2004 Ford Escape
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Suspension is the leading concern among 499 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 19th highest complaint count among 26 Escape model years with reports.
Of the 2004 reports, 29 involved a crash and 14 involved a fire. 16 people were injured and 1 person died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Power train, automatic transmission, lever and linkage, floor shiftSep 29, 2015
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.
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 vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
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 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.
Campaign 15V606000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, front, wheel bearingJun 3, 2015
The Timken Company (Timken) is recalling certain aftermarket front wheel bearings, part number 510072, sold from January 22, 2015, to May 21, 2015, to be used as service parts on 2001-2012 Ford Escape, 2001-2011 Mazda Tribute, and 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles. The affected wheel bearings have incorrect dimensions of a 42mm bore, 76mm outer dimension, and 39mm width, instead of a 42mm bore, 78mm outer dimension and a 45mm width.
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.
Campaign 15E045000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, frame and membersApr 2, 2014
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2004 Escape vehicles manufactured October 22, 1999, through January 23, 2004, originally sold, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. These vehicles may experience excessive corrosion at the forward attachment of the lower control arm.
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.
Campaign 14V165000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine coolingJul 26, 2012
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.
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 remedy, if parts are not available at the time of an owner's service appointment. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Campaign 12V353000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/moduleApr 10, 2007
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.
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 BEING OPERATED.
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 ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Campaign 07V156000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, master cylinderMar 29, 2007
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.
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.
Campaign 07E023000 on NHTSA.gov
Latches/locks/linkages, doors, latchDec 20, 2004
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.
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.
Campaign 04V602000 on NHTSA.gov
Vehicle speed control, cablesDec 7, 2004
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES BUILT WITH 3.0L V6 ENGINES, THE ACCELERATOR CABLE MAY PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION.
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.
Campaign 04V574000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
45 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Jul 30, 2012
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
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Apr 19, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AT ENGINE START UP,AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ON A SEPERATE OCCASSION, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE WHILE ATTEMPTING A TURN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND A PRIVATE MECHANIC TO DIAGNOSE BOTH FAILURES. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT A COMPUTER CHIP FAILED AND THE PRIVATE MECHANIC REPLACED THE THROTTLE CABLE FOR THE DETACHED ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,116.
Air bags, Seat belts, Apr 18, 2012
