Problems with 2003 Ford Escape SUSPENSION

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. the contact received a recall notification for nhtsa campaign number: 14v165000 (suspension); however, the part needed for the repair was unavailable. the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. the contact had not experienced a failure.

Driving vehicle and heard a loud pop and sudden loss of steering. limped the vehicle home and took to dealer who contacted ford for further instructions. they installed a cross brace that does not fix the problem. ford will not do anything to the subframe because it has not fully detached. there is no steering control at all over 15mph and in their eyes it is safe to drive. service manager at the local dealership drove the vehicle and experienced for himself that there is no control over the vehicle. the recall has not fixed the problem at all. *tr

I am writing about a recall for my ford escape. this recall included the front control arms and the subframe. they were being recalled for corrosion on the control arms and if separated from the subframe it could cause significant steering loss and loss of control of the car and increasing chance of an accident. i took my car in for the recall fix, they installed a reinforcement part and sent me on my way. after this, slowly, my steering wheel started becoming cock-eyed. after driving it like that for a few days,i noticed that after i take a left turn the car would jerk as the steering wheel straightened. i immediately called the ford dealer that fixed the recall, since the recall clearly stated that it could lose steering control and asked them to look at it again, thinking that he recall was not fixed properly or something else to do with the recall is failing. they looked at it and said that the subframe is corroded and it has nothing to do with the recall. and that it would cost 1800 dollars to fix. i asked why it wasn't included in the recall since the steering is effected, they said that the subframe wasn't included. i have read several documents about this recall and several of them state that the subframe is included. so i called ford customer care, they stated that the recall only included the subframe if the control arm separated from it before the recall was fixed not after. i think this is so unfair, since clearly the subframe was corroded when they did the recall fix. they had to have seen that, just because it wasn't separated at the time doesn't mean it shouldn't be included. anyway, i ended up taking it to my own mechanic who can fix it for alot less, but it is still costing me 1400 dollars!! i can't afford it, can something be done about this, i think it should be fixed for free, and that the sub frame should be included. please help, thanks. recall 14s02. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. the contact stated that the lower control arm failed and caused a loss of steering control. the vehicle was included in nhtsa campaign number: 14v165000 (suspension). the vehicle was taken to the dealer where it remained for two months however, once the vehicle was returned to the failure recurred. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the failure and current mileage was 78,000.

I took my 2003 ford escape to dealer to have cross brace put on due to recall. i know more than left their parking lot and notice car driving funny. ever since being put on i have to replace control arm on passenger front, new tires and 2 alignments. now i have to have cv joints replaced because of excessive vibration. i called the dealer and complained about car driving funny they basically told me its not there fault. i have soaked almost $1000 in repairs due to crossbar being put on my car. this needs to be fixed there are flaws in the cross brace being installed on cars. i have had vehicle for almost 3 years with no problems and since dealer messed with my car i have had nothing but problems. *tr

My escape is part of the hhtsa 14v-165 recall. ford dealer inspected suspension/sub frame area on 6/11/2014 and determined it was bad. hole size was approx. 3inx6in. service man said he was only authorized to put on cross brace but also said he would talk to rep about replacing sub frame. he and i both took pictures. i did not feel safe after seeing the flimsy cross brace installed due to the fact that where it bolts on was where a majority of rust is. he even said he wouldn't want to be driving vehicle. after 3 1/2 weeks still can not get an answer if they will replace the bad part. if subframe breaks the cross brace area will not be strong enough to support the weight of vehicle. *js

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. the contact stated that he received a notification for recall nhtsa campaign id number 14v165000 (lower control arm). the vehicle was taken to the dealer and a reinforcement cross-brace was installed. the contact stated that the cross-brace was not working for his vehicle due to the front lower control arms being completely rusted. the manufacturer was notified about the problem. the approximate failure mileage was 122,000.

i have taken my car to a ford dealer three weeks ago and they had to order the part. i'm still waiting for them to call me for my repairs. mike castrucci st. rt.28 milford,ohio 45150. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. the contact stated that there was a loud abnormal noise heard as the vehicle stalled. the contact mentioned that the lower control arm became detached from the sub frame, which had extensive corrosion. the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the lower control arm, the sub frame and the cv joint needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the vehicle was included in nhtsa campaign id number: 14v165000 (suspension). the approximate failure mileage was 230,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. the contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. additionally, the contact stated that the lower control arm fractured. the vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the sub frame failed. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the failure and current mileage was 102,000.

Tl - the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. the contact received a recall notice for nhtsa campaign number: 14v165000 (lower control arm corrosion); however, the part was unavailable to repair the vehicle. the manufacturer was notified. the contact had not experienced a failure. jcc updated 08/19/14*lj updated 08/23/2017*ct

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. the contact stated that the vehicle was included in nhtsa campaign id number: 14v165000 (suspension-lower control arm regional) and was taken to the dealer for repairs. the dealer confirmed that there were rust holes on the surface of the frame and made an interim repair, which included attaching a cross member and support bar to the subframe. the contact stated that shortly after the recall repairs were performed, the vehicle would exhibit an abnormal popping noise from the front end. the contact was traveling approximately 25 mph and attempting to complete a turn when the loud, popping noise was heard. the lower control arm became detached from the subframe on the front passenger's side. the vehicle then began to shake violently and the contact was not able to control the steering wheel. the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where it was diagnosed that the entire subframe needed to be replaced. the manufacturer was notified of the failure multiple times. the approximate failure mileage was 121,716.

