Ford Escape Complaints (2003)

558 consumer complaints on file.

#10586540May 5, 2014
ENGINE, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
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 PAST 20 MONTHS OF OWNING THE CAR IT STALLS OUT AT HOME, ON THE ROAD, AND ON THE HIGHWAY. I DRIVE TO WORK AND HOME. ONCE IT HAS BEEN DRIVEN IT SHUTS OFF. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO TWO DEALERSHIPS INCLUDING THE ONE THAT I BOUGHT IT FROM GROOVE FORD IN COLORADO AND 8 OTHER MECHANICS. THEY CANNOT DIAGNOSE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AS THE COMPUTER DOES NOT STATE WHAT'S WRONG. I HAVE PUT THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS INTO THIS SUV. AS WELL AS ASKING OTHER FORD ESCAPE OWNERS THAT I SEE DRIVING AROUND TOWN IF THEY HAVE HAD THIS EXPERIENCE. IT IS TOTALLY UNSAFE TO DRIVE A VEHICLE THAT STALLS WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING. PLEASE TELL FORD TO LOOK INTO THIS. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10584748April 24, 2014
EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, STEERING
I CANT REMEMBER I JUST REMEMBER MY HEAD LIGHTS GOING OUT AND I TRIED TO CONTROL MY CAR AND COULDN'T. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10582936April 15, 2014
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROADWAY WHERE THE CONTACT FUEL TANK STRAPS WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO STATED THAT BOTH FUEL TANK STRAPS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,489.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10578451April 9, 2014
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED FROM THE REAR EXTERIOR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE AN UNKNOWN REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THERE WAS A SLIGHT REDUCTION IN NOISE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 145,920.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10573353March 19, 2014
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ACCELERATOR STUCK CAUSING DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL AND GO OFF ROAD INTO A BUILDING. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10567551March 6, 2014
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 12V353000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) HOWEVER, THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE VEHICLE LATER STALLED WHILE TRAVELING 60 MPH AND THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO STOP THE ACCELERATION FAILURE BY FORCEFULLY APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE MANUFACTURE WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADVISED THAT THE THROTTLE NEEDED TO BE CLEANED OR REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10565854February 25, 2014
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING DOWNHILL AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED AS THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY CAME TO A STOP. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRE WAS COLLAPSED INWARDLY WHICH CAUSED THE CONTROL ARM TO FRACTURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 149,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10564823February 18, 2014
SERVICE BRAKES
WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE 30 MINUTES PRIOR. WE WERE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC UNTIL LEAVING THE FREEWAY 1 LIGHTS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. WHEN MY DAUGHTER TRIED TO USE THE BRAKES THE PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR. WHEN SHE PUMPED THEM NUMEROUS TIMES, THERE WASN'T ANY CHANGE. SHE DIDN'T HAVE ANY BRAKES. SHE REAR ENDED MY NEWLY PURCHASED VEHICLE FROM THE SAME DEALERSHIP. POLICE WERE AT THE LIGHT WHERE SHE REARENDED ME. THEY CONFIRMED NO BRAKES, MY HUSBAND DID, THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER TOO. WHEN IT WAS RECEIVED TO THE BODY SHOP ON MONDAY MORNING THE BRAKES WERE VERY SOFT ACCORDING TO THE TECHNICIAN. AFTER SITTING FOR A WEEK, THE BRAKES WORKED FINE. THEY CANT DETERMINE WHY THE BRAKES FAILED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS THE FIRST CALL I MADE AT THE ACCIDENT AND THEY TOLD