2003 Ford Escape Engine Problems

Which parts fail

• Engine
  19
• Exhaust system
  4
• Exhaust system › Manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe
  3
• Cooling system
  2
• Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor
  1

Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  1221%
• 25k–50k
  611%
• 50k–75k
  712%
• 75k–100k
  814%
• 100k–150k
  1323%
• 150k+
  1119%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Ford Escape owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

I was doordashing as it's my job and all of sudden my car starts not idling won't stay off od off switch that switch stayed consistently flickered either the engine or transmission is slipping or misfiring

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 attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 12V353000 (engine and engine cooling , vehicle speed control). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000.

Tl* the contact owned a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked on a ranch, someone looked out the window and found the vehicle on fire. The police and the fire department were called to the scene and the fire was extinguished. A fire report and police report were filed. No injuries were reported. The vehicle was totaled and was not towed away. The dealer was not called. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The contact inquired about NHTSA campaign number: 07V156000 (service brakes, hydraulic) however the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 98,500.

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: 12V005000 (service brakes, hydraulic) as a possible reason for the failure however the VIN was not included. There were no injuries that required medical attention. The failure mileage was 237,000.

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.

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.

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.

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 monitor fluctuated between 0-5, failing to correctly indicate an increase in rpms. The failure caused the vehicle to rev up without the contact purposely causing an increase. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 244,310. Parts distribution disconnect.

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the RPM increased excessively and the vehicle suddenly accelerated which caused the contact to crash into a building. The contact was rushed to the hospital where he sustained back and neck injuries. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic where it was not diagnosed for the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number : 12V353000 (engine and engine cooling , vehicle speed control). The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 150,000..updated 06/24/13 updated 06/28/2013

Tl contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact took the vehicle to a repair shop because the emissions indicator was illuminated. The repair shop kept the vehicle for two weeks due to the parts that needed to be ordered. When the gasket was installed in the vehicle, the engine became very hot and the corking (used to seal the gasket) melted onto the catalytic converter. The dealer stated that the failure was due to the catalytic converter and would cost $3,700 just to start the vehicle and determine what other malfunctions were occurring. The manufacturer has not been notified. The current mileage was approximately 70,000 and failure mileage was approximately 68,000.

NHTSA investigations

Engine complaints in other Escape years