2004 Ford Escape Complaint Log

EXCESSIVE CORROSION IN REAR WHEEL WELLS, STRAPS HOLDING GAS TANK AND UNDERSIDE OF RUNNING BOARDS. BOTH RUNNING BOARDS COMPLETELY FELL OFF, THE STRAPS HOLDING THE TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE TANK WAS IN DANGER OF FALLING OFF. THIS CAR IS IN A COVERED GARAGE 90% OF THE TIME. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH DOWNHILL AND THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL REPEATEDLY HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO DECELERATE UNTIL THE GEAR LEVER WAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONLY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 12V353000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 215,198.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR REPAIR. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WIRING IN THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEATS WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE POLICE WERE NOTIFIED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A MECHANIC AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE PARTS NEEDED TO SERVICE THE VEHICLE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 12V353000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES) WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME JAMMED. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKES BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DECELERATE. THE CONTACT VEERED IN AND OUT OF TRAFFIC AND CRASHED INTO TWO GUARD RAILS, FORCING THE VEHICLE ONTO TWO WHEELS UNTIL THE VEHICLE FINALLY CAME TO A STOP. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE HEAD, NECK AND BACK. THE POLICE WERE CONTACTED AND A REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND WAS PENDING AN INVESTIGATION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 110,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

THE PROBLEM STARTED WHEN THE CAR WAS DRIVING AND ALL OF SUDDEN THE CAR STARTS STRUGGLING AND THEN SHUTS OFF. IT WOULD TAKE A SEVERAL ATTEMPTS FOR THE CAR TO RESTART BUT EVENTUALLY IT WOULD. NOW THE CARS JUST IDLES AND RUNS REALLY ROUGH AND SHUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. TOOK IT TO FORD AND THEY SAID ALL IT NEEDED WAS A NEW CAT-CONVERTER MANIFOLD, NOT STATING WHY. WE REPLACED IT ($1500) BUT THE PROBLEM STILL REPEATED. TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY SAID IT NEEDED TO REPLACE 6 IGNITION COILS AND PLUGS AND POSSIBLY THE PCM. THEY ALSO SAID THE IGNITION COILS CAUSED THE CAT-CONVERTOR MANIFOLD TO MALFUNCTION IN THE FIRST PLACE. SO WE REPLACED ALL COILS AND PLUGS FOR $1600 BUT THEY SAID THE PCM WAS FINE FOR NOW BUT IT WAS A MATTER OF TIME FOR THE PCM TO FAIL. I'M NOT SURE IF FORD DELIBERATELY NEGLECTED THIS IGNITION COIL ISSUE BUT IT IS SUSPICIOUS. MY COMMUTE IS MAINLY INTERSTATE HWY AND I'M AFRAID THIS PROBLEM IS MIGHT CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT WHILE ON A MAJOR INTERSTATE HWY. *TR

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/NHTSA 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). *TR

COULD NOT TURN CAR HEATER ON AS THE INTERIOR FILLED WITH ENGINE FUMES ESPECIALLY WHEN IDLE. TOOK VEHICLE TO 2 DIFFERENT FORD DEALERS AND THEY COULD NOT LOCATE THE PROBLEM. NOW, SUMMER OF 2013 WHEN THE AC IS TURNED ON THE SAME THING HAPPENS. IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN THAT MYSELF AND 3 YEAR OLD SON ARE BREATHING THESE FUMES IN JUST DRIVING TO THE GROCERY STORE! ALSO, TOOK THE CAR TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WITHOUT ANY POSITIVE RESULTS! I HAVE BEEN DRIVING WITH NO HEAT AND NO AC FOR ALMOST A YEAR NOW. WHAT CAN SOLVE THIS PROBLEM? *TR

I WAS ON I-30 WESTBOUND APPROACHING THE MIXMASTER IN DOWNTOWN DALLAS. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO PASS A SLOW MOVING VEHICLE THE THROTTLE CABLE STUCK. MY VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. I TRIED PULLING THE GAS PEDAL UP, BUT IT CONTINUED TO GAIN SPEED. REACHING 80 MPH IN A 60 MPH ZONE I BRAKED BUT COULD ONLY GET DOWN TO 50 MPH. I WAS HAVING TO WEAVE THROUGH TRAFFIC TO AVOID HITTING OTHER CARS. THIS CONTINUED FOR ABOUT 5 MILES. I DECIDED TO TRY TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL TO STOP IT. THEN CAR THEN SLOWED DOWN TO ABOUT 30 MPH. I WAS IN THE FAR LEFT LANE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. I NEEDED TO TRY TO GET OFF THE FREEWAY, SO I PUT IT BACK IN DRIVE. THE CAR STARTED ACCELERATING OUT CONTROL AGAIN. I MADE IT TO THE RIGHT LANE AND PUT IT IN NEUTRAL AGAIN. THE CAR CAME TO A STOP. THE ENGINE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED BY THIS. I AM OUT AROUND $1,500. SO FAR, FORD IS NOT BEING VERY HELPFUL, THEY ARE GIVING ME THE RUNAROUND WHEN I CALL. THEY ACT LIKE THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR KILLED SOMEONE. *TR

I OWN THREE OF THESE VEHICLES AND AGAIN RIGHT FRONT ABS RING SNAPPED WHILE DRIVING. FORD WILL NOT DO ANYTHING EVEN THOUGH I'VE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM ON ALL THREE CARS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED, WHICH LOCATED A FAILURE AT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

MY DAUGHTER WAS ABOUT A MILE FROM HOME AFTER TAKING A FRIEND HOME. IT WAS AUGUST 27, 2012 AROUND 9:30PM. HER CAR WENT OFF THE ROAD CRASHED INTO A TREE AND CAUGHT FIRE. SHE WAS KILLED IN THE ACCIDENT. WHAT IS PUZZLING IS THERE WERE NO SKID MARKS, NO SIGNS OF BRAKING. IT HAS BEEN BROUGHT TO OUR ATTENTION JUST YESTERDAY THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON HER AUTOMOBILE THAT WE WERE NEVER AWARE OF. WE WERE TOLD THAT IF THERE WAS A THROTTLE PROBLEM THEN THAT WOULD MAYBE EXPLAIN THE ABSENT SKID MARKS AND NO SIGNS OF BRAKING. SHE WAS ONLY 19 YEARS OLD. I WAS TOLD TO CONTACT YOU AND THAT MAYBE YOU COULD HELP. THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU CAN DO. [XXX] HEARTSICK MOTHER INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE LIMITED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 70 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP AFTER ENGAGING THE BRAKES. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE POLICE WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ABOUT REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:12V353000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 145,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING UP A STEEP INCLINE APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED ABNORMALLY AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A NEARBY AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000. UPDATED 01/15/13*LJ UPDATED 12/23/2013*JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BRUISED LEG AND KIDNEY. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167,000. PMB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 65 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN JERKING AND JUMPING ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE ALL OF THE SPARK PLUGS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 111,500.

I DO NOT OWN A FORD ESCAPE BUT RATHER I'M A MECHANIC THAT HAS RAN INTO THIS PROBLEM 2 OR 3 TIMES OVER THE LAST COUPLE YEARS. THE THROTTLE STICKS ON THESE VEHICLES DUE TO THE SPEED CONTROL ACTUATOR TO THROTTLE CABLE. THERE IS A PLASTIC SLEEVE AROUND THE STEEL CABLE THAT ALLOWS THE CABLE TO RETRACT FREELY. THE PLASTIC DEGRADES AND BRAKES UP OVER TIME ALLOWING THE SPEED CONTROL THROTTLE CABLE TO BIND AND WEDGE ITS SELF UNDER THE ENGINE COVER CAUSING A STUCK WIDE OPEN THROTTLE CONDITION. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS CABLE. IT RUNS FROM THE SPEED CONTROL (CRUISE CONTROL) ACTUATOR TO THE THROTTLE BODY BUTTERFLY. REMOVAL OF THE ENGINE COVER IS THE SIMPLE FIX FOR THIS ISSUE, BUT THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE IS INDEED AT FAULT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN REPLACED TWO FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES AND TERMINALS. ALSO, THE AIR BAG WARNING FAULT CODE WAS CLEARED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,508.

I HAVE A 2004 FORD ESCAPE, IN 2012 I PAID 336.90 TO HAVE THE AIR BAG FIXED. IN 2014 THE AIR BAG LIGHT RETURNED, I PAID 356.83 FOR IT TO BE FIXED AGAIN. NOW I RECENTLY PAID 99.95 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC FEE TO BE TOLD I NEED TO PAY AN ADDITIONAL 600 PLUS TO HAVE IT FIXED. I CALLED FORD WHO SAID THEY CAN DO NOTHING. I CALLED THE DEALER WHERE THE CAR WAS ALLEGEDLY REPAIRED AND THEY WERE OF NO HELP. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM AND I DO NOT HAVE THE FUNDS TO FIX IT AGAIN AND TRULY BELIEVE FORD SHOULD FIX IT AND OR REIMBURSE ME FOR THE COSTS I HAVE INCURRED SO FAR. CAN YOU HELP?

