2003 FORD ESCAPE Suspension Problems

Driver had uneasy feeling with stability of vehicle as if it was swaying. He got it looked at and was told he probably needed lower control arm and links to take care of the problem. After ordering parts, the vehicle, while driving to work, a loud popping sound was heard and then the vehicle dropped down and had to be towed home (thank God this didn't happen on the expressway). I then looked up any recalls on this vehicle and low and behold there was a recall on this year, make and model car BUT not on this VIN number (Ford's number for this recall is 14S02. Recall date 2014-04-02 Recall no.14V165000). This vehicle suddenly and dangerously broke down from this same problem, and has the same issue that was recalled by Ford on this make, model and year described in their recall (14S02) but the VIN number seems to say otherwise when I looked it up. This needs to be investgated before this happens to someone while driving in snow or rainy condtions or while driving on the expressway. Please investigate!

WHILE REPLACING THE CONTROL ARMS ON MY 2003 FORD ESCAPE XLT 4X4 I NOTICED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE THERE WAS ALOT OF CORROSION SO MUCH SO THE CONTROL ARM IS BARELY HANGING ON THERE IS A FLAT BAR RUNNING FROM DRIVERS SIDE TO PASSENGER SIDE WHICH HAS BEEN RENDERED USELESS BECAUSE THE BOLT THAT IS USED TO HOLD IT IN PLACE HAS NOTHING TO BOLT TO THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO FIX THE ISSUE WITH CORROSION WELL IT HASN'T ITS NOW GONNA COST ME GOD KNOWS HOW MUCH TO FIX I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS ISSUE IS STILL COVERED UNDER, THE RECALL

RECALL #14S02 (NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 14V165000) COVERED REPLACEMENT OF LOWER CONTROL ARM & BALLPOINT FOR EVERY NEARBY STATE, BUT NOT VIRGINIA. BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARMS ON MY VEHICLE ARE CORRODED AND IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT, BUT THERE IS NO OPEN RECALL FOR MY VIN BECAUSE 14S02 DID NOT INCLUDE VIRGINIA. DRIVING VEHICLE WITH CORRODED CONTROL ARMS IS DEEMED DANGEROUS, BUT COSTS OF REPLACING APPROACH VEHICLE VALUE.

Mileage: 106,500

FORD ESCAPES FROM THE 2001 THROUGH 2004 MODEL YEARS FOR CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME. THE SUBFRAME CARRIES THE ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, STEERING GEAR AND THE FRONT SUSPENSION, BRAKES AND WHEELS FORD SAYS THE CORROSION CAN LEAD TO SEPARATION OF A CONTROL ARM -- PART OF THE SUSPENSION THAT HOLDS THE WHEEL AND TIRE IN THE RIGHT PLACE I WAS TOLD THAT THIS PART NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ON MY CAR. IT'S CORRODED BY A MECHANIC. THAN I READ THE USA TODAY 2014 ARTICLE. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED. I JUST TOOK VIDEO AND PICTURES OF THE PART. ON MY CELL PHONE I CAN SUBMITT. ACCORDING TO THIS ARTICLE FORD KNEW ABOUT THIS. WHAT R MY OPTION TO GET THE REPAIR.

THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS BROKEN AND WOULD BE ABOUT $1000 TO REPLACE. I WAS DRIVING DOWN A DIRT ROAD , IT WAS A LITTLE BUMPY AND THE STEERING WHEEL STOPPED WORKING DUE TO THE FRAME BREAKING. THE 2003 FORD ESCAPE HAS 124,000 MILES ON IT. LUCKILY NOBODY WAS HURT, BUT I CAN'T BELIEVE THE FRAME OF N SUV COULD BREAK SO EASILY. *TR

Mileage: 124,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON TAKING HIS VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE INSPECTED, THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED SEVERE CORROSION ON THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL TUBULAR FRAME. THE MECHANIC INFORMED HIM THAT THE FAILURE COULD CAUSE THE COLLAPSE OF THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL. PRIOR TO THE DISCOVERY, THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000(STRUCTURE). THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH GERMAIN FORD OF COLUMBUS (7250 SAWMILL RD, COLUMBUS, OH 43235, (614) 356-9743) WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE DEALER WAS NOT AUTHORIZED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS THEN REFERRED TO THE MANUFACTURER WHO THEN REFERRED HIM TO NHTSA FOR ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 254,000.

Mileage: 254,000

MY CAR HAD A RECALL #14S02 FOR A RUSTED SUBFRAME. FORDS FIX WAS TO PUT A $20 PIECE OF METAL THAT THEY CALL A REINFORCEMENT BRACE. THIS REINFORCED BRACE HAS FAILED AND THE ORIGINAL PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED. THE ORIGINAL RECALL PROBLEM WAS THAT THE CAR WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER AND COULD CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENTS. NOW FORD IS TELLING MY THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO SINCE THEY PUT THE CHEAP REINFORCEMENT BRACE! NOW I HAVE AN UNDRIVEABLE VEHICLE THAT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE ORIGINAL RECALL! I BELIEVE THEY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM SINCE WHAT THEY DID TO FIX THE RECALL HAS LITERALLY FAILED AGAIN!

