2003 Ford Escape
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Structure is the leading concern among 598 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 17th highest complaint count among 26 Escape model years with reports.
Of the 2003 reports, 44 involved a crash and 29 involved a fire. 32 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Power train, automatic transmission, lever and linkage, floor shiftSep 29, 2015
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 vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.
Campaign 15V606000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, front, wheel bearingJun 3, 2015
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.
Timken has begun notifying distributors who will offer purchasers replacement wheel bearings, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2015. Owners may contact Timken customer service at 1-866-984-6536.
Campaign 15E045000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, frame and membersApr 2, 2014
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.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install a newly designed reinforcement cross-brace, free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S02.
Campaign 14V165000 on NHTSA.gov
Engine and engine coolingJul 26, 2012
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.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles by increasing the engine cover clearance, free of charge. The safety recall began August 3, 2012. Remedy parts are expected to be available in mid-August 2012. Until then dealers will disconnect the speed control cable as an interim remedy, if parts are not available at the time of an owner's service appointment. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Campaign 12V353000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, control unit/moduleApr 10, 2007
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.
DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE WIRE HARNESS CONNECTOR TO THE ABS MODULE FOR MISSING OR DISLODGED WIRE SEALS, AND REPAIR OR REPLACE THE HARNESS CONNECTOR AS APPROPRIATE. THE DEALER WILL ALSO INSPECT THE CONNECTOR ON THE ABS MODULE AND REPLACE IT IF IT IS FOUND TO BE CORRODED OR DAMAGED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Campaign 07V156000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, master cylinderMar 29, 2007
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.
CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.
Campaign 07E023000 on NHTSA.gov
Latches/locks/linkages, doors, latchDec 20, 2004
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.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH RELEASE ROD, THE RELEASE ROD ATTACHMENT CLIP AND THE DOOR HANDLE RETURN SPRING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Campaign 04V602000 on NHTSA.gov
Vehicle speed control, cablesDec 7, 2004
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.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CABLE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 10, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
Campaign 04V574000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmission, control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)Apr 6, 2004
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.
DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE POWER CONTROL MODULE (PCM) WITH THE APPROPRIATE CALIBRATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 21, 2004. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Campaign 04V165000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine and engine cooling
52 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 19, 2006
TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CAR STALLS WHEN THE CAR IS PUT INTO GEAR OR WHEN HE COMES TO A STOP. THE CONTACT HAS TAKEN THE CAR TO SUPERIOR FORD SIX TIMES AND THEY HAVE REPLACED: THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR, VAPOR MANAGEMENT VALE, MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, VALVE-AIR BYPASS, PURGE REGULATION VALVE, BODY ASSIST AIR CHARGE, AND ECC PROCESSOR WAS RECALIBRATED. THE CONTACT SAID THAT THE CAR STILL CONTINUES TO STALL AFTER ALL THESES PARTS HAVE BEEN CHANGED. THE CONTACT SAID THAT HE HAS ALSO SENT CERTIFIED LETTERS TO FORD ABOUT THE PROBLEM. CONTACT CAN PROVIDE ALL OF THE REPAIR ORDERS.
