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 say otherwise when I looked it up. This needs to be investgated before this happens to someone while driving in snow or rainy condtions or while driving on the expressway. Please investigate!”

“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.”