AIRBAG LIGHT FLASHES AND THEN STAYS ON. WARNING CODE IS 46. TOOK VEHICLE INTO FORD DEALERSHIP TO FIX THIS APPROXIMATELY 4 YEARS AGO. NOT SURE WHAT SERVICE WAS PERFORMED, BUT THE ISSUE WAS NEVER FIXED. LIGHT WENT ON AGAIN A YEAR LATER AND HAS GONE ON AND OFF FOR YEARS. DUE TO TIME AND COST , COULD NOT BRING VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR A SECOND TIME. WAS RECENTLY TOLD BY FORD SERVICE REP THAT I WOULD PROBABLY PAY $400 TO FIX. MAY BE SEATBELT PRETENSIONER. WAS INFORMED THAT AIRBAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY IF THIS WAS NOT FIXED.THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND THERE WAS A TSB (TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN)REGARDING THIS ISSUE. IN MY RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THERE ARE MANY FORD ESCAPE OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. DUE TO THE HIGH COST TO REPAIR, AND WITH SO MANY PEOPLE OUT OF WORK, MANY CONSUMERS MAY NOT HAVE THIS WORK DONE, WHICH IS A SAFETY HAZARD. TO DATE, I AM NOT ABLE TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR. DUE TO SAFETY ISSUE THIS POSES THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS. *JS
Air bags, Mar 15, 2012
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
Air bags, Jan 10, 2011
2004 FORD ESCAPE XLT WITH 72,000 MILES. AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AFTER VEHICLE WAS STARTED. TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND AIR BAG LIGHT WENT AWAY. 4 DAYS LATER AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND NOW IT STAYS ON. THE LIGHT FLASHES A CODE OF 4-6 THREE TIMES AND THEN STAYS LIT. I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE IS A SERVICE BULLETIN CONCERNING THIS ISSUE AND THE FIX IS TO REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS GOING TO THE SEATBELTS FOR A COST OF AROUND $400.00, WHICH IS NOT COVERED BY THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY. SINCE THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON, THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD. SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY RELATED ITEM IT SHOULD BE COVERED BY A RECALL. *TR
Electrical system, Air bags, Seat belts, Dec 18, 2010
AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 10 MILES MY AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. ON THE WAY BACK, IT AGAIN CAME ON AFTER ABOUT 10 MILES - IT FLASHED A FEW TIMES AND THEN STAYED ON. THE FORD DEALER TESTED THE CAR AND SAID THE WARNING LIGHT WAS CAUSED BY BOTH FRONT PRETENSIONER CONNECTORS COSTING $397.99. I LOOKED UP PRETENSIONER ON THE INTERNET AND SAW MANY COMPLAINTS SPECIFIC TO 2004 FORD ESCAPES. THERE WERE ALSO SOLUTIONS SUCH AS DISCONNECTING THE LIGHT, IGNORING THE LIGHT, AND RIGGING THE WIRES UNDER THE SEAT. MY CONCERN IS THAT THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD DEFECT THAT MAY LEAD TO LACK OF SAFETY AND HIGHWAY DEATH. IT IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR THAT CONSUMERS MAY IGNORE.
Air bags, Seat belts, Jan 23, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WOULD CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE AUTO SHOP REPLACED THE SEAT BELT PRE-TENSIONER CONNECTORS AT THE COST OF $480.48. THERE HAD BEEN NO OTHER FAILURES SINCE THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,731. UPDATED 02/24/09. *LJ UPDATED 02/26/09. *JB
Air bags, Aug 12, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE FRONT AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND BLINKED THREE TIMES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS A SHORTAGE IN THE SEAT BELT SENSOR. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. AS OF AUGUST 12, 2008, THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND REMAINS AT THE DEALER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 66,000.
Air bags, Jul 23, 2008
