2004 Ford Escape Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 154about this part
- Share
- 31%of 499 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 123,481miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 154 complaints about the suspension of the 2004 Ford Escape, 31% of the 499 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 123,481 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Another case of a 2004 Ford Escape with extensive right rear wheel well rust putting the strut in danger of coming through the body. I'm currently trying to figure out how and where to get it repaired. This seems to be a flaw in the design of the product. While one would hope Ford would step up I'm not seeing anything on their part so far.”
NHTSA complaint #10669299, filed 2014-12, 155,000 miles“As I was driving today a began to hear a loud banging noise. I took it to my mechanic and he said the wheel well is so rusted that the struts are barely attached. He told me the car is not safe to drive. After researching this online I have came across hundreds of people with the same problem. I think Ford should recall these vehicles!”
NHTSA complaint #10586039, filed 2014-05, 128,956 miles“I was driving home on the highway and all of a sudden my car pulled really hard to the right side and started making a loud horrible noise. Everytime I would hit a bump, it pulled the car. I made it home and had it looked at. My rear passenger wheel well was rusted so bad that my shock went right through it. All of the other wheel wells are just fine and appear to still be coated.”
NHTSA complaint #10579510, filed 2014-04, 106,000 miles“While driving home, I heard a loud bang coming from the passenger-side rear wheel. When I got home and looked at it, I noticed the strut had completely rusted away from the frame. I researched this issued on the internet and have found it to be very common to the year and make of this vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10747297, filed 2015-08, 120,000 miles“Just bought my 2004 Ford Escape k frame front passenger lower control arm mount rusted out exactly the way it is described in recall code 14s02 and my car VIN is not on the recall list for lower control arm”
NHTSA complaint #11311078, filed 2020-02, 140,200 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10205036Apr 21, 2016Safety recall 14S02 - Corrosion at forward attachment of lower control arm - requests for recall service action
- 10183772Apr 21, 20162001-2004 Escape vehicles Safety Recall 14S02 has been issued for vehicles that are operated in high corrosion areas for an extended period, where a corrosion-related separation…
- 10056443Aug 11, 2014Ford: the lower control arm (lca) forward attachment will separate from subframe, causing diminishing directional control, due to operating in high corrosion areas for extended…
Suspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 5 | 2% |
| 2021 | 7 | 2% |
| 2020 | 9 | 1% |
| 2019 | 3 | 1% |
| 2018 | 11 | 1% |
| 2017 | 8 | 0% |
| 2016 | 7 | 1% |
| 2015 | 13 | 1% |
| 2014 | 18 | 1% |
| 2013 | 27 | 1% |
| 2012 | 12 | 2% |
| 2011 | 32 | 2% |
| 2010 | 34 | 2% |
| 2009 | 19 | 1% |
| 2008 | 31 | 2% |
| 2007 | 19 | 7% |
| 2006 | 65 | 14% |
| 2005 | 459 | 33% |
| 2004 | 154 | 31% |
| 2003 | 90 | 16% |
| 2002 | 80 | 8% |
| 2001 | 42 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2004 Ford Escape
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 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