2003 FORD ESCAPE Structure Problems

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the front wheel would extend outward while turning the vehicle, braking, or during acceleration, causing the vehicle to slightly veer to the right. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the front passenger’s side control arm had slightly detached. The dealer informed the contact the failure was a result of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V165000 (Structure) and the vehicle was included; however, the fix needed exceeded the repair stated in the recall remedy. The dealer diagnosed that the front subframe was extremely rusted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened. The contact was also referred to NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The approximate failure mileage was 122,000.

Mileage: 122,000

TL* THE CONTACT'S MOTHER OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT'S MOTHER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE) THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT HOPKINS FORD OF ELGIN INC. LOCATED AT (1045 E CHICAGO ST, ELGIN, IL 60120) HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE MOVED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S SIDE CONTROL ARMS AND THE FRONT SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

Mileage: 86,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED AND QUOTED A REPAIR COST OF $2,000 TO HAVE THE FRAME REPLACED. SEVERAL UNKNOWN DEALERS WERE CONTACTED AND QUOTED REPAIRS COSTS AS HIGH AS $4,800. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

Mileage: 88,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE K FRAME WAS CORRODED AND THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. IN ADDITION, WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE K FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, THE POWER CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED, AND THE AIR BAGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,470.

Mileage: 172,470

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED, WHICH CREATED AN ABNORMAL RUBBING SOUND WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RICART FORD (4255 S HAMILTON RD, GROVEPORT, OH 43125, (614) 836-6260) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT A NEW SUBFRAME AND LOWER CONTROL ARM WERE NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 196,703.

Mileage: 196,703

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE SUBFRAME WOULD RUB AGAINST THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RICART FORD (4255 S HAMILTON RD, GROVEPORT, OH 43125, (614) 836-6260) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 195,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

Mileage: 195,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED NEAR THE LOWER CONTROL ARM. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER (BALISE FORD OF CAPE COD IN HYANNIS, MA) WERE BOTH NOTIFIED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE). THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

Mileage: 123,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE TURNING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOB CHAPMAN FORD (1255 COLUMBUS AVE, MARYSVILLE, OH 43040, (937) 642-0015) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONTROL ARM AND SUBFRAME WERE FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 121,000.

Mileage: 121,000

MY VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR THE FORD RECALL # 14S02 AND A CROSS BRACE WAS INSTALLED. THE RECALL WAS DUE TO A SUBFRAME CORRODING AWAY IN SOME PARTS OF THE US INCLUDING MY REGION. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT FORD DID NOT CORRECTLY FIX THIS PROBLEM WITH THEIR CROSS BRACE. THEY SIMPLY BOLTED A CROSS BRACE FROM ONE SIDE OF THE FRAME TO THE OTHER AND IT DOES NOTHING WHEN THE SUBFRAME ACTUALLY CORRODES AWAY. I WAS LUCKY TO NOT GET IN AN ACCIDENT A WEEK AGO WHEN MY FRAME THAT HAS THE CROSS BAR INSTALLED FINALLY GAVE WAY AND MY FRONT PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE CROSS BRACE AND SUBFRAME THAT HAS CORRODED TO NOTHING. FORD HAS CLAIMED THAT SINCE THE RECALL WORK HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE THERE IS NOTHING MORE THEY CAN DO. I THINK THE NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE AND MAKE FORD ACTUALLY FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT. IT WAS ONE OF THE SCARIEST MOMENTS DRIVING THAT I HAVE EVER HAD. DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH MY 7 YR OLD SON IN THE CAR AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I LOSE STEERING ALMOST ALL TOGETHER. THANKFULLY I WAS ONE OF THE LUCKY ONES THAT DAY. IF THIS PROBLEM IS NOT ADDRESSED THEN I'M AFRAID MANY PEOPLE WILL BE HURT.

Mileage: 56,000

2003 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE FRONT SUBFRAME CROSSBRACE RECALL ISSUES. *SMD

THE FRONT FRAME OF THE CAR HAS CORRODED TO THE POINT THAT THE CONTROL ARM HAS COME LOOSE AND THE CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE. THERE IS A RECALL OF THIS SPECIFIC PROBLEM FOR THIS MAKE/MODEL/YEAR BUT I AM BEING TOLD MY VIN IS NOT PART OF THIS RECALL. THE CONTROL ARM DETACHED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I WAS NOT IN AN ACCIDENT BUT WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER. I HAD THE DAMAGE ASSES BY A LOCAL MECHANINC, WHO INFORMED ME OF THE RECALL.

Mileage: 131,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, A CRUNCHING SOUND WAS PRESENT COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY COULD NOT BE DRIVEN PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM HAD FRACTURED DUE TO CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED IN 2014 PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE). THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE LATER EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000.

Mileage: 53,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE CONTACT'S SPOUSE WAS DRIVING 30 MPH, A LOUD POP WAS HEARD AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY LOOSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SWERVED TO THE RIGHT AND THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO OURISMAN FORD & LINCOLN OF ALEXANDRIA (6129 RICHMOND HWY, ALEXANDRIA, VA 22303, (703) 660-9000) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED A CASE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 150,000

TL* THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS DAUGHTER NOTICED THAT THE SUBFRAME LOOKED RUSTED AND LOOSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BRONDES FORD TOLEDO (5545 SECOR RD, TOLEDO, OH 43623) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME HAD ROTTED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE). AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN OVER 20 MPH, THE WHEELS TURNED AT DIFFERENT ANGLES AND THE VEHICLE MADE A SCREECHING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO BRONDES FORD, BUT THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER (WHO WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE) DECLINED TO PROVIDE FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Mileage: 150,000

THE FRONT SUB FRAME IS RUSTED AND THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

Mileage: 107,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE SWAYED BACK AND FORTH. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME AND, UPON INSPECTING UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE, NOTICED CORROSION AND SEPARATION OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FROM THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC OR DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE). THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,207.

Mileage: 153,207

MY SON WAS DRIVING THIS VEHICLE WHEN THE FRONT CONTROL ARM SNAPPED OFF FROM THE FRONT SUBFRAME! THANKFULLY, HE DID NOT GET KILLED OR INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL GARAGE WHO INFORMED ME THAT FORD RECALL # 14S02 APPLIES TO THIS VERY CONDITION. UPON CALLING FORD'S CUSTOMER ASSIST LINE, I WAS COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. I TOLD THE REP THAT I NEED A TOW SINCE THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE. SHE TOLD ME THAT FORD WILL NOT PAY FOR A TOW OR ANY CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES. THIS MAKES NO SENSE TO ME. OBVIOUSLY, FORD HAS ACKNOWLEDGED A PROBLEM. I DON'T THINK IT IS FAIR FOR THEM TO TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY & LEAVE THE CONSUMER FOOTING THE BILL. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS WHEN YOU GET A CHANCE. THANK YOU. *TR

Mileage: 210,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE HE WAS ADVISED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS RUSTED OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED A CASE #CAS13006709 AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO FOLLOW UP. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE) HOWEVER THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS COMPLETELY FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,000.

Mileage: 134,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE STEERING FAILED AND THE SUBFRAME FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 17653427. NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,907.... .UPDATED 11/16/17 *BF UPDATED 11/28/2017*JS

Mileage: 172,907

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING 40 MPH, THE DRIVER STRUCK A POTHOLE AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO PULL TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM AND SUBFRAME WERE BENT DUE TO RUST AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST BECAUSE THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

Mileage: 135,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO MARK THOMAS FORD (LOCATED AT 3098 ELM RD EXT NE CORTLAND, OH 44410) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED CASE NUMBER: CAS13677317. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 174,522.

Mileage: 174,522

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE WAS UNSTABLE AND THERE WAS LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER (ARLINGTON HEIGHTS FORD LOCATED AT 801 W DUNDEE RD ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL 60004, 888 481-8607) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED WITH A BRACE. TWO MONTHS LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER (FOX FORD LINCOLN LOCATED AT 2501 N ELSTON AVE CHICAGO, IL 60647 773-687-7800) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OPENED CASE NUMBERS: CASDASH12577845 AND CAS12593478. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000.

Mileage: 96,000

MY FATHER TOOK MY ESCAPE TO HAVE THE BRAKES ASSESSED AND WHILE IT WAS UP ON THE LIFT, THE OWNER OF THE SERVICE STATION MADE MENTION TO THE EXCESSIVE, ABNORMAL RUST IN THE CHASSIS. HE STATED THAT THE CONDITION OF THE CHASSIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND THAT THE SUPPORT ARM, THAT WAS INSTALLED DUE TO THE RECALL #14V165000 AND 14S02, IS ATTACHED TO RUST AND NOT SUPPORTING ANYTHING TO MAKE THE TRUCK SAFE. I HAVE TRIED A NUMBER OF TIMES TO ASK FOR HELP FROM FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS AND THEY ARE UNWILLING TO ASSIST IN ANY WAY. THIS TRUCK WAS WELL CARED FOR AND THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION ARE IN GREAT WORKING ORDER. I SHOULD BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE THIS CAR, HOWEVER, BECAUSE OF THE RUST ISSUE, THE TRUCK IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. UNDERTAKING A NEW CAR PAYMENT WOULD BE A HUGE FINANCIAL BURDEN THAT I AM UNABLE TO AFFORD AT THIS TIME. IT IS VERY DISHEARTENING THAT A LARGE CORPORATION SUCH AS FORD MANUFACTURED A SUBSTANDARD VEHICLE AND THEY WOULD RATHER ITS CUSTOMER(S) DRIVE AN UNSAFE CAR THAN MAINTAIN RESPONSIBILITY AND OFFER SOME KIND OF ASSISTANCE.