STARTING APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK AGO, THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON CONSTANTLY IN MY 2004 FORD ESCAPE, INDICATING THAT THE AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT WHEN IT IS NEEDED. I CALLED RAMSEY FORD, WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR, DESCRIBED THE PROBLEM AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THEM. THEY COULD NOT FIT IT INTO THEIR SCHEDULE UNTIL YESTERDAY. THEY PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST THAT INDICATED THAT BOTH SEAT BELT CONNECTORS SHOULD BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $332.27. THEY DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS IN STOCK, BUT TOLD ME THAT THE AIRBAG WOULD NOT WORK DURING A CRASH. I PAID $42.50 FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC. BEING FORCED TO WAIT UNTIL PARTS ARRIVED, BUT WORRIED THAT THE AIRBAG WOULD NOT WORK IF NEEDED, I RESEARCHED AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FORD ESCAPE AND MANY PEOPLE ARE DRIVING ON THE ROADS WITH NO AIRBAG PROTECTION. IF THIS SAFETY HAZARD IS SO PREVALENT IN THESE VEHICLES, THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL BY FORD TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Air bags, Jul 18, 2008
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT LIT. FORD DEALER HAD A SERVICE BULLETIN TO CHANGE WIRING HARNESS FOR $415 WIRING FOR SAFETY EQUIPMENT SHOULD NOT FAIL IN 4 YEARS. *TR
Air bags, Jul 6, 2007
SERVICE BULLETIN 042612 NHTSA ITEM NUMBER 10014302 AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY CHARGED US $50.00 TO FIX..WAS IT A SAFETY PROBLEM IN THAT WE DID NOT KNOW IF AIRBAG WOULD FUNCTION PROPERLY? SHOULD THEY HAVE CHARGED US A FEE? *TR
Air bags, May 23, 2007
ON 5/21/2007 WHILE ON MY WAY TO WORK THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON THE INTRUMENT CLUSTER BEGAN TO FLASH. AFTER A FEW SEQUENCES OF FLASHING THE LIGHT CAME ON STEADY. WHEN I ARRIVED AT WORK I CALLED AND ARRANGED A TIME TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP TO BE REPAIRED. ON 5/23/2007 I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE DEALERSHI,P AND THEY INFORMED ME IT WAS A BAD AIRBAG WIRING HARNESS THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND THE COST OF PARTS AND LABOR WOULD BE APPROXIMATELY $390.00. ALSO, THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON THIS VEHICLE. THE FIRST TIME APPROXIMATELY 1 YEAR AGO, I CAN GET DETAILS WHEN I GET THE VEHICLE BACK. I GOT THE SAME INDICATIONS , AND A DEALER MADE THE REPAIR AND THE EXPLANATION WAS A SHORTED OUT TWIRE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT SENSOR. THAT REPAIR COST WAS APPROXIMATELY $300.00. I AS WONDERING IF THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM, AND IF THIS WAS A SAFETY RELATED FAILURE AM I RESPONSIBE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR.*AK
Air bags, May 1, 2007, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT HE MAY HAVE PASSED OUT WHILE DRIVING. HE DID NOT REMEMBER CROSSING THE INTERSECTION AND CRASHING INTO A FOUR FOOT PIPE FILLED WITH CONCRETE, AND THEN FLIPPING THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY, AND THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A RUPTURED LEFT LUNG. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 87,000. *AK
Air bags, Apr 11, 2007
AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE 2004 FORD ESCAPE FLASHES OR STAYS ON. MY SUV HAS 71,000 MILES. *AK
Air bags, Apr 1, 2007
FOR THE 5TH TIME WHILE DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS, THE AIRBAG LIGHT FLASHED AND REMAINED ON CONSTANTLY. TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO SAME DEALER THAT HAS WORKED ON VEHICLE REPEATEDLY FOR SAME AIRBAG PROBLEM. PER DEALER, PERFORM SELF TEST ON RCM MODULE KOEO B1994. PINPOINT TEST FOUND AND REPLACED BOTH SIDE AIR BAG CONNECTOR ON HARNESS SIDE. CLEARED CODE AND RETEST OK AFTER REPAIR. *JB
Electrical system, Air bags, Jul 10, 2006
THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASH BOARD FLASHES AS IT'S SUPPOSED TO AND THEN REMAINS ILLUMINATED. AFTER HAVING THE CAR INTO THE SHOP THEY INFORMED ME THAT IT'S A PROBLEM WITH THE CIRCUIT AND WOULD COST AN ADDITIONAL $100 JUST TO MOVE FORWARD AND MAY COST MORE. AFTER RESEARCHING THE ISSUE IT APPEARS THAT SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE THIS PROBLEM WITH THEIR ESCAPES AND IT FAILS AFTER BEING FIXED REPEATEDLY. *JB
