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1.7

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
97,602 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 #18

Mar 092019

Escape

  • 196,703 miles

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

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the subframe was rusted, which created an abnormal rubbing sound when the vehicle was turned. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home. The vehicle was taken to ricart Ford (4255 S hamilton rd, groveport, oh 43125, (614) 836-6260) where it was diagnosed that a new subframe and lower control arm were needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was 196,703.

- Circleville, OH, USA

problem #17

Mar 012019

Escape

  • 195,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. While driving various speeds, the subframe would rub against the body of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to ricart Ford (4255 S hamilton rd, groveport, oh 43125, (614) 836-6260) where it was diagnosed that the subframe was corroded. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 195,000. The VIN was unknown.

- Circleville, OH, USA

problem #16

Jun 012018

Escape

  • 123,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. Upon inspection of the vehicle, the contact discovered that the subframe was rusted near the lower control arm. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer (balise Ford of cape cod in hyannis, MA) were both notified, but no assistance was offered. The contact was informed that the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V165000 (structure). The contact indicated that the vehicle experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The failure mileage was 123,000.

- Hyannis, MA, USA

problem #15

Jul 112017

Escape

  • 135,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. While the contact's daughter was driving 40 mph, the driver struck a pothole and the vehicle began to pull to the right. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the front passenger side lower control arm and subframe were bent due to rust and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that they could not assist because the VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V165000 (structure). The approximate failure mileage was 135,000.

- Butler, OH, USA

problem #14

Dec 102015

Escape

  • 121,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. While driving approximately 40 mph, a thumping noise was heard from the passenger side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the subframe was severely rusted and fractured. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact also stated that a brace was placed on by the dealer in the subframe as part of a recall in 2014. The approximate failure mileage was 121,000.

- Goshen, IN, USA

problem #13

Oct 112013

Escape 4WD 6-cyl

  • 116,994 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact noticed that the subframe was fractured. The dealer diagnosed that the subframe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 14V165000 (structure). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 116,994. Updated 3/12/15 updated 9/11/2017

- Middleton, WI, USA

problem #12

Oct 102014

Escape

  • 122,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. While driving approximately 15 mph, the subframe fractured. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the subframe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 122,000.

- Mansfield, OH, USA

problem #11

Sep 182014

Escape

  • miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 14V165000 (structure: Frame and members). The contact took the vehicle to the dealer to have it repaired according to the recall. The mechanic installed a newly designed reinforcement cross-brace; however, the mechanic could not complete a front end alignment due to an excessive amount of corrosion present. The front end alignment was an enforced procedure per the manufacturer, which was included in the remedy for the recall. The manufacturer was notified and informed the contact that nothing could be done. The contact had not experienced the failure listed in the recall; however, the steering became affected due to the recall. The failure mileage was unknown.

- Windsor, NY, USA

problem #10

May 012014

Escape 4WD 6-cyl

  • 164,429 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. After the vehicle was repaired according to NHTSA campaign number: 14V165000 (structure), it was discovered that the front passenger side subframe was corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired and the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 164,429. Updated 10/01/14 updated 1/7/2015

- Pelham, NH, USA

problem #9

May 012014

Escape 4WD 6-cyl

  • miles
2003 Ford Escape. Consumer writes in regards to lower control arm corrosion recall notice problems. The dealer informed the consumer, the parts were not available and that was in May. The dealer stated to call back in July. To date, the recall has not been fixed. The consumer referenced recall # 14V165000.

- Mount Tabor, NJ, USA

problem #8

Aug 012014

Escape 6-cyl

  • miles

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

2003 Ford Escape. Consumer writes in regards to waiting for vehicle parts to come in.

- Maplewood, MO, USA

problem #7

Jun 122014

Escape 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 56,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the frame was rusted. The contact mentioned that she felt her vehicle was unsafe to be driven. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 56,000. Updated 9/19/14 updated 2/20/2015

- James Town, TN, USA

problem #6

Jun 282014

Escape

  • 123,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 40 mph, the subframe became separated from the passenger side wheel area and also became bent. The power steering assist also failed, which caused the vehicle to veer to the right and slide. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, but there was no diagnostic testing performed. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 123,000.

- Hudson, OH, USA

problem #5

May 172014

Escape

  • 102,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. Additionally, the contact stated that the lower control arm fractured. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the sub frame failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 102,000.

- Turtle Creek , PA, USA

problem #4

Apr 092014

Escape

  • 121,716 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign id number: 14V165000 (suspension-lower control arm regional) and was taken to the dealer for repairs. The dealer confirmed that there were rust holes on the surface of the frame and made an interim repair, which included attaching a cross member and support bar to the subframe. The contact stated that shortly after the recall repairs were performed, the vehicle would exhibit an abnormal popping noise from the front end. The contact was traveling approximately 25 mph and attempting to complete a turn when the loud, popping noise was heard. The lower control arm became detached from the subframe on the front passenger's side. The vehicle then began to shake violently and the contact was not able to control the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where it was diagnosed that the entire subframe needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure multiple times. The approximate failure mileage was 121,716.

- Flat Rock, MI, USA

problem #3

Feb 152013

Escape

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while having routine maintenance performed on the vehicle, the mechanic informed the contact that the sub frame was rusted. The vehicle was repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.

- Montague, NJ, USA

problem #2

Sep 012011

Escape

  • 70,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. While driving 25 mph, the low sub frame on the passenger side separated from the vehicle and the contact lost control of the vehicle. A local mechanic diagnosed that the sub frame failed due to rust. The dealer and manufacturer denied any assistance with repairs to the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 70,000. The VIN was unavailable.

- Hudson, OH, USA

problem #1

Jul 212008

Escape

  • miles
I purchased a Ford Escape 2003 on July 2008. Last month I noticed the leather interior loosened from all four doors. I would like to know is this a factory defect.

- Charleston, SC, USA

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