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5.3

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
17,740 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Ford Escape body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2003 Ford Escape Owner Comments

problem #3

May 012007

Escape 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 52,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

2003 Ford Escape. Noticed paint around lift gate ledge bubbling and peeling. Only top layer of paint is peeling, gray layer appears to be fine, no signs of bubbling or peeling. Talked to dealer and they said it was because the two layers never bonded when the car was painted at the factory. When I contacted the manufacturer to see if they would cover it, they said to go to the dealer and they would look at it and decide what to do. Never heard back from dealer after I made contact with them.

- Hillsboro, OR, USA

problem #2

May 292003

Escape 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,021 miles
Rear hatch - sheet metal around plastic trim piece used for handle and space between window and handle dent easily during normal opening and closing. Several body shops we have taken the vehicle to for estimates says this happens alot. Area should be reinforced or hatch should be made of composite material like the mini-vans.

- Waukesha, WI, USA

problem #1

Nov 022002

Escape 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 200 miles
2003 Ford Escape leaks dirt into passenger compartment when driving down a gravel road, at times the dust inside the passenger cabin is so thick it is impossible to see road or instruments. Road dust is visible passing by door and seals. Dealer has serviced vehicle twice for this condition. Last visit the dealer suggested they would be happy to clean the vehicle out anytime we brought it in for service, and we should not operate the heater/air on gravel roads( we live on a gravel road). Ford customer care was notified, but never responded.

- Centerview, MO, USA

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