NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Ford Escape. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026
I was doordashing as it's my job and all of sudden my car starts not idling won't stay off od off switch that switch stayed consistently flickered either the engine or transmission is slipping or misfiring
Never received a recall letter or notice
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the front wheel would extend outward while turning the vehicle, braking, or during acceleration, causing the vehicle to slightly veer to the right. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the front passenger’s side control arm had slightly detached. The dealer informed the contact the failure was a result of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V165000 (Structure) and the vehicle was included; however, the fix needed exceeded the repair stated in the recall remedy. The dealer diagnosed that the front subframe was extremely rusted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened. The contact was also referred to NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The approximate failure mileage was 122,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, and while driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle was smoking. There were no warning lights illuminated. The owner disconnected the battery. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the owner that the ABS module and wiring harness needed to be replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
Driver had uneasy feeling with stability of vehicle as if it was swaying. He got it looked at and was told he probably needed lower control arm and links to take care of the problem. After ordering parts, the vehicle, while driving to work, a loud popping sound was heard and then the vehicle dropped down and had to be towed home (thank God this didn't happen on the expressway). I then looked up any recalls on this vehicle and low and behold there was a recall on this year, make and model car BUT not on this VIN number (Ford's number for this recall is 14S02. Recall date 2014-04-02 Recall no.14V165000). This vehicle suddenly and dangerously broke down from this same problem, and has the same issue that was recalled by Ford on this make, model and year described in their recall (14S02) but the VIN number seems to say otherwise when I looked it up. This needs to be investgated before this happens to someone while driving in snow or rainy condtions or while driving on the expressway. Please investigate!
I had a rear end at fault collision that totaled my 2003 Ford Escape on Dec.19, 2021....not one air bag deflated (yes I was at fault) because I was the one whom ran into the back of a jeep.....I'm having neck pain and spasms from whiplash, just curious whu not 1 airbG in the whole car deflated?
I was recently driving on the interstate and the gas pedal got stuck so the car started speeding up very fast and the brakes and emergency brake would not make it slow down. After this i found out there was a recall about this problem and it says the previous owner of the vehicle fixed it but it’s happened while i owned it so i don’t think it was fixed correctly.
DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE COMING FROM GEORGIA, IT WOULD DOWNSHIFT SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE IT IN ABOUT 4 MONTHS.I THOUGHT I HAD EVERYTHING REPAIRED, THEN MY TRUCK STOPPED PULLING IN DRIVE AT A RED LIGHT. MY SAFETY NEUTRAL SWITCH IS BRAND NEW AND THE POSITION SENSOR. 10/12/2020 WHEN PROBLEM AROSE AFTER REPLACING SENSORS 02/09/2021 ANY IDEAS WHY IT IS DOING THIS?
WHILE REPLACING THE CONTROL ARMS ON MY 2003 FORD ESCAPE XLT 4X4 I NOTICED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE THERE WAS ALOT OF CORROSION SO MUCH SO THE CONTROL ARM IS BARELY HANGING ON THERE IS A FLAT BAR RUNNING FROM DRIVERS SIDE TO PASSENGER SIDE WHICH HAS BEEN RENDERED USELESS BECAUSE THE BOLT THAT IS USED TO HOLD IT IN PLACE HAS NOTHING TO BOLT TO THIS WAS SUPPOSED TO FIX THE ISSUE WITH CORROSION WELL IT HASN'T ITS NOW GONNA COST ME GOD KNOWS HOW MUCH TO FIX I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS ISSUE IS STILL COVERED UNDER, THE RECALL
RECALL #14S02 (NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 14V165000) COVERED REPLACEMENT OF LOWER CONTROL ARM & BALLPOINT FOR EVERY NEARBY STATE, BUT NOT VIRGINIA. BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARMS ON MY VEHICLE ARE CORRODED AND IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT, BUT THERE IS NO OPEN RECALL FOR MY VIN BECAUSE 14S02 DID NOT INCLUDE VIRGINIA. DRIVING VEHICLE WITH CORRODED CONTROL ARMS IS DEEMED DANGEROUS, BUT COSTS OF REPLACING APPROACH VEHICLE VALUE.
