Front Suspension Lower Control Arm problems of the 2003 Ford Escape

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. While driving approximately 5 mph, a crunching sound was present coming from the front passenger side and the vehicle suddenly could not be driven properly. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the lower control arm had fractured due to corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was repaired in 2014 per NHTSA campaign number: 14v165000 (structure). The contact indicated that the vehicle later experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The local dealer was not notified. The failure mileage was 53,000.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact heard a constant noise coming from the front of the vehicle near the wheels. The dealer stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14v165000 (structure). The dealer provided the recall remedy of a newly designed cross brace as an interim repair, but the noise failure recurred. Within three months, the power steering failed. The front passenger side wheel was leaning due to the fact that the lower control arm fractured. The subframe was rusted to the point of corrosion. The dealer was notified of the failures. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop for diagnostic testing. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact stated that there was a loud abnormal noise heard as the vehicle stalled. The contact mentioned that the lower control arm became detached from the sub frame, which had extensive corrosion. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the lower control arm, the sub frame and the cv joint needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign id number: 14v165000 (suspension). The approximate failure mileage was 230,000.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. Additionally, the contact stated that the lower control arm fractured. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the sub frame failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 102,000.

Tl - the contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 14v165000 (lower control arm corrosion); however, the part was unavailable to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. Jcc updated 08/19/lj.