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign id number: 14v165000 (suspension) and stated that the parts were not available. the dealer did not give a specific date when the parts would become available. the manufacturer could not provide an estimated date for when the contact's vehicle would receive the recall repairs. the contact had not experienced a failure.

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. the contact stated that while driving downhill at approximately 5 mph, a loud noise emitted as the vehicle suddenly came to a stop. the contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the front passenger's side tire was collapsed inwardly which caused the control arm to fracture. the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. the vehicle had not been repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the problem. the approximate failure mileage was 149,000.

Tl * the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. the contact stated that while driving 65 mph, she heard a loud popping sound and lost control of the vehicle. the contact mentioned that the vehicle went across four lanes, rolled over twice, landed into incoming traffic and none of the air bags deployed. a police report was filed. the driver sustained three broken vertebrae, and lacerations to her head. the vehicle was destroyed. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the failure and current mileage was 68,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. the contact stated that the front end exhibited a loud noise as the front passenger's side front wheel separated. the vehicle was taken to the mechanic for inspection. the failure was located at the front sub frame and lower control arm, which were both determined to be corroded. as a result, the front passenger's side wheel separated from the vehicle. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. the failure and current mileage was 68,000.

While that vehicle was being operated; decelerating from about 35 mph, a very loud pop noise was heard and the front passenger side became unstable and steering became unreliable. vehicle was stopped immediately. upon initial inspection is appears that the wheel became partially detached from vehicle. after a thorough inspection is appears that the rear mounting bolt of the front passenger side control arm had detached from the sub-frame. this part of the sub-frame show excessive corrosion which led to the failure of the control arm mounting point. as a result of the failure the vehicle lost all ability to maintain effective stability. luckily the vehicle was already decelerating and being operated on a roadway that had sufficient room to make corrective measure otherwise the outcome of this failure easily could have been catastrophic and fatal. the vehicle has less than 100,000 miles. the body and other parts of the frame do not have significant amounts of rust. *tr

On may 2 2013, my daughter lost the ability to steer the vehicle while driving at 35 mph on a busy city street. the vehicle made a left turn in front of oncoming traffic and eventually came to a stop in the entrance driveway of a fast food restaurant. it was towed to the local ford dealership, where it was determined that the subframe had failed due to corrossion which caused the right front passenger tire to become partially detached from the vehicle. it appears the failure may be related to the vehicle air conditioning discharging condensate on the affected part. the ford dealer advised they had seen 1 other vehicle recently with the same issue. i have asked for a factory representative to investigate the failure but so far my request has not been honored. *tr

2003 ford escape . subframe rotted and control arm came off. left passenger. *tr

Left work and driving on a back road at 15 mph and was approaching a stop sign, applied the brakes and heard a loud snap/pop. the right side of the vehicle instantly slammed down/dropped to the road; steering locked; i had no control over the vehicle; slid a few feet and stopped. the passenger tire was pinned between the ground and the vehicle. the axle was hanging and the sub frame was visible. it was clear that the subframe had literally snapped at a weld joint without warning. weld joint snapped on subframe. this vehicle is only 9yrs w/70k miles and mostly garaged; a major safety concern. this would have worse at high rate of speed, if not fatal. vehicle then towed to a ford dealership. i requested to have a ford rep review the case. the dealership told me i had to call ford. after calling, they then told me i had to request this through the dealership, but gave me a case number. the dealership then informed me that ford were not interested in reviewing the vehicle and wouldn't do anything and that i had call ford. i called ford back who escalated my case and an acct mgr called me back who explained there was nothing they could do at this time. over 1100 in repairs are required due to a faulty frame. i asked repeatedly that this particular subframe failure be investigated as a quality/mfg problem and i requested an investigation and informed the company of several other cases that log the same ??exact?? description and failure of the subframe. the company told me "keep my receipt". i stressed my dissatisfaction with how this was handled, but nothing could be done at this time. ford should at a min. issue a service bulletin to have the sub frame inspected to all of the escape owners, so failures can be avoided before they happen. this is from a very dissatisfied customer and will choose no longer to purchase any ford products, based on this experience. *tr

My wife's has a 2003 ford escape. we were driving luckily at a low speed when we heard a pop in the passenger front end and lost control of steering. the subframe on passenger side control arm popped and subframe is rotted. this should not happen to a vehicle that is only 10 years old. i saw that nhtsa did an investigation that deemed 2003 windstars unsafe do to the same exact problem safety recall notice 11s16. my wife is pregnant and if she was driving any faster and this had happened ford company could have put my wife and our baby in danger. i do not feel that i should have to pay for repairs on this vehicle when the same year vehicles have issues with them. my next contact is my lawyers office because if this would have happened to my wife the day before when we were on the freeway ford would be responsible for knowing other vehicles in the same year had the exact same issue. i do not want to see other people in danger and ford needs to step up and take responsibility for there vehicle defects. *tr

The vehicle was being operated on city streets. as the vehicle approached a stop sign the brakes were applied, a loud crash and screech was heard as the vehicle fell to the ground and tire was dragged along. the front passenger side control arm has come detached from the vehicle because the front sub-frame had failed. the vehicle had to be towed to the shop. the failure was reported to be caused by corrosion. the vehicle only has 94,160 miles on it. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. the contact stated while driving approximately 70 mph, a loud noise emitted from the rear exterior on the driver's side. the vehicle was taken independent mechanic where an unknown repair was performed. after the vehicle was repaired there was a slight reduction in noise. the manufacturer was notified of the problem. the approximate failure mileage was 145,920.

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape xlt. the contacted stated that the vehicle was inspected by a private mechanic who informed the contact that there was corrosion of the sub frame ball joints and control arms. the vehicle was not taken to the dealer. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the vehicle was repaired. the failure and the current mileages were 124,000.

When i recently had my routine maintenance check on my vehicle i was horrified when my mechanic informed me that the front sub frame was rusted from the inside out! can you imagine my utter shock when my mechanic advised me that this vehicle is prohibited to be driven since catastrophic outcomes would be likely? how very fortunate nothing fatal took place while being in this vehicle; because based on the condition of the sub frame it could have been my reality to suffer detrimental consequences. my young children are in this suv every single day and to think their lives were at risk just by being a passenger has sickened me beyond words. i had no other choice but to get it repaired asap, so i informed the customer relationship center of ford motor company as instructed by their website and all they could do was apologize for any inconvenience. this frightening situation goes far beyond from being an inconvenience it could have been a major life threatening issue. i was not asking ford for a new vehicle, i simply was asking for assistance towards a major expense that was not caused by my lack of protecting my major investment with routine maintenance checks but by ford having defective sub-frames installed in their vehicles. my mechanic has never seen such a structural defect as this ever before! ford has already manufactured vehicles that involved major recalls for the exact same problem, so quite naturally other ford models could suffer the same dangerous consequences with regards to the front sub frame . i believe an investigation on this horrific issue is deemed a necessity due to the history of ford's sub frames. this has been very devastating to me and i can't imagine allowing another consumer to endure this major fear. your attention to this is appreciated. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle started to shake abnormally. the vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the passenger side axle was fractured and the frame was corroded, and cracked. in addition, the wheel bearings and the brakes were defective. as a result, the frame and axle needed to be replaced. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failure and the vehicle was not repaired. the failure and current mileage was 102,000.

My car is a part of a recall for rust and the lower control arm, but i think that scope is too narrow. my escape has rusted wheel wells and a rusted gas tank cover that i can see. i have also ready had to replace anti-lock brakes for rust, along with the exhaust system and all of its parts, the front lower control arms, sway bar links and all parts of the oil pan. all of this is due to rust. this was at the mileage of 58,465. i still have less than 80,000 miles but i am afraid to drive my car the 90 miles from my home to the jersey shore. *tr

I have a 2003 ford escape that i just took to the dealer for repair. the replaced the bushings in the upper and lower control arms as they were coming out. i ask the dealer about the problem, and was told they had seen it before. rare but had seen it. seems to me if the bushings come out of the control arms an accident could occur. seems to me to be a quality problem that ford is ignoring. i did have the car repaired at my expense. hopefully this only occurs once. it all started with a "clunk" noise in the front end as you go over a drive way. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. while driving 25 mph, the vehicle made growling and squealing noises, and the front end shook. the dealer stated that the front wheel bearings failed and needed to be replaced. the failure initially began on february 15, 2008 with the passenger side front bearing, then the driver's side, followed by the passenger side a second time, and now the driver's side again. the first time the failure occurred the vehicle was still under warranty; however, it is no longer covered. the vin was unknown. the current mileage was 75,000 and failure mileage was 65,000.

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. while driving 20 mph, the brake pedal was applied. the engine began to rev and the rpm raced to its maximum potential. the contact turned off the engine in order to stop the vehicle. there were no warning indicators present. the vehicle was not inspected by a dealer. the current and failure mileages were 62,900. updated 01/09/08. *lj the consumer stated noise in front end when hitting a bump and performed inspection per recall. updated 12/12/07 *tr

Car to dealership on 6/1/07 for service. brake pads replaced, rotors turned, tires rotated, replaced stabilizer bar. left dealer and in less than 2 miles, abs dash light came on. went back to dealership for inspection--thinking maybe something had gone awry when car was serviced. per them (and they showed me what was wrong), collar on outside of axel that turns to send signal to abs sensor has a crack that will intermittently make the abs brake system come on. replacement per them--$425.00. *tr

While driving 55 mph the knuckle separation off the suspension caused accident. *nlm