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING, THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN THE ENGINE RPMS AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD ONCE SHIFTED INTO GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP. THE REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY GASKET AND SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,769 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000.

I MADE A LEFT TURN FROM EASTBOUND STEWART ROAD ONTO THE INSIDE LANE OF NORTHBOUND M125 (N. MONROE STREET), MONROE, MI AT APPROXIMATELY 09:00. WHEN APPROACHING FRENCHTOWN MALL AREA ON THE LEFT, CARS AHEAD WERE STOPPED FOR OTHERS MAKING LEFT TURNS INTO THE MALL. I TOOK MY RIGHT FOOT OFF OF THE GAS PEDAL TO COAST SO AS NOT TO HAVE TO BRAKE. SUDDENLY MY CAR ACCELERATED (SPED UP); MY RIGHT FOOT WAS STILL OFF OF THE GAS PEDAL AND ON THE FLOOR. I HIT THE BRAKE HARD WITH MY RIGHT FOOT AND THE VEHICLE DID STOP. (I NEVER USE MY LEFT FOOT TO BRAKE. I ALWAYS USE THE RIGHT FOOT TO DRIVE AND TO BRAKE.) I THOUGHT OF ALL OF THE INCIDENTS OF SUDDEN ACCELERATION; NOW KNEW HOW IT FELT. RESEARCHED, FOUND INFO AS TO RECALL ISSUED . WE NEVER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE. PUT VIN # IN FORD SITE. OUR VEHICLE, 2004 ESCAPE 3.0L V6 NOT RECALLED. THE CRUISE CONTROL QUIT WORKING MAY, 2011. WE HAD THE ESCAPE IN FOR REGULAR SERVICE RECENTLY AND WE TOLD THE SERVICE ADVISOR, WHO IS ALSO THE ASSISTANT SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALER, THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL NO LONGER WORKED. HE SAID IT COULD BE CHECKED BUT IT WOULD BE EXPENSIVE TO FIX. WE CHOSE NOT TO INCUR ADDITIONAL EXPENSE GIVEN THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE HAS CONSISTENTLY HAD ALL SERVICE, OIL CHANGES, REPAIRS DONE AT THE FORD DEALER. WE DID NOT KNOW ABOUT THE RECALL, NOR OF THE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED TO ALL DEALERS BY FORD. INTERESTING NOTE: WE OWN AND DRIVE A 1989 FORD F150 AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WORKS FINE! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT WAS TRYING TO OPEN THE TRUNK BY ENGAGING THE KEY ALARM BUT THE TRUNK WOULD NOT OPEN. THE TRUNK ALSO COULD NOT BE OPENED MANUALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY STATED THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE TRUNK LATCH. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,100 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,000. . UPDATED 07/27/12 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THAT DEALER WANTED TO CHARGER 24,500 TO REPAIR THE MOTOR AND 125.00 TO EVALUATE. THE CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS TOO EXPENSIVE. UPDATED 08/02/2012 *JS

