We have had this 03 Escape since FOREVER! My mom bought the truck at 75k and it was passed to me at about 175k. Now, she has almost 300,000 miles (approx. 291,000 as of June 28, 2016) under her belt. However, my ONLY issue with this truck is that the alternator goes out, on schedule, every 2-3 years and usually takes the battery with it! I'm not sure why. I'm not sure how, but FORD needs to resolve this.
I was blessed enough that my mechanic charged me $75 to replace it, however, I knew that this had to be his 1st '03 Ford Escape alternator, because everyone else's range was $200 plus. I already had the part. I was basically just paying for labor. (It doesn't help with cost of labor, that the alternator is tucked under and behind the wheel hub.) Sure enough, I got a call from him and he said DO NOT bring this back to me LOL.
In the past 4 years I have had my alternator replaced three times. Truck has low miles given the year and I don't run my vehicle roughly. Don't understand why it keeps going bad. Now I always feel scared my car will suddenly die. It's also a pain in the butt to replace and most shops want $300 for labor. Another $200 for alternator. If I was still making payments on this car I would've gotten rid of it a while ago.
the alternator failed when we were returning from a backwoods trailhead after a long day hike. good thing we were able to coast and push the dead car downhill for about 6 miles. we were lucky to find a couple who lived in a remote cabin who offered the use of their phone as we were out of cell phone range and at least 10 - 15 miles to the main road. the tow back home cost $600.00 bucks!
I had the alternator replaced only to have it go out again 4 days later. If there are this many problems with this thing, why isn't there a recall on it? Now I know why they say Found On Road Dead and Fix Or Repair Daily. I've always owned GM vehicles and this is the first Ford. It is also the last Ford. If all of the Parts stores that are replacing these as defective, would raise hell with Ford, maybe something could get done.
- whitebear99,
Jackson, MO, US
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My alternator has gone out 3 times and cost me 2 batteries. It has only a few bolts holding it in so the first time thought it would take 30 min at most. Well it is just a few bolts but no way to get it out after u take it off. We had to dismantle the left wheel and take the axle out to remove the alternator. It had to be an easier way or trick to it,so the next time it went out I had a lifetime warranty on it so I took it to the ford dealership to learn their shortcut. It wasn't any they did the same thing. So the third time it went out we had enough experience to just grin n bear it and changed it myself. Car runs excellent only problem ever had and it is at aprox 227000 miles.
Ok ,,, having to get the alternator fixed three times in THIRTEEN months is a sign of a bad auto and or service department. Also, even thou the problem happened TEN months into a TWELVE month guarantee ... Ford denied the claim because they say that the warranty began with the first piece of crap that failed only three months later! So, I have to buy another one on my dime. ARE YOU KIDDING? call 1-800-392-FORD and tell Torie "WHATS UP WITH THAT????" Thanks for calling!!!!
Ford placed the alternator under the motor and in a extremely tight spot. You have to remove lots of parts to replace it and it goes out frequently on Escapes. Poor quality cars. Too bad because I did love the car when it wasn't broken.
Ford is making crappy alternators, at least for my Escape. I had one replaced at 60,000 and another one replaced only 12,000 later. It is not unusual for alternators to last the life of a vehicle and it appears Ford or the dealer I have been going to, San Tan Ford, in Gilbert, Arizona are doing something really strange compared to the rest of the auto industry.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
We have had this 03 Escape since FOREVER! My mom bought the truck at 75k and it was passed to me at about 175k. Now, she has almost 300,000 miles (approx. 291,000 as of June 28, 2016) under her belt. However, my ONLY issue with this truck is that the alternator goes out, on schedule, every 2-3 years and usually takes the battery with it! I'm not sure why. I'm not sure how, but FORD needs to resolve this.
I was blessed enough that my mechanic charged me $75 to replace it, however, I knew that this had to be his 1st '03 Ford Escape alternator, because everyone else's range was $200 plus. I already had the part. I was basically just paying for labor. (It doesn't help with cost of labor, that the alternator is tucked under and behind the wheel hub.) Sure enough, I got a call from him and he said DO NOT bring this back to me LOL.
- kieyanab, Decatur, GA, US