2001 Ford Escape Suspension Problems

Your car's frame has developed significant rust damage, with some areas rusted completely through and metal flaking off. Your mechanic indicates this is expensive to repair and that the car isn't safe to drive in its current condition. While similar frame issues have been recalled on other Escapes, your vehicle wasn't included in those recalls. Fixing this will likely require professional frame repair or replacement work.

Your steering wheel isn't responding to your input and your car is making unusual noises. When inspected, the control arms and subframe were found to be severely corroded, which is likely preventing the steering from working properly. The corrosion will need to be addressed through replacement of the affected suspension and structural components.

When you try to accelerate from a stop, your vehicle pulls to the right even though you're turning the steering wheel to the left. A mechanic found that corrosion on the subframe is allowing the passenger side control arm to move forward while driving, causing this steering and pulling issue. The subframe will likely need to be replaced or repaired to restore proper suspension alignment and steering control.

Your mechanic discovered that a suspension part on your vehicle — which was previously fixed under a recall that added a bracket — is now heavily rusted at only 90,000 miles. You're concerned that the bracket may have been a cost-cutting repair rather than a complete fix, and worry that other owners might think the recall fully solved the problem when the underlying issue could still develop. The repair will likely involve replacing the rusted suspension component or assessing whether the bracket-based fix is still adequate.

You received a recall notice for your 2001 Ford Escape's suspension system, but the repair parts weren't available for an extended period. When you contacted the dealership, they refused to do the repair because the cost exceeded your vehicle's value. The manufacturer didn't provide assistance despite being notified. The dealership may need to order suspension components and perform alignment or component replacement work.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ESCAPE. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CROSS BRACE STARTED TO DETACH ON THE SUBFRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO EWALD'S VENUS FORD (2727 LAYTON AVE, CUDAY, WI) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CROSS BRACE WAS TIGHTENED. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE REPAIR WAS TEMPORARY DUE TO CORROSION. FOUR MONTHS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

VEHICLE STEERS TO RIGHT AND VIBRATES. DEALER DIAGNOSED AS FAILURE OF SUB FRAME AND RIGHT AXLE. VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER RECALL 14S02 AT 89372 MI ON 9/23/2014 AND HAD CROSSBRACE INSTALLED PER RECALL. VEHICLE STORED IN HEATED GARAGE, ON 7/20/2017 WITH 105199 MI BACKING OUT OF PARKING SPOT WHEEL OFF CENTER AND VEHICLE SHAKING BADLY, GRINDING NOISE. FLAT BED TO DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED FAILED SUB FRAME AND BROKEN RIGHT AXLE. REQUESTED FORD REPAIR UNDER ORIGINAL RECALL WHICH ALLOWED FOR REPLACING SUB FRAME AND WAS DENIED FOR ELAPSED TIME. SAFETY ISSUE, COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC AT SPEED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE DROVE ERRATICALLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRACKET WHERE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM CONNECTED TO THE SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE REPAIR FAILED TO REMEDY THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,779. UPDATED 06/13/17*LJ *CN

1. DIFFICULTY APPLYING THE BRAKES AND WHEN THEIR APPLIED THE WHOLE BACK OF AUTO SHAKES TERRIBLY 2. THE BACK DOOR ON DRIVER SIDE DOES NOT LOCK AND THE BACK HATCH DOOR DOES NOT OPEN AND STAYS LOCKED.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE RUSTED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.

