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
Power train, Jun 29, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER ONCE FOR THE FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATED THE FAILURE.THE FAILURE RECURRED ON JUNE 27,2010 WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55MPH. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED,THEY STATED THE VEHICLE HAD NO OPEN RECALL AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN INCLUDED IN RECALL 04V165000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM) . THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 157,000.
Power train, Apr 22, 2010
THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2003 FORD ESCAPE HAS FAILED TWICE. TALKING WITH MY TRANSMISSION GUY I AM CONVINCED THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT HEAVY DUTY ENOUGH TO HANDLE THIS USAGE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Dec 24, 2009
FORD IS NOT ALLOWING MY CAR TO BE INCLUDED IN THE SAFETY RECALL: 04S13 FOR POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE RE-CALIBRATION. I HAVE NOTIFIED FORD AND THEY ARE SAYING THEY NEVER MISS A VEHICLE THAT GETS RECALLED. MY VEHICLE HAS STALLED MORE THAN 7 TIMES WHEN DECELERATING UNDER 40PMH. I HAVE BROUGHT MY CAR INTO A MECHANIC TWO TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. EVERYTIME IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THE VEHICLE TO STALL. *TR
Power train, Apr 7, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. SPORADICALLY, DURING DECELERATION, THE ENGINE STALLS. THE DEALER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V165000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM)); THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BY HER LOCAL MECHANIC. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
Power train, Feb 19, 2009
I PURCHASED A 2003 FORD ESCAPE WITH 24,000 MILES ON IT. I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN BETTER, AS VEHICLE STALLED WHEN I TEST DROVE IT, BUT WAS ASSURED THE PCM JUST NEEDED TO BE REFLASHED. 3 DAYS AFTER PURCHASING THE CAR IT STALLED OUT ON ME WHEN TURNING A CORNER, FOOT NOT ON THE ACCELERATOR. WAS ONLY ABLE TO GET THE CAR RESTARTED AFTER REALLY REVVING ENGINE HARD. TOOK IT BACK, ASSURED ME IT WAS MY "ANTI-THEFT DEVICE" TWO DAYS AFTER GETTING VEHICLE BACK, STALLED YET AGAIN WHEN PULLING INTO MY DRIVEWAY. SYMPTOMS ARE MUCH LIKE THE RECALL LISTED FOR 2003 ESCAPES BUT OF COURSE MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT INCLUDED. SO I TOOK IT BACK TO DEALER AND THEY "CAN'T GET IT TO STALL" BUT REPLACED THIS TIME THE IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE. PICKED IT UP, NEXT DAY STALLED OUT AS I TURNED CORNER INTO PARKING LOT. THIS CAR IS UNSAFE. *TR
Power train, Jan 22, 2009
2003 FORD ESCAPE WITH 30,000 MILES NEEDED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION REPLACED. OUT OF WARRANTY BECAUSE OF AGE. I PAID OVER $4K TO HAVE IT REPLACED. FORD REFUSED TO COMPENSATE FOR OBVIOUS MANUFACTURING / DESIGN DEFECT. *TR
Power train, Jan 9, 2009
FORD ESCAPE 2003 80 000 MILES AND TRANSMISSION WILL NOT GO IN REVERSE AND NOW SLIPS AND MAKES NOISE IN ALL GEARS. ONLY FORD I'VE EVER OWNED....MIGHT BE THE LAST UNLESS THIS IS RESOLVED TO MY SATISFACTION. NO SPECIFIC EVENT TO DETERMINE WHY TRANNY IS GOING..SEEMS LIKE THOUSANDS OF OTHER ESCAPE OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Power train, Apr 9, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL THEN SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED WHEN DECELERATING. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE POWER TRAIN: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: CONTROL MODULE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #04V165000) HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. AS OF APRIL 9, 2008, THE DEALER HAD NOT REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY 50 TIMES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
