT IF THIS WENT UNREPAIRED, THE FRAME COULD COLLAPSE UNDER THE WEIGHT OF THE ENGINE. HE REASSURED ME THAT HE WAS WORKING WITH FORD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE CRADLE AS PART OF THE RECALL. HE TOOK PICTURES (TWICE) OF THE CAR AND SUBMITTED THEM AND A REQUEST TO FORD FOR THE REPAIR. ON JULY 13 2014, MORE THAN A MONTH LATER, THE SERVICE WRITER LET ME KNOW THAT FORD HAD REJECTED THE REPAIR CLAIM, SAYING THAT "THEY DIDN'T THINK THE RUST WAS SIGNIFICANT, IT WAS SURFACE RUST, AND THE CAR WAS ACTUALLY SAFE TO DRIVE." THE DEALER INSTALLED A BRACKET ACROSS THE BOTTOM OF THE RUSTY CRADLE. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE BRACKET IS PART OF THE RECALL. I PICKED THE CAR UP ON JULY 14 2014 AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS SAFE AND NOT TO WORRY ABOUT THE RUST. WE SUBSEQUENTLY SPENT OVER $1,500 MAKING OTHER REPAIRS TO THE CAR, BELIEVING IT WAS A GOOD INVESTMENT. LESS THAN 2 MONTHS LATER, ON SEPTEMBER 5 2014, MY DAUGHTER EXPERIENCED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE ENGINE CRADLE, BENDING THE DRIVE AXLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND RENDERING THE CAR UNABLE TO DRIVE. THE SERVICE WRITER HAD BEEN CORRECT, IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND IT DID FAIL. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER. ON SEPTEMBER 9 2014, I WAS TOLD THAT FORD HAD AGAIN REJECTED THE CLAIM TO REPAIR THE (BROKEN) ENGINE CRADLE. THIS TIME, THE REASON GIVEN WAS "THEY HAD ALREADY DONE THE RECALL" THAT WAS MEANT TO ADDRESS THE CRADLE DAMAGE FROM RUST. I HAVE APPEALED THE REJECTION THROUGH FORD CUSTOMER CARE AND THROUGH THE SPECIAL SERVICES GROUP AND THEY CONTINUE TO REJECT THE REPAIR. I WOULD LIKE FORD TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AT THEIR EXPENSE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (SUSPENSION); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

AT A SLOW SPEED, STEERING ALL OF THE SUDDEN BECAME ERRATIC. IT COULD NOT BE DRIVEN, SO MY LOCAL DEALER TOOK A LOOK AT IT. HE IS A CERTIFIED FORD MECHANIC. HE SAID THE SUBFRAME WAS DAMAGED AND IT WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE RECALL #14S02 WHICH IS FOR A CROSSBAR TO THE SUBFRAME DUE TO A POTENTIAL LOSS OF STEERING. WE HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE ONLY FORD DEALERSHIP IN OUR AREA, ONEONTA FORD. THE PUT THE CROSSBAR IN AND PERFORMED ONLY THE SPECIFIC RECALL WORK. THEY ARE TELLING ME NOW THAT IT STILL CANNOT BE DRIVEN AS THE SUBFRAME IS DAMAGED. THIS IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE ISSUE AND THE RECALL. I DON'T FEEL I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS. ONEONTA FORD IS NOT DOING THE RIGHT THING. *TR

FUEL TANK STRAP BROKE. STRAP FAILURE RESULTED IN EXHAUST SYSTEM SUPPORTING FUEL TANK. STRAP FAILURE DUE TO CORROSION. PHOTOS AVAILABLE....UPDATED12/17/14 *BF UPDATED 9/29/2015*JS *TR

