2003 Ford Escape

558 complaints on file, page 1 of 28.

1. Filed Apr 19, 2025Failure Apr 19, 2025Springfield, OHAir bags, Engine

   I was doordashing as it's my job and all of sudden my car starts not idling won't stay off od off switch that switch stayed consistently flickered either the engine or transmission is slipping or misfiring

   NHTSA complaint 11655657
2. Filed Sep 4, 2024Failure Sep 4, 2024Rockfalls, ILElectrical systemCrash

   Never received a recall letter or notice

   NHTSA complaint 11612466
3. Filed Jan 8, 2024Failure Oct 8, 2023122,000 milesGlendale Heights, ILStructure

   The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the front wheel would extend outward while turning the vehicle, braking, or during acceleration, causing the vehicle to slightly veer to the right. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the front passenger’s side control arm had slightly detached. The dealer informed the contact the failure was a result of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V165000 (Structure) and the vehicle was included; however, the fix needed exceeded the repair stated in the recall remedy. The dealer diagnosed that the front subframe was extremely rusted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened. The contact was also referred to NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The approximate failure mileage was 122,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11564147
4. Filed Jun 29, 2023Failure Jun 27, 2023130,000 milesSaxonburg, PAElectrical system, Service brakes, Control unit/module

   The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, and while driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle was smoking. There were no warning lights illuminated. The owner disconnected the battery. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the owner that the ABS module and wiring harness needed to be replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

   NHTSA complaint 11529512
5. Filed Mar 11, 2022Failure Mar 8, 2022chicago, ILSuspension

   Driver had uneasy feeling with stability of vehicle as if it was swaying. He got it looked at and was told he probably needed lower control arm and links to take care of the problem. After ordering parts, the vehicle, while driving to work, a loud popping sound was heard and then the vehicle dropped down and had to be towed home (thank God this didn't happen on the expressway). I then looked up any recalls on this vehicle and low and behold there was a recall on this year, make and model car BUT not on this VIN number (Ford's number for this recall is 14S02. Recall date 2014-04-02 Recall no.14V165000). This vehicle suddenly and dangerously broke down from this same problem, and has the same issue that was recalled by Ford on this make, model and year described in their recall (14S02) but the VIN number seems to say otherwise when I looked it up. This needs to be investgated before this happens to someone while driving in snow or rainy condtions or while driving on the expressway. Please investigate!

   NHTSA complaint 11456359
6. Filed Dec 30, 2021Failure Dec 19, 2021Easley, SCAir bagsCrash1 injured

   I had a rear end at fault collision that totaled my 2003 Ford Escape on Dec.19, 2021....not one air bag deflated (yes I was at fault) because I was the one whom ran into the back of a jeep.....I'm having neck pain and spasms from whiplash, just curious whu not 1 airbG in the whole car deflated?

   NHTSA complaint 11445539
7. Filed Jul 9, 2021Failure May 14, 2020Birmingham, ALUnknown or otherFire

   The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact's nephew stated while driving approximately 35 mph, there was smoke coming from under the hood. The contact pulled over and fire started coming from under the hood. The fire department was called out however, the fire was extinguished before they arrived. A fire report was filed. The vehicle was towed back to the contact's sister’s residence. The vehicle was diagnosed but was not repaired. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.

   NHTSA complaint 11424099
8. Filed Jul 7, 2021Failure May 12, 2021Fayetteville, ARService brakes, Vehicle speed control

   I was recently driving on the interstate and the gas pedal got stuck so the car started speeding up very fast and the brakes and emergency brake would not make it slow down. After this i found out there was a recall about this problem and it says the previous owner of the vehicle fixed it but it’s happened while i owned it so i don’t think it was fixed correctly.

   NHTSA complaint 11423859
9. Filed Feb 28, 2021Failure Feb 9, 2021150,000 milesBrownsville, KYPower train, Steering, Vehicle speed control

   DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE COMING FROM GEORGIA, IT WOULD DOWNSHIFT SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE IT IN ABOUT 4 MONTHS.I THOUGHT I HAD EVERYTHING REPAIRED, THEN MY TRUCK STOPPED PULLING IN DRIVE AT A RED LIGHT. MY SAFETY NEUTRAL SWITCH IS BRAND NEW AND THE POSITION SENSOR. 10/12/2020 WHEN PROBLEM AROSE AFTER REPLACING SENSORS 02/09/2021 ANY IDEAS WHY IT IS DOING THIS?

