2003 Ford Escape Electrical System Problems
- 25
- 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 25 stored complaint records:
- 1 indicate a crash
- 0 indicate injury
- 4 indicate fire
What owners report
- without warning · 6 records
- rear hatch · 4 records
- anti theft · 4 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 150–400k mi | 6 |
| 100–150k mi | 6 |
| 1–30k mi | 5 |
| 60–100k mi | 2 |
| 30–60k mi | 2 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Electrical System
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…
Fire reported
ODI 11245320
Electrical System · Unknown Or Other · Vehicle Speed Control
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…
ODI 11186621
Electrical System · Unknown Or Other
I have a 2003 escape that has a interesting problem with the rear hatch. When it is hot out side or the sun is shinning on the rear hatch the lock will not unlock,all the other doors do. When it gets dark or the door cool down the nit will unlock with the rest of the doors. Our rear hatch. Intermittently working and then not working at all. After looking in the search engine on this forum, under "rear hatch won't…
ODI 10979882
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. While driving approximately 20 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vin was not included in nhtsa campaign number: 04v165000 (power train). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.
ODI 10909803
Electrical System
The car was parked in a shopping center parking lot no one was in it. It some how caught on fire, when we got the fire out and towed to the shop, it was the alternator that caused the fire and did several $1000.00 damage. There were no issues with the car no warning lights.
Fire reported
ODI 11014883
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. The contact stated that within months of owning the vehicle, that there was a progressing failure with a loss of the battery power, and the anti-theft alarm and horn randomly sounded without warning. The contact attempted to recharge the battery, but the failure continued with the anti-theft alarm sounding whether the door was opened or closed. After a while, the horn and…
ODI 10886257
Electrical System · Engine
While i was driving back from the shooting range the engine did a hesitation and then when i pushed down on the gas to see if it would clear up the instrument panel gauges went haywire. The fuel, speed, rpm and heating cluster level arms all went to the max point and when i let off the acceleration to pull over the cluster panel gauges died like there was no power and when the engine idle leveled off the gauges went…
ODI 10730832
Electrical System · Engine
Tl* the contact owned a 2003 ford escape. While driving approximately 5 mph, there was smoke coming from the front driver side of the vehicle without warning. The contact discovered flames underneath the vehicle. A police officer extinguished the fire. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.
Fire reported
ODI 10717182
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start several times without warning when the key was turned in the ignition. In addition, the vehicle stalled without warning more than once. The rpms raced and, at times, the instrument panel would become dim upon experiencing an electrical short or internal failure. The dealer was notified of the failures and stated that the…
ODI 10990641
Electrical System · Engine
My 2003 for escape refuses to start after being driven until several hours if not days later. I have replaced the starter twice the first time it worked for 2 months and it did it again on 9-2-14 replaced the starter again and it will not start still there is no power going to any of the electrical parts in the engine compartment and there is a strong smell of fuel. I have replaced all relays and fuses and still…
ODI 10630544
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting · Steering
I cant remember i just remember my head lights going out and i tried to control my car and couldn't. *tr
Crash reported
ODI 10584748
Electrical System · Fuel/Propulsion System
Vehicle stalls or will not start as described in ford recall number 04s13. I have replaced multiple parts including fuel pump, gas cap, fuel filter,etc. And now i found that there was a problem with the pcm programming on this vehicle. I purchased this truck used and do not know if this was serviced. This is a dangerous problem as stalling can cause an accident. *tr
ODI 10701874
Electrical System · Electronic Stability Control
On may 8,2013, the anti-theft alarm sounded while my car sat in the driveway. It had not been driven for 3 + hours. Upon investigation of the alarm, there was smoke coming from the engine compartment. The wiring harness attached to the abs had a small flame and smoke from its wiring insulation. After extinguishing the flame and disconnecting the battery, i called for a tow . The safety features worked well and…
Fire reported
ODI 10511675
Electrical System
When i am driving my car will try to die and all gauges will go to the highest rpm, speed, and full gas, then it will go back to zero and then proceed to the speed i was going, the battery light will keep flashing but no check engine light comes on. When i researched it, it seems that on more than ten occasions if not more are having the same electrical problem and no garage can figure out, they try replacing…
ODI 10452741
Electrical System · Engine And Engine Cooling
This vehicle has a bad misfire problem,rough idle as well as bad hitching on highway. Looked it up on yahoo answers and a lot of people are having the same problem. Is there going to be a recall on these vehicles. I'm hearing faulty computers. *tr
ODI 10449432
Air Bags · Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. The contact stated the air bags light illuminates and there was a constant beeping sound in the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who ran a diagnostic test and there was a code#b1869 stating the wiring harness for the driver and passenger seats and body harnesses needed to be replaced. This would be an expense of $686 to the contact. The manufacturer was notified…
ODI 10461018
Electrical System · Engine And Engine Cooling · Exhaust System
I have a ford 2003 escape 6 cyl. Bought in may of 2004 new - 76 miles on it test driven from a dealer in schulenburg, tx - the check engine light came on - the pcm computer went out and blew a spark plug on 1/16/2011 - i had to replace the pcm (which i was told should have been a recall on the 2003 ford escape) since this should never go out on the car. The mileage was only 43,625 on 1/16/2011 when this happened. I…
ODI 10395980
Air Bags · Electrical · Electrical System
I have a 03 ford escape, and the trouble is endless. The car will not start at times and it is a strong smell of gas when this happens. I have had it in and out of the shop about 6 times and has had the car for only 2 years. The failure to start is scary because you don't know if the car is going to explode or what. The dealership tells me that it is a sensor that goes out and tells the car it doesn't have to start.…
ODI 10263700
Electrical System
Vehicle stalls suddenly without notice and the steering and brakes will not function. Very dangerous situation that has occurred several times. Dealership says they have never heard of this issue. 2003 ford escape. Vehicle is the year included in the recall and came from the same kansas plant but it shows no recall. Contacted ford directly and was told they have also not heard of this issue. *jb
ODI 10185055
Electrical System
The engine of my 2003 ford escape (v6, automatic) dies when going into reverse occasionally. Since mid of june, 2004, it has happened 5 times (today is july 25, 2004). We have sent the car to ford dealer three times already. They could not duplicate the problem and hence could not fix it. *ak
ODI 10082625
Electrical System
Upon turning the ignition to the "on" position in my 2003 ford escape, the sunroof will automatically open. This occurs when the vehicle has been turned off between 10-15 minutes, and then restarted. This has occurred 6 times within a 4 week period. *nlm
ODI 10049128
Automatic Transmission · Electrical System
My 2003 ford escape intermittently stalls when going into reverse. After the 2nd trip to the dealership they replaced the computer, it is still happening. Now it is happening in drive as well. I've had the car since december 2002 and it has stalled out a total of 11 times. The vehicle has 8000 miles on it.*ak
ODI 10037126
Electrical System
2003 ford escape v-6 automatic vehicle stalled on freeway for no reason. *ak
ODI 10028964
Electrical System
Previous complaint: stalling of 2003 escape. I returned vehicle back to the dealer and they installed a new eec and trouble shot the system. The work performed did not fix the problem and now it is seven days later and the stalling has returned. The onboard computer does not revel any problems so this more than likely will be an ongoing issue. *jb
ODI 10028597
Electrical System · Fuel/Propulsion System · Unknown Or Other
After driving car, parking and starting again, it will start but will not keep running. Usually can wait a few minutes with hood up and will be ok. Today (10/26/2019) it would not keep running. Had it towed. Purchased new 06/2003 and has always happened. Ford mechanics other mechanics do not know why.
ODI 11271153