Mileage: 110,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 12V353000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) AND 14V165000 (STRUCTURE); HOWEVER, THE PARTS FOR THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE UNDERCARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE, ESPECIALLY NEAR THE CONTROL ARM, WAS CORRODED TO THE POINT THAT IT FAILED INSPECTION. ALSO, THE VEHICLE'S RPM MONITOR FLUCTUATED BETWEEN 0-5, FAILING TO CORRECTLY INDICATE AN INCREASE IN RPMS. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO REV UP WITHOUT THE CONTACT PURPOSELY CAUSING AN INCREASE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 244,310. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

Mileage: 244,310

MY VEHICLE WAS SETTING IN MY DRIVEWAY ON 4/14/2017 AND THE NEIGHBOR CAME POUNDING ON MY DOOR STATING MY VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. HE TRIED PUTTING THE FIRE OUT TO AVOID THE FIRE FROM REACHING THE GAS TANK AND ALSO SPRAYING THE SIDE OF MY HOUSE TO TRY TO KEEP IT FROM CATCHING THE SIDING ON FIRE. THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE TIRE BLEW UP SO HE DROPPED THE HOSE AND RAN.WHEN THE FIRE DEPT GOT HERE IT HAD ALREADY BURNED MY VEHICLE ALL THE WAY UP AND MELTED THE SIDING ON THE HOUSE. THE FIRE CHIEF WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE BECAUSE OF THE WAY EVERYTHING WAS BURNED! NOTHING WAS LEFT BUT THE 2 REAR TIRES AND WHEELS AND THE 2 BACK TAIL LIGHT LENS. I HAD DROVE IT 2 1/2 HRS BEFORE THE FIRE STARTED SO THE MOTOR WAS ALREADY COOLED OFF! I'VE CHECKED FOR RECALLS BUT NONE TO BE FOUND ON THIS YR MODEL. I ALSO FILED A COMPLAINT WITH RECALL CENTER AND WITH FORD MOTOR CORPORATION.ALL THEY SAID WAS I WOULD RECEIVE THE REPORT WITHIN THE NEXT 15 DAYS. IT'S BEEN 11 DAYS NOW AND STILL HAVEN'T RECEIVED ANYTHING! COMPLAINT #: 10978773 (FORD CORP) FIRE DEPARTMENT INCIDENT #: 17-1703168....KEITH FITCH. FIRE CHIEF...

Mileage: 238,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND THAT WHEN DRIVING IT FELT ABNORMAL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUB FRAME HAD EXPERIENCED SEVERE CORROSION AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED TWO YEARS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE VEHICLE WAS REMEDIED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.

Mileage: 130,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AND THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY VEERED TO THE SIDE OF ROAD. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE). THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME TO A FAMILY MEMBER'S HOME WHERE IT WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT A CRACKED SUBFRAME DUE TO EXTREME CORROSION WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER DID NOT PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

Mileage: 113,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE DROVE ABNORMALLY. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE) PRIOR TO BEING PURCHASED. THE ONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE HAD CORRODED WHERE THE SUPPORT BRACKETS WERE INSTALLED FROM THE PREVIOUS RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000. ..UPDATED 02/09/17 *BF

Mileage: 107,700

MY 17-YEAR-OLD SON WAS DRIVING THE CAR HOME FROM WORK AND AFTER MAKING A RIGHT TURN THE CAR SEVERELY JERKS TO THE RIGHT. HE ALMOST WENT OFF OF THE ROAD. WE TOOK THE CAR TO OUR LOCAL MECHANIC AND WERE TOLD THAT THERE WAS CORROSION AND SEPARATION OF THE CONTROL ARM AND WE WOULD NEED A BRACE TO COMPLETE THE REPAIR. THE MECHANIC SAID WHEN HE TOOK THE CAR FOR A TEST DRIVE THE STEERING WHEEL IS OUT OF ALIGNMENT AND HE ALMOST HIT A MAILBOX WHEN THE CAR JERKED TO THE RIGHT. WHEN INVESTIGATING HOW TO GET A USED PART I DISCOVERED THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE (FORD RECALL #14S02). MY CAR FITS THE SAME MODEL YEAR AND PURCHASE/REGISTRATION LOCATIONS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL, BUT FORD REFUSES TO MAKE THE REPAIR UNDER THE RECALL. CURRENTLY WE ARE COMPLETELY UNABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE IT IS UNSAFE FOR MY SON AND OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD FOR THE CAR TO BE DRIVEN. HAD MY SON BEEN DRIVING FASTER WHEN THIS HAPPENED THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT. *TR

Mileage: 165,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. UPON EXITING A PARKING AREA, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SUSPENSION VIBRATION NEAR THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT SUBFRAME FRACTURED AND IMPACTED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE CONTACT AND A MECHANIC INSPECTED THE FACT THAT THERE HAD BEEN PREMATURE RUST AND CORROSION ASSOCIATED WITH THE UNDERBODY, SUBFRAME, AND THE BAR THAT WAS CONNECTED TO THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN AND WAS TOWED BY THE MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO SOLUTION OTHER THAN FOR THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE) AND 15E045000 (SUSPENSION). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING AT 35 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL STARTED MAKING NOISE AND GOT WOBBLY. I TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALER. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOOK A DAY TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THEY INDICATED THAT THE SUB FRAME HAS RUSTED OUT AND THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS ARE NOT SECURE IN THE SUB-FRAME AND MAY SEPARATE ANYTIME. THEY REFUSE TO FIX THE PROBLEM AS PER THE RECALL SAYING THAT THEY PUT A CROSS BRACE AND THE RECALL IS FIXED. THE CROSS BRACE THAT WAS PUT, IS A BAND-AID FIX AND DOES NOT ADDRESS THE FAILURE OF THE DEFECTIVE SUB-FRAME. THE SUB-FRAME WILL FAIL EVEN AFTER INSTALLING THE CROSS BRACE THAT FORD SEEMS TO THINK WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WILL SEPARATE AND THE CROSS BRACE WILL NOT PREVENT ANY ACCIDENTS THAT COULD RESULT FROM LOWER CONTROL ARM SEPARATION.

Mileage: 140,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 10 MPH, THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TOWED TO A MECHANIC. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

Mileage: 115,000

WHILE DRIVING, THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO FALL OFF THE VEHICLE. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE SUB-FRAME WAS CRACKED AND FORD HAD A RECALL IN PLACE. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALERSHIP WHO STATED THAT IT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. INSTEAD, THEY PUT A CROSS-BAR ON THE CRACKED SUB FRAME BECAUSE THEY DETERMINED IT WAS "NOT BROKEN" ONLY "CRACKED". THE SUB FRAME HAD "RUSTED AND CORRODED" DUE TO FORD'S OWN ADMITTANCE OF "FAULTY PARTS". I ASKED IF THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE AND THEY STATED "NO". I ASKED IF THE VEHICLE WOULD PASS INSPECTION AND AGAIN THEY STATED "NO". I ASKED IF THIS WAS A "BANDAID" THAT THEY PUT ON TO MAKE THEMSELVES FEEL BETTER ABOUT THE FACT THAT ANYONE OPERATING THE VEHICLE COULD LOSE TOTAL CONTROL. I ASKED TO SPEAK TO A MANAGER, WHO TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO. HE DID STATE HE WOULD MAKES SOME CALLS AND CALLED ME A DAY OR TWO LATER TO SAY, THAT HIS MANAGER SAID IF I WANTED THE VEHICLE FIXED, I COULD PAY $1,200 FOR THE PART AND AN ADDITIONAL $600-$800 IN LABOR TO FIX THE VEHICLE, OR I COULD TRADE IT IN. I AM BEYOND FRUSTRATED THAT FORD WILL NOT BACK UP THEIR PRODUCT. THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 65,000 MILES ON IT!

Mileage: 64,958

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACTWAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE) DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION ON THE SUBFRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

Mileage: 100,000

2003 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO CORROSION OF THE SUBFRAME LOWER CONTROL ARM RECALL NOTICE REPAIRS AND SEEKS REIMBURSEMENT. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED SIX MONTHS AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED, HIS WIFE HEARD A TERRIBLE NOISE AND THE VEHICLE BECAME IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER. THE CONSUMER ARRIVED TO WHERE HIS WIFE WAS AND DID AN INSPECTION, AND DISCOVERED THE FRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND BROKEN IN HALF. THE NEXT DAY, A MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THE FRONT CROSS MEMBER WAS RUSTED OUT AND BROKEN ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED HE WAS NOT ENTITLED TO REIMBURSEMENT, BECAUSE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM SEPARATED FROM THE SUBFRAME AFTER THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED. *JB

THE ASH GOLD PAINT IS BUBBLING ALL OVER THE OUTSIDE ROOF REAR DOOR SIDES (ALL OVER) THE CAR TO INCLUDE THE INTERIOR. THE ROOF HAS RUSTED AND FORD WON'T DO ANYTHING. I WENT TO TWO FORD DEALERS IN SAN DIEGO AND CALLED FORD DIRECT. THE PASSED ME OVER TO THE HIGHWAY SAFETY ADMIN HOTLINE THAT TOLD ME TO CALL FORD, THEY WILL HANDLE THE COMPLAINT. EVERYDAY MORE PAINT PEELS OFF.

