Ford Escape Complaints (2003)

558 consumer complaints on file.

#10980384April 25, 2017
STRUCTURE:BODY, ENGINE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10980417April 25, 2017
STRUCTURE:BODY, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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. I ALSO FILED A COMPLAINT WITH RECALL CENTER AND WITH FORD MOTOR CORPORATION.ALL THEY SAID WAS I WOULD RECEIVE THE REPORT WITHIN THE NEXT 15 DAYS. IT'S BEEN 11 DAYS NOW AND STILL HAVEN'T RECEIVED ANYTHING! COMPLAINT #: 10978773 (FORD CORP) FIRE DEPARTMENT INCIDENT #: 17-1703168....KEITH FITCH. FIRE CHIEF...
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10979882April 22, 2017
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I HAVE A 2003 ESCAPE THAT HAS A INTERESTING PROBLEM WITH THE REAR HATCH. WHEN IT IS HOT OUT SIDE OR THE SUN IS SHINNING ON THE REAR HATCH THE LOCK WILL NOT UNLOCK,ALL THE OTHER DOORS DO. WHEN IT GETS DARK OR THE DOOR COOL DOWN THE NIT WILL UNLOCK WITH THE REST OF THE DOORS. OUR REAR HATCH. INTERMITTENTLY WORKING AND THEN NOT WORKING AT ALL. AFTER LOOKING IN THE SEARCH ENGINE ON THIS FORUM, UNDER "REAR HATCH WON'T OPEN" I FOUND A POSTING LISTING THE PART # FOR THE SOLENOID ONLY, FROM AN AFTERMARKET SOURCE. (FORD MAKES YOU BUY THE WHOLE HANDLE AND ACTUATOR ASSY. FOR $200 OR SO). THE SOLENOID WAS $10 PLUS SHIPPING. INSTALLATION WAS STRAIGHT FORWARD EXCEPT THE ROD THAT CONNECTS THE SOLENOID TO THE MECHANISM NEEDS TO BE MODIFIED AND THE WIRES SPLICED INSTEAD OF THE MODULAR PLUG ON THE STOCK ONE. IF YOUR NOT THAT MECHANICAL, YOU MAY WANT THE DEALERSHIP TO DO IT , BUT IF YOU HAVE SOME SKILLS, YOU CAN SAVE A LOT OF MONEY! (IF FORD HAD PUT A FREAKING KEY HOLE ON THE REAR HATCH IT WOULDN'T BE SUCH A BIG DEAL) SEARCH THE THREADS AND YOU WILL FIND THE POST FOR THE PART. HOPE THIS HELPS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10979323April 19, 2017
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WE HAD A RECALL DONE FOR THE FRAME ON OUR 2003 FORD ESCAPE IN APRIL, 2014. ON MONDAY, APRIL 3, 2017 I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON EXCELSIOR BLVD (ABOUT A 40 MPH ROAD) AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE IN THE FRONT OF THE TRUCK AND COULD HARDLY STEER. WE HAD IT TOWED TO METROPOLITAN FORD IN EDEN PRAIRIE, MINNESOTA AND TO FIND OUT THAT THE FRAME WAS BROKE. THEY SAID THEY WILL NOT COVER IT. THEY REPLACED IT AND COST US $1,300.00 WE FEEL LIKE THEY SHOULD PAY FOR THIS SINCE THE DAMAGE WAS FROM THE RECALL THAT THEY HAD DONE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10978773April 17, 2017
ENGINE
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.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10970662April 5, 2017
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
LEFT REAR HATCH WINDOW BOLT BROKE OFF UPON OPENING. WINDOW FELL DOWN BUT LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO CATCH IT BEFORE IT FELL. VEHICLE WAS STOPPED IN MY DRIVEWAY.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10968999March 28, 2017
STRUCTURE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND THAT WHEN DRIVING IT FELT ABNORMAL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUB FRAME HAD EXPERIENCED SEVERE CORROSION AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT STATED TWO YEARS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE VEHICLE WAS REMEDIED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10960024March 10, 2017
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AND THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY VEERED TO THE SIDE OF ROAD. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE). THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME TO A FAMILY MEMBER'S HOME WHERE IT WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT A CRACKED SUBFRAME DUE TO EXTREME CORROSION WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER DID NOT PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10949279February 3, 2017
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG LIGHT GOES ON AND STAYS ON FOR AWHILE ,SOMETIMES IT DOES NOT GO OFF TILL I TURN THE CAR OFF
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10939292January 3, 2017
STRUCTURE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE DROVE ABNORMALLY. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE) PRIOR TO BEING PURCHASED. THE ONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE HAD CORRODED WHERE THE SUPPORT BRACKETS WERE INSTALLED FROM THE PREVIOUS RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000. ..UPDATED 02/09/17 *BF
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10935184December 14, 2016
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THERE IS A REGIONAL RECALL #14S02 REF# 14V165000. THE RECALL IS FOR THE STRUCTURE AND MEMBERS. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM CORROSION. THE FRAME IS RUSTED OUT WHERE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM BUSHING IS CONNECTED. I CANNOT DRIVE MY VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. I WAS DOING A COMPLETE REPAIR MYSELF OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM, BALL JOINTS, TIE ROD ENDS TO REMEDY THE STEERING ISSUE AND IRREGULAR TIRE WEAR, I REPAIRED THE DRIVERS SIDE BUT DID NOT NOTICE ANY ISSUES BUT WHEN I TOOK THE WHEEL OFF THE PASSENGER SIDE I SAW THE FRAME IS RUSTING OUT AT THE POINT I MENTIONED EARLIER. I HAVE NEVER SEEN A VEHICLE RUST OUT LIKE THIS AND I HAVE BEEN WORKING ON VEHICLES MY WHOLE LIFE. WHEN I CALLED THE FORD RECALL HOTLINE, THEY TOLD ME MY VEHICLE IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. BUT THE RECALL GOES FROM OCT. 1999 TO JAN 2004 AND I HAVE A 2003. THE ONLY THING I CAN FIGURE IS THAT THE VEHICLE MAY HAVE BEEN ORIGINALLY SOLD IN A STATE THAT IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL? BUT I PURCHASED IT OFF SOMEONE WHO LIVES IN OHIO AND THEY DEFINATELY HAD IT UP HERE DUE TO THE RUST THAT HAS FORMED. PLEASE HELP ME!! THE ATTACHED PIC SHOWS THE RUSTED AREA, PIC #3 SHOWS WITH A NEW LOWER CONTROL ARM HELD IN PLACE TO GIVE AN IDEA OF THE AREA AFFECTED. VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. THE AUTO PULLS SHARPLY TO THE RIGHT IF TURNED A LITTLE BIT OR SHARPLY TO LEFT TURNING LEFT EASILY. MY NEW TIRES ARE ALSO WORN FROM THIS ISSUE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10929396December 1, 2016
