2003 Ford Escape Complaint Log

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THREE MONTHS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A BLOCK OF PAINT CHIPPING OFF OF THE HOOD. WEEKS LATER, THE CONDITION BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE PAINT BEGAN BUBBLING AND CHIPPING EXCESSIVELY. WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTS TO WASH THE VEHICLE THE PAINT WILL COME OFF. SHE IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 74,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE IS 100,000. UPDATE 06/10/08 *BF UPDATED 06/10/08

MY 2003 FORD ESCAPE STALLS WHEN PLACED IN TO GEAR AND SOMETIMES WHEN STOPPING. *NM

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CAR STALLS WHEN THE CAR IS PUT INTO GEAR OR WHEN HE COMES TO A STOP. THE CONTACT HAS TAKEN THE CAR TO SUPERIOR FORD SIX TIMES AND THEY HAVE REPLACED: THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR, VAPOR MANAGEMENT VALE, MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, VALVE-AIR BYPASS, PURGE REGULATION VALVE, BODY ASSIST AIR CHARGE, AND ECC PROCESSOR WAS RECALIBRATED. THE CONTACT SAID THAT THE CAR STILL CONTINUES TO STALL AFTER ALL THESES PARTS HAVE BEEN CHANGED. THE CONTACT SAID THAT HE HAS ALSO SENT CERTIFIED LETTERS TO FORD ABOUT THE PROBLEM. CONTACT CAN PROVIDE ALL OF THE REPAIR ORDERS.

THE PAINT IS COMING OFF THE ROOF OF THE CAR NEAR THE FRONT WIND SHIELD AREA AND ALSO ON THE HATCHBACK DOOR. *CN

WE RECENTLY HIT A DEER GOING IN BETWEEN 45 50 MILES PER HOUR. AND THE AIR BAGS NEVER WENT OFF. I WAS WONDERING WHY THEY DIDN'T THERE IS SEVERAL THOUSANDS DOLLARS IN DAMAGE. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS AT NIGHT, THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER PANEL LIGHTS FAILED TO ILLUMINATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE INNER DASH PANEL LIGHT THAT ILLUMINATED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL HAD SHORTED OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

FORD ESCAPE 2003 WHILE PARKED CAUGHT FIRE IN BRAKING AREA SPREAD TO SPEED CONTROL ELECTRICAL HARNESS. *JB

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH IN 2003 FORD ESCAPE NOTICED ON 09/20/06 THAT AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE DASH BOARD TURNED ON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE DID HAVE A PASSENGER IN THE SEAT AT THAT TIME. AS PER OWNERS MANUAL DIRECTIONS, THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP WHO PERFORMED SOME TYPE OF REPAIR AND CHARGED THE CONSUMER $100. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON 10/28/06 FOR THE SAME FAILURE. THE CONTACT WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD HER THAT THEY DID SEE THAT THE LIGHT WAS TURNING ON AND OFF, AND THEY TOLD HER THAT THEY WERE GOING TO GREASE THE CABLE. THE CONTACT WAS NOT SURE WHICH CABLE THEY WERE TALKING ABOUT. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FOR 3 MORE WEEKS WHEN THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED. SHE TOOK VEHICLE IN TO DEALERSHIP AGAIN AND THEY FOUND NOTHING WRONG , BUT THE LIGHT DIDN'T COME BACK ON FOR ANOTHER 3 WEEKS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THE DEALERSHIP GREASED THE SAME CABLE AND TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THE CABLE IS UNDER VEHICLE CODE #1877. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON 11/27/06 THE VEHICLE'S AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE DASH STAYED ON WHILE DRIVING. *AK UPDATED 1/22/2007 - THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD NOT TO WORRY ABOUT THE LIGHT AND THAT AND THAT THE AIR BAS WAS WORKING PROPERLY. HE WENT ON TO SAY THAT HE BELIEVES THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE LIGHT ITSELF. *NM

FUEL GAUGE IS INACCURATE. AFTER FILLING UP THE INDICATOR READS EMPTY. TWICE WE HAVE RUN OUT OF GAS EVEN THOUGH THE INDICATOR SHOWS THAT THERE IS STILL GAS IN THE TANK. DEALER RECOMMENDED USING TECHRON TO HELP CLEAN THE INDICATOR. HOWEVER, AFTER FILLING UP WITH GAS WITH TECHRON TODAY, THE FUEL INDICATOR SHOWED EMPTY. THIS HAS BEEN AND ONGOING PROBLEM FOR NEARLY A YEAR NOW. *JB