I FIRST NOTICED A SURGING AND SQUEAL TYPE NOISE WHILE COMING TO A STOP. SPOUSE HAD REPAIRED 3 TIMES YET IT CONTINUES. DURING THIS TIME I ALSO HEARD A CLANKING NOISE FROM REAR END AS IF HATCH (WINDOW/DOOR) WAS NOT SECURELY CLOSED BUT THEN ASSUMED IT MAY BE RELATED TO THE AFOREMENTIONED ISSUE. I MENTIONED NOISE INCREASED, LOUD, FRIGHTENING (STEERING DIFFICULTIES). HE CONTACTED FORD BY PHONE (X3) AND EMAILED HOWEVER THEIR REPLY WAS NO FATALITIES OR INCIDENTS HAD BEEN REPORTED THEREFORE WE HAVE 2 OPTIONS. 1) TAKE IT TO A FORD DEALER FOR REPAIR AT OUR EXPENSE, 2) TRADE IN FOR A NEW FORD VEHICLE. BOTH SCHOOL/CITY/GOVT EMPLOYED AND CANNOT AFFORD 2000.00 TO REPAIR. YESTERDAY MY HUSBAND REMOVED THE ENTIRE RIGHT SHOCK WHEN I RETURNED HOME FROM WORK AFTER A 12 HR DAY & TOLD HIM I FELT AS IF THE BACK END WAS GOING TO FALL OFF & CLANKING SOUND INTENSIFIED. AT 8PM HE WAS LAYING UNDER CAR ON GARAGE FLOOR AND FOUND THE SHOCK HANGING! HE WAS FORCED TO REMOVE AS I HAD TO WORK THE NEXT DAY AT 6AM. I AM DRIVING WITHOUT ONE SHOCK, NEW TIRES, RUSTED REAR FRAME AND SURGE CONTINUES. I WOULD APPRECIATE ANY SUGGESTIONS AS TO OTHER AVENUES FOR REPORTING. I HAVE 2 COWORKERS WITH SIMILAR ISSUES, BOTH ESCAPES. THE REMOVED SHOCK IS RUSTED, NEAR CRUMBLING OF SORT BUT SAVED ALONG WITH SEVERAL PHOTOS. THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR REVIEWING MY LENGTHY EMAIL AND LOOK FORWARD TO ANY INPUT AND RECOMMENDATIONS. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR UPDATED 1/21/15 *JS

I WOULD LIKE TO ADD MY COMPLAINT TO THE ACCELERATION PROBLEMS OF THE 2001-2004 FORD ESCAPES WHICH MY 2004 HAS ALSO EXPERIENCED. THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW SITUATIONS OVER THE LAST 2-3 YEARS WHERE MY CARS ENGINE WOULD SUDDENLY START RACING WHILE PARKED AT IDLE. WHEN THE ISSUE FIRST BEGAN I WAS ABLE TO TAP THE GAS PEDAL WITH MY FOOT AND THE CAR WOULD RETURN TO A STANDARD IDLE. THE MORE RECENT INSTANCES NOW REQUIRE TURNING THE VEHICLE OFF AND IT WOULD IDLE NORMAL AGAIN AFTER BEING RESTARTED. I BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM IS CONNECTED TO A CURRENT INVESTIGATION AND THE LETTER DATED 7/10/12 WRITTEN TO FORD FROM THE CENTER FOR AUTO SAFETY. THIS MAY ALSO BE CONNECTED TO A PRIOR RECALL 04V-574 THAT I WAS RECENTLY MADE AWARE OF. PLEASE KEEP ME ADVISED OF YOUR EFFORTS OR ANYTHING I CAN DO TO HELP. THANK YOU *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ABS WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ABS MODULE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V156000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. AFTER A PERIOD OF TIME ELAPSED, THE CONTACT BEGAN TO NOTICE A LOUD SQUEAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND A GRINDING SOUND WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE CONTACT HAD THE BRAKES REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 203,258.

AS I WAS ACCELERATING TO GET ON THE FREEWAY I FELT MY CAR ACCELERATE BEYOND THE SPEED IN WHICH I WAS APPLYING PRESSURE. I IMMEDIATELY REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE PEDAL BUT THE PEDAL REMAINED ALL THE WAY ON THE FLOOR BOARD. I TRIED BRAKING BUT THE BRAKE PEDAL APPLIED NO STOPPING FORCE. I EXITED THE FREEWAY NOT KNOWING WHAT WAS AHEAD IN TERMS OF INNOCENT BYSTANDERS AND TRAFFIC. NOT KNOWING HOW TO PROCEED I BEGAN STANDING ON THE BRAKE WITH BOTH FEET AND LIFTING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. MY CAR CONTINUED TO GAIN SPEED AND SHOWED NO SIGNS OF SLOWING DOWN. I DROVE THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY VEHICLE DOWN SOME CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION BARRIERS ON THE FEEDER IN HOPES THAT IT WOULD SLOW THE VEHICLE BUT OUR SPEED WAS SO GREAT AT THIS POINT WE WERE BOUNCING OFF AND I WAS AFRAID WE WOULD CAUSE A MORE HORRIFIC ACCIDENT BY BEING THROWN BACK ON TO THE FREEWAY. I MADE IT THROUGH AN INTERSECTION NARROWLY MISSING A TRUCK DRIVING THROUGH. I GOT ON TO THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CONCRETE BARRIERS AT THE INTERSECTION AND BEGAN DRIVING ON THE DIRT ROAD UNDER CONSTRUCTION. SEARCHING FOR SOMETHING TO CRASHED INTO TO STOP MY VEHICLE AS EACH PASSING SECOND OUR SPEED INCREASED, I LOCATED A TELEPHONE POLE AND CRASHED INTO IT WITH MY TWO SMALL CHILDREN, MY MOTHER AND MYSELF IN THE VEHICLE. I AM UNSURE IF THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE BUT THERE WERE BYSTANDERS WOULD CAME WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND SPRAYED MY ENGINE. I AM ALSO UNSURE OF THE SPEED OF THE VEHICLE AT THE POINT OF IMPACT. THE LAST TIME I LOOKED IT WAS AROUND 60 MILES PER HOUR WHEN I WAS ENTERING THE FREEWAY. *TR

