2004 Ford Escape Body Problems
- 108
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 108 stored complaint records:
- 3 indicate a crash
- 0 indicate injury
- 1 indicate fire
What owners report
- wheel well · 60 records
- rear passenger · 33 records
- passenger side · 33 records
- right rear · 30 records
- rear wheel · 25 records
- shock mount · 19 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 100–150k mi | 55 |
| 150–400k mi | 23 |
| 60–100k mi | 13 |
| 1–30k mi | 4 |
| 30–60k mi | 3 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Body · Suspension
A rattling from rear passenger wheel area. Upon investigation to see what it was i found that the upper connection point of the shock tower was completely rusted through and was barely connected to the rest of the body. Within a day or two afterwards the upper part had completely separated and the shock was bouncing around freely. I removed the shock yesterday (5/1/2014) as it had pushed up (since it has no…
ODI 10586108
Body
The rear passenger fender well has rusted out. We can see into our truck. The rust is so bad the top shock mount is no longer connect and the frame is cracked. I went to two different body shops because ford is unwilling to do anything. Both body shops said a 10 year old vehicle should not rust like this and it would cost more than what the vehicle is worth to fix. We can not longer drive our vehicle and will have…
ODI 10585269
Body · Suspension
I am writing to inform you of my problem with my 2004 ford escape. I have recently noticed a loud clunking noise in the rear of the car. Upon further inspection i saw that around the right rear strut it's completely rusted out and the strut in nearly free. I did research and noticed that i am definitely not the only one with this problem. I would like it fixed or pointed in the direction as to where i can get it…
ODI 10584408
Body · Suspension
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. *tr
ODI 10597077
Body · Engine · Suspension
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…
ODI 10594148
Body · Suspension
I was driving down the road when i hit a pot hole. The body/frame part of the passenger side rear wheel well broke loose around the rear passenger shock. So there is nothing holding the shock in place. It is causing further damage to the area. The body/frame has deteriorated in that area. I cannot drive my vehicle. Ford has issued a recall for the front end rusting prematurely and causing damage. But, i think this…
ODI 10578864
Body · Suspension
I was driving home on the highway and all of a sudden my car pulled really hard to the right side and started making a loud horrible noise. Everytime i would hit a bump, it pulled the car. I made it home and had it looked at. My rear passenger wheel well was rusted so bad that my shock went right through it. All of the other wheel wells are just fine and appear to still be coated. *js
ODI 10579510
Body
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford escape. The contact stated that upon inspection, it was found that the frame was rusted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 138,000.
ODI 10567424
Body
My husband was driving home with our son and started to hear a loud noise. Took it to our repair guy who stated the frame was completely rusted through and was no longer safe to drive. We then took it for a 2nd look and was told the same thing and that its not fixableso we'll have to buy a new car. We've only had this car for 6 years and i bought it from our local ford dealership who when contacted said they…
ODI 10572757
Body · Vehicle Speed Control
Well, my ford escape 2004 ltd edition had issues slowing down. I had used the cruise control intermittently and noticed that the vehicle continued as if cruise control was on even after i braked hard and cancelled the cruise control. I shut the vehicle off and tried turning it back on. When it started back up, the vehicle revved to 5,000 rpm in under 5 seconds. I did this twice with the same effect. I brought it in…
ODI 10563644
Body · Suspension
The right rear fender well has rusted out around the shock mount causing the shock mount to separate from the body of the vehicle. *tr
ODI 10563194
Body · Suspension
When driving home on 12/30/14, i heard a loud rattle coming from the right rear of the vehicle. I looked in the rear passenger wheel well and noticed that there was a lot of rust. I did not drive it again until i took it to my mechanic to have it inspected on 1/6/15. He informed me that the wheel well was rusted and the strut could break loose. He also informed me that he had never seen a vehicle do this. I was also…
ODI 10670648
Body · Suspension
The right rear wheel housing was totally corroded away. After researching online found many with the same problem. The other three wheel housings were in good condition without rust. I took suv to woltz & wind ford in heidelburg, pa where they told me that their supply of this part was used up and ford was not making any at that time. The rear housings support the rear shocks and "could have" caused a severe…
ODI 10578340
Body · Suspension
Rattling noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. Daughter took me for a ride and i sat in the rear of the vehicle to try and find the source of the rattling. Checked the storage compartment for the spare, all other parts and could not determine the source. The next day the noise was much more pronounced. Took it to a body shop and they immediately found the source of the problem, that being a totally rusted out…
ODI 10550695
Body
Tl* the contacts owns a 2004 ford escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph, there was an abnormal noise coming from the rear end of the vehicle without warning. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was advised that there was a hole above the passenger's side rear body panel and as a result, the rear passenger's side structure of the unibody needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was…
ODI 10547414
Body · Suspension
I hit a bump and the back of my vehicle started making a banging noise afterward any time i went over the slightest bump. I took it to the garage and the mechanic wouldn't even touch it. The rear shock mount plate is rusted out and he said the wheel well is breaking right off the frame. There is nothing left around it - the metal was only held together by undercoating in some places. He said it was pushing down on…
ODI 10546100
Body
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, she heard an abnormal noise and upon further investigation, she found that the rear wheel well suffered from severe corrosion. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure and current mileage was 150,000.
ODI 10546288
Body · Suspension
Noticed a loud noise coming from the rear passenger side of the vehicle. After arriving home i checked the muffler area thinking it was loose which it was not. I then checked inside of the passenger side rear wheel well and found that the shock that was attached to the frame of the vehicle had totally rusted out leaving a huge hole in the frame. The hole now leaves the vehicle unstable and exposed to all elements of…
ODI 10543775
Body
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford escape. The contact stated that upon inspection, it was found that the sub frame was completely rusted and had become detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where the failure was confirmed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 143,000.
ODI 10542270
Body · Suspension · Wheels
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…
ODI 10629957
Body
The right rear wheel well that supports the shock tower has completely rust out,this is common in the 2004-2006 escapes. *tr
ODI 10536714
Body · Suspension
The right rear inner wheel housing has almost completely rusted away causing the right rear shock absorber to break away from its top mounting and cause severe vehicle bouncing and swaying while driving making it almost impossible to drive the vehicle.many other escape owners i have spoken to are having the same problem and an internet search of this problem confirms my findings. *tr
ODI 10537093
Body · Suspension
The shock mount on the rear passenger wheel is loose because the metal supporting it is rusting away. Whenever a bump is hit there is a loud noise and sharp jolt. *tr
ODI 10532311
Body
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford escape. The contact stated that upon inspection, she was advised that the sub frame was completely covered with rust and had become detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the entire rear sub frame needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate current and failure…
ODI 10578510
Body · Suspension
Son came home from college. Banging noise noticed when sister riding with him coming from right rear of vehicle. Upon inspection at oil change garage it was noticed that right rear shock mount had completely corroded and broken off from the wheel well sheet metal. Vehicle not drivable in that condition as wheel could possibly break off or at the least poor handling of vehicle. Online search came up with similar…
ODI 10520272