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
598 reports, newest first.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 25, 2009, fire
JANUARY 18, 2009, WAS THE LAST TIME I DROVE MY 2003, FORD ESCAPE. THE DAY PRIOR, I DROVE MY KIDS, TWO BLOCKS AWAY TO A PARK. I GOT BACK HOME AND PARKED MY VEHICLE AT APPROX 2:30 P.M. THE NEXT MORNING AT 11:14 A.M. I RECEIVED A CALL FROM MY APARTMENT MANAGER STATED THAT MY VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE AND THE FIRE DEPT WAS OUTSIDE PUTTING OUT MY CAR FIRE. THE FIRE CAPTAIN STATED THAT THE FIRE HAD STARTED FROM THE ABS SYSTEM AND TO CHECK ONLINE AND SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS PART. MY INSURANCE COMPANY CAME OUT AND CLAIMED IT A "TOTAL LOSS". WITHIN THE LAST SIX MONTHS TO A WEEK AGO, FORD HAD WORKED ON MY VEHICLE IN WHICH I HAD SPENT OVER $5,000.00 TO GET IT IN TIP TOP CONDITION. FORD HAD A RECALL ON THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE BUT STATED THAT MY VEHICLE'S VIN NUMBER WAS NOT PART OF THERE RECALL. THEY ALSO STATED TO MY ADJUSTER THAT THIS ABS PART WAS NO LONGER MADE, SO MY INSURANCE COMPANY TRIED TO LOCATE THIS PART AND NO OTHER PARTS STORE CARRIED THIS PART. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 24, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN TO 65 MPH. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE BRAKES FAILED AND BECAME LOCKED. SHE PLACED THE GEAR INTO NEUTRAL AND DROVE IN THE EMERGENCY LANE. SHE SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTED IT AFTER SOME TIME. ONCE IT WAS RESTARTED, THE BRAKES SOFTENED UP AND THE RPMS DECREASED TO THE ORIGINAL START POSITION. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. SHE THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE A FEW RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V574000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES) WAS RELATED TO THE FAILURES WITH HER VEHICLE. ONCE SHE FOUND THE RECALL, THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND THEY REFUSED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE RECALL INFORMATION. SHE LATER CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY STATED THAT THE RECALL WAS REPAIRED FOUR YEARS AGO ON HER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE HAS NOT RECURRED SINCE THE ORIGINAL INCIDENT. SHE IS WORRIED THAT THE ISSUE COULD CAUSE FUTURE FAILURES AND THAT THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE REPAIRED AGAIN SINCE IT WAS NOT DONE PROPERLY THE FIRST TIME. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 115,000.
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
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 9, 2009, crash
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN BUT WOULD NOT COME TO A COMPLETE STOP WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, BUT THE VEHICLE STILL FAILED TO STOP. HE WAS FORCED TO CRASH INTO A SNOW PILE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT SUSTAIN ANY DAMAGE. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK. THE CONTACT WAITED A WHILE BEFORE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL RETURNED TO NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND INSPECTED BY A TECHNICIAN, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE THROTTLE CABLE WAS FAILING. THE COST FOR THE REPAIR WOULD BE $300. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE PROVIDED BECAUSE THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Structure, Feb 4, 2009
PAINT BLISTERING AND PEELING ABOVE THE WINDSHIELD ON ROOF. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 28, 2009, fire
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP BECAUSE THE EMISSIONS INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE REPAIR SHOP KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR TWO WEEKS DUE TO THE PARTS THAT NEEDED TO BE ORDERED. WHEN THE GASKET WAS INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE BECAME VERY HOT AND THE CORKING (USED TO SEAL THE GASKET) MELTED ONTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND WOULD COST $3,700 JUST TO START THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINE WHAT OTHER MALFUNCTIONS WERE OCCURRING. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,000.
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
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
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
Air bags, Jan 2, 2009
PROBLEM: VEHICLE IS BEEPING WARNING BEEPS FROM CLUSTER AREA, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. AIRBAG LIGHT/BEEPER KEEPS GOING OFF, JUST PAID FORD DEALER $595.20 TO REPLACE WIRING HARNESSES TO BOTH FRONT SEATS AND BOTH BODY HARNESSES FOR CODE B1869, REMOVED INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND REPLACED BAD BULB FOR AIR BAG SYSTEM, CLEAR ALL CODES AND ROAD TEST 3 MILES. I GOOGLED THIS PROBLEM WITH FORD ESCAPES, SEEMS TO BE AN OVERALL PROBLEM WITH ELECTRICAL AIRBAG WIRING. *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
Vehicle speed control, Sep 30, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED, IT IDLED AT 3,000 RPM'S AND WOULD NOT DECREASE. AS A RESULT, WHEN PLACED INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE WILL SPEED OFF. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V574000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Sep 22, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHEN THE CONTACT DECELERATED AND REACHED A SPEED OF 40 MPH OR LESS, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. IT WOULD COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WITH NO POWER STEERING OR BRAKING ABILITY. SHE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IN ORDER TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT LEAST ONCE PER DAY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPAIR THE VEHICLE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 107,000.
