2003 Ford Escape Suspension Problems
- 71
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 71 stored complaint records:
- 3 indicate a crash
- 1 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- lower control · 26 records
- passenger side · 20 records
- front passenger · 15 records
- cross brace · 10 records
- front frame · 9 records
- frame rusted · 8 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 100–150k mi | 26 |
| 60–100k mi | 14 |
| 150–400k mi | 14 |
| 30–60k mi | 2 |
| 1–30k mi | 1 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Suspension
BEARING ARE MAKING NOISE
ODI 11279164
Suspension
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
ODI 11268403
Suspension
Bearing have a wired noise on from of vehicle when i get 35 miles or more
ODI 11268389
Suspension
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…
ODI 11234692
Suspension
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.
ODI 11230234
Steering · Suspension
Front sub frame rusted out and split half way across pulls vehicle when driving 14s02 complaint
ODI 11217882
Frame And Members · Suspension
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, [redacted]) where it was diagnosed that a new subframe and lower control arm were needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer…
ODI 11186218
Steering · Suspension
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…
ODI 11113068
Suspension
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…
ODI 11105235
Body · Steering · Suspension
The front sub frame is rusted and the vehicle is unsafe to drive.
ODI 11032266
Body · Suspension
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. While driving 35 mph, a loud noise was heard coming from the front passenger side of the vehicle and the vehicle swayed back and forth. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact was able to drive the vehicle home and, upon inspecting underneath the vehicle, noticed corrosion and separation of the lower control arm from the frame. The vehicle was not taken to…
ODI 11025457
Suspension · Underbody Shields
My son was driving this vehicle when the front control arm snapped off from the front subframe! Thankfully, he did not get killed or injured. The vehicle was towed to a local garage who informed me that ford recall # 14s02 applies to this very condition. Upon calling ford's customer assist line, i was completely shut down. I told the rep that i need a tow since the car was not drivable. She told me that ford will…
Crash reported
ODI 11022742
Suspension
My daughter was driving home from work and went over the railroad tracks and the whole front end felt like it was going to collapse the steering got thrown way off and when she went to apply the brakes at the light she almost went through them because of the front-end being way out of line. When i had a chance to look underneath it the next day it is so corroded and split and cracked where the crossmember is. And…
ODI 11020447
Frame And Members · Suspension
Tl* 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…
ODI 11005875
Suspension
2003 ford escape xlt 4x4 rear frame rusts causing control arm bracket to rip front the frame. Driving down the road came up to a stop light all of a sudden my brakes locked up got out and looked too see the frame had rusted allowing the lower control arm on the rear driver side to rip the bracket from the frame.
ODI 10985891
Suspension · Underbody Shields
My 17-year-old son was driving the car home from work and after making a right turn the car severely jerks to the right. He almost went off of the road. We took the car to our local mechanic and were told that there was corrosion and separation of the control arm and we would need a brace to complete the repair. The mechanic said when he took the car for a test drive the steering wheel is out of alignment and he…
ODI 10929396
Body · Suspension
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. Upon exiting a parking area, there was an abnormal suspension vibration near the front of the vehicle. The front subframe fractured and impacted the front passenger side tire. The contact and a mechanic inspected the fact that there had been premature rust and corrosion associated with the underbody, subframe, and the bar that was connected to the frame. The vehicle was…
ODI 10926992
Suspension · Wheels
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. While driving approximately 33 mph and attempting to turn, the front passenger side wheel failed and the vehicle became difficult to control. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact was able to pull the vehicle over to the shoulder and discovered that the front passenger wheel was rusted and twisted outward. The failure caused the rear control arm to almost…
ODI 10909653
Suspension
While driving on highway the steering started to become unstable and loose. Moments later the lower control arm (sub-frame) on passenger side separated causing loss of control almost ending in crash. Never received notice of the recall below to fix this problem which was issued about two years ago. Dealership contacted. They are dragging their feet on an answer as to whether they'll fix. Recall # 14s02 2001-'04 ford…
ODI 10897397
Body · Steering · Suspension
While driving, the front right tire felt like it was going to fall off the vehicle. I took it to my mechanic who stated that the sub-frame was cracked and ford had a recall in place. I had it towed to the nearest ford dealership who stated that it would be covered under the recall. Instead, they put a cross-bar on the cracked sub frame because they determined it was "not broken" only "cracked". The sub frame had…
ODI 10895214
Suspension
In may of 2016, i took my ford escape in for repair of a recall. My understanding of the recall was to prevent a failure of the lower control arm as i read the recall notice and the conversation that i had with repair center agent. A month later the lower control arm separates. After i had my vehicle towed to ford, it was expressed to me that recall was not to prevent failure but merely to stabilize the vehicle in…
ODI 10875236
Body · Suspension · Wheels
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. The contact stated that the vehicle had a recall on the frame and was repaired. While driving 20 mph, the vehicle shook and the steering wheel wobbled. The front driver side wheel was straight while the front passenger side wheel faced outward. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the subframe was completely fractured and needed to be replaced. The…
ODI 10825200
Body · Suspension
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. While driving approximately 10 mph, a loud thumping sound came from the front of the vehicle and the steering malfunctioned. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the subframe seperated due to severe rust and corrosion, which caused the lower control arm to fracture. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 167,000.
ODI 10824498
Suspension
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. While the vehicle was being serviced for routine tire maintenance, the contact was informed that there was severe corrosion to the rear axles of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000. Updated 07/12/16*lj
ODI 10862577
Frame And Members · Suspension
Tl* 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…
ODI 10816734