2004 Ford Escape Reliability ReportKeepScore 68/100 · top failure points · buy or avoid
Quick Facts · 2004 Ford Escape
- Scores 4 points below the strongest nearby year — the 2005 Ford Escape earns a 72.
- The system most likely to surface first: automatic transmission (cd4e) (critical severity).
- Has 8 NHTSA recalls on record — the most notable involves the power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:floor shift.
2004 Ford Escape: Buy or Avoid?
The 2004 Ford Escape presents a budget-friendly entry into the compact SUV market with decent utility and available AWD. However, its Achilles' heel is the notoriously fragile automatic transmission, coupled with significant rust potential, making meticulous pre-purchase inspection absolutely critical to avoid major financial headaches. If you find a well-maintained example, it can be a capable vehicle, but neglect or an unaddressed transmission issue will quickly turn it into a money pit.
Biggest Strengths
- Practical cargo space for its class
- Available V6 engine provides adequate power
- Affordable parts and widespread serviceability
2004 Ford Escape — Known Trouble Spots
The systems that break first on the 2004 Ford Escape. Mileage windows, repair costs, and fix-before-you-buy notes are in the full report.
Safety Recalls on the 2004 Ford Escape
8 recalls on record from NHTSA. Check your VIN atnhtsa.gov to see if the repair was performed.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT
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.
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
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.
What breaks on the 2004 Ford Escape?
Full reliability breakdown — engine, transmission, rust, electrical. With repair costs and mileage danger zones.
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Ford Escape — Year-by-Year Comparison
Compare KeepScores across nearby years of the Ford Escape. Click any year for its full report.
Competing 2004s Worth a Look
Similar class, similar year range — ranked by KeepScore.
Relevant Products for Your 2004 Ford Escape
Parts and accessories matched to your 2004 Ford Escape
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Frequently Asked Questions
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