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: structure
121 reports, newest first. Show all
Structure, Apr 2, 2009
MY PROBLEM IS NOT MECHANICAL BUT RATHER "PHYSICAL". THE PAINT HAS BEEN PEELING OFF THE ROOF AND HATCH OF MY 2003 ASH-COLORED FORD ESCAPE LIMITED SINCE 2007. AFTER READING OTHERS' BLOGS I AM AWARE THAT I AM NOT ALONE BY ANY MEANS. I PURCHASED THE SUV FOR IT'S NICE APPEARANCE AND COLOR. I WISH I'D KNOWN BEFOREHAND THAT THIS WAS GOING TO HAPPEN, OTHERWISE I WOULD NEVER HAVE PURCHASED A FORD. APPARENTLY FORD IS DOING ABSOLUTELY NOTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM. IS THERE ANYTHING YOU CAN DO TO HELP US? CAN'T FORD BE FORCED INTO A RECALL FOR THIS? THESE VEHICLES AREN'T CHEAP!! PLEASE HELP. *TR
Structure, Mar 25, 2009
PAINT PEELING IN SEVERAL SPOT ON 2003 FORD ESCAPE. *TR
Structure, Feb 26, 2009
I HAVE A 2003 FORD ESCAPE XLT,WHITE IN COLOR AND CURRENTLY HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE PAINT BLISTERING AND PEELING ON THE REAR HATCH BELOW THE WINDOW BOTH SIDES. ADDITIONALLY, THE PAINT PEELING HAS STARTED UNDER PASSENGER SIDE REAR CARGO WINDOW. I VISITED A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY DENIED IT AS A DEFECT. OUT OF WARRANTY. I HAVE HAD FOUR AUTOBODY SHOPS TELL ME $600.00 TO A $1000.00 TO REPAINT. "THE PROBLEM IS FACTORY PRIMER PROBLEM" AND SHOULD EXPECT TO SEE MORE PEELING IF NOT REPAINTED SOON. *TR
Structure, Feb 4, 2009
PAINT BLISTERING AND PEELING ABOVE THE WINDSHIELD ON ROOF. *TR
Structure, Jan 19, 2009
WE OWN A 2003 FORD ESCAPE SUV. THE PAINT IS PEELING OF THE BACK TAILGATE. THIS CAR HAS BEEN GARAGE AND ONLY HAS 80,000 MILES. THIS PAINT SHOULD NOT PEEL OFF LIKE THIS. THE DEALER SAID I COULD PAY $300 TO HAVE IT REPAINTED. *TR
Structure, Oct 15, 2008
PAINT PEELING OFF THE ROOF AND REAR TAILGATE OF VEHICLE. BROUGHT THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER. BODY SHOP INSPECTED AND REPORTED THAT IT NEEDED TO BE REPAINTED. INTERNET SEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON EVENT AND THAT IT HAS TO DO WITH IMPROPER PREP OR PARTS USED. *TR
Structure, Oct 1, 2008
PAINT PEELING -- DELAMINATING -- FROM ROOF OF 2003 FORD ESCAPE XLT, COLOR CODE C2. AREA IS ABOVE JUNCTION OF ROOF AND WINDSHIELD. BODY SHOP VERIFIED CONDITION A RESULT OF BAD PRIMER. FORD NOTIFIED AS WELL AS TWO OKLAHOMA CITY-AREA DEALERS -- OVERALL FORD AND BOB MOORE FORD. NO RESOLUTION FROM FORD AS OF YET. *TR
Structure, Sep 10, 2008
PAINT PEELING DOWN TO BARE METAL ON ROOF OF VEHICLE WITH PAINT BLISTERING ELSEWHERE. EXPOSED BARE METAL RUSTING DUE TO EXPOSURE TO ELEMENTS. ATTEMPTING RESOLUTION VIA DEALER BUT NO HELP AT THIS TIME. *TR
Structure, Aug 13, 2008
I PURCHASED A FORD ESCAPE 2003 ON JULY 2008. LAST MONTH I NOTICED THE LEATHER INTERIOR LOOSENED FROM ALL FOUR DOORS. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IS THIS A FACTORY DEFECT. *TR
Structure, Other or unspecified, May 20, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THREE MONTHS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BLOCK OF PAINT CHIPPING OFF OF THE HOOD. WEEKS LATER, THE CONDITION BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE PAINT BEGAN BUBBLING AND CHIPPING EXCESSIVELY. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTS TO WASH THE VEHICLE THE PAINT WILL COME OFF. SHE IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 100,000. UPDATE 06/10/08 *BF UPDATED 06/10/08
Structure, Mar 24, 2008
MY 2003 FORD ESCAPE XLT PAINT IS PEELING IN STRIPS OFF THE HOOD AND FROM THE SUNROOF BACK. I HAVE MADE MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS TO FORD IN RIGHTING ON THE PHONE AND IN PERSON. THEY CLAIM TO HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THE PROBLEM. IN MY RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND @ LEAST 45 OTHERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS SOMETHING THEY SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO SWEEP UNDER THE RUG. IT IS A DEFECT THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR. *TR
Structure, Jan 5, 2008
THE PAINT IS COMING OFF THE ROOF OF THE CAR NEAR THE FRONT WIND SHIELD AREA AND ALSO ON THE HATCHBACK DOOR. *CN