Mileage: 86,000

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

BEARING ARE MAKING NOISE

BEARING HAVE A WIRED NOISE ON FROM OF VEHICLE WHEN I GET 35 MILES OR MORE

HELLO THE CAR IS MAKING A NOISE LIKE BEARING WHEN I DRIVE MORE THAN 35 MILES IT GOING WORSE WHEN YOU MOVE A LITTLE BIT THE STEARIN WEELL AND NEVER END JUST WHEN GET LESS THAN 30 OR 35 MILES SOMTIMES IT DOIT LESS THAN 30 MILES AND EVERYDAY IT GOING WORSE PLEASE CAN YOU DOBLE CHECK RECALL FOR FROM BEARING I REALLY APPRECIATE

THE LEFT FRONT CONTROL ARM BROKE THROUGH THE SUBFRAME, CAUSING A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR. MY FATHER WAS DRIVING IT AT THE TIME. WHEN HE WENT TO ACCELERATE ON A STATE HI WAY IT PULLED VERY HARD TO THE LEFT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, NEARLY ENDING IN A BAD WAY. I SUBSEQUENTLY TEST DROVE IT AND DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM. I IMMEDIATELY CHECKED FOR ANY RECALL INFORMATION AND FOUND THIS SPECIFIC INFORMATION. MY FATHER HAD TAKEN IT TO HIS LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS OK AS OF 2014.I NOTICED ONLY SOME MODELS WERE INCLUDED IN THE 2014 RECALL. THE SUBFRAME IN THE LEFT FRONT IS SOFT AND ROTTED OUT, WHILE THE RIGHT FRONT AND THE REAR IS IN GOOD CONDITION. I CONTACTED FORD DIRECTLY AND FOUND NO RELIEF OR EVEN A SATISFACTORY EXPLANATION WHY MY FATHER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. I'M QUITE APPALLED WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY'S LAME EXPLANATION OF HOW VEHICLE DOESN'T QUALIFY FOR REIMBURSEMENT. WITHOUT BEING OVERLY DRAMATIC, MY FATHER OR I COULD HAVE LOST OUR LIVES TO TO THIS RARE TYPE OF DAMAGE. THIS ESCAPE HAS BEEN WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND IS IN GOOD CONDITION FOR A 2003 FROM THE RUST BELT. I'VE OWNED DOZENS OF VEHICLES, AS HAS MY WHOLE FAMILY, WE'VE NEVER SEEN THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM AND IT'S NOT SUBJECT TO A RECALL. I AM HOPING OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED AS WELL IN HOPES OF SPARKING AN EXPANDED RECALL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. I INCLUDED A COUPLE OF GENERAL PICTURES FOR NOW AS THE ESCAPE IS AT A REPAIR SHOP. 2003 XLT V6 3.0 WITH AVAILABLE FULL 4X4 CAPABILITY. APPROXIMATELY 165,000 MILES. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *PM

Mileage: 165,000

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED OFF CENTER MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CORRECTLY STEER THE CAR. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THE SUB FRAME RUSTED AND CRACKED IN HALF.

Mileage: 123,000

FRONT SUB FRAME RUSTED OUT AND SPLIT HALF WAY ACROSS PULLS VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING 14S02 COMPLAINT

Mileage: 175,000

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

LOWER CONTROL ARM SEPARATED FROM SUB FRAME. HIGH CORROSION AREA. SEPARATED AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 65 MPH GOING OVER HIGHWAY BRIDGE. RIGHT FRONT TIRE TIPPED OUT AND SENT VEHICLE INTO A UNCONTROLLED SWERVE TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. FORD'S RECALL 14S02 CROSS BRACE PATCH WAS INSTALLED BUT STILL ALMOST CAUSED A MAJOR CRASH. I DON'T BELIEVE THE INSPECTION BY FORD WAS DONE PROPERLY WHEN THEY INSTALLED THE BRACE. IF THEY HAD THEY WOULD BE REPLACING THE SUB-FRAME ALSO.

Mileage: 192,000

CONTROL ARMS ARE IN TERRIBLE CONDITION. PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM DISLOCATED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET DUE TO CORROSION AND POOR MANUFACTURING. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR IT ON SOME ESCAPES DURING THOSE YEARS BUT SINCE MY VIN NUMBER ISNT ON THEIR RECALL LISTS FOR IT IM NOT COVERED. FORD NEEDS TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR IT AND DO THE RIGHT THING. HOW ARE ONLY SOME OF THE FORD ESCAPES DURING THOSE YEARS COVERED FOR BAD CONTROL ARMS? PLEASE HELP AND HOLD FORD ACCOUNTABLE.

