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2003 Ford Escape: common problems and reliability
· 1st generationAn average Escape year.
598 owner complaints, most about structure. 9 recalls.
Should I buy a 2003 Escape?The 2003 Ford Escape has 598 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 9 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are structure and suspension. Owners most often flag rear shock mount and frame rust causing structural failure.
Safety record for the 2003 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2003 Ford Escape vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Escape years only. How we score it
Is 2003 a good year for the Escape?
Across the 27 Escape model years we track, complaint volume runs from 5 (2000) to 4,834 (2008). With 598 complaints, the 2003 Escape sits below the model's median of 1,110.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2003 Escape
power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:floor shift
Campaign 15V606000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.
suspension:front:wheel bearing
Campaign 15E045000The Timken Company (Timken) is recalling certain aftermarket front wheel bearings, part number 510072, sold from January 22, 2015, to May 21, 2015, to be used as service parts on 2001-2012 Ford Escape, 2001-2011 Mazda Tribute, and 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles. The affected wheel bearings have incorrect dimensions of a 42mm bore, 76mm outer dimension, and 39mm width, instead of a 42mm bore, 78mm outer dimension and a 45mm width.
structure:frame and members
Campaign 14V165000Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2004 Escape vehicles manufactured October 22, 1999, through January 23, 2004, originally sold, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. These vehicles may experience excessive corrosion at the forward attachment of the lower control arm.
engine and engine cooling
Campaign 12V353000Ford Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2004 Escape vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control manufactured from October 22, 1999, through January 23, 2004. Inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector could result in a stuck throttle when the accelerator pedal is fully or almost-fully depressed. This risk exists regardless of whether or not speed control (cruise control) is used.
Show 5 more recalls
service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip:control unit/module
Campaign 07V156000ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ANTILOCK BRAKES (ABS), THE ABS MODULE CONNECTOR MAY HAVE MISSING OR DISLODGED WIRE SEALS. THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW CONTAMINATION TO ENTER THE MODULE CONNECTOR, CREATING A POTENTIAL FOR AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.
vehicle speed control:cables
Campaign 04V574000ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES BUILT WITH 3.0L V6 ENGINES, THE ACCELERATOR CABLE MAY PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION.
service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder
Campaign 07E023000CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.
latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
Campaign 04V602000CERTAIN 2004-2005 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND CERTAIN 2001-2003 SPORT UTIITY VEHICLE HAVING REAR LIFTGATE COMPONENTS SERVICED WITH 2004 EQUIVALENT COMPONENTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 206, 'DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS.' THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCHING SYSTEM DOES NOT MEET THE INERTIA LOAD REQUIREMENT IN ONE DIRECTION.
power train:automatic transmission:control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
Campaign 04V165000ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L V6 ENGINES, DURING DECELERATION, THE ENGINE CAN STALL.
What owners report on the 1st generation Escape
Owners generally view this generation as a decent, affordable used SUV with capable V6 engines and respectable reliability when maintained.
- Very frequentRear shock mount and frame rust causing structural failure
- Very frequentAutomatic transmission (CD4E) failure
Slipping, or hard shifting, especially without regular fluid changes.
- RecurrentEngine stalling when coming to a stop or engaging drive/reverse (torque converter issue, TSB 07-5-6)
- RecurrentValve cover gasket leaks causing burning oil smell
- RecurrentAlternator failure around 130k miles
Owner insights for the 1st generation Escape. Read the full 1st generation owner report.
Typical used price
Used Escape listings typically run $9,995–$20,378.
Other Escape model years
Compare every Escape year side by side to see how 2003 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Escape against its rivals
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