2003 Ford Escape problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Suspension (71) · Vehicle Speed Control (64) · Structure:body (31)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Ford Escape model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
431 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (4)
Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift 2015-09-29 · campaign 15V606000 · 57 vehicles
Defect: 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
Risk: 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 v
Fix: 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.
Suspension:front:wheel Bearing 2015-06-03 · campaign 15E045000 · 576 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Structure:frame And Members 2014-04-02 · campaign 14V165000 · 348,950 vehicles
Defect: 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 at
Risk: A separation of the lower control arm can result in a significant loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Vehicle Speed Control:cables 2012-07-26 · campaign 12V353000 · 529,719 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (72)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Suspension 2016-04-21 · TSB160071 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
safety recall 14s02 - corrosion at forward attachment of lower control arm - requests for recall service action
Suspension 2016-04-21 · 16-0071 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
2001-2004 escape vehicles safety recall 14s02 has been issued for vehicles that are operated in high corrosion areas for an extended period, where a corrosion-related separation of the forward attachment of the lower control arm (lca) from the subframe may occur. separation of the lca from the subfr
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm 2014-08-11 · TSB-14-0143 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
ford: the lower control arm (lca) forward attachment will separate from subframe, causing diminishing directional control, due to operating in high corrosion areas for extended period of time. model 2001-2004 escape. *pe
Electrical System 2006-01-01 · 0693 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
pcm failure - electrical accessories intermittent - inoperative. *tt
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine 2006-01-01 · 04208 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
camshaft tick noise - 3.0l 4v engine only. *tt
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:belts And Associated Pulleys 2006-01-01 · 19016 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
replace timing belt idler pulley during 2.0l zetec engine cylinder head replacement - service tip. *tt
Showing the 6 most recent of 72 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2025-04-19 · Engine“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…”
2024-09-04 · Electrical System · 💥 crash“never received a recall letter or notice …”
2024-01-08 · Structure · 122,000 mi“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. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the front passenger’s side control arm had slightly detached. the dealer info…”
2023-06-29 · Service Brakes, Air:antilock:control Unit/Module · 130,000 mi“the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. the contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, and while driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle was smoking. there were no warning lights illuminated. the owner disconnected the battery. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the owner that the abs module and wiring harness needed to b…”
2022-03-11 · Suspension“driver had uneasy feeling with stability of vehicle as if it was swaying. he got it looked at and was told he probably needed lower control arm and links to take care of the problem. after ordering parts, the vehicle, while driving to work, a loud popping sound was heard and then the vehicle dropped down and had to be towed home (thank god this did…”
2021-12-30 · Air Bags · 💥 crash“i had a rear end at fault collision that totaled my 2003 ford escape on dec.19, 2021....not one air bag deflated (yes i was at fault) because i was the one whom ran into the back of a jeep.....i'm having neck pain and spasms from whiplash, just curious whu not 1 airbg in the whole car deflated? …”
2021-07-09 · Unknown Or Other · 🔥 fire“the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. the contact's nephew stated while driving approximately 35 mph, there was smoke coming from under the hood. the contact pulled over and fire started coming from under the hood. the fire department was called out however, the fire was extinguished before they arrived. a fire report was filed. the vehicle was towe…”
2021-07-07 · Vehicle Speed Control“i was recently driving on the interstate and the gas pedal got stuck so the car started speeding up very fast and the brakes and emergency brake would not make it slow down. after this i found out there was a recall about this problem and it says the previous owner of the vehicle fixed it but it’s happened while i owned it so i don’t think it was f…”
2021-02-28 · Vehicle Speed Control · 150,000 mi“driving down the interstate coming from georgia, it would downshift suddenly without warning. i have not been able to drive it in about 4 months.i thought i had everything repaired, then my truck stopped pulling in drive at a red light. my safety neutral switch is brand new and the position sensor. 10/12/2020 when problem arose after replacing sens…”
2021-02-02 · Power Train · 194,000 mi“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 .…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.