2004 Ford Escape Review
Price Estimate: $895 - $1,504





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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
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
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.
Edmunds 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.
For sale nearby
21 listings
- New ListingPhotos not available
- 112,051 miles
- Frame damage reported, 6 owners, corporate fleet vehicle
- 5 Seats, 16 City / 22 Hwy MPG
- Cars Now KC (507 mi away)
- AWD/4WD
- Leather Seats
- Power Driver Seat
- Alarm
- Rear Bench Seats
Close
Located in Kansas City, MO
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: No
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Issue reported
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: Yes
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
18 Combined MPG (16 City/22 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 1FMCU94124KA38683
Stock: A38683
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 02-09-2025 - 57,189 miles
- 1 accident, 1 owner, corporate fleet vehicle
- 5 Seats, 17 City / 23 Hwy MPG
- Rides Unlimited Chicago (561 mi away)
- Power Driver Seat
- Alarm
- Rear Bench Seats
- Fold Flat Rear Seats
- 3500lb Towing Capaci...
Close
Located in Crest Hill, IL
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: No
Personal Use Only: No
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
19 Combined MPG (17 City/23 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: 1FMYU03114KB22044
Stock: B22044
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota
$179/mo for Escape XLS
Escape XLS
vs
$166/mo
Avg. Compact SUV
Ford Escape Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
Good to go
4 out of 5 starsDavid M Decker, 02/24/2015
2004 Ford Escape XLS 4WD 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
Bought this sweet heart with 120k and have put another 50K on in the last 2 years. 4x4 easy to handle and shift. We live in Alaska atop the hillside in Anchorage. and have some pretty icy roads and rough weather. I can leave town and trust my bride, daughter and her baby will be safe in our trusted little rig. Tracks and climbs like one of the big boys, pretty reasonable on the … fuel, though if your not towing anything and don't live at altitude you might consider the 4 cyl. The 6 is good but not needed most of the time. A delight to drive. Lost the Transmission and had to replace it, but found on out of a wreck, (crap shoot I know but 20K miles later it's doing fine.) Keep those fluids changed and topped off or you'll pay the same price, these rigs like to eat their trannys if you don't keep up the service. One of the most popular and trusted rigs in Alaska for family and general cross state travel.
2004 Escape keeps on keeping on!
5 out of 5 starsJames Crum, 11/12/2015
2004 Ford Escape XLT 4WD 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
Bought this vehicle new in Oct. 2003. No trade in got a good deal from the dealership. Car has been one of the best we ever had for the money. 202,000 miles and still running strong. I change my own oil, every 5,000 miles w/Motorcraft oil and filter and the 3.0 V-6 never uses any oil, average 1/2 qt. in 5,000 miles. Very happy with the car. Went out and bought another new one hope it is … as good as the 2004 has been. Got 26MPG highway with Continental tires, went on the cheap with Cooper tires last set never again. Tires are loud, ride rough had them balanced twice, plus MPG DROPPED 2 MPG stay away from Cooper tires.
Good value for the money
4.63 out of 5 starsohiodale, 04/11/2012
2004 Ford Escape XLT Fwd 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
I have a 2004 Escape with about 87,000 miles on it.
It has always been a good car for me and its going on 9 years.
I had to replace the front axil due to the gear that drives the anti lock brakes cracking.
This repair was $350 which was not bad in my eyes.
I do routine oil changes and have had all the other fluids changed once, including the brake fluid.
I am a firm believer that if you … want a car to last you need to put some money into them.
I expect I will need to replace the spark plugs and serpentine belts in about a year.
I drain the transimission fluid from the drian plag every couple of years and so far so good with the tranny.
Not bad but not great
4 out of 5 starsjohnny127, 12/08/2014
2004 Ford Escape XLS Fwd 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
Only have about 98K, but the body is starting to rust out. I've seen Escapes much newer than mine with similar corrosion problems. Engine has been reliable (aside from several coil packs requiring replacement), but it gulps fuel. Transmission has been reliable and shifts well. If we drove longer distances, we would add a separate transmission cooler due to problems others have reported. … Car is peppy and feels sporty. Well weighted steering. Upholstery shows stains like there's no tomorrow. The 4 wheel drive is not the best, even when the part time 4x4 mode is selected.
2004 Escape Highlights
XLS
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $18,710 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 22 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $179/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 33.1 cu.ft. |
front wheel drive | |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Escape include:
- Alarm
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger5 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRolloverNot RatedDynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalMarginal
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalPoor
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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