Ford Escape Complaints (2003)

558 consumer complaints on file.

#10213777January 5, 2008
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
THE PAINT IS COMING OFF THE ROOF OF THE CAR NEAR THE FRONT WIND SHIELD AREA AND ALSO ON THE HATCHBACK DOOR. *CN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10213474January 2, 2008
AIR BAGS
THE AIR BAG LIGHT GOES ON. SOME TIMES IT WILL REMAIN ON AND SOMETIMES IT WILL FLASH. I HAD THE AIR BAG MODULE REPLACED ($600) AND IT WAS OK FOR 2 MONTHS AND STARTED TO HAPPEN AGAIN. THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY AND HAS SINCE REAPPEARED. I HAVE SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FOUND ALOT OF OTHER ESCAPE OWNERS WHO ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUES. I BELIEVED THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE LOOK AT.*CN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10212284December 19, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
2003 ESCAPE LIMITED 3.0 V6 IS DIAGNOSED WITH A CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD RESULTING IN LEAKING EXHAUST GASES. VEHICLE MILEAGE IS 31,200 AND HAS NEVER BEEN OFF PAVED ROADWAYS. I THINK THIS PROBLEM HAS EXISTED FOR SOME TIME BUT HAS NEVER BEEN PICKED UP ON BY REGULAR MAINTENANCE VISITS TO THE DEALERSHIP. MY DEALER EXPLAINED THAT THE PROBLEM IS A COMMON ONE AND OBVIOUSLY SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ITEM AS LEAKING EXHAUST GASES ARE VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10209227November 17, 2007
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I RECENTLY NOTICED THAT THE PAINT ON MY 2003 FORD ESCAPE WAS PEELING AND FLAKING AT AN ALARMING RATE, BOTH ON THE ROOF AND ON THE REAR PANEL. THE PAINT WAS SO LOOSE THAT A STRONG WIND WAS ABLE TO PICK UP THE EDGES AND STRIP IT OFF THE CAR. ON OCTOBER 24, 2007 I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP, NAPLETON'S NORTHWESTERN FORD IN CHICAGO, FOR AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE ZONE DISTRICT MANAGER. HE DECLINED MY REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL HELP IN REPAIRING THIS PROBLEM, CITING THAT THE WARRANTY PERIOD HAD EXPIRED. MY ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR FROM NAPLETON'S RECOMMENDED BODY SHOP SAID, IN WRITING, THAT THE PEELING PAINT WAS CAUSED BY DELAMINATION OF PAINT AND A BAD PRIMING PREP JOB. I SENT A COPY OF THE ESTIMATE, PICTURES OF THE DAMAGE AND A LETTER OF EXPLANATION TO BOTH THE FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS CENTER IN DETROIT AND MY DEALERSHIP OWNER - AND RECEIVED BACK A SHORT FORM LETTER FROM DETROIT STATING THAT THEY WOULD NOT HELP ME FINANCIALLY AS THE WARRANTY PERIOD HAD EXPIRED. ALTHOUGH I REALIZE THAT THE WARRANTY PERIOD HAS EXPIRED, I BELIEVE THAT MY PAINT PROBLEM WAS CAUSED BY SUBSTANDARD WORK AT THE FACTORY, A BELIEF SUBSTANTIATED BY THE BODY SHOP. RECALLS ARE DONE ALL THE TIME FOR PARTS THAT ARE FAULTY, REGARDLESS OF WARRANTY. MY PAINT JOB WAS FAULTY, AND THEREFORE I BELIEVE FORD SHOULD HELP ME FIX IT. ACCORDING TO THE CENTER FOR AUTO SAFETY AND OTHER WEB SITES, PAINT SHOULD NOT BE PEELING OFF CARS THAT ARE ONLY 4 OR 5 YEARS OLD. I GOT THE DAMAGE FIXED, WHICH COST ME NEARLY $1,200. PRIOR TO OWNING MY ESCAPE, I OWNED A FORD ESCORT FOR 10 YEARS, WHICH NEVER HAD A PAINT PROBLEM. UP UNTIL NOW I HAVE BEEN A LOYAL FORD CUSTOMER, BUT SINCE IT APPEARS THAT CUTTING CORNERS AND DOING SUBSTANDARD WORK IS THEIR MODE OF OPERATION, I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER NEW FORD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10208033November 6, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE, SUSPENSION:FRONT:MACPHERSON STRUT, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED. THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV AND THE RPM RACED TO ITS MAXIMUM POTENTIAL. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE ENGINE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 62,900. UPDATED 01/09/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED NOISE IN FRONT END WHEN HITTING A BUMP AND PERFORMED INSPECTION PER RECALL. UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10207677November 1, 2007