I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE FROM MINNESOTA TO IDAHO WHEN, I'VE BEEN TOLD, A CONNECTOR BELT BROKE AND BROKE THROUGH THE ENGINE. AS A RESULT, THE ENTIRE ENGINE MUST BE REPLACED. I WAS PULLING A 5 X 8 TRAILER WITH A CLASS 3 HITCH AND I'VE BEEN ADVISED BY THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN THAT THE TRAILER DID NOT CONTRIBUTE TO THE BREAKDOWN. AS THE VEHICLE CLEARED A HILL ON AN INTERSTATE, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE TRUCK AND SPRAYING LIQUID AND SMOKE. WHEN WE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, THE OIL HAD COMPLETELY DRAINED FROM THE OIL RESERVOIR (I'VE BEEN ADVISED THAT THE OIL CAP WAS FIRMLY IN PLACE AND DID NOT CONTRIBUTE TO THE INCIDENT). THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND IS CURRENTLY IN PROCESS OF RECEIVING A NEW ENGINE. THERE IS A HOLE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE TRUCK AND "METAL PARTS IN THE ENGINE." I'VE ASKED ABOUT WHY THE FAILURE OCCURRED AND THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THEY DIDN'T KNOW. WHEN I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE ABOUT THIS THEY TOLD ME THAT THE ENGINE WILL BE SENT TO FORD FOR ANALYSIS BUT THE FINDINGS WILL NOT BE SHARED WITH ME. MY CONCERN ABOUT THIS BREAKDOWN IS THAT THIS IS THE SECOND NEW FORD VEHICLE I'VE PURCHASED WHERE THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED SHORTLY FOLLOWING THE EXPIRATION OF THE 3 YEAR/36,000 MILE WARRANTY. THIS CURRENT VEHICLE HAS 35,552 MILES AND THE WARRANTY EXPIRED ON 6/14/06. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OVERNIGHT, IT ERUPTED INTO FLAMES ALONG THE LEFT FRONT HOOD AREA WITHOUT WARNING. BYSTANDERS EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. THERE WAS MODERATE FIRE DAMAGE. THE POLICE WERE NOT ALERTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT OF THE BRAKES SHORTED OUT AND CAUSED THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED.

I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE WITH 38,000 MILES ON IT. WITHIN THE FIRST 2 MONTHS THE AIRBAG LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND SOMETIMES STAYING ON SOMETIMES GOING OFF. AFTER ABOUT 2 TO 3 MONTHS IT WENT OFF AND STAYED OFF FOR ANOTHER COUPLE OF MONTHS. EVENTUALLY IT STARTED COMING ON AGAIN AND IS NOW STAYING ON THE MAJORITY OF THE TIME. I AM A LITTLE CONCERNED ABOUT THIS BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW IF MY AIRBAG IS WORKING WHEN THE LIGHT IS ON. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING SERVICED AT THE DEALER, IT DETERMINED THE ROTORS WERE WORN AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING INDICATOR OF A BRAKE PROBLEM.

INTERMITTENT PROBLEM: WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE ENGINE SPEEDS UP REQUIRING EXCESS PRESSURE TO ENGAGE BRAKES. *NM

VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP 5 TIMES BECAUSE THE AIR BAG LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE AND STAY ON. WHEN THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON, THE AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY. THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN A FAULTY CONNECTOR TO THE FRONT AIR BAGS (3 TIMES), THE SIDE AIRBAGS (1 TIME) AND THE SEAT BELT SENSOR (1 TIME). THE LAST INCIDENT WAS AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED AND IT WAS A STRUGGLE GETTING FORD TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. LESSON LEARNED: DOCUMENT EVERYTHING AND CONTACT A LAWYER BEFORE THE WARRANTY EXPIRES. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE HAD A COLLISION WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE SEAT BELTS WERE WORN HOWEVER THE CONTACT WAS INJURED WITH A STERNUM FRACTURE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AT THE SCENE OF THE ACCIDENT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EVACUATED THE DRIVER TO THE NEAREST HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A BODY SHOP BUT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE WHY THE AIRBAGS AND SEAT BELTS FAILURE OCCURRED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED BOTH SIDES OF THE OVERHEAD SHIELD SEPARATED FROM THE CHILD SAFETY SEAT. THIS IS A COSCO TOURIVA MANUFACTURED JUNE 23, 2005. *AK

