2003 Ford Escape Complaint Log

WHEN I RECENTLY HAD MY ROUTINE MAINTENANCE CHECK ON MY VEHICLE I WAS HORRIFIED WHEN MY MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THE FRONT SUB FRAME WAS RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT! CAN YOU IMAGINE MY UTTER SHOCK WHEN MY MECHANIC ADVISED ME THAT THIS VEHICLE IS PROHIBITED TO BE DRIVEN SINCE CATASTROPHIC OUTCOMES WOULD BE LIKELY? HOW VERY FORTUNATE NOTHING FATAL TOOK PLACE WHILE BEING IN THIS VEHICLE; BECAUSE BASED ON THE CONDITION OF THE SUB FRAME IT COULD HAVE BEEN MY REALITY TO SUFFER DETRIMENTAL CONSEQUENCES. MY YOUNG CHILDREN ARE IN THIS SUV EVERY SINGLE DAY AND TO THINK THEIR LIVES WERE AT RISK JUST BY BEING A PASSENGER HAS SICKENED ME BEYOND WORDS. I HAD NO OTHER CHOICE BUT TO GET IT REPAIRED ASAP, SO I INFORMED THE CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER OF FORD MOTOR COMPANY AS INSTRUCTED BY THEIR WEBSITE AND ALL THEY COULD DO WAS APOLOGIZE FOR ANY INCONVENIENCE. THIS FRIGHTENING SITUATION GOES FAR BEYOND FROM BEING AN INCONVENIENCE IT COULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR LIFE THREATENING ISSUE. I WAS NOT ASKING FORD FOR A NEW VEHICLE, I SIMPLY WAS ASKING FOR ASSISTANCE TOWARDS A MAJOR EXPENSE THAT WAS NOT CAUSED BY MY LACK OF PROTECTING MY MAJOR INVESTMENT WITH ROUTINE MAINTENANCE CHECKS BUT BY FORD HAVING DEFECTIVE SUB-FRAMES INSTALLED IN THEIR VEHICLES. MY MECHANIC HAS NEVER SEEN SUCH A STRUCTURAL DEFECT AS THIS EVER BEFORE! FORD HAS ALREADY MANUFACTURED VEHICLES THAT INVOLVED MAJOR RECALLS FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM, SO QUITE NATURALLY OTHER FORD MODELS COULD SUFFER THE SAME DANGEROUS CONSEQUENCES WITH REGARDS TO THE FRONT SUB FRAME . I BELIEVE AN INVESTIGATION ON THIS HORRIFIC ISSUE IS DEEMED A NECESSITY DUE TO THE HISTORY OF FORD'S SUB FRAMES. THIS HAS BEEN VERY DEVASTATING TO ME AND I CAN'T IMAGINE ALLOWING ANOTHER CONSUMER TO ENDURE THIS MAJOR FEAR. YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS IS APPRECIATED. *TR

THIS VEHICLE HAS A BAD MISFIRE PROBLEM,ROUGH IDLE AS WELL AS BAD HITCHING ON HIGHWAY. LOOKED IT UP ON YAHOO ANSWERS AND A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. IS THERE GOING TO BE A RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES. I'M HEARING FAULTY COMPUTERS. *TR

2003 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER STATES CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT TURN ON *TGW

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AXLE WAS FRACTURED AND THE FRAME WAS CORRODED, AND CRACKED. IN ADDITION, THE WHEEL BEARINGS AND THE BRAKES WERE DEFECTIVE. AS A RESULT, THE FRAME AND AXLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK VIOLENTLY AND EXHIBITED AN ABNORMALLY LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL BOLTS WERE SLIDING OR BREAKING OFF AND AS A RESULT, THEY WOULD NEED TO REPLACED THE ENTIRE WHEEL ASSEMBLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,045.

