repaired · 2017 Q1
Automatic transmission: gear position indication (prndl)
Risk. If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear…
2003 Ford EscapeProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 558 owner complaints about the 2003 Ford Escape, most often about the structure. It is covered by 7 safety recalls, and for recall 15V-606 the manufacturer reports only 21% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 19, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: Rutger van der Maar, CC BY 2.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2003 Ford Escape has problems
558 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
121Structure2 crash/fire/injury
90Vehicle speed control15 crash/fire/injury
90Suspension3 crash/fire/injury
60Air bags17 crash/fire/injury
55Power train2 crash/fire/injury
47Engine and engine cooling6 crash/fire/injury
44Steering3 crash/fire/injury
41Service brakes, hydraulic
39Electrical system
10817 other systems22 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 121 | 2 |
| Vehicle speed control | 90 | 15 |
| Suspension | 90 | 3 |
| Air bags | 60 | 17 |
| Power train | 55 | 2 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 47 | 6 |
| Steering | 44 | 3 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 41 | 9 |
| Electrical system | 39 | 8 |
| 17 other systems | 108 | 22 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
7 recalls
2003 Ford Escape recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2015 Q3
Structure: frame and members
Risk. A separation of the lower control arm can result in a significant loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
no report yet
Engine and engine cooling
Risk. A stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop or slow the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.
no report yet
Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
Risk. AN ELECTRICAL SHORT MIGHT CAUSE AN ABS MALFUNCTION THAT WOULD ILLUMINATE THE ABS WARNING LIGHT, AND IN SOME CASES, THE MODULE MAY OVERHEAT RESULTING IN BURNING…
Show 3 more recalls
no report yet
Doors: latch
Risk. IF THE LIFTGATE IS LEFT UNLOCKED, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL THAT IT MAY OPEN DURING A CRASH.
no report yet
Vehicle speed control: cables
Risk. AN UNEXPECTED INCREASE IN ENGINE IDLE SPEED MAY INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCE AND MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
no report yet
Automatic transmission: control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Risk. SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Ford.
Mileage at failure
When do structure problems start?
108kmiles, median
Based on the odometer reading in 94 structure complaints. 44% were reported before 100,000 miles.
5under 30k miles41under 100k miles53100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs
What owners say repairs cost
Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.
Air bags
9 owners mentioned a cost$500median
Middle half: $450 – $595
If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.
Best & worst years
2003 vs. every other Escape year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Escape median. How we score
9961,0275584991,3944642541,9741,6932,0711,3206042,7532,0911,1481,1922,7101,8336041,62135623810278263
'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2003 Ford Escape safety ratings
2003 Ford Escape 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Rollover: 3 stars (0.0% risk)
- Stability control: No
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
8 investigations
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2003 Ford Escape, and the recalls they led to.
- Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion AuditNo recall
- ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRENo recall
- Cruise Control CableNo recall
- Engine Compartment FireLed to recall 12V-005
- ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRELed to recall 07V-156
- Stuck ThrottleLed to recall 12V-353
- ENGINE STALLINGNo recall
- ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRENo recall
In owners' words
What Escape owners report
Recent structure complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the front wheel would extend outward while turning the vehicle, braking, or during acceleration, causing the vehicle to slightly veer to the right. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the front passenger’s side…
TL* THE CONTACT'S MOTHER OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT'S MOTHER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE) THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT HOPKINS FORD OF ELGIN INC. LOCATED AT (1045 E CHICAGO ST, ELGIN, IL 60120) HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED. THE CONTACT…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED AND QUOTED A REPAIR COST OF $2,000 TO HAVE THE FRAME REPLACED. SEVERAL UNKNOWN DEALERS WERE CONTACTED AND QUOTED REPAIRS COSTS AS HIGH…
Own a 2003 Escape?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.