Structure, Aug 20, 2007
2003 FORD ESCAPE. NOTICED PAINT AROUND LIFT GATE LEDGE BUBBLING AND PEELING. ONLY TOP LAYER OF PAINT IS PEELING, GRAY LAYER APPEARS TO BE FINE, NO SIGNS OF BUBBLING OR PEELING. TALKED TO DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS BECAUSE THE TWO LAYERS NEVER BONDED WHEN THE CAR WAS PAINTED AT THE FACTORY. WHEN I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER TO SEE IF THEY WOULD COVER IT, THEY SAID TO GO TO THE DEALER AND THEY WOULD LOOK AT IT AND DECIDE WHAT TO DO. NEVER HEARD BACK FROM DEALER AFTER I MADE CONTACT WITH THEM. *TR
Structure, Aug 14, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PAINT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR, LIFT GATE, AND LEDGE SHOWED SIGNS OF BUBBLING PAINT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WILL SPEAK WITH THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 19,400 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,350. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED A REPAIR INVOICE. UPDATED 08/31/07 *TR
Structure, Aug 23, 2005
DT: THE CALLER PULLED THE HOOD RELEASE AND WITH THE HOOD IN THE RELEASE POSITION AND THE SAFETY LATCH ON THE HOOD WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING THE HOOD FLEW UP. THE CALLER SAID THE LATCH THAT HELD THE HOOD FROM THE OUTSIDE DID NOT HOLD WHEN THE HOOD FLEW UP. THE DEALER FIXED IT, AND SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE LATCH. THE MANUFACTURER SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE LATCH. THE CALLER WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. *AK *SC
Structure, Mar 4, 2004
I PURCHED MY NEW VEHICLE ON 7/12/03 AND ON 3/3/04 UPON OPENING MY DRIVER DOOR, I HEARD A CLANKING NOISE AND THE DRIVER DOOR FELL OFF. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION I LOCATED THE TOP PIN INSIDE THE CAR BUT THE CLIP WAS NO WHERE TO BE FOUND. I CLOSED THE DOOR & CLIMED OUT THE PASSENGER SIDE. I CONTACTED A LOCAL FORD DEALER (NOT WHERE I PURCHASED IT FROM) TO GET IT FIXED. THEY SAID THEY HAD NEVER HEARD OF THIS AND THEY WERE VERY SUPRISED. BUT, FROM WHAT I JUST READ.... ITS HAPPENED BEFORE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND THEY DID NOT HAVE THE CLIP SO THEY JERRY-RIGGED SOMETHING TO HOLD THE PIN IN PLACE. *AK
Structure, Sep 8, 2003
WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN IN THE RAIN WATER CAMES THROUGH THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW FRAME. THE WATER WENT DOWN INTO THE ELECTRICAL BUTTONS ON DOOR PANEL. FORD REPLACED ALL THE RUBBER SEALS BUT IT STILL LEAKS. *AK
Structure, Aug 4, 2003
WE BOUGHT MY ESCAPE XLT ON 5/26/03. ON 7/30/03, UPON EXITING MY VEHICLE, THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FELL OFF. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE. FORD WILL NOT ISSUE ME A DIFFERENT ESCAPE UNLESS WE PAID $9K TOWARDS A NEW ONE AND I'VE ONLY MADE ONE PAYMENT ON MY NEW VEHICLE. THEY SAID THEY'VE NEVER SEEN THIS BEFORE AND IT WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. WE BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY MARKINGS IT RECEIVED FROM CONSUMER REPORTS. I FOUND THAT ON MARCH OF 2003 ANOTHER CONSUMER HAD THIS SAME ISSUE. THAT MEANS THAT WE'RE LIKELY NOT THE ONLY ONES TO HAVE THIS HAPPEN TO US, LIKE THE FORD DEALERSHIPS WOULD HAVE US BELIEVE. AFTER THEY RETURNED THE VEHICLE TO ME, THEY SAID IT WAS FIXED, BUT UPON EXAMINATION WE NOTICED A PART HAD BEEN LEFT OFF AND MY DOOR WAS DAMAGED AND SCUFFED. WE HAVE CONTACTED A LAWYER AND ARE PERSUING OUR OPTIONS. *JT
Structure, Jun 21, 2003
REAR HATCH - SHEET METAL AROUND PLASTIC TRIM PIECE USED FOR HANDLE AND SPACE BETWEEN WINDOW AND HANDLE DENT EASILY DURING NORMAL OPENING AND CLOSING. SEVERAL BODY SHOPS WE HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO FOR ESTIMATES SAYS THIS HAPPENS ALOT. AREA SHOULD BE REINFORCED OR HATCH SHOULD BE MADE OF COMPOSITE MATERIAL LIKE THE MINI-VANS. *NLM
Structure, Mar 18, 2003
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
Structure, Jan 11, 2003
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.