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT REPEATEDLY FLASHES WARNING CODE#47. LIC MECH CAN CLEAN CONNECTOR CONTACTS AND RESET COMPUTER CODE BUT IF WON'T RESET, BAG(S) MAY NOT DEPLOY. MECH ADVISES PROB IS WELL KNOWN OCCURRENCE W/ 1999-2005 FORD ESCAPES. CODES#46/47 (DRIVERS SEAT/RT FRT PASSENGER SEAT) APPEARING AS A RESULT OF ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT DEFECTIVE WIRING HARNESSES FOR AIRBAG/PRETENSIONER SEAT BELT SYSTEM. ONLY FIX IF LIGHT STAYS ON AND CAN'T BE RESET IS TO REPLACE WIRE HARNESSES; COST $550+ (MUST REMOVE SEATS, PULL UP CARPET TO GAIN ACCESS TO HARNESS AND REPLACE SAME) . NHTSA INVESTIGATED ISSUE IN 1999 (ACTION# SQ99026 NOV.'99-MAY.-2000) BUT CLOSED CASE WITH NO FURTHER ACTION. INTERNET INQUIRY INDICATES LARGE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT ABOVE AND ALSO FAILURE OF AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT IN ACCIDENTS. INTERNET INDICATES ISSUE INVOLVES MAZDA TRIBUTES ALSO AS FORD ASSOCIATED WITH MAZDA AND USES SAME HARNESS AND SYSTEM. FORD APPARENTLY HAS A REPLACEMENT HARNESS TO FIX PROBLEM BUT OWNERS MUST PAY FOR PART AND LABOR AS FORD DOESN'T ACKNOWLEDGE DEFECTIVE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. *JS

ON BOTH SIDES OF MY CAR JUST ABOVE THE TIRES THE PAINT HAS PEELED OFF AND HAS STARTED TO RUST. *TR

DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH, BACK TIRE BLEW OUT, CAR SPUN, LOST CONTROL, ROLLED X 2. CAR LANDED ON ROOF. DRIVER HAD MINER INJURIES, CUTS, BRUISES, TRANSPORTED TO HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE, RELEASED FROM E.D. IN 2 HOURS.CAR IS TOTAL LOSS. TIRES ALL WITH MINIMAL WEAR, LOTS OF TREAD, WARRATIED FOR 60,000 MILES, THIS TIRE FAILED AT 30,000 MILES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT HAD TO PLACE BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE PEDAL BEFORE STOPPING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 103,000. UPDATED 8/23/12 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FOR 60MPH TO OVER 100MPH IN 2 MILES. THE ENGINE REACHED 7000RPM. THE BRAKES AND PARKING BRAKE LOCKED. THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED BY TURNING THE IGNITION OFF. UPDATED 09/06/2012 *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAGS LIGHT ILLUMINATES AND THERE WAS A CONSTANT BEEPING SOUND IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND THERE WAS A CODE#B1869 STATING THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS AND BODY HARNESSES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS WOULD BE AN EXPENSE OF $686 TO THE CONTACT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING AT A STOP SIGN, THERE WAS AN INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS UP TO 7,000. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT SHE SHIFTED TO PARK AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTING AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT REALIZED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CAUSED BY A STUCK ACCELERATOR PEDAL SINCE THE ENGINE REMAINED REVVED UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY CARBON BUILD UP IN THE THROTTLE BODY PLATES WHICH KEPT THE PLATES OPEN AND DID NOT ALLOW IT TO CLOSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 199,000 AND THE APPROXIMATELY CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 217,000. UPDATED 8/30/12 *CN UPDATED 09/05/12

THE EXTERIOR PAINT IS PEELING OFF IN LARGE PIECES. STARTING TO RUST. *TR

PAINT OF FORD ESCAPE 2003 PEELING ON THE FRONT. THERE ARE TWO LARGE SPOTS ABOUT 1 SQUARE FOOT EACH. I HAVE CALLED FORD IN GREENVILLE, SC FEW TIMES BUT TO NO AVAIL. THIS PROBLEM STARTED ABOUT 4 YEARS AGO WITH TWO 3/8 OF AN INCH SIZE FLAKES. THE SUV HAS BEEN GARAGED AND HAS BEEN TAKEN GOOD CARE OF HOWEVER NOW THE PAINT IS FLAKING WITH SECTIONS AT A TIME. I HAVE RESEARCHED AND HAVE SEEN THE EXACT SAME MODEL WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. AT ONE POINT I HAVE ATTEMPTED TO ENTER ANOTHER FORD ESCAPE ASSUMING IT WAS MY CAR BECAUSE OF THE SIMILARITY WITH THE PAINT. THERE ARE SEVERAL DISCUSSIONS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM: HTTP://WWW.EDMUNDS.COM/FORD/ESCAPE/2003/CONSUMER-DISCUSSIONS.HTML MY CONCERN IS THAT FORD HAS FAILED TO REMEDIATE THIS ISSUE WITH ITS ACTIVE CUSTOMER BASE AND I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE NOTED AS GROSS NEGLIGENCE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE LOW SUB FRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. A LOCAL MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUB FRAME FAILED DUE TO RUST. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CONTROL UNIT MODULE WAS CORRODED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED BY THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V156000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRUALIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 89,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR THIRTY MINUTES WHEN SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE ENGINE. THE HOOD WAS THEN RAISED AND FLAMES WERE ALSO COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTED TO THE SCENE, BUT THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE HIMSELF. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FILED A REPORT WHICH WAS AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED AND THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE WAS LOCATED AT THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE CONTROL BOX. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO WOULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND REPORT THEIR FINDINGS TO THE CONTACT. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER, NOR INSURANCE COMPANY WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