Air bags, Jan 31, 2006
(1) NORMAL DRIVING TO WORK & SCHOOL. (2) WHILE DRIVING ON FREEWAY TO WORK APPROX 70 MPH, AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON FOR 3RD TIME. (3) RETURNED VEHICLE BACK TO DEALER WITH FOLLOWING RESULTS: PERFORM SELF TEST ON RCM MODULE KOEO B1881. PINPOINT TEST FOUND HIGH RESISTANCE ON PASSENGER SIDE PRETENSIONER. REMOVE BOTH FROM SEAT & REPLACED PRETENSIONER CONNECTORS PER TSB 05-17-11. CLEARED CODE & RETEST OK AFTER REPAIR. *JB
Air bags, Jan 27, 2006
(1) I DRIVE APPROXIMATELY 60 MILES PER DAY. VEHICLE IS USED PRIMARILY FOR DRIVING TO WORK AND TRANSPORTING CHILDREN TO SCHOOL & ACTIVITIES. (2) ON 12/6/05, I RETURNED VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP FOR 2ND TIME DUE TO AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATING. (3) PER DEALER DESCRIPTION: PERFORMED SELF TEST ON RCM MODULE KOEO B1998. PINPOINT TEST FOUND HIGH RESISTANCE IN SIDE AIR BAG HARNESS. REPLACED CONNECTOR UNDER PASSENGER SEAT PER TSB 04-26-12. CLEARED CODE & RETEST OKAY. *AK
Air bags, Feb 24, 2005
2004 ESCAPE WILL NOT START. VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN SEPTEMBER OF 2003. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 6 TIMES FOR IT NOT STARTING AND THEY SAY THAT THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT AND TO LET THE PROBLEM GET A "LITTLE WORSE" AND MAYBE THEY CAN FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG. THIS HAS HAPPENED IN WARM WEATHER AND COLD WEATHER. I CONTACTED FORD'S CONSUMER TELEPHONE NUMBER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE DEALER CANNOT FIND ANY CODES SO THEY CAN'T FIX IT. JUST BECAUSE A COMPUTER CAN'T TELL THE MECHANIC HOW TO DO THEIR JOB DOES NOT MEAN THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR. FORD OFFERED TO REIMBURSE ME A CAR RENTAL SO II COULD LEAVE MY CAR AT THE DEALER AGAIN FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME SO THEY CAN TRY AND FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG. I DO NOT HAVE EXTRA MONEY LAYING AROUND FOR A RENTAL SO THEY CAN HAVE MY CAR AGAIN FOR SERVICE AND THEN HAVE TO WAIT FOR A REIMBURSEMENT. THIS VEHICLE STARTS WHEN IT WANTS TO AND HESITATES. THIS IS A CONSTANT ISSUE AND I BELIEVE I HAVE A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE. *NM
Air bags, Dec 4, 2004
I PURCHASED USED 2004 FORD ESCAPE WITH 5650 MILES IN 8/04. IN SEPT04, FRONT PASSENGER DOOR UNLATCHED WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN PARKING LOT. MY 13-YR-OLD SON WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. AFTER I STOPPED THE VEHICLE, HE ATTEMPTED TO OPEN THE DOOR USING THE DOOR HANDLE, AND THE DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. HE THEN TRIED UNLOCKING THE DOOR USING THE PWR DOOR CONTROL TO NO AVAIL. I THEN USED THE DRIVER SIDE PWR DOOR CONTROL TO LOCK/UNLOCK THE DOOR, AND DOOR STILL WOULD NOT OPEN. SUDDENLY THE DOOR LOOK CONTROL ON PASSENGER SIDE BEGAN LOCKING/UNLOCKING BY ITSELF. IN ORDER TO OPEN THE DOOR, I HAD TO GET OUT OF THE CAR AND OPEN THE PASSENGER DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. I TOOK CAR INTO DEALERSHIP, AND THEY DID NOT FIND A PROBLEM. FIVE DAYS LATER ON 10/5/04, THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. RETURNED VEHICLE TO THE SAME DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP ADVISED BLINKING CODE 37. THEY RAN SELF TEST ON RCM MODULE. FAULT CODE IS B1998 (PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG HIGH RESISTANCE). CODE WAS CLEARED & SELF TEST RE-RAN. THEY ALSO FLEXED WIRES AT CONNECTORS & FAULT DID NOT RETURN. ON 11/24/04, I RETURNED VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP AGAIN BECAUSE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. THE FOUND SAME FAULT CODE. DEALER FOUND OASIS MESSAGE 18280. FORD IS WORKING ON A FIX THAT IS SUPPOSED TO BE AVAILABLE 4TH QUARTER 2004. DEALER CLEANED TERMINALS PER FORD INSTRUCTIONS & RE-TESTED. I ASKED SERVICE ADVISOR IF MY AIRBAGS WILL WORK, AND HE ADVISED HE DIDN'T KNOW. I FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD.*AK