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Dec 2, 2006
I HAD A 2003 FORD ESCAPE THAT STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING. IT WAS USUALLY WHEN I HAD LEFT THE VEHICLE FOR 8 OR MORE HOURS. I WOULD TRY TO START IT AND IT WOULD HESITATE AND TAKE A WHILE TO START IT. AFTER A FEW TRIES IT WOULD JERK BACK AT ME AND START. THIS WAS A PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 2-MONTHS. ON MAY 26, 2006 I LEFT MY VEHICLE IN THE PARKING LOT AT WORK. IT WAS THE FIRST REALLY HOT DAY (90+ DEGREES) OF THE YEAR. WHEN I GOT BACK TO MY CAR IT HESITATED WHEN I CRANKED IT. I CRANKED IT AGAIN AND IT POPPED BACK AND ME AND THEN THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION. THERE WAS SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE HOOD. I OPENED THE HOOD (BURNING MY FINGER IN THE PROCESS) AND FOUND PARTS AND PIECES EVERYWHERE. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD BLEW APART. THE DEALER NEVER GAVE US A REASON WHY (WE PUSHED BUT WE WERE TOLD THAT IT SHOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED AND THAT THE ENGINEER WAS ON VACATION). WE HAD THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD FIXED AND IT COST US A LOT OF MONEY OUT-OF-POCKET. I ASKED THEM FOR THE OLD UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD BACK, BUT THEY WOULDN'T GIVE IT BACK. I WAS ALWAYS INTENDING TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE FORD WAS 3-YEARS OLD WITH 54,000 MILES ON IT, SO IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, ALTHOUGH THE DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS A FAULTY PART THAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM? IT IS POSSIBLE THAT IT WAS N A HORRIBLE MISFIRE, BUT WE AREN'T SURE. I DO KNOW THAT IT SCARED ME AND COULD HAVE HURT SOMEONE. LUCKILY THE VEHICLE DID NOT CATCH ON FIRE. THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED FOR 2-MONTHS WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED HESITATING AGAIN WHEN I STARTED IT. I WAS TERRIFIED TO DRIVE IT AND THE DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS UNRELATED BUT I COULD PAY (AGAIN) TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. I STARTED HAVING PANIC ATTACKS WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE, SO WE TRADED IT IN. I WOULD LIKE A REFUND AND TO STOP THIS FROM HAPPENING TO OTHER PEOPLE. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 5, 2006
I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE FROM MINNESOTA TO IDAHO WHEN, I'VE BEEN TOLD, A CONNECTOR BELT BROKE AND BROKE THROUGH THE ENGINE. AS A RESULT, THE ENTIRE ENGINE MUST BE REPLACED. I WAS PULLING A 5 X 8 TRAILER WITH A CLASS 3 HITCH AND I'VE BEEN ADVISED BY THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN THAT THE TRAILER DID NOT CONTRIBUTE TO THE BREAKDOWN. AS THE VEHICLE CLEARED A HILL ON AN INTERSTATE, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE TRUCK AND SPRAYING LIQUID AND SMOKE. WHEN WE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, THE OIL HAD COMPLETELY DRAINED FROM THE OIL RESERVOIR (I'VE BEEN ADVISED THAT THE OIL CAP WAS FIRMLY IN PLACE AND DID NOT CONTRIBUTE TO THE INCIDENT). THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND IS CURRENTLY IN PROCESS OF RECEIVING A NEW ENGINE. THERE IS A HOLE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE TRUCK AND "METAL PARTS IN THE ENGINE." I'VE ASKED ABOUT WHY THE FAILURE OCCURRED AND THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THEY DIDN'T KNOW. WHEN I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE ABOUT THIS THEY TOLD ME THAT THE ENGINE WILL BE SENT TO FORD FOR ANALYSIS BUT THE FINDINGS WILL NOT BE SHARED WITH ME. MY CONCERN ABOUT THIS BREAKDOWN IS THAT THIS IS THE SECOND NEW FORD VEHICLE I'VE PURCHASED WHERE THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED SHORTLY FOLLOWING THE EXPIRATION OF THE 3 YEAR/36,000 MILE WARRANTY. THIS CURRENT VEHICLE HAS 35,552 MILES AND THE WARRANTY EXPIRED ON 6/14/06. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 11, 2006
