2003 Ford Escape Steering Problems
- 41
- 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 41 stored complaint records:
- 3 indicate a crash
- 1 indicate injury
- 0 indicate fire
What owners report
- passenger side · 10 records
- lower control · 7 records
- cross brace · 6 records
- front passenger · 6 records
- steering wheel · 5 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 100–150k mi | 14 |
| 60–100k mi | 12 |
| 150–400k mi | 5 |
| 30–60k mi | 4 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Steering · Suspension
Front sub frame rusted out and split half way across pulls vehicle when driving 14s02 complaint
ODI 11217882
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
Body · Steering
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…
ODI 11099483
Engine · Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. While driving 20 mph, the check engine indicator illuminated and the vehicle stalled. While driving 25 mph, the vehicle lunged forward when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The only functioning warning indicator on the instrument panel was the check engine indicator. The contact stated that the vehicle leaked oil continuously. The failures were not diagnosed or repaired…
ODI 11097052
Body · Steering · Suspension
The front sub frame is rusted and the vehicle is unsafe to drive.
ODI 11032266
Body · Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. While driving 45 mph, the steering failed and the subframe fractured. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided case number: 17653427. No further assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 172,907.... .updated 11/16/17 *bf…
ODI 11012058
Steering · Structure
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. While driving 50 mph, the vehicle was unstable and there was loss of steering control. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer (arlington heights ford located at 801 w dundee rd arlington heights, il 60004, [redacted]) where it was diagnosed that the subframe was cracked. The vehicle was repaired with a brace. Two months later, the vehicle was towed to a local dealer (fox…
ODI 11003442
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
Steering · Wheels
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. While driving approximately 20 mph and turning right, the vehicle made a clunking sound. The contact had to turn the wheel to the left in order to drive straight. When slowing down to approximately 5 mph, the vehicle made a clunking noise from the front passenger side. The contact exited the vehicle and discovered that the passenger side wheel was slightly detached from the…
ODI 10837246
Body · Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. While driving at a high speed, the vehicle veered to the right and failed to remain in position. The contact had to steer the vehicle in excess in order to keep the vehicle in position. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who repaired the vehicle under nhtsa campaign number: 14v165000 (structure); however, the local dealer stated that there was corrosion around the attachment…
ODI 10808780
Steering · Suspension
I was driving home from work on a highway(60mph) when my steering became loose, weaving left and right. Had to slow down to 20mph until i got home. The vehicle was inspected, found that the passenger side subframe had broken in 2. Ford is recalling 385,762 2001-'04 ford escape suvs because a rust problem may cause the lower control arm to separate, potentially resulting in diminished steering control. Ford dealers…
ODI 10820540
Steering · Suspension
My wife owns a 2003 ford escape. While driving it down the road she noticed the steering was getting uncontrollable. She pulled the car off the road and called aaa for a tow. The car was towed to midas where we usually have our work done on our vehicles. Midas looked at the car while still on the tow truck. They said that it should be covered by the recall on the car. Midas called waikem ford and was told to tell us…
ODI 10790466
Body · Steering · Suspension
Steering lose with little control. Mechanic states a separation of the lower control arm due to excessive corrosion in frame. Matches ford recall 14s02. Yet recall was performed june 2014. So safety recall failed.
ODI 10783252
Steering
When pulling out of my parking spot my car steering itself sharply. I pulled the wheel back to straight. As i was doing this, i heard a crack. I have been hearing similar cracks in the past months when i go over bumps at slow speeds. I came upon recall #14s02. I brought my car to apple ford in apple valley, mn to get my brace installed. My tech said the cars sub frame failed inspection. The frame was so bad you…
ODI 10765222
Steering · Wheels
My daughter was driving at a slow rate of speed and the front wheel fell off the truck. There had been a recall on this part and we had the service completed. Ford added a cross member to the part as the parts were rusting. This was done within the year. The truck is now at a ford dealership and the ford motor company refuses to pay for the repair. I am grateful that my daughter was not hurt however this is the…
ODI 10732708
Steering · Suspension
A recall on our ford escape was performed last august.the recall was for rusted frame/cradle area that holds front suspension together.at the time of the recall i informed the dealer that the cradle was weak and very rusty over and above any other rust on car.the dealer installed a brace between the two rails of the frame and told me that was the extent of the recall.the other day while driving the cradle gave out…
ODI 10704535
Steering · Suspension · Wheels
Had my 2003 escape in to the dealer for a wheel bearing problem, while it was in the shop they did the open recall 14s02 sub frame brace installation. Drove the car 2 times. The wife decided to drive to the store on a 3rd time and called me to say car was pulling hard to the passenger side. After getting the car home i remove the passenger front tire thinking that we had a sticking brake caliper and could see right…
ODI 10694966
Steering · Suspension · Underbody Shields
Vehicle went in for control arm brace recall in 2014 due to poor metzl used on the subframe, march of 2015 it failed leaving limited control of steering, ford was contacted and stated that they are only responsible for the control arm recall and to contact the dealer. They said they did what they were told to do and the rotted subframe was not a part of the recall. Ford needs to recall the subframe part before…
ODI 10701995
Steering · Suspension
Daughter driving her vehicle home from work noticed severe vibration in front of vehicle and gradual loss of control of steering. Following day, vehicle brought to repair shop for inspection. Discovered that right lower control arm broken. Discovered that there was a massive recall for exact issue. Remedy said to be support brace/cross member. Vehicle brought to ford dealership for repair. Recall device installed,…
ODI 10680459
Steering · Suspension
While backing out of drive felt an unusual tug of steering wheel, and steering wheel was rotated approx. 30 degrees. Drove it to repair shop where they discovered the lower control arm had rusted away from the subframe mount and the subframe was significantly rusted. Also was notified of safety recall 14s02. Made appointment and slowly drove vehicle to ford dealership to have recall addressed. Dealership replaced…
ODI 10668086
Steering · Suspension · Wheels
The front passenger side lower control arm failed while my son was driving the vehicle. He was going straight, and the right front side just buckled under while he was in motion. Luckily he wasn't on a heavily-traveled road when it happened, because there would have been a serious accident. The vehicle, although it is a 2003 ford escape, is not part of recall #14s02. Why, i don't know? No one at ford can explain…
Crash reported
ODI 10923861
Frame And Members · Steering
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. The contact received a recall notice for nhtsa campaign number: 14v165000 (structure: frame and members). The contact took the vehicle to the dealer to have it repaired according to the recall. The mechanic installed a newly designed reinforcement cross-brace; however, the mechanic could not complete a front end alignment due to an excessive amount of corrosion present. The…
ODI 10637170
Steering · Underbody Shields
At a slow speed, steering all of the sudden became erratic. It could not be driven, so my local dealer took a look at it. He is a certified ford mechanic. He said the subframe was damaged and it was directly related to the recall #14s02 which is for a crossbar to the subframe due to a potential loss of steering. We had to have it towed to the only ford dealership in our area, oneonta ford. The put the crossbar in…
ODI 10629095
Steering · Suspension
Driving vehicle and heard a loud pop and sudden loss of steering. Limped the vehicle home and took to dealer who contacted ford for further instructions. They installed a cross brace that does not fix the problem. Ford will not do anything to the subframe because it has not fully detached. There is no steering control at all over 15mph and in their eyes it is safe to drive. Service manager at the local dealership…
ODI 10619498
Steering · Wheels
The enclosed form with the things fixed should help. I was turning and the wheel almost fell off. I was in the parking lot so nothing was hit or hurt. *tr
ODI 10615806