SUSPENSION, STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS:UNDERBODY SHIELDS
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. HAD MY SON BEEN DRIVING FASTER WHEN THIS HAPPENED THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10926992November 18, 2016
STRUCTURE:BODY, SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. UPON EXITING A PARKING AREA, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL SUSPENSION VIBRATION NEAR THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT SUBFRAME FRACTURED AND IMPACTED THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. THE CONTACT AND A MECHANIC INSPECTED THE FACT THAT THERE HAD BEEN PREMATURE RUST AND CORROSION ASSOCIATED WITH THE UNDERBODY, SUBFRAME, AND THE BAR THAT WAS CONNECTED TO THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN AND WAS TOWED BY THE MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO SOLUTION OTHER THAN FOR THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE) AND 15E045000 (SUSPENSION). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10926534November 16, 2016
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. AFTER SECURING THE SEAT BELT, THE INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT DID NOT FEEL SAFE WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,800.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10924863November 7, 2016
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING AT 35 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL STARTED MAKING NOISE AND GOT WOBBLY. I TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALER. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT TOOK A DAY TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THEY INDICATED THAT THE SUB FRAME HAS RUSTED OUT AND THE LOWER CONTROL ARMS ARE NOT SECURE IN THE SUB-FRAME AND MAY SEPARATE ANYTIME. THEY REFUSE TO FIX THE PROBLEM AS PER THE RECALL SAYING THAT THEY PUT A CROSS BRACE AND THE RECALL IS FIXED. THE CROSS BRACE THAT WAS PUT, IS A BAND-AID FIX AND DOES NOT ADDRESS THE FAILURE OF THE DEFECTIVE SUB-FRAME. THE SUB-FRAME WILL FAIL EVEN AFTER INSTALLING THE CROSS BRACE THAT FORD SEEMS TO THINK WILL FIX THE PROBLEM. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WILL SEPARATE AND THE CROSS BRACE WILL NOT PREVENT ANY ACCIDENTS THAT COULD RESULT FROM LOWER CONTROL ARM SEPARATION.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10923861November 2, 2016
STEERING, SUSPENSION, WHEELS
THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILED WHILE MY SON WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. HE WAS GOING STRAIGHT, AND THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE JUST BUCKLED UNDER WHILE HE WAS IN MOTION. LUCKILY HE WASN'T ON A HEAVILY-TRAVELED ROAD WHEN IT HAPPENED, BECAUSE THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE, ALTHOUGH IT IS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE, IS NOT PART OF RECALL #14S02. WHY, I DON'T KNOW? NO ONE AT FORD CAN EXPLAIN THIS TO ME, AS IT IS EXACTLY WHAT HAS BEEN HAPPENING WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL/YEAR. WE HAD IT REPAIRED AT GREAT COST TO US, WITH EXACTLY THE PARTS/LABOR THAT FORD HAD BEEN DESCRIBING IN THE RECALL. OUR MECHANIC EVEN GOT THE REPLACEMENT CROSSMEMBER FROM FORD! FORD THEMSELVES WANTED NOTHING TO DO WITH THE REPAIR. IN ADDITION TO THE LOWER CONTROL ARM, AND CROSSMEMBER, THE TIRE HAD TO BE REPLACED, ALONG WITH THE RIGHT FRONT AXLE ASSEMBLY, AS THEY WERE SEVERELY DAMAGED FROM THE FRAME FAILURE. I WOULD REALLY LIKE AN ANSWER AS TO WHY MY VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, WHEN THE RECALL DESCRIBES EXACTLY WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO MY VEHICLE. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10919811October 28, 2016
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 TO 10 MPH, THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TOWED TO A MECHANIC. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10909803September 26, 2016
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V165000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10909653September 26, 2016
WHEELS, SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 33 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO TURN, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL FAILED AND THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SHOULDER AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL WAS RUSTED AND TWISTED OUTWARD. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE REAR CONTROL ARM TO ALMOST FALL OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10906831September 15, 2016
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I PULLED INTO WORK AT 7:00 AM 9/15/16 AND AT 9:00 AM A FELLOW WORKING TOLD BE MY WINDOW WAS BLOWN OUT. IT LOOK LIKE IT BLEW FROM THE INSIDE OUT.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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