Mileage: 80,000

0N APR 22, 2015 WHILE DRIVING FROM SHADY SPRING WV TO PRINCETON WV ON I-77 TO A DRS APPT, MY WIFE AND I NOTICED A POPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE VEH WHEN VEERING OR TURNING RIGHT. I HAD TO WORK THAT DAY AFTER I RETURNED FROM THE DR AND HAD PLANNED TO TAKE THE VEH TO A MECHANIC AFTER I GOT OFF TO FIND OUT THE PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON PLUTO ROAD IN SHADY SPRING, I ROUNDED A CURVE TO THE RIGHT AT 20 MPH AND SOMETHING BROKE CAUSING THE VEH TO COME TO A SUDDEN STOP. I HAD THE VEH TOWED TO A&R SERVICE CTR IN SHADY SPRING AND WAS NOTIFIED THAT AFTERNOON THAT THE SUB FRAME BROKE/ LOWER CV JOINT HAD CAME LOOSE AND THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE RUST AND CORROSION COVERING THE WHOLE UNDERNEATH OF THE VEH. I NOTIFIED KC PREOWNED AUTO WHOM I HAD PURCHASED THE VEH FROM IN SEPT 2014. HE WENT TO THE MECH AND LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE AND CALLED ME AND STATED THE GOOD NEWS IS THERE IS A RECALL ON THE SUB FRAME THAT HAD BROKEN AND COULD BE TAKEN TO MOUNTAINEER AUTO IN BECKLEY WV FOR REPAIR. THE VEH WAS TAKEN ON APR 27 2015, AND AFTER BEING SENT TO A BODY SHOP FOR A RUSTED AND BROKEN BOLT, A NEW SUB FRAME WAS PLACED ON THE FRONT. MY WIFE PICKED IT UP ON JUN 20 2015 AND NOTICED DRIVING HOME A VIBRATION COMING FROM THE FRONT RIGHT AND A GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM THE MIDDLE OF IT. I TOOK IT BACK TO MOUNTAINEER AUTO THE NEXT DAY AND WAS TOLD BY THE SVC REP (J T) THAT FORD WAS NOT GOING TO PUT ANYMORE MONEY IN TO THIS VEH AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY WOULD DO. I NOTIFIED THE WV ATTY GENERAL FOR HELP AND AFTER TRYING TO RECTIFY THE ISSUE RECEIVED A LETTER THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE VEH SAT IN MY DRIVEWAY UNTIL FEB 3, 2016, WHEN I SAVED UP MONEY TO FIX IT MYSELF. I TOOK IT BACK TO MOUNTAINEER AUTO AND WAS TOLD THE CARRIAGE BEARING WAS BROKE, AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST AND CORROSION. TOOK IT TO 2 BROTHERS AND RECEIVED THE ATTACHED STATEMENT.

Mileage: 118,546

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A RECALL ON THE FRAME AND WAS REPAIRED. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOBBLED. THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WAS STRAIGHT WHILE THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL FACED OUTWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS COMPLETELY FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.

Mileage: 145,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, A LOUD THUMPING SOUND CAME FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE AND THE STEERING MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME SEPERATED DUE TO SEVERE RUST AND CORROSION, WHICH CAUSED THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO FRACTURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167,000.

Mileage: 167,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATLY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE APPRUPTLY STOPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DISCOVERED THAT THE FRAME FRACTURED NEAR THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE MANUFACTURER BUT, WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SEVERE SHAKING AND VIBRATIONS. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, A THUMPING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT A BRACE WAS PLACED ON BY THE DEALER IN THE SUBFRAME AS PART OF A RECALL IN 2014. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000.

Mileage: 121,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT A HIGH SPEED, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND FAILED TO REMAIN IN POSITION. THE CONTACT HAD TO STEER THE VEHICLE IN EXCESS IN ORDER TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO REPAIRED THE VEHICLE UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE); HOWEVER, THE LOCAL DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS CORROSION AROUND THE ATTACHMENT AREA AND THE SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.

Mileage: 109,000

MY FORD ESCAPE HAD RECALL 14S02 COMPLETED, WHICH WAS SUPPOSED TO "FIX" THE RUSTING OUT SUB-FRAMES MADE OF INFERIOR METAL DUE TO SALT-BELT STATES SALTING OF ROADS, BY INSTALLING A FLIMSY BRACE ACROSS THE SUB-FRAME, BUT I'M HONESTLY NOT SURE WHAT IT DOES BESIDES PREVENT YOUR CAR FROM "COMPLETELY" LOSING CONTROL. FORD REFUSES TO TRULY FIX THE PROBLEM AND IT POSSES A SERIOUS RISK TO ME, MY FAMILY, AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD. IF THE SUB-FRAME DOES DETACH ON MY CAR, WHICH IT IS ONE NASTY POT-HOLE AWAY FROM DETACHING, THAN I WILL LOSE CONTROL OF MY CAR WHEN THE CONTROL ARM BREAKS OFF THE SUB-FRAME AND I WILL BE IN A POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING SITUATION. MY LOCAL INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WARNED ME OF THE DANGER OF THIS PROBLEM JUST RECENTLY WHILE IT WAS STATIONARY, BUT FORD DID NOT. FORD SIMPLY BRUSHED ME OFF AND DIDN'T EXPLAIN TO ME HOW DANGEROUS THIS SUPPOSED "FIX" IS. I AM STUDENT, AND IN ORDER FOR ME TO FIX THIS ON MY OWN THE COST WILL BE UNBEARABLE. I DO NOT THINK THIS IS FAIR OR FOLLOWING FEDERAL LAW, AND I DON'T KNOW HOW THIS PATHETIC BRACE HELD ON BY A COUPLE OF BOLTS WAS CONSIDERED A REAL FIX FOR A VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM. THE MANNER IN WHICH FORD HAS HANDLED THIS SITUATION HAS BEEN DEPLORABLE AS WELL, AND I HAVE RECEIVED NOTHING BUT RUDENESS FROM THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT, AND CUSTOMER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES. THE DANGER OF THIS PARTICULAR PROBLEM IS THAT WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION AND IT DOES DETACH, ESPECIALLY ON A HIGHWAY, THEN I, AND OTHERS WILL BE AT A RISK DUE TO LOSS OF CONTROL OF STEERING.

Mileage: 50,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WERE ABNORMAL NOISES COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, BOTH FRONT TIRES LEANED INWARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT CONTROL ARM, SWAY BAR, AND TIE RODS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. A WEEK LATER, WHILE REVERSING AT A LOW SPEED, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CONTROL ARM AND AXLE FRACTURED. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,470.

Mileage: 90,470

LAST YEAR I RETURNED MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR THE SUB FRAME RECALL. I HAD THE NEW SUPPORT INSTALLED. THIS YEAR WHEN I WENT FOR MY ANNUAL VEHICLE INSPECTION I WAS TOLD TO STOP DRIVING THE VEHICLE AS MY SUBFRAME WAS SO BADLY RUSTED THAT IT COULD BREAK AT ANY TIME. WHY WAS THE SUBFRAME REPLACEMENT NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL?

Mileage: 127,000

STEERING LOSE WITH LITTLE CONTROL. MECHANIC STATES A SEPARATION OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION IN FRAME. MATCHES FORD RECALL 14S02. YET RECALL WAS PERFORMED JUNE 2014. SO SAFETY RECALL FAILED.

Mileage: 60,000

WENT TO GET CAR INSPECTED AND THE EXHAUST Y PIPE AND ENGINE CRADLE SUBFRAME HAS CORRISON. CALLED THE FORD RECALL AND FOR SOME REASON MY VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE A RECALL, BUT THERE WERE OTHER 2003 RECALLS FOR THE CONTROL ARMS AND CORRISON OF THE FRAME AND MEMBERS. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH A LOT OF FORD VEHICLES BUT NOT ON THE RECALL LIST AND SHOULD BE. VEHICLE HAS 100,078 MILES. THERE IS ALSO NOISE COME FROM AN AREA AROUND THE TIRES NOT SURE WHICH ONE.

Mileage: 100,078

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL FRACTURED AND DAMAGED THE SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,000.

