What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2003 Ford Escape

Typical pattern

8% of complaints about the 2003 Ford Escape came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2003 vehicle — around the middle of the 228 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 9.8 yr in service. The most-reported system is structure (122 complaints), typically at 11.9 yr or about 109,000 miles.

Complaints
725
Median age at failure
9.8 yr
Median mileage
96,000 n=585
Crash / fire / tow
14.3% of reports
Safety recalls
9

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Structure
122 reports · 109,000 mi
11.9 yr
6.6%
Suspension
92 reports · 121,000 mi
12.6 yr
5.4%
Speed control
89 reports · 88,000 mi
7.0 yr
15.7%
Air bags
61 reports · 73,698 mi
6.1 yr
29.5%
Power train
53 reports · 69,000 mi
6.3 yr
7.5%
Engine cooling
49 reports · 54,000 mi
4.7 yr
12.2%
Service brakes, hydraulic
46 reports · 68,000 mi
6.2 yr
23.9%
Steering
43 reports · 104,407 mi
12.3 yr
9.3%
Electrical system
39 reports · 90,000 mi
9.4 yr
20.5%
Engine
24 reports · 130,000 mi
11.7 yr
29.2%
Other
22 reports · 117,000 mi
14.3 yr
13.6%
Tires
17 reports · 22,000 mi
1.8 yr
11.8%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

15V606000 2015-09-29
Power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:floor shift

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.

If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the v

15E045000 2015-06-03
Suspension:front:wheel bearing

The Timken Company (Timken) is recalling certain aftermarket front wheel bearings, part number 510072, sold from January 22, 2015, to May 21, 2015, to be used as service parts on 2001-2012 Ford Escape, 2001-2011 Mazda Tribute, and 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles. The affected wheel bearings have incorrect dimensions of a 42mm bore, 76mm outer dimension, and 39mm width, instead of a 42mm bore, 78mm outer dimension and a 45mm width.

Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

14V165000 2014-04-02
Structure:frame and members

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.

A separation of the lower control arm can result in a significant loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

12V353000 2012-07-26
Engine cooling

Ford Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2004 Escape vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control manufactured from October 22, 1999, through January 23, 2004. Inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector could result in a stuck throttle when the accelerator pedal is fully or almost-fully depressed. This risk exists regardless of whether or not speed control (cruise control) is used.

A stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop or slow the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.

07V156000 2007-04-10
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ANTILOCK BRAKES (ABS), THE ABS MODULE CONNECTOR MAY HAVE MISSING OR DISLODGED WIRE SEALS. THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW CONTAMINATION TO ENTER THE MODULE CONNECTOR, CREATING A POTENTIAL FOR AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.

AN ELECTRICAL SHORT MIGHT CAUSE AN ABS MALFUNCTION THAT WOULD ILLUMINATE THE ABS WARNING LIGHT, AND IN SOME CASES, THE MODULE MAY OVERHEAT RESULTING IN BURNING ODOR, SMOKE, AND/OR FIRE. THIS CONDITION COULD OCCUR EITHER WHEN THE VEHICLE IGNITION SWITCH IS IN THE OFF POSITION OR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED.

07E023000 2007-03-29
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder

CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.

LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

04V602000 2004-12-20
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

CERTAIN 2004-2005 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND CERTAIN 2001-2003 SPORT UTIITY VEHICLE HAVING REAR LIFTGATE COMPONENTS SERVICED WITH 2004 EQUIVALENT COMPONENTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 206, 'DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS.' THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCHING SYSTEM DOES NOT MEET THE INERTIA LOAD REQUIREMENT IN ONE DIRECTION.

IF THE LIFTGATE IS LEFT UNLOCKED, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL THAT IT MAY OPEN DURING A CRASH.

04V574000 2004-12-07
Vehicle speed control:cables

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES BUILT WITH 3.0L V6 ENGINES, THE ACCELERATOR CABLE MAY PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION.

AN UNEXPECTED INCREASE IN ENGINE IDLE SPEED MAY INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCE AND MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

04V165000 2004-04-06
Power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L V6 ENGINES, DURING DECELERATION, THE ENGINE CAN STALL.

SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.

In owners’ own words

Structure 200 mi 2 mo in service
2003 FORD ESCAPE LEAKS DIRT INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHEN DRIVING DOWN A GRAVEL ROAD, AT TIMES THE DUST INSIDE THE PASSENGER CABIN IS SO THICK IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE ROAD OR INSTRUMENTS. ROAD DUST IS VISIBLE PASSING BY DOOR AND SEALS. DEALER HAS SERVICED VEHICLE TWICE FOR THIS CONDITION. LAST VISIT THE DEALER SUGGESTED THEY WOULD BE HAPPY TO CLEAN THE VEHICLE OUT ANYTIME WE BROUGHT IT IN FOR SERVICE, AND WE SHOULD NOT OPERATE THE HEATER/AIR ON GRAVEL ROADS( WE LIVE ON A GRAVEL ROAD). FORD CUSTOMER CARE WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NEVER RESPONDED.
Structure 200 mi 2 mo in service
2003 FORD ESCAPE LEAKS DIRT INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHEN DRIVING DOWN A GRAVEL ROAD, AT TIMES THE DUST INSIDE THE PASSENGER CABIN IS SO THICK IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE ROAD OR INSTRUMENTS. ROAD DUST IS VISIBLE PASSING BY DOOR AND SEALS. DEALER HAS SERVICED VEHICLE TWICE FOR THIS CONDITION. LAST VISIT THE DEALER SUGGESTED THEY WOULD BE HAPPY TO CLEAN THE VEHICLE OUT ANYTIME WE BROUGHT IT IN FOR SERVICE, AND WE SHOULD NOT OPERATE THE HEATER/AIR ON GRAVEL ROADS( WE LIVE ON A GRAVEL ROAD). FORD CUSTOMER CARE WAS NOTIFIED, BUT NEVER RESPONDED.
Structure 4,150 mi 6 mo in service
I WENT TO SHUT MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR AND IT FELT A LITTLE FUNNY. I OPENED IT AGAIN AND WHEN I SHUT IT I HEARD A CLANKING NOISE. WHEN I OPENED MY DOOR AGAIN THE PIN AND CLIP FELL OUT AND THE DOOR (THE TOP HINGE) CAME OFF. I HAD TO REMOVE THE BOTTOM PIN AND CLIP TO RE- HANG MY DRIVERS SIDE DOOR IN ORDER TO GO TO THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM DO NOTHING AND TELL ME THAT I AM THE ONLY PERSON THEY HAVE EVER SEEN IT HAPPEN TOO AND THAT IT SHOULDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN. *JB
Power train 650 mi 6 mo in service
I PURCHASED A 2003 FORD ESCAPE A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO. I DROVE IT 8 DAYS AND 650 MILES WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND HAS BEEN THERE FOR 6 DAYS. I AM REQUESTING FROM FORD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE WHICH THEY ARE UNWILLING TO PROVIDE. THEY ARE FIXING THE DIRECT CLUTCH WHICH FAILED. I DO NOT THINK AN EXTENDED WARRANTY IS UNREASONABLE. I KNOW GM WOULD PROVIDE ONE SHOULD THE SITUATION BE THE SAME. *NLM

Other Escape model years

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