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Electrical system

2004 Ford Escape Electrical problems

Owners have filed 31 complaints about the 2004 Ford Escape's electrical system with NHTSA - 6% of all its complaints, most recently on October 8, 2021. They describe 0 crashes, 5 fires and 0 injuries. Dead batteries, warning lights, wiring, alternators, infotainment and electronic module failures.

Complaints
31
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Fires
5
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Electrical complaints

Electrical system

There seems to be a wiring grounding problem. I have had to replace multiple alternators over the length of time that I've had this vehicle. Whenever I have to use my windshield wipers during mid to heavy rain, along with lights, and heat/ac. The next day my alternator doesn't respond properly and generally will not run. After checking batteries, replacing batteries, blown fuses, I still end up having to get a new alternator. Which last until I back in the same situation. This car has completely shutoff while driving on the interstate and in traffic. The cigarette lighters do not work properly either; therefore I'm not able to charge my phone or use navigation systems.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 11436088
SuspensionElectrical systemBody, doors & structure

The whole underbody is rusting away especially the frame, couldn't even get regular maintence done since the rust so bad. We always washed the underbody after it snowed and that didn't stop the rust from eating away the suv. I see there is a recall for my year but when I do a vin check it says no recall open for my vehicle. I had to get a window put in had 4 different companies come out till I could get some one willing to put it in since they where scared of the pinch wheel from being so rusty. The frame is so bad you can see through it, I scared it going to break and leave me stranded or worse in a car accident!

Filed Incident Suspension · Electrical system · StructureNHTSA 11405483
Electrical systemEngine & coolingFire

The vehicle was a 2004 ford escape. It was parked on the street, everything was turned off and the vehicle was not running. I was in work when I was informed that my vehicle was on fire. Nothing was on to start this fire, it happened spontaneously. The fire seems to have started in the vicinity of the drivers side engine bay. Previous to this incident, there were no mechanical or electrical issues with the vehicle.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Unknown or other · EngineNHTSA 11129616
SteeringElectrical systemAcceleration & cruise control

Driving down the road about fourty five miles per hour I pushed the gas to go up a hill and lost all power to the engine. I removed my foot from the engine and it picked up enough speed to get to the side of the road. After being towed home it would crank but if you moved shifter knob or pressed gas it woukd die out.

Filed Incident Steering · Electrical system · Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 11014790
Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemEngine & cooling

Abs light and engine light came on while driving and vehicle shut down completely. Towed to shop to have replaced the alternator and battery bad. Since then 3- alternators, 2- batteries, 3- o2 sensors, and an airbag light that blinks on and off and illuminates when you honk the horn on the steering wheel. Also when turning on headlights, all dash lights and stereo console lights dim to almost invisible. Took to 4 different ford dealerships and no one can figure out the problem!!!! This company should realize this car is a lemon, and back their workmanship. And blow this car up !!! *Tr

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 10923846
Electrical systemFire

Drove my 2004 ford escape 20 minutes to get pizza and come back home parked it at 8pm by 12:30am neighbors banging on door your cars on fire!!!! I'm in believe the abs module caught fire recall is out ford says my vehicle doesn't apply

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10874615
Electrical systemBrakesFire

We own a 2004 escape. That two weeks ago caught fire due to the abs control module. We also have had brake lines go bad due to part failure twice. And the total of three alternators. Now we have spoken to ford regarding the 01-03 fire issue. But they will not do anyrhing to consider the 04 even though in researching the actual recall it was the same issue. I woulf like to see this happen. We are selling our vehicle to the sealer sue to lack of reliability. But wanted to vet the word out on this issue. Our engine also idle and tries to pull the vehicle forward even with the brakes applied. This is due to a faulty idle air controll valve.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Service brakesNHTSA 10794538
Electrical systemAirbags

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford escape. While driving at approximately 65 mph, the air bag warning light illuminated. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 61,000.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Air bagsNHTSA 10761252
Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemBrakesFuel system

THE CAR STALLS AFTER PUTTING IT IN GEAR / *TR

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · Service brakes · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 10705155
Electrical system

Original owner, for almost 3 years now the airbag light would come on periodically, sometimes for 1 drive, sometimes for days at a time then go away. The light coming on and going off would happen for no apparent reason. It doesnt matter if someone is sitting in the passenger seat or not, ive checked the connector under the seat and it is firmly seated. In the past year I have also had the battery, brake and now abs light come on. In january of 2014 my alternator died and I had it replaced, in january of 2015 I...