ABS LIGHT ON 2003 FORD ESCAPE KEEPS COMING ON....WAS NEVER NOTIFIED BY FORD ABOUT A RECALL ON THIS...ALSO HAVE HAD TO REPLACE AN ENGINE IN IT ONLY HAD IT FOR 37,000 MILES WHEN I HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE....FORD DOES NOT NOTIFY CUSTOMERS OF POTENTIAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. *TT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE OPENING THE REAR LIFTGATE AND RETRIEVING AN ITEM FROM THE BACK SEAT, THE LIFT GATE SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE AND STRUCK THE CONTACT ON THE HEAD. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND MADE THE CONTACT AWARE OF THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V602000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH) RECALL, BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,995 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IMMEDIATELY, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY DETECTED THAT BOTH FUEL TANK STRAPS WERE CORRODED. ONE OF THE STRAPS WAS COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE FUEL TANK AND THE SECOND STRAP WAS PARTIALLY ATTACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,000. UPDATED 09/27/11 *BF UPDATED 11/07/11

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STARTED HESITATING AND SPUTTERING PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC WHO CHANGED WAS THE SPARK PLUGS AND THE COILS WERE REPLACED PRIOR TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILING. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURE RUINED THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 142,000.

MY 2003 FORD ESCAPE HAS ALL THE SYMPTOMS OF THE RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V165000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM)) BUT DOSE NOT HAVE ONE OF THE VINS THAT FALL INTO THE LIST. *TT

FIRE EMERGING FROM HYDRAULIC ANTI-LOCK CONTROL UNIT THE SUBJECT TO FORD RECALL # 07S51 AFTER RECALL WORK WAS COMPLETED, *KB

2008 FORD RECALLED MY 2003 ESCAPE FOR ABS MODULE CONNECTOR. I HAD IT REPAIRED. MY ESCAPE HAS BEGAN TO "GRAB" WHEN I APPLY BRAKES. NEW ROTORS & PADS DID NOT HELP. WHILE ONLINE TO CARCOMPLAINTS.COM, I SAW ANOTHER RECALL FOR ABS MODULE CONNECTION FOR 2003 FORD ESCAPE HAS BEEN REOPENED.(JAN 2010) BUT I WAS NOT NOTIFIED. I HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH BRAKES ON THIS VEHICLE FOR THE PAST 4 YEARS. *TR

MY CAR IS A PART OF A RECALL FOR RUST AND THE LOWER CONTROL ARM, BUT I THINK THAT SCOPE IS TOO NARROW. MY ESCAPE HAS RUSTED WHEEL WELLS AND A RUSTED GAS TANK COVER THAT I CAN SEE. I HAVE ALSO READY HAD TO REPLACE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES FOR RUST, ALONG WITH THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND ALL OF ITS PARTS, THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS, SWAY BAR LINKS AND ALL PARTS OF THE OIL PAN. ALL OF THIS IS DUE TO RUST. THIS WAS AT THE MILEAGE OF 58,465. I STILL HAVE LESS THAN 80,000 MILES BUT I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR THE 90 MILES FROM MY HOME TO THE JERSEY SHORE. *TR

TL* 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.

FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS SHOT AT 50 THOUSAND MILES AND WERE REPLACED, REAR BRAKES SHOWED VERY LITTLE WEAR, 100,000 MILES AND ROTOR AND BRAKE WEAR ARE AGAIN EXCESSIVE AND NEED REPLACEMENT SOON, REAR BRAKES STILL OK AND ARE THE ORIGINALS. THE BRAKES ON THIS VEHICLE ALWAYS HAVE SEEMED INADEQUATE, AS IF THE REAR BRAKES DO NOT SELF ADJUST THEY WERE CHECKED AND CLEANED AND DETERMINED TO BE WORKING OK. I DO PERFORM THE REVERSE AND BRAKE TECHNIQUE TO ADJUST THEM. BOTTOM LINE "THE REAR BRAKES DO NOT SELF ADJUST AND BRAKING IS WHOLLY ON THE FRONT BRAKES PREMATURELY WEARING OUT ROTORS AND PADS!" *TR

I PARKED MY CAR IN MY GARAGE (AS I ALWAYS DO, MY CAR IS GARAGE KEPT)AFTER RETURNING HOME FROM A SPORTING EVENT AT A LOCAL ARENA. I WAS IN MY HOME FOR APPROXIMATELY 10-15 MINUTES, MY DOG STARTED ACTING FUNNY, THEN THE SMOKE ALARM WENT OFF IN THE HOUSE. I WENT TO CHECK IT, SAW SMOKE COMING IN MY KITCHEN FROM THE TOP OF THE DOOR TO THE GARAGE. MY HUSBAND OPENED THE DOOR TO FIND FIRE COMING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER'S SIDE FENDER OF MY 2003 FORD ESCAPE XLT. HE GRABBED THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER LOCATED JUST OUTSIDE THE KITCHEN IN THE GARAGE AND PROCEEDED TO ATTEMPT TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER DID NOTHING TO HELP PUT OUT THE FIRE AND IT JUST STARTED TO GET BIGGER. I CALLED 911 AND WAS ADVISED TO EXIT THE HOME. WE WENT OUTSIDE GRABBED GARDEN HOSES TO CONTINUE TO PUT OUT OR CONTAIN THE FIRE BUT IT KEPT GROWING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND ATTEMPTED TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. MY ENTIRE GARAGE WENT UP IN FLAMES AND WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED, MY KITCHEN IS COMPLETELY BURNED AS WELL. MY ENTIRE HOUSE IS COMPLETELY DESTROYED FROM HEAT AND SMOKE DAMAGE. THE HOUSE AND ALL IT'S CONTENTS ARE CONSIDERED UNUSABLE AND WE HAVE LOST EVERYTHING. THE FIRE INVESTIGATOR CONFIRMED THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE WAS THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, BUT GAVE NO INDICATION AS TO WHAT EXACT PART. *TR

WE HAVE A 2003 FORD ESCAPE THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS CAME ON AND WENT OFF SPORADICALLY IN THE PAST 3 YEARS BUT WENT OUT. THIS TIME IT HAS STAYED ON SO WE TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALER AND THEY SAID THE SEAT BELT WIRING HARNESS ON BOTH THE FRONT SEATS WAS BAD AND IF THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT THE AIR BAG MIGHT NOT DEPLOY THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN WATER SO THERE IS NO REASON FOR THE WIRES TO BE BAD OTHER THEN THEY WHERE INADEQUATE TO BEGIN WITH. THEY SAID TO FIX IT THEY WOULD HAVE TO TAKE OUT THE SEATS PULL THE CARPET BACK AND REPLACE THE HARNESSES. *TR

SUDDEN FAILURE OF ABS SYSTEM. ABS LIGHT NOT OPERATING ON DASHBOARD INDICATOR PANEL.

I HAVE A FORD 2003 ESCAPE 6 CYL. BOUGHT IN MAY OF 2004 NEW - 76 MILES ON IT TEST DRIVEN FROM A DEALER IN SCHULENBURG, TX - THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON - THE PCM COMPUTER WENT OUT AND BLEW A SPARK PLUG ON 1/16/2011 - I HAD TO REPLACE THE PCM (WHICH I WAS TOLD SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ON THE 2003 FORD ESCAPE) SINCE THIS SHOULD NEVER GO OUT ON THE CAR. THE MILEAGE WAS ONLY 43,625 ON 1/16/2011 WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I HAVE THE CAR FOR 7-8 YRS. NOW. I HAD TO REPLACE THE PCM WITH A REMANUFACTURED (SINCE IT WOULD COST WAY MORE FOR A NEW ONE) PCM - ELECTRONIC IGNITION COSTING ME JUST OVER $2,100. AGAIN, THIS PART WAS INTENDED TO NEVER GO OUT FOR THE LIFE OF THE CAR, PERIOD. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ON FORD MOTOR COMPANIES PART - AND I WAS TOLD TO COMPLAIN AND RECORD THIS TO NHTSA AS OTHERS HAVE, AND IF ENOUGH DO, THEY WOULD HAVE TO RECALL. I AM NOT SURE IF I AM IN THE RIGHT PLACE TO PLACE THIS COMPLAINT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH THE BRAKES FAILED. THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR WITHOUT STOPPING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A SNOW BANK. THERE WAS NO DAMAGED TO THE CONTACT OR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHO REPAIRED THE BRAKE HOSES AT THE CONTACTS EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 114,120.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUTTERED AND COMPLETELY STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.