Mileage: 145,000

2003 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO EXCESSIVE RUST ON VEHICLE SUB-FRAME RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE ARM CROSS BAR WAS REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE SUBFRAME WAS NOT COVERED. THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL AT GETTING THE SUB FRAME REPLACED, BECAUSE NO WAS WILLING TO SELL THE PART. THE PART WAS BEING USED FOR CERTAIN VIN'S. THE CONSUMER REFERENCED RECALL # 14V165000. *JB

THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ON MY 2003 FORD ESCAPE IS RUSTED THROUGH AND FORD DIDN'T INCLUDE MY VEHICLE IN THE RECALLS. THEY ARE OBVIOUSLY HAVING A WIDER ISSUE WITH THIS CONTROL ARM SINCE RECALL NUMBER 14SO2 HAS AFFECTED MY ESCAPE AS WELL. THEY CLAIM THAT MY LOWER CONTROL ARM WASN'T PART OF THE FACTORIES THAT WAS LISTED SO THEY WON'T INCLUDE ME IN THE RECALL. I HAVE HAD THIS ISSUE FOR A WHILE AND IF I WAS GOING DOWN THE HIGHWAY MY ENTIRE WHEEL COULD HAVE DISCONNECTED AND CAUSE A HORRIBLE CRASH. THEY MUST INCLUDE ALL FORD ESCAPES FROM 2001 THROUGH 2004 AS LISTED IN THIS RECALL SINCE MY ESCAPE IS OBVIOUSLY INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL AND I SHOULD NOT BE CHARGED FOR THE REPAIR OR AT LEAST NOTIFIED OF THE DANGER. THEY SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO PICK AND CHOOSE WHICH CAR THEY DEEMED ACCEPTABLE FOR THE RECALL IF THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECT WHICH COULD CAUSE HARM TO THE OWNER AND IS DOCUMENTED AS BEING HARMFUL,, *TR

Mileage: 75,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE); HOWEVER, THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT EFFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE REAR FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED DUE TO CORROSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,000. MA 08/10/15 THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE REAR FRAME WAS IN THE PROCESS OF RUSTING. HOWEVER, THE FRONT FRAME WAS ALREADY RUSTED. UPDATED 08/18/15*JB

Mileage: 114,000

VEHICLE WENT IN FOR CONTROL ARM BRACE RECALL IN 2014 DUE TO POOR METZL USED ON THE SUBFRAME, MARCH OF 2015 IT FAILED LEAVING LIMITED CONTROL OF STEERING, FORD WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY ARE ONLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CONTROL ARM RECALL AND TO CONTACT THE DEALER. THEY SAID THEY DID WHAT THEY WERE TOLD TO DO AND THE ROTTED SUBFRAME WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THE SUBFRAME PART BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. *TR

Mileage: 88,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING A ROUTINE INSPECTION PERFORMED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO PASS INSPECTION DUE TO RUST ON THE RIGHT WHEEL WELL, THE RIGHT FENDER, THE CROSS MEMBER AND THE FRAME. THE INSPECTOR DETERMINED THAT THE COMPONENTS DETERIORATED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,600. UPDATED 5/4/15*CN UPDATED 05/26/15*JB

Mileage: 57,600

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS FRACTURED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,994. UPDATED 3/12/15*CN UPDATED 9/11/2017*CN

Mileage: 116,994

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT HEARD A CONSTANT NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE NEAR THE WHEELS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE). THE DEALER PROVIDED THE RECALL REMEDY OF A NEWLY DESIGNED CROSS BRACE AS AN INTERIM REPAIR, BUT THE NOISE FAILURE RECURRED. WITHIN THREE MONTHS, THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WAS LEANING DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FRACTURED. THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED TO THE POINT OF CORROSION. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Mileage: 120,000

SEEMS WE OWN A FORD ESCAPE 2003 WHICH NEEDS A CROSS BRACE FOR THE SUB FRAME. THE REASON FOR THE RECALL IS THAT THE SUB FRAME CORRODES AND THE BRACE WILL KEEP THE TWO SIDES FROM BREAKING APART AND SPLITTING THEM INTO TWO HALVES. THAT IS BECAUSE IT CAN RUST AND BREAK. THE TOP OF THE SUB FRAME OF THE FORD ESCAPE IS RUSTED AND LOOKS VERY UNSAFE. FORD WOULD NOT REPLACE THE WHOLE SUB FRAME BECAUSE IT DOES NOT EFFECT WHERE THEY CAN ATTACH THE BRACE. PROBLEM SOLVED FORD WILL NOT COVER THE TOP OF THE SUB FRAME ONLY THE BOTTOM WHERE THE BRACE IS INSTALLED. QUESTION 1: WOULD YOU OR THE OWNER OF THE FORD CORP HAVE HIS DAUGHTER AND/OR HIS GRAND DAUGHTER DRIVE DOWN RTE. 495 DOING 65 MPH WITH A RUSTED-OUT TOP SUB FRAME? QUESTION 2: I HAVE A BRAND NEW FORD ESCAPE 2014. HOW LONG ARE THE IRON FRAME PARTS OF THE CAR GOOD? SHOULD I SELL IT AT 5 YEARS OR 6? I KNOW THAT 10 YEARS IS TOO LONG. *TR

Mileage: 153,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE SUBFRAME FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.

Mileage: 122,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE: FRAME AND MEMBERS). THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT REPAIRED ACCORDING TO THE RECALL. THE MECHANIC INSTALLED A NEWLY DESIGNED REINFORCEMENT CROSS-BRACE; HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC COULD NOT COMPLETE A FRONT END ALIGNMENT DUE TO AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF CORROSION PRESENT. THE FRONT END ALIGNMENT WAS AN ENFORCED PROCEDURE PER THE MANUFACTURER, WHICH WAS INCLUDED IN THE REMEDY FOR THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL; HOWEVER, THE STEERING BECAME AFFECTED DUE TO THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

ON JUNE 9 2014, I TOOK MY ESCAPE TO THE FORD DEALER TO HAVE RECALL 14S02 PERFORMED. WE HAD RECENTLY PURCHASED THE CAR AND HAD GOTTEN THE RECALL NOTICE. THE SERVICE WRITER CALLED ME TO SAY THAT "THE CAR WASN'T SAFE TO DRIVE" BECAUSE OF THE RUST SPOTS THAT HAD EATEN THROUGH THE ENGINE CRADLE. HE WARNED ME THAT IF THIS WENT UNREPAIRED, THE FRAME COULD COLLAPSE UNDER THE WEIGHT OF THE ENGINE. HE REASSURED ME THAT HE WAS WORKING WITH FORD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE CRADLE AS PART OF THE RECALL. HE TOOK PICTURES (TWICE) OF THE CAR AND SUBMITTED THEM AND A REQUEST TO FORD FOR THE REPAIR. ON JULY 13 2014, MORE THAN A MONTH LATER, THE SERVICE WRITER LET ME KNOW THAT FORD HAD REJECTED THE REPAIR CLAIM, SAYING THAT "THEY DIDN'T THINK THE RUST WAS SIGNIFICANT, IT WAS SURFACE RUST, AND THE CAR WAS ACTUALLY SAFE TO DRIVE." THE DEALER INSTALLED A BRACKET ACROSS THE BOTTOM OF THE RUSTY CRADLE. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE BRACKET IS PART OF THE RECALL. I PICKED THE CAR UP ON JULY 14 2014 AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS SAFE AND NOT TO WORRY ABOUT THE RUST. WE SUBSEQUENTLY SPENT OVER $1,500 MAKING OTHER REPAIRS TO THE CAR, BELIEVING IT WAS A GOOD INVESTMENT. LESS THAN 2 MONTHS LATER, ON SEPTEMBER 5 2014, MY DAUGHTER EXPERIENCED A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE ENGINE CRADLE, BENDING THE DRIVE AXLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND RENDERING THE CAR UNABLE TO DRIVE. THE SERVICE WRITER HAD BEEN CORRECT, IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND IT DID FAIL. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER. ON SEPTEMBER 9 2014, I WAS TOLD THAT FORD HAD AGAIN REJECTED THE CLAIM TO REPAIR THE (BROKEN) ENGINE CRADLE. THIS TIME, THE REASON GIVEN WAS "THEY HAD ALREADY DONE THE RECALL" THAT WAS MEANT TO ADDRESS THE CRADLE DAMAGE FROM RUST. I HAVE APPEALED THE REJECTION THROUGH FORD CUSTOMER CARE AND THROUGH THE SPECIAL SERVICES GROUP AND THEY CONTINUE TO REJECT THE REPAIR. I WOULD LIKE FORD TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AT THEIR EXPENSE. *TR

Mileage: 130,693

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE), IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUBFRAME WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 164,429. UPDATED 10/01/14 *BF UPDATED 1/7/2015 *JS

Mileage: 164,429

THIS VEHICLE IS PART OF THE FORD RECALL 14S02 (NHTSB #14V165000 ). I HAD THE RECALL DIRECTED CROSS-BRACE INSTALLED IN JUNE 2014 (3 MONTHS AGO). I WAS TURNING A CORNER AT ABOUT 5-10 MPH, HEARD A POP IN THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE CAR AND THEN HEARD A SCRAPING SOUND AND HAD DIFFICULTY STEERING. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO FOUND THAT THE CROSS-BRACE HAD FAILED BECAUSE THE SUBFRAME GAVE WAY. I WAS TOLD THAT THE BRACE WAS ONLY TO PROVIDE AN ENVELOPE OF SAFETY IF THE SUBFRAME FAILED BUT IT WAS NOT MEANT TO PREVENT FRAME FAILURE OR CORRECT FRAME WEAKNESS. I WAS ALSO TOLD THAT THE SUBFRAME REPAIR WAS NOT COVERED AS PART OF THE RECALL AND THAT THE REPAIR WOULD COST ABOUT $2000. I DON'T THINK THAT A QUALITY VEHICLE WOULD HAVE A FRAME FAILURE AFTER ONLY 10 YEARS. I THINK THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND THAT SIMILAR TO TOYOTA, FORD IS TRYING TO SAY THEY PUT IN A FIX BUT NOT REALLY FIX THE REAL PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THAT MY FRAME WAS SEVERELY WEAKENED BEFORE THE CROSS-BRACE WAS INSTALLED AND THAT THE SUBFRAME SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED INSTEAD OF THE PATCH FIX DESIGNED IN THE RECALL WHICH FORD ADMITTED TO ME WAS ONLY TO HELP PREVENT INJURIES, NOT TO FIX A KNOWN DESIGN PROBLEM. YOU WOULD THINK THE MECHANICS WOULD WANT TO PROTECT CUSTOMERS FROM POTENTIALLY LETHAL STRUCTURAL FAILURES. MAYBE THEY DO BUT MANAGEMENT IS ONLY CONCERNED WITH PROFITS. FAILING TO STAND BEHIND THE QUALITY OF THEIR PRODUCT WILL COST FORD; THEY CERTAINLY HAVE LOST ME. *TR

Mileage: 85,000

AT A SLOW SPEED, STEERING ALL OF THE SUDDEN BECAME ERRATIC. IT COULD NOT BE DRIVEN, SO MY LOCAL DEALER TOOK A LOOK AT IT. HE IS A CERTIFIED FORD MECHANIC. HE SAID THE SUBFRAME WAS DAMAGED AND IT WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE RECALL #14S02 WHICH IS FOR A CROSSBAR TO THE SUBFRAME DUE TO A POTENTIAL LOSS OF STEERING. WE HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE ONLY FORD DEALERSHIP IN OUR AREA, ONEONTA FORD. THE PUT THE CROSSBAR IN AND PERFORMED ONLY THE SPECIFIC RECALL WORK. THEY ARE TELLING ME NOW THAT IT STILL CANNOT BE DRIVEN AS THE SUBFRAME IS DAMAGED. THIS IS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE ISSUE AND THE RECALL. I DON'T FEEL I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS. ONEONTA FORD IS NOT DOING THE RIGHT THING. *TR

Mileage: 140,000

2003 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO LOWER CONTROL ARM CORROSION RECALL NOTICE PROBLEMS. *SMD THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER, THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND THAT WAS IN MAY. THE DEALER STATED TO CALL BACK IN JULY. TO DATE, THE RECALL HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. THE CONSUMER REFERENCED RECALL # 14V165000. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE INTERIOR DOOR WAS CORRODED AND AS A RESULT, EXHAUST FUMES WERE EMITTING INTO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

Mileage: 82,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE INTERIOR DOOR WAS CORRODED AND AS A RESULT, EXHAUST FUMES WERE EMITTING INTO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000.

Mileage: 82,000

2003 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO WAITING FOR VEHICLE PARTS TO COME IN. *SMD

I AM WRITING ABOUT A RECALL FOR MY FORD ESCAPE. THIS RECALL INCLUDED THE FRONT CONTROL ARMS AND THE SUBFRAME. THEY WERE BEING RECALLED FOR CORROSION ON THE CONTROL ARMS AND IF SEPARATED FROM THE SUBFRAME IT COULD CAUSE SIGNIFICANT STEERING LOSS AND LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE CAR AND INCREASING CHANCE OF AN ACCIDENT. I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR THE RECALL FIX, THEY INSTALLED A REINFORCEMENT PART AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. AFTER THIS, SLOWLY, MY STEERING WHEEL STARTED BECOMING COCK-EYED. AFTER DRIVING IT LIKE THAT FOR A FEW DAYS,I NOTICED THAT AFTER I TAKE A LEFT TURN THE CAR WOULD JERK AS THE STEERING WHEEL STRAIGHTENED. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE FORD DEALER THAT FIXED THE RECALL, SINCE THE RECALL CLEARLY STATED THAT IT COULD LOSE STEERING CONTROL AND ASKED THEM TO LOOK AT IT AGAIN, THINKING THAT HE RECALL WAS NOT FIXED PROPERLY OR SOMETHING ELSE TO DO WITH THE RECALL IS FAILING. THEY LOOKED AT IT AND SAID THAT THE SUBFRAME IS CORRODED AND IT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE RECALL. AND THAT IT WOULD COST 1800 DOLLARS TO FIX. I ASKED WHY IT WASN'T INCLUDED IN THE RECALL SINCE THE STEERING IS EFFECTED, THEY SAID THAT THE SUBFRAME WASN'T INCLUDED. I HAVE READ SEVERAL DOCUMENTS ABOUT THIS RECALL AND SEVERAL OF THEM STATE THAT THE SUBFRAME IS INCLUDED. SO I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER CARE, THEY STATED THAT THE RECALL ONLY INCLUDED THE SUBFRAME IF THE CONTROL ARM SEPARATED FROM IT BEFORE THE RECALL WAS FIXED NOT AFTER. I THINK THIS IS SO UNFAIR, SINCE CLEARLY THE SUBFRAME WAS CORRODED WHEN THEY DID THE RECALL FIX. THEY HAD TO HAVE SEEN THAT, JUST BECAUSE IT WASN'T SEPARATED AT THE TIME DOESN'T MEAN IT SHOULDN'T BE INCLUDED. ANYWAY, I ENDED UP TAKING IT TO MY OWN MECHANIC WHO CAN FIX IT FOR ALOT LESS, BUT IT IS STILL COSTING ME 1400 DOLLARS!! I CAN'T AFFORD IT, CAN SOMETHING BE DONE ABOUT THIS, I THINK IT SHOULD BE FIXED FOR FREE, AND THAT THE SUB FRAME SHOULD BE INCLUDED. PLEASE HELP, THANKS. RECALL 14S02. *TR

Mileage: 79,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SHE FELT HER VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000. UPDATED 9/19/14*CN UPDATED 2/20/2015 *JS

Mileage: 56,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE SUBFRAME BECAME SEPARATED FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL AREA AND ALSO BECAME BENT. THE POWER STEERING ASSIST ALSO FAILED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO VEER TO THE RIGHT AND SLIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, BUT THERE WAS NO DIAGNOSTIC TESTING PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

Mileage: 123,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY WHICH CAUSED A LOSS OF STEERING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL AND MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FIRST TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE ENGINE CRADLE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THERE WAS A VOLUNTARY RECALL ISSUED BY THE MANUFACTURER RELATED TO A NEWLY DESIGNED ENGINE CRADLE CROSS MEMBER BRACKET. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL AND THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE REMEDY FAILED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Mileage: 150,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUB FRAME FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

Mileage: 102,000

MY CAR IS A PART OF A RECALL FOR RUST AND THE LOWER CONTROL ARM, BUT I THINK THAT SCOPE IS TOO NARROW. MY ESCAPE HAS RUSTED WHEEL WELLS AND A RUSTED GAS TANK COVER THAT I CAN SEE. I HAVE ALSO READY HAD TO REPLACE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES FOR RUST, ALONG WITH THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND ALL OF ITS PARTS, THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS, SWAY BAR LINKS AND ALL PARTS OF THE OIL PAN. ALL OF THIS IS DUE TO RUST. THIS WAS AT THE MILEAGE OF 58,465. I STILL HAVE LESS THAN 80,000 MILES BUT I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR THE 90 MILES FROM MY HOME TO THE JERSEY SHORE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V165000 (SUSPENSION-LOWER CONTROL ARM REGIONAL) AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THERE WERE RUST HOLES ON THE SURFACE OF THE FRAME AND MADE AN INTERIM REPAIR, WHICH INCLUDED ATTACHING A CROSS MEMBER AND SUPPORT BAR TO THE SUBFRAME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHORTLY AFTER THE RECALL REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED, THE VEHICLE WOULD EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL POPPING NOISE FROM THE FRONT END. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO COMPLETE A TURN WHEN THE LOUD, POPPING NOISE WAS HEARD. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BECAME DETACHED FROM THE SUBFRAME ON THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE VEHICLE THEN BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE MULTIPLE TIMES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,716.

Mileage: 121,716

I HAVE ENTERED THE VIN CORRECTLY BUT YOUR SYSTEM DOESN'T RECOGNIZE IT. FIRST FLAT TIRE IN THE 10 YEARS I HAVE OWNED CAR PURCHASED NEW. JACK, JACK TOOLS AND TEMPORARY SPARE NEVER USED BEFORE.. FOLLOWING OWNER'S MANUAL INSTRUCTIONS, JACK DOES NOT RAISE VEHICLE HIGH ENOUGH TO REMOVE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT WHEEL AND SPECIFIED STANDARD-SIZE TIRE. ATTEMPTED FLAT REPAIR ON FLAT PAVED SURFACE. I HAVE 50 YEARS EXPERIENCE WORKING ON AUTOMOBILES.THIS FLAW COULD BE LIFE-THREATENING IF SOMEONE IS TRYING TO REPLACE A FLAT TIRE IN DANGEROUS CONDITIONS (DARKNESS, WEATHER, DANGEROUS LOCATION,MEDICAL EMERGENCY). THE JACK WORKS MECHANICALLY AND LIFTED THE RIGHT REAR CORNER OF THE VEHICLE BUT LACKED 4 TO 6 INCHES OF LIFTING VEHICLE HIGH ENOUGH TO REMOVE WHEEL. THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT AND NOT AN INCOMPETENT USER. JACK WAS POSITIONED AS SHOWN IN MANUAL. MY FIRST CAR WAS A 1931 MODEL A FORD AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE ENCOUNTERED AN OEM JACK THAT WOULDN'T WORK AT LEAST ONCE. *TR

Mileage: 123,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE, THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

Mileage: 110,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT END EXHIBITED A LOUD NOISE AS THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE FRONT WHEEL SEPARATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION. THE FAILURE WAS LOCATED AT THE FRONT SUB FRAME AND LOWER CONTROL ARM, WHICH WERE BOTH DETERMINED TO BE CORRODED. AS A RESULT, THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