Mileage: 140,000

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

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

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

MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND WENT OVER THE RAILROAD TRACKS AND THE WHOLE FRONT END FELT LIKE IT WAS GOING TO COLLAPSE THE STEERING GOT THROWN WAY OFF AND WHEN SHE WENT TO APPLY THE BRAKES AT THE LIGHT SHE ALMOST WENT THROUGH THEM BECAUSE OF THE FRONT-END BEING WAY OUT OF LINE. WHEN I HAD A CHANCE TO LOOK UNDERNEATH IT THE NEXT DAY IT IS SO CORRODED AND SPLIT AND CRACKED WHERE THE CROSSMEMBER IS. AND THESE RAILROAD TRACKS SHE WENT OVER EVERY DAY WITH NO PROBLEMS THAT ARE VERY SMOOTH EXCEPT FOR THAT NIGHT WHEN THEY JUST GAVE OUT. YOU CAN TELL THAT THE METAL FOR THE VEHICLE IS NOT QUALITY

Mileage: 10

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

2003 FORD ESCAPE XLT 4X4 REAR FRAME RUSTS CAUSING CONTROL ARM BRACKET TO RIP FRONT THE FRAME. DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD CAME UP TO A STOP LIGHT ALL OF A SUDDEN MY BRAKES LOCKED UP GOT OUT AND LOOKED TOO SEE THE FRAME HAD RUSTED ALLOWING THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TO RIP THE BRACKET FROM THE FRAME.

Mileage: 170,000

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 FRONT PASSENGER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILED WHILE MY SON WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. HE WAS GOING STRAIGHT, AND THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE JUST BUCKLED UNDER WHILE HE WAS IN MOTION. LUCKILY HE WASN'T ON A HEAVILY-TRAVELED ROAD WHEN IT HAPPENED, BECAUSE THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE, ALTHOUGH IT IS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE, IS NOT PART OF RECALL #14S02. WHY, I DON'T KNOW? NO ONE AT FORD CAN EXPLAIN THIS TO ME, AS IT IS EXACTLY WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL/YEAR. WE HAD IT REPAIRED AT GREAT COST TO US, WITH EXACTLY THE PARTS/LABOR THAT FORD HAD BEEN DESCRIBING IN THE RECALL. OUR MECHANIC EVEN GOT THE REPLACEMENT CROSSMEMBER FROM FORD! FORD THEMSELVES WANTED NOTHING TO DO WITH THE REPAIR. IN ADDITION TO THE LOWER CONTROL ARM, AND CROSSMEMBER, THE TIRE HAD TO BE REPLACED, ALONG WITH THE RIGHT FRONT AXLE ASSEMBLY, AS THEY WERE SEVERELY DAMAGED FROM THE FRAME FAILURE. I WOULD REALLY LIKE AN ANSWER AS TO WHY MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, WHEN THE RECALL DESCRIBES EXACTLY WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO MY VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 107,317

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 33 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO TURN, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL FAILED AND THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL WAS RUSTED AND TWISTED OUTWARD. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE REAR CONTROL ARM TO ALMOST FALL OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

Mileage: 140,000

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY THE STEERING STARTED TO BECOME UNSTABLE AND LOOSE. MOMENTS LATER THE LOWER CONTROL ARM (SUB-FRAME) ON PASSENGER SIDE SEPARATED CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL ALMOST ENDING IN CRASH. NEVER RECEIVED NOTICE OF THE RECALL BELOW TO FIX THIS PROBLEM WHICH WAS ISSUED ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO. DEALERSHIP CONTACTED. THEY ARE DRAGGING THEIR FEET ON AN ANSWER AS TO WHETHER THEY'LL FIX. RECALL # 14S02 2001-'04 FORD ESCAPE RECALLED FOR RUST, STEERING PROBLEM FORD IS RECALLING 385,762 2001-'04 FORD ESCAPE SUVS BECAUSE A RUST PROBLEM MAY CAUSE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO SEPARATE, POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN DIMINISHED STEERING CONTROL. | APRIL 8, 2014 | FORD MOTOR COMPANY RECALL TITLE: FRONT SUBFRAME CROSSBRACE INSTALLATION NHTSA RECALL NUMBER: 14V165000 FORD RECALL NUMBER: 14S02

Mileage: 1,360,026

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

IN MAY OF 2016, I TOOK MY FORD ESCAPE IN FOR REPAIR OF A RECALL. MY UNDERSTANDING OF THE RECALL WAS TO PREVENT A FAILURE OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM AS I READ THE RECALL NOTICE AND THE CONVERSATION THAT I HAD WITH REPAIR CENTER AGENT. A MONTH LATER THE LOWER CONTROL ARM SEPARATES. AFTER I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO FORD, IT WAS EXPRESSED TO ME THAT RECALL WAS NOT TO PREVENT FAILURE BUT MERELY TO STABILIZE THE VEHICLE IN THE EVENT OF FAILURE. HAD I NOT HAD THE RECALL PERFORMED ON MY VEHICLE THEY WOULD HAVE REPAIRED THE ESCAPE AT COST TO THEM, BUT BECAUSE I HAD THE RECALL PERFORMED THEN I MOST PAY FOR IT. WHY WOULD FORD AUTHORIZE SUCH A RIDICULOUS RECALL EFFORT. FIRST OF ALL IF IT'S KNOW ISSUE, WHY NOT REPAIR THE ISSUE. SECONDLY, HAD I KNOW THE RAMIFICATIONS, I WOULD NEVER HAVE HAD THE RECALLED PERFORMED. THE CONTROL SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING AND I HIT A BUMP.