2003 FORD EXPLORER OVERHEATED AND LOST COOLANT. TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP 3 TIMES. FIRST 2 TRIPS, PROBLEM NOT FOUND. AFTER 3RD INCIDENT, A CRACKED ENGINE BLOCK WAS FOUND. IN ADDITION TO ENGINE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK FORWARD WHEN SLOWING TO A STOP, THIS OCCURS MOSTLY IN COLD WEATHER AT LEAST ONCE WEEKLY. UPON TAKING TO THE DEALERSHIP (PROBLEM CANNOT BE REPLICATED); THIS COULD LEAD TO A CRASH, DAMAGE TO A PEDESTRIAN........GEE, HATE TO THINK OF THE POTENTIAL CONSEQUENCES. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 18, 2005
I WAS EXITING OFF THE INTERSTATE AND AROUND 35 MPH MY ENGINE COMPLETELY DIED AND I LOST POWER STEERING. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE SHOULDER AND RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT THE RPMS KEPT BOUNCING AROUND. I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER, BUT THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. I RESEARCHED ONLINE MYSELF AND FOUND THAT FORD HAD A RECALL THAT MATCHED MY EXACT SITUATION/PROBLEM. THE NHTSA ID IS 04V165000. FORD SAID MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. HOWEVER, I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT MINE SHOULD BE EXCLUDED CONSIDERING THAT MY VEHICLE IS THE SAME MAKE/MODEL/YEAR/ENGINE TYPE OF THE RECALLED ONES AND MY PROBLEM MATCHED EXACTLY WITH WHAT WAS REFERENCED IN THE RECALL. ALSO MY WARRANTY RUNS OUT IN 2 WEEKS AND I DON'T WANT THE SAME PROBLEM TO HAPPEN AGAIN AND THEN LET THE DEALER FIND THE PROBLEM. IT ALSO CONCERNS ME BECAUSE MY WIFE DRIVES MY CAR AND I'M CONCERNED ABOUT MY FAMILY.*JB
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Aug 9, 2005
DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE 91 IN MASS. MY 2003 FORD EXPEDITION BLEW OUT A SPARK PLUG. THIS WAS A FACTORY INSTALLED ORIGINAL PLUG . THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH THE 5.4 TRITON ENGINE WHICH SEEMS TO HAVE A HISTORY OF THIS PROBLEM. WE HAD TO BE TOWED TO A FORD DEALER FOR REPAIRS. RE-THREADING THE ENGINE HEAD, REPLACE THE DAMAGED COIL PACK AND A NEW SPARK PLUG. WITH LABOR MY BILL WAS OVER $700. THIS DOES NOT INCLUDE THE TOW FEE AND A NIGHT AT A LOCAL HOTEL (WE WERE TRAVELING FROM OUT OF STATE ON VACATION). UPON RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM I HAVE READ DOZENS AND DOZENS OF STORIES LIKE MINE INVOLVING THIS TRITON CLASS ENGINE BUILT BY FORD. A SPARK PLUG SHOULD NOT BE BLOWN OUT OF THE ENGINE BLOCK PERIOD. WHEN DOZENS AND DOZENS OF PEOPLE WRITE IN TO SAY THEIR FORD MUSTANG, F150, EXPEDITION, F250, OR EXCURSION HAS BLOWN OUT A PLUG THAT'S UNACCEPTABLE. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 13, 2005
NHTSA CAMPAIGN 04V165000; FORD ISSUED AN ENGINE STALLING RECALL. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT THE ENGINE STALLS UNEXPECTEDLY. THE VIN IS OUTSIDE THE REMEDY SCOPE. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 18, 2004
1. VEHICLE HAD RECALL 04S13 PERFORMED FOR POSIBLE LOSS OF POWER WHEN DECELERATING. VEHICLE IS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. VEHICLE WAS 19 MONTHS OLD WITH 3600 MILES AND HAD NOT HAD ANY PRIOR PROBLEMS.*AKI 2. 2 WEEKS AFTER RECALL WAS PERFORMED THE VEHICLE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE EXACT CONDITIONS THAT THE RECALL WAS TO PREVENT. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO SERVICE DEPT. AND THEY SUPPOSEDLY REPAIRED PROBLEM. VEHICLE NOW UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATES USUALLY WHEN BRAKING. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES AND CONTINUES TO GET WORSE EVERY TIME. THE LAST INCIDENT THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING AND ABOUT HALF WAY INTO A PARKING SPACE AND IT ACCELERATED OWN ITS OWN, THE FRONT WHEELS JUMPED A 6 INCH VERTICLE CURB, AND LEFT 5 FOOT SKID MARKS IN THE GRASS WHILE TRYING TO STOP. 3. THE DEALER HAS DRIVEN THE VEHICLE BUT THE PROBLEM DID NOT OCCUR. DEALER INSTALLED FLIGHT RECORDER FOR TWO WEEKS. THE PROBLEM DID NOT OCCUR. THEY REMOVED FLIGHT RECORDER AND A TECHNICIAN RODE IN VEHICLE THE PROBLEM OCCURED AND TECHNICIAN HAD VEHICLE TAKEN BACK TO SHOP. THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING AND RETURNED VEHICLE. ACCELERATION OCCURED AGAIN THEY REINSTALLED FLIGHT RECORDER AND SAID THEY NEEDED THREE RECORDING TO DIAGNOIS PROBLEM. THIS HAS NOT OCCURED YET AND DEALER IS CALKLING TO GET FLIGHT RECORDER BACK.
Engine and engine cooling, Equipment, Aug 21, 2004, fire
NEW CAR, OWNED 10 MONTHS. 16,000 MILES ON IT. SUDDEN ENGINE FAILURE, NO WARNING WHAT SO EVER, IE; NO OVERHEATING, ALARM ETC. ENGINE REPLACED, 10 DAYS LATER DROVE ONLY 12 MILES ON NEW ENGINE. BLEW HEAD GASKET, AND ENGINE BEGAN TO BURN. AGAIN NO WARNING. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 10, 2004
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER MADE A TURN AND VEHICLE LOST POWER. FORD STATED THAT RECALL04V165000 WAS ISSUED. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 21, 2004
WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 1, 2004
WHILE DRIVING DOWN RT 10 W AT 50 MPH MY 2003 FORD ESCAPE STALLED. I HAD TO SIT WITH MY HAZARDS ON, IN THE LEFT LANE OF THIS BUSY HIGHWAY, UNTIL THE POLICE COULD COME AND MOVE ME TO A SAFE PLACE. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED AND THE DEALERSHIP HAS HAD IT IN REPAIR FOR15 DAYS PRIOR TO THIS.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Equipment, Jan 15, 2004, fire
MY 2003 FORD ESCAPE WHICH I PURCHASED IN APRIL OF 2003 CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE FUEL INJECTORS. WITHIN 20 MINUTES THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND DESTROYED. THE FLAMES ALSO PENETRATED THROUGH THE FIRE WALL WITHIN LITTLE TIME. I AM CURRENTLY WORKING WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY AS THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. AT THIS TIME I HAVE HAD NO RESPONSE TO MY CALLS TO FORD REGARDING THIS EXTREME MALFUNCTION.
Engine and engine cooling, Equipment, Nov 26, 2003
I BOUGHT A 2003 FORD ESCAPE IN NOVEMBER 2002 AND I HAVE EXPERIENCED A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH MY SUV OVER 5 TIMES. RIGHT NOW, MY SUV IS IN THE SHOP FOR A COOLANT SYSTEM REPLACEMENT AND A RADIO REPLACEMENT. MY RADIO WAS REPLACED TWICE THIS YEAR ALREADY. MY SUV WOULDN'T START TWICE THIS YEAR. I BELIEVE I HAVE DRIVEN A LOANER CAR AT LEAST 5 TIMES SINCE NOV 2003. I AM NOT HAPPY WITH MY SUV. I FEEL IT IS A LEMON. IT HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR ME SINCE DAY ONE. *LA
Engine and engine cooling, Visibility, Oct 24, 2003
PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S ENGINE, AND WINDOWS.*MR PRIOR TO DATE, VEHICLE WAS SERVICED SIX TIMES FOR: DIFFICULTY IN CRANKING, CLINKING NOISES IN THE ENGINE AND DIFFICULTY WITH THE IDLE. DESPITE THE LATEST SERVICE, CRANKING AND IDLING CONTINUED. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE RECURRING PROBLEMS WHICH CONTINUED TO EXIST. CONSUMER LATER DISCOVERED THE REAR WINDOW LEAKED. CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE IS A DEFECTIVE AND INFERIOR PRODUCT. *PH *NLM
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 1, 2003
EXHAUST SYSTEM COMPONENTS RADIATE EXCESSIVE HEAT WHEN VEHICLE IS PARKED. HEADER, MANIFOLD, AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER COMBINED TEMPERATURES CAUSE SCORCHING OF GRASS WHEN PARKED IN A LOWLY-CUT, GRASSY AREA. RAMIFICATIONS COULD BE SAFETY IMPACTS TO OCCUPANTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL.
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 10, 2003
WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING FROM UNDERNEATH. THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM VENT AREA INSIDE OF VEHICLE. ALSO, THERE WAS A BAD SMELL. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 29, 2003
FOIA REQUEST CYS OF ALL CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN NHTSA & INTERNATIONAL ENGINE GROUP RE THE 6.0 POWERSTROKE ENGINE USED IN THE 2003 FORD F250-F550 SUPER DUTY TRUCKS & THE 2003 FORD EXCURSION. *MR *NLM *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed control, Aug 13, 2003
I HAVE COMPLAINED TWICE BEFORE ABOUT MY 2003 FORD ESCAPE STALLING WITHOUT WARNING. IT HAS NOW DONE IT A TOTAL OF 6 TIMES. THE VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING IN VARIOUS SITUATIONS. THE MOST UNNERVING WAS WHEN I WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 15 MPH. IT HAS ALSO HESITATED AND BUCKED INTO AN INTERSECTION ON 2 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. I CONTACTED THE EXECUTIVE OFFICES AT FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND EXPRESSED MY SAFETY CONCERNS, AND I WAS INFORMED THAT BECAUSE THE PROBLEM IS NOT REPRODUCABLE THEY DO NOT FEEL THAT THEY ARE IN A POSITION TO REPURCHASE THE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. MY DEALERSHIP HAS ATTEMPTED TO REPRODUCE THE STALL AND ARE UNABLE, AS AM I. THEY HAVE PERFORMED A TSB, INSTALLED A NEW THROTTLE BODY AND A NEW CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. THE PROBLEM CONTINUES TO PERSIST. I NOW HAVE A VDR IN THE VEHICLE FOR THE THIRD TIME. THIS VEHICLE IS A MAJOR DANGER TO MYSELF, MY PASSENGERS AND ANYONE WHO IS AROUND THE VEHICLE WHEN IT MAY STALL DUE TO THE FACT THAT WHEN IT DOES HAPPEN I LOSE ALL POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. I DO NOT TRUST THE VEHICLE AND I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE IN IT.*AK
Steering, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Aug 1, 2003
WHILE DRIVING AT 50/55 MPH VEHICLE DIED OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THIS RESULTED IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES.THE COST FOR REPAIRS WERE $114.21. *AK *CB
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 31, 2003
ESCAPE STALLED FOR THE FOURTH TIME. I DID HAVE A VDR IN THE VEHICLE FOR 5 WEEKS BUT IT DID NOT STALL DURING THAT TIME. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS SAFE TO TAKE IT OUT BECAUSE IT DID NOT SEEM LIKE IT WAS GOING TO DO IT AGAIN. WELL IT DID AND I LOST ALL BRAKING AND STEERING ABILITY. *PH
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 8, 2003
ENGINE STALLING. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 25, 2003
MY ESCAPE STALLED 2 TIMES LAST MONTH. I TOOK IT INTO BE SERVICED WHERE I WAS ASSURED THEY DID EVERYTHING NECESSARY ON THE TSB. IT STALLED AGAIN TODAY AND I TOOK IT BACK. I WAS TOLD THEY DON'T KNOW WHY IT IS STALLING AND THEY HAVE EQUIPPED THE CAR WITH A BUTTON THAT I AM TO PUSH WHEN IT HAPPENS AGAIN AND THEN RETURN. THIS DOES NOT SOUND SAFE TO ME CONSIDERING I DRIVE ALMOST 50 MILES A DAY, PLUS IT IS A MAJOR INCONVENIENCE. *NLM
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 16, 2003
AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF FOR ABOUT 2 MINUTES A "SIZZLING" NOISE WAS HEARD. THE MUFFLER LOOKED LIKE IT TURNED A REDDISH COLOR. CONSUMER SUSPECTED THAT MUFFLER WAS CORRODED. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, May 28, 2003
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE STALLED AND IT WOULD BE HARD TO START UP THE VEHICLE AGAIN. *TT