2003 Ford Escape Electrical System Problems

Never received a recall letter or notice

WHILE IN MOTION,ON TWO OF MY VEHICLES A 2003 AND A 2004 FORD ESCAPE ONE CYLINDER BLEW OUT THE SPARK PLUG AND COIL PACK (#5)ON BOTH VEHICLES I'M TRYING TO FIND OUT IF THERE'S A RECALL ON ? SAME TYPE OF VEHICLES MODEL ONE YEAR APART.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT RUNNING AND SITTING IN HIS DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE ON HIS OWN, NO INJURIES OCCURRED AND NO FIRE REPORT WAS TAKEN. UPON INVESTIGATION THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V156000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) WITH HIS FAILURE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH A DEALER (APPLE FORD 3250 CAPE HORN RD, RED LION, PA 17356 717-429-0726) AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE/FIRE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FIRE WAS RELATED TO THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE CONTACT INFORMED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE, THEY INFORMED HIM THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.

MY ESCAPE STARTED TO MISS, FIRST IT WASN'T BAD THEN STARTED JERKING AND IT STARTED IDLING ROUGH WHEN I STOPPED AT RED LIGHT. WHEN I STARTED MOVING AGAIN IT ACTED AS IF IT WOULD DIE AND WOULD GO. IF I GET TO 40 MPH IT IS REALLY BAD. BUT THIS HAPPENED ON MAIN HIGHWAY WITH OTHER VEHICLES ALL AROUND ME AND HAD 18 WHEELER BEHIND ME AND ALL OF SUDDEN MY SPEED DECREASED AND ME AND MY CHILDREN ALMOST WAS IN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF DECREASE IN SPEED. IT SCARED ME AND MY TWO CHILDREN. WHEN I GOT IT LOOKED AT THE CODES SAID IT WAS MISSING ON ONE CYLINDER THEN AT ONE POINT ALL CYLINDERS.

I HAVE A 2003 ESCAPE THAT HAS A INTERESTING PROBLEM WITH THE REAR HATCH. WHEN IT IS HOT OUT SIDE OR THE SUN IS SHINNING ON THE REAR HATCH THE LOCK WILL NOT UNLOCK,ALL THE OTHER DOORS DO. WHEN IT GETS DARK OR THE DOOR COOL DOWN THE NIT WILL UNLOCK WITH THE REST OF THE DOORS. OUR REAR HATCH. INTERMITTENTLY WORKING AND THEN NOT WORKING AT ALL. AFTER LOOKING IN THE SEARCH ENGINE ON THIS FORUM, UNDER "REAR HATCH WON'T OPEN" I FOUND A POSTING LISTING THE PART # FOR THE SOLENOID ONLY, FROM AN AFTERMARKET SOURCE. (FORD MAKES YOU BUY THE WHOLE HANDLE AND ACTUATOR ASSY. FOR $200 OR SO). THE SOLENOID WAS $10 PLUS SHIPPING. INSTALLATION WAS STRAIGHT FORWARD EXCEPT THE ROD THAT CONNECTS THE SOLENOID TO THE MECHANISM NEEDS TO BE MODIFIED AND THE WIRES SPLICED INSTEAD OF THE MODULAR PLUG ON THE STOCK ONE. IF YOUR NOT THAT MECHANICAL, YOU MAY WANT THE DEALERSHIP TO DO IT , BUT IF YOU HAVE SOME SKILLS, YOU CAN SAVE A LOT OF MONEY! (IF FORD HAD PUT A FREAKING KEY HOLE ON THE REAR HATCH IT WOULDN'T BE SUCH A BIG DEAL) SEARCH THE THREADS AND YOU WILL FIND THE POST FOR THE PART. HOPE THIS HELPS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V165000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

THE CAR WAS PARKED IN A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT NO ONE WAS IN IT. IT SOME HOW CAUGHT ON FIRE, WHEN WE GOT THE FIRE OUT AND TOWED TO THE SHOP, IT WAS THE ALTERNATOR THAT CAUSED THE FIRE AND DID SEVERAL $1000.00 DAMAGE. THERE WERE NO ISSUES WITH THE CAR NO WARNING LIGHTS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WITHIN MONTHS OF OWNING THE VEHICLE, THAT THERE WAS A PROGRESSING FAILURE WITH A LOSS OF THE BATTERY POWER, AND THE ANTI-THEFT ALARM AND HORN RANDOMLY SOUNDED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RECHARGE THE BATTERY, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED WITH THE ANTI-THEFT ALARM SOUNDING WHETHER THE DOOR WAS OPENED OR CLOSED. AFTER A WHILE, THE HORN AND ANTI-THEFT ALARMS STOPPED, BUT THE FAILURE PROGRESSED TO THE POINT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS TO BE NOTIFIED TO DETERMINE A REPAIR SOLUTION FOR THE VEHICLE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