Mileage: 145,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED FOR ROUTINE TIRE MAINTENANCE, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS SEVERE CORROSION TO THE REAR AXLES OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. UPDATED 07/12/16*LJ

Mileage: 150,000

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

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON A HIGHWAY(60MPH) WHEN MY STEERING BECAME LOOSE, WEAVING LEFT AND RIGHT. HAD TO SLOW DOWN TO 20MPH UNTIL I GOT HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED, FOUND THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE SUBFRAME HAD BROKEN IN 2. FORD IS RECALLING 385,762 2001-'04 FORD ESCAPE SUVS BECAUSE A RUST PROBLEM MAY CAUSE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO SEPARATE, POTENTIALLY RESULTING IN DIMINISHED STEERING CONTROL. FORD DEALERS WILL INSTALL A REINFORCEMENT CROSSBRACE ON THE AFFECTED ESCAPES. THE SUBFRAME HAS BROKEN APART DUE TO THE CORROSION, AND IT'S UNSAFE TO DRIVE. SINCE FORD IS AWARE OF THIS, THEY SHOULD HAVE BOTH SUBFRAME REPLACE AS A RECALL AND NOT ADDING A CROSSBAR AS A RECALL. CURRENTLY THE VEHICLE IS PARKED ON MY DRIVEWAY. THE ESTIMATED COST TO REPAIR WAS TOO COSTLY.

Mileage: 138,100

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

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

MY WIFE OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING IT DOWN THE ROAD SHE NOTICED THE STEERING WAS GETTING UNCONTROLLABLE. SHE PULLED THE CAR OFF THE ROAD AND CALLED AAA FOR A TOW. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO MIDAS WHERE WE USUALLY HAVE OUR WORK DONE ON OUR VEHICLES. MIDAS LOOKED AT THE CAR WHILE STILL ON THE TOW TRUCK. THEY SAID THAT IT SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE RECALL ON THE CAR. MIDAS CALLED WAIKEM FORD AND WAS TOLD TO TELL US TO BRING IT THERE. WE HAD THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER TAKE IT THERE. THIS WAS ON 11/05/15. I WAS CALLED ON 11/6 AND TOLD THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO LOOK AT THE CAR THAT DAY AND MONDAY 11/9 THEY WOULD LOOK AT IT. THIS WAS IN A MESSAGE TO MY PHONE. MONDAY I RECEIVED ANOTHER MESSAGE FROM A GUY NAMED CRAIG THAT HE HAD TAKEN PICTURES OF THE PROBLEM AND SENT IT TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY. THAT WAS ALL THE MESSAGE SAID. TUESDAY I RECEIVED A MESSAGE FROM CRAIG THAT THE CAR WAS DONE AND WE COULD PICK IT UP ANYTIME. I TOOK MY WIFE OVER TO GET THE CAR AND SHE DROVE IT HOME WHICH IS THREE BLOCKS AWAY. SHE DIDN'T NOTICE ANYTHING WRONG DO TO THE SHORT TRIP AND SLOW SPEED. SATURDAY 11/14 SHE TOOK THE CAR OUT AND ONCE AGAIN THE STEERING FELT UNCONTROLLABLE. I WENT OVER TO WAIKEM FORD AND ASK WHY THE CAR WASN'T FIXED. I WAS TOLD THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAD DENIED THE FIX ON THE CAR. CROSS BRACE WAS INSTALLED WHICH IS WHAT THEY DO ON THE RECALL. HOW EVER THE FRAME RUSTED OUT WHERE THE CONTROL ARMS ATTACH AND THE CROSS BRACE DID NOTHING. THE CAR WAS RELEASED TO US WITHOUT BEING TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM WASN'T FIXED. WE WERE NOT TOLD FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAD REJECTED THE REQUEST FOR REPAIR. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT IN THE CAR, AND FORD SHOULD HAVE AUTHORIZED THE FIX. FORD MOTOR COMPANIES DECISION ALONG WITH WAIKEM FORD RELEASING THAT CAR TO US PUT MY WIFE AND THE PUBLIC IN DANGER.

Mileage: 107,000

I OWN A 03 FORD ESCAPE AND WHEN DRIVING AT ABOUT 30MPH MY TIRE STARTED RUBBING THE FENDERWELL AND PULLING HARD TO THE RIGHT I HAD TO FIGHT TO KEEP MY CAR FROM HITTING THINGS AND ABOUT 5 SECONDS AFTER ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE IS A VERY LOUD CLUNK SOUND FROM MY PASSENGER FRONT TIRE. AND MY FRONT END DROPPED AND WHEEL LOCKED UP. CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE. NEARLY MISSING PARKED CARS. I WAS TOLD MY LOWER CONTROL ARM SEPARATED FROM SUBFRAME. WHICH HAS A CORROSION ISSUE (THIS IS A KNOW PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL, RECALL REFERENCE NUMBER --- 14S02) .. I WAS ADVISED BY A PRIVATE MECHANIC THAT MY SUBFRAME NEEDED REPLACED. I GOOGLED AND FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS RECALL AND HAD IT TAKEN TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND SO FAR HAVE HEARD NOTHING.. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. AND BECAUSE OF THIS SAFETY RECALL, IT DAMAGED MY CAR EVEN FURTHER, BROKE MY C/V JOINT. PROBABLY MESSED UP THE AXEL TO

