Print this page

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
17,728 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 engine problems

engine problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2003 Ford Escape:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2003 Ford Escape Owner Comments

problem #4

Jan 022012

Escape

  • miles

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

2003 Ford Escape. Consumer states cruise control will not turn

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #3

Aug 102007

Escape 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 27,708 miles
Had previously asked home dealership to check cruise control for failure to turn on. After traveling for approx. 1 hour on interstate, attempted to turn on cruise control. On third try, cruise control engaged and set at 70 mph. After a few miles I tried to turn it off with no results. Engine continued to accelerate when brake applied. I contacted someone who advised me to pull over and turn the car off if possible. I pulled in to a rest area with both feet on brake and was able to stop the car and immediately put it in park and turn it off. (very difficult with engine revving continuously) I tried to turn the car back on to see if the cruise turned off with the car, it did not, the engine immediately accelerated and the engine sounded as if it was going to explode. I turned the car off. The car was towed to a dealership and the cruise control throttle cable was found to be stuck. The cable was disconnected as they said they had no parts to replace the cruise control. I was sent on with a request to have it replaced at my home dealership. I was charged for the service.

- West Columbia, SC, USA

problem #2

Dec 052005

Escape

  • miles
The cruise control switch stopped working.

- Augusta, KS, USA

problem #1

Sep 282005

Escape 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 43,203 miles
Apparently brake fluid leaked from the master cylinder onto the electronics causing an increase in internal voltage causing the electronics to short out causing a fire that destroyed the wiring harness. My concern is Ford currently has a recall on going for this issue in it's SUV's but the Escape is not mentioned. Why?

- Windsor, CA, USA

Not what you are looking for?