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#BS-2004-FORESC-75812004 Ford Escape
Based on reports from 714 owners and 8 recalls for this exact model.
Preliminary Verdict
Red Flag
Based on 714 complaints, 49 crashes, 21 fires, and 8 recalls. Complaint rate is 1.9x the class average.
Top reported problems
transmission failure
17 complaints • Severity 9.1/10
excessive rust in wheel wells
14 complaints • Severity 8.4/10
engine stalls shuts off while driving
5 complaints • Severity 9.2/10
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Mechanic Inspection Checklist
148 owners reported suspension issues — failures commonly reported around 111K miles.
Failure Timeline by Mileage
Peak failure range: 120–150K miles (134 reports) • Median: 111K miles
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Suspension (148 reports).
Also in your report
Owner Intelligence
AI-synthesized themes from real complaints
Buyer Lot Checklist
Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers
Negotiation Talking Points
Data-backed dollar deductions
Buy / Skip Verdict
Final recommendation with conditions
Where the complaints fall
2004 Ford Escape: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Suspension Issues
Suspension complaints account for 21% of all reports filed for the 2004 Ford Escape, with 148 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 111,140 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 111K-mile mark.
Structure:body Issues
Structure:body complaints account for 16% of all reports filed for the 2004 Ford Escape, with 111 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to structure:body-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Speed Control Issues
Speed Control complaints account for 11% of all reports filed for the 2004 Ford Escape, with 76 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to speed control-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Engine Issues
Engine complaints account for 6% of all reports filed for the 2004 Ford Escape, with 44 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to engine-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.
Complaint trend by year
Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 2004 Ford Escape. Recent trend: stable.
Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own
Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (8 recalls)
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES BUILT WITH 3.0L V6 ENGINES, THE ACCELERATOR CABLE MAY PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
CERTAIN 2004-2005 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND CERTAIN 2001-2003 SPORT UTIITY VEHICLE HAVING REAR LIFTGATE COMPONENTS SERVICED WITH 2004 EQUIVALENT COMPONENTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 206, 'DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS.' THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCHING SYSTEM DOES NOT MEET THE INERTIA LOAD REQUIREMENT IN ONE DIRECTION.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ANTILOCK BRAKES (ABS), THE ABS MODULE CONNECTOR MAY HAVE MISSING OR DISLODGED WIRE SEALS. THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW CONTAMINATION TO ENTER THE MODULE CONNECTOR, CREATING A POTENTIAL FOR AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
Ford Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2004 Escape vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control manufactured from October 22, 1999, through January 23, 2004. Inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector could result in a stuck throttle when the accelerator pedal is fully or almost-fully depressed. This risk exists regardless of whether or not speed control (cruise control) is used.
+ 3 more recalls in the full report
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
The worst model year for the Ford Escape is the 2014 — worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is transmission.
2004 Ford Escape vs. Class Average (Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD)
This vehicle
714
Class avg
375
1.9x the class average — significantly more complaints than typical sport utility vehicle - 2wd vehicles.
Complaint counts correlate with sales volume — popular vehicles naturally generate more reports. The full report normalizes for this.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 714 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 8 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Other Ford Escape Model Years
2004 Ford Escape: Frequently Asked Questions
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Get the Full 2004 Ford Escape Report
10 sections of AI analysis based on 714 owner reports. Know before you buy.