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
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. The contact stated that the lower control arm failed and caused a loss of steering control. The vehicle was included in nhtsa campaign number: 14v165000 (suspension). The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it remained for two months however, once the vehicle was returned to the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and current…
ODI 10597811
Suspension
My escape is part of the hhtsa 14v-165 recall. Ford dealer inspected suspension/sub frame area on 6/11/2014 and determined it was bad. Hole size was approx. 3inx6in. Service man said he was only authorized to put on cross brace but also said he would talk to rep about replacing sub frame. He and i both took pictures. I did not feel safe after seeing the flimsy cross brace installed due to the fact that where it…
ODI 10608634
Control Arm · Suspension
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. The contact stated that he received a notification for recall nhtsa campaign id number 14v165000 (lower control arm). The vehicle was taken to the dealer and a reinforcement cross-brace was installed. The contact stated that the cross-brace was not working for his vehicle due to the front lower control arms being completely rusted. The manufacturer was notified about the…
ODI 10597808
Steering · Suspension
I have taken my car to a ford dealer three weeks ago and they had to order the part. I'm still waiting for them to call me for my repairs. Mike castrucci st. Rt.28 milford,ohio 45150. *tr
ODI 10598788
Lower Arm · Suspension
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. The contact stated that there was a loud abnormal noise heard as the vehicle stalled. The contact mentioned that the lower control arm became detached from the sub frame, which had extensive corrosion. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the lower control arm, the sub frame and the cv joint needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired.…
ODI 10595172
Suspension
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign id number: 14v165000 (suspension) and stated that the parts were not available. The dealer did not give a specific date when the parts would become available. The manufacturer could not provide an estimated date for when the contact's vehicle would receive the recall repairs. The contact had not experienced a failure.
ODI 10595136
Suspension
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. The contact stated that while driving downhill at approximately 5 mph, a loud noise emitted as the vehicle suddenly came to a stop. The contact inspected the vehicle and noticed that the front passenger's side tire was collapsed inwardly which caused the control arm to fracture. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The vehicle had not been repaired. The…
ODI 10565854
Air Bags · Suspension
Tl * the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. The contact stated that while driving 65 mph, she heard a loud popping sound and lost control of the vehicle. The contact mentioned that the vehicle went across four lanes, rolled over twice, landed into incoming traffic and none of the air bags deployed. A police report was filed. The driver sustained three broken vertebrae, and lacerations to her head. The vehicle was…
Crash reported · 1 injury
ODI 10596572
Body · Suspension
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. The contact stated that the front end exhibited a loud noise as the front passenger's side front wheel separated. The vehicle was taken to the mechanic for inspection. The failure was located at the front sub frame and lower control arm, which were both determined to be corroded. As a result, the front passenger's side wheel separated from the vehicle. The vehicle was not…
ODI 10525000
Steering · Suspension · Underbody Shields · Wheels
While that vehicle was being operated; decelerating from about 35 mph, a very loud pop noise was heard and the front passenger side became unstable and steering became unreliable. Vehicle was stopped immediately. Upon initial inspection is appears that the wheel became partially detached from vehicle. After a thorough inspection is appears that the rear mounting bolt of the front passenger side control arm had…
ODI 10514448
Steering · Suspension
On may 2 2013, my daughter lost the ability to steer the vehicle while driving at 35 mph on a busy city street. The vehicle made a left turn in front of oncoming traffic and eventually came to a stop in the entrance driveway of a fast food restaurant. It was towed to the local ford dealership, where it was determined that the subframe had failed due to corrossion which caused the right front passenger tire to become…
ODI 10513083
Steering · Suspension · Underbody Shields
2003 ford escape . Subframe rotted and control arm came off. Left passenger. *tr
ODI 10505739
Steering · Suspension · Underbody Shields · Wheels
Left work and driving on a back road at 15 mph and was approaching a stop sign, applied the brakes and heard a loud snap/pop. The right side of the vehicle instantly slammed down/dropped to the road; steering locked; i had no control over the vehicle; slid a few feet and stopped. The passenger tire was pinned between the ground and the vehicle. The axle was hanging and the sub frame was visible. It was clear that…
ODI 10499375
Steering · Suspension · Underbody Shields
The vehicle was being operated on city streets. As the vehicle approached a stop sign the brakes were applied, a loud crash and screech was heard as the vehicle fell to the ground and tire was dragged along. The front passenger side control arm has come detached from the vehicle because the front sub-frame had failed. The vehicle had to be towed to the shop. The failure was reported to be caused by corrosion. The…
ODI 10493041
Steering · Suspension · Underbody Shields
My wife's has a 2003 ford escape. We were driving luckily at a low speed when we heard a pop in the passenger front end and lost control of steering. The subframe on passenger side control arm popped and subframe is rotted. This should not happen to a vehicle that is only 10 years old. I saw that nhtsa did an investigation that deemed 2003 windstars unsafe do to the same exact problem safety recall notice 11s16. My…
ODI 10490191
Suspension
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 mph, a loud noise emitted from the rear exterior on the driver's side. The vehicle was taken independent mechanic where an unknown repair was performed. After the vehicle was repaired there was a slight reduction in noise. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 145,920.
ODI 10578451
Suspension
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape xlt. The contacted stated that the vehicle was inspected by a private mechanic who informed the contact that there was corrosion of the sub frame ball joints and control arms. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and the current mileages were 124,000.
ODI 10452498
Engine And Engine Cooling · Suspension · Underbody Shields
When i recently had my routine maintenance check on my vehicle i was horrified when my mechanic informed me that the front sub frame was rusted from the inside out! Can you imagine my utter shock when my mechanic advised me that this vehicle is prohibited to be driven since catastrophic outcomes would be likely? How very fortunate nothing fatal took place while being in this vehicle; because based on the condition…
ODI 10450548
Suspension
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle started to shake abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the passenger side axle was fractured and the frame was corroded, and cracked. In addition, the wheel bearings and the brakes were defective. As a result, the frame and axle needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not…
ODI 10474210
Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Suspension · Underbody Shields
My car is a part of a recall for rust and the lower control arm, but i think that scope is too narrow. My escape has rusted wheel wells and a rusted gas tank cover that i can see. I have also ready had to replace anti-lock brakes for rust, along with the exhaust system and all of its parts, the front lower control arms, sway bar links and all parts of the oil pan. All of this is due to rust. This was at the mileage…
ODI 10595174
Suspension
While driving 55 mph the knuckle separation off the suspension caused accident. *nlm
ODI 10025123