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK TO THE FLOOR WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES AND SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL, BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT DECELERATE. SHE HAD TO CONTINUOUSLY EXERT PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR TO RELEASE THE PEDAL. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE STRUT THROTTLE AND ACCELERATOR CABLE FAILED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE CABLE AND THROTTLE ASSEMBLIES FOR A $500 SERVICE CHARGE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V574000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES). THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 82,000. THE CONSUMER STATED FORD DID NOT CONSIDER THE DEFECT A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OR WARRANTY. UPDATED 11/15/07 *TR UPDATED 05/09/12 *BF UPDATED 05/30/12
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10206175October 18, 2007
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED BECAUSE THE SEAT BELT PRETENSION CODE WAS FAULTY. THE FRONT AIR BAGS FAIL TO DEPLOY WHEN IN A CRASH. ON OCTOBER 16, 2007, THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE OF A BEEPING SOUND AND THEY REPLACED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND IGNITION SWITCH. WHEN SHE RETRIEVED HER VEHICLE, THE AIR BAG LIGHT WAS STILL ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED SINCE FEBRUARY OF 2007. THE DEALER INFORMED HER THAT THE REPAIR FOR THE AIR BAG SENSOR WAS HER RESPONSIBILITY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 82,629.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10204179September 26, 2007
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL
HAD PREVIOUSLY ASKED HOME DEALERSHIP TO CHECK CRUISE CONTROL FOR FAILURE TO TURN ON. AFTER TRAVELING FOR APPROX. 1 HOUR ON INTERSTATE, ATTEMPTED TO TURN ON CRUISE CONTROL. ON THIRD TRY, CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED AND SET AT 70 MPH. AFTER A FEW MILES I TRIED TO TURN IT OFF WITH NO RESULTS. ENGINE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE WHEN BRAKE APPLIED. I CONTACTED SOMEONE WHO ADVISED ME TO PULL OVER AND TURN THE CAR OFF IF POSSIBLE. I PULLED IN TO A REST AREA WITH BOTH FEET ON BRAKE AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR AND IMMEDIATELY PUT IT IN PARK AND TURN IT OFF. (VERY DIFFICULT WITH ENGINE REVVING CONTINUOUSLY) I TRIED TO TURN THE CAR BACK ON TO SEE IF THE CRUISE TURNED OFF WITH THE CAR, IT DID NOT, THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY ACCELERATED AND THE ENGINE SOUNDED AS IF IT WAS GOING TO EXPLODE. I TURNED THE CAR OFF. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP AND THE CRUISE CONTROL THROTTLE CABLE WAS FOUND TO BE STUCK. THE CABLE WAS DISCONNECTED AS THEY SAID THEY HAD NO PARTS TO REPLACE THE CRUISE CONTROL. I WAS SENT ON WITH A REQUEST TO HAVE IT REPLACED AT MY HOME DEALERSHIP. I WAS CHARGED FOR THE SERVICE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10204083September 25, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD
2003 FORD ESCAPE PARKED IN GARAGE LOCATED AT 7755 SUNSET DRIVE, ELMWOOD PARK ILLINOIS. VEHICLE SPONTANEOUSLY BURNED. THE GARAGE WAS A LOFTED STRUCTURE WITH STORAGE CONTAINING 30 YEARS OF POSSESSIONS. THE CAR, GARAGE AND PERSONAL ITEMS WERE DESTROYED BY THE FIRE. THIS OCCURRED AT 5:00AM ON A SUNDAY MORNING AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED IN THE GARAGE FROM THE SATURDAY AFTERNOON BEFORE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10203144September 16, 2007
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