I HAD A 2003 FORD ESCAPE THAT STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING. IT WAS USUALLY WHEN I HAD LEFT THE VEHICLE FOR 8 OR MORE HOURS. I WOULD TRY TO START IT AND IT WOULD HESITATE AND TAKE A WHILE TO START IT. AFTER A FEW TRIES IT WOULD JERK BACK AT ME AND START. THIS WAS A PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 2-MONTHS. ON MAY 26, 2006 I LEFT MY VEHICLE IN THE PARKING LOT AT WORK. IT WAS THE FIRST REALLY HOT DAY (90+ DEGREES) OF THE YEAR. WHEN I GOT BACK TO MY CAR IT HESITATED WHEN I CRANKED IT. I CRANKED IT AGAIN AND IT POPPED BACK AND ME AND THEN THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION. THERE WAS SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE HOOD. I OPENED THE HOOD (BURNING MY FINGER IN THE PROCESS) AND FOUND PARTS AND PIECES EVERYWHERE. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD BLEW APART. THE DEALER NEVER GAVE US A REASON WHY (WE PUSHED BUT WE WERE TOLD THAT IT SHOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED AND THAT THE ENGINEER WAS ON VACATION). WE HAD THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD FIXED AND IT COST US A LOT OF MONEY OUT-OF-POCKET. I ASKED THEM FOR THE OLD UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD BACK, BUT THEY WOULDN'T GIVE IT BACK. I WAS ALWAYS INTENDING TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE FORD WAS 3-YEARS OLD WITH 54,000 MILES ON IT, SO IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, ALTHOUGH THE DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS A FAULTY PART THAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM? IT IS POSSIBLE THAT IT WAS N A HORRIBLE MISFIRE, BUT WE AREN'T SURE. I DO KNOW THAT IT SCARED ME AND COULD HAVE HURT SOMEONE. LUCKILY THE VEHICLE DID NOT CATCH ON FIRE. THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED FOR 2-MONTHS WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED HESITATING AGAIN WHEN I STARTED IT. I WAS TERRIFIED TO DRIVE IT AND THE DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS UNRELATED BUT I COULD PAY (AGAIN) TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. I STARTED HAVING PANIC ATTACKS WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE, SO WE TRADED IT IN. I WOULD LIKE A REFUND AND TO STOP THIS FROM HAPPENING TO OTHER PEOPLE. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40MPH, THE ENGINE REVVED AT AN ELEVATED RATE AND THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE DEALER. A NHTSA RECALL, #04V574000 WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE CONCERNING, THE VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL HOWEVER, THE RECALL DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP PERFORMED A SECOND REPAIR WITH CHARGE UNDER THE RECALL, ADDITIONALLY THE THROTTLE AND THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. AFTERWARDS, THE ENGINE REVVING AND LURCHING PERSISTED.

2003 FORD ESCAPE PARKED IN GARAGE LOCATED AT 7755 SUNSET DRIVE, ELMWOOD PARK ILLINOIS. VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY BURNED. THE GARAGE WAS A LOFTED STRUCTURE WITH STORAGE CONTAINING 30 YEARS OF POSSESSIONS. THE CAR, GARAGE AND PERSONAL ITEMS WERE DESTROYED BY THE FIRE. THIS OCCURRED AT 5:00AM ON A SUNDAY MORNING AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED IN THE GARAGE FROM THE SATURDAY AFTERNOON BEFORE. *JB

SUBMISSION REGARDING LONG OUTSTANDING ISSUE WITH HIS 2003 FORD ESCAPE PURCHASED ON DECEMBER 30, 2002. *TS ***NAR*** THE VEHICLE HAS EXHIBITED TRANSMISSION SINCE THE DATE OF PURCHASE. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER 15 TIMES BUT THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED SHIFTING AT 35 MPH, LOST POWER THEN OVERHEATED AFTER DRIVING DISTANCES OF ABOUT 10 MILES (CITY DRIVING). BUT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN THROUGH PUDDLES OF WATER THE PROBLEM WOULD DIMINISH AND THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SHIFT NORMALLY AND POWER WOULD BE RESTORED. DURING THE CONSUMERS LAST VISIT TO THE DEALER HE WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE THEY COULD DO. *NM

