2003 Ford Escape
This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 5 |
| 2001 | 996 |
| 2002 | 1027 |
| 2003 | 558 |
| 2004 | 499 |
| 2005 | 1394 |
| 2006 | 464 |
| 2007 | 254 |
| 2008 | 1972 |
| 2009 | 1691 |
| 2010 | 2067 |
| 2011 | 1312 |
| 2012 | 598 |
| 2013 | 2739 |
| 2014 | 2067 |
| 2015 | 1027 |
| 2016 | 1028 |
| 2017 | 2620 |
| 2018 | 1724 |
| 2019 | 557 |
| 2020 | 1546 |
| 2021 | 323 |
| 2022 | 219 |
| 2023 | 94 |
| 2024 | 74 |
| 2025 | 20 |
| 2026 | 3 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
14% of complaints: suspension — 79 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY12% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 65 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AS IF THE CRUISE CONTROL WAS ENGAGED. THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A FENCE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20120806
WHILE AT A STOP WITH FOOT ON BRAKE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL AND HIT A BUILDING. *AK
NHTSA ODI report, 20030924
9% of complaints: structure — 50 distinct reports on file.
FIRE8% of complaints: steering — 42 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY7% of complaints: air bags — 38 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE SLID ON ICE, CROSSED OVER TWO LANES, AND CRASHED INTO A CEMENT WALL HEAD ON THE AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY.
NHTSA ODI report, 20171229
I was doordashing as it's my job and all of sudden my car starts not idling won't stay off od off switch that switch stayed consistently flickered either the engine or transmission is slipping or misfiring
NHTSA ODI report, 20250419
SAFETY TIMELINE
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L V6 ENGINES, DURING DECELERATION, THE ENGINE CAN STALL.
Remedy: 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 AGREE
Campaign 04V165000 — check if this car was fixed
ENGINE STALLING
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES BUILT WITH 3.0L V6 ENGINES, THE ACCELERATOR CABLE MAY PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CABLE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 10, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
Campaign 04V574000 — check if this car was fixed
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 FED
Remedy: 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 1-800-3
Campaign 04V602000 — check if this car was fixed
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
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
Remedy: 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 — check if this car was fixed
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
Remedy: 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 CON
Campaign 07V156000 — check if this car was fixed
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE
Engine Compartment Fire
Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit
Cruise Control Cable
Stuck Throttle
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. Inad
Remedy: 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 availa
Campaign 12V353000 — check if this car was fixed
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,...
Remedy: 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 — check if this car was fixed
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...
Remedy: 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 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 15V606000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2003 Ford Escape — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for suspension issues (79 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (65 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for structure issues (50 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 04V165000 (power train) has been completed.
- Verify recall 04V574000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
- Verify recall 04V602000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07E023000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07V156000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 12V353000 (engine and engine cooling, vehicle speed control) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14V165000 (structure) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15E045000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V606000 (power train) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2003 Ford Escape reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Ford Escape is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Ford Escape?
The most-reported component is suspension, accounting for 14% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 Ford Escape have?
9 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.