AS I WAS DRIVING, I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR APPROXIMATELY 3/4 OF THE WAY TO PASS A VEHICLE. WHEN I RELEASED THE PEDAL- THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. I WAS EVENTUALLY ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP AFTER PLACING THE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL AND FIRMLY APPLYING THE BRAKES. AS I CAME TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE WAS BEGINNING TO SMOKE, AND I FEARED IT WAS GOING TO CATCH ON FIRE. I IMMEDIATELY EXITED THE VEHICLE, AND THE ENGINE WAS STILL RUNNING AT FULL THROTTLE. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SMOKE WORSE AND THEN I HEARD A LOUD BANG. THE VEHICLE MOTOR STOPPED AND A LARGE PUDDLE OF OIL AND METAL WAS ON THE GROUND UNDER THE VEHICLE. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT THERE IS AN ACTIVE RECALL FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM FROM FORD DUE TO A THROTTLE CABLE STICKING. FORD HAS REFUSED TO REPAIR THE ADDITIONAL DAMAGE CAUSED TO MY VEHICLE CAUSED BY AN ACTIVE RECALL. *TR

DRIVING VEHICLE AND HEARD A LOUD POP AND SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING. LIMPED THE VEHICLE HOME AND TOOK TO DEALER WHO CONTACTED FORD FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS. THEY INSTALLED A CROSS BRACE THAT DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. FORD WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO THE SUBFRAME BECAUSE IT HAS NOT FULLY DETACHED. THERE IS NO STEERING CONTROL AT ALL OVER 15MPH AND IN THEIR EYES IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE. SERVICE MANAGER AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP DROVE THE VEHICLE AND EXPERIENCED FOR HIMSELF THAT THERE IS NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. THE RECALL HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM AT ALL. *TR

2003 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO WAITING FOR VEHICLE PARTS TO COME IN. *SMD

THE ENCLOSED FORM WITH THE THINGS FIXED SHOULD HELP. I WAS TURNING AND THE WHEEL ALMOST FELL OFF. I WAS IN THE PARKING LOT SO NOTHING WAS HIT OR HURT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACTS OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND IT WAS STATED THAT THE FIRE STARTED NEAR THE ABS BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V156000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 162,063.

WHILE DRIVING TO AND FROM WORK, I HAVE USED MY SPEED CONTROL AT SPEEDS OF 75 TO 80 AND HAVE THE SPEED INCREASE WITH NO INPUT FROM ME. THE SPEEDS HAVE GOTTEN UP TO 90 BEFORE I COULD GET IT TO DISENGAGE AND THIS IS ONLY AFTER NUMEROUS HARD INPUTS ON BRAKE PEDAL AND THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, THIS PROBLEM IS AFTER I HAD THE REPAIR DONE PER RECALL12V-353. THE REPAIR WAS DONE ON 8/17/13, MILEAGE AT REPAIR WAS167,183. THIS VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE ANY PROBLEM WITH SPEED CONTROL BEFORE RECALL WORK WAS DONE. AS OF NOW 7/10/14 IT IS IN REPAIR SHOP TO INVESTIGATE THIS PROBLEM. APPR. 186890 MILES ON VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE SUBFRAME BECAME SEPARATED FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL AREA AND ALSO BECAME BENT. THE POWER STEERING ASSIST ALSO FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO VEER TO THE RIGHT AND SLIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, BUT THERE WAS NO DIAGNOSTIC TESTING PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