Mileage: 68,000

WHILE THAT VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED; DECELERATING FROM ABOUT 35 MPH, A VERY LOUD POP NOISE WAS HEARD AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE BECAME UNSTABLE AND STEERING BECAME UNRELIABLE. VEHICLE WAS STOPPED IMMEDIATELY. UPON INITIAL INSPECTION IS APPEARS THAT THE WHEEL BECAME PARTIALLY DETACHED FROM VEHICLE. AFTER A THOROUGH INSPECTION IS APPEARS THAT THE REAR MOUNTING BOLT OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM HAD DETACHED FROM THE SUB-FRAME. THIS PART OF THE SUB-FRAME SHOW EXCESSIVE CORROSION WHICH LED TO THE FAILURE OF THE CONTROL ARM MOUNTING POINT. AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE THE VEHICLE LOST ALL ABILITY TO MAINTAIN EFFECTIVE STABILITY. LUCKILY THE VEHICLE WAS ALREADY DECELERATING AND BEING OPERATED ON A ROADWAY THAT HAD SUFFICIENT ROOM TO MAKE CORRECTIVE MEASURE OTHERWISE THE OUTCOME OF THIS FAILURE EASILY COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC AND FATAL. THE VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 100,000 MILES. THE BODY AND OTHER PARTS OF THE FRAME DO NOT HAVE SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF RUST. *TR

Mileage: 97,325

MY FORD ESCAPE IS RUSTING ABOVE THE BACK WHEELS I ALSO NOTICED THE SAME RUST ON SIMILAR MODELS AND YEARS OF THE ESCAPE IS THERE A RECALL THERE SHOULD BE. *TR

2003 FORD ESCAPE . SUBFRAME ROTTED AND CONTROL ARM CAME OFF. LEFT PASSENGER. *TR

Mileage: 115,000

LEFT WORK AND DRIVING ON A BACK ROAD AT 15 MPH AND WAS APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, APPLIED THE BRAKES AND HEARD A LOUD SNAP/POP. THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE INSTANTLY SLAMMED DOWN/DROPPED TO THE ROAD; STEERING LOCKED; I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE; SLID A FEW FEET AND STOPPED. THE PASSENGER TIRE WAS PINNED BETWEEN THE GROUND AND THE VEHICLE. THE AXLE WAS HANGING AND THE SUB FRAME WAS VISIBLE. IT WAS CLEAR THAT THE SUBFRAME HAD LITERALLY SNAPPED AT A WELD JOINT WITHOUT WARNING. WELD JOINT SNAPPED ON SUBFRAME. THIS VEHICLE IS ONLY 9YRS W/70K MILES AND MOSTLY GARAGED; A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. THIS WOULD HAVE WORSE AT HIGH RATE OF SPEED, IF NOT FATAL. VEHICLE THEN TOWED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP. I REQUESTED TO HAVE A FORD REP REVIEW THE CASE. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME I HAD TO CALL FORD. AFTER CALLING, THEY THEN TOLD ME I HAD TO REQUEST THIS THROUGH THE DEALERSHIP, BUT GAVE ME A CASE NUMBER. THE DEALERSHIP THEN INFORMED ME THAT FORD WERE NOT INTERESTED IN REVIEWING THE VEHICLE AND WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING AND THAT I HAD CALL FORD. I CALLED FORD BACK WHO ESCALATED MY CASE AND AN ACCT MGR CALLED ME BACK WHO EXPLAINED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO AT THIS TIME. OVER 1100 IN REPAIRS ARE REQUIRED DUE TO A FAULTY FRAME. I ASKED REPEATEDLY THAT THIS PARTICULAR SUBFRAME FAILURE BE INVESTIGATED AS A QUALITY/MFG PROBLEM AND I REQUESTED AN INVESTIGATION AND INFORMED THE COMPANY OF SEVERAL OTHER CASES THAT LOG THE SAME ??EXACT?? DESCRIPTION AND FAILURE OF THE SUBFRAME. THE COMPANY TOLD ME "KEEP MY RECEIPT". I STRESSED MY DISSATISFACTION WITH HOW THIS WAS HANDLED, BUT NOTHING COULD BE DONE AT THIS TIME. FORD SHOULD AT A MIN. ISSUE A SERVICE BULLETIN TO HAVE THE SUB FRAME INSPECTED TO ALL OF THE ESCAPE OWNERS, SO FAILURES CAN BE AVOIDED BEFORE THEY HAPPEN. THIS IS FROM A VERY DISSATISFIED CUSTOMER AND WILL CHOOSE NO LONGER TO PURCHASE ANY FORD PRODUCTS, BASED ON THIS EXPERIENCE. *TR

Mileage: 70,000

THE VEHICLE WAS BEING OPERATED ON CITY STREETS. AS THE VEHICLE APPROACHED A STOP SIGN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED, A LOUD CRASH AND SCREECH WAS HEARD AS THE VEHICLE FELL TO THE GROUND AND TIRE WAS DRAGGED ALONG. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM HAS COME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE FRONT SUB-FRAME HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE SHOP. THE FAILURE WAS REPORTED TO BE CAUSED BY CORROSION. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAS 94,160 MILES ON IT. *TR

Mileage: 94,160

MY WIFE'S HAS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WE WERE DRIVING LUCKILY AT A LOW SPEED WHEN WE HEARD A POP IN THE PASSENGER FRONT END AND LOST CONTROL OF STEERING. THE SUBFRAME ON PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM POPPED AND SUBFRAME IS ROTTED. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN TO A VEHICLE THAT IS ONLY 10 YEARS OLD. I SAW THAT NHTSA DID AN INVESTIGATION THAT DEEMED 2003 WINDSTARS UNSAFE DO TO THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM SAFETY RECALL NOTICE 11S16. MY WIFE IS PREGNANT AND IF SHE WAS DRIVING ANY FASTER AND THIS HAD HAPPENED FORD COMPANY COULD HAVE PUT MY WIFE AND OUR BABY IN DANGER. I DO NOT FEEL THAT I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS ON THIS VEHICLE WHEN THE SAME YEAR VEHICLES HAVE ISSUES WITH THEM. MY NEXT CONTACT IS MY LAWYERS OFFICE BECAUSE IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED TO MY WIFE THE DAY BEFORE WHEN WE WERE ON THE FREEWAY FORD WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR KNOWING OTHER VEHICLES IN THE SAME YEAR HAD THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. I DO NOT WANT TO SEE OTHER PEOPLE IN DANGER AND FORD NEEDS TO STEP UP AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THERE VEHICLE DEFECTS. *TR

Mileage: 120,662

THE EXTERIOR PAINT IS PEELING OFF IN LARGE PIECES. STARTING TO RUST. *TR

ON BOTH SIDES OF MY CAR JUST ABOVE THE TIRES THE PAINT HAS PEELED OFF AND HAS STARTED TO RUST. *TR

WHEN I RECENTLY HAD MY ROUTINE MAINTENANCE CHECK ON MY VEHICLE I WAS HORRIFIED WHEN MY MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THE FRONT SUB FRAME WAS RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT! CAN YOU IMAGINE MY UTTER SHOCK WHEN MY MECHANIC ADVISED ME THAT THIS VEHICLE IS PROHIBITED TO BE DRIVEN SINCE CATASTROPHIC OUTCOMES WOULD BE LIKELY? HOW VERY FORTUNATE NOTHING FATAL TOOK PLACE WHILE BEING IN THIS VEHICLE; BECAUSE BASED ON THE CONDITION OF THE SUB FRAME IT COULD HAVE BEEN MY REALITY TO SUFFER DETRIMENTAL CONSEQUENCES. MY YOUNG CHILDREN ARE IN THIS SUV EVERY SINGLE DAY AND TO THINK THEIR LIVES WERE AT RISK JUST BY BEING A PASSENGER HAS SICKENED ME BEYOND WORDS. I HAD NO OTHER CHOICE BUT TO GET IT REPAIRED ASAP, SO I INFORMED THE CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER OF FORD MOTOR COMPANY AS INSTRUCTED BY THEIR WEBSITE AND ALL THEY COULD DO WAS APOLOGIZE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE. THIS FRIGHTENING SITUATION GOES FAR BEYOND FROM BEING AN INCONVENIENCE IT COULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR LIFE THREATENING ISSUE. I WAS NOT ASKING FORD FOR A NEW VEHICLE, I SIMPLY WAS ASKING FOR ASSISTANCE TOWARDS A MAJOR EXPENSE THAT WAS NOT CAUSED BY MY LACK OF PROTECTING MY MAJOR INVESTMENT WITH ROUTINE MAINTENANCE CHECKS BUT BY FORD HAVING DEFECTIVE SUB-FRAMES INSTALLED IN THEIR VEHICLES. MY MECHANIC HAS NEVER SEEN SUCH A STRUCTURAL DEFECT AS THIS EVER BEFORE! FORD HAS ALREADY MANUFACTURED VEHICLES THAT INVOLVED MAJOR RECALLS FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM, SO QUITE NATURALLY OTHER FORD MODELS COULD SUFFER THE SAME DANGEROUS CONSEQUENCES WITH REGARDS TO THE FRONT SUB FRAME . I BELIEVE AN INVESTIGATION ON THIS HORRIFIC ISSUE IS DEEMED A NECESSITY DUE TO THE HISTORY OF FORD'S SUB FRAMES. THIS HAS BEEN VERY DEVASTATING TO ME AND I CAN'T IMAGINE ALLOWING ANOTHER CONSUMER TO ENDURE THIS MAJOR FEAR. YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS IS APPRECIATED. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NOTICED A LEAKAGE ON HER DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY INFORMED HER THAT THE BRAKE HOSE FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE LIFT GATE WOULD NOT OPEN. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR HAD IT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 109,000.

