The Recall Desk
SevereNHTSA·14V165000·Announced 2014-04-02

Ford Recalls 2001-2004 Escape Vehicles for Corrosion-Related Steering Risk

Ford is recalling 2001-2004 Escape vehicles in 21 states and D.C. due to corrosion that can cause lower control arm separation and loss of steering control.

What this means for you

Illness, injury, or structural failure has been reported. Stop using the product immediately and contact the manufacturer for a refund or repair.

Our severity reasoning: The recall involves a structural vehicle defect (lower control arm separation) that results in significant loss of steering control, meeting the rubric criteria for a Severe rating.

Plain-English summary

Ford Motor Company is recalling approximately 348,950 model year 2001-2004 Escape vehicles manufactured between October 22, 1999, and January 23, 2004. The recall applies to vehicles 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.

The defect involves excessive corrosion at the forward attachment of the lower control arm. If the lower control arm separates, the vehicle may experience a significant loss of steering control, which increases the risk of a crash.

Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install a newly designed reinforcement cross-brace free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673 or the NHTSA Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236.

The recalled product

Product
FORD ESCAPE
Brand
FORD
Manufacturer
Ford Motor Company
Category
Vehicle — SUV
Hazard
Affected units
348,950

Is your product affected?

Check your packaging against the codes below. If any of them match, the product is part of this recall.

Model numbers (1)

  • ESCAPE

Distribution

Distributed nationwide across the United States.

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