2004 Ford Escape steering problems

“after experiencing steering issues with this vehicle I had it inspected by a mechanic and was told the sub frame was rusted out. my research indicated repairs may be covered under a recall for this issue but found no recalls for this vin. the problem is exactly as described on the Ford web site yet this vehicle is not covered. was curious as to whether there is something that could be done.”

“in an attempt t improve the safety and drivability of m 2004 ford escape I went to have my shocks, struts, control arms, sway bar end links and ball joints and steering arms replaced. upon the installation I was informed that the rust on the sub frame is at a critical level and in danger of catastrophic failure. I did some research and found that the recall on the sub frame existed. however my local dealership denied that this recall existed for my vehicle. I was able to get the majority of the parts installed but there is issues with the threads inside the subframe that the hardware attaching the suspension components to the vehicle. I am reading that the "fix" for this recall is installing a support brace but do not fee that is an acceptable repair as the wheels may literally fall off of the car taking the front suspension with them as they go.”

“JUST BOUGHT MY 2004 FORD ESCAPE K FRAME FRONT PASSENGER LOWER CONTROL ARM MOUNT RUSTED OUT EXACTLY THE WAY IT IS DESCRIBED IN RECALL CODE 14S02 AND MY CAR VIN IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST FOR LOWER CONTROL ARM”

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS DIFFICULT TO TURN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CALLED BOMMARITO FORD (675 DUNN RD, HAZELWOOD, MO 63042, (314) 895-0600) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.”

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED DUE TO SEVERE RUST AND CORROSION OF THE SUBFRAME. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE THE CONTROL ARMS AND NOTICED THAT A HUGE CHUNK ON THE SUBFRAME WAS ROTTED AND CORRODED WITH A LARGE HOLE NEAR THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE SUBFRAME. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS APPROXIMATELY 40 DEGREES OFF BALANCE. IN ADDITION, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS ADJUSTED WHILE TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT TO PREVENT INDEPENDENTLY INTRUSIVE STEERING DUE TO THE STEERING IMBALANCE. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO MAKE REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE DAMAGE ASSOCIATED WITH THE MOUNT OF THE SUBFRAME THAT HAD PARTIALLY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CONCLUDED THAT ANY REPLACEMENT MEASURES IN RELATION TO THE FAILURE WOULD BE FAULTY. CHAMPION FORD VOLVO (2502 WEST 26TH STREET, ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA 16506, (814) 878-2500) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED IN 2014 PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE), IN WHICH THE CROSSBRACE WAS APPLIED TO THE…”

“I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND I LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE I HAD NO STEERING TRUCK WAS SHIMMYING ALL OVER THE ROAD. WAS ABLE TO GET IT SLOWED DOWN AND UNDER CONTROL OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT SLOWLY OFF OF THE HIGHWAY WAS ABOUT 1 MILE FROM MY HOUSE. IT HAS NO STEERING WAS LOOKING UNDERNEATH OF TRUCK AND THE FRAME IS ROTTED ALL AROUND WHERE THE RECALL PART WAS PUT IN.”