SUSPENSION FAILED ON THE RIGHT FRONT DUE TO CORROSION WHEN PULLING INTO DRIVEWAY. FORD HAS REFUSED TO REPAIR BECAUSE I AM 30 MILES FROM THE AREA COVERED BY FORD RECALL 14S02 AND YOUR CAMPAIGN 14V165000. HELP

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING OUT THE DRIVE WAY AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM FRACTURED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,127. ...UPDATED 09/12/16 *BF

FORD ISSUED A RECALL IN APRIL OF 2014 FOR THE FRONT SUB FRAME RUST ISSUE WHICH CAN CAUSE THE CONTROL ARMS TO SEPARATE FROM THE FRAME CAUSING THE WHEEL TO KICK OUT THERE FOR HAVING NO STEERING. THE FIX THAT FORD DID WAS DRILL HOLES INTO THE ALREADY RUSTED SUB FRAME AND INSTALL A CHEAP 90 DOLLAR BAR THAT PROVIDES NO FIX TO THIS ISSUE. I TOOK MY ESCAPE IN OCTOBER OF 2014 TO HAVE THE FRAME INSPECTED AND TO HAVE THE RECALL PERFORMED. MY SUB FRAME WAS HEAVILY RUSTED AND THEY DID NOTHING BUT INSTALLED THE METAL BAR. I'VE BEEN VERY WORRIED ABOUT THIS ISSUE FOR THE PAST YEAR AND JUST LAST WEEK WHILE DRIVING MY ESCAPE THE SUB FRAME SNAPPED AND HAD VERY LITTLE TO NO STEERING ONCE IT BROKE. THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED, WHEN THESE SUB FRAMES BREAK THAT BAR THAT FORD INSTALLED DOES NOTHING TO KEEP YOUR STEERING UNDER CONTROL. I CONTACTED THE MOTOR COMPANY AND HAULED IT BACK TO THE DEALER THAT DID THE RECALL ON THE ESCAPE. AFTER THE DEALER SHIP SENT PICTURES TO FORD OF THIS ISSUES THE MOTOR COMPANY SAID IT WASN'T THEIR PROBLEM AND THAT IT WAS SOMETHING I HAVE TO DEAL WITH. NOW JUST THINK ABOUT THIS, THERE ARE A A LOT OF 2001-2004 ESCAPE ON THE ROAD THAT HAVE THIS ISSUE AND WHEN THESE FRAMES SNAP IT CAN CAUSE A MAJOR PROBLEM FOR THE DRIVER. LOSS OF STEERING AND MAY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF YOU CANT CONTROL THE VEHICLE TO MAKE A SAFE STOP. I'M LEFT WITH MY DAILY DRIVING VEHICLE SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY BECAUSE THE MOTOR COMPANY DID NOT REPLACE MY FRAME THAT HAD HEAVY RUST AND RUST HOLES IN IT WHEN I TOOK IT TO A DEALER TO HAVE THE RECALL PERFORMED. I NEED MY FRAME REPLACED BUT THE MOTOR COMPANY CLAIMS THAT THE ISSUE WAS RESOLVED WHEN THEY INSTALLED THAT CHEAP 90 BAR ACROSS THE SUB FRAME. IT WAS ME AND MY FOUR YEAR OLD SON IN THE VEHICLE WHEN THE FRAME SNAPPED WHILE DRIVING IT DOWN THE ROAD, VERY VERY UNSAFE FOR FORD NO TO REPLACE THE SUB FRAME.

BACKING OUT INTO EMPTY ROAD, STOPPING AND TURNING VEHICLE WITH STEERING WHEEL IS VERY DIFFICULT APPLYING PRESSURE TO TURN, STRAIGHTEN WHEELS. WHILE DRIVING AND APPLYING BRAKES TO STOP, THE CAR SHAKES AND THE AMOUNT OF PRESSURE APPLIED TO BRAKES IS ENORMOUSLY DIFFICULT TO MAKE CAR STOP. WITH NORMAL DRIVING THERE IS A GRINDING SOUND IN THE BOTTOM OF VEHICLE (DRIVE TRAIN?). ALL THESE ISSUES HAVE BEEN ADDRESSED WITH NO APPARENT HELP!

