10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 106,399 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
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.
- San Antonio, TX, USA
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!!!
- Gettysburg, PA, USA
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.
- Little Rock, AR, USA
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.
- Little Rock, AR, USA
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
- South Hutchinson, KS, USA
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.
- Palmdale, CA, USA
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?
- Hamilton, MS, USA
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.
- Chicago, IL, USA
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.
- Jackson, MS, USA
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.
- Bladenboro, NC, USA
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
- Wellsville, OH, USA
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.
- Richmond, UT, USA
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
- Dyersville, IA, USA
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.
- Newaygo, MI, USA
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.
- Channahon, IL, USA
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.
- Ketchikan, AK, USA
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.
- Cottage Grove, MN, USA
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.
- Herndon, VA, USA
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!.
- Canton, MI, USA
- Brownsville, KY, USA