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
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 20, 2008
BRAKE ROTORS FAILED AT 24947 AND AT 36010. THIS ESCAPE HAS ONE ADULT DRIVER AND THE BRAKES PEDAL WAS NOT "RIDDEN". LOTS OF PREMATURE ROTOR WEAR COMPLAINTS ON THE WWW.NHTSA.GOV SITE BUT NO FORD RECALLS. ROTOR REPLACEMENT ADDS ABOUT $250 TO BILL. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 15, 2008
SECOND TIME TO REPLACE BRAKE ROTORS ON 2003 FORD ESCAPE. *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
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 11, 2008
MY 2003 FORD ESCAPE STALLS WHILE DRIVING LEAVING ME WITHOUT POWER STEERING OR BRAKES. I CONTACTED FORD AT 800-392-3673 TO ASK ABOUT A RECALL. I FOUND OUT THAT FORD HAS RECALLED 363,440 FORD ESCAPES FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT MY VIN NUMBER DID NOT CORRESPOND WITH THE 363,440 FORD ESCAPES THEY RECALLED BUT TO KEEP INTOUCH WITH MY SERVICE MANAGER AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP FOR MORE UPDATES. AT THIS TIME THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 16, 2008
DEALERSHIP FAILED TO NOTIFY ME OF CURRENT VEHICLE RECALLS REGARDING MY 2003 FORD ESCAPE LIMITED, FAILED TO IDENTIFY MECHANICAL PROBLEMS DURING SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE (OIL CHANGE) AS RECOMMENDED BY THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY, WHICH STATES ITS TECHNICIANS PERFORM A "MULTI-POINT INSPECTION" "WITH THE MOST UP-TO-DATE TRAINING" WHICH LED TO SUBSEQUENT ENGINE FAILURE (LOCKED-UP). *TR
Tires, Jun 24, 2008, crash
RIGHT REAR PASSENGER TIRE FAILED ON 2003 FORD ESCAPE. TIRES IN QUESTION ARE FIRESTONE DESTINATION LE, (DOT VN08, 0107) JUST DAYS AND ONE YEAR AFTER PURCHASE NEW. AFTER TIRE FAILURE VEHICLE ONE VEERED VIOLENTLY INTO LEFT LANE OF THE TWO LANE INTERSTATE HIGHWAY AND VEHICLE TWO COLLIDED WITH VEHICLE ONE SENDING VEHICLE ONE SKIDDING ON ITS DRIVERS SIDE BEFORE COMING TO A REST ON THE RIGHT BREAKDOWN LANE. TOTAL TIME WHEN VEHICLE ONE NOTICED A NOISE TO END OF INCIDENT WAS LESS THAN 1 MINUTE. NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, SPEED TRAVELING AT TIME OF MISHAP WAS APPROXIMATELY FOUR MPH ABOVE POSTED 70 MPH SPEED LIMIT. TEMPERATURE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90 DEGREES AMBIENT FAHRENHEIT ON A CLEAR VISIBLE DAY. TIRE IN QUESTION WERE PURCHASED AS A SET OF TWO TOTALLY FOUR JUNE 5, 2007 AND ACCIDENT OCCURRED JUNE 22, 2008. TIRE ROTATION IN OR AROUND 6000 MILES WAS PERFORMED AT PLACE OF PURCHASE. AIR PRESSURES WERE CHECKED AND IN ACCORDANCE WITH TIRE SIDEWALL SPECIFICATIONS. *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
Suspension, May 19, 2008
I HAVE A 2003 FORD ESCAPE THAT I JUST TOOK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THE REPLACED THE BUSHINGS IN THE UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS AS THEY WERE COMING OUT. I ASK THE DEALER ABOUT THE PROBLEM, AND WAS TOLD THEY HAD SEEN IT BEFORE. RARE BUT HAD SEEN IT. SEEMS TO ME IF THE BUSHINGS COME OUT OF THE CONTROL ARMS AN ACCIDENT COULD OCCUR. SEEMS TO ME TO BE A QUALITY PROBLEM THAT FORD IS IGNORING. I DID HAVE THE CAR REPAIRED AT MY EXPENSE. HOPEFULLY THIS ONLY OCCURS ONCE. IT ALL STARTED WITH A "CLUNK" NOISE IN THE FRONT END AS YOU GO OVER A DRIVE WAY. *TR
Suspension, May 8, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE GROWLING AND SQUEALING NOISES, AND THE FRONT END SHOOK. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE INITIALLY BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 15, 2008 WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT BEARING, THEN THE DRIVER'S SIDE, FOLLOWED BY THE PASSENGER SIDE A SECOND TIME, AND NOW THE DRIVER'S SIDE AGAIN. THE FIRST TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY; HOWEVER, IT IS NO LONGER COVERED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 22, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,942 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.