• September 29, 2015Power train

  Rebuilt Transmission Shift Lever May Disengage

  NHTSA campaign 15V-606 · 57 vehicles potentially affected · Power train

  The defect: 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. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.

  The risk: If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the…

  The remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.

• April 2, 2014Body and structure

  Lower Control Arm Corrosion-Regional Recall

  NHTSA campaign 14V-165 · 348,950 vehicles potentially affected · Structure

  The defect: 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, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. These vehicles may experience excessive corrosion at the forward attachment of the lower control arm.

  The risk: A separation of the lower control arm can result in a significant loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

  The remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install a newly designed reinforcement cross-brace, free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S02.

• July 26, 2012Engine and cooling

  Speed Control Cable Connector Interference

  NHTSA campaign 12V-353 · 529,719 vehicles potentially affected · Engine and engine cooling

  The defect: 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. 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 depressed. This risk exists regardless of whether or not speed control (cruise control) is used.

  The risk: A stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop or slow the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.

  The remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles by increasing the engine cover clearance, free of charge. The safety recall began August 3, 2012. Remedy parts are expected to be available in mid-August 2012. Until then dealers will disconnect the speed control cable as an interim remedy, if parts are not available at the time of an owner's service appointment. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.

• April 10, 2007Brakes

  ABS module electrical wiring harness

  NHTSA campaign 07V-156 · 446,460 vehicles potentially affected · Service brakes, hydraulic

  The defect: On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with antilock brakes (ABS), the ABS module connector may have missing or dislodged wire seals. This condition could allow contamination to enter the module connector, creating a potential for an electrical short.

  The risk: An electrical short might cause an ABS malfunction that would illuminate the ABS warning light, and in some cases, the module may overheat resulting in burning odor, smoke, and/or fire. This condition could occur either when the vehicle ignition switch is in the off position or while the vehicle is being operated.

  The remedy: Dealers will inspect the wire harness connector to the ABS module for missing or dislodged wire seals, and repair or replace the harness connector as appropriate. The dealer will also inspect the connector on the ABS module and replace it if it is found to be corroded or damaged. The recall began on april 23, 2007. Owners may contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.

• December 20, 2004Latches and locks

  Ford/FMVSS 206/rear liftgate door

  NHTSA campaign 04V-602 · 262,113 vehicles potentially affected · Latches/locks/linkages

  The defect: 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 safety standard no. 206, 'door locks and door retention components.' the rear liftgate latching system does not meet the inertia load requirement in one direction.

  The risk: If the liftgate is left unlocked, there is the potential that it may open during a crash.

  The remedy: Dealers will replace the rear liftgate latch release rod, the release rod attachment clip and the door handle return spring. The recall began on march 31, 2005. Owners should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.

• December 7, 2004Speed control

  Ford/accelerator cable

  NHTSA campaign 04V-574 · 470,245 vehicles potentially affected · Vehicle speed control

  The defect: On certain sport utility vehicles built with 3.0l v6 engines, the accelerator cable may prevent the throttle from returning to the idle position.

  The risk: An unexpected increase in engine idle speed may increase stopping distance and may result in a vehicle crash.

  The remedy: Dealers will replace the accelerator cable. The recall began on january 10, 2005. Owners should contact ford at 1-866-436-7332.

Check by VIN

A campaign rarely covers every Escape built in 2004. Enter your 17-character VIN to find the recall campaigns filed for your make, model and model year. The VIN is on the driver’s side of the dashboard (visible through the windshield), on the door-jamb label, and on your registration and insurance documents.

Vehicle identification number Find my recalls

Is a recall still open on your vehicle? Only NHTSA’s official VIN check can say whether a campaign applies to your exact vehicle and whether the repair has already been done.

Copy VIN and open NHTSA.gov

Your VIN is decoded with NHTSA’s public vPIC service to identify the make, model and year. It is not stored and is not added to any page address.

Other Ford Escape model years

• 2023 11
• 2022 19
• 2021 19
• 2020 23
• 2019 3
• 2018 4
• 2017 4
• 2016 4
• 2015 9
• 2014 16
• 2013 18
• 2012 1
• 2011 2
• 2010 3
• 2009 1
• 2008 3
• 2007 2
• 2006 3
• 2005 4
• 2003 7
• 2002 8
• 2001 13

Common questions

Does the 2004 Ford Escape have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 6 campaigns for the 2004 Ford Escape: 15V-606 (Rebuilt Transmission Shift Lever May Disengage); 14V-165 (Lower Control Arm Corrosion-Regional Recall); 12V-353 (Speed Control Cable Connector Interference); 07V-156 (ABS module electrical wiring harness); and 2 more.

How do I know if my 2004 Ford Escape has an open recall?

Enter your VIN in NHTSA’s recall lookup. Most campaigns cover only part of a model year’s production, and the lookup also shows whether the repair has already been done on your vehicle.

Will the dealer charge to fix the 2004 Ford Escape?

No. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge by Ford dealers. Quote the NHTSA campaign number when you book.