   NHTSA complaint 11398303
10. Filed Feb 2, 2021Failure Dec 1, 2020194,000 milesSAN Antonio, TXPower train

    I HAVE A 2003 FORD ESCAPE AND I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 2 OF THE SHIFTER CABLES. THE CABLES TO ALLOW THE TRUCK TO GO FROM PRND12.ON THE DASHBOARD IF THE BLACK BOLD SQUARE ISN'T AROUND THE P WHEN I TURN OFF THE TRUCK THEN I CANNOT TAKE MY KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION WHEN PARKED.I DO NOT WANT THE VEHICLE TO KEEP MOVING .

    NHTSA complaint 11394382
11. Filed Jan 10, 2021Failure Jan 9, 2021Ashland, OHSuspension

    WHILE REPLACING THE CONTROL ARMS ON MY 2003 FORD ESCAPE XLT 4X4 I NOTICED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE THERE WAS ALOT OF CORROSION SO MUCH SO THE CONTROL ARM IS BARELY HANGING ON THERE IS A FLAT BAR RUNNING FROM DRIVERS SIDE TO PASSENGER SIDE WHICH HAS BEEN RENDERED USELESS BECAUSE THE BOLT THAT IS USED TO HOLD IT IN PLACE HAS NOTHING TO BOLT TO THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO FIX THE ISSUE WITH CORROSION WELL IT HASN'T ITS NOW GONNA COST ME GOD KNOWS HOW MUCH TO FIX I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS ISSUE IS STILL COVERED UNDER, THE RECALL

    NHTSA complaint 11387401
12. Filed Dec 29, 2020Failure Dec 28, 2020106,500 milesAlexandria, VASuspension

    RECALL #14S02 (NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 14V165000) COVERED REPLACEMENT OF LOWER CONTROL ARM & BALLPOINT FOR EVERY NEARBY STATE, BUT NOT VIRGINIA. BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARMS ON MY VEHICLE ARE CORRODED AND IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT, BUT THERE IS NO OPEN RECALL FOR MY VIN BECAUSE 14S02 DID NOT INCLUDE VIRGINIA. DRIVING VEHICLE WITH CORRODED CONTROL ARMS IS DEEMED DANGEROUS, BUT COSTS OF REPLACING APPROACH VEHICLE VALUE.

    NHTSA complaint 11385460
13. Filed Sep 5, 2020Failure Sep 4, 2020140,000 milesGettysburg, PAPower train

    VEHICLE MOVED FORWARD WHEN IN REVERSE GEAR WHEN I WAS TRYING TO BACK UP AT WORK. I HAD TO HAVE PEOPLE AT WORK COME HELP ME PULL THE VEHICLE BACKWARDS TO AVOID CRASHING INTO THE WALL. IT STILL ONLY GOES FORWARD, EVEN IN REVERSE GEAR. IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE!!!

    NHTSA complaint 11353342
14. Filed Aug 16, 2020Failure Aug 2, 2017Allen Park, MISuspension

    FORD ESCAPES FROM THE 2001 THROUGH 2004 MODEL YEARS FOR CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME. THE SUBFRAME CARRIES THE ENGINE, TRANSMISSION, STEERING GEAR AND THE FRONT SUSPENSION, BRAKES AND WHEELS FORD SAYS THE CORROSION CAN LEAD TO SEPARATION OF A CONTROL ARM -- PART OF THE SUSPENSION THAT HOLDS THE WHEEL AND TIRE IN THE RIGHT PLACE I WAS TOLD THAT THIS PART NEEDS TO BE REPLACED ON MY CAR. IT'S CORRODED BY A MECHANIC. THAN I READ THE USA TODAY 2014 ARTICLE. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED. I JUST TOOK VIDEO AND PICTURES OF THE PART. ON MY CELL PHONE I CAN SUBMITT. ACCORDING TO THIS ARTICLE FORD KNEW ABOUT THIS. WHAT R MY OPTION TO GET THE REPAIR.