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES, THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO STOP. IN ADDITION, THE REAR LATCH ACTIVATOR FAILED TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 8/28/15*CN

GOING APPROX. 25 MPH, SLOWING TO A STOP SIGN. APPLIED BRAKES AND PASSENGER TIRE MADE NOISE AND U JOINT BUSTED. RIM//TIRE WAS POSITIONED INCORRECTLY. RUST IS VISIBLE. I NEED TO KNOW IF THIS IS RELATED TO FORD RECALL OF ESCAPE SUVS DUE TO RUST THAT COULD CAUSE THE SEPARATION OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FROM THE SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE.THE RECALL COVERS VEHICLES SOLD IN STATES WHERE HIGH CORROSION IS LIKELY TO OCCUR. MY VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN BRADLEY, IL. WHAT DO I DO?? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 14V165000 (SUSPENSION) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE COLLAPSED AFTER EXPERIENCING A LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. I JACKED UP THE VEHICLE TO INSPECT THE CAUSE AND DISCOVERED THE LEFT SIDE OF THE ENGINE/SUSPENSION CRADLE WAS SUFFERED FROM ABNORMAL CORROSION THAT ALLOWED THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO BECOME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THIS CONDITION IS NOT PRESENT ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, THEREFORE IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THIS IS A QUALITY ISSUE WITH THE COMPONENT THAT CAUSED A PREMATURE FAILURE AND A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS IS A FORD QUALITY ISSUE THAT IS NOT BEING ADDRESSED THAT COULD CAUSE SEVERE INJURY AND DEATH. *TR

RIGHT FRONT SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM NO LONGER SECURELY ATTACHED TO CAR FRAME BECAUSE CRADLE OR SUBFRAME RUSTED THRU. QUICK SEARCH ON INTERNET INDICATES THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE FOR 2001 - 2004. LEFT FRONT CRADLE THAT ATTACHES CONTROL ARM TO BODY IS GOOD. PERHAPS CONSTANT WATER DRIPPING FROM AIR CONDITIONER HAS CAUSED THAT AREA OF THE FRAME TO RUST. FORD DEALER CAN NOT FIND A SUPPLY OF SUBFRAME PART PERHAPS BECAUSE OF FREQUENCY OF RUST THRU FAILURE? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN DRIVING STRAIGHTFORWARD. THE STEERING WHEEL HAD TO BE TURNED APPROXIMATELY 90 DEGREES TO THE RIGHT IN ORDER TO KEEP THE VEHICLE DRIVING STRAIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS CORRODED AND CAUSED THE LOWER ARM CONTROL TO FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE HOWEVER, DID NOT PROVIDE ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,746. UPDATED 10/16/12*LJ THE CONSUMER REFERENCED CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: (11V030000) (FORD WINDSTAR) YEAR 1999-2003. A SEPARATION OF A FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM REAR ATTACHING BRACKET RESULTING IN A LOWER CONTROL ARM SEPARATION. THIS CAUSED LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. UPDATED 10/18/2012 *JS

I WAS PULLING OUT THE DRIVEWAY WHEN THE REAR AXLE SNAPPED IN TWO. THIS IS GOING TO KILL SOMEONE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ROTORS WERE DEFECTIVE AND CAUSED THE BRAKE LINE TO BECOME FAULTY. HE NOTICED THAT THERE WERE NEW BRAKE LINES ON THE DEFECTIVE ROTORS AND WOULD NOT ALLOW HIS CHILD TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. HE ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS A DEFECTIVE BALL JOINT ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE ENGINE MALFUNCTIONED AFTER THREE HUNDRED MILES. THE USED CAR DEALER, FROM WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, STATED THAT THEY WOULD PURCHASE A NEW MOTOR UNDER THE WARRANTY TO REPLACE THE NON-WORKING ENGINE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 123,800.