I'VE A 2003 FORD ESCAPE THAT I PURCHASED FROM A DEALER IN 2004. ABOUT A YEAR AGO, I NOTICED THE PAINT CHIPPING AND PEELING FROM THE HOOD WHICH I ATTRIBUTED TO STONE CHIPS FROM HIGHWAY DRIVING BUT NOW, THE PAINT IS COMING OFF ON THE RIGHT REAR OF THE CAR WHERE THE ROOF SECTION MEETS THE MAIN BODY. *TR

WINDING NOISE FROM UNDER THE CAR. AT 40 MPH TRANSMISSION LOST POWER. TRANSMISSION BLEW DRIVE GEAR NEEDS TO BE COMPLETELY REBUILT. ONLY 27 DAYS OUT OF WARRANTY, ONLY 26,324 MILES ON THE CAR. *NM

THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE BECAME DISCONNECTED FROM THE THROTTLE LINKAGE AND JAMMED IN THE THROTTLE. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE UNCONTROLLABLE. WAS LUCKILY ABLE TO GET OUT OF TRAFFIC AND INTO A PARKING LOT WITHOUT CAUSING ANY DAMAGE. *NM

AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD SPORADICALLY COME ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE PROBLEM WAS FOUND IN THE FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES, THE SENSORS AND WIRES THAT HELP DEPLOY THE AIR BAGS WERE DEFECTIVE. N CASE OF AN ACCIDENT THE AIR BAGS WOULD HAVE NOT DEPLOYED. THE DEALER REPAIRED ALL THE SEAT BELT BUCKLES. *NM

THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH STOPPED WORKING. *NM

DT: THE CONTACT STATED AT 55 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WOULD TURN ON IMMEDIATELY AFTER AT FIRST. THEN, THE ACCELERATOR WOULD HAVE TO BE PRESSED FOR THE VEHICLE TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC AND MULTIPLE COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED UNTIL THE THROTTLE WAS REPLACED. THERE HAVE BEEN NO MORE PROBLEMS SINCE THEN. *AK

DT:THE CONTACT STATES THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY. THE LIGHT CAN CAME ON AT ANY TIME WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. ONCE THE LIGHT WAS ON IT STAYED ON UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER IN USE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ,AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, THEREFORE , THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. *AK

I WAS EXITING OFF THE INTERSTATE AND AROUND 35 MPH MY ENGINE COMPLETELY DIED AND I LOST POWER STEERING. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE SHOULDER AND RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT THE RPMS KEPT BOUNCING AROUND. I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER, BUT THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. I RESEARCHED ONLINE MYSELF AND FOUND THAT FORD HAD A RECALL THAT MATCHED MY EXACT SITUATION/PROBLEM. THE NHTSA ID IS 04V165000. FORD SAID MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. HOWEVER, I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT MINE SHOULD BE EXCLUDED CONSIDERING THAT MY VEHICLE IS THE SAME MAKE/MODEL/YEAR/ENGINE TYPE OF THE RECALLED ONES AND MY PROBLEM MATCHED EXACTLY WITH WHAT WAS REFERENCED IN THE RECALL. ALSO MY WARRANTY RUNS OUT IN 2 WEEKS AND I DON'T WANT THE SAME PROBLEM TO HAPPEN AGAIN AND THEN LET THE DEALER FIND THE PROBLEM. IT ALSO CONCERNS ME BECAUSE MY WIFE DRIVES MY CAR AND I'M CONCERNED ABOUT MY FAMILY.*JB

2003 FORD ESCAPE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION, THE FRONT END RECEIVED MASSIVE DAMAGE. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING , HIT HER HEAD. THE POLICE OFFICER ON THE SCENE MADE THE STATEMENT THAT THE AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. THE CAR IS AT THE AUTO SHOP FOR ESTIMATE, AS OF 10-10-05 THE ESTIMATE HAS HIT 9300.00, WITH MORE EXPECTED. *NM

APPARENTLY BRAKE FLUID LEAKED FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER ONTO THE ELECTRONICS CAUSING AN INCREASE IN INTERNAL VOLTAGE CAUSING THE ELECTRONICS TO SHORT OUT CAUSING A FIRE THAT DESTROYED THE WIRING HARNESS. MY CONCERN IS FORD CURRENTLY HAS A RECALL ON GOING FOR THIS ISSUE IN IT'S SUV'S BUT THE ESCAPE IS NOT MENTIONED. WHY? *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE IN PARK, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG CONNECTOR UNDERNEATH THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BOTH TIMES; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

PERIODICALLY AND UNPREDICTABLY, THE KEY WILL NOT TURN. SOMETIMES, IT CAN BE FORCED, IF YOU ARE STRONG ENOUGH. OTHER TIMES IT CANNOT EVEN BE FORCED. BUT THEN IT WILL WORK THE NEXT DAY. MOVING THE STEARING WHEEL DOES NOT ALLOW THE KEY TO TURN EVEN WHEN TRYING TO TURN THE WHEEL WITH FORCE. MY CAR HAS BEEN TOWED ONCE BECAUSE 3 PEOPLE TRIED AND COULD NOT TURN EITHER KEY I HAVE FOR THE VEHICLE. I'VE BEEN TOLD BY MECHANICS THAT THIS IS A COMMON FORD PROBLEM. I BELIEVE IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN BECAUSE YOU NEVER KNOW WHERE/WHEN YOU WILL BE STRANDED, WHETHER OR NOT YOU WILL HAVE ACCESS TO A PHONE. ONE MECHANIC SAID HE COULD REBUILD THE STEARING COLUMN AND THAT HAD WORKED FOR OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM - HOWEVER, THAT DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT PROVIDE A LOANER CAR SO I WOULD BE WITHOUT ANY TRANSPORTATION FOR 1-2 DAYS. THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT MY CAR HAS REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING BECAUSE THE PROBLEM IS SPORATIC AND THEY SAY THEY CANNOT DUPLICATE IT. THE IGNITION HAS LOCKED 4 TIMES IN THE PAST MONTH. ADDITONALLY - THE ABS BRAKES ONLY WORK INTERMITENTLY WHICH MAKES IT DIFFICULT WHEN MAKING THE SPLIT SECOND DECISION OF WHETHER TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES OR PUMP THE BRAKE.

TWO OF THE OEM TIRES ON MY 2003 FORD ESCAPE XLT WERE REPLACED ON 8-12-05 BECAUSE OF TREAD/SHOULD SEPARATION. THEY WERE CONTINENTAL CONTITRAC SUV 235/70-16 (DOT#A3084533602). THE TIRES HAD 17,250 MILES ON THEM AND HAD ONLY BEEN DRIVEN ON PAVEMENT AND NOT FASTER THAN 70 MILES PER HOUR. THEY HAD NEVER BEEN UNDER INFLATED NOR DRIVE FOR LONG DISTANCES. THE OTHER TWO TIRES ON THE ESCAPE ARE LOSING CHUNKS OF RUBBER, BUT THE CONTINENTAL ADJUSTER AT DISCOUNT TIRE COMPANY SAID THEY ARE NOT SEPARATING FROM THE TIRE CARCASS SO CONTINENTAL WILL NOT REPLACE THEM. HE ATTRIBUTED THE LOSS OF CHUNKS OF RUBBER TO DRIVING ON GRAVEL ROADS. THIS CAR HAS NOT BEEN DRIVE ON GRAVEL ROADS. *NM

SITTING IN VEHICLE IN GROCERY STORE PARKING LOT AND HEARD LOUD POP SOUND. I NOTICED THE REAR WINDOW HAD SHATTERED. I LATER CONCLUDED THAT THE REAR WINDOW SHOCKS HAD EXPLODED AND SHATTERED THE REAR WINDOW.

DT: THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. SHE STATES VEHICLE HAD A FLAT TIRE. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, WHO TOLD HER THAT TIRES WERE DRY ROTTED. HAS PURCHASED ONE NEW TIRE, BUT SHE WAS GOING TO PURCHASE THE OTHER NEW TIRES TOMORROW.*AK

POTENTIAL SAFETY DEFECT IN THE 2003 FORD ESCAPE.*MR THE CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONSUMER DID NOT STATE IF HE WAS INJURED. *JB