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had to replace my battery. Battery light has since gone away, but other lights come on randomly. Based on the type of work I do, im convinced there is a short or bad ground somewhere but I have no idea where to begin. Ford wants $160/ hr to diagnose this. My vehicle is not abused and has about 110k miles. Since the whole car is based on the electrical system, I feel this is something ford should look at, diagnose and fix. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10701246
SuspensionElectrical system

Loud rattle then grinding noise. When I pulled over I had to remove the shock mount which was jammed between the car and my tire. The shock has now popped through the plastic. This is my only form of transportation and the dealer said there was no recall. The other side is rusted out as well. In addition, when damp out, the #5 plug is missing causing damage to the converter. Total estimated tune up repair close to $400. During the past year tyrod, brakes & rotors, wheel bearing, brake hoses, power steering, radio...

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stays on when car is shut off unless fuse is pulled. Fuel pump was replaced at 70000 in 2011. Have to take the loss. Ford should refund for this defect. The mound is not rusted, just the wheel wells it is attached to. *Tr

Filed Incident Suspension · Electrical systemNHTSA 10637714
Electrical systemAcceleration & cruise controlFire

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford escape. While driving 45 mph, the vehicle accelerated abruptly and the rpms increased. There were no warning indicators illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact examined underneath the hood and noticed there was an electrical component that was burned on the driver side of the engine compartment. When the contact depressed the accelerator pedal while the vehicle was in the park position, it shut off. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure only occurred once. The failure mileage was 160,000.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 10621928
Electrical system

While driving at about 45 miles per hour my car starts to spit, sputter and run rough, there is a noticeable loss of power and my gauges first top out then they bottom out then they go back to normal. Ford can't find the problem because it doesn't code for them. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10611379
SteeringSuspensionElectrical systemBody, doors & structure

2004 Ford escape. Consumer writes in regards to lower control arm rust recall notice. *Smd the consumer stated while driving on the interstate, he heard a loud noise from the rear wheel well on the passenger side. He pulled over, and discovered the shock was hanging down. He was unable to pull it of. So he drove back home, and upon further examination, he discovered there was no fender left on the shock. Also, the trunk lid was rusting. *Jb the consumer he was able to remove the key from the ignition while the...

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gear was in drive. The consumer stated he pulled into the driveway, shut the engine off and placed the keys in the console. He exited the vehicle to remove items from the back seat. Soon after, the vehicle started to roll backwards. Updated 06/01/16.*Jb

Filed Incident Steering · Suspension · Electrical system · StructureNHTSA 10604250
Electrical systemEngine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford escape. The contact stated that while driving around a turn about circle, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was able to be restarted. The contact stated that the failure recurred multiple times intermittently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times and they were not able to replicate nor diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure several times to no avail. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 10598943
Transmission & drivetrainElectrical systemAcceleration & cruise controlEngine & cooling

Driving down road and the rpms on my 2004 escape jump up. So I try to slow down and car keeps accelerating. Throw car into park because brakes wouldn't slow it down. Ever site I read says it is the accelerator cable. Supposedly this was replaced by dealer while in for air bag indicator light repair in december 2012. Under recall. Now when I start vehicle rpms jump, and get burning smell from motor. Cars rpms jump while driving down road also. Battery and alternator were replaced in may 2013 but since they were...

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replaced battery indicator light is dimly lite upon accelerating. I have spent a fortune on this vehicle and every time I turn around it needs more work. I also after getting battery and alternator replaced had to put a new throttle body component in because motor was racing to 3000 rpms while in park or while foot was on break. Please help. I am scared to death to drive this vehicle like it is. Can not afford to put anymore money into it either. *Tr

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical system · Vehicle speed control · EngineNHTSA 10561550
Transmission & drivetrainElectrical system

The problem started when the car was driving and all of sudden the car starts struggling and then shuts off. It would take a several attempts for the car to restart but eventually it would. Now the cars just idles and runs really rough and shuts off while driving. Took it to ford and they said all it needed was a new cat-converter manifold, not stating why. We replaced it ($1500) but the problem still repeated. Took it to a repair shop and they said it needed to replace 6 ignition coils and plugs and possibly...