AS I WAS ACCELERATING TO PASS A SLOW MOVING VEHICLE, I PRESSED ON THE GAS PETAL AND AFTER I WAS BACK IN MY PROPER LANE, MY VEHICLE KEPT SPEEDING AND NOT BACKING OFF ON THE GAS. I THEN PUT THE CAR IN NEURAL AND THE ENGINE CONTINUED TO KEEP RACING. I TRIED TO STOMP LIGHTLY ON THE GAS PETAL TO SEE IF IT WOULD COME BACK UP BUT IT DIDN'T. I THEN SHUT OFF THE ENGINE AND CALLED THE TOW TRUCK COMPANY. *TR

DRIVING ON A STATE HIGHWAY APPROACHING A RED LIGHT, I APPLIED BRAKES AND FELT A PULSING SENSATION IN THE BRAKE PEDAL, IT BECAME VERY HARD TO STOP AND I HAD TO PULL TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL MORE TIMES SINCE, AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND WITH NO WARNING. THE ABS LIGHT ON THE DASH DOES NOT COME ON AND THERE ARE NO OBD CODES. THE VEHICLE BECOMES VERY HARD TO STOP. I HAD THE VEHICLE CHECKED BY MY MECHANIC THIS WEEK. HE FELT THE PROBLEM ONCE, BUT COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS OR OBD CODES, EVEN AFTER RUNNING DIAGNOSTIC TESTS. AT THIS POINT I AM IN A QUANDRY; I NEED TO USE THE VEHICLE, BUT FEEL IT IS UNSAFE TO DO SO AND WILL PROBABLY PARK IT UNTIL SOMEONE CAN TELL ME WHAT IS HAPPENING AND FIND A RESOLUTION. I HAVE READ OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS DUE TO A DEFECTIVE 'TONE RING' IN THE ABS SYSTEM, BUT MINE IS NOT DEFECTIVE. *TR

THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT STAYS ON. TOOK IT IN TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS. THEY SAID WE NEED TO REPLACE THE PRETENSIONER AND CONNECTERS. VERY EXPENSIVE ESTIMATE. I DID A LITTLE RESEARCH AND SOMEONE SUGGESTED CHECKING UNDER THE SEAT (DRIVER SIDE) FOR A LOOSE CONNECTION. WE HAVE BEEN ADJUSTING THE SEAT BACK AND FORTH BECAUSE WE HAVE A TEENAGER LEARNING TO DRIVE. WE DID CHECK UNDER THE SEAT TO MAKE SURE THERE WAS NOT A LOOSE CONNECTION. NOW THE AIR BAG LIGHT DOES NOT STAY LIT. NOT SURE IF BY JIGGLING SOME WIRES TO MAKE SURE THERE WASN'T A LOOSE CONNECTION THAT WE MAY HAVE SOLVED THE PROBLEM. NOT SURE THIS VEHICLE IS SAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

WHEN TAKING MY ESCAPE IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE, THE MECHANICS POINTED OUT TO ME THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SHOCK MOUNT WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. I TOOK IT FOR AN ESTIMATE THAT DAY AND COULD NOT IMMEDIATELY AFFORD THE REPAIRS. WITHIN A FEW DAYS THE SHOCK HAD COMPLETELY BROKEN THROUGH THE MOUNT AND INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WITH ONLY NORMAL ROADWAY DRIVING. ONLY THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL HAS THIS PROBLEM. ONLINE RESEARCH WITH OTHER ESCAPE OWNERS SHOWS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT FORD KNOWS ABOUT AND EVEN ACKNOWLEDGES AS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT BUT WILL NOT COVER. *TR

AT FIRST, MY ESCAPE ONLY STARTED HESITATING ON RAINY DAYS WHEN I GOT TO ABOUT 45-55 MPH. AT FIRST I THOUGHT I HAD BAD GAS SO I STOPPED AT AUTO ZONE TO GET DRY GAS FOR IT. THIS SEEM TO WORK LIKE A CHARM AND I THOUGHT THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. THEN IT HAPPENED AGAIN; SPUDERING, NOT ACCELERATING, CAR SHAKING, AND ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH ONCE I REACHED 45MPH. THIS HAD BEEN AN ISSUE FOR A FEW MONTHS ON AND OFF, THEN ONE SUNNY DAY ITS BEGAN HESITATING AND MISFIRING VERY BADLY NOW NOT ONLY IN 5TH GEAR BUT AT IDLE AND 1ST GEAR. IT MISFIRED AND HESITATED EVERY TIME I DROVE IT FOR A WEEK BEFORE THE MECHANIC COULD GET IT INTO THE SHOP. I DID A LOT OF RESEARCH ON THE TWO CODES THAT THE ENGINE WAS PULLING P0305 AND P0316 PENDING. I FOUND OUT THAT THERE WERE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AS ME WHEN THEIR ESCAPES REACH 90,000 MILES OR HIGHER, SOME EVEN WORSE. PEOPLE ARE SAYING THAT THE ISSUES BEING CAUSED ARE A RESULT OF FORD PUTTING IN THE WRONG SPARK PLUGS WHICH IS CAUSING THE COMPUTER CHIP TO BURN OUT LEADING TO MISFIRES IN THE COIL PACKS. MY MECHANIC JUST INFORMED ME THAT IT WILL COST $400 TO FIX TWO OF THE COILS AND THERE IS ONLY A 50/50 CHANCE THAT IT WILL FIX THE PROBLEM (FOR NOW). HE SAID IT WILL PROBABLY HAPPEN AGAIN BUT THERE IS NO TELLING HOW LONG THAT MIGHT BE, IT MIGHT BE RIGHT AWAY, A WEEK FROM NOW, OR A YEAR. WILL ALL THESE PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH NO WAY TO TELL IF IT IS ACTUALLY GOING TO FIX THE PROBLEM THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL OR AT LEAST A WARNING TO OWNERS SAYING WHAT MAY HAPPEN ONCE THE CAR GETS OVER 100,000 MILES. *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED AND WAS REPLACED BY HIS PERSONAL MECHANIC. ONE YEAR LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL AND PROVIDED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 177,000.

ALL THREE OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS FAILED TO OPERATE IN THE CAR. WE WERE INITIALLY TOLD THAT THE CONVERTERS WERE UNDER WARRANTY BOTH FOR MILEAGE AND TIME (8 YEAR/80,000 MILE WARRANTY). DEALERSHIP REQUESTED CAR BE BOUGHT, WHICH WE DID. AFTER THE CAR ARRIVED, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE CAR WAS MANUFACTURED IN JANUARY 2004 AND THAT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED IN JANUARY 2012. ADDITIONALLY, THEY WANT TO CHARGE US OVER $3,000 FOR THE REPAIRS. I ALSO ADVISED THEM THAT WE PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY IN NOVEMBER 2007 WHEN THE CAR WAS PURCHASED FROM CARMAX. WE WERE ADVISED THAT THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WOULD NOT COVER EITHER. MY CAR REMAINS AT THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE WE CAN NOT AFFORD TO REPAIR IT, HOWEVER, WE ARE STILL MAKING THE CAR PAYMENTS ON IT. I CONTACTED FORD MOTORS, FILED A REPORT AND WAS LATER ADVISED THAT THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING FOR ME. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START HOWEVER, ALL OF THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WERE WORKING NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT HAD THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED. FIVE YEARS PRIOR TO THE MOST RECENT FAILURE, THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WERE THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED FOR THE FIRST TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT RECENTLY REPAIRED FOR THE SIMILAR FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 34,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,659.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD FREESTAR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V006000 (POWER TRAIN); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. AUTO FORD (A, 3301 EAST CENTRAL TEXAS EXPRESSWAY, KILLENE, TEXAS 76543 (254) 699-2629) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE RECALL IN 2015 AND STATED THAT THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THEREAFTER THERE WAS NO RESPONSE FROM THE DEALER AFTER CONTINUED ATTEMPTS TO COMMUNICATE VIA TELEPHONE/VOICEMAIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