THE RIGHT FRONT SUB-FRAME IS DANGEROUSLY RUSTED THROUGH, AND MY MECHANIC SAYS IT'S NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AS IT MAY COLLAPSE AN ANY MOMENT. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP IN NORTH CANTON, OHIO THIS SUMMER (APPROXIMATELY JUNE OR JULY) AND THEY SAID THE VIN NUMBER WASN'T ON THE RECALL LIST, SO THEY REFUSED TO FIX IT. THE SITUATION IS SUCH THAT I HAVE A VEHICLE THAT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, AND FORD MOTOR CO. WILL NOT FIX IT. AS OF NOW, I AM AFRAID TO USE THIS VEHICLE. THE QUESTION IS: WHY HAS FORD RECALLED AND REPAIRED MOST OF THESE RUSTED SUB-FRAME PROBLEMS, BUT NOT MINE?

Mileage: 160,000

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

I WAS DRIVING ALONG A HIGHWAY GETTING READY TO TURN WHEN THE FRAME BROKE AND I WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD WHEN IT STOPPED BECAUSE I FOUND OUT LATER THE FRAME THAT KEPT THE C V JOINT IN PLACE CAME APART AND MY TIRE TWISTED INTO THE WHEEL WELL. THE RECALL THAT WAS TO KEEP THIS FROM HAPPENING HAD BEEN PERFORMED BUT THE REPAIR DID NOT KEEP THIS FROM HAPPENING TO MY VEHICLE.

Mileage: 148,000

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

I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND STARTED TO HEAR A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE. I PULLED THE CAR BACK IN AND IT HAS SAT THE PAST FEW DAYS. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THE WHOLE FRONT END AND FRAME ARE RUSTED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I RESEARCHED ONLINE AND AM NOW AWARE OF ALL THE ISSUES THAT INVOLVE RUST ON THESE MODELS. I AM SCARED TO EVEN DRIVE THE CAR IN THE SHAPE THAT IT IS IN. I WILL CALL THE RECALL HOTLINE BUT ACCORDING TO WHAT I HAVE READ I DON'T EXPECT MUCH HELP FROM FORD. I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER FORD AND AM SORRY TO SAY THAT AS CONSUMERS WE SHOULD EXPECT THESE COMPANIES TO STAND BEHIND THEIR CHEAPLY MADE PRODUCTS

Mileage: 123,000

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 STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE) AND THE DEALER INSTALLED REINFORCEMENT CROSS BAR TO THE UNDER CARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE CROSS BAR WAS NOT A PERMANENT REPAIR. AS A RESULT, THE FRONT SUB FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS RUSTED THROUGH. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE RECALL REMEDY WAS NOT AN ADEQUATE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

A RECALL ON OUR FORD ESCAPE WAS PERFORMED LAST AUGUST.THE RECALL WAS FOR RUSTED FRAME/CRADLE AREA THAT HOLDS FRONT SUSPENSION TOGETHER.AT THE TIME OF THE RECALL I INFORMED THE DEALER THAT THE CRADLE WAS WEAK AND VERY RUSTY OVER AND ABOVE ANY OTHER RUST ON CAR.THE DEALER INSTALLED A BRACE BETWEEN THE TWO RAILS OF THE FRAME AND TOLD ME THAT WAS THE EXTENT OF THE RECALL.THE OTHER DAY WHILE DRIVING THE CRADLE GAVE OUT AND THE ENGINE,THE STEERING GEAR DROPPED DOWN A FEW INCHES RENDERING THE CAR UNDRIVEABLE.I WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL AND GET IT TO THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD THEY ARE ONLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE BRACE NOT THE WEAK CRADLE. I GUESS MY QUESTION IS HOW CAN THIS RECALL STOP ANYONE FROM A WRECK OR DAMAGE WHEN THE ENTIRE CRADLE IS AFFECTED BY THIS PROBLEM. THIS RECALL HAD TO BE APPROVED BY SOMEONE IM SURE. THIS BRACE WILL NOT STOP A CAR FROM BEING OUT OF CONTROL AT ANY GIVIN TIME AS THE CRADLE ROT WILL AFFECT A LOT MORE THAN JUST THE LOWER CONTROL ARM AREA.I UNDERSTAND ITS AN OLD CAR BUT FORD KNOWS THERE IS A SERIOUS RUST ISSUE WITH THIS PART.IF FORD AND THE NHTSA FEEL THIS BANDAID REPAIR IS GOOD ENOUGH FOR SAFETY OF MY FAMILY THEN I HAVE MY DOUBT ON WHETHER THERE IS ANYONE IN EITHER ORGANIZATION THAT KNOWS ANYTHING ABOUT A CAR OR SAFETY AT ALL. *TR