I AM WRITING ABOUT A RECALL FOR MY FORD ESCAPE. THIS RECALL INCLUDED THE FRONT CONTROL ARMS AND THE SUBFRAME. THEY WERE BEING RECALLED FOR CORROSION ON THE CONTROL ARMS AND IF SEPARATED FROM THE SUBFRAME IT COULD CAUSE SIGNIFICANT STEERING LOSS AND LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE CAR AND INCREASING CHANCE OF AN ACCIDENT. I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR THE RECALL FIX, THEY INSTALLED A REINFORCEMENT PART AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. AFTER THIS, SLOWLY, MY STEERING WHEEL STARTED BECOMING COCK-EYED. AFTER DRIVING IT LIKE THAT FOR A FEW DAYS,I NOTICED THAT AFTER I TAKE A LEFT TURN THE CAR WOULD JERK AS THE STEERING WHEEL STRAIGHTENED. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE FORD DEALER THAT FIXED THE RECALL, SINCE THE RECALL CLEARLY STATED THAT IT COULD LOSE STEERING CONTROL AND ASKED THEM TO LOOK AT IT AGAIN, THINKING THAT HE RECALL WAS NOT FIXED PROPERLY OR SOMETHING ELSE TO DO WITH THE RECALL IS FAILING. THEY LOOKED AT IT AND SAID THAT THE SUBFRAME IS CORRODED AND IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE RECALL. AND THAT IT WOULD COST 1800 DOLLARS TO FIX. I ASKED WHY IT WASN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALL SINCE THE STEERING IS EFFECTED, THEY SAID THAT THE SUBFRAME WASN'T INCLUDED. I HAVE READ SEVERAL DOCUMENTS ABOUT THIS RECALL AND SEVERAL OF THEM STATE THAT THE SUBFRAME IS INCLUDED. SO I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER CARE, THEY STATED THAT THE RECALL ONLY INCLUDED THE SUBFRAME IF THE CONTROL ARM SEPARATED FROM IT BEFORE THE RECALL WAS FIXED NOT AFTER. I THINK THIS IS SO UNFAIR, SINCE CLEARLY THE SUBFRAME WAS CORRODED WHEN THEY DID THE RECALL FIX. THEY HAD TO HAVE SEEN THAT, JUST BECAUSE IT WASN'T SEPARATED AT THE TIME DOESN'T MEAN IT SHOULDN'T BE INCLUDED. ANYWAY, I ENDED UP TAKING IT TO MY OWN MECHANIC WHO CAN FIX IT FOR ALOT LESS, BUT IT IS STILL COSTING ME 1400 DOLLARS!! I CAN'T AFFORD IT, CAN SOMETHING BE DONE ABOUT THIS, I THINK IT SHOULD BE FIXED FOR FREE, AND THAT THE SUB FRAME SHOULD BE INCLUDED. PLEASE HELP, THANKS. RECALL 14S02. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED AFTER THE CONTACT APPLIED FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN PULLING TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AFTER APPLYING FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT OFFER A REMEDY. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIRS WERE NOT COMPLETED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 127,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILED AND CAUSED A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT REMAINED FOR TWO MONTHS HOWEVER, ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SHE FELT HER VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000. UPDATED 9/19/14*CN UPDATED 2/20/2015 *JS

I TOOK MY 2003 FORD ESCAPE TO DEALER TO HAVE CROSS BRACE PUT ON DUE TO RECALL. I KNOW MORE THAN LEFT THEIR PARKING LOT AND NOTICE CAR DRIVING FUNNY. EVER SINCE BEING PUT ON I HAVE TO REPLACE CONTROL ARM ON PASSENGER FRONT, NEW TIRES AND 2 ALIGNMENTS. NOW I HAVE TO HAVE CV JOINTS REPLACED BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE VIBRATION. I CALLED THE DEALER AND COMPLAINED ABOUT CAR DRIVING FUNNY THEY BASICALLY TOLD ME ITS NOT THERE FAULT. I HAVE SOAKED ALMOST $1000 IN REPAIRS DUE TO CROSSBAR BEING PUT ON MY CAR. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED THERE ARE FLAWS IN THE CROSS BRACE BEING INSTALLED ON CARS. I HAVE HAD VEHICLE FOR ALMOST 3 YEARS WITH NO PROBLEMS AND SINCE DEALER MESSED WITH MY CAR I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. *TR

MY ESCAPE IS PART OF THE HHTSA 14V-165 RECALL. FORD DEALER INSPECTED SUSPENSION/SUB FRAME AREA ON 6/11/2014 AND DETERMINED IT WAS BAD. HOLE SIZE WAS APPROX. 3INX6IN. SERVICE MAN SAID HE WAS ONLY AUTHORIZED TO PUT ON CROSS BRACE BUT ALSO SAID HE WOULD TALK TO REP ABOUT REPLACING SUB FRAME. HE AND I BOTH TOOK PICTURES. I DID NOT FEEL SAFE AFTER SEEING THE FLIMSY CROSS BRACE INSTALLED DUE TO THE FACT THAT WHERE IT BOLTS ON WAS WHERE A MAJORITY OF RUST IS. HE EVEN SAID HE WOULDN'T WANT TO BE DRIVING VEHICLE. AFTER 3 1/2 WEEKS STILL CAN NOT GET AN ANSWER IF THEY WILL REPLACE THE BAD PART. IF SUBFRAME BREAKS THE CROSS BRACE AREA WILL NOT BE STRONG ENOUGH TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF VEHICLE. *JS