IN JANUARY 2005 I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR THE ACCELERATOR CABLE ON MY 2003 FORD ESCAPE SO I PROMPTLY HAD THE CABLE REPLACED AT THE DEALERSHIP. AS I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON JUNE 2, 2005 THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL STUCK DOWN TO THE FLOOR OF MY VEHICLE AND THE BRAKES WOULDN'T ENGAGE. AS THE VEHICLE WAS ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN, NOW AT ABOUT 50MPH, I JERKED THE WHEEL TO THE RIGHT TO AVOID THE FAST APPROACHING INTERSECTION AND DROVE UP ON SOMEONE'S LAWN. MY VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPED WHEN I HIT A TREE. I HAD EMERGENCY SURGERY TO REPAIR AND CLOSE AN OPEN COMPOUND FRACTURE AND DISLOCATION OF MY ELBOW, HAD ADDITIONAL SURGERY 6 WEEKS LATER TO REPAIR A TORN LIGAMENT IN MY WRIST, AND HAVE A CHIP FRACTURE IN MY HIP SOCKET. I HAVE BEEN OUT OF WORK ON DISABILITY FOR 2 MONTHS ALREADY (HOPING TO BE ABLE TO GO BACK IN SEPTEMBER) AND HAVE TO GO TO PHYSICAL THERAPY 3 TIMES A WEEK FOR MY ELBOW, WRIST, AND HIP.

ACCELERATOR PEDAL GOT STUCK WHILE DRIVING DOWN ON 96 EAST IN MICHIGAN. I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 85 MPH AND REALIZED MY ACCELERATOR PEDAL GOT STUCK OF FORD FOCUS SE MY2003. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC ON THE ROAD AT THAT TIME. SO I STOPPED MY CAR (WHILE ENGINE WAS STILL ROARING HEAVILY), PUT IT INTO THE NEUTRAL & KEY OFF THE IGNITION. AFTER I KEY ON, PROBLEM DISAPPEARED.

1.) CAR WAS REVVING UP DURING IDLING AND SHIFTING OF THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION. 2.) PER DEALERSHIP, THE ACCELERATOR CABLE HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO A MALFUNCTION. SEE NHTSA # 04V574000 AND FORD RECALL #04S25 3.) DEALERSHIP HAS TO REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CABLE BUT REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE MECHANICAL MALFUNCTION AND RECALL. RECALL WAS ONLY FOR V6 SUVS WHILE WE HAVE A V4 MANUAL TRANSMISSION EVEN THOUGH THE PART IS THE SAME ONE THAT IS MALFUNCTIONING IN THE V6 MODELS. *NM

THE CONSUMER HAD THE BRAKES CHECKED AND WAS TOLD THE BRAKE PADS SEPARATED, AND THAT WAS WHY SHE WAS NOT ABLE TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE. THE PARKING BRAKES FROZE ONCE THE BRAKES WERE ON AND THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO RELEASE THE BRAKES WITHOUT GETTING UNDER THE VEHICLE TO PULL THE CABLE. *AK *SC

INCIDENT: TRANSMISSION FAILURE. ON 9 MARCH MY TRANSMISSION IN MY 2003 FORD ESCAPE (XLT) FAILED. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING EXCEPT AS I DROVE THAT MORNING THE CAR SEEMED NOT TO WANT TO GO FORWARD. AFTER PULLING OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, THE CAR TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP AND WOULD NOT GO FORWARD OR IN REVERSE. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK TO BRING THE CAR TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALER. TO DATE, THE REASON OR CAUSE OF THE FAILURE IS UNKNOWN.

DT: THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE AND HE BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALER TO HAVE THE REPAIR WORK DONE AROUND JANUARY 27, 2005. THE ACCELERATOR CABLE WAS REPLACED. ON JANUARY 30, 2005, HE STOPPED AT A RESTAURANT WITH HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR JUST TOOK OFF GOING 20-25 MPH. HE AIMED FOR A SNOW BANK AND THE CAR FINALLY STOPPED. THE NEXT MORNING HE WAS GOING TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER. AS HE WAS SLOWING DOWN FOR THE RED LIGHT THE CAR TOOK OFF THROUGH THE RED LIGHT. HE HAD TWO PEOPLE LOOK AT IT, AND THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH VEHICLE. THE HEAD OF THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT DROVE THE CAR, AND SAID HE FIXED IT. ON FEBRUARY 26TH, 2005, THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING FROM GEORGIA TO VIRGINIA GOING 55-60 MPH. WHILE MERGING THE CONSUMER TOOK HIS FOOT OFF OF THE GAS PEDAL AND THE CAR LUNGED, HIT SOME GRAVEL AND SPUN INTO THE RAVINE. *AK RECALL CAMPAIGN # 04V574000. *SC *JB

DT: THE CALLER PULLED THE HOOD RELEASE AND WITH THE HOOD IN THE RELEASE POSITION AND THE SAFETY LATCH ON THE HOOD WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING THE HOOD FLEW UP. THE CALLER SAID THE LATCH THAT HELD THE HOOD FROM THE OUTSIDE DID NOT HOLD WHEN THE HOOD FLEW UP. THE DEALER FIXED IT, AND SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE LATCH. THE MANUFACTURER SAID THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE LATCH. THE CALLER WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. *AK *SC

THE CONSUMER IS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES. THE BRAKES WERE COMPLETELY HARDENED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN OVER MOUNTAINOUS TERRAIN AND THE BRAKES BURN OUT VERY QUICKLY DRIVING UNDER THESE MOUNTAINOUS CONDITIONS. OWNER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER AND HAS HAD THE PADS AND ROTORS REPLACED. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*JB

CONSUMER WANTS TO BE SURE THAT HE RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTICE FOR 2003 FORD ESCAPE. *BF THE RECALL IS IN REFERENCE TO THE ACCELERATOR CABLE WHICH MAY PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION. *NM

LTR TO FORD CONCERNING A SAFETY DEFECT RE DEFECTIVE WIRING OF THE SIDE AIRBAGS IN 2003 FORD ESCAPE. *BF THE CONSUMER RECEIVED THE RECALL NOTICE FOR THE FAULTY AIR BAG WIRING. AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE AT THE DEALER TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. WHEN THE REPAIRS WERE MADE THE DEALER REFUSED TO COVER THE COST OF REPLACING THE FAULTY WIRING BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS 200 MILES OVER THE 50000 MILE WARRANTY. THE CONSUMER EXPLAINED THAT THE VEHICLE WENT OVER THE MILEAGE WHILE WAITING FOR THE RECALLED PART TO ARRIVE. *NM

NHTSA CAMPAIGN 04V165000; FORD ISSUED AN ENGINE STALLING RECALL. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT THE ENGINE STALLS UNEXPECTEDLY. THE VIN IS OUTSIDE THE REMEDY SCOPE. *NM

WE OWN A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WE HEARD ABOUT A RECALL ON THE ESCAPE. SO ON DECEMBER 21, MY WIFE WENT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP TO GET HER CAR WASHED. WHILE SHE WAS THERE SHE ASKED THE SERVICES TECHNICIAN IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE FORD ESCAPE ACCELERATOR CABLE. THE TECH INFORMED HER THAT HE HAD HEARD THERE WAS ONE, BUT HAD NOT HEARD ANYTHING FROM FORD AND SAID NO MORE ABOUT IT. ON JANUARY 4TH 2005 AT ABOUT 5:00 AM MY WIFE ENTERED THE PARKING RAMP AT 12700 WHITEWATER DR, MINNETONKA, MN. SHE NEEDED TO SLOW DOWN BECAUSE THERE IS A SPEED BUMP ENTERING THE RAMP. NEXT SHE PLACED HERE FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL AND STARTED FORWARD. NEXT SHE REMOVED HER FOOT FROM THE GAS PEDAL AND STARTED TO PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL. NEXT SHE STARTED TO TURN IN TO A PARKING SPACE. THE NEXT THING SHE KNEW, THE ESCAPE ACCELERATED AND HIT THE CONCRETE PILLAR AND THE AIR BAGS HAD BEEN DEPLORED. WE CALLED THE FORD DEALERSHIP (MORRIES MINNETONKA FORD) AND THEY INFORMED US THEY WOULD FIX THE RECALL, BUT NOT THE DAMAGE TO THE CAR. WE WERE TOLD BY THEM TO CALL FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS. WE HAVE BEEN PLAYING PHONE TAG WITH THE RELATIONS DEPARTMENT. I WAS TOLD BY MY CAR INSURANCE COMPANY TO CALL YOU AND YOUR RECORDING INFORMED ME TO FILL OUT THIS FORM.*AK

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE INADVERTENTLY ACCELERATED. THIS RESULTED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION WITH A TREE. THE CAUSE OF THIS IS UNDETERMINED. *NM