ME THEY KNOW IT HAD LEGAL BRAKES. COME TO FIND OUT THE BRAKE FLUID WAS BLACK AND HAS AN OUTSTANDING RECALL WITH THE ABS THAT HAD NEVER BEEN TAKEN CARE OF. THERE IS ALSO A RECALL ON CERTAIN MASTER CYLINDERS WHICH WERE FAULTY/LEAKING AND THE STOCK NUMBERS. UNFORTUNATELY THE STOCK NUMBER WAS REMOVED FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER. WE HAVE A VEHICLE THAT NEVER EVEN MADE IT TO OUR HOME THAT IS NOW TOTALED. THE DEALERSHIP IS ONLY GOING TO "MAKE IT RIGHT" WITH PROOF THAT THE BRAKES FAILED. THE POLICE REPORT STATES SUCH AND I HAVE THE REPORT FROM THE BODYSHOP, BUT AFTER WAITING FOR THE INSURANCE TO HAVE THE TEST DONE, THEY CANT CONFIRM LOSS OF BRAKES. THEY CAN ONLY STATE THE FLUID BEING BLACK. WE NOW ARE HAVING TO FIGHT TO NOT LOSE OUR TRADE IN VALUE AND TO NOT HAVE A REPORTABLE ACCIDENT AGAINST MY DAUGHTER VS A MECHANICAL FAILURE. THIS IS A NIGHTMARE BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND THE INSURANCE ARE NOT MAKING THIS EASY. THE MOST EXPENSIVE VEHICLE I EVER OWNED FOR 30 MINUTES IS ALL I CAN SAY. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10561312January 24, 2014
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL, POWER TRAIN, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH HE TRIED TO ACCELERATE AND THE RPMS INCREASED. THE BRAKE FAILED TO ENGAGE UNTIL HE PUT THE GEAR SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS TO MUCH AIR GOING INTO THE THROTTLE BODY, AND THE COLD AIR WAS FREEZING THE THROTTLE BODY AND PREVENTED IT FROM FUNCTIONING PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000. UPDATED 3/5/14*CN *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10558935January 7, 2014
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR THE RECALL DUE TO INVOLUNTARY ACCELERATION AND HAD THE RECALL COMPLETED ABOUT 1-1.5 YEARS AGO. TODAY, WHEN I WAS LEAVING WORK FOR LUNCH, THE VEHICLE AUTOMATICALLY BEGAN ACCELERATING WHEN IT WAS TAKEN OUT OF PARK. WHEN I WOULD TRY TO STOP, THE VEHICLE WOULD STOP FOR A SECOND, THEN BEGIN TO TRY TO ACCELERATE AGAIN. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT HOME SAFELY ONLY BECAUSE I THOUGHT TO PUT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL AT ANY STOP SIGNS OR STOP LIGHTS, THEN BACK INTO DRIVE WHEN THE LIGHTS TURNED GREEN AGAIN. I ONLY KNEW TO DO THIS BECAUSE I HAD HAD THE SAME TYPE OF ISSUES PRIOR TO THE RECALL. IN THIS INCIDENT, I NEVER ONCE USED THE CRUISE CONTROL THOUGH. IT ACCELERATED ALL ON ITS OWN. I HAD ONE OTHER SITUATION SIMILAR TO THIS ABOUT A YEAR AGO, BUT THAT WAS WHEN I WAS USING MY CRUISE CONTROL AND IT WOULDN'T DISENGAGE. MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP WILL NOT LOOK AT IT UNLESS I PAY THE $80 DIAGNOSTIC FEE, WHICH IS RIDICULOUS BECAUSE THIS ISSUE WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN FIXED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10558663January 6, 2014
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL ACTIVATED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE INDEPENDENTLY. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND THE ENGINE REVVED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE THEY COULD NOT DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000. . ..UPDATED 03-12-14 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED OVER THE COURSE OF 2 YEARS, THE VEHICLE HAS ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO 2 GARAGES AND 3 FORD DEALERSHIPS, AND NO ONE COULD FIND ANYTHING WRONG. UPDATED 04/01/14
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10555347December 9, 2013
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE RIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE AS THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 136,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10553962November 27, 2013
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 MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 181,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10552155November 13, 2013
STRUCTURE:BODY
I HAVE ENTERED THE VIN CORRECTLY BUT YOUR SYSTEM DOESN'T RECOGNIZE IT. FIRST FLAT TIRE IN THE 10 YEARS I HAVE OWNED CAR PURCHASED NEW. JACK, JACK TOOLS AND TEMPORARY SPARE NEVER USED BEFORE.. FOLLOWING OWNER'S MANUAL INSTRUCTIONS, JACK DOES NOT RAISE VEHICLE HIGH ENOUGH TO REMOVE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT WHEEL AND SPECIFIED STANDARD-SIZE TIRE. ATTEMPTED FLAT REPAIR ON FLAT PAVED SURFACE. I HAVE 50 YEARS EXPERIENCE WORKING ON AUTOMOBILES.THIS FLAW COULD BE LIFE-THREATENING IF SOMEONE IS TRYING TO REPLACE A FLAT TIRE IN DANGEROUS CONDITIONS (DARKNESS, WEATHER, DANGEROUS LOCATION,MEDICAL EMERGENCY). THE JACK WORKS MECHANICALLY AND LIFTED THE RIGHT REAR CORNER OF THE VEHICLE BUT LACKED 4 TO 6 INCHES OF LIFTING VEHICLE HIGH ENOUGH TO REMOVE WHEEL. THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT AND NOT AN INCOMPETENT USER. JACK WAS POSITIONED AS SHOWN IN MANUAL. MY FIRST CAR WAS A 1931 MODEL A FORD AND THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE ENCOUNTERED AN OEM JACK THAT WOULDN'T WORK AT LEAST ONCE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10547383October 9, 2013
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10546695October 3, 2013
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 BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT OR WORSE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10538491September 3, 2013
POWER TRAIN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK AND LUNGE. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR. THE CONTACT SHUT OFF THE ENGINE BUT AFTER RESTARTING, HE WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 195,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10537921August 29, 2013
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE, THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10537787August 28, 2013
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
I HAD THE ALTERNATOR GO OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION IN THE MIDDLE OF RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. I WAS VERY FORTUNATE NOT TO HAVE GOTTEN HIT. HOWEVER, THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT INVOLVING 2 OTHER VEHICLES DUE TO MY BEING STOPPED. AN ALTERNATOR GOING OUT IS NOT NORMALLY SOMETHING TO FILE A COMPLAINT ON. IT WENT OUT AGAIN IN 4 DAYS. OK, BAD ALTERNATOR, IT HAPPENS. I GET ON GOOGLE TO FIND OUT THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE 2003 ESCAPES AND IT'S LISTED ALL OVER THE INTERNET. I HAD NO ADVANCED WARNING THAT THIS WAS GOING OUT. I'M ALMOST AFRAID TO DRIVE OUT OF TOWN. I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU ALL, BUT, I AM FINANCIALLY IN BAD SHAPE DUE TO THE ECONOMY. I AM WORKING FULL TIME FOR THE SAME WAGES I MADE IN THE 1980'S I CAN'T AFFORD MULTIPLE AUTOMOBILE REPAIRS FOR A PROBLEM THAT REQUIRES AS MUCH TIME TO REPLACE AS THIS DOES. THE FRONT AXLE HAS TO BE REMOVED IN ORDER TO REPLACE IT SO IT IS NOT A CHEAP REPAIR. WHY WOULD A REPAIR SHOP WANT TO HONOR A FAULTY PART WHEN EVIDENTLY IT'S AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. I SURE WOULDN'T!!! WHEN IS THIS ALTERNATOR DEFECT GOING TO CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT AND SOMEONE'S KIDS GET KILLED. HAD I BEEN FARTHER INTO THE INTERSECTION, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE.[XXX] LIKE I SAID, I HAD NO WARNING, IT JUST DIED. I HAVE 160,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE SO I CAN UNDERSTAND THE FIRST ONE GOING OUT. BUT WHAT ABOUT THE 2ND 4 DAYS LATER? AND THIS IS A NATIONWIDE PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR SEVERAL YEARS AND FORD IS AWARE OF IT!!! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10535280August 14, 2013
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN AND REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V574000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE NO FAILURES PRIOR TO THE RECALL SERVICE. AFTER THE RECALL SERVICE WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE DRIVER RELEASED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DECELERATE. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL RELEASED AFTER THE BRAKES WERE CONTINUALLY DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE RECURRED THREE TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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