2003 Ford Escape Engine Problems
- 22
- 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 22 stored complaint records:
- 3 indicate a crash
- 1 indicate injury
- 3 indicate fire
What owners report
- cruise control · 5 records
- failure mileage · 4 records
- engine engine · 4 records
- engine cooling · 4 records
- speed control · 4 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 100–150k mi | 9 |
| 150–400k mi | 7 |
| 60–100k mi | 3 |
| 30–60k mi | 2 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
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
Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
On many occasions, the engine has stalled while at a stop or going about 10 mph. Two times the engine has stalled on the freeway going over 60 mph, causing my car to be side swiped and stranded on the side of the freeway.
Crash reported
ODI 11051042
Body · Engine · Vehicle Speed Control
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign numbers: 12v353000 (engine and engine cooling, vehicle speed control) and 14v165000 (structure); however, the parts for the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the undercarriage of the vehicle, especially near the control arm, was corroded to the point that it failed inspection. Also, the vehicle's rpm…
ODI 10980384
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. The contact stated that the a neighbor alerted that the vehicle was caught on fire. The contact then noticed that there were flames coming from the engine compartment and under the vehicle. The fire department extinguished the flames. The vehicle remained at the contacts residence. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact referenced nhtsa campaign number:…
Fire reported
ODI 10978773
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
Air Bags · Engine · Vehicle Speed Control
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. The contact stated that while driving at 67 mph, the cruise control failed to disengage. As a result, the contact crashed into an embankment and the vehicle rolled over multiple times. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained minor scrapes and bruises and the two passengers in the rear of the vehicle sustained bumps, bruises and scrapes that required medical…
Crash reported · 3 injuries
ODI 10702026
Engine · Vehicle Speed Control
As i was driving, i pressed the accelerator approximately 3/[redacted] to pass a vehicle. When i released the pedal- the vehicle continued to accelerate. I was eventually able to get the vehicle to stop after placing the transmission in neutral and firmly applying the brakes. As i came to a stop, the vehicle was beginning to smoke, and i feared it was going to catch on fire. I immediately exited the vehicle, and the…
ODI 10630668
Engine · Service Brakes
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. While driving 75 mph, the contact smelled smoke coming from the engine. The contact noticed the vehicle was smoking and rushed home. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the brake system module harness and master cylinder needed to be replaced. In addition, the abs warning light illuminated and the braking system caught fire. The vehicle was repaired.…
Fire reported
ODI 10811513
Engine · Structure
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 mph, the front end of the vehicle began to shake violently which caused a loss of steering. The contact was able to regain control and maneuvered to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed first to an independent mechanic and then authorized dealer. The technician informed that the passenger's side engine cradle was…
ODI 10605857
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
Engine
While driving my ford escape the egr valve blew apart. This has happened 3 times. It was replaced all 3 times and it continues to happen. When it happens the entire vehicle shakes violently and is very hard to steer. It is very dangerous. I have joined a few message boards online and found that this is a common problem with this make and model. I feel this is some type of internal problem and needs to be addressed…
ODI 10546695
Engine · Vehicle Speed Control
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. The contact stated that the vehicle would independently accelerate. The vehicle was serviced under nhtsa campaign number: 12v353000 (engine, speed control) however, the speed acceleration failure persisted. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 36,000.
ODI 10547383
Engine · Vehicle Speed Control
Upon start-up the engine immediately revved to 4000 to 5000 rpm & would not return to idle. Gas pedal was not depressed. This happened multiple times. Moving the gas pedal had no effect. Car was shut off. Reaching by hand to the end of the pedal assembly where the throttle cable is attached, it was determined that the cable did not return to the idle position. By pushing the end of the cable the throttle returned to…
ODI 10508058
Engine
The incident occurred during rust hour traffic. My vehicle was on the highway at 70 mph, i had the cruise control on. I tried to slowdown by pressing on the brake but the vehicle started to accelerate. I had to move to the slow lane (2 lanes to the right) to get to the shoulder.i had to literally stand on the brake pedal with my whole weight on the peddle to stop the vehicle. I was able to slow down the vehicle and…
Crash reported
ODI 10509102
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. The contact stated that while driving 55 mph, the vehicle stalled as the battery warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The contact mentioned that the failure recurred several times. The technician diagnosed that the rear plugs had popped out, causing damage to the coil pack. As a result, the coil pack needed to be replaced. The…
ODI 10553962
Engine · Engine And Engine Cooling · Vehicle Speed Control
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. The contact stated that she received notification of nhtsa campaign id number 12v353000 (engine and engine cooling, vehicle speed control) and took the vehicle to the dealer for recall repairs. The contact stated that approximately six months after having the vehicle serviced under the recall the vehicle began to exhibit acceleration issues. The contact was driving…
ODI 10502498
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. The contact stated that while driving 55 mph, he heard a noise coming from under the hood. He pulled over and opened the hood when the smell of fuel and smoke emitted from under the hood near the spark plugs. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnosis. The dealer stated that they needed to replace the head of the engine. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was…
ODI 10470594
Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. The contact stated there was a recall associated with nhtsa campaign id number 12v353000 (engine and engine cooling). The authorized dealer and manufacturer were notified and they both informed the contact that the part was unavailable. The dealer stated until the part became available a temporary repair would be performed which consisted of disconnecting the cruise control…
ODI 10469479
Electronic Stability Control · Engine
We bought my 2003 ford escape june 13th 2012 for 8k. We drove around town and made a quick stop before going home. The escape would not start back up. We bought a new battery had that placed. Attempted to drive and the truck started and shut back off. We finally got it to start got it back to the dealer and they replaced the entire fuel system. We got on the highway a few day later the car stalled out. So for the…
ODI 10586540
Engine · Vehicle Speed Control
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. While driving approximately 30 mph, the engine began to rev unexpectedly and the throttle became stuck even though the accelerator pedal was not depressed. The brake pedal was engaged and the vehicle resumed normal operation. In 2012, the vehicle was serviced under nhtsa campaign number: 12v353000 (engine and engine cooling, vehicle speed control); however, the failure…
ODI 10711883
Engine
I preface my comments by stating that i am a powertrain engineer for an american auto manufacturer. I owned a 2003 ford escape which i sold to my mother-in-law in 2011. We have experienced throttle sticking with the vehicle both before and after the cruise control recall. After receiving a frantic call from her this evening that the throttle had stuck while traveling 70 mph on the highway, i have grown sick of…
ODI 10494651