Power train, Apr 2, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF AND HAD TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESTART IMMEDIATELY. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS HAVING IDLE AIR CONTROL VALVE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V165000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM)). THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 101,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATED 05/06/08. *LJ
Power train, Mar 29, 2008
TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN A 2003 FORD ESCAPE XLT. THIS VEHICLE HAS 53,576 MILES ON IT AND SHOWED NO WARNINGS OF FAILURE. WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING AND NO MOVEMENT FROM VEHICLE. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AS THERE IS NO WAY TO SAFELY EXIT DRIVE LANES , AND MAY CAUSE REAR END COLLISIONS. THE CD4E TRANSMISSION HAS MAJOR DESIGN FLAWS KNOWN BY FORD HENCE THE CONVERSION OF TRANSMISSION MANUFACTURERS FROM BATAVIA, OHIO TO LIVONIA, MICHIGAN IN 2006. I HAVE YET TO HAVE THE PROBLEM REPAIRED AS I MAY BE USING THE VEHICLE FOR EXPLANATORY PROOF OF POOR QUALITY AND ENGINEERING. *TR
Power train, Feb 22, 2008
ABOUT ONCE A MONTH, FOR THE LAST FOUR MONTHS, MY 2003 FORD ESCAPE WILL STALL OUT. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD AND UPON DECELERATION SUCH AS WHEN ENTERING OR MAKING A TURN. THE CAR RESTARTS WITHOUT HESITATION. THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL ISSUED ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, #04V165000, WHERE THE FIX SEEMS QUITE SIMPLE BUT FORD'S MAIN CUSTOMER RELATIONS DEPT. SAYS MY CAR IS NOT PART OF THAT RECALL. SAME CAR, SAME PROBLEM, BUT NOT RELATED TO ORIGINAL RECALL. SEEMS ABSURD. ALTHOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN NO ACCIDENTS, THE THREAT OF ONE EXISTS IF THE CAR STALLS WHILE I'M TURNING ACROSS ONCOMING TRAFFIC OR, POSSIBLY, REAR-ENDED. *TR
Power train, Dec 18, 2007, fire
WHILE DRIVING IN A NICE ASPHALTED ROAD UP A HILL, I FELT LIKE THE TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY STARTED TO SLIP. THE VEHICLE LOST FORWARD MOMENTUM SO I LOOKED FOR A SAFE PLACE TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY STOP. I ENDED UP AT A SERVICE STATION WHERE THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE QUICKLY. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY LOST AND THE SERVICE STATION SUFFERED CONSIDERABLE DAMAGE. *TR
Power train, Aug 29, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. ON AUGUST 26, 2007, WHILE DRIVING 37 MPH, THE ENGINE FAILED. THE FAILURE IS NOW OCCURRING AT LEAST FOUR TIMES PER DAY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 04V165000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM)) WAS REFERENCED. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 85,834.
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Jun 5, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING UNDER 40 MPH, THE ENGINE FAILED. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED ON FOUR DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. SAFETY RECALL # 04V165000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM)) DOES NOT APPLY TO THE VIN. THE PURCHASE DATE AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 66,000. UPDATED 02/01/08. *LJ UPDATED 02/01/08 *TR
