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: power train
64 reports, newest first. Show all
Steering, Power train, Vehicle speed control, Feb 28, 2021
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?
Power train, Feb 2, 2021
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 .
Power train, Sep 5, 2020
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!!!
Power train, Aug 6, 2020
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.
Power train, Aug 4, 2020
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.
Power train, Electrical system, Jul 14, 2020
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
Power train, Sep 23, 2019
O/D OFF LIGHT FLASHES. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. TRANSMISSION COLUMN SHIFTER MOVES PROPERLY IN ALL GEARS P,R,N,D,2,1 BUT VEHICLE ONLY MOVES IN REVERSE AND ENGAGES IN PARK AND NEUTRAL. VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE IN DRIVE, 2 OR 1. TRANSMISSION FLUID CONDITION AND LEVEL IS NORMAL.
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Jul 20, 2019
WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON HWY 45 MY ESCAPE JUMPED OUT OF GEAR AND OVERDRIVE INDICATOR SHOWED IT HAD TURNED OFF AT THE SAME TIME. ALSO IT CAUSED MY VEHICLE TO ALMOST STOLL WHILE TRAFFIC WAS BEHIND ME AND BESIDE ME. I HAD TO SHIFT GEAR SHIFT UNTIL LIGHT SHOWED AGAIN THEN SHIFT IT TO DRIVE. ALSO HAD TO CLICK OVERDRIVE BACK ON SEVERAL TIMES UNTIL IT KICKED ON. I HAD MY SISTER AND MY 2 CHILDREN 9YRS AND 10 YRS OLD IN VEHICLE WHEN IT HAPPENED. ALSO HAD MY VEHICLE TO START JUMPING AND SHAKING LIKE IT WAS MISSING . ENGINE LIGHT IS ON ALL THE TIME NOW, AND AIRBAG LIGHT. IS IT SAFE TO DRIVE?
Power train, Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Apr 23, 2019
THE AIR BAG STAY ON AND KEEPS BLINKING AND WON'T TURN OFF. I HAVE DONE EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO CHECK THIS ISSUE OUT, HAVING NO LUCK SO FAR.
Power train, Jan 30, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED ON ITS OWN AND COMPLETELY STOPPED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE GEAR SELECTOR DID NOT ENGAGE IN THE SELECTED GEAR. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
Power train, Jul 12, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.
Suspension, Power train, Nov 8, 2015
I OWN A 03 FORD ESCAPE AND WHEN DRIVING AT ABOUT 30MPH MY TIRE STARTED RUBBING THE FENDERWELL AND PULLING HARD TO THE RIGHT I HAD TO FIGHT TO KEEP MY CAR FROM HITTING THINGS AND ABOUT 5 SECONDS AFTER ALL OF A SUDDEN THERE IS A VERY LOUD CLUNK SOUND FROM MY PASSENGER FRONT TIRE. AND MY FRONT END DROPPED AND WHEEL LOCKED UP. CAUSING ME TO LOSE CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE. NEARLY MISSING PARKED CARS. I WAS TOLD MY LOWER CONTROL ARM SEPARATED FROM SUBFRAME. WHICH HAS A CORROSION ISSUE (THIS IS A KNOW PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL, RECALL REFERENCE NUMBER --- 14S02) .. I WAS ADVISED BY A PRIVATE MECHANIC THAT MY SUBFRAME NEEDED REPLACED. I GOOGLED AND FOUND OUT ABOUT THIS RECALL AND HAD IT TAKEN TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND SO FAR HAVE HEARD NOTHING.. THIS IS RIDICULOUS. AND BECAUSE OF THIS SAFETY RECALL, IT DAMAGED MY CAR EVEN FURTHER, BROKE MY C/V JOINT. PROBABLY MESSED UP THE AXEL TO
Power train, Oct 1, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE IGNITION COILS, SPARK PLUGS, AND MANIFOLD GASKET WERE REPLACED. ONE MONTH LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO TWO DIFFERENT INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHERE THE IGNITION COILS, SPARK PLUGS, AND MANIFOLD GASKET WERE REPLACED AGAIN. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Vehicle speed control, Jan 24, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH HE TRIED TO ACCELERATE AND THE RPMS INCREASED. THE BRAKE FAILED TO ENGAGE UNTIL HE PUT THE GEAR SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS TO MUCH AIR GOING INTO THE THROTTLE BODY, AND THE COLD AIR WAS FREEZING THE THROTTLE BODY AND PREVENTED IT FROM FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000. UPDATED 3/5/14*CN *TR
Power train, Sep 3, 2013, fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK AND LUNGE. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE ENGINE BUT AFTER RESTARTING, HE WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 195,000.
Power train, Feb 8, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AN UNKNOWN FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TORQUE CONVERTER BECAME CRACKED AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,085 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Oct 1, 2012
MY CAR IS MISFIRING AND STALLING ON DE-ACCELERATION (WHEN WE SLOW DOWN). IT STARTED RECENTLY. FIRST IT HAD THE ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. WE HAD IT TESTED BY A MECHANIC WITH THE ELECTRICAL READER AND IT SAID WE NEEDED A NEW COIL. WE REPLACED THE COIL, DID A FULL TUNE UP AND IT STILL IS NOT WORKING. AFTER MANY HOURS OF RESEARCH WE SEE THAT THE FORD ESCAPE PCM HAS BEEN A CONSISTENT MANUFACTURING PROBLEM AND THE 2003 FORD ESCAPE HAD THIS PROBLEM. I CALL FORD AND THEY TELL ME MY CAR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THAT PARTICULAR RECALL. HOWEVER, IT IS CLEAR THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH FORD ESCAPE. WHAT I AM TO DO? DRIVE THE CAR LIKE THIS AND RISK IT STALLING IN AN INTERSECTION OR ON A HILL AND HAVE THE POSSIBILITY OF A CRASH? FORD SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS MANUFACTURING PROBLEM THAT THEY HAVE DOCUMENTED OVER THE YEARS. *TR
Power train, Jul 18, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO ACCELERATE SUDDENLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:04V165000(POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: CONTROL MODULE(TCM.PCM). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 119,000.
Power train, Feb 9, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DECELERATING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V165000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM)). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Power train, Oct 7, 2011
THE VEHICLE STALLS (LOSES ALL POWER AND COMES TO A HALT) AT LOW SPEEDS EVEN SOMETIMES IN REVERSE GEAR. IT HAS HAPPENED AT PARKING LOTS AT LOW SPEEDS OR WHEN I AM JUST ABOUT TO TAKE OFF AT TRAFFIC LIGHTS. ONLY HAPPENS AT LOW SPEEDS. HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES, HAVE GOTTEN THE COMPUTER MODULE REPROGRAMMED, CHANGED BATTERY, ALTERNATOR, IDLER CONTROLLER VALVE AND RELAY SO FAR. NONE OF THESE HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM, THE CAR IS BACK WITH THE MECHANIC FOR OTHER CHECKS. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN VERY INTERMITTENT, IT SOMETIMES HAPPENS AND SOMETIMES DOES NOT!. TAKING THE KEY OUT AND PUTTING IT BACK AND STARTING THE ENGINE AGAIN GETS ME MOVING AGAIN!. SO FAR I HAVE BEEN LUCKY NOT TO BE HIT BY ANYONE FROM BEHIND!. *TR
Power train, Jul 18, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY SEVEN DIFFERENT TIMES INTERMITTENTLY. THE MECHANIC STATED ALSO THAT THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V165000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM)). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.
Power train, Jul 11, 2011
MY 2003 FORD ESCAPE HAS ALL THE SYMPTOMS OF THE RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V165000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM)) BUT DOSE NOT HAVE ONE OF THE VINS THAT FALL INTO THE LIST. *TT
Power train, May 14, 2011
WHILE DRIVING ON AN EXPRESSWAY, MY CAR SUDDENLY WOULD NOT ENGAGE AND I HAD TO COAST OFF THE EXIT RAMP, GETTING STUCK AT THE TOP OF THE RAMP. THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR, AND I HAD TO BE PUSHED OFF THE RAMP AND INTO A PARKING LOT. THIS WAS AT 5PM ON A WEEKDAY, AND HAD SOMEONE NOT COME TO HELP ME PUSH THE CAR OUT OF THE WAY, IT COULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR ACCIDENT. *TR
Power train, Nov 3, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD FOCUS. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE FROM THE PARK POSITION. IN ORDER SHIFT INTO REVERSE HE HAD TO SHIFT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AND ALLOW IT TO SLOWLY ROLL BACKWARDS. UPON DRIVING THE VEHICLE HE ALSO NOTICED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO 6TH GEAR. A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS NOT PERFORMED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 50,000.
Power train, Jul 12, 2010
I HAVE NEVER TRUSTED THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE. AFTER FIRST WINTER USAGE, THE SOUNDS IT MADE WHEN ENGAGED AND WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL SOUNDED LIKE A RUBBING BUSHING OR SOMETHING WITHIN THE GEARBOX. 2 DEALERS SAID YOU COULDN'T REALLY TEST IT IN THE SUMMER, AS YOU NEEDED THE SNOW FOR IT TO ACTIVATE PROPERLY, BUT IT STILL BUCKS WHEN TURNING THE WHEEL, SO MUCH SO, THAT I DO NOT TRUST IT TO USE. I'VE OWNED JEEP 4WHEEL AND ALL- WHEEL VERSIONS, SO THAT IS WHY I DON'T TRUST IT. I KNOW FORD HAS OVER THE YEARS UPGRADED THIS SYSTEM, BUT IT WAS STILL A $1600 OPTION WHEN I BOUGHT IT, AND EXPECT IT TO WORK. HAVE THERE BEEN SIMILAR COMPLAINTS, AS I HAVE NEVER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT HAVE HAD 2 OTHER RECALL FIXES MADE. AFTER THE TOYOTA BRAKING PROBLEM, I FEEL THIS IS OF EQUAL CONSEQUENCE. IT ALWAYS SEEMED TO BE WORSE WHEN GOING IN REVERSE. *TR