NHTSA Complaint #10744160 — 2005 FORD ESCAPE

OUR DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HER 2005 FORD ESCAPE. SHE HAD JUST GOTTEN ON THE TURNPIKE - AS SHE WAS DRIVING THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING AND THE CAR STARTED SLOWING DOWN - THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND THE CAR DIED. SHE LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND WAS NOT HURT. IT WAS ABOUT 99 DEGREES OUTSIDE AT 2:00 IN THE AFTERNOON. WE HAD TO HAVE A TOW TRUCK TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A CAR REPAIR SHOP. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SPARK PLUGS AND COIL HAD BURNED UP AND IT WOULD BE $2,200 TO REPAIR THE CAR. AFTER LOOKING ONLINE, THIS IS S COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2005 FORD ESCAPES. THERE ARE NO RECALLS. FORD HAS SAID TO KEEP THE RECEIPT IN CASE THERE ARE RECALLS IN THE FUTURE. THAT IS LITTLE RELIEF FROM THE FACT THAT WE ARE OUT $2200 NOW AND DON'T FEEL SAFE HAVING OUR DAUGHTER DRIVING THIS VEHICLE ANY LONGER. SHE HAS HAD REGULAR MAINTENANCE ON HER CAR. ONE OTHER PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE IS THAT THE LEATHER INTERIOR HAS STARTED COMING OFF THE SIDE DOOR PANELS - IT'S LIKE THE ADHESIVE HAS JUST WORN OUT. WE HAVE TRIED TO FIX THIS BUT IT LOOKS BAD AND NO ONE WILL GUARANTEE A REPAIR ON IT BECAUSE THEY SAY IT'S A MANUFACTURING ERROR AND IT IS A DIFFICULT REPAIR. THIS 2005 FORD ESCAPE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A LEMON!! WE HAVE ALWAYS DRIVEN FORDS WITH NO PROBLEMS - VERY DISAPPOINTING.