2004 Ford Escape Consumer Reviews

Would buy another one!

Written by: kwilliams on 10/22/2008

Vehicle

2004 Ford Escape Limited Fwd 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)

Review

I bought my Escape for convenience. My kids getting their own cars I didn't need a van anymore. Wanted to down size my car. This Escape was a one owner and seldom driven. I have had only usual stuff done. I have never had it to fail in starting or going where I need to go, either on the highway or in a hay field! Dependable and good on gas! 24 hwy and alittle less city. Good buy for me! Sun roof does hesitate to open or close sometime.

Favorite Features

Roomy, outside looks small compared to the inside! Can haul a lot of stuff! Fun to drive. Sun roof and 6 cd player.

Suggested Improvements

Less noise inside and out. Button in front for hatch to open.

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My 2004 Ford Escape

Written by: Tracie on 10/02/2008

Vehicle

2004 Ford Escape XLT Fwd 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)

Review

I have had virtually no problems with my Escape in the 4 years that I have owned it. It handles beautifully and has a powerful 4.0L V6 engine, just like new. Good brakes, fun to drive! My only complaint is the gas mileage I get 15 city 18 hwy, much less then what the sticker showed. My husband's 5.3L V8 gets 17 hwy, sad. The only problem I have had is that the airbag light came on just 3 days ago and it has been on since. If it doesn't go off soon I will take it in to the dealership to see what's going on. I love my Escape and plan to drive it for many years to come, might even buy another one some day. It has changed my outlook on Fords.

Favorite Features

Powerful engine, handles great, sharp looking exterior, love the interior, especially the seats, mine are two- toned black and grey. Large cargo area for hauling things, performs well in all types of terrain.

Suggested Improvements

Hydroplanes a little in wet weather, poor gas mileage!

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Ford Escape

Written by: J. Jolly on 09/20/2008

Vehicle

2004 Ford Escape XLT 4WD 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)

Review

I purchased my Escape used in June 2007 with just over 44 K miles on it. I have put 20,000 problem free miles on it since then. It has just required regular maintance. I'm impressed with the overall quailty and versatility of this SUV. Powerful engine, carlike handling and brakes are selling points. Handles great in bad weather (snow, ice,and rain). I feel safe in this automobile. Mine is equipped with side airbags. I would highly recommend the Escape to anyone looking for a small SUV.

Favorite Features

Sunroof, leather seats, and 6-disc CD changer.

Suggested Improvements

Gas mileage, I get around 18 MPG in town and maybe 25 MPG highway. Stereo buttons on steering wheel would be a nice touch.

6 out 7 people found this review helpful

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Another Escape with transmission problem

Written by: Ruth on 08/05/2008

Vehicle

2004 Ford Escape XLT 4WD 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)

Review

I leased my 2004 Escape brand new from a dealer where I worked. All service work required on the SUV was performed. I like the fact I could get to work in bad weather and feel totally comfortable driving my Escape in the snow. At 60 years old, I take care of my cars, I don't off road, and I drive carefully. Had I known the transmissions in the Escape only last 50,000 miles, I would not have purchased my lease vehicle.

Favorite Features

Handling in snow. Interior space.

Suggested Improvements

Build the Escape with more reliable parts. When you compare the sell price of the Escape to its durability, you are not getting your moneys worth. My next vehilce will have a 100,000 mile powertrain warranty, or I'll buy a Korean throw away car!

0 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Escape XLS 2.0 in TX

Written by: Dave on 07/20/2008

Vehicle

2004 Ford Escape XLS Value Fwd 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Pros: Surprisingly good grip around curves, nice interior design, reliable, cruise control function and nice exterior visual appeal. Cons: The clutch is grippie cold and improves at warmup; doors speakers buzz; too much road noise, and stiff clutch action.

Favorite Features

Road handling, interior design and layout, attractive exterior, and sits up higher than cars.

Suggested Improvements

An improvement in road noise, mpg, clutch performance and door speakers are needed.

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

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It could be better for the money!

Written by: I Got Suckered! on 06/16/2008

Vehicle

2004 Ford Escape XLS Value Fwd 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Review

This was my first brand new car I bought for myself. The excitement of it all jaded my common sense. This is a very loud ride! Even with new tires, a new alignment job, new brakes, and new rotors. $400 later at 30k it's still loud and I have to blast my radio to hear it over the hummm. The interior is very cheap. My son sits on the seat and within the first month of owning it, the carpet where the seat and cushion meets was frayed and looked 4 yrs older. The sun/moon roof did not open & close properly from about 1 month in. The gas mileage is horrendous even with new airfilters and driving in overdrive! To top it off, I pay way more than I feel it's worth.

Favorite Features

Sun/Moon roof, six CD changer

Suggested Improvements

Enable MP3's, and Ipods to be played, fix the extermely loud wheel noise, improve the quality in the the interior fabric, and carpet (make it withstand a family!), make the ac have a recirculate option- having ac with skunk smell from outside stinks and the ac doesn't cool feet either!

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So Far So Good

Written by: Pam on 05/27/2008

Vehicle

2004 Ford Escape XLT Fwd 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)

Review

I've put 56,000 miles on mine the 2.5 years I've owned it, and have required only scheduled maintenance, new tires, and brake pad replacement. I think it's a great for an all-around small utility, not luxury, SUV. I have front wheel drive model, does great in snow. For what I needed and could afford, a pretty good buy. I'd prefer another Honda, but couldn't afford the used ones. I hope I get at least 200,000 miles out of it.

Favorite Features

I love the large cargo space for its size, and the split rear seats. I've hauled stuff I never thought I'd fit into it. Pretty fun to drive overall.

Suggested Improvements

Interior is dull and cheap looking - they gould have done a lot better, it's not a Festiva! Padding/cushioning inside the drivers seat is shifting a bit and lumpy on one side-not sure what the problem is - maybe it's torn on the inside. Ride is a little rough and noisy.

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not worth the money

Written by: unhappy on 02/20/2008

Vehicle

2004 Ford Escape XLT 4WD 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)

Review

The problems I have with this vehicle are... the windows always have grit in them, the sun visor always comes off the clip, the car is the most uncomfortable vehicle to take road trips in, and the overall quality of the vehicle is just not what I expected for the money I paid. I would not buy another one. I guess this is what I get for straying from Honda.

Favorite Features

4WD.

Suggested Improvements

Too many to list.

0 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Love this SUV, would recommend to anyone!

Written by: happy customer on 01/27/2008

Vehicle

2004 Ford Escape XLS Value Fwd 4dr SUV (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Bought this car brand new and have never had any problems, just regular maintenance, still going strong. Hope to get a lot more miles out of the car, now has 87,000 miles, maybe get 200,000?

Favorite Features

Plenty of room, powerful engine, gas mileage 25 to 26 mpg highway. Fun to drive.

Suggested Improvements

Quiet the road noise. Would like to have the gear shifter on the floor, ours is an automatic.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Same problem for 4 years now

Written by: james on 10/28/2007

Vehicle

2004 Ford Escape XLT Fwd 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)

Review

This is a fun vehicle to drive. It has a low maintenence record. I have had a intermittent problem since I have owned it. I am the only owner of this vehicle. It has occasionally shut off when shifting to reverse from another gear. It occasionally shuts off while driving down the road. It starts back up when you restart it. It did this under warranty. It first did it 3 days after owning it. The dealership has never diagnosed the problem. This is a major safety issue which is making me question Ford's quality control and service practices. No need to buy an extended warranty with this one. They cannot fix it while its under factory warranty. Fun to drive when it does not do this.

Favorite Features

Fun to drive for minor off road adventures. This is not a Jeep but it does handle well off road. I do not have the 4x4 model but I have not got this stuck on dry land either.

Suggested Improvements

Fix the shutting off problem with my vehicle. It did it in the shop but they did not have the test equipment on it when it died. 4 years later i still deal with this issue. Ford needs to inspect wiring before completing the vehicle for sale. This is possibly my vehicles issue but I'm not totally sure

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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