2004 Ford Escape Review
Fuel Economy
18 - 22 mpg
Summary
What Edmunds.com says
Still one of our favorites in the category, the 2004 Ford Escape is a very capable small SUV thanks to its powerful V6 engine, spacious cabin and carlike handling.
Pros
Powerful V6, large cargo capacity, comfortable interior, carlike handling.
Cons
Weak standard four-cylinder engine, bland interior design, small gas tank size limits range.
What's New for 2004
The 2004 Ford Escape remains largely unchanged although the price has been lowered on the plush Limited model and certain appearance packages are now available on lower trim levels which, in effect, reduce the final price. Also, Chrome Yellow is no longer a color choice. To eliminate confusion, trim levels and option packages have been consolidated.
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
Mixed bag
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 5 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 5 | Reliability: | 4 |
| Fuel Economy: | 7 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Ford Escape XLT 4WD 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
Review
I bought my Escape new and have taken meticulous care of it. The transmission failed me last year at 60K miles - $1K for new solenoid and fluid change. A year later, the transmission is misbehaving the same way again: near 45 mph, skips 2 gears into OD then stutters when you touch the gas to re-awaken the engine. If I want to keep it, I'm facing another $1K repair, with no guarantee that I won't be out another $1K next year. I've enjoyed driving the Escape. However, this issue and other quality defects (window gets stuck open at times, center console vinyl cracked when leaned upon, radiator leak required patch, etc) have turned me back toward a Toyota Highlander.
Favorite Features
.Car-like feel when driving .Responsive, smooth-running engine
Suggested Improvements
.Heater and A/C controls clunky and resist adjustment .Poor electric window reliability .Replace unreliable transmission design .Talk about "Ford quality" rivaling Honda's & Toyota's is both cheap and ridiculous. Prove it or continue to lose customers like me
My review
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 7 | Fun-to-Drive: | 7 | Build Quality: | 6 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 6 | Reliability: | 6 |
| Fuel Economy: | 5 | Exterior Design: | 6 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Ford Escape XLT 4WD 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
Review
6 months after I bought my escape the transmission went out of it. There was no warranty on it and a new one was going to run me $3,000. I argued with the dealership and ended up only paying $500. But I shouldn't have had to pay anything! Since then it has been a great vehicle.
Favorite Features
Sunroof, 6 disc cd player
Suggested Improvements
obviously the transmission stinkks. and the gas mileage isn't so great either.
My Ford Escape
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 10 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Ford Escape XLT Fwd 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
Review
I love my car!! I bought my Escape with 150,000. miles I now have 215,000 and i'm still driving. i have only had scheduled maintenance, tires, and one alternator put on . She's been AWESOME** Ford did great with this one.
Favorite Features
6 disc CD and Size.
Suggested Improvements
Road Noise
Have Loved It
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 10 | Build Quality: | 8 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 6 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Ford Escape XLT 4WD 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
Review
I bought my escape in 2004 brand new. It has plenty of power and has never let me down. Gas mileage isnt great with my average being 20mpg. Odometer is now at 55,000 miles. At this point these are my only complaints...the center console cover was too weak...I put my arm on it in the winter and it cracked..dash vents produce debris (black crumbs) that are noticeable. Gear shift gets in the way of stereo control. Thats it. Plenty of cargo room and great in the snow.
Favorite Features
Leather seats are very comfortable. Powerful engine when I need to pass on 2 lane roads. Great handling.
Suggested Improvements
eliminate need to remove headrests to put rear seats down for cargo. strengthen the center console cover. Improve fuel economy.
ford should look into this
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 8 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 6 |
| Comfort: | 6 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 8 |
| Fuel Economy: | 4 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2004 Ford Escape XLT 4WD 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
Review
I have owned 2 escapes and I am a little disappointed in them.At first when they are new they are wonderful vehicles. They are fun to drive and very reliable. I am an avid outdoorsman and need my escape to haul a small trailer under 1500 lbs. I am anal about taking care of my vehicles, but around 50000 I had to replace all 4 wheel bearings on both vehicles. Also this year while parked in a lot to watch a sporting event we returned to find the rear window had blown out. I have friends who have stated that this has happened while driving the vehicle I am somewhat dissapointed in this design flaw. Ford should look into this. As the vehicle gets some milage on it it starts to nickle and dime.
Favorite Features
Driving in snow, and power for towing small trailers. sound system,
Suggested Improvements
check out rear window blowouts. chassis could use and improvement. Wheel bearings are bad. rear wiper is built into window bad design. intierior could improve
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