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.
THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DESIGNED TO CLOSE TOGETHER, WHICH CAUSED CONSUMER TO PRESS THE ACCELERATOR WHEN THE BRAKE WAS BEING APPLIED.*JB *JB
WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS PRESSED SLIGHTLY THE VEHICLE SURGED FORWARD FROM 0-10 MPH. *NLM
WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN IN THE RAIN WATER CAMES THROUGH THE DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW FRAME. THE WATER WENT DOWN INTO THE ELECTRICAL BUTTONS ON DOOR PANEL. FORD REPLACED ALL THE RUBBER SEALS BUT IT STILL LEAKS. *AK
THERE WAS A GROANING NOISE COMING FROM THE BRAKES, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP BUT IDLING. THERE WAS ALSO A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM THE AIR VENTS. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE BY THE DEALERSHIP THE STEERING PUMP AND PRESSURE LINE HAD RUPTURED. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED IT WAS CAUSED BY THE POWER STEERING FLUID BEING CONTAMINATED. *AK *SCC *JB
WHILE AT A STOP WITH FOOT ON BRAKE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN. CONSUMER LOST CONTROL AND HIT A BUILDING. *AK
THE SUNROOF COMPLETELY SHATTERED. THE CONSUMER STATED PIECES OF GLASS FELL INTO THE FRONT SEAT. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE DESCRIBE FURTHER. *JB
TRANSMISSION SLIPPED INTO NEUTRAL AND 2ND GEAR ON ITS OWN. *PH THE GEAR INDICATOR STATED THE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN DRIVE, WHEN THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN HE PARKED THE VEHICLE AND THEN RETURNED, HE NOTICED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN THE SAME PLACE WHERE HE HAD LEFT IT. *JB
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DRIVER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO WORN PARTS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026