2003 FORD ESCAPE RECALL - #07V156000 RECALL FOR SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC : ANTILOCK : CONTROL UNIT/MODULE I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE AUGUST 2005. APPARENTLY IN 2007 THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS BRAKE ISSUE. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED, NOR DID ANY DEALER ATTEND TO THIS ISSUE DURING A ROUTINE SERVICE. I CONTACTED FORD SEPTEMBER 2010 WHEN MY ANTI LOCK LIGHT STARTED TO APPEAR ON MY DASH. FORD DID NOT LIST ME AS THE OWNER EVEN THOUGH I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE THROUGH A REPUTABLE DEALER AND HAD MY INFO STORED ON THEIR OWNERS WEB PAGE, AND HAVE ALL BILL OF SALES INFO ON FILE. WHILE TALKING TO THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE PERSON IT WAS CLEAR THAT HE WAS EDITING THE RECORD TO SOMEHOW SHOW THAT I EITHER KNEW ABOUT THE RECALL OR THAT SOME DEALER INSPECTED THIS ISSUE AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. WHEN I ASKED TO TALK TO A MANAGER, I WAS PUT ON HOLD FOR OVER 30 MINUTES AND FINALLY HUNG UP. I THEN SENT AN EMAIL COMPLAINING. FORD WROTE BACK THEY WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT THIS AS THE CAMPAIGN IS OVER. I NOW HAVE A VERY SERIOUS ANTI LOCK BRAKE ISSUE. THE ANTI LOCK MECHANISM HAS NOW FAILED. I WISH THE NHTSA TO HELP ME GET FORD TO FIX THIS ISSUE SINCE I OWNED THE VEHICLE SINCE 2005, THE RECALL WAS IN 2007, FORD NEVER TRIED TO CONTACT ME ON THIS RECALL, AND NO FORD DEALER EVER INSPECTED MY VEHICLE FOR THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON AN EXPRESSWAY, MY CAR SUDDENLY WOULD NOT ENGAGE AND I HAD TO COAST OFF THE EXIT RAMP, GETTING STUCK AT THE TOP OF THE RAMP. THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR, AND I HAD TO BE PUSHED OFF THE RAMP AND INTO A PARKING LOT. THIS WAS AT 5PM ON A WEEKDAY, AND HAD SOMEONE NOT COME TO HELP ME PUSH THE CAR OUT OF THE WAY, IT COULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR ACCIDENT. *TR

