2003 Ford ESCAPE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
558 owner complaints analyzed
7 distinct recall campaigns
90,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2003 model year. Data snapshot: . 432 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Suspension is the most frequently named component, appearing in 79 of 558 complaints (14.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 118 | 21.1% |
| Steering behavior | 57 | 10.2% |
| Engine operation | 55 | 9.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 44 | 7.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 25 | 4.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 6 | 1.1% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Suspension | 79 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 65 |
| Structure:Body | 50 |
| Steering | 42 |
| Air Bags | 38 |
| Electrical System | 29 |
| Structure | 29 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 25 |
Suspension: 79; Vehicle Speed Control: 65; Structure:Body: 50; Steering: 42; Air Bags: 38; Electrical System: 29; Structure: 29; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 25
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 65 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 54 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 59 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 61 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 122 |
| 150,000 and above | 71 |
Under 25,000: 65; 25,000 to 49,999: 54; 50,000 to 74,999: 59; 75,000 to 99,999: 61; 100,000 to 149,999: 122; 150,000 and above: 71
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (122). 126 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 53 |
| 2004 | 37 |
| 2005 | 31 |
| 2006 | 24 |
| 2007 | 31 |
| 2008 | 23 |
| 2009 | 31 |
| 2010 | 29 |
| 2011 | 23 |
| 2012 | 38 |
| 2013 | 27 |
| 2014 | 59 |
| 2015 | 35 |
| 2016 | 27 |
| 2017 | 33 |
| 2018 | 11 |
| 2019 | 22 |
| 2020 | 13 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2003: 53; 2004: 37; 2005: 31; 2006: 24; 2007: 31; 2008: 23; 2009: 31; 2010: 29; 2011: 23; 2012: 38; 2013: 27; 2014: 59; 2015: 35; 2016: 27; 2017: 33; 2018: 11; 2019: 22; 2020: 13; 2021: 6; 2022: 1; 2023: 1; 2024: 2; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Suspension leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 118 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 57 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 55 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10006902 · 2003-02-10 (February 10, 2003)
THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DESIGNED TO CLOSE TOGETHER, WHICH CAUSED CONSUMER TO PRESS THE ACCELERATOR WHEN THE BRAKE WAS BEING APPLIED.*JB *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006902 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10015965 · 2003-04-16 (April 16, 2003)
WHEN THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THIS PROBLEM IN MARCH 2003. THE THROTTLE SENSOR WAS REPLACED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10015965 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10019373 · 2003-05-07 (May 7, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND CAUSED LOSS OF POWER STEERING. *NLM *SCC
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10019373 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10026946 · 2003-08-01 (August 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
Owner-reported narrative. 3,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10026946 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10013542 · 2003-03-27 (March 27, 2003)
I'VE HAD MY NEW SUV FOR 4 DAYS (270 MILES) - IT STALLED WHILE SITTING IN TRAFFIC. LOST ALL POWER. MANAGED TO GET IT OVER IN A EMPTY TURNING LANE, TURNED EVERYTHING OFF, PUT IT BACK IN PARK AND IT STARTED RIGHT UP. LUCKILY I WAS ONLY 2 MILES FROM THE DEALERSHIP. BEFORE PURCHASING, SALESMAN ASSURED ME THAT THE "STALLING" PROBLEM THAT OCCURRED ON EARLIER MODELS WAS CORRECTED WITH THE 2003 MODEL. APPARENTLY NOT. I DRIVE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC TO AND FROM WORK - THIS HAPPENED GOING TO WORK, BEEN IN VEHICLE ABOUT 30 MINUTES. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 268 miles reported. Look up ODI 10013542 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010750 · 2003-03-19 (March 19, 2003)
I PURCHASED A 2003 FORD ESCAPE A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO. I DROVE IT 8 DAYS AND 650 MILES WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND HAS BEEN THERE FOR 6 DAYS. I AM REQUESTING FROM FORD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE WHICH THEY ARE UNWILLING TO PROVIDE. THEY ARE FIXING THE DIRECT CLUTCH WHICH FAILED. I DO NOT THINK AN EXTENDED WARRANTY IS UNREASONABLE. I KNOW GM WOULD PROVIDE ONE SHOULD THE SITUATION BE THE SAME. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. 650 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010750 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10061254 · 2004-03-03 (March 3, 2004)
TRANSMISSION SLIPPED INTO NEUTRAL AND 2ND GEAR ON ITS OWN. *PH THE GEAR INDICATOR STATED THE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN DRIVE, WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE PARKED THE VEHICLE AND THEN RETURNED, HE NOTICED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN THE SAME PLACE WHERE HE HAD LEFT IT. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10061254 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10031162 · 2003-08-09 (August 9, 2003)
IN MARCH 2003 VEHICLE BEGAN TO HESITATE AND ACCELERATE, MAINTAIN SPEEDS WHILE FOOT OFF THE GAS (ONCE AT 65 MPH), & SHAKE LIKE IT WANTED TO STALL. A COUPLE TIMES IT EVEN SPED UP WHILE I WAS BRAKING AT RED LIGHTS. ON 4-10-03 SERVICE DEPARTMENT COULD NOT DUPLICATE SYMPTOMS SINCE THEY ARE PARTICULARLY EXAGGERATED AFTER PARKED FOR AN HOUR OR SO. STATED THAT I COULD LEAVE IT OVERNIGHT (NO ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION OFFERED) OR WAIT UNTIL ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. SINCE THE CAR DID NOT FEEL SAFE, I BROUGHT IT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP WHICH OFFERED ALTERN…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10031162 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10038407 · 2003-09-08 (September 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
Owner-reported narrative. 33,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10038407 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10417977 · 2011-08-08 (August 8, 2011)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IMMEDIATELY, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY DETECTED THAT BOTH FUEL TANK STRAPS WERE CORRODED. ONE OF THE STRAPS WAS COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE FUEL TANK AND THE SECOND STRAP WAS PARTIALLY ATTACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000. UPDATED 09/27/11 *BF UPDATED 11/07/11
Owner-reported narrative. 49,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10417977 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10582936 · 2014-04-15 (April 15, 2014)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY WHERE THE CONTACT FUEL TANK STRAPS WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO STATED THAT BOTH FUEL TANK STRAPS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,489.
Owner-reported narrative. 100,489 miles reported. Look up ODI 10582936 at NHTSA ↗