WHILE I WAS DRIVING BACK FROM THE SHOOTING RANGE THE ENGINE DID A HESITATION AND THEN WHEN I PUSHED DOWN ON THE GAS TO SEE IF IT WOULD CLEAR UP THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GAUGES WENT HAYWIRE. THE FUEL, SPEED, RPM AND HEATING CLUSTER LEVEL ARMS ALL WENT TO THE MAX POINT AND WHEN I LET OFF THE ACCELERATION TO PULL OVER THE CLUSTER PANEL GAUGES DIED LIKE THERE WAS NO POWER AND WHEN THE ENGINE IDLE LEVELED OFF THE GAUGES WENT BACK TO NORMAL. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DID IT 4 MORE TIMES BEFORE I ACTUALLY GOT HOME. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT TO WORK AND THIS IS MY ONLY TRANSPORTATION. WHAT IS CAUSING THE ISSUE WITH THIS? I NEED TO KNOW AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THANKS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED FLAMES UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. A POLICE OFFICER EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT WARNING WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED IN THE IGNITION. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING MORE THAN ONCE. THE RPMS RACED AND, AT TIMES, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD BECOME DIM UPON EXPERIENCING AN ELECTRICAL SHORT OR INTERNAL FAILURE. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT WAS UNCERTAIN IF THE VEHICLE WOULD BE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER RECALL FOR THESE FAILURES; HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED. THE RECALL DETAILS AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *TT *JS

MY 2003 FOR ESCAPE REFUSES TO START AFTER BEING DRIVEN UNTIL SEVERAL HOURS IF NOT DAYS LATER. I HAVE REPLACED THE STARTER TWICE THE FIRST TIME IT WORKED FOR 2 MONTHS AND IT DID IT AGAIN ON 9-2-14 REPLACED THE STARTER AGAIN AND IT WILL NOT START STILL THERE IS NO POWER GOING TO ANY OF THE ELECTRICAL PARTS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF FUEL. I HAVE REPLACED ALL RELAYS AND FUSES AND STILL NOTHING. I WAS STRANDED WITH MY 5 MONTH OLD AND 16 MONTH OLD IN 100 DEGREE WEATHER. *TR

VEHICLE STALLS OR WILL NOT START AS DESCRIBED IN FORD RECALL NUMBER 04S13. I HAVE REPLACED MULTIPLE PARTS INCLUDING FUEL PUMP, GAS CAP, FUEL FILTER,ETC. AND NOW I FOUND THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE PCM PROGRAMMING ON THIS VEHICLE. I PURCHASED THIS TRUCK USED AND DO NOT KNOW IF THIS WAS SERVICED. THIS IS A DANGEROUS PROBLEM AS STALLING CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. *TR

I HAD THE ALTERNATOR GO OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION IN THE MIDDLE OF RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. I WAS VERY FORTUNATE NOT TO HAVE GOTTEN HIT. HOWEVER, THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT INVOLVING 2 OTHER VEHICLES DUE TO MY BEING STOPPED. AN ALTERNATOR GOING OUT IS NOT NORMALLY SOMETHING TO FILE A COMPLAINT ON. IT WENT OUT AGAIN IN 4 DAYS. OK, BAD ALTERNATOR, IT HAPPENS. I GET ON GOOGLE TO FIND OUT THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE 2003 ESCAPES AND IT'S LISTED ALL OVER THE INTERNET. I HAD NO ADVANCED WARNING THAT THIS WAS GOING OUT. I'M ALMOST AFRAID TO DRIVE OUT OF TOWN. I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU ALL, BUT, I AM FINANCIALLY IN BAD SHAPE DUE TO THE ECONOMY. I AM WORKING FULL TIME FOR THE SAME WAGES I MADE IN THE 1980'S I CAN'T AFFORD MULTIPLE AUTOMOBILE REPAIRS FOR A PROBLEM THAT REQUIRES AS MUCH TIME TO REPLACE AS THIS DOES. THE FRONT AXLE HAS TO BE REMOVED IN ORDER TO REPLACE IT SO IT IS NOT A CHEAP REPAIR. WHY WOULD A REPAIR SHOP WANT TO HONOR A FAULTY PART WHEN EVIDENTLY IT'S AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. I SURE WOULDN'T!!! WHEN IS THIS ALTERNATOR DEFECT GOING TO CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AND SOMEONE'S KIDS GET KILLED. HAD I BEEN FARTHER INTO THE INTERSECTION, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE.[XXX] LIKE I SAID, I HAD NO WARNING, IT JUST DIED. I HAVE 160,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE SO I CAN UNDERSTAND THE FIRST ONE GOING OUT. BUT WHAT ABOUT THE 2ND 4 DAYS LATER? AND THIS IS A NATIONWIDE PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND FORD IS AWARE OF IT!!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *TT

ON MAY 8,2013, THE ANTI-THEFT ALARM SOUNDED WHILE MY CAR SAT IN THE DRIVEWAY. IT HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR 3 + HOURS. UPON INVESTIGATION OF THE ALARM, THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE WIRING HARNESS ATTACHED TO THE ABS HAD A SMALL FLAME AND SMOKE FROM ITS WIRING INSULATION. AFTER EXTINGUISHING THE FLAME AND DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY, I CALLED FOR A TOW . THE SAFETY FEATURES WORKED WELL AND LOCKED OUT THE ENTIRE AUTO SYSTEM. THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN SAID THERE WAS A RECALL ( RECALL 07S51 SUPPL #2 DTD 9 OCT 2009 ) AND THAT FORD SHOULD PROBABLY PROVIDE A FIX OR CREDIT TOWARD SAID FIX. THE CAR WAS THEN TOWED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP. THE CURRENT STATUS IS: 1.) THE WIRING HARNESS IS NO LONGER MANUFACTURED BY FORD AND THE DEALERSHIP HAS NO APPROVED PROVISIONS TO SECURE A HARNESS. 2.) RECALL 07S51 WAS IMPLEMENTED PER THEIR RECORDS SO THERE IS NO PROVISION FOR THE DEALERSHIP TO FIX THIS ISSUE EVEN IF THEY COULD GET A WIRING HARNESS AND THEN TROUBLESHOOT THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE.3.) MY PRIVATE INSURANCE'S COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DOES NOT COVER A VEHICLE SITTING STATIC FOR A WIRING FIRE. 4.) I AM AWAITING FORMS FROM FORD QUALITY GROUP TO PLEA FOR CONSIDERATION. ONCE THE FORMS ARE COMPLETED AND RECEIVED BY FORD CORPORATE OFFICES, THEIR LAWYERS WILL REQUIRE APPROX 15 DAYS TO MAKE A DETERMINATION IF MY CLAIM HAS MERIT. *TR

WHEN I AM DRIVING MY CAR WILL TRY TO DIE AND ALL GAUGES WILL GO TO THE HIGHEST RPM, SPEED, AND FULL GAS, THEN IT WILL GO BACK TO ZERO AND THEN PROCEED TO THE SPEED I WAS GOING, THE BATTERY LIGHT WILL KEEP FLASHING BUT NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. WHEN I RESEARCHED IT, IT SEEMS THAT ON MORE THAN TEN OCCASIONS IF NOT MORE ARE HAVING THE SAME ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND NO GARAGE CAN FIGURE OUT, THEY TRY REPLACING ALTERNATORS, BATTERIES, AND WIRES AND GROUNDS AND NOTHING IS WORKING, IT CAN'T BE READ ON CODES BECAUSE NOTHING IS SHOWING UP. IF YOU ASK ME THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL BECAUSE IF YOU SEARCH IT IN BING OVER TWO HUNDRED MATCHES COMES UP WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT!!! *TR

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.

I HAVE A 03 FORD ESCAPE, AND THE TROUBLE IS ENDLESS. THE CAR WILL NOT START AT TIMES AND IT IS A STRONG SMELL OF GAS WHEN THIS HAPPENS. I HAVE HAD IT IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP ABOUT 6 TIMES AND HAS HAD THE CAR FOR ONLY 2 YEARS. THE FAILURE TO START IS SCARY BECAUSE YOU DON'T KNOW IF THE CAR IS GOING TO EXPLODE OR WHAT. THE DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THAT IT IS A SENSOR THAT GOES OUT AND TELLS THE CAR IT DOESN'T HAVE TO START. BEEN REPLACED 6 TIMES AND THE OTHER DAY IT DID IT AGAIN. I HATE TO GO OUT OF TOWN BECAUSE OF THE FEAR OF GETTING STRANDED ON THE HIGHWAY. AND ANOTHER THING THE SMELL OF THE ENGINE IS CRAZY MY DAUGHTER HAS ASTHMA AND TALKING ABOUT A PROBLEM FOR HER IT IS. I CAN GO TO WORK AND GO BACK 30 MINUTES LATER TO MY CAR AND YOU CAN TELL THAT IT IS STILL SMELLING OF COURSE WHERE I GOT IT FROM THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS NO CONCERN IT WAS DUE TO THE FACT OF THEM DROPPING OIL WHEN THEY DID A CHANGE, COME ON PEOPLE 2 MONTHS LATER. I FEAR THAT ONE DAY IT WILL EXPLODE I JUST PRAY TO GOD THAT MY FAMILY IS NOT IN THERE. THE AIRBAG LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF AND FROM READING IN HERE I AM SCARED TO DEATH. SOMETHING REALLY NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOME FAMILY LOSES A MEMBER. *TR

THE KEY CANNOT BE INSERTED INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH EASILY. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS HAD TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL BACK AND FORTH TO GET IT TO ENGAGE. IT WAS GETTING WORSE, AND I WOULD EXPECT THIS TO FAIL SOON. IT EVEN HAPPENED AT THE DEALER, AND THEY HAD TROUBLE GETTING IT TO ENGAGE.*AK

VEHICLE STALLS SUDDENLY WITHOUT NOTICE AND THE STEERING AND BRAKES WILL NOT FUNCTION. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION THAT HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS ISSUE. 2003 FORD ESCAPE. VEHICLE IS THE YEAR INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND CAME FROM THE SAME KANSAS PLANT BUT IT SHOWS NO RECALL. CONTACTED FORD DIRECTLY AND WAS TOLD THEY HAVE ALSO NOT HEARD OF THIS ISSUE. *JB