I TOOK OFF ON A 4 LANE HIGHWAY ONE MORNING AND DEPRESSED THE GAS PEDAL MOSTLY AS I WAS MERGING IN TRAFFIC. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO LET OFF THE PEDAL, THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE. THIS WAS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO THIS CAR. CURRENTLY THERE HAVE BEEN TWO RECALLS REGARDING A RANDOM ACCELERATION PROBLEM. THE FIRST WAS REPAIRED WHEN IT HAPPENED DUE TO AN ACCELERATOR CABLE PROBLEM. THIS TIME, I QUICKLY SHIFTED TO NEUTRAL AND PULLED OVER...COINCIDENTALLY NEXT TO A STATE POLICE OFFICER. HE ASSISTED ME IN RELEASING THE THROTTLE BODY ON THIS CAR AS IT WAS CLEARLY STUCK. THE DATE I PROVIDED IS NOT AN EXACT DATE, HOWEVER, I CALLED FORD THE DAY IT HAPPENED AND THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE THE ORIGINAL RECALL WAS SAID TO BE FIXED. I LEFT THE ENGINE COVER OFF UP UNTIL TODAY, WHICH IS BECAUSE IT'S BEING FIXED DUE TO THE CURRENT RECALL. THIS BRINGS ME TO MY CURRENT ISSUE. I HAVE CALLED FORD ONCE MORE SINCE THE INCIDENT ASKING THEM IF THEY FOUND THE SOLUTION AND IF THEY WOULD REPAIR MY CRUISE CONTROL CABLE, AS IT WAS DAMAGED (WHICH ALSO IS THE DESCRIPTION OF THE RECALL). THEY SAY IT'S A PRE-EXISTING CONDITION WHICH IS VERY UNTRUE BECAUSE I HAVE CALLED TWICE ABOUT THIS ISSUE, LONG BEFORE THE RECALL. I VERIFIED THAT THEY DO SHOW RECORD THAT I CALLED. I WANT THEM TO PAY FOR THIS $35 CRUISE CABLE BECAUSE IT'S THEIR FAULT IT BROKE, DUE FROM A SAFETY ISSUE, AND I CALLED ABOUT IT LONG BEFORE THIS RECALL WHICH SHOULD PROVE I HAVE A LEGITIMATE COMPLAINT. FORTUNATELY FOR FORD AND MYSELF, I WAS INTELLIGENT ENOUGH TO KNOW HOW TO STOP THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO AN ACCIDENT. *TR

WE HAVE A 2003 FORD ESCAPE LIMITED. THE PAINT HAS STARTED PEELING OFF AROUND THE HATCH AT THE BACK. IT'S JUST BUBBLING UP FOR NO APPARENT REASON. WE HAVE NEVER ABUSED THE CAR AND IT STILL HAS LESS THAN 70,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE AT A RELATIVELY LOW SPEED ONTO AN ENTRANCE RAMP, THE BRAKES WOULD NOT ENGAGE. THE ABS LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY FOR REPAIRS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO LOCATE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V156000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: ANTI-LOCK: CONTROL UNIT/MODULE) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 150,000. UPDATED 11/03/10. *LJ UPDATED 12/14/2011 *CN UPDATED 03/09/11 *JB

PAINT DEFECTIVE ON 2003 FORD ESCAPE WITH GOLD ASH PAINT. PEELING AROUND BACK WINDOW AND 3 LARGE PATCHES, OVER 6" IN DIAMETER, ON ROOF. *TR

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, I LIFTED MY FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AS I APPROACHED A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT AT AN INTERSECTION. THE PEDAL STUCK AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO TRAVEL AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH. THE VEHICLE TRAVELED PARTIALLY THROUGH THE INTERSECTION, BEFORE I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE BY BRAKING. FORTUNATELY, NO OTHER VEHICLES WERE TRAVELING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION AND I ESCAPED BEING INVOLVED IN A SERIOUS TRAFFIC ACCIDENT. THIS VEHICLE'S ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAS SINCE STUCK ON OTHER OCCASIONS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED APPROXIMATELY SEVEN DIFFERENT TIMES INTERMITTENTLY. THE MECHANIC STATED ALSO THAT THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V165000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM)). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

2003 FORD ESCAPE VEHICLE WAS DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE UNCONTROLLABLY. THE DRIVER ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD NOT RESPOND TO BEING PUSHED/PULLED WHILE THE ENGINE REVVED. BRAKE WAS FULLY DEPRESSED AND VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE THROUGH BRAKING. VEHICLE TRANSMISSION WAS DISENGAGED TO NEUTRAL, ENGINE REVVED TO 5500 RPM. VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO A SHOULDER AND SHUT DOWN. VEHICLE CONTINUES TO REV TO 5500 RPM AS SOON AS IT IS STARTED WITHOUT RESPONSE FROM ACCELERATOR. ACCELERATOR WAS NOT CAUGHT/STUCK TO ANYTHING JUST NON-RESPONSIVE. VEHICLE BEHAVIOR CAUSED A NEAR ACCIDENT SITUATION - FAILURE TO DISENGAGE TRANSMISSION BY ANOTHER 10 SECONDS WOULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS COLLISION. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TOWED & REMAINS IN A REPAIR SHOP. VEHICLE CONTINUES TO EXHIBIT BEHAVIOR AND MECHANIC HAS DETERMINED THIS IS DUE TO A STUCK THROTTLE CABLE. FORD DEALER WAS CONTACTED & SERVICE MECHANIC NOTED HE HAS SEEN THIS ISSUE BEFORE BUT A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED. DEALER HAS REFUSED TO HONOR ANY TYPE OF WARRANTY/COVERAGE OF REPAIRS. RESEARCH OF FORD WEBSITE & NHTSA INDICATES NO OPEN/PREVIOUS RECALLS REGARDING ISSUE. THIRD-PARTY SITE CITES RECALL OF THROTTLE ISSUE AS RECALL ID 57885 W/ FORD CONTACT #, HOWEVER. *TR