Mileage: 99,000

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

HAD MY 2003 ESCAPE IN TO THE DEALER FOR A WHEEL BEARING PROBLEM, WHILE IT WAS IN THE SHOP THEY DID THE OPEN RECALL 14S02 SUB FRAME BRACE INSTALLATION. DROVE THE CAR 2 TIMES. THE WIFE DECIDED TO DRIVE TO THE STORE ON A 3RD TIME AND CALLED ME TO SAY CAR WAS PULLING HARD TO THE PASSENGER SIDE. AFTER GETTING THE CAR HOME I REMOVE THE PASSENGER FRONT TIRE THINKING THAT WE HAD A STICKING BRAKE CALIPER AND COULD SEE RIGHT AWAY THAT THE SUB FRAME HAD RIPPED APART RIGHT WHERE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BOLTS UP. AFTER MORE INVESTIGATION AND MANY PHOTOS IT APPEARS TO ME THAT THE BOLT THAT WAS USED TO INSTALL THE BRACE PER THE RECALL HAS CAUSE THE UPPER PART OF THE FRAME TO RIP APART FROM THE LOWER PART (SPLIT IT OPEN) THERE IS SIGNIFICANT RUST ON THE FRAME BUT THIS REALLY LOOKS LIKE THE BANDAID CAUSED A BIGGER PROBLEM. I CALLED THE DEALER, THEY SAID TO CALL FORD, I CALLED FORD THEY SAID TAKE IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY WOULD EVALUATE IT. BUT AFTER READING COMMENTS HERE I DECIDED AGAINST THAT AND WILL PROBABLY JUST HAUL IT TO SCRAP YARD. WHAT A WASTE. *TR

Mileage: 91,500

DAUGHTER DRIVING HER VEHICLE HOME FROM WORK NOTICED SEVERE VIBRATION IN FRONT OF VEHICLE AND GRADUAL LOSS OF CONTROL OF STEERING. FOLLOWING DAY, VEHICLE BROUGHT TO REPAIR SHOP FOR INSPECTION. DISCOVERED THAT RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM BROKEN. DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS A MASSIVE RECALL FOR EXACT ISSUE. REMEDY SAID TO BE SUPPORT BRACE/CROSS MEMBER. VEHICLE BROUGHT TO FORD DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. RECALL DEVICE INSTALLED, HOWEVER, DEALERSHIP FAILED TO ADVISE VEHICLE OWNER OF ROTTING SUB FRAME IN RIGHT FRONT OF VEHICLE. INSPECTED BY INDEPENDENT AUTO SHOP AFTER INSTALL AND SEVERE ROTTING AND STRUCTURAL DEFECTS FOUND IN RIGHT FRONT SUB FRAME. SUPPORT BRACE SUPPLIED BY RECALL ESSENTIALLY USELESS AS IT BOLTS IN TO ROTTING SUB FRAME. INDEPENDENT SHOP ADVISES THAT VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE FOR BOTH OCCUPANTS AND OTHER DRIVERS DUE TO SERIOUS LIKELIHOOD OF LOSS OF CONTROL. NOTE THAT THERE ARE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS ON SAME ISSUE. ALSO NOTE THAT A SIGNIFICANT NUMBER, (OVER 50%), OF THESE COMPLAINTS REVEAL SEVERE ROTTING AND STRUCTURAL FAILURE TO RIGHT FRONT SUB FRAME. CONTACTED FORD ABOUT SUB FRAME ISSUES AND CONCERNS AND WAS REFERRED BACK TO FORD DEALERSHIP. ADVISED TO EXPRESS CONCERNS OVER WORKMANSHIP! FORD DEALERSHIP INSTALLED THE REPLACEMENT CROSS MEMBER JUST FINE. BUT THEY BOLTED IT TO A RUSTED DEFECTED SUB FRAME!! COME ON PEOPLE. DO WE HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL SOME YOUNG UNSUSPECTING MOTHER WITH A CAR LOAD OF KIDS LOSES CONTROL OF HER VEHICLE AND HITS A TREE, OR A POLE, OR ONCOMING TRAFFIC BEFORE THE REAL ISSUE IS ADDRESSED? I CAN ONLY IMAGINE THE LAWSUITS!! CERTAINLY HAVE ENOUGH PEOPLE FOR A CLASS ACTION.

Mileage: 133,000

WHILE BACKING OUT OF DRIVE FELT AN UNUSUAL TUG OF STEERING WHEEL, AND STEERING WHEEL WAS ROTATED APPROX. 30 DEGREES. DROVE IT TO REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY DISCOVERED THE LOWER CONTROL ARM HAD RUSTED AWAY FROM THE SUBFRAME MOUNT AND THE SUBFRAME WAS SIGNIFICANTLY RUSTED. ALSO WAS NOTIFIED OF SAFETY RECALL 14S02. MADE APPOINTMENT AND SLOWLY DROVE VEHICLE TO FORD DEALERSHIP TO HAVE RECALL ADDRESSED. DEALERSHIP REPLACED ONLY SUB FRAME CROSSBRACE AS DIRECTED BY FORD MOTOR CO. SUBFRAME IS STILL RUSTED IN OTHER AREAS SURROUNDING NEWLY INSTALLED CROSSBRACE AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE. DEALERSHIP WANTED OVER $2000 TO REPLACE SUBFRAME. *TR

Mileage: 135,000

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

I TOOK MY 2003 FORD ESCAPE TO DEALER TO HAVE CROSS BRACE PUT ON DUE TO RECALL. I KNOW MORE THAN LEFT THEIR PARKING LOT AND NOTICE CAR DRIVING FUNNY. EVER SINCE BEING PUT ON I HAVE TO REPLACE CONTROL ARM ON PASSENGER FRONT, NEW TIRES AND 2 ALIGNMENTS. NOW I HAVE TO HAVE CV JOINTS REPLACED BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE VIBRATION. I CALLED THE DEALER AND COMPLAINED ABOUT CAR DRIVING FUNNY THEY BASICALLY TOLD ME ITS NOT THERE FAULT. I HAVE SOAKED ALMOST $1000 IN REPAIRS DUE TO CROSSBAR BEING PUT ON MY CAR. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED THERE ARE FLAWS IN THE CROSS BRACE BEING INSTALLED ON CARS. I HAVE HAD VEHICLE FOR ALMOST 3 YEARS WITH NO PROBLEMS AND SINCE DEALER MESSED WITH MY CAR I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. *TR

Mileage: 154,000

SEPARATION OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FROM THE SUB-FRAME CAUSING HARD STEERING AND LOSS OF PROPER CONTROL. *TR

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

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (SUSPENSION); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

DRIVING VEHICLE AND HEARD A LOUD POP AND SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING. LIMPED THE VEHICLE HOME AND TOOK TO DEALER WHO CONTACTED FORD FOR FURTHER INSTRUCTIONS. THEY INSTALLED A CROSS BRACE THAT DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. FORD WILL NOT DO ANYTHING TO THE SUBFRAME BECAUSE IT HAS NOT FULLY DETACHED. THERE IS NO STEERING CONTROL AT ALL OVER 15MPH AND IN THEIR EYES IT IS SAFE TO DRIVE. SERVICE MANAGER AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP DROVE THE VEHICLE AND EXPERIENCED FOR HIMSELF THAT THERE IS NO CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE. THE RECALL HAS NOT FIXED THE PROBLEM AT ALL. *TR

Mileage: 102,000

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

MY ESCAPE IS PART OF THE HHTSA 14V-165 RECALL. FORD DEALER INSPECTED SUSPENSION/SUB FRAME AREA ON 6/11/2014 AND DETERMINED IT WAS BAD. HOLE SIZE WAS APPROX. 3INX6IN. SERVICE MAN SAID HE WAS ONLY AUTHORIZED TO PUT ON CROSS BRACE BUT ALSO SAID HE WOULD TALK TO REP ABOUT REPLACING SUB FRAME. HE AND I BOTH TOOK PICTURES. I DID NOT FEEL SAFE AFTER SEEING THE FLIMSY CROSS BRACE INSTALLED DUE TO THE FACT THAT WHERE IT BOLTS ON WAS WHERE A MAJORITY OF RUST IS. HE EVEN SAID HE WOULDN'T WANT TO BE DRIVING VEHICLE. AFTER 3 1/2 WEEKS STILL CAN NOT GET AN ANSWER IF THEY WILL REPLACE THE BAD PART. IF SUBFRAME BREAKS THE CROSS BRACE AREA WILL NOT BE STRONG ENOUGH TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF VEHICLE. *JS

Mileage: 168,500

TL - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (LOWER CONTROL ARM CORROSION); HOWEVER, THE PART WAS UNAVAILABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. JCC UPDATED 08/19/14*LJ UPDATED 08/23/2017*CT

I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR TO A FORD DEALER THREE WEEKS AGO AND THEY HAD TO ORDER THE PART. I'M STILL WAITING FOR THEM TO CALL ME FOR MY REPAIRS. MIKE CASTRUCCI ST. RT.28 MILFORD,OHIO 45150. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILED AND CAUSED A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (SUSPENSION). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT REMAINED FOR TWO MONTHS HOWEVER, ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

Mileage: 78,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 14V165000 (LOWER CONTROL ARM). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND A REINFORCEMENT CROSS-BRACE WAS INSTALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CROSS-BRACE WAS NOT WORKING FOR HIS VEHICLE DUE TO THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS BEING COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.

Mileage: 122,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 14V165000 (LOWER CONTROL ARM). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND A REINFORCEMENT CROSS-BRACE WAS INSTALLED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CROSS-BRACE WAS NOT WORKING FOR HIS VEHICLE DUE TO THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS BEING COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.

Mileage: 122,000

TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, SHE HEARD A LOUD POPPING SOUND AND LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WENT ACROSS FOUR LANES, ROLLED OVER TWICE, LANDED INTO INCOMING TRAFFIC AND NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED THREE BROKEN VERTEBRAE, AND LACERATIONS TO HER HEAD. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

Mileage: 68,000

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V165000 (SUSPENSION) AND STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE DEALER DID NOT GIVE A SPECIFIC DATE WHEN THE PARTS WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT PROVIDE AN ESTIMATED DATE FOR WHEN THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD RECEIVE THE RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE HEARD AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BECAME DETACHED FROM THE SUB FRAME, WHICH HAD EXTENSIVE CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM, THE SUB FRAME AND THE CV JOINT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V165000 (SUSPENSION). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 230,000.

Mileage: 230,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE HEARD AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BECAME DETACHED FROM THE SUB FRAME, WHICH HAD EXTENSIVE CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM, THE SUB FRAME AND THE CV JOINT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V165000 (SUSPENSION). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 230,000.

Mileage: 230,000

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED FROM THE REAR EXTERIOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE AN UNKNOWN REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THERE WAS A SLIGHT REDUCTION IN NOISE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,920.

Mileage: 145,920

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING DOWNHILL AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED AS THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY CAME TO A STOP. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE WAS COLLAPSED INWARDLY WHICH CAUSED THE CONTROL ARM TO FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,000.

Mileage: 149,000

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

ON MAY 2 2013, MY DAUGHTER LOST THE ABILITY TO STEER THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH ON A BUSY CITY STREET. THE VEHICLE MADE A LEFT TURN IN FRONT OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND EVENTUALLY CAME TO A STOP IN THE ENTRANCE DRIVEWAY OF A FAST FOOD RESTAURANT. IT WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP, WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SUBFRAME HAD FAILED DUE TO CORROSSION WHICH CAUSED THE RIGHT FRONT PASSENGER TIRE TO BECOME PARTIALLY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. IT APPEARS THE FAILURE MAY BE RELATED TO THE VEHICLE AIR CONDITIONING DISCHARGING CONDENSATE ON THE AFFECTED PART. THE FORD DEALER ADVISED THEY HAD SEEN 1 OTHER VEHICLE RECENTLY WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I HAVE ASKED FOR A FACTORY REPRESENTATIVE TO INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE BUT SO FAR MY REQUEST HAS NOT BEEN HONORED. *TR

Mileage: 92,425

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AXLE WAS FRACTURED AND THE FRAME WAS CORRODED, AND CRACKED. IN ADDITION, THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND THE BRAKES WERE DEFECTIVE. AS A RESULT, THE FRAME AND AXLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

Mileage: 102,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE XLT. THE CONTACTED STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS CORROSION OF THE SUB FRAME BALL JOINTS AND CONTROL ARMS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 124,000.

Mileage: 124,000

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

I HAVE A 2003 FORD ESCAPE THAT I JUST TOOK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE REPLACED THE BUSHINGS IN THE UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS AS THEY WERE COMING OUT. I ASK THE DEALER ABOUT THE PROBLEM, AND WAS TOLD THEY HAD SEEN IT BEFORE. RARE BUT HAD SEEN IT. SEEMS TO ME IF THE BUSHINGS COME OUT OF THE CONTROL ARMS AN ACCIDENT COULD OCCUR. SEEMS TO ME TO BE A QUALITY PROBLEM THAT FORD IS IGNORING. I DID HAVE THE CAR REPAIRED AT MY EXPENSE. HOPEFULLY THIS ONLY OCCURS ONCE. IT ALL STARTED WITH A "CLUNK" NOISE IN THE FRONT END AS YOU GO OVER A DRIVE WAY. *TR

Mileage: 45,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE GROWLING AND SQUEALING NOISES, AND THE FRONT END SHOOK. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE INITIALLY BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 15, 2008 WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT BEARING, THEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE, FOLLOWED BY THE PASSENGER SIDE A SECOND TIME, AND NOW THE DRIVER'S SIDE AGAIN. THE FIRST TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY; HOWEVER, IT IS NO LONGER COVERED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

Mileage: 65,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED. THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV AND THE RPM RACED TO ITS MAXIMUM POTENTIAL. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE ENGINE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 62,900. UPDATED 01/09/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED NOISE IN FRONT END WHEN HITTING A BUMP AND PERFORMED INSPECTION PER RECALL. UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

Mileage: 62,900

CAR TO DEALERSHIP ON 6/1/07 FOR SERVICE. BRAKE PADS REPLACED, ROTORS TURNED, TIRES ROTATED, REPLACED STABILIZER BAR. LEFT DEALER AND IN LESS THAN 2 MILES, ABS DASH LIGHT CAME ON. WENT BACK TO DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION--THINKING MAYBE SOMETHING HAD GONE AWRY WHEN CAR WAS SERVICED. PER THEM (AND THEY SHOWED ME WHAT WAS WRONG), COLLAR ON OUTSIDE OF AXEL THAT TURNS TO SEND SIGNAL TO ABS SENSOR HAS A CRACK THAT WILL INTERMITTENTLY MAKE THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM COME ON. REPLACEMENT PER THEM--$425.00. *TR

Mileage: 106,000

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE KNUCKLE SEPARATION OFF THE SUSPENSION CAUSED ACCIDENT. *NLM