Structure: frame and membersRecall 14V-165 · 2001–2004 Ford Escape
Ford Motor Company recall 14V-165 covers 348,950 2001–2004 Ford Escape for a structure: frame and members problem, reported to NHTSA on April 2, 2014. The manufacturer's latest report (2015 Q3) shows 37% of affected vehicles repaired.
Source: NHTSA recall 14V165000 and manufacturer quarterly reports. Started by the manufacturer.
The problem
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2004 Escape vehicles manufactured October 22, 1999, through January 23, 2004, 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. These vehicles may experience excessive corrosion at the forward attachment of the lower control arm.
The risk
A separation of the lower control arm can result in a significant loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix
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. Ford's number for this recall is 14S02.
Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.
Recall repairs are free. Confirm whether this recall is open on your vehicle by entering its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
How fast cars are being fixed
37%repaired
Share of affected vehicles repaired in each quarterly report the manufacturer filed with NHTSA. 20,532 vehicles were listed as unreachable.
Vehicles in this recall
Built from October 22, 1999 to December 19, 2003. Not every vehicle in these model years is included; check by VIN.