Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2004 Ford Escape
NHTSA data on file today
The 2004 Ford Escape has 8 NHTSA recall campaigns and 499 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #15V606000 Rebuilt Transmission Shift Lever May Disengage NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #15E045000 Front Wheel Bearing has Wrong Dimensions NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #14V165000 Lower Control Arm Corrosion-Regional Recall NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #12V353000 Speed Control Cable Connector Interference NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #07V156000 ABS MODULE ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #07E023000 MASTER CYLINDER LEAK NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #04V602000 FORD/FMVSS 206/REAR LIFTGATE DOOR NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #04V574000 FORD/ACCELERATOR CABLE NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Suspension 154 complaints
- Structure 138 complaints
- Vehicle Speed Control 98 complaints
- Air Bags 45 complaints
- Wheels 34 complaints
- Electrical System 31 complaints
Of the 499 complaints on file, 29 report a crash and 14 a fire; across all 499 complaints, owners report 16 injuries and 1 death (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $7,000–$12,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2004 Ford Escape faces issues primarily with suspension, structure, and vehicle speed control, as highlighted by numerous complaints and several recalls targeting these areas. Known problems can lead to potentially costly repairs, contributing to the vehicle's below-average reliability rating.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| suspension | 60,000–100,000 miles | $500–$1,200 | very common |
| vehicle speed control | 50,000–90,000 miles | $250–$600 | common |
| wheel bearing | 70,000–110,000 miles | $250–$450 | common |
| brake system | 80,000–120,000 miles | $300–$800 | occasional |
| electrical system | 100,000–150,000 miles | $200–$550 | occasional |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter change every 5,000 miles
- Replace brake pads every 30,000 miles
- Rotate tires every 7,500 miles
- Change transmission fluid every 60,000 miles
- Replace air filter annually
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Unusual suspension noise
- Sticking accelerator pedal
- Vibration when braking
- Unstable steering
- Electrical malfunctions
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2004 Ford Escape at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.