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2003 Ford EscortProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 10 owner complaints about the 2003 Ford Escort, most often about the vehicle speed control. It has no vehicle safety recalls on record.

2003 Ford Escort
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CarFlaw IndexNot enough dataHigher is better (0–100)
Safety recalls0None on recordOwner complaints102 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage64kVehicle speed control, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 19, 2018. Updated daily. Photo: Mr.choppers, CC BY-SA 3.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2003 Ford Escort has problems

10 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Vehicle speed control20
Engine and engine cooling20
Power train10
Service brakes, air10
Service brakes, hydraulic10
Structure10
Suspension10
Tires10
Air bags11
2 other systems20

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

0 recalls

2003 Ford Escort recalls and how many were fixed

No vehicle safety recalls are on record for this model year.

Best & worst years

2003 vs. every other Escort 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 Escort median. How we score

'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
In owners' words

What Escort owners report

Recent vehicle speed control complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 (NA) FORD ESCORT. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS…
Complaint 10669710 · Jan 2, 2015 · 115,000 miles
DT: THE CALLER SAYS VEHICLE VIBRATES WHEN IT IS IN IDLE. ALSO WHEN VEHICLE IS AT A STOP LIGHT OR SIGNS THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES UNCONTROLLABLY. THIS HAPPENED FOR THE LAST 6 MONTHS AND IT BECAME WORSE. DEALER SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO TO FIX IT. THE MANUFACTURER SAID IT WAS A…
Complaint 10134201 · Aug 25, 2005 · 12,000 miles

Own a 2003 Escort?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.