HI, I TOOK MY 2003 FORD ESCAPE INTO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE A RECALL FIXED AND SINCE THE REPAIR THE VEHICLE HAS GOTTEN WORSE, THE RECALL WAS FOR A STEERING STABILIZER AND MY STEERING HAS GOTTEN MORE WOBBLY....I HAVE EMAIL BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND THE COMPANY AND SO FAR NOTHING AND THAT HAS BEEN SINCE THE BEGINNING OF JUNE. THANK YOU. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 14V165000 (LOWER CONTROL ARM). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND A REINFORCEMENT CROSS-BRACE WAS INSTALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CROSS-BRACE WAS NOT WORKING FOR HIS VEHICLE DUE TO THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS BEING COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.

I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO A FORD DEALER THREE WEEKS AGO AND THEY HAD TO ORDER THE PART. I'M STILL WAITING FOR THEM TO CALL ME FOR MY REPAIRS. MIKE CASTRUCCI ST. RT.28 MILFORD,OHIO 45150. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE HEARD AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BECAME DETACHED FROM THE SUB FRAME, WHICH HAD EXTENSIVE CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM, THE SUB FRAME AND THE CV JOINT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V165000 (SUSPENSION). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 230,000.

MY AIRBAG LIGHT STAY ON, HAD FORD DEALER CHECK OUT THE PROBLEM, INFORM OF THE DEFECT WITH THE SEAT BELTS HARNESS IS NOT WORKING UP TO STANDER. IF I GOT INTO A CRASH, THE SEAT BELTS WOULD NOT HOLD ME BACK. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUB FRAME FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NOTICE 14V165000 (STEERING) IN MAY 2014 AND ATTEMPTED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BUT THE PARTS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DELAY. THERE WERE NO FAILURES AT THIS TIME.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE VEHICLE WAS SMOKING AND RUSHED HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM MODULE HARNESS AND MASTER CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKING SYSTEM CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (LOWER CONTROL ARM CORROSION); HOWEVER, THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. JCC UPDATED 08/19/14*LJ UPDATED 08/23/2017*CT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY WHICH CAUSED A LOSS OF STEERING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL AND MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FIRST TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE ENGINE CRADLE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THERE WAS A VOLUNTARY RECALL ISSUED BY THE MANUFACTURER RELATED TO A NEWLY DESIGNED ENGINE CRADLE CROSS MEMBER BRACKET. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE REMEDY FAILED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

2003 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO LOWER CONTROL ARM CORROSION RECALL NOTICE PROBLEMS. *SMD THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND THAT WAS IN MAY. THE DEALER STATED TO CALL BACK IN JULY. TO DATE, THE RECALL HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. THE CONSUMER REFERENCED RECALL # 14V165000. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE), IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUBFRAME WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 164,429. UPDATED 10/01/14 *BF UPDATED 1/7/2015 *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG FAILED TO ACTIVATE WHEN THE SEAT OCCUPANT WAS UTILIZING THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNABLE TO BE REPLICATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 230,907. UPDATED 09/02/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE REPAIRED. IT WAS ADVISED THAT THE SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED. UPDATED 09/12/2014 *JS

MY 2003 FOR ESCAPE REFUSES TO START AFTER BEING DRIVEN UNTIL SEVERAL HOURS IF NOT DAYS LATER. I HAVE REPLACED THE STARTER TWICE THE FIRST TIME IT WORKED FOR 2 MONTHS AND IT DID IT AGAIN ON 9-2-14 REPLACED THE STARTER AGAIN AND IT WILL NOT START STILL THERE IS NO POWER GOING TO ANY OF THE ELECTRICAL PARTS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF FUEL. I HAVE REPLACED ALL RELAYS AND FUSES AND STILL NOTHING. I WAS STRANDED WITH MY 5 MONTH OLD AND 16 MONTH OLD IN 100 DEGREE WEATHER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LATCHES AND LOCKS ON THREE OF THE DOORS WERE INOPERABLE. THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WAS THE ONLY DOOR THAT WAS OPERABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY WHERE THE CONTACT FUEL TANK STRAPS WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO STATED THAT BOTH FUEL TANK STRAPS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,489.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V165000 (SUSPENSION-LOWER CONTROL ARM REGIONAL) AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THERE WERE RUST HOLES ON THE SURFACE OF THE FRAME AND MADE AN INTERIM REPAIR, WHICH INCLUDED ATTACHING A CROSS MEMBER AND SUPPORT BAR TO THE SUBFRAME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHORTLY AFTER THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED, THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL POPPING NOISE FROM THE FRONT END. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO COMPLETE A TURN WHEN THE LOUD, POPPING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BECAME DETACHED FROM THE SUBFRAME ON THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE VEHICLE THEN BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE MULTIPLE TIMES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,716.