Mileage: 109,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE LOW SUB FRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. A LOCAL MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUB FRAME FAILED DUE TO RUST. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Mileage: 70,000

PAINT OF FORD ESCAPE 2003 PEELING ON THE FRONT. THERE ARE TWO LARGE SPOTS ABOUT 1 SQUARE FOOT EACH. I HAVE CALLED FORD IN GREENVILLE, SC FEW TIMES BUT TO NO AVAIL. THIS PROBLEM STARTED ABOUT 4 YEARS AGO WITH TWO 3/8 OF AN INCH SIZE FLAKES. THE SUV HAS BEEN GARAGED AND HAS BEEN TAKEN GOOD CARE OF HOWEVER NOW THE PAINT IS FLAKING WITH SECTIONS AT A TIME. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND HAVE SEEN THE EXACT SAME MODEL WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. AT ONE POINT I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO ENTER ANOTHER FORD ESCAPE ASSUMING IT WAS MY CAR BECAUSE OF THE SIMILARITY WITH THE PAINT. THERE ARE SEVERAL DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM: HTTP://WWW.EDMUNDS.COM/FORD/ESCAPE/2003/CONSUMER-DISCUSSIONS.HTML MY CONCERN IS THAT FORD HAS FAILED TO REMEDIATE THIS ISSUE WITH ITS ACTIVE CUSTOMER BASE AND I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE NOTED AS GROSS NEGLIGENCE. *TR

PAINT DEFECTIVE ON 2003 FORD ESCAPE WITH GOLD ASH PAINT. PEELING AROUND BACK WINDOW AND 3 LARGE PATCHES, OVER 6" IN DIAMETER, ON ROOF. *TR

Mileage: 114,000

WE HAVE A 2003 FORD ESCAPE LIMITED. THE PAINT HAS STARTED PEELING OFF AROUND THE HATCH AT THE BACK. IT'S JUST BUBBLING UP FOR NO APPARENT REASON. WE HAVE NEVER ABUSED THE CAR AND IT STILL HAS LESS THAN 70,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

PAINT DEFECTIVE ON 2003 FORD ESCAPE WITH GOLD ASH PAINT. *TR

Mileage: 80,000

THE PAINT IS PEELING AROUND THE WHEEL WELLS AND HAS STARTED TO RUST; CAUSING POSSIBLE INSTABILITY TO THE BODY OF THE CAR. I DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM IN 2003 FORD ESCAPES. CAN SOMETHING BE DONE? THERE WERE SOME CLAIMS THAT FORD IMPROPERLY PREPARED THE ESCAPE FOR PAINTING. PLEASE ADVISE. *TR

Mileage: 113,000

PAINT PEELING PREMATURELY ON 2003 FORD ESCAPE. *TR

MY FORD ESCAPE IS A 2003 MODEL AND WAS PURCHASED CERTIFIED USED IN 2007 BY US. WITHIN A YEAR THE PAINT ON THE ROOF AND REAR HATCH STARTED PEELING. TWO YEARS LATER, IT IS RUSTING WHERE THE PEEL IS GONE AND STILL CONTINUING TO PEEL. WE HAVE NOT HAD ANY ACCIDENTS OR INCLEMENT WEATHER THAT CAUSED THE DAMAGE. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH AND SEEN WHERE THIS IS COMMON IN FORDS MY VEHICLE'S AGE. *TR

Mileage: 70,000

PAINT IS PEELING FROM THE ROOF AND TWO SPOTS ON THE TAILGATE. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT SLOAN FORD IN EXTON, PA WOULDN'T EVEN LOOK AT IT. A REP FROM FORD ADVISED THAT A DEALER SHOULD LOOK AT IT. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT KENNEDY FORD COLLISION IN CONSHOHOCKEN PA WAS KIND ENOUGH TO LOOK AT THE VEHICLE AND CONFIRM THAT IT IS DEFECTIVE. FORD DECLINED ASSISTANCE. THE FORD REP WOULD NOT ADMIT THAT THERE IS A DEFECT DESPITE ADVISING ME THAT FORD SERVICE MANAGERS HAVE SUPERIOR EXPERTISE IN EVALUATING FAILURES. *TR

Mileage: 66,000

2003 FORD ESCAPE ... PAINT PEELING ON ROOF AROUND SUN ROOF OPENING. *TR

2003 FORD LIMITED GOLD ESCAPE PAINT PEELING AND BUBBLING ON HATCH AND ABOVE FRONT WINDOW. FORD WILL DO NOTHING WHEN I CALLED SINCE THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS PAINT ISSUE. *TR

Mileage: 98,000

PAINT IS PEELING OFF ON THE DRIVERS SIDE BACK UNDER THE HATCH WINDOW AND ON TOP OF THE VEHICLE JUST BEHIND THE SUN ROOF. THIS VEHICLE HAS 74K MILES AND IS GARAGED. FROM NOV. 2002 - FEB. 2005 IT WAS EVEN IN PARKING GARAGE WHILE I WORKED. I TAKE GREAT CARE OF MY VEHICLE AND IT HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE READ A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM IN THE EXACT SAME PLACE ON THE SAME MAKE, MODEL AND YEAR. I CALLED FORD AND THEY DON'T CARE!!! IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THERE IS NO RECALL.. WHAT CAN I DO? *TR

Mileage: 74,000

1) THE EVENTS LEADING TO THE FAILURE ARE UNKNOWN 2) 2003 FORD ESCAPE HAS AN ISSUE WITH ITS EXTERIOR PAINT. THE PAINT IS PEELING AWAY FROM THE CAR AND THE EXPOSED METAL IS RUSTING. THIS RUSTING LEADS TO THE COMPROMISE OF THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE CAR. THIS COMPROMISE CAN BE DETRIMENTAL IN CASE OF A COLLISION. A GOOGLE SEARCH REVEALED LOTS OF 2003 FORD ESCAPE OWNERS COMPLAINING OF THE SAME ISSUE. 3) NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. *TR

THE PAINT ON MY ASH GOLD 2003 FORD ESCAPE HAS STARTED TO BUBBLE AND PEEL AWAY FROM THE METAL BODY PARTS. DOORS, HOOD, REAR HATCH AND A LARGE SPOT ON THE ROOF JUST BEHIND THE MOON ROOF WINDOW. THIS IS NOT SOMETHING YOU CAN TOUCH UP. THE PAINT IS LITERALLY PEELING OFF OF THE PRIMER WHICH THEN QUICKLY ERODES TO EXPOSE THE METAL WHICH STARTS TO RUST. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS SPANNING SEVERAL YEARS AND SEVERAL FORD MODELS. IN THIS AGE WHERE WE HAVE TO KEEP CARS LONGER, THIS IS A TERRIBLE THING TO DISCOVER - THE COMPANY SIMPLY CAN'T FIGURE OUT HOW TO PAINT A CAR!!! I AM THE SECOND OWNER AND BOUGHT FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. HE POINTED OUT THE PEELING BUT WE BOTH THOUGHT IT COULD BE TOUCHED UP AS HE HAD BEEN DOING FOR A COUPLE YEARS. THE ROOF WAS NOT LOOKED AT UNTIL I WAS WORKING ON THE ROOF RACK. THIS IS THE WORST CASE AND IS NOT GOING TO GET FIXED BY ANY TOUCH UP PAINT. *TR

Mileage: 65,000

MY PROBLEM IS NOT MECHANICAL BUT RATHER "PHYSICAL". THE PAINT HAS BEEN PEELING OFF THE ROOF AND HATCH OF MY 2003 ASH-COLORED FORD ESCAPE LIMITED SINCE 2007. AFTER READING OTHERS' BLOGS I AM AWARE THAT I AM NOT ALONE BY ANY MEANS. I PURCHASED THE SUV FOR IT'S NICE APPEARANCE AND COLOR. I WISH I'D KNOWN BEFOREHAND THAT THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN, OTHERWISE I WOULD NEVER HAVE PURCHASED A FORD. APPARENTLY FORD IS DOING ABSOLUTELY NOTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO HELP US? CAN'T FORD BE FORCED INTO A RECALL FOR THIS? THESE VEHICLES AREN'T CHEAP!! PLEASE HELP. *TR

Mileage: 45,000

PAINT PEELING IN SEVERAL SPOT ON 2003 FORD ESCAPE. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 FORD ESCAPE XLT,WHITE IN COLOR AND CURRENTLY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE PAINT BLISTERING AND PEELING ON THE REAR HATCH BELOW THE WINDOW BOTH SIDES. ADDITIONALLY, THE PAINT PEELING HAS STARTED UNDER PASSENGER SIDE REAR CARGO WINDOW. I VISITED A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY DENIED IT AS A DEFECT. OUT OF WARRANTY. I HAVE HAD FOUR AUTOBODY SHOPS TELL ME $600.00 TO A $1000.00 TO REPAINT. "THE PROBLEM IS FACTORY PRIMER PROBLEM" AND SHOULD EXPECT TO SEE MORE PEELING IF NOT REPAINTED SOON. *TR

Mileage: 95

PAINT BLISTERING AND PEELING ABOVE THE WINDSHIELD ON ROOF. *TR

WE OWN A 2003 FORD ESCAPE SUV. THE PAINT IS PEELING OF THE BACK TAILGATE. THIS CAR HAS BEEN GARAGE AND ONLY HAS 80,000 MILES. THIS PAINT SHOULD NOT PEEL OFF LIKE THIS. THE DEALER SAID I COULD PAY $300 TO HAVE IT REPAINTED. *TR

