2004 Ford Escape Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 32about this part
- Share
- 6%of 499 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 101,358miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 32 complaints about the brakes of the 2004 Ford Escape, 6% of the 499 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 101,358 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Brakes screech, squeal, and feel jerky. Also when I put the vehicle in park, the vehicle rolls forward a distance of four (4) to six (6) inches. My boyfriend, jody, is an attorney. He says that on occasion when he has driven the vehicle, it rolled forward after he put it in park, and touched the vehicle in front of my vehicle in the parking lot. …”
NHTSA complaint #10140340, filed 2005-10, 1 miles“Tone rings on Ford escapes breaking. These rings are for the ABS system. Truck doesn't stop properly. I read alot of complaints online about these tone rings. Ford charges $250 per side. In my case both sides are broke . Sounds like a factory faulty part.”
NHTSA complaint #10278292, filed 2009-07, 42,000 miles“On 916/17, we were just getting off the entrance onto route 276, east bound, north of philly. I was starting to accelerate and merge with traffic when the accelerator pedal suddenly went to the floor on its own. I then turned off the engine with the key and was able to pull off the right hand side of the road. After we were towed a mechanic was able to lift the pedal after detangling it from the cruise control cable. There was a recall for faulty cruise control (sticking accelerator pedal) in 2015. I took my vehicle in for the recall and it was repaired by a Ford dealer on 6/1/15. …”
NHTSA complaint #11033071, filed 2017-10, 197,639 miles“I was leaving my parking spot where the vehicle had been parked for approximately 45 minutes when the brake pedal went to the floor and my brakes were not working properly. I discovered that brake fluid was leaking out of the brake line in the front drivers side wheel well. The rubber hose had deteriorated and had to be replaced. Yesterday I was driving when my brake pedal went to the floor again. When I parked the car I found that brake fluid is leaking from the brake line in the front passengers side wheel well. The vehicle now had approximately 137000 miles. …”
NHTSA complaint #10724465, filed 2015-06, 130,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10487467, filed 2012-12, 111,364 milesRelated recalls
- 07V156000Apr 10, 2007On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with antilock brakes (abs), the abs module connector may have missing or dislodged wire seals. This condition could…Covers: Ford Escape 2001–2004
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 4% |
| 2024 | 3 | 4% |
| 2023 | 4 | 4% |
| 2022 | 34 | 14% |
| 2021 | 50 | 14% |
| 2020 | 45 | 3% |
| 2019 | 10 | 2% |
| 2018 | 27 | 1% |
| 2017 | 50 | 2% |
| 2016 | 21 | 2% |
| 2015 | 26 | 2% |
| 2014 | 38 | 2% |
| 2013 | 72 | 3% |
| 2012 | 21 | 3% |
| 2011 | 26 | 2% |
| 2010 | 50 | 2% |
| 2009 | 108 | 6% |
| 2008 | 140 | 7% |
| 2007 | 48 | 19% |
| 2006 | 68 | 15% |
| 2005 | 66 | 5% |
| 2004 | 32 | 6% |
| 2003 | 57 | 10% |
| 2002 | 195 | 19% |
| 2001 | 163 | 16% |
Other parts of the 2004 Ford Escape
154 complaintsBody and structure
138 complaintsVehicle speed control
98 complaintsAir bags
45 complaintsWheels
34 complaintsElectrical system
31 complaintsEngine
31 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
27 complaintsSteering
26 complaintsEngine cooling
18 complaintsFuel system
17 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
16 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Ford Escape
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology