2003 Ford Escape: problems, recalls and reliability
9 recalls and 558 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is structure (18% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Sep 2015
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 558 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2025
“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 be replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.”Owner report · Service Brakes, Air · Jun 2023
“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?”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2021
Show 7 more owner reports
“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 fixed correctly.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · May 2021
“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 sensors 02/09/2021 any ideas why it is doing this?”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2021
“While replacing the control arms on my 2003 ford escape xlt 4x4 I noticed on the passenger side there was alot of corrosion so much so the control arm is barely hanging on there is a flat bar running from drivers side to passenger side which has been rendered useless because the bolt that is used to hold it in place has nothing to bolt to this was supposed to fix the issue with corrosion well it hasn't its now gonna cost me god knows how much to fix I would like to know if this issue is still covered under, the recall”Owner report · Suspension · Jan 2021
“Recall #14s02 (NHTSA campaign # 14v165000) covered replacement of lower control arm & ballpoint for every nearby state, but not virginia. Both lower control arms on my vehicle are corroded and in need of replacement, but there is no open recall for my VIN because 14s02 did not include virginia. Driving vehicle with corroded control arms is deemed dangerous, but costs of replacing approach vehicle value.”Owner report · Suspension · Dec 2020
“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 .”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2020
“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!!!”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2020
“Tl* 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.”Owner report · Power Train · Jul 2020
When filing, owners marked a crash in 43 of these complaints and injuries in 31 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 9 campaigns
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 could disengage from the transmission without warning.
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. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.
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 AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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 FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 206, 'DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS.' THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCHING SYSTEM DOES NOT MEET THE INERTIA LOAD REQUIREMENT IN ONE DIRECTION.
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 1-800-392-3673.
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.
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 attachment of the lower control arm.
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.
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 CONNECTOR, CREATING A POTENTIAL FOR AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.
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 CONNECTOR ON THE ABS MODULE AND REPLACE IT IF IT IS FOUND TO BE CORRODED OR DAMAGED. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
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 AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
How other years compare
Check your exact Escape by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2003 Ford Escape reliable?
NHTSA has 558 owner complaints and 9 recall campaigns on record for the 2003 Ford Escape. The most complained-about area is structure (18% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2003 Ford Escape problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 90,423 miles or less.
Does the 2003 Ford Escape have open recalls?
9 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:floor shift. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.