I HAVE A 2003 FORD ESCAPE AND I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 2 OF THE SHIFTER CABLES. THE CABLES TO ALLOW THE TRUCK TO GO FROM PRND12.ON THE DASHBOARD IF THE BLACK BOLD SQUARE ISN'T AROUND THE P WHEN I TURN OFF THE TRUCK THEN I CANNOT TAKE MY KEY OUT OF THE IGNITION WHEN PARKED.I DO NOT WANT THE VEHICLE TO KEEP MOVING .
VEHICLE MOVED FORWARD WHEN IN REVERSE GEAR WHEN I WAS TRYING TO BACK UP AT WORK. I HAD TO HAVE PEOPLE AT WORK COME HELP ME PULL THE VEHICLE BACKWARDS TO AVOID CRASHING INTO THE WALL. IT STILL ONLY GOES FORWARD, EVEN IN REVERSE GEAR. IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE!!!
WHILE MY 2003 ESCAPE WAS IN MOTION, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND KICKED AD I PRESSED ACCELERATING ON A HEAVY CITY HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE COULDN'T DRIVE OR MOVE FORWARD. I BELIEVE IT IS THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. THE GEARS WERE SLIPPING OR NOT GOING IN POSITION. I WAS USING MORE GAS, HAVING A RECALL ON TRANSMISSION WAS ANNOUNCED ON 2003 FORD ESCAPE. RECALL ID 234608 ON POWERTRAIN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. AND RECALL ID 234607 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: GEAR POSITION INDICATION. RECALL ID 234607 I CALLED THE FORD SERVICE CENTER. I WAS TOLD NO RECALLS UNDER MY VIN NUMBER. I ASKED FOR ASSISTANCE TO FIX MY TRANSMISSION. NO WAS ANSWER. I TOOK MY CAR BACK TO PLACE I PURCHASED IT CARTER'S RADIATOR, PURCHASED 5-8-2020. CARTER RADIATOR DID DIAGNOSE, FOUND IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION. I WAS TOLD CAR WILL NOT GO INTO GEARS. 4TH GEAR IS IN-OPERATIVE. ONY 1ST & 2ND GEARS OPERATING. TO REPAIR FAULTY TRANSMISSION WILL COST $3900, BUT BECAUSE I PURCHASED VEHICLE FROM THEM, REPAIR COST IS $2400.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. MARK MCLARTY FORD LOCATED AT 4400 LANDERS RD, NORTH LITTLE ROCK, AR 72117, (501) 945-1200, WAS CONTACTED AND MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V606000 (POWER TRAIN) AND 04V165000 (POWER TRAIN), HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 229,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENTERING THE DRIVEWAY TO PARK, THERE WAS SMOKE PRESENT. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND OPENED THE HOOD WHEN A FIRE WAS DISCOVERED. THE CONTACT GRABBED A WATER HOSE AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE ABS MODULE CONNECTOR WAS MELTED ALONG WITH WIRES. AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT THE CONTACT WAS PREGNANT AND HAD HER 4-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER IN THE VEHICLE. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT CONTACTED. NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THERE WAS A RECORDING STATING THAT NO CALLS WERE BEING ACCEPTED AT THE MOMENT. THE LOCAL DEALER (UNKNOWN DEALER INFORMATION) WAS THEN CALLED WHERE THEY MENTIONED THAT NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE06048 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) WAS PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115,000.
I BROUGHT BRACES DRUMS FOR BACK WHEELS STILL IDONOT HAVE BRACES THEY DONOT WORK TOOK TO AUTO PLACE WAS TOLD TO CONTACT DEALER
THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS BROKEN AND WOULD BE ABOUT $1000 TO REPLACE. I WAS DRIVING DOWN A DIRT ROAD , IT WAS A LITTLE BUMPY AND THE STEERING WHEEL STOPPED WORKING DUE TO THE FRAME BREAKING. THE 2003 FORD ESCAPE HAS 124,000 MILES ON IT. LUCKILY NOBODY WAS HURT, BUT I CAN'T BELIEVE THE FRAME OF N SUV COULD BREAK SO EASILY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON TAKING HIS VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE INSPECTED, THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED SEVERE CORROSION ON THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL TUBULAR FRAME. THE MECHANIC INFORMED HIM THAT THE FAILURE COULD CAUSE THE COLLAPSE OF THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL. PRIOR TO THE DISCOVERY, THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000(STRUCTURE). THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH GERMAIN FORD OF COLUMBUS (7250 SAWMILL RD, COLUMBUS, OH 43235, (614) 356-9743) WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE DEALER WAS NOT AUTHORIZED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS THEN REFERRED TO THE MANUFACTURER WHO THEN REFERRED HIM TO NHTSA FOR ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 254,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact's nephew stated while driving approximately 35 mph, there was smoke coming from under the hood. The contact pulled over and fire started coming from under the hood. The fire department was called out however, the fire was extinguished before they arrived. A fire report was filed. The vehicle was towed back to the contact's sister’s residence. The vehicle was diagnosed but was not repaired. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.
MY CAR HAD A RECALL #14S02 FOR A RUSTED SUBFRAME. FORDS FIX WAS TO PUT A $20 PIECE OF METAL THAT THEY CALL A REINFORCEMENT BRACE. THIS REINFORCED BRACE HAS FAILED AND THE ORIGINAL PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED. THE ORIGINAL RECALL PROBLEM WAS THAT THE CAR WAS ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO STEER AND COULD CAUSE SERIOUS ACCIDENTS. NOW FORD IS TELLING MY THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO SINCE THEY PUT THE CHEAP REINFORCEMENT BRACE! NOW I HAVE AN UNDRIVEABLE VEHICLE THAT HAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS THE ORIGINAL RECALL! I BELIEVE THEY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM SINCE WHAT THEY DID TO FIX THE RECALL HAS LITERALLY FAILED AGAIN!
TL* THE CONTACT'S MOTHER OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT'S MOTHER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE) THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT HOPKINS FORD OF ELGIN INC. LOCATED AT (1045 E CHICAGO ST, ELGIN, IL 60120) HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS THE VEHICLE MOVED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT WAS DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S SIDE CONTROL ARMS AND THE FRONT SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
WHILE IN MOTION,ON TWO OF MY VEHICLES A 2003 AND A 2004 FORD ESCAPE ONE CYLINDER BLEW OUT THE SPARK PLUG AND COIL PACK (#5)ON BOTH VEHICLES I'M TRYING TO FIND OUT IF THERE'S A RECALL ON ? SAME TYPE OF VEHICLES MODEL ONE YEAR APART.
HELLO THE CAR IS MAKING A NOISE LIKE BEARING WHEN I DRIVE MORE THAN 35 MILES IT GOING WORSE WHEN YOU MOVE A LITTLE BIT THE STEARIN WEELL AND NEVER END JUST WHEN GET LESS THAN 30 OR 35 MILES SOMTIMES IT DOIT LESS THAN 30 MILES AND EVERYDAY IT GOING WORSE PLEASE CAN YOU DOBLE CHECK RECALL FOR FROM BEARING I REALLY APPRECIATE
BEARING HAVE A WIRED NOISE ON FROM OF VEHICLE WHEN I GET 35 MILES OR MORE
BEARING ARE MAKING NOISE
O/D OFF LIGHT FLASHES. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. TRANSMISSION COLUMN SHIFTER MOVES PROPERLY IN ALL GEARS P,R,N,D,2,1 BUT VEHICLE ONLY MOVES IN REVERSE AND ENGAGES IN PARK AND NEUTRAL. VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE IN DRIVE, 2 OR 1. TRANSMISSION FLUID CONDITION AND LEVEL IS NORMAL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 TO 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND THE AIR BAG INDICATOR FLASHED ON AND OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BEACH FORD (888-869-6079, LOCATED AT 2717 VIRGINIA BEACH BLVD, VIRGINIA BEACH, VA 23452) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED INSPECTION DUE TO THE AIR BAG INDICATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 193,481.
WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON HWY 45 MY ESCAPE JUMPED OUT OF GEAR AND OVERDRIVE INDICATOR SHOWED IT HAD TURNED OFF AT THE SAME TIME. ALSO IT CAUSED MY VEHICLE TO ALMOST STOLL WHILE TRAFFIC WAS BEHIND ME AND BESIDE ME. I HAD TO SHIFT GEAR SHIFT UNTIL LIGHT SHOWED AGAIN THEN SHIFT IT TO DRIVE. ALSO HAD TO CLICK OVERDRIVE BACK ON SEVERAL TIMES UNTIL IT KICKED ON. I HAD MY SISTER AND MY 2 CHILDREN 9YRS AND 10 YRS OLD IN VEHICLE WHEN IT HAPPENED. ALSO HAD MY VEHICLE TO START JUMPING AND SHAKING LIKE IT WAS MISSING . ENGINE LIGHT IS ON ALL THE TIME NOW, AND AIRBAG LIGHT. IS IT SAFE TO DRIVE?
THE LEFT FRONT CONTROL ARM BROKE THROUGH THE SUBFRAME, CAUSING A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR. MY FATHER WAS DRIVING IT AT THE TIME. WHEN HE WENT TO ACCELERATE ON A STATE HI WAY IT PULLED VERY HARD TO THE LEFT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC, NEARLY ENDING IN A BAD WAY. I SUBSEQUENTLY TEST DROVE IT AND DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM. I IMMEDIATELY CHECKED FOR ANY RECALL INFORMATION AND FOUND THIS SPECIFIC INFORMATION. MY FATHER HAD TAKEN IT TO HIS LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS OK AS OF 2014.I NOTICED ONLY SOME MODELS WERE INCLUDED IN THE 2014 RECALL. THE SUBFRAME IN THE LEFT FRONT IS SOFT AND ROTTED OUT, WHILE THE RIGHT FRONT AND THE REAR IS IN GOOD CONDITION. I CONTACTED FORD DIRECTLY AND FOUND NO RELIEF OR EVEN A SATISFACTORY EXPLANATION WHY MY FATHER'S VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. I'M QUITE APPALLED WITH FORD MOTOR COMPANY'S LAME EXPLANATION OF HOW VEHICLE DOESN'T QUALIFY FOR REIMBURSEMENT. WITHOUT BEING OVERLY DRAMATIC, MY FATHER OR I COULD HAVE LOST OUR LIVES TO TO THIS RARE TYPE OF DAMAGE. THIS ESCAPE HAS BEEN WELL TAKEN CARE OF AND IS IN GOOD CONDITION FOR A 2003 FROM THE RUST BELT. I'VE OWNED DOZENS OF VEHICLES, AS HAS MY WHOLE FAMILY, WE'VE NEVER SEEN THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM AND IT'S NOT SUBJECT TO A RECALL. I AM HOPING OTHERS HAVE COMPLAINED AS WELL IN HOPES OF SPARKING AN EXPANDED RECALL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. I INCLUDED A COUPLE OF GENERAL PICTURES FOR NOW AS THE ESCAPE IS AT A REPAIR SHOP. 2003 XLT V6 3.0 WITH AVAILABLE FULL 4X4 CAPABILITY. APPROXIMATELY 165,000 MILES. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *PM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A RANCH, SOMEONE LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW AND FOUND THE VEHICLE ON FIRE. THE POLICE AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE AND THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED. A FIRE REPORT AND POLICE REPORT WERE FILED. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED AND WAS NOT TOWED AWAY. THE DEALER WAS NOT CALLED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT INQUIRED ABOUT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V156000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 98,500.
MY TRANSMISSION HAS WENT OUT THE PREVIOUS OWNERS HAD A TRANSMISSION PUT IN 2013 WITH A THREE YEAR WARRANTY AND I BOUGHT THE CAR 2019 AND IT WENT OUT 2 MONTHS LATER. IT WILL BACK UP BUT WON'T GO FORWARD.
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY AND THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED OFF CENTER MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CORRECTLY STEER THE CAR. I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THE SUB FRAME RUSTED AND CRACKED IN HALF.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH AND PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE, THE CONTACT RAISED HER FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL; HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY TO 75 MPH. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN TO 70 MPH. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS RELEASED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATED TO 75 MPH. THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AGAIN WITH EXCESSIVE FORCE, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP. THE VEHICLE SLOWED DOWN TO 45 MPH, BUT THE ENGINE WAS STILL REVVING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AT 40 MPH AND QUICKLY POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. DUE TO DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH EXCESSIVE FORCE, THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED WHILE IN THE PARK POSITION AND THE ENGINE STARTED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT QUICKLY POWERED OFF THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT'S FATHER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE CABLE CONNECTED TO THE THROTTLE WAS CAUGHT IN BETWEEN THE ENGINE AND THE PLASTIC ENGINE COVER. THE CONTACT'S FATHER MANEUVERED THE CABLE AND THE VEHICLE DROVE NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT RUNNING AND SITTING IN HIS DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE ON HIS OWN, NO INJURIES OCCURRED AND NO FIRE REPORT WAS TAKEN. UPON INVESTIGATION THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V156000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) WITH HIS FAILURE. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH A DEALER (APPLE FORD 3250 CAPE HORN RD, RED LION, PA 17356 717-429-0726) AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE/FIRE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FIRE WAS RELATED TO THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE CONTACT INFORMED THE MANUFACTURER OF THE FAILURE, THEY INFORMED HIM THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.
FRONT SUB FRAME RUSTED OUT AND SPLIT HALF WAY ACROSS PULLS VEHICLE WHEN DRIVING 14S02 COMPLAINT
THE AIR BAG STAY ON AND KEEPS BLINKING AND WON'T TURN OFF. I HAVE DONE EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO CHECK THIS ISSUE OUT, HAVING NO LUCK SO FAR.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE K FRAME WAS CORRODED AND THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. IN ADDITION, WHILE THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE K FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, THE POWER CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED, AND THE AIR BAGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,470.
TL* 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.
MY ESCAPE STARTED TO MISS, FIRST IT WASN'T BAD THEN STARTED JERKING AND IT STARTED IDLING ROUGH WHEN I STOPPED AT RED LIGHT. WHEN I STARTED MOVING AGAIN IT ACTED AS IF IT WOULD DIE AND WOULD GO. IF I GET TO 40 MPH IT IS REALLY BAD. BUT THIS HAPPENED ON MAIN HIGHWAY WITH OTHER VEHICLES ALL AROUND ME AND HAD 18 WHEELER BEHIND ME AND ALL OF SUDDEN MY SPEED DECREASED AND ME AND MY CHILDREN ALMOST WAS IN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF DECREASE IN SPEED. IT SCARED ME AND MY TWO CHILDREN. WHEN I GOT IT LOOKED AT THE CODES SAID IT WAS MISSING ON ONE CYLINDER THEN AT ONE POINT ALL CYLINDERS.
TL* 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.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT HEARD A KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED AND QUOTED A REPAIR COST OF $2,000 TO HAVE THE FRAME REPLACED. SEVERAL UNKNOWN DEALERS WERE CONTACTED AND QUOTED REPAIRS COSTS AS HIGH AS $4,800. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE EQUIPPED WITH COOPER DISCOVERER M+S SPORT TIRES, SIZE: 235/70R16. WHILE DRIVING OVER 70 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD, RUMBLING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TIRE TREAD SEPARATED FROM AROUND THE TIRE, WHICH DAMAGED THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TAIL LIGHT AND FRACTURED THE BULB. ALSO, THE REAR BUMPER AND BODY OF THE VEHICLE WERE DAMAGED NEAR THE REAR DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. AAA ARRIVED AND REPLACED THE SHREDDED TIRE WITH A SPARE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A TIRE REPAIR FACILITY AND ALL FOUR TIRES WERE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS WAITING TO HEAR IF THERE WAS A RELATED RECALL. THE VIN AND TIRE AND VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *BF*JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED, WHICH WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. THE DEALER (GUS JOHNSON FORD, 8300 E SPRAGUE AVE, SPOKANE VALLEY, WA 99212, (509)-924-1000) WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN AN AIR BAG RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
LOWER CONTROL ARM SEPARATED FROM SUB FRAME. HIGH CORROSION AREA. SEPARATED AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 65 MPH GOING OVER HIGHWAY BRIDGE. RIGHT FRONT TIRE TIPPED OUT AND SENT VEHICLE INTO A UNCONTROLLED SWERVE TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. FORD'S RECALL 14S02 CROSS BRACE PATCH WAS INSTALLED BUT STILL ALMOST CAUSED A MAJOR CRASH. I DON'T BELIEVE THE INSPECTION BY FORD WAS DONE PROPERLY WHEN THEY INSTALLED THE BRACE. IF THEY HAD THEY WOULD BE REPLACING THE SUB-FRAME ALSO.
CONTROL ARMS ARE IN TERRIBLE CONDITION. PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM DISLOCATED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET DUE TO CORROSION AND POOR MANUFACTURING. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR IT ON SOME ESCAPES DURING THOSE YEARS BUT SINCE MY VIN NUMBER ISNT ON THEIR RECALL LISTS FOR IT IM NOT COVERED. FORD NEEDS TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR IT AND DO THE RIGHT THING. HOW ARE ONLY SOME OF THE FORD ESCAPES DURING THOSE YEARS COVERED FOR BAD CONTROL ARMS? PLEASE HELP AND HOLD FORD ACCOUNTABLE.
THE ENTIRE ENGINE SUB-FRAME REQUIRES REPLACEMENT DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION. THE MECHANIC HAS INFORMED ME THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE IN ITS CURRENT CONDITION. THE INTERNET IS FULL OF STORIES OF FORD ESCAPE CORRODED ENGINE SUB FRAME. THERE IS CURRENT NO RECALL FROM FORD
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE TURNING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE SHOOK. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOB CHAPMAN FORD (1255 COLUMBUS AVE, MARYSVILLE, OH 43040, (937) 642-0015) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONTROL ARM AND SUBFRAME WERE FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 121,000.
TL* 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.
MY VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR THE FORD RECALL # 14S02 AND A CROSS BRACE WAS INSTALLED. THE RECALL WAS DUE TO A SUBFRAME CORRODING AWAY IN SOME PARTS OF THE US INCLUDING MY REGION. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT FORD DID NOT CORRECTLY FIX THIS PROBLEM WITH THEIR CROSS BRACE. THEY SIMPLY BOLTED A CROSS BRACE FROM ONE SIDE OF THE FRAME TO THE OTHER AND IT DOES NOTHING WHEN THE SUBFRAME ACTUALLY CORRODES AWAY. I WAS LUCKY TO NOT GET IN AN ACCIDENT A WEEK AGO WHEN MY FRAME THAT HAS THE CROSS BAR INSTALLED FINALLY GAVE WAY AND MY FRONT PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE CROSS BRACE AND SUBFRAME THAT HAS CORRODED TO NOTHING. FORD HAS CLAIMED THAT SINCE THE RECALL WORK HAS ALREADY BEEN DONE THERE IS NOTHING MORE THEY CAN DO. I THINK THE NHTSA SHOULD INVESTIGATE AND MAKE FORD ACTUALLY FIX THIS PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT. IT WAS ONE OF THE SCARIEST MOMENTS DRIVING THAT I HAVE EVER HAD. DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH MY 7 YR OLD SON IN THE CAR AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I LOSE STEERING ALMOST ALL TOGETHER. THANKFULLY I WAS ONE OF THE LUCKY ONES THAT DAY. IF THIS PROBLEM IS NOT ADDRESSED THEN I'M AFRAID MANY PEOPLE WILL BE HURT.
THE ENGINE WILL STUTTER AND STALL (AFTER DRIVING FINE) AND WILL THEN THE ENGINE SHUTS DOWN. I LOSE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES - IF THE CAR RESTARTS, IT WILL SHUT DOWN AGAIN WHEN I PRESS ON THE BRAKE. I HAD IT TOWED RECENTLY TO A SHOP AND THEY COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. IT HAPPENS OFF AND ON - I FOUND A SIMILAR ISSUE WITH PREVIOUS FORD ESCAPES AND THERE WAS A RECALL IN 2004, BUT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT AFFECTED (IT WAS MADE AT THE SAME PLANT AS THE RECALLED VEHICLES. THIS HAPPENED TO MY HUSBAND IN A BUSY INTERSECTION AND HAPPENED TO ME IN A PARKING LOT - IT IS VERY SCARY WHEN IT HAPPENS.