Model year record

2003 Ford Escape

7 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 738 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 15V606000

Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)

Component: Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)
Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected: 57
Reported to NHTSA: 2015-09-29
Owners notified: 2015-10-23

Defect description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.

Safety risk

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 vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.

Manufacturer remedy

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 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.

Recall campaignNHTSA 14V165000

Structure: frame and members

Component: Structure: frame and members
Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected: 348,950
Reported to NHTSA: 2014-04-02
Owners notified: 2014-05-30

Defect description

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2004 Escape vehicles manufactured October 22, 1999, through January 23, 2004, originally sold, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. These vehicles may experience excessive corrosion at the forward attachment of the lower control arm.

Safety risk

A separation of the lower control arm can result in a significant loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 12V353000

Vehicle speed control: cables

Component: Vehicle speed control: cables
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected: 529,719
Reported to NHTSA: 2012-07-26
Owners notified: 2012-08-03

Defect description

Ford Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2004 Escape vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control manufactured from October 22, 1999, through January 23, 2004. Inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector could result in a stuck throttle when the accelerator pedal is fully or almost-fully depressed. This risk exists regardless of whether or not speed control (cruise control) is used.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer remedy

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 remedy, if parts are not available at the time of an owner's service appointment. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.

Recall campaignNHTSA 07V156000

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module

Component: Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected: 446,460
Reported to NHTSA: 2007-04-10
Owners notified: 2007-04-23

Defect description

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ANTILOCK BRAKES (ABS), THE ABS MODULE CONNECTOR MAY HAVE MISSING OR DISLODGED WIRE SEALS. THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW CONTAMINATION TO ENTER THE MODULE CONNECTOR, CREATING A POTENTIAL FOR AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.

Safety risk

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 BEING OPERATED.

Manufacturer remedy

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 ON APRIL 23, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V602000

Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch

Component: Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected: 262,113
Reported to NHTSA: 2004-12-20
Owners notified: 2005-03-31

Defect description

CERTAIN 2004-2005 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND CERTAIN 2001-2003 SPORT UTIITY VEHICLE HAVING REAR LIFTGATE COMPONENTS SERVICED WITH 2004 EQUIVALENT COMPONENTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 206, 'DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS.' THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCHING SYSTEM DOES NOT MEET THE INERTIA LOAD REQUIREMENT IN ONE DIRECTION.

Safety risk

IF THE LIFTGATE IS LEFT UNLOCKED, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL THAT IT MAY OPEN DURING A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V574000

Vehicle speed control: cables

Component: Vehicle speed control: cables
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected: 470,245
Reported to NHTSA: 2004-12-07
Owners notified: 2005-01-10

Defect description

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES BUILT WITH 3.0L V6 ENGINES, THE ACCELERATOR CABLE MAY PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION.

Safety risk

AN UNEXPECTED INCREASE IN ENGINE IDLE SPEED MAY INCREASE STOPPING DISTANCE AND MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR CABLE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 10, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-866-436-7332.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V165000

Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)

Component: Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected: 321,903
Reported to NHTSA: 2004-04-06
Owners notified: 2004-04-21

Defect description

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L V6 ENGINES, DURING DECELERATION, THE ENGINE CAN STALL.

Safety risk

SHOULD THE ENGINE STALL, A VEHICLE CRASH COULD OCCUR.

Manufacturer remedy

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 AT 1-800-392-3673.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Suspension	79	123,000 mi
Vehicle speed control	65	107,000 mi
Structure: body	50	113,000 mi
Steering	42	104,407 mi
Air bags	39	100,000 mi
Electrical system	29	103,500 mi
Structure	29	81,000 mi
Engine	25	124,826 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic	25	68,000 mi
Power train	24	140,000 mi
Unknown or other	23	117,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling	20	86,900 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine	19	15,520 mi
Power train: automatic transmission	18	43,299 mi
Structure: frame and members	18	121,716 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields	15	120,000 mi
Air bags: frontal	14	50,842 mi
Wheels	12	104,407 mi
Service brakes	11	127,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal	11	17,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cables	11	40,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module	10	48,156 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)	9	66,000 mi
Tires	9	11,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	7	100,489 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module	7	90,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm	7	102,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt	7	22,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads	5	25,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system	4	68,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages	4	104,995 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor	4	25,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control	4	27,708 mi
Electrical system: ignition	3	30,422 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch	3	11,800 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe	3	5,982 mi
Fuel system, gasