Engine
2.0L 4-cyl
How to read this file. Complaint records are unverified owner submissions to the federal safety agency. Counts are raw, not adjusted for sales volume or vehicle age. Recall campaigns apply to the model; only a VIN check shows whether this car is affected or repaired. Parts shown are named by an editorial note or listed as a search directory; none is a diagnosis. Full methodology.
Fault profile
Complaint-component records on this vehicle, grouped by family. A complaint naming two systems counts once in each.
Complaints are owner-reported and not verified by the agency.
When it fails
The timing of this vehicle's reported failures, from the complaint file itself. A cluster tells you what to expect and when; it is shaped by reporting behavior as well as by the vehicle.
Vehicle age when the failure occurred
Years between the model year and the owner's reported failure date. Based on 496 of 499 complaints with a usable failure date.
Odometer when the failure occurred
Owner-reported mileage at failure, in 20,000-mile bands. Based on 420 of 499 complaints reporting a plausible odometer (500 to 500,000 miles; unverified).
Known issues
The component families with the most complaint records against this vehicle. Counts, crash and fire figures belong to the whole family, not to any single named issue. Parts listed are related system parts, not a diagnosis.
Suspension
154 complaint records1 crash report
"RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL IS TOTALLY RUSTED THROUGH, LEFT SIDE SLIGHTLY STARTED RUSTING, CAUSING SHOCKS TO BREAK FREE FROM FRAME..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse suspension parts in the directory →
Body & structure
139 complaint records2 fire reports6 crash reports
"THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL THAT SUPPORTS THE SHOCK TOWER HAS COMPLETELY RUST OUT,THIS IS COMMON IN THE 2004-2006 ESCAPES. *TR..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse body & structure parts in the directory →
Speed control
98 complaint records4 fire reports23 crash reports
"WHILE BEING OPERATED ON AN EXPRESSWAY, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL COULD NO LONGER BE CONTROLLED AND REMAINED IN AN OPEN AND HIGH SPEED POSITION. *PH (NAR) *CB..."- one owner's federal complaint about this system; it may not describe the issue named above
Parts
No specific part is named for this issue. Browse speed control parts in the directory →
Federal defect investigations
Formal investigations opened by the federal safety agency into this vehicle. An investigation is the step between a complaint pattern and a recall; not every one results in one.
| Investigation | Status | Component | Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE12019 opened Jul 2012 | closed Feb 2013 | Vehicle Speed Control | Stuck Throttle - led to recall 12V357000 In a letter dated July 25, 2012 Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR), NHTSA Recall No. |
| DP12005 opened Jul 2012 | closed Jul 2012 | Vehicle Speed Control | Cruise Control Cable On July 8, 2012, The Center for Auto Safety has petitioned NHTSA to open defect investigations on Model Year (MY) 2002 ? |
| AQ10001 opened Nov 2010 | closed Dec 2015 | Unknown Or Other | Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit On November 18, 2010, NHTSA's Recall Management Division (RMD) opened an audit query (AQ10-001) to investigate recall remedy completion by rental car companies on safety recall campaigns.It was expected to provide the agency an indication of how completely... |
| EA10002 opened Jan 2010 | closed Feb 2012 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | Engine Compartment Fire - led to recall 12V016000 Ford and Mazda recalled model year (MY) 2001 through 2004 Ford Escape (07V-156) and Mazda Tribute (07V-157) vehicles due to non-crash fires or non-fire thermal events originating in the engine compartment at or near the ABS control module.Approximately... |
| RQ09002 opened Apr 2009 | closed Jan 2010 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE IN LETTERS DATED MARCH 30, 2007, FORD MOTOR COMPANY (FORD) AND MAZDA NORTH AMERICAN OPERATIONS (MAZDA) NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT THEY WILL CONDUCT RECALLS 07V-156 AND 07V-157, RESPECTIVELY, TO REMEDY A SAFETY DEFECT THAT MAY RESULT IN FIRE IN A WIRING... |
Show 1 more closed investigations
| Investigation | Status | Component | Subject |
|---|---|---|---|
| DP09003 opened Apr 2009 | closed Apr 2009 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) RECEIVED A DEFECT PETITION DATED MARCH 5, 2009 ALLEGING THAT THE PETITIONER NEVER RECEIVED THE RECALL REMEDY FOR 07V-156 AND THAT, AS A RESULT, THE PETITIONER'S MY2003 FORD ESCAPE CAUGHT FIRE AT THE ABS CONTROL... |
Recall campaigns
Safety-recall remedies are normally provided at no charge. Under US federal law the mandatory free remedy applies when the vehicle was no more than 15 years old at the time the defect was determined; manufacturers often cover older vehicles voluntarily. Canadian rules differ. Confirm eligibility with the manufacturer using the VIN. Each campaign number links to the federal record.
| Campaign | Component | Summary | Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15V606000 | Power Train | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. | Normally free |
| 14V165000 | Structure | Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2004 Escape vehicles manufactured October 22, 1999, through January 23, 2004, originally sold, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois,... | Normally free |
| 12V353000 | Vehicle Speed Control | Ford Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2004 Escape vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control manufactured from October 22, 1999, through January 23, 2004. | Normally free |
| 07V156000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic | ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ANTILOCK BRAKES (ABS), THE ABS MODULE CONNECTOR MAY HAVE MISSING OR DISLODGED WIRE SEALS. | Normally free |
| 04V602000 | Latches/Locks/Linkages | CERTAIN 2004-2005 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND CERTAIN 2001-2003 SPORT UTIITY VEHICLE HAVING REAR LIFTGATE COMPONENTS SERVICED WITH 2004 EQUIVALENT COMPONENTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE... | Normally free |
| 04V574000 | Vehicle Speed Control | ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES BUILT WITH 3.0L V6 ENGINES, THE ACCELERATOR CABLE MAY PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION. | Normally free |
Transport Canada recalls
Recalls issued under Canadian law for this model year, from Transport Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database. Matched by model name, so a Canadian-market variant may appear here that was sold under another name in the US. Units are Canadian vehicles affected.
| Recall | System | Units (CA) | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015438 2015-09-29 | Powertrain | 11 | A safety defect may exist in vehicles in which remanufactured automatic transmissions were installed as service replacement parts. The shift lever bolt may not have been torqued to the proper torque specification. |
| 2014110 2014-04-02 | Suspension | 36,694 | On certain vehicles registered and operated in areas where road salt is used on the roadways during winter months for extended time periods (Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland-Labrador), the... |
| 2012235 2012-07-25 | Other | 44,653 | On certain vehicles equipped with a 3.0L V6 engine and speed control, inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector could result in a stuck throttle when the accelerator pedal is fully or almost-fully... |
| 2007107 2007-04-03 | Brakes | 36,546 | On certain vehicles, the electrical wiring connector to the ABS module may have been manufactured incorrectly. Over time, contaminants can enter the ABS electrical connector interface and corrode the terminals. |
| 2004441 2004-12-20 | Other | 23,522 | Certain vehicles do not comply with the requirements of CMVSS 206 - Door Locks and Door Retention Components. The rear liftgate latching system does not meet the Technical Standards Document 206 Inertia Load requirement. |
Show 1 more Canadian recalls
| Recall | System | Units (CA) | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004426 2004-12-08 | Engine | 38,034 | On certain vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines, the accelerator cable's inner liner may, over time, migrate out of the conduit at the dash panel fitting during vehicle operation. |
Service bulletins and warranty extensions
Manufacturer communications to dealers on file with the federal agency: repair instructions, service campaigns, and warranty extensions. A warranty extension means the manufacturer may pay for a repair the recall table does not cover.
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSM 46085 Sep 2016 | Engine And Engine Cooling | The Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (ETBs). The ETC_ACT and ETC_DSD PIDs should not used to diagnose possible ETB concerns. | |
| 16-0071 Apr 2016 | Structure | 2001-2004 Escape vehicles Safety Recall 14S02 has been issued for vehicles that are operated in high corrosion areas for an extended period, where a corrosion-related separation of the forward attachment of the lower control arm (LCA) from the subframe may occur. | |
| TSB160071 Apr 2016 | Suspension | Safety recall 14S02 - Corrosion at forward attachment of lower control arm - requests for recall service action | |
| TSB-14-0143 Aug 2014 | Suspension | FORD: THE LOWER CONTROL ARM (LCA) FORWARD ATTACHMENT WILL SEPARATE FROM SUBFRAME, CAUSING DIMINISHING DIRECTIONAL CONTROL, DUE TO OPERATING IN HIGH CORROSION AREAS FOR EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. MODEL 2001-2004 ESCAPE. *PE | |
| 05252 Jan 2006 | Trailer Hitches | NEUTRAL TOW CAPABILITY -- SERVICE KIT REQUIREMENTS. *TT |
Show 42 more bulletins
| Bulletin | Type | Component | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 19016 Jan 2006 | Engine And Engine Cooling | REPLACE TIMING BELT IDLER PULLEY DURING 2.0L ZETEC ENGINE CYLINDER HEAD REPLACEMENT - SERVICE TIP. *TT | |
| 04208 Jan 2006 | Engine And Engine Cooling | CAMSHAFT TICK NOISE - 3.0L 4V ENGINE ONLY. *TT | |
| 0645 Jan 2006 | Power Train | NEUTRAL TOW CAPABILITY - SERVICE KIT REQUIREMENTS. *TT | |
| 0693 Jan 2006 | Electrical System | PCM FAILURE - ELECTRICAL ACCESSORIES INTERMITTENT - INOPERATIVE. *TT | |
| 06116 Jan 2006 | Engine And Engine Cooling | POSSIBLE ENGINE DAMAGE - INSTALL SPECIAL SERVICE TOOLS PRIOR TO REMOVING CRANKSHAFT PULLEY BOLT - SERVICE TIP. *TT | |
| 041601 Nov 2005 | Engine And Engine Cooling | WDS COP KIT DIAGNOSTIC TIP - COIL ON PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEMS - ENGINE MISFIRE OR ROUGH RUNNING. *TT | |
| 04244 Oct 2005 | Electrical System | RESTRAINT SYSTEM - SAFETY BELT BUCKLE AND PRETENSIONER DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) B1877 AND/OR B1881. *TT | |
| 042421 Jun 2005 | Seat Belts | SAFETY BELT RETRACTION SPEED. *TT | |
| 05310 Feb 2005 | Seat Belts | SAFETY BELT WEB STOP BUTTON SERVICE. *EH | |
| 052624 Jan 2005 | Wheels | VIBRATION DIAGNOSIS - TIRE/WHEEL RUNOUT. *TT | |
| 0471 Dec 2004 | Electrical System | WARNING INDICATORS-PARKING AID-REVERSE SENSING SYSTEM (RSS) AND FORWARD SENSING SYSTEM (FSS)-FALSE ACTIVATION OF WARNING TONE-SERVICE TIPS. *MJ UPDATE. *TT | |
| 042612 Dec 2004 | Air Bags | SIDE AIR BAG DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) B1994 OR B1998. *TT | |
| 042513 Dec 2004 | Structure | SERVICEABILITY OF INSTRUMENT PANEL REGISTER VENTS. *TT | |
| 04191 Dec 2004 | Seat Belts | SAFETY BELT BUCKLE AND PRETENSIONER DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) B1877, B1881, B1885 OR B1886. *TT | |
| 04189 Dec 2004 | Visibility | REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER GRID/INTEGRAL ANTENNA DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR - TERMINAL TAB REPAIR. *TT | |
| 042107 Dec 2004 | Power Train | GENERAL (PCM) POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT | |
| 04232 Nov 2004 | Power Train | WHEEL SPEED SENSOR REMOVAL TIP. *EH | |
| 04214 Nov 2004 | Steering | STEERING DRIFT/PULL - IMPROVED DIAGNOSTIC AND REPAIR PROCEDURE - SERVICE TIP. *TT | |
| 04217 Nov 2004 | Power Train | GENERAL POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE (PCM) PROGRAMMING PROCEDURES. *TT | |
| 18280 Nov 2004 | Air Bags | AIR BAG WARNING LAMP ON . *EH | |
| 18281 Nov 2004 | Exterior Lighting | CONDENSATION INSIDE THE FOGLAMPS. *EH | |
| 18284 Nov 2004 | Air Bags | HIGH AIRFLOW FROM DEFROSTER VENTS WHEN IN FLOOR OR FLOOR DEFROST MODES. *EH | |
| 032011 Oct 2004 | Electrical System | AIRBAG LAMP ILLUMINATED AND DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTCS) B1877 (DRIVER PRETENSIONER CIRCUIT OPEN) OR B1881 (PASSENGER PRETENSIONER CIRCUIT OPEN). *TT THIS BULLETIN SUPERSEDES TSB 03-20-11 DATED 2003. *TT | |
| 18217 Oct 2004 | Fuel System | MULTIPLE VEHICLES - FUEL LEVEL INDICATION CONCERNS - SERVICE TIP. VARIOUS MODELS INCLUDING 2005 SUPER DUTY F-SERIES, EXCURSION, EXPEDITION, EXPLORER, MOUNTAINEER AND AVIATOR. *TT | |
| 04174 Sep 2004 | Electrical System | MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP (MIL) ILLUMINATED - SYSTEM LEAN DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES (DTC'S) - SERVICE TIPS. VARIOUS MODELS INCLUDING 2004 F-SERIES. *TT | |
| 18173 Sep 2004 | Power Train | A FINAL DRIVE WHINE AT 25-45 MPH (40-72 KM/H). *TT | |
| 031404 Aug 2004 | Engine And Engine Cooling | ENGINE MISFIRE OR RUNNING - COIL ON PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEMS - WDS COP KIT DIAGNOSTIC TIPS. TO INCLUDE VARIOUS 2005 MODELS. * AR THIS ARTICLE 04161 SUPERSEDES TSB 03-14-04. | |
| 041514 Aug 2004 | Visibility | REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER GRID/INTEGRAL ANTENNA DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR - TERMINAL TAB REPAIR. *TT | |
| 031501 Jul 2004 | Visibility | INOPERATIVE ELECTRIC REAR WINDOW DEFROSTER (HEATED BACKLITE) GRID LINES, INTEGRAL ANTENNA CONCERNS. *TT | |
| 17657 Mar 2004 | Power Train | CLUTCH CHATTER WHEN COLD. *TT | |
| 17532 Feb 2004 | Steering | LOW PRESSURE POWER STEERING LINE LEAK AFTER COLD SOAK IN TEMPERATURES OF -23C (-10) OR LOWER. *MJ | |
| 17457 Jan 2004 | Service Brakes | EXCESSIVE FRONT ROTOR WEAR AND/OR BRAKE DUST. *TT | |
| 17482 Jan 2004 | Power Train | HARSH SHIFTS AND ENGAGEMENTS WITH ONLY DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE (DTC) P1502. *TT | |
| 04141 Jan 2004 | Power Train | TRANSMISSION CONTROL INDICATOR LAMP (TCIL) ON WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P1783 AND/OR P0733 COLD CLIMATE SHIFT/ENGAGEMENT CONCERNS WITH A CD4E TRANSAXLE. *TT | |
| 03L17 Dec 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | DEMONSTRATION/DELIVERY HOLD - SPECIAL FIELD ACTION 03L17. REVISED SMOG EMISSIONS INFORMATION. *TT | |
| 17316 Nov 2003 | Fuel System | FUEL SIGNAL TO INSTRUMENT CLUSTER SERVICE TIP. *TT | |
| 17343 Nov 2003 | Seat Belts | FRONT SAFETY BELT SLOW TO RETRACT AND/OR MISSING WEB STOP BUTTON. *TT | |
| 17366 Nov 2003 | Power Train | FINAL DRIVE WHINE MOST NOTICEABLE AT 25-45 MPH DURING LIGHT ACCELERATION OR DECELERATION. *TT | |
| 03181 Sep 2003 | Electrical System | REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY (RKE) - SERVICE TIPS. *TT | |
| 031513 Aug 2003 | Steering | TIE ROD END INSPECTION PROCEDURE. *TT | |
| 03144 Jul 2003 | Engine And Engine Cooling | ENGINE MISFIRE OR ROUGH RUNNING CONDITION WITH COIL ON PLUG (COP) IGNITION SYSTEMS MAY BE MORE ACCURATELY DIAGNOSED USING THE OPTIONAL WORLDWIDE DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM (WDS) COIL ON PLUG (COP) KIT. 2003 SUPER DUTY F SERIES INCLUDED. *TT | |
| 16964 Jul 2003 | Service Brakes | EXCESSIVE BRAKE PAD/LINING DUST AND WEAR. *TT |
Before you buy this vehicle
A test-drive checklist generated from this vehicle's own complaint and recall record.
- Find the roughest road nearby.Clunks over bumps, a droning hum that changes when the car leans, or a corner that sits low are this vehicle's suspension complaints. Wheel bearings and control arm bushings lead the parts list.
- Walk the body slowly in daylight.Panel gaps, rust at the rockers and wheel arches, and cracked trim are this vehicle's structure complaints. Open and close the liftgate or trunk and look at the latch area.
- Test the throttle response and the cruise control on an open road.A surge, a hang in engine speed after lifting off, or cruise that will not set or cancel cleanly are the speed-control complaints on this vehicle.
- Run the VIN against open recalls before you negotiate.This vehicle has 6 recall campaigns on file. An open recall needs VIN-specific confirmation. Many are quick, no-charge fixes and worth negotiating over; an unresolved do-not-drive advisory, or a remedy the manufacturer has not yet made available, should stop the purchase until it is resolved.
- Ask for the service history in writing, then read it against this page.The complaint families above are where owners of this vehicle report trouble. Repairs in exactly those systems are evidence the car had the problem; no such repairs could mean it never developed it, or that it was never fixed. The test-drive items above are how you tell those apart.
Parts search directory
The generic parts list for this vehicle has its own page: a search launcher for every system, filtered by fuel type and era but not by engine, trim, or brake type. It is not a diagnosis and not a fitment guarantee.
Open the parts directory for this Ford Escape →