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the pcm. They also said the ignition coils caused the cat-convertor manifold to malfunction in the first place. So we replaced all coils and plugs for $1600 but they said the pcm was fine for now but it was a matter of time for the pcm to fail. I'm not sure if ford deliberately neglected this ignition coil issue but it is suspicious. My commute is mainly interstate hwy and I'm afraid this problem is might cause a major accident while on a major interstate hwy. *Tr

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical systemNHTSA 10508185
Electrical systemEngine & cooling

Car's engine vibrated violently and completely stalled going 45 mph down a highway, accident avoided as car behind me slammed on the brakes. Car would not start, check engine light on. Towed vehicle to ford dealership who fond two engine coils defective and all spark plugs replaced. This vehicle has repeated issues with defective coils and dangerous to travel on a highway when engine abruptly stops. This is poor engineering on ford's part and demand the us government force a recall! *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 10497691
Electrical system

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford escape. While driving 65, the contact stated the vehicle lost electrical power, causing the radio, speedometer and rpm gauge to decrease to zero for approximately two seconds and then the vehicle began to perform normally. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 159,000 and the current mileage was 160,600. The vin unavailable.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10444024
Electrical systemAirbagsSeats & seat belts

After driving about 10 miles my airbag warning light came on. On the way back, it again came on after about 10 miles - it flashed a few times and then stayed on. The ford dealer tested the car and said the warning light was caused by both front pretensioner connectors costing $397.99. I looked up pretensioner on the internet and saw many complaints specific to 2004 ford escapes. There were also solutions such as disconnecting the light, ignoring the light, and rigging the wires under the seat. My concern is that this is a wide spread defect that may lead to lack of safety and highway death. It is an expensive repair that consumers may ignore.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Air bags · Seat beltsNHTSA 10371715
Electrical system

My 2004 ford escape I bought used from a dealer after less then 4 months an ignition coil popped I took it in for repair changed coil and spark plugs got it back and less then 2 days later another ignition coil popped. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10282355
Electrical system

I have had to replace my alternator in my vehicle three times now since 2006. I would like to know why. The dealer I bought it from can't find anything and is not willing to help since the last time it was repaired was over two years ago. When it was in for repairs they stated the ford dealer it was taken too could not find anything wrong with it. I even filed a complaint with the attorney general's office but they got a letter of such in accurate info from the dealer the claim was dropped. I know two other people...

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with the same year ford I have with the same issue. I would like your company to buy my car and get me into a new one or at the very least repair this issue and any issues that may be found if and when this is looked into. I feel I should not need to be making payments on a car that breaks down every two years. Sometime more. Please help. My car is a 2004 ford escape xlt 4wd. Mileage: 111925vehicle location: inpossessionif contacted dealer: yesdealer name: diehl motor. *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10266321
Seats & seat beltsElectrical system

2004 Ford escape with gear selector and airbag warning light issues. Consumer states that mechanic determined that there was a faulty wiring harness for the front seat belts. He gave the ok to replace the wiring harness. *Kb the gear selection at the base of the steering column did not light up at night. *Jb

Filed Seat belts · Electrical systemNHTSA 10233912
Electrical system

2004 Escape refused to operate starter after being operated with load at slow speeds, found new battery was dead and new alternator was installed while under warranty 6m miles ago last year. Same problem has continued before and after battery and alternator repl. Private auto service shop tested... System charging subnormal below 900 rpm. Will not keep battery charged especially while a/c on, driving in city traffic in phoenix,. Az. Dealer refuses to look at it or test it now, even though they attempted to repair...

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problem under warranty and problem continued to exist. Suv has 31,301 miles on it as of 10/20/07. They have stalled every time I took it back and just keep saying "it cannot be." *Tr

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10206464
Electrical system

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford escape. The contact stated that when the weather is wet or when sand has been placed on the ground due to snow, the instrument panel gauges fail to illuminate. He stated that when the weather is nice, the dashboard illuminates as it should. The failure has been ongoing for one year. He currently has an appointment to have the vehicle diagnosed. The contact was informed that safety recall number 07v56000 (service brakes, hydraulic:antilock:control unit/module) does not apply to his vin. The purchase date and speed were unknown. The current mileage was 56,175 and failure mileage was 48,000.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10200103

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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