Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Ford Escape owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the front wheel would extend outward while turning the vehicle, braking, or during acceleration, causing the vehicle to slightly veer to the right. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the front passenger's side control arm had slightly detached. The dealer informed the contact the failure was a result of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V165000 (Structure) and the vehicle was included; however, the fix needed exceeded the repair stated in the recall remedy. The dealer diagnosed that the front subframe was extremely rusted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened. The contact was also referred to NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The approximate failure mileage was 122,000.
My vehicle was setting in my driveway on 4/14/2017 and the neighbor came pounding on my door stating my vehicle was on fire. He tried putting the fire out to avoid the fire from reaching the gas tank and also spraying the side of my house to try to keep it from catching the siding on fire. The front drivers side tire blew up so he dropped the hose and ran.when the fire dept got here it had already burned my vehicle all the way up and melted the siding on the house. The fire chief was unable to determine the cause of the fire because of the way everything was burned! Nothing was left but the 2 rear tires and wheels and the 2 back tail light lens. I had drove it 2 1/2 hrs before the fire started so the motor was already cooled off! I've checked for recalls but none to be found on this yr model. …
My son was driving this vehicle when the front control arm snapped off from the front subframe! Thankfully, he did not get killed or injured. The vehicle was towed to a local garage who informed me that Ford recall # 14s02 applies to this very condition. Upon calling Ford's customer assist line, I was completely shut down. I told the rep that I need a tow since the car was not drivable. She told me that Ford will not pay for a tow or any consequential damages. This makes no sense to me. Obviously, Ford has acknowledged a problem. I don't think it is fair for them to take no responsibility & leave the consumer footing the bill. Please look into this when you get a chance. Thank you.
My Ford Escape had recall 14s02 completed, which was supposed to "fix" the rusting out sub-frames made of inferior metal due to salt-belt states salting of roads, by installing a flimsy brace across the sub-frame, but I'm honestly not sure what it does besides prevent your car from "completely" losing control. Ford refuses to truly fix the problem and it posses a serious risk to me, my family, and others on the road. If the sub-frame does detach on my car, which it is one nasty pot-hole away from detaching, than I will lose control of my car when the control arm breaks off the sub-frame and I will be in a potentially life threatening situation. My local independent mechanic warned me of the danger of this problem just recently while it was stationary, but Ford did not. Ford simply brushed me off and didn't explain to me how dangerous this supposed "fix" is. …
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 "rusted and corroded" due to Ford's own admittance of "faulty parts". I asked if the vehicle was safe and they stated "no". I asked if the vehicle would pass inspection and again they stated "no". I asked if this was a "bandaid" that they put on to make themselves feel better about the fact that anyone operating the vehicle could lose total control. I asked to speak to a manager, who told me there was nothing he could do. …
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 get in an accident a week ago when my frame that has the cross bar installed finally gave way and my front passenger side control arm completely separated from the cross brace and subframe that has corroded to nothing. Ford has claimed that since the recall work has already been done there is nothing more they can do. I think the NHTSA should investigate and make Ford actually fix this problem before someone gets seriously hurt. …
My father took my Escape to have the brakes assessed and while it was up on the lift, the owner of the service station made mention to the excessive, abnormal rust in the chassis. He stated that the condition of the chassis is very dangerous and that the support arm, that was installed due to the recall #14V165000 and 14s02, is attached to rust and not supporting anything to make the truck safe. I have tried a number of times to ask for help from Ford customer relations and they are unwilling to assist in any way. This truck was well cared for and the engine and transmission are in great working order. I should be able to continue to drive this car, however, because of the rust issue, the truck is not safe to drive. Undertaking a new car payment would be a huge financial burden that I am unable to afford at this time. …
My 17-year-old son was driving the car home from work and after making a right turn the car severely jerks to the right. He almost went off of the road. We took the car to our local mechanic and were told that there was corrosion and separation of the control arm and we would need a brace to complete the repair. The mechanic said when he took the car for a test drive the steering wheel is out of alignment and he almost hit a mailbox when the car jerked to the right. When investigating how to get a used part I discovered that there is a recall for this exact issue (Ford recall #14s02). My car fits the same model year and purchase/registration locations as indicated in the recall, but Ford refuses to make the repair under the recall. Currently we are completely unable to drive the vehicle because it is unsafe for my son and other drivers on the road for the car to be driven. …
The lower control arm on my 2003 Ford Escape is rusted through and Ford didn't include my vehicle in the recalls. They are obviously having a wider issue with this control arm since recall number 14so2 has affected my Escape as well. They claim that my lower control arm wasn't part of the factories that was listed so they won't include me in the recall. I have had this issue for a while and if I was going down the highway my entire wheel could have disconnected and cause a horrible crash. They must include all Ford escapes from 2001 through 2004 as listed in this recall since my Escape is obviously included in this recall and I should not be charged for the repair or at least notified of the danger. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. While the contact's spouse was driving 30 MPH, a loud pop was heard and the steering wheel became extremely loose. The contact stated that the vehicle swerved to the right and the driver was able to stop the vehicle on the side of the roadway. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to ourisman Ford & Lincoln of alexandria (6129 richmond hwy, alexandria, va 22303, [phone]) where it was diagnosed that the subframe was fractured and needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 14V165000 (structure), but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Related recalls
Structure › Frame and members
Ford 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…
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install a newly designed reinforcement cross-brace, free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Body complaints in other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2003 Ford Escape?
NHTSA has 121 complaints about the body & structure of the 2003 Ford Escape, 22% of the model year's 558 complaints. The component named most often is body (50 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Ford Escape body problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-165 (frame and members, Apr 2, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2003 Ford Escape body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 109,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 0 injuries to body & structure problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.