Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
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 upon starting the vehicle, and while driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle was smoking. There were no warning lights illuminated. The owner disconnected the battery. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the owner that the ABS module and wiring harness needed to be replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
I was recently driving on the interstate and the gas pedal got stuck so the car started speeding up very fast and the brakes and emergency brake would not make it slow down. After this i found out there was a recall about this problem and it says the previous owner of the vehicle fixed it but it's happened while i owned it so i don't think it was fixed correctly.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while entering the driveway to park, there was smoke present. The contact exited the vehicle and opened the hood when a fire was discovered. The contact grabbed a water hose and extinguished the fire. The ABS module connector was melted along with wires. At the time of the incident the contact was pregnant and had her 4-year-old daughter in the vehicle. No injuries were sustained. The fire department was not contacted. No police report was filed. The vehicle had not been diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but there was a recording stating that no calls were being accepted at the moment. The local dealer (unknown dealer information) was then called where they mentioned that NHTSA action number: pe06048 (service brakes, hydraulic) was previously performed on the vehicle. …
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. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 148,000. The VIN was not available.
The front brake line hoses blew out (r & l) while driving in the city. The parking brake was ineffective in slowing the vehicle as it was traveling down hill. With no means of slowing, the vehicle was turned into a parking lot in an attempt to get on level ground where it was more controllable and could be stopped more easily. The parking lot was not large enough to slow the vehicle and a choice had to be made to crash into a building or drive off the edge of the parking lot to another lot that was approximately 4 feet lower. The 2nd option was chosen. Once the vehicle had landed with great force, it was directed uphill where it eventually came to a stop and put into park. Unfortunately, extensive damage was done to the frame and underside of the vehicle including oil pan, exhaust system, engine mounts, radiator support frame and under body engine and transmission mounting points. …
I began merging onto I 820 when my vehicle (by itself) floored the accelerator. I tried pressing the brake (it wouldnt press down, it was hard as a rock). I used both feet to no avail. At 75-80 MPH I jammed it into neutral. The RPM's were still at max. By this time it had slowed (I was on the shoulder of the hiway) to about 20 MPH, then jammed it in park. I looked at the instrument panel and all the instruments were on 0. I hesitated then gave the car some gas, it was still running! I couldnt even hear the engine until I revved it. I proceeded to turn off the ignition. The car did turn off. I noticed a 17 yr old boy dying back in 2012 -13 from the same act my car did. …
January 18, 2009, was the last time I drove my 2003, Ford Escape. The day prior, I drove my kids, two blocks away to a park. I got back home and parked my vehicle at approx 2:30 p.m. The next morning at 11:14 a.m. I received a call from my apartment manager stated that my vehicle was on fire and the fire dept was outside putting out my car fire. The fire captain stated that the fire had started from the ABS system and to check online and see if there was a recall on this part. My insurance company came out and claimed it a "total loss". Within the last six months to a week ago, Ford had worked on my vehicle in which I had spent over $5,000.00 to get it in tip top condition. Ford had a recall on this type of vehicle but stated that my vehicle's VIN number was not part of there recall. …
Tl contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. While driving 40 MPH, the vehicle slowed down but would not come to a complete stop when the brake pedal was depressed. The contact applied the emergency brake, but the vehicle still failed to stop. He was forced to crash into a snow pile in order to stop the vehicle. The contact was not injured and the vehicle did not sustain any damage. Prior to the failure, the accelerator pedal became stuck. The contact waited a while before the accelerator pedal returned to normal. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop and inspected by a technician, who determined that the throttle cable was failing. The cost for the repair would be $300. The vehicle has not been repaired. The contact called the manufacturer and was informed that no compensation would be provided because there was no recall. The failure mileage was 68,000 and current mileage was 70,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked for thirty minutes when smoke started to emit from the engine. The hood was then raised and flames were also coming from the engine. The fire department reported to the scene, but the contact extinguished the fire himself. The fire department filed a report which was available if needed. No injuries were reported and the origin of the fire was located at the anti lock brake control box. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer, who would inspect the vehicle and report their findings to the contact. Neither the manufacturer, nor insurance company were made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 170,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact stated the ABS light illuminated intermittently and the brake pedal bounced abnormally when depressed. In addition, there was a burning odor released from under the hood. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who inspected the vehicle and located the failure at the ABS module. The manufacturer was made a ware of the failure and denied assistance with the repair, stating that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 07V156000 (service brakes, hydraulic: antilock: control unit/module). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 60,000.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module
On 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.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the wire harness connector to the ABS module for missing or dislodged wire seals, and repair or replace the harness connector as appropriate.
NHTSA investigations
Engine compartment fire
In letters dated March 30, 2007, Ford motor company (Ford) and Mazda north American operations (Mazda) notified the agency that they will conduct recalls 07v-156 and 07v-157, respectively, to remedy a safety defect that May result in fire in a wiring connector used in certain model year (my) 2001-2004 Ford escape and Mazda tribute vehicles equipped with ABS.the recall campaign prescribes an inspection of the subject…
Engine compartment fire
In letters dated March 30, 2007, Ford and Mazda notified NHTSA that they will conduct safety recalls to remedy a safety defect that May result in fire in a wiring connector used in certain model year (my) 2001-2004 Ford escape and Mazda tribute sport utility vehicles equipped with ABS.recall 07v-156 involves approximately 446,450 my 2001-2004 escape vehicles manufactured from October 22, 1999 through January 23,…
Engine Compartment Fire
Ford and Mazda recalled model year (MY) 2001 through 2004 Ford Escape (07V-156) and Mazda Tribute (07V-157) vehicles due to non-crash fires or non-fire thermal events originating in the engine compartment at or near the ABS control module.Approximately 545,700 vehicles were subject to the initial safety recalls and approximately 424,700 vehicles were serviced under those campaigns.
Engine compartment fire
The office of defects investigation (odi) received a defect petition dated March 5, 2009 alleging that the petitioner never received the recall remedy for 07v-156 and that, as a result, the petitioner's my2003 Ford escape caught fire at the ABS control module.in response to odi follow-up, the manufacturer verified that the petitioner's vehicle had in fact received service related to safety recall 07V156 - a fact…
Brake complaints in other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2003 Ford Escape?
NHTSA has 57 complaints about the brakes of the 2003 Ford Escape, 10% of the model year's 558 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › control unit/module (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Ford Escape brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 07V-156 (control unit/module, Apr 10, 2007). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2003 Ford Escape brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 71,000 miles, and 16% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 9 fires and 2 injuries to brakes 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.