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Model Year Problem Record

Ford Escape 2004 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2004 Ford Escape: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

499Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
6Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
13Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
70Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Suspension154 complaints

154 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure139 complaints

139 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 14V165000.

Vehicle Speed Control98 complaints

98 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 04V574000, 12V353000.

Engine49 complaints

49 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags45 complaints

45 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels34 complaints

34 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes33 complaints

33 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 07V156000.

Electrical System32 complaints

32 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train27 complaints

27 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 15V606000.

Steering26 complaints

26 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System17 complaints

17 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility17 complaints

17 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other15 complaints

15 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages4 complaints

4 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 04V602000.

Tires3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

04V574000Reported December 7, 2004 - 470,245 vehicles potentially affected

Vehicle Speed Control. Recall covering the vehicle speed control system, reported to NHTSA on December 7, 2004. The campaign covers an estimated 470,245 vehicles across all affected models.

04V602000Reported December 20, 2004 - 262,113 vehicles potentially affected

Latches, Locks and Linkages. Recall covering the latches, locks and linkages system, reported to NHTSA on December 20, 2004. The campaign covers an estimated 262,113 vehicles across all affected models.

07V156000Reported April 10, 2007 - 446,460 vehicles potentially affected

Brakes. Recall covering the brakes system, reported to NHTSA on April 10, 2007. The campaign covers an estimated 446,460 vehicles across all affected models.

12V353000Reported July 26, 2012 - 529,719 vehicles potentially affected

Vehicle Speed Control. Recall covering the vehicle speed control system, reported to NHTSA on July 26, 2012. The campaign covers an estimated 529,719 vehicles across all affected models.

14V165000Reported April 2, 2014 - 348,950 vehicles potentially affected

Vehicle Structure. Recall covering the vehicle structure system, reported to NHTSA on April 2, 2014. The campaign covers an estimated 348,950 vehicles across all affected models.

15V606000Reported September 29, 2015 - 57 vehicles potentially affected

Power Train. Recall covering the power train system, reported to NHTSA on September 29, 2015. The campaign covers an estimated 57 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

AQ10001Opened November 18, 2010 - Closed December 28, 2015

Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

DP09003Opened April 14, 2009 - Closed April 15, 2009

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

DP12005Opened July 17, 2012 - Closed July 17, 2012

Cruise Control Cable. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

DP12005Opened July 17, 2012 - Closed July 17, 2012

Cruise Control Cable. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

DP12005Opened July 17, 2012 - Closed July 17, 2012

Cruise Control Cable. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

DP12005Opened July 17, 2012 - Closed July 17, 2012

Cruise Control Cable. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

DP12005Opened July 17, 2012 - Closed July 17, 2012

Cruise Control Cable. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

DP12005Opened July 17, 2012 - Closed July 17, 2012

Cruise Control Cable. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA10002Opened January 14, 2010 - Closed February 29, 2012

Engine Compartment Fire. Resulted in recall campaign 12V005000.

PE12019Opened July 17, 2012 - Closed February 21, 2013

Stuck Throttle. Resulted in recall campaign 12V353000.

PE12019Opened July 17, 2012 - Closed February 21, 2013

Stuck Throttle. Resulted in recall campaign 12V353000.

PE12019Opened July 17, 2012 - Closed February 21, 2013

Stuck Throttle. Resulted in recall campaign 12V353000.

RQ09002Opened April 15, 2009 - Closed January 15, 2010

ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

20032
200417
200526
200615
200720
200814
200918
201021
201110
201232
201337
201496
201584
201642
201726
201817
20197
20203
20215
20222
20232
20242
20261
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.