2004 Ford Escape Other or unknown Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 3%of 499 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 144,500miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the other or unknown of the 2004 Ford Escape, 3% of the 499 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 144,500 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“On thursday 15 november 2018, I parked my 2004 Ford Escape ltd in a parking-lot and went into my office. Within one hour, a fire began in the engine compartment that quickly spread to the rest of the vehicle. The cause of the fire is unknown. The vehicle was determined a total loss by my insurance company.”
NHTSA complaint #11157313, filed 2018-12, 230,000 miles“The vehicle was a 2004 Ford Escape. It was parked on the street, everything was turned off and the vehicle was not running. I was in work when I was informed that my vehicle was on fire. Nothing was on to start this fire, it happened spontaneously. The fire seems to have started in the vicinity of the drivers side engine bay. Previous to this incident, there were no mechanical or electrical issues with the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #11129616, filed 2018-09, 183,000 miles“Dangerous failure of my car frame, while I was driving on a public road. This failure happened after the frame problem was identified and remedied a few years earlier. It was a separation of the lower control arm where it meets the frame. Very scary.”
NHTSA complaint #10960419, filed 2017-03, 188,259 miles“Was driving 25 miles an hour down small hill, the car in front of me stopped. I hit the brakes and the car didn't stop it felt as if I was pushing the accelerator like when pushing button! To speed up cruise control and it slowly increases speed. I slammed both feet to the brake and went to reach for emergency brake but never made it. I hit the other car. Last thing I remember is hearing metal crunch, the next thing I remember is smoke, top of my head on left side hairline ached looked in mirror and saw blood. …”
NHTSA complaint #10700652, filed 2015-03, 148,000 miles“It seems one day I noticed my airbag light on. It is usually on constantly or blinking. I am not sure why it stays on. I see a lot of complaints about these airbags on this site. I wish I knew this problem prior to purchasing this car. I also just recently had the hood release cable break on me. Call the dealership and they don't make them anymore. Great! Wonderful! When I went to the parts store the counter person said that this was the 5th Ford hood release that they had people looking for in less than a month. Is there some kind of recall for the hood release cable? Should there be??”
NHTSA complaint #11082497, filed 2018-04, 143,400 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10018934Jan 1, 2006Neutral tow capability -- service kit requirements.
Other or unknown: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 5 | 19% |
| 2024 | 16 | 21% |
| 2023 | 9 | 9% |
| 2022 | 25 | 11% |
| 2021 | 59 | 17% |
| 2020 | 313 | 19% |
| 2019 | 42 | 7% |
| 2018 | 109 | 6% |
| 2017 | 158 | 6% |
| 2016 | 158 | 13% |
| 2015 | 149 | 13% |
| 2014 | 275 | 13% |
| 2013 | 303 | 11% |
| 2012 | 46 | 8% |
| 2011 | 58 | 4% |
| 2010 | 94 | 5% |
| 2009 | 58 | 3% |
| 2008 | 60 | 3% |
| 2007 | 18 | 7% |
| 2006 | 13 | 3% |
| 2005 | 76 | 5% |
| 2004 | 15 | 3% |
| 2003 | 24 | 4% |
| 2002 | 36 | 4% |
| 2001 | 31 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2004 Ford Escape
154 complaintsBody and structure
138 complaintsVehicle speed control
98 complaintsAir bags
45 complaintsWheels
34 complaintsBrakes
32 complaintsElectrical system
31 complaintsEngine
31 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
27 complaintsSteering
26 complaintsEngine cooling
18 complaintsFuel system
17 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Ford Escape
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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