I CANT REMEMBER I JUST REMEMBER MY HEAD LIGHTS GOING OUT AND I TRIED TO CONTROL MY CAR AND COULDN'T. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V165000 (SUSPENSION) AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 12V353000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE VEHICLE LATER STALLED WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE ACCELERATION FAILURE BY FORCEFULLY APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE MANUFACTURE WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THAT THE THROTTLE NEEDED TO BE CLEANED OR REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING DOWNHILL AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED AS THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY CAME TO A STOP. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE WAS COLLAPSED INWARDLY WHICH CAUSED THE CONTROL ARM TO FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, THEY STATED THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,000...UPDATED 08/11/14 *CN

WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE 30 MINUTES PRIOR. WE WERE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC UNTIL LEAVING THE FREEWAY 1 LIGHTS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. WHEN MY DAUGHTER TRIED TO USE THE BRAKES THE PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR. WHEN SHE PUMPED THEM NUMEROUS TIMES, THERE WASN'T ANY CHANGE. SHE DIDN'T HAVE ANY BRAKES. SHE REAR ENDED MY NEWLY PURCHASED VEHICLE FROM THE SAME DEALERSHIP. POLICE WERE AT THE LIGHT WHERE SHE REARENDED ME. THEY CONFIRMED NO BRAKES, MY HUSBAND DID, THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER TOO. WHEN IT WAS RECEIVED TO THE BODY SHOP ON MONDAY MORNING THE BRAKES WERE VERY SOFT ACCORDING TO THE TECHNICIAN. AFTER SITTING FOR A WEEK, THE BRAKES WORKED FINE. THEY CANT DETERMINE WHY THE BRAKES FAILED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS THE FIRST CALL I MADE AT THE ACCIDENT AND THEY TOLD ME THEY KNOW IT HAD LEGAL BRAKES. COME TO FIND OUT THE BRAKE FLUID WAS BLACK AND HAS AN OUTSTANDING RECALL WITH THE ABS THAT HAD NEVER BEEN TAKEN CARE OF. THERE IS ALSO A RECALL ON CERTAIN MASTER CYLINDERS WHICH WERE FAULTY/LEAKING AND THE STOCK NUMBERS. UNFORTUNATELY THE STOCK NUMBER WAS REMOVED FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER. WE HAVE A VEHICLE THAT NEVER EVEN MADE IT TO OUR HOME THAT IS NOW TOTALED. THE DEALERSHIP IS ONLY GOING TO "MAKE IT RIGHT" WITH PROOF THAT THE BRAKES FAILED. THE POLICE REPORT STATES SUCH AND I HAVE THE REPORT FROM THE BODYSHOP, BUT AFTER WAITING FOR THE INSURANCE TO HAVE THE TEST DONE, THEY CANT CONFIRM LOSS OF BRAKES. THEY CAN ONLY STATE THE FLUID BEING BLACK. WE NOW ARE HAVING TO FIGHT TO NOT LOSE OUR TRADE IN VALUE AND TO NOT HAVE A REPORTABLE ACCIDENT AGAINST MY DAUGHTER VS A MECHANICAL FAILURE. THIS IS A NIGHTMARE BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND THE INSURANCE ARE NOT MAKING THIS EASY. THE MOST EXPENSIVE VEHICLE I EVER OWNED FOR 30 MINUTES IS ALL I CAN SAY. *TR

TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, SHE HEARD A LOUD POPPING SOUND AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WENT ACROSS FOUR LANES, ROLLED OVER TWICE, LANDED INTO INCOMING TRAFFIC AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED THREE BROKEN VERTEBRAE, AND LACERATIONS TO HER HEAD. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

ACCELERATOR STUCK CAUSING DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL AND GO OFF ROAD INTO A BUILDING. *TR

I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR THE RECALL DUE TO INVOLUNTARY ACCELERATION AND HAD THE RECALL COMPLETED ABOUT 1-1.5 YEARS AGO. TODAY, WHEN I WAS LEAVING WORK FOR LUNCH, THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY BEGAN ACCELERATING WHEN IT WAS TAKEN OUT OF PARK. WHEN I WOULD TRY TO STOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD STOP FOR A SECOND, THEN BEGIN TO TRY TO ACCELERATE AGAIN. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME SAFELY ONLY BECAUSE I THOUGHT TO PUT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AT ANY STOP SIGNS OR STOP LIGHTS, THEN BACK INTO DRIVE WHEN THE LIGHTS TURNED GREEN AGAIN. I ONLY KNEW TO DO THIS BECAUSE I HAD HAD THE SAME TYPE OF ISSUES PRIOR TO THE RECALL. IN THIS INCIDENT, I NEVER ONCE USED THE CRUISE CONTROL THOUGH. IT ACCELERATED ALL ON ITS OWN. I HAD ONE OTHER SITUATION SIMILAR TO THIS ABOUT A YEAR AGO, BUT THAT WAS WHEN I WAS USING MY CRUISE CONTROL AND IT WOULDN'T DISENGAGE. MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP WILL NOT LOOK AT IT UNLESS I PAY THE $80 DIAGNOSTIC FEE, WHICH IS RIDICULOUS BECAUSE THIS ISSUE WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN FIXED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH HE TRIED TO ACCELERATE AND THE RPMS INCREASED. THE BRAKE FAILED TO ENGAGE UNTIL HE PUT THE GEAR SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS TO MUCH AIR GOING INTO THE THROTTLE BODY, AND THE COLD AIR WAS FREEZING THE THROTTLE BODY AND PREVENTED IT FROM FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000. UPDATED 3/5/14*CN *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE RIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AS THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 136,000.

I HAVE ENTERED THE VIN CORRECTLY BUT YOUR SYSTEM DOESN'T RECOGNIZE IT. FIRST FLAT TIRE IN THE 10 YEARS I HAVE OWNED CAR PURCHASED NEW. JACK, JACK TOOLS AND TEMPORARY SPARE NEVER USED BEFORE.. FOLLOWING OWNER'S MANUAL INSTRUCTIONS, JACK DOES NOT RAISE VEHICLE HIGH ENOUGH TO REMOVE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT WHEEL AND SPECIFIED STANDARD-SIZE TIRE. ATTEMPTED FLAT REPAIR ON FLAT PAVED SURFACE. I HAVE 50 YEARS EXPERIENCE WORKING ON AUTOMOBILES.THIS FLAW COULD BE LIFE-THREATENING IF SOMEONE IS TRYING TO REPLACE A FLAT TIRE IN DANGEROUS CONDITIONS (DARKNESS, WEATHER, DANGEROUS LOCATION,MEDICAL EMERGENCY). THE JACK WORKS MECHANICALLY AND LIFTED THE RIGHT REAR CORNER OF THE VEHICLE BUT LACKED 4 TO 6 INCHES OF LIFTING VEHICLE HIGH ENOUGH TO REMOVE WHEEL. THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT AND NOT AN INCOMPETENT USER. JACK WAS POSITIONED AS SHOWN IN MANUAL. MY FIRST CAR WAS A 1931 MODEL A FORD AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE ENCOUNTERED AN OEM JACK THAT WOULDN'T WORK AT LEAST ONCE. *TR

VEHICLE STALLS OR WILL NOT START AS DESCRIBED IN FORD RECALL NUMBER 04S13. I HAVE REPLACED MULTIPLE PARTS INCLUDING FUEL PUMP, GAS CAP, FUEL FILTER,ETC. AND NOW I FOUND THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE PCM PROGRAMMING ON THIS VEHICLE. I PURCHASED THIS TRUCK USED AND DO NOT KNOW IF THIS WAS SERVICED. THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM AS STALLING CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS FRACTURED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,994. UPDATED 3/12/15*CN UPDATED 9/11/2017*CN