Power train, May 2, 2007
MY 2003 FORD WINDSTAR'S TRANSMISSION JUST WENT OUT WITH ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING. IT ONLY HAS 65,000 MILES ON IT. I WAS GOING DOWN A VERY BUSY ROAD AND WHEN I PUSHED DOWN ON THE GAS, THE ENGINE REVVED UP. THANK GOD I WAS SOMEWHERE I COULD LET THE VAN COAST OFF THE ROAD BEING I HAD 4 SMALL CHILDREN IN THE VAN WITH ME. I HAVE HEARD THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH FORD'S TRANSMISSIONS. UNFORTUNATELY, WE HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR THE TRANSMISSION. I BELIEVE FORD OUGHT TO CORRECT THIS ISSUE PER THEIR OWN EXPENSE BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT BECAUSE THEIR VEHICLE JUST STOPS PULLING IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY ROAD. I WILL NEVER BUY A FORD AGAIN. *TR
Power train, May 2, 2007
NO ACCIDENT, EXPENSE REPAIR $1000.00 TO REAR DIFFERENTIAL OF 2003 FORD EXPLORER. 22,145 MILES. THIS HAS TO BE THE RESULTS OF FAULTY PARTS. *TR
Power train, Jan 10, 2007
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THOUGHT THERE WAS A TIRE FAILURE. INSPECTION REVEALED THE TIRES TO BE FINE. THE CONTACT GOT BACK IN THE CAR AND TRIED TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE GEAR WITH NO RESULTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP, AND THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE DIAGNOSIS SINCE THE VEHICLE HAD 43,000 MILES ON IT. *AK UPDATED 2/9/2007 - THE FAILURE OCCURRED SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. *NM
Power train, Jun 27, 2006
SUBMISSION REGARDING LONG OUTSTANDING ISSUE WITH HIS 2003 FORD ESCAPE PURCHASED ON DECEMBER 30, 2002. *TS ***NAR*** THE VEHICLE HAS EXHIBITED TRANSMISSION SINCE THE DATE OF PURCHASE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER 15 TIMES BUT THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED SHIFTING AT 35 MPH, LOST POWER THEN OVERHEATED AFTER DRIVING DISTANCES OF ABOUT 10 MILES (CITY DRIVING). BUT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN THROUGH PUDDLES OF WATER THE PROBLEM WOULD DIMINISH AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SHIFT NORMALLY AND POWER WOULD BE RESTORED. DURING THE CONSUMERS LAST VISIT TO THE DEALER HE WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE THEY COULD DO. *NM
Power train, Mar 9, 2006
WINDING NOISE FROM UNDER THE CAR. AT 40 MPH TRANSMISSION LOST POWER. TRANSMISSION BLEW DRIVE GEAR NEEDS TO BE COMPLETELY REBUILT. ONLY 27 DAYS OUT OF WARRANTY, ONLY 26,324 MILES ON THE CAR. *NM
Power train, Aug 10, 2005
MY 2003 FORD EXPEDITION IS NOW ON ITS 4TH REAR DIFFERENTIAL IN 8 MONTHS. WE STARTED COMPLAINING ABOUT IT IN DEC. OF LAST YEAR AND NOW HAVE RECEIVED OUR FOURTH REPAIR, NOT COUNTING THE 3 TIMES THAT THEY DIDN'T FIX IT FOR SOME REASON OR OTHER. THE FIRST FIX LASTED TWO WEEKS AND LAST AND MOST RELIABLE LASTED 3 MONTHS. I ALSO HAVE ALSO BEEN HAVING A POPPING NOISE AFTER THE HEATER OR AIR CONDITIONER IS RUN FOR ANY PERIOD OF TIME, HOWEVER THAT CAN'T BE REPAIRED, NO FIX AVAILABLE. I AM FEED UP, I CONTACTED FORD CORP DIRECTLY, BUT THEY WON'T HELP ME. *JB
Power train, Visibility, Seats, Jul 14, 2005
