There are 5 owner-reported fuel system complaints for the 2003 Ford Escapein NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
FUEL TANK STRAP BROKE. STRAP FAILURE RESULTED IN EXHAUST SYSTEM SUPPORTING FUEL TANK. STRAP FAILURE DUE TO CORROSION. PHOTOS AVAILABLE....UPDATED12/17/14 *BF UPDATED 9/29/2015*JS *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY WHERE THE CONTACT FUEL TANK STRAPS WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO STATED THAT BOTH FUEL TANK STRAPS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,489.
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
MY 2003 FORD ESCAPE STALLS WHEN PLACED IN TO GEAR AND SOMETIMES WHEN STOPPING. *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
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 25, 2026