2004 Ford Escape: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 715 complaints
715
Total Complaints
111,070mi
Median Mileage
Suspension
Top Issue
49
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
74,000
25th Percentile
111,070
Median Mileage
143,000
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Suspension
148
Body
111
Vehicle Speed Control
76
Air Bags
41
Wheels
33
Engine
31
Steering
26
Electrical System
26
Service Brakes
18
Power Train
15
Severity Assessment
49
Crashes
21
Fires
27
Injuries
1
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A FLAPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF VEHICLE. CONSUMER PARKED ON THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, DISCOVERED THAT REAR RIGHT TIRE COLLAPSED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO CLAIMED THAT THE TIRE WAS PUNCTURED WHICH CAUSED IT T..."
"WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO ACCELERATE FROM 60 MPH TO 70 MPH. WHEN I PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, IT WENT TO THE FLOOR AND REMAINED THERE UNTIL I REACHED A MAXIMUM SPEED OF 110 MPH. I ATTEMPTED TO PUMP THE PEDAL TO UNSTICK IT AND DEPRESSED THE BRAKE. THE ONL..."
"I PURCHASED A 2004 FORD ESCAPE XLT ON 12/8/03. ON THE WAY HOME FROM THE DEALERSHIP, THE VEHICLE PULLED STRONGLY TO THE LEFT, AND AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE SERVICED. ON 12/17/03, THE LEFT REAR POWER WINDOW HAD AN ELECTRICAL SHORT AND WOULD NOT CLOSE. IT WENT INTO SERVICE AND THE ..."
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Suspension
148 complaints
25th: 101,689 mi
Median: 125,715 mi
75th: 158,000 mi
Body
111 complaints
25th: 102,344 mi
Median: 128,000 mi
75th: 150,000 mi
Vehicle Speed Control
76 complaints
25th: 74,636 mi
Median: 104,000 mi
75th: 140,500 mi
Air Bags
41 complaints
25th: 53,500 mi
Median: 76,900 mi
75th: 120,000 mi
Wheels
33 complaints
25th: 99,215 mi
Median: 127,500 mi
75th: 172,500 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
MI: 97
OH: 94
PA: 50
IL: 46
NY: 45
WI: 38
CA: 27
MN: 26
FL: 24
IN: 24
Who Files Complaints?
9.9%
Original Owners
90.1%
Second+ Owners
Ford Escape — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
Active Recalls (8)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Floor Shift
Campaign 15V606000 | 29/09/2015
If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehic
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-43
Frame And Members
Campaign 14V165000 | 02/04/2014
A separation of the lower control arm can result in a significant loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install a newly designed reinforcement cross-brace, free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S02.
Wheel Bearing
Campaign 15E045000 | 03/06/2015
Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Timken has begun notifying distributors who will offer purchasers replacement wheel bearings, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2015. Owners may contact Timken customer service at 1-866-984-6536.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Campaign 12V353000 | 26/07/2012
A stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop or slow the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles by increasing the engine cover clearance, free of charge. The safety recall began August 3, 2012. Remedy parts are expected to be available in mid-August 2012. Until then dealers will disconnect the speed control cable as an interim re
Control Unit/Module
Campaign 07V156000 | 10/04/2007
AN ELECTRICAL SHORT MIGHT CAUSE AN ABS MALFUNCTION THAT WOULD ILLUMINATE THE ABS WARNING LIGHT, AND IN SOME CASES, THE MODULE MAY OVERHEAT RESULTING IN BURNING ODOR, SMOKE, AND/OR FIRE. THIS CONDITION COULD OCCUR EITHER WHEN THE VEHICLE IGNITION SWITCH IS IN THE OFF POSITION OR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR TO THE ABS MODULE FOR MISSING OR DISLODGED WIRE SEALS, AND REPAIR OR REPLACE THE HARNESS CONNECTOR AS APPROPRIATE. THE DEALER WILL ALSO INSPECT THE CONNECTOR ON THE ABS MODULE AND REPLACE IT IF IT IS FOUND TO BE CORRODED OR DAMAGED. THE RECALL BEGAN
Cables
Campaign 04V574000 | 07/12/2004
AN UNEXPECTED INCREASE IN ENGINE IDLE SPEED MAY INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCE AND MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CABLE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 10, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
Master Cylinder
Campaign 07E023000 | 29/03/2007
LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.
Latch
Campaign 04V602000 | 20/12/2004
IF THE LIFTGATE IS LEFT UNLOCKED, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL THAT IT MAY OPEN DURING A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH RELEASE ROD, THE RELEASE ROD ATTACHMENT CLIP AND THE DOOR HANDLE RETURN SPRING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Extend Your Suspension Life
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Avoid potholes and speed bumps at high speed
- Replace shocks/struts every 50,000-75,000 miles even if they seem fine
- Get alignment checked if the car pulls or tires wear unevenly
- Don't overload the vehicle beyond its rated capacity
- Address clunking or bouncing immediately — worn suspension damages other components
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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28