I HAVE AN EDDIE BAUER EDITION EXPEDITION (2003) . THIS UNIT CAME WITH OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRRORS THAT TILT DOWN AND INWARD WHEN YOU PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE TO ASSIST YOU IN BACKING UP. THE ISSUE I HAVE HAD SINCE IT WAS PURCHASED NEW IS THAT THE MIRRORS DO NOT RETURN TO THIER ORIGINAL POSITION CONSISTENTLY ONCE YOU PUT THE VENICLE BACK INTO A FORWARD GEAR. THIS ISSUE BECOMES A SAFETY ISSUE ONCE OUT ON THE ROADWAYS AS WHEN I GO TO PASS I CAN'T SEE IF THERE ARE ANY VECHICLES IN THE LANE I NEED TO GET INTO. HAROLD ZEIGLER AUTO GROUP SOLD ME THE CAR IN KALAMAZOO, MICHIGAN. THEY HAVE TOLD ME THERE IS NO PROBLEM WITH THE MIRRORS AND HAVE DONE SO MORE THAN ONCE. CAN YOU HELP GET THIS RESOLVED. THE DRIVERS SEAT ALSO DOESN'T RETURN TO ITS PROGRAMED POSITION AND THIS IS AN IMTERMITTEN PROBLEM WHICH ZEIGLER HAD FIXED ONCE AND ITS STARTING TO ACT UP AGAIN! ALSO I'VE HAD REAR END WORK DONE MORE THAN TWICE AND ITS STARTING TO HOWL ONCE AGAIN. THEY ACTUALLY REPLACED IT ONCE COMPLETELY AND REPAIRED IT TWICE, IS THIER AN ISSUE WITH THE REAR ENDS ON THIS MODEL YEAR? THANKING YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION ON THESE MATTERS. RESPECTFULLY GARY A. ANSPAUGH
Fuel system, Other, Power train, Jul 13, 2005
I PURCHASED THE 2003 EXPLORER IN NOV 2003. ON 6/16/04, 8/17/04,AND FINALLY ON 8/20/04, I COMPLAINED REGARDING THE FUEL GUAGE NOT REGISTERING A FULL TANK. FORD FINALLY REPLACED FUEL TANK. ON DEC 10, 2004, I BROUGHT THE CAR IN BECAUSE WHEN GOING FROM PARK TO REVERSE, A WHINING AND CLUNKING NOICE COULD BE HEARD. ALSO, BECAUSE SOMETIMES THE CAR DOESN'T START. AT FIRST FORD CLAIMED NOTHING WAS WRONG REGARDING THE CLUNKING. I THEN REMINDED THEM ABOUT THE RECALLS BEING DISCUSSED IN THE NEWS REGARDING THE 2004 MODELS. THEN THEY REPLACED SOMETHING CALLED A SOLEONID. THE START PROBLEM STILL EXISTS AND SO DOES THE CLUNKING NOISE. THIS WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. YESTERDAY, IT ACCELLERATED WHILE MY FOOT WAS ON THE BREAK, FORM REVERSE TO DRIVE. LUCKILY, THERE WAS NOTHING IN FRONT OF ME. MY HUSBAND, WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, HAS EXPERIENCED THIS SEVERAL TIMES AS HE IS CHANGING FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. THE NEWS JUST DESCRIBED ANOTHER FORD PROBLEM REGARDING ACCELLERATION. I THINK THIS IS WHAT IS AFFECTING MY CAR.
Power train, May 11, 2005
ACCELERATOR PEDAL GOT STUCK WHILE DRIVING DOWN ON 96 EAST IN MICHIGAN. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 85 MPH AND REALIZED MY ACCELERATOR PEDAL GOT STUCK OF FORD FOCUS SE MY2003. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC ON THE ROAD AT THAT TIME. SO I STOPPED MY CAR (WHILE ENGINE WAS STILL ROARING HEAVILY), PUT IT INTO THE NEUTRAL & KEY OFF THE IGNITION. AFTER I KEY ON, PROBLEM DISAPPEARED.
Power train, Mar 24, 2005
INCIDENT: TRANSMISSION FAILURE. ON 9 MARCH MY TRANSMISSION IN MY 2003 FORD ESCAPE (XLT) FAILED. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING EXCEPT AS I DROVE THAT MORNING THE CAR SEEMED NOT TO WANT TO GO FORWARD. AFTER PULLING OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE CAR TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP AND WOULD NOT GO FORWARD OR IN REVERSE. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK TO BRING THE CAR TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALER. TO DATE, THE REASON OR CAUSE OF THE FAILURE IS UNKNOWN.
Power train, Jan 27, 2005
I HAVE A FORD TAURUS WITH APPROXIMATELY 41,900 MILES ON IT. THE VEHICLE WAS BOUGHT IN FOR SERVICE BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION WAS SHUDDERING AND SKIPPING BADLY AT TIMES. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP ADVISED THAT THE AUTO NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, I ASKED FORD AND THE DEALERSHIP FOR ASSISTANCE WITH GETTING A NEW TRANSMISSION. IT IS EXTREMELY ODD THAT AT 41,900 MILES ANY VEHICLE WOULD NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THIS SHOULD QUALIFY AS A DEFECT. BUT FORD SAID SINCE THE AUTO WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, THEY WERE UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO ASSIST. *AK