THE AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD OF OUR 2003 FORD ESCAPE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE SENSOR UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS DEFECTIVE AND MUST BE REPLACED. THE COST QUOTED WAS $450. I THEN DID AN INTERNET SEARCH AND FOUND SEVERAL HUNDRED SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. I ALSO FOUND TWO DIFFERENT FORD TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS, WHICH CLEARLY INDICATES THAT FORD KNOWS THIS IS A PROBLEM. ON ANOTHER SITE A TECHNICIAN FROM A FORD DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD SIMPLY BE FIXED BY SPRAYING THE CONTACT POINTS WITH AN ELECTRICAL CONTACT CLEANER SUCH AS WD40. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND TOLD THEM TO FOLLOW THIS PROCEDURE AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOT RETURNED IN THE PAST 8 MONTHS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10201144August 29, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. ON AUGUST 26, 2007, WHILE DRIVING 37 MPH, THE ENGINE FAILED. THE FAILURE IS NOW OCCURRING AT LEAST FOUR TIMES PER DAY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STARTED. NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 04V165000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM)) WAS REFERENCED. THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 85,834.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10200641August 23, 2007
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
MY AIRBAG LIGHT HAD BEEN COMING ON, AND AFTER SEVERAL WEEKS IT STAYED ON CONSTANTLY. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED TO HAVE IT CHECKED. I WAS TOLD THAT THE CONNECTOR UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT FOR THE SIDE MOUNT AIR BAG NEEDED REPLACING. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT IF THIS WAS NOT REPAIRED, THE AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IF NEEDED! I ASKED IF THERE HAD BEEN ANY OTHER COMPLAINTS MADE TO FORD ON THIS ISSUE AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF ANY. I FEARED FOR THE SAFETY OF ANYONE THAT MIGHT BE A PASSENGER IN MY VEHICLE IF IT SHOULD BE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT, SO I WENT AHEAD WITH THE REPAIR. I VOICED MY DISSATISFACTION WITH THE COST OF THE REPAIR AND WAS TOLD THAT ALL I COULD DO ABOUT IT WAS CALL THE MANUFACTURER. THIS PART COST $36.49 AND $210 FOR THE LABOR. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10200124August 20, 2007
STRUCTURE:BODY:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE
2003 FORD ESCAPE. NOTICED PAINT AROUND LIFT GATE LEDGE BUBBLING AND PEELING. ONLY TOP LAYER OF PAINT IS PEELING, GRAY LAYER APPEARS TO BE FINE, NO SIGNS OF BUBBLING OR PEELING. TALKED TO DEALER AND THEY SAID IT WAS BECAUSE THE TWO LAYERS NEVER BONDED WHEN THE CAR WAS PAINTED AT THE FACTORY. WHEN I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER TO SEE IF THEY WOULD COVER IT, THEY SAID TO GO TO THE DEALER AND THEY WOULD LOOK AT IT AND DECIDE WHAT TO DO. NEVER HEARD BACK FROM DEALER AFTER I MADE CONTACT WITH THEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10199490August 14, 2007
STRUCTURE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PAINT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR, LIFT GATE, AND LEDGE SHOWED SIGNS OF BUBBLING PAINT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WILL SPEAK WITH THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 19,400 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,350. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED A REPAIR INVOICE. UPDATED 08/31/07 *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10197440July 25, 2007
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON IN OUR 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP WHO INFORMED US THAT THE SENSOR HAS FAILED FOR NO APPARENT REASON AND THAT IF WE ARE IN AN ACCIDENT, THE AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY. THE COST FOR THIS REPAIR IS QUOTED AT APPROXIMATELY $500.00. AT THIS POINT WE ARE NOT IN A FINANCIAL POSITION TO MAKE THIS REPAIR AND WE ARE FORCED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND HOPE THAT WE WILL NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT. THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY ISSUE. THERE HAS BEEN NO PRIOR WARNING NOR ANY ACCIDENT THAT WOULD CAUSE THIS FAILURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10196290July 13, 2007
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IMPROPERLY ACCELERATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH. A CRASH OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE ALSO FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN DRIVING UPHILL. THE CONTACT HAD THIS FAILURE REPAIRED LAST YEAR, BUT IT HAS SINCE RECURRED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 40,000. THE CONSUMER STATED THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED AND 18 MONTHS LATER THE ACCIDENT OCCURED. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED AND HIT THE VEHICLE JUST IN FRONT AT A STOP LIGHT. THE CONSUMER STATED FORD WILL NOT PERFORM RECALL WORK A 2ND TIME. OFFICER FIELD REPORT PROVIDED. UPDATED 09/05/07 *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10194800June 27, 2007
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
BEGINNING IN APRIL 2007, MY 2003 FORD ESCAPE XLT (CURRENT MILEAGE 118754) EXPERIENCED AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT. IF THE POWER DRIVER'S SEAT HAD BEEN MOVED, THEN THE LIGHT WOULD APPEAR AND FLASH ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FOR A PERIOD OF TIME, THEN DISAPPEAR WITHOUT ANY ACTION TAKEN. THIS SERIES OF EVENT HAPPENED 2-3 TIMES BETWEEN APRIL - JUNE, 2007. THE LAST TIME THE PROBLEM SURFACED WAS JUNE 25, 2007. THE LIGHT WAS FLASHING WHEN I STARTED MY VEHICLE ON JUNE 26, 2007. APPROXIMATELY 5 MINUTES AFTER STARTING MY VEHICLE ON THAT DATE, I WAS STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION WHEN A TRUCK APPROACHING FROM MY LEFT LOST ITS TRAILER. THE TRAILER CRASHED INTO THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE OF MY VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MILES PER HOUR. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS WITHIN MY VEHICLE DEPLOYED. MY VEHICLE SUSTAINED SEVERE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END. ALTHOUGH NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED AS A RESULT OF THIS ACCIDENT, I BELIEVE THAT AN IMPACT OF THIS FORCE INTO MY FRONT BUMPER SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED MY FRONT AIR BAGS, AND THAT THE FAILURE TO DEPLOY CAN BE ATTRIBUTED TO THE FAULTY SENSOR ON MY INSTRUMENT PANEL.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10193847June 20, 2007
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO COOPERATE AS THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO STEER FORWARD. THE FAILURE CAUSED HER TO DRIVE OFF THE ROAD AND DOWN AN EMBANKMENT, WHERE SHE CRASHED INTO A TREE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE AT THE BODY SHOP AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD INVESTIGATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS BADLY BRUISED FROM THE CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES OF THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 99,700.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10193688June 19, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WORE OUT PRIOR TO BRAKE PADS AT 34,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS NORMAL BY THE DEALER AND WILL OCCUR AGAIN. I EXPLAINED TO THEM THAT THE ROTORS SHOULD BE HARDENED AND THE PAD SHOULD WEAR FIRST, BUT THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS NORMAL. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10192717June 7, 2007
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
I WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY AFTER RUNNING ERRANDS AND DECIDED TO WASH POLLEN OFF CAR. DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR WAS OPEN, SO I JUST "SPRINKLED" WATER ON THE CAR AND WHEN IT HIT THE SUNROOF, I HEARD A POP. LOOKING AT TOP OF SUNROOF I SAW NOTHING UNUSUAL. WHEN I OPENED THE INSIDE ROOF, I SAW THE GLASS WAS ALL SPLINTERED. AS I CLOSED THE DRIVER'S DOOR, THE GLASS ALL FELL ONTO THE INSIDE ROOF. GUY AT FORD TOLD ME I MUST'VE HAD A CRACK IN THE SUNROOF & WHEN THE WATER HIT, IT SHATTERED. MY WINDSHIELD DID HAVE A CRACK IN IT, AND THAT DIDN'T SHATTER SO THAT BLOWS THAT THEORY! 70 DEGREES THAT DAY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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