ORIGINAL OWNER, FOR ALMOST 3 YEARS NOW THE AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD COME ON PERIODICALLY, SOMETIMES FOR 1 DRIVE, SOMETIMES FOR DAYS AT A TIME THEN GO AWAY. THE LIGHT COMING ON AND GOING OFF WOULD HAPPEN FOR NO APPARENT REASON. IT DOESNT MATTER IF SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT OR NOT, IVE CHECKED THE CONNECTOR UNDER THE SEAT AND IT IS FIRMLY SEATED. IN THE PAST YEAR I HAVE ALSO HAD THE BATTERY, BRAKE AND NOW ABS LIGHT COME ON. IN JANUARY OF 2014 MY ALTERNATOR DIED AND I HAD IT REPLACED, IN JANUARY OF 2015 I HAD TO REPLACE MY BATTERY. BATTERY LIGHT HAS SINCE GONE AWAY, BUT OTHER LIGHTS COME ON RANDOMLY. BASED ON THE TYPE OF WORK I DO, IM CONVINCED THERE IS A SHORT OR BAD GROUND SOMEWHERE BUT I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE TO BEGIN. FORD WANTS $160/ HR TO DIAGNOSE THIS. MY VEHICLE IS NOT ABUSED AND HAS ABOUT 110K MILES. SINCE THE WHOLE CAR IS BASED ON THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, I FEEL THIS IS SOMETHING FORD SHOULD LOOK AT, DIAGNOSE AND FIX. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE, SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THE BRAKE LINES WERE CORRODED AND BRAKE FLUID WAS LEAKING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT ALL OF THE LINES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 116,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 65, THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE LOST ELECTRICAL POWER, CAUSING THE RADIO, SPEEDOMETER AND RPM GAUGE TO DECREASE TO ZERO FOR APPROXIMATELY TWO SECONDS AND THEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO PERFORM NORMALLY. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 159,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 160,600. THE VIN UNAVAILABLE.

AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHING RED, CODE 47, CONNECTORS REPLACED LIGHT STILL ILLUMINATED. DEALER COST ESTIMATE $400+ DOLLARS AND NO WARRANTY. UNABLE TO FIX DUE TO COST WITH NO WARRANTY. REAL SAFETY CONCERN AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN CRASH. *TR

DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, THE CAR WAS MAKING A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. PULLED INTO REST AREA, AND LET CAR SIT A FEW MINUTES. STARTED IT UP AGAIN, AND NO NOISE. STARTED BACK ON THE INTERSTATE, AND NOISE STARTED AGAIN. PULLED OFF AGAIN, AND NOTICED RIGHT WHEEL WAS WOBBLING. LOOKED AT WHEEL AND LUG NUTS WERE LOOSE, AND WHEEL WAS NOW DEFORMED. HAD IT TOWED TO A REPAIR FACILITY AND HAD TO PURCHASE A NEW WHEEL. FACILITY INSTALLED IT AND TIGHTENED ALL LUG NUTS. THIS PROBLEM HAS CONTINUED, WITH THE LUG NUTS REQUIRING TIGHTENING MONTHLY. ACCOMPANYING RUST IN THE WHEEL WELL IS A PROBLEM. HUB IS NOT HOLDING WHEEL CORRECTLY. *TR

I OWN A 2004 FORD ESCAPE AND HAVE HAD THE SEATBELT HARNESSES FIXED 3 TIMES. ONE WAS JUST FIXED 18 DAYS AGO AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED YET AGAIN. THERE IS A WIRING PROBLEM WITH THE SEATBELT HARNESS. IT HAS BEEN THE PASSENGER FRONT SEAT EACH TIME. *TR

LIFT GATE GLASS HINGE BOLT CORRODED AND FELL APART LEAVING REAR GLASS HANGING. *TR

FORD ESCAPE LIMITED 2004 PROBLEM WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, DON'T WORK VIN:[XXX]. I BOUGHT IN MARCH 2011. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TAILGATE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN . THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE POWER DOOR LIFT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 208,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL ACCUMULATED WATER ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER LOCATED CORROSION IN THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL THAT CAUSED THE SUSPENSION AND BOLTS TO CORRODE. THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WELL WAS ALSO SHOWING SIGNS OF CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR, STATING THAT THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

