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...

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.

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

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.

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!

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.

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...

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

THE FRONT SUB FRAME IS RUSTED AND THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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...

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...

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.

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

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...

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...

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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...

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.

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...

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,...

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?

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.

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.

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.

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

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...

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

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...

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...

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