Mileage: 81,000

PAINT PEELING OFF THE ROOF AND REAR TAILGATE OF VEHICLE. BROUGHT THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER. BODY SHOP INSPECTED AND REPORTED THAT IT NEEDED TO BE REPAINTED. INTERNET SEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON EVENT AND THAT IT HAS TO DO WITH IMPROPER PREP OR PARTS USED. *TR

PAINT PEELING -- DELAMINATING -- FROM ROOF OF 2003 FORD ESCAPE XLT, COLOR CODE C2. AREA IS ABOVE JUNCTION OF ROOF AND WINDSHIELD. BODY SHOP VERIFIED CONDITION A RESULT OF BAD PRIMER. FORD NOTIFIED AS WELL AS TWO OKLAHOMA CITY-AREA DEALERS -- OVERALL FORD AND BOB MOORE FORD. NO RESOLUTION FROM FORD AS OF YET. *TR

Mileage: 78,000

PAINT PEELING DOWN TO BARE METAL ON ROOF OF VEHICLE WITH PAINT BLISTERING ELSEWHERE. EXPOSED BARE METAL RUSTING DUE TO EXPOSURE TO ELEMENTS. ATTEMPTING RESOLUTION VIA DEALER BUT NO HELP AT THIS TIME. *TR

I PURCHASED A FORD ESCAPE 2003 ON JULY 2008. LAST MONTH I NOTICED THE LEATHER INTERIOR LOOSENED FROM ALL FOUR DOORS. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IS THIS A FACTORY DEFECT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THREE MONTHS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BLOCK OF PAINT CHIPPING OFF OF THE HOOD. WEEKS LATER, THE CONDITION BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE PAINT BEGAN BUBBLING AND CHIPPING EXCESSIVELY. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTS TO WASH THE VEHICLE THE PAINT WILL COME OFF. SHE IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 100,000. UPDATE 06/10/08 *BF UPDATED 06/10/08

Mileage: 74,000

MY 2003 FORD ESCAPE XLT PAINT IS PEELING IN STRIPS OFF THE HOOD AND FROM THE SUNROOF BACK. I HAVE MADE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS TO FORD IN RIGHTING ON THE PHONE AND IN PERSON. THEY CLAIM TO HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THE PROBLEM. IN MY RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND @ LEAST 45 OTHERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS SOMETHING THEY SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO SWEEP UNDER THE RUG. IT IS A DEFECT THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR. *TR

THE PAINT IS COMING OFF THE ROOF OF THE CAR NEAR THE FRONT WIND SHIELD AREA AND ALSO ON THE HATCHBACK DOOR. *CN

Mileage: 50,000

2003 FORD ESCAPE. NOTICED PAINT AROUND LIFT GATE LEDGE BUBBLING AND PEELING. ONLY TOP LAYER OF PAINT IS PEELING, GRAY LAYER APPEARS TO BE FINE, NO SIGNS OF BUBBLING OR PEELING. TALKED TO DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS BECAUSE THE TWO LAYERS NEVER BONDED WHEN THE CAR WAS PAINTED AT THE FACTORY. WHEN I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER TO SEE IF THEY WOULD COVER IT, THEY SAID TO GO TO THE DEALER AND THEY WOULD LOOK AT IT AND DECIDE WHAT TO DO. NEVER HEARD BACK FROM DEALER AFTER I MADE CONTACT WITH THEM. *TR

Mileage: 52,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PAINT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR, LIFT GATE, AND LEDGE SHOWED SIGNS OF BUBBLING PAINT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WILL SPEAK WITH THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 19,400 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,350. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED A REPAIR INVOICE. UPDATED 08/31/07 *TR

Mileage: 19,350

DT: THE CALLER PULLED THE HOOD RELEASE AND WITH THE HOOD IN THE RELEASE POSITION AND THE SAFETY LATCH ON THE HOOD WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING THE HOOD FLEW UP. THE CALLER SAID THE LATCH THAT HELD THE HOOD FROM THE OUTSIDE DID NOT HOLD WHEN THE HOOD FLEW UP. THE DEALER FIXED IT, AND SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE LATCH. THE MANUFACTURER SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE LATCH. THE CALLER WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. *AK *SC

Mileage: 30,000

I PURCHED MY NEW VEHICLE ON 7/12/03 AND ON 3/3/04 UPON OPENING MY DRIVER DOOR, I HEARD A CLANKING NOISE AND THE DRIVER DOOR FELL OFF. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION I LOCATED THE TOP PIN INSIDE THE CAR BUT THE CLIP WAS NO WHERE TO BE FOUND. I CLOSED THE DOOR & CLIMED OUT THE PASSENGER SIDE. I CONTACTED A LOCAL FORD DEALER (NOT WHERE I PURCHASED IT FROM) TO GET IT FIXED. THEY SAID THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS AND THEY WERE VERY SUPRISED. BUT, FROM WHAT I JUST READ.... ITS HAPPENED BEFORE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY DID NOT HAVE THE CLIP SO THEY JERRY-RIGGED SOMETHING TO HOLD THE PIN IN PLACE. *AK

WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN IN THE RAIN WATER CAMES THROUGH THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW FRAME. THE WATER WENT DOWN INTO THE ELECTRICAL BUTTONS ON DOOR PANEL. FORD REPLACED ALL THE RUBBER SEALS BUT IT STILL LEAKS. *AK

Mileage: 33,700

WE BOUGHT MY ESCAPE XLT ON 5/26/03. ON 7/30/03, UPON EXITING MY VEHICLE, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FELL OFF. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE. FORD WILL NOT ISSUE ME A DIFFERENT ESCAPE UNLESS WE PAID $9K TOWARDS A NEW ONE AND I'VE ONLY MADE ONE PAYMENT ON MY NEW VEHICLE. THEY SAID THEY'VE NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE AND IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY MARKINGS IT RECEIVED FROM CONSUMER REPORTS. I FOUND THAT ON MARCH OF 2003 ANOTHER CONSUMER HAD THIS SAME ISSUE. THAT MEANS THAT WE'RE LIKELY NOT THE ONLY ONES TO HAVE THIS HAPPEN TO US, LIKE THE FORD DEALERSHIPS WOULD HAVE US BELIEVE. AFTER THEY RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO ME, THEY SAID IT WAS FIXED, BUT UPON EXAMINATION WE NOTICED A PART HAD BEEN LEFT OFF AND MY DOOR WAS DAMAGED AND SCUFFED. WE HAVE CONTACTED A LAWYER AND ARE PERSUING OUR OPTIONS. *JT

REAR HATCH - SHEET METAL AROUND PLASTIC TRIM PIECE USED FOR HANDLE AND SPACE BETWEEN WINDOW AND HANDLE DENT EASILY DURING NORMAL OPENING AND CLOSING. SEVERAL BODY SHOPS WE HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO FOR ESTIMATES SAYS THIS HAPPENS ALOT. AREA SHOULD BE REINFORCED OR HATCH SHOULD BE MADE OF COMPOSITE MATERIAL LIKE THE MINI-VANS. *NLM

Mileage: 1,021

I WENT TO SHUT MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AND IT FELT A LITTLE FUNNY. I OPENED IT AGAIN AND WHEN I SHUT IT I HEARD A CLANKING NOISE. WHEN I OPENED MY DOOR AGAIN THE PIN AND CLIP FELL OUT AND THE DOOR (THE TOP HINGE) CAME OFF. I HAD TO REMOVE THE BOTTOM PIN AND CLIP TO RE- HANG MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR IN ORDER TO GO TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM DO NOTHING AND TELL ME THAT I AM THE ONLY PERSON THEY HAVE EVER SEEN IT HAPPEN TOO AND THAT IT SHOULDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN. *JB

Mileage: 4,150

2003 FORD ESCAPE LEAKS DIRT INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHEN DRIVING DOWN A GRAVEL ROAD, AT TIMES THE DUST INSIDE THE PASSENGER CABIN IS SO THICK IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE ROAD OR INSTRUMENTS. ROAD DUST IS VISIBLE PASSING BY DOOR AND SEALS. DEALER HAS SERVICED VEHICLE TWICE FOR THIS CONDITION. LAST VISIT THE DEALER SUGGESTED THEY WOULD BE HAPPY TO CLEAN THE VEHICLE OUT ANYTIME WE BROUGHT IT IN FOR SERVICE, AND WE SHOULD NOT OPERATE THE HEATER/AIR ON GRAVEL ROADS( WE LIVE ON A GRAVEL ROAD). FORD CUSTOMER CARE WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NEVER RESPONDED.

Mileage: 200

2003 FORD ESCAPE LEAKS DIRT INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHEN DRIVING DOWN A GRAVEL ROAD, AT TIMES THE DUST INSIDE THE PASSENGER CABIN IS SO THICK IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE ROAD OR INSTRUMENTS. ROAD DUST IS VISIBLE PASSING BY DOOR AND SEALS. DEALER HAS SERVICED VEHICLE TWICE FOR THIS CONDITION. LAST VISIT THE DEALER SUGGESTED THEY WOULD BE HAPPY TO CLEAN THE VEHICLE OUT ANYTIME WE BROUGHT IT IN FOR SERVICE, AND WE SHOULD NOT OPERATE THE HEATER/AIR ON GRAVEL ROADS( WE LIVE ON A GRAVEL ROAD). FORD CUSTOMER CARE WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NEVER RESPONDED.

Mileage: 200