SENSOR RINGS BROKEN ON A FORD ESCAPE 2003, BRAKES LOCK UP CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

ON 4/25/2010 I HAD A PERSON RUN AN INTERSECTION CAUSING ME TO HIT THEM. MY AIR BAGS DID NOT GO OFF LIKE THEY SHOULD HAVE. MY FRONT BUMPER AND GRILL WERE PUSHED ALL THE WAY TO THE ENGINE CAUSING ENGINE DAMAGE AS WELL. I HAVE HEARD OF OTHERS DOING THE SAME THING. I DROVE A 2003 FORD ESCAPE XLT. IT WAS TOTALED IN THE CRASH. I WAS WEARING MY SEAT BELT WHICH WAS THE ONLY THING THAT KEEP ME SAFE. I STILL GOT HURT WITH A HURT NECK AND BACK. *TR

I OWNED A 2003 ESCAPE AND HAD A HEAD ON ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE AIR BAGS DID NOT GO OFF. NOT SURE WHY THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ONE THE AIR BAGS WITH SO MANY PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. AIR BAG LIGHT NEVER CAME ON OR GAVE ME ANY PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR LIFT GATE WOULD NOT OPEN. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL 04V602000, LATCHES, LOCKS LINKAGES, DOORS LATCH. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 130,000.

THE PAINT IS PEELING AROUND THE WHEEL WELLS AND HAS STARTED TO RUST; CAUSING POSSIBLE INSTABILITY TO THE BODY OF THE CAR. I DID SOME RESEARCH ONLINE AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM IN 2003 FORD ESCAPES. CAN SOMETHING BE DONE? THERE WERE SOME CLAIMS THAT FORD IMPROPERLY PREPARED THE ESCAPE FOR PAINTING. PLEASE ADVISE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED UPON STARING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS AN ABNORMALLY INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS. HE PROCEEDED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED WITHOUT DRIVER INTENT TO SPEEDS OF UP TO 45 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED HE HAD TO USE EXTREME FORCE ON THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT HE NO LONGER DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT COULD BE INSPECTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY REPLACED THE IAC VALVE IN AN ATTEMPT TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE SINCE THE DATE OF REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 96,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 97,000.

THE TRANSMISSION ON MY 2003 FORD ESCAPE HAS FAILED TWICE. TALKING WITH MY TRANSMISSION GUY I AM CONVINCED THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS NOT HEAVY DUTY ENOUGH TO HANDLE THIS USAGE. *TR

I HAVE BEEN HAVING MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH MY HITCH NOT WANTING TO OPEN I HAVE TO LOCK AND UNLOCK MULTIPLE TIMES OR TURN CAR ON GO IN REVERSE THEN FORWARD AND PUT IN PARK SHUT CAR OFF SOME TIMES MULTIPLE TIMES BEFORE IT WILL ALLOW ME TO OPEN IT. LAST FALL (2014) MY HINGE THAT HOLDS MY WINDOW ON FELL OUT. AND AROUND THE SAME TIME I STARTED HAVING ISSUES WITH MY BACK DRIVERSIDE DOOR NOT OPENING DUE TO THE LOCK GETTING STUCK IT IS NOW COMPLETELY UNUSABLE UNTIL I FIND SOME ONE TO FIX IT I HAVE SEEN ON MANY SITES THIS ISSUE WITH RECALL CODE 04V6020000 DATE OF ANNOUNCEMENT 12/23/2004 RECALL BEGIN DATE 3/31/2005 BUT WHEN I CALLED FORD THEY TOLD ME MY CAR WAS NOT ON THE LIST BUT HERE IS THE SAME ISSUE?!?!? *TR

MY FORD ESCAPE IS RUSTING ABOVE THE BACK WHEELS I ALSO NOTICED THE SAME RUST ON SIMILAR MODELS AND YEARS OF THE ESCAPE IS THERE A RECALL THERE SHOULD BE. *TR