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
- 558
- Recalls
- 9
- Investigations
- 8
- Top problem
- Structure
Campaigns on file for 2003
Opened by NHTSA
22% of complaints
Complaints per year
2003: 558 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 5 |
| 2001 | 996 |
| 2002 | 1,027 |
| 2003 | 558 |
| 2004 | 499 |
| 2005 | 1,394 |
| 2006 | 464 |
| 2007 | 254 |
| 2008 | 1,974 |
| 2009 | 1,692 |
| 2010 | 2,070 |
| 2011 | 1,316 |
| 2012 | 602 |
| 2013 | 2,748 |
| 2014 | 2,086 |
| 2015 | 1,083 |
| 2016 | 1,116 |
| 2017 | 2,688 |
| 2018 | 1,806 |
| 2019 | 590 |
| 2020 | 1,600 |
| 2021 | 346 |
| 2022 | 233 |
| 2023 | 99 |
| 2024 | 76 |
| 2025 | 25 |
| 2026 | 3 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Structure
22% · 123 reportsMost commonly citing body and frame and members.
Show complaint excerpts
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the front wheel would extend outward while turning the vehicle, braking, or during acceleration, causing the vehicle to slightly veer to the right.
NHTSA ODI report, 2024-01-08
Suspension
16% · 92 reportsMost commonly citing lower arm and control arm.
Vehicle speed control
16% · 91 reportsMost commonly citing cables and accelerator pedal.
Show 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, 2012-08-06
While at a stop with foot on brake vehicle began to accelerate on its own. Consumer lost control and hit a building.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-09-24
Service brakes
11% · 64 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic and air.
Air bags
11% · 62 reportsMost commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.
Show 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, 2017-12-29
While driving between 35 to 40 MPH vehicle was involved in a frontal collision. Upon impact, air bags failed to deploy. Driver wore a seat belt.
NHTSA ODI report, 2004-02-23
While driving about 55 MPH another vehicle jump in front of the consumers vehicle. The consumers vehicle veered off the road onto the shoulder, hit an embankment and flipped three times. The driver side air bag didn't deploy.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-06-27
Safety timeline
9 recalls · 8 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
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2004-04-21Power train04V165000 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…
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I
2004-06-24RPClosed 2004-08-31 Engine stalling
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2005-01-10Vehicle speed control04V574000 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.
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2005-03-31Latches/locks/linkages04V602000 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…
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…
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2006-10-30Preliminary evaluationClosed 2007-04-17 Engine compartment fire
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2007-04-02Service brakes, hydraulic07E023000 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…
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.
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2007-04-23Service brakes, hydraulic07V156000 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…
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…
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2009-04-14Defect petitionClosed 2009-04-15 Engine compartment fire
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2009-04-15Recall queryClosed 2010-01-15 Engine compartment fire
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2010-01-14Engineering analysisClosed 2012-02-29 Engine Compartment Fire
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2010-11-18Audit queryClosed 2015-12-28 Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit
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2012-07-17Defect petitionClosed 2012-07-17 Cruise Control Cable
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2012-07-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 2013-02-21 Stuck Throttle
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2012-08-03Engine and engine cooling, vehicle speed control12V353000 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.…
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…
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2014-05-30Structure14V165000 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.
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2015-05-20Suspension15E045000 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.
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2015-10-23Power train15V606000 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.
Buy-smart checklist
2003 Ford Escape — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Structure: 123 reports on file for this year.
- Suspension: 92 reports on file for this year.
- Vehicle speed control: 91 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 04V165000 · Power train
- Recall 04V574000 · Vehicle speed control
- Recall 04V602000 · Latches/locks/linkages
- Recall 07E023000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
- Recall 07V156000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
- Recall 12V353000 · Engine and engine cooling, vehicle speed control
- Recall 14V165000 · Structure
- Recall 15E045000 · Suspension
- Recall 15V606000 · Power train
Other years of this model
See all years ranked →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 structure, accounting for 22% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2003 Ford Escape have?
- 9 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.