2003 Ford Escape: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 736 complaints
736
Total Complaints
94,160mi
Median Mileage
Suspension
Top Issue
55
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
50,500
25th Percentile
94,160
Median Mileage
133,000
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Suspension
79
Vehicle Speed Control
65
Body
50
Steering
42
Air Bags
38
Electrical System
29
Structure
29
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
25
Power Train
24
Engine
24
Severity Assessment
55
Crashes
35
Fires
41
Injuries
0
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"2003 FORD ESCAPE LEAKS DIRT INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHEN DRIVING DOWN A GRAVEL ROAD, AT TIMES THE DUST INSIDE THE PASSENGER CABIN IS SO THICK IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE ROAD OR INSTRUMENTS. ROAD DUST IS VISIBLE PASSING BY DOOR AND SEALS. DEALER HAS SERVICED VEHICLE TWICE FOR THIS CONDITION. LAST VI..."
"2003 FORD ESCAPE LEAKS DIRT INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHEN DRIVING DOWN A GRAVEL ROAD, AT TIMES THE DUST INSIDE THE PASSENGER CABIN IS SO THICK IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE ROAD OR INSTRUMENTS. ROAD DUST IS VISIBLE PASSING BY DOOR AND SEALS. DEALER HAS SERVICED VEHICLE TWICE FOR THIS CONDITION. LAST VI..."
"THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DESIGNED TO CLOSE TOGETHER, WHICH CAUSED CONSUMER TO PRESS THE ACCELERATOR WHEN THE BRAKE WAS BEING APPLIED.*JB *JB"
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Suspension
79 complaints
25th: 92,858 mi
Median: 123,000 mi
75th: 149,750 mi
Vehicle Speed Control
65 complaints
25th: 76,000 mi
Median: 108,860 mi
75th: 150,000 mi
Body
50 complaints
25th: 82,000 mi
Median: 113,000 mi
75th: 143,750 mi
Steering
42 complaints
25th: 90,625 mi
Median: 105,703 mi
75th: 135,775 mi
Air Bags
38 complaints
25th: 56,900 mi
Median: 100,000 mi
75th: 136,000 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
OH: 83
NY: 63
PA: 56
CA: 50
MI: 48
IL: 38
TX: 32
VA: 29
MA: 24
MN: 22
Who Files Complaints?
19%
Original Owners
81%
Second+ Owners
Ford Escape — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
Active Recalls (9)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Floor Shift
Campaign 15V606000 | 29/09/2015
If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehic
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-43
Wheel Bearing
Campaign 15E045000 | 03/06/2015
Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Timken has begun notifying distributors who will offer purchasers replacement wheel bearings, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2015. Owners may contact Timken customer service at 1-866-984-6536.
Frame And Members
Campaign 14V165000 | 02/04/2014
A separation of the lower control arm can result in a significant loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install a newly designed reinforcement cross-brace, free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S02.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Campaign 12V353000 | 26/07/2012
A stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop or slow the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles by increasing the engine cover clearance, free of charge. The safety recall began August 3, 2012. Remedy parts are expected to be available in mid-August 2012. Until then dealers will disconnect the speed control cable as an interim re
Control Unit/Module
Campaign 07V156000 | 10/04/2007
AN ELECTRICAL SHORT MIGHT CAUSE AN ABS MALFUNCTION THAT WOULD ILLUMINATE THE ABS WARNING LIGHT, AND IN SOME CASES, THE MODULE MAY OVERHEAT RESULTING IN BURNING ODOR, SMOKE, AND/OR FIRE. THIS CONDITION COULD OCCUR EITHER WHEN THE VEHICLE IGNITION SWITCH IS IN THE OFF POSITION OR WHILE THE VEHICLE IS
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. THE DEALER WILL ALSO INSPECT THE CONNECTOR ON THE ABS MODULE AND REPLACE IT IF IT IS FOUND TO BE CORRODED OR DAMAGED. THE RECALL BEGAN
Cables
Campaign 04V574000 | 07/12/2004
AN UNEXPECTED INCREASE IN ENGINE IDLE SPEED MAY INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCE AND MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CABLE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 10, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.
Master Cylinder
Campaign 07E023000 | 29/03/2007
LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.
Latch
Campaign 04V602000 | 20/12/2004
IF THE LIFTGATE IS LEFT UNLOCKED, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL THAT IT MAY OPEN DURING A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH RELEASE ROD, THE RELEASE ROD ATTACHMENT CLIP AND THE DOOR HANDLE RETURN SPRING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
Campaign 04V165000 | 06/04/2004
SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.
DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE POWER CONTROL MODULE (PCM) WITH THE APPROPRIATE CALIBRATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON APRIL 21, 2004. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT FORD
Extend Your Suspension Life
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Avoid potholes and speed bumps at high speed
- Replace shocks/struts every 50,000-75,000 miles even if they seem fine
- Get alignment checked if the car pulls or tires wear unevenly
- Don't overload the vehicle beyond its rated capacity
- Address clunking or bouncing immediately — worn suspension damages other components
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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28