TL*THE DRIVER OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE DRIVER APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP UNTIL EXCESSIVE PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME WHERE THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE LINE HAD FRACTURED AND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE BRAKE LINE WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 140,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 70 MPH WHEN HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AS IT STARTED SWAYING ABNORMALLY. THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR FENDER WELL WAS CORRODED AROUND THE STRUT MOUNT AND THE STRUT HAD COME THROUGH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

FOR OVER A YEAR I HAVE BEEN HEARING A RATTLING SOUND BUT THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT, FIGURED A SCREW WAS LOOSE IN THE PANELLING CAUSING A VIBRATION. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO A FORD SERVICE CENTER NUMEROUS TIMES COMPLAINING OF NOISE, THEY SAID THEY WOULD BALANCE THE TIRES AND CHECK THE BRAKES, BUT NEVER SAID ANYTHING ABOUT WHEEL WELL RUSTING THROUGH. THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL IS RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH AND THE STRUT IS LOOSE DUE TO THE RUST DAMAGE THAT IS CONTINUING TO GROW. I HAVE RECENTLY BEEN INVESTIGATING THE ENTIRE VEHICLE TRYING TO LOCATE THE SOURCE OF THE SOUND, I FINALLY FIGURED IT OUT AND DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO AUTO BODY SHOP ON 5/22/2012 AT 11:33 AM AND THEY WERE STUNNED TO SEE THE INSIDE OF THE WHEEL WELL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE APPRAISER CAME OUT AND TOOK PICTURES AND LOOKED AT IT. AFTER LOOKING IT OVER HE TURNED TO ME AND ASKED ME HOW OLD THE VEHICLE IS, I SAID IT IS A 2004. HE SAID, "I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS HAPPEN BEFORE." HE CAME TO THE CONCLUSION THAT IT MUST BE A FACTORY DEFECT. HE SAID WHEN FORD WAS PUTTING THE COATING ON THE INSIDE OF THE WHEEL WELL, THEY MUST NOT HAVE COATED IT ENOUGH AND MOISTURE GOT INSIDE CAUSING IT TO RUST. HE WENT BACK INSIDE AND ONE OF THE GUYS FROM THE SHOP HAPPENED TO BE INSIDE, SO HE CAME AND LOOKED AT IT AND SAID HE HAS NEVER SEEN THAT HAPPEN BEFORE EITHER AND HE HAS BEEN DOING BODY WORK FOR 25 YEARS! HE ALSO SAID IT IS POSSIBLY BECOMING A SAFETY ISSUE, BECAUSE THE STRUT IS COMING LOOSE, DUE TO THE RUSTING OUT FROM AROUND THE STRUT. THIS MOVEMENT OF THE STRUT COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE PROBLEMS WITH HANDLING, ESPECIALLY WHEN TURNING AROUND CORNERS. HE GRABBED THE STRUT AND IT SHOOK EASILY BY HAND. I HAVE NOTICED THE CAR PULLS TO THE LEFT WHENEVER I HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD, AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS WIND PULLING ME, BUT IT IS HAPPENING MORE OFTEN. I CALLED FORD, BUT THEY SAID WARANTY RAN OUT, CANT HELP YOU. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *TT

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD CAUSING A CRASH. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT CRASHED INTO A BARRIER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT CONFIRM IF THE CRASH WAS CAUSED BY THE ACCELERATOR CABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN 04V574000, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL CABLES ON 2/7/2005; HOWEVER, IT HAS NOW FAILED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 5/2/11 *CN UPDATED 05/11/11*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY EXHIBIT SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKES ON EACH OCCASION, BUT THE WHEELS CONTINUED SPINNING. THE CONTACT'S MECHANIC CLEANED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BUT STATED THAT THEY DID NOT FIND A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED AFTER THE CLEANING OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 146,000. UPDATED 08/28/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PUT INTO REVERSE AND THEN ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE CONSUMER DEPRESSED THE BRAKE BUT, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP UNTIL THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS PULLED. THE FRONT WHEELS CONTINUED TO SPIN. THE SECOND TIME SHIFTING FROM REVERSE TO PARK, THEN TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AGAIN. THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS PULLED AND THE FRONT WHEELS CONTINUED TO SPIN. UPDATED 09/05/2012 *JS