    NHTSA complaint 11349735
15. Filed Aug 6, 2020Failure Jul 29, 2020229,000 milesLittle Rock, ARPower train

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. MARK MCLARTY FORD LOCATED AT 4400 LANDERS RD, NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR 72117, (501) 945-1200, WAS CONTACTED AND MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V606000 (POWER TRAIN) AND 04V165000 (POWER TRAIN), HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 229,000.

    NHTSA complaint 11343633
16. Filed Aug 4, 2020Failure Jul 29, 2020229,000 milesLittle Rock, ARPower train

    WHILE MY 2003 ESCAPE WAS IN MOTION, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND KICKED AD I PRESSED ACCELERATING ON A HEAVY CITY HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE COULDN'T DRIVE OR MOVE FORWARD. I BELIEVE IT IS THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. THE GEARS WERE SLIPPING OR NOT GOING IN POSITION. I WAS USING MORE GAS, HAVING A RECALL ON TRANSMISSION WAS ANNOUNCED ON 2003 FORD ESCAPE. RECALL ID 234608 ON POWERTRAIN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. AND RECALL ID 234607 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: GEAR POSITION INDICATION. RECALL ID 234607 I CALLED THE FORD SERVICE CENTER. I WAS TOLD NO RECALLS UNDER MY VIN NUMBER. I ASKED FOR ASSISTANCE TO FIX MY TRANSMISSION. NO WAS ANSWER. I TOOK MY CAR BACK TO PLACE I PURCHASED IT CARTER'S RADIATOR, PURCHASED 5-8-2020. CARTER RADIATOR DID DIAGNOSE, FOUND IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION. I WAS TOLD CAR WILL NOT GO INTO GEARS. 4TH GEAR IS IN-OPERATIVE. ONY 1ST & 2ND GEARS OPERATING. TO REPAIR FAULTY TRANSMISSION WILL COST $3900, BUT BECAUSE I PURCHASED VEHICLE FROM THEM, REPAIR COST IS $2400.

    NHTSA complaint 11343132
17. Filed Jul 21, 2020Failure Jul 20, 2020115,000 milesMoses Lake, WAService brakesFire

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENTERING THE DRIVEWAY TO PARK, THERE WAS SMOKE PRESENT. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND OPENED THE HOOD WHEN A FIRE WAS DISCOVERED. THE CONTACT GRABBED A WATER HOSE AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE ABS MODULE CONNECTOR WAS MELTED ALONG WITH WIRES. AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT THE CONTACT WAS PREGNANT AND HAD HER 4-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER IN THE VEHICLE. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT CONTACTED. NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THERE WAS A RECORDING STATING THAT NO CALLS WERE BEING ACCEPTED AT THE MOMENT. THE LOCAL DEALER (UNKNOWN DEALER INFORMATION) WAS THEN CALLED WHERE THEY MENTIONED THAT NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE06048 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) WAS PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115,000.

    NHTSA complaint 11340612
18. Filed Jul 14, 2020Failure Mar 1, 2018South Hutchinson, KSElectrical system, Power train

    SENSE WE BOUGHT THIS 2003 FORD ESCAPE WE HAVE REPLACED 5 ALTENATORS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS .3 NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCHES. AND STILL HAVING PROBLEMS THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS ARE THE SAME REASON FOR THE RECALL BUT MY CAR IS JUST A MONTH NEWER GO FIGURE

    NHTSA complaint 11339318
19. Filed Jul 11, 2020Failure Jul 10, 2020Philadelphia, PAService brakes, Wheels

    I BROUGHT BRACES DRUMS FOR BACK WHEELS STILL IDONOT HAVE BRACES THEY DONOT WORK TOOK TO AUTO PLACE WAS TOLD TO CONTACT DEALER

    NHTSA complaint 11338743
20. Filed Jun 30, 2020Failure Jun 4, 2020124,000 milesBattle Creek, MISuspension

    THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS BROKEN AND WOULD BE ABOUT $1000 TO REPLACE. I WAS DRIVING DOWN A DIRT ROAD , IT WAS A LITTLE BUMPY AND THE STEERING WHEEL STOPPED WORKING DUE TO THE FRAME BREAKING. THE 2003 FORD ESCAPE HAS 124,000 MILES ON IT. LUCKILY NOBODY WAS HURT, BUT I CAN'T BELIEVE THE FRAME OF N SUV COULD BREAK SO EASILY. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 11331652