IN NOV. OF 2006, I TOOK MY 2001 FORD ESCAPE TO THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE MY RIGHT REAR PASSENGER SEATBELT WAS TWISTING AND WAS NOT RETRACTING. MY CHILD'S BOOSTER SEAT WAS HELD WITH THIS BELT AND WAS NOT WORKING. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT DUE TO A FLAW, CONDENSATION WAS ABLE TO GET INSIDE AND THAT IT HAD CAUSED AN INTERNAL SPRING TO RUST AND BREAK. THEY TOLD ME THAT IN 2002 + MODELS, IT WAS REDESIGNED AND THAT COIL OR SPRING IS NOW PROTECTED WITH A PROTECTIVE COVERING. I CALLED FORD MOTOR CORP AND THEY COVERED THE REPAIR AND I HAD TO PAY A $75.00 DEDUCTIBLE. NOW 13 MONTHS LATER, THE SAME PROBLEM HAD RE- OCCURRED. THIS TIME FORD MOTOR CORP. SAYS THEY WILL NOT COVER IT BECAUSE MY VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I AGAIN REMINDED THEM THAT THIS FAULTY SEATBELT IS BEING USED TO SECURE MY SEVEN YEAR OLD DAUGHTER'S BOOSTER SEAT AND IT TERRIFIES ME TO THINK OF WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED TO HER IF I WAS IN A SERIOUS COLLISION. FORD DID HAVE A SAFETY SEATBELT RECALL ON A FRONT SEATBELT LATCH AND I COMPLIED AND I THINK THAT WAS IN 2004. I BELIEVE THAT THIS PROBLEM HAS THE PROPENSITY TO LEAD TO A SERIOUS INJURY IF IT IS NOT RESOLVED. *TR

DURING ~55,000 MILE BRAKE CHECKUP IT WAS FOUND THAT BOTH REAR COIL SPRINGS ON MY 2001 FORD TAURUS ARE BROKEN, SEEMINGLY IN THE SAME PLACE. PARTS ARE BEING REPLACED BY LOCAL SERVICE CENTER. *TR

(2007) WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE, THE ENGINE-COOLING SYSTEM-LOW COOLANT WARNING INDICATOR LAMP ILLUMINATES AND AFTER CHECKING THE COOLANT RESEVOIR WHICH WAS AT PROPER LEVELS. DELAER NOTIFIED ME THAT THE COOLANT SENSOR AS BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED COSTING $300. (2007) WHILE DRIVING OR PARKED, AFTER TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT, THERE WOULD BE A LOUD SQUEAK OR SCREEHING SOUND COMING FROM THE TIRE AREA. DEALER NOTIFIED ME THAT THE AXLE ROD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED COSTING OVER $300. (2006) LAST YEAR THERE WAS A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON WHICH WAS CAUSED BY A MALFUNCTIONING ENGINE COIL #5 WHICH BURNED OUT MY SPARK PLUG. THAT COST WAS OVER $700. THERE WERE SEVERAL OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THEIS VEHICLE BUT TOO MANY TO NAME. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001, FORD, ESCAPE. EVERY TIME CONSUMER TOOK TIRES OFF TO WORK ON THE BRAKES B OR ANYTHING ELSE SHE HAD TO REPLACE HER WHEEL BEARINGS. THIS ONLY OCCURRED ON THE LEFT FRONT TIRE. THE AUTOMOTIVE PLACE THAT SPECIALIZED IN BRAKES SAID THAT THIS OCCURRED ON A LOT ON SIMILAR MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR VEHICLES. THE LAST TIME THEY WERE REPLACED WAS IN APRIL 2005. *AK

DT: ON THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE THEIR IS NOISE COMING FROM THE AXLE. THERE IS A LOT OF MOVEMENT IN THE BRAKE PEDAL, AND THE VEHICLE PULLS TO LEFT. *NM *SB

THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAR COIL SPRING BROKE AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE TIRE.

