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
Our assessment, not the agency’s: severity 4/5 (Severe).
The hazard poses a serious risk of illness, injury, or structural failure. 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
- 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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