Two problems related to brake disc rotor have been reported for the 2004 Ford Escape. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2004 Ford Escape based on all problems reported for the 2004 Escape.
Premature failure, excessive premature wear of the brake rotors. Vehicle serviced by trebour Ford every 5,000 miles according to service schedule. At this visit, informed that brake pads were close to needing replacement. This is normal and understandable. However, was also informed that the brake rotors were beyond the point of being used further. They were worn so badly that they could not be machined even once. My experience is that brake rotors when properly maintained should last the life of the vehicle. This vehicle has been maintained properly and has 34,917 miles which has been primarily highway usage. The need for brake rotor replacement at this point was due to defective equipment installed at time of production.
As my 2004 Ford Escape turned 25,000 miles, the brake light came on. I took it to my local brake shop, and they advised me that the front brake rotors were warped and had to be replaced as well as the brake pads. The brake fluid was also very low. The brake shop manager stated that it is extremely unusual for rotors to be replaced at 25,000 miles. Upon investigating other similar claims on various websites, it appears that Ford motor CO. Had many complaints on various models for the identical problem. According to one complaint website, Ford motor CO. Was subject to a class action by Ford consumers in 2003 regarding the replacement of warped rotors on their vehicles and other brake issues. I'd contacted my dealership, and the assistant service manager told me that if the brake problem occured within the 12 month/12,000 mile period, it would be covered; otherwise, it was my financial problem. Since Ford motor CO. Has been aware of the inferior brake problem and continues to install the inferior rotors on their new vehicles, why should the consumer continue to have to pay for replacements every year or 25,000 miles? according to the brake specialists, rotors generally are replaced between 60,000 - 85,000 miles, and not 25,000, unless there is a defect in product.