THERE WERE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS. THE EGR SENSOR (DPFE) WAS REPLACED ALONG WITH THE SOP DRIVER SIDE OUTER BELT MOLDING, FUEL PUMP, SWAY BAR LINKS AND IAC. *BF THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW, WATER LEAKED AROUND THE TAILGATE WINDOW, THE VEHICLE WAS HARD TO START, THE IAC WAS STICKING, THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW SQUEAKED AND RATTLED, THE VEHICLE HESITATED UPON STARTING, THERE WAS PLAY IN THE FRONT SWAY BAR LINKS, THE COOLANT LIGHT STAYED ON, THERE WAS A CRACK AROUND THE OIL PAN AND THE OIL DRAIN PLUG WAS PROBLEMATIC, AND THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS STICKING. *SC *JB

I NOTICED A KNOCKING NOISE WHEN DRIVING OVER RAILROAD TRACKS, BUMPY ROADS. I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND WAS TOLD THE SHOCK AND STRUT ON DRIVERS SIDE AND SWAY BAR LINKS NEEDED TO REPLACED. THIS VEHICLE IS A 2001 FORD ESCAPE WITH 50,000 MILES AND SHOULD NOT NEED THESE REPAIRS THIS EARLY. THE SHOCK AND STRUT ON DRIVERS SIDE AS WELL AS SWAY BAR LINKS REPLACED.

PREMATURE BRAKE ROTOR WEAR. ROTORS AND PADS REPLACED TWICE; ONCE AT 30K MILES AND AGAIN AT 60K MILES. BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER REQUIRED REPLACEMENT AT 60K MILES. NUMEROUS FRONT-END PROBLEMS AFTER LIGHT CONVENTIONAL "ON-ROAD" DRIVING (I.E. LOOSE END LINKS, BALL JOINTS, MISALIGNMENT), WHICH IN TURN RESULTED IN PREMATURE DESTRUCTION OF TWO SETS OF TIRES. BURNING OIL SMELL IN CABIN SUPPOSEDLY UNIDENTIFIABLE AFTER NUMEROUS ATTEMPTS BY DEALER. NONE OF THE ABOVE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. OVER $2500 IN REPAIRS AND VEHICLE IS ONLY AT 63K MILES! *JB

MAINTENANCE. *JB

AFTER MAKING A LEFT OR A RIGHT TURN CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

LOUD TICKING NOISE WHEN TURNING VEHICLE. OCCURS AT ALL SPEEDS. FORD NOTIFIED BUT CAN'T FIX PROBLEM. WILL NOT STATE WHETHER OR NOT VEHICLE IS SAFE FOR DRIVING. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

WHEN CONSUMER STARTS UP VEHICLE IT HESITATES/STALLS. CONSUMER HAD TAKEN VEHICLE DEALER TO CHECK BECAUSE OF ITS PULLING TO THE LEFT. CONSUMER WAS NEVER BEEN TOLD WHY VEHICLE STALLS.*AK

2ND TIME FOR RIGHT REAR SHOCK LEAKING. *AK

HAD SEVERE VIBRATION OF STEERING WHEEL AT SPEEDS OF 75 MPH OR GREATER. DEALER SAID IT WAS THE AFTER MARKET RIMS INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLE. WHEN DEALER INSTALLED THE STOCK RIMS AND TOOK IT OUT AND TESTED IT, THE VIBRATION WAS STILL THERE WHEN HE ACHIEVED A SPEED OF 75 MPH OR BETTER. DEALER RE-BALANCED THE WHEELS AND PROBLEM STILL OCCURED. DEAR CHECKED THE ALIGNMENT AND SAID IT WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT AND PROBABLY CAME THAT WAY FROM THE MANUFACTURER. AFTER FRONT END ALIGNED NO MORE PROBLEMS. AS FOR PROB#2 , I NOTICED SOME PINK FLUID LEAKING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. TOOK TO DEALER AND HAD THEM PUT IT ON A RACK TO INSPECT IT. THEY FOUND THAT THE POWER STEERING FLUID IS LEAKING AT THE LEFT SIDE OF BOOT. THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE RACK & PINION UNIT. ARE THERE ANY OTHER ESCAPES OUT THERE WITH LESS THAN 10,000 MILES HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM? ALSO WHEN DEALER RECEIVED THE RACK & PINION UNIT FOR MY VEHICLE THEY NOTICED THAT IT WAS NOT THE SAME UNIT THAT IS ON MY VEHICLE. DEALER SAID THEY CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER OF THIS RANK & PINION UNIT IN INDIANA AND THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY CHANGED THE RANCK & PINION STEERING UNIT. THE DEALER WAS UNAWARE OF THIS CHANGE BECAUSSE NO NOTIFICATION WAS EVER SENT. IF I HAD NOT NOTICED THIS THE STEERING FLUID COULD HAVE LEAKED OUT AND I COULD HAVE HAD A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE STEERING WHILE VECHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED BY THE DEALER TO CHECK FLUIDS AT THE SAME TIME I WAS HAVING THE VIBRATION PROBLEM. I NOTIFIED FORD CUST. SERVICE AND THEY COULD NOT TELL ME IF THRE WERE ANY OTHER ESCAPES HAVING THE SAME 2 PROBLEMS. THEY SAID THE DEALER WOULD KNOW... FORD'S CUST. SERVICE WILL NOT LET YOU SPEAK TO ANYONE UP THE LADDER AT FORD. THEY JUST TAKE THE COMPLAINT OR CONCERN AND THAT'S IT. WHAT THEY DO WITH THOSE COMPLAINT'S OR CONCERNS IS BEYOND ME. FORD CAN'T TELL ME WHY THIS STEERING UNIT HAS TO BE REPLACED ON A NEW CAR NOR ARE THEY SYMPATHETIC.*AK

INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE PULLS TO LEFT OR RIGHT RANDOMLY AT VARIUOS INTENSITY. DEALER HAS ADJUSTED ALIGHMENT TWICE, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.*AK

TIRES MAKE A HUMMING NOISE. CONSUMER FEELS THAT THEY MAY BE LEAVING GROUND LIKE HYDROPLANING, AND AT 65 MPH VEHICLE WOBBLES, VEHICLE IS NOT STABLE AT HIGH SPEEDS WITH WINDOW DOWN. *AK THE VEHICLE HESITATES WHEN A/C UNIT IS IN OPERATION AND A/C MAKE A LOUD CYCLIC CLICKING SOUND. TRANSMISSION MAKES SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS UNSTABLE AT 65 MPH WITH A SLIGHT WIND AND FRONT END MAKES TUMBLING SOUNDS ON ROUGH ROADS. THE ALTERNATOR LIGHT COMES ON INTERMITTENTLY. THE CRUISE CONTROL TURNS OFF AUTOMATICALY BY ITSELF. THE FRONT BRAKE HAS EXCESSIVE DUST. THE VEHICLE HAD NUMEROUS INTERIOR SYSTEM FAILURES AND MALFUNCTIONING. *YH

VEHICLE PULLS EITHER RIGHT OR LEFT RANDOMLY WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS LET GO. OCCURS DAILY WITH VARYING INTENSITY, ON ANY ROAD SURFACE/CONDITION, HOT OR COLD, IN EITHER DIRECTION DURING SAME DRIVING PERIOD AND SOMETIMES NOT AT ALL FOR A SHORT PERIOD. ALIGNED TWICE, THRUST BEARINGS, BUSHINGS, PLATES REPLACED, TEST-DRIVEN. WHILE PROBLEM OCCURS DAILY, IT DOES NOT OCCUR EVERY MOMENT WHICH MAY BE WHY IT DOESN'T SHOW UP WHEN ROAD-TESTED. THIRD SERVICE APPOINTMENT HAS BEEN BOOKED. CONCERNED BECAUSE WITHIN A FEW SECONDS VEHICLE CAN BE IN ANOTHER LANE (NOT THAT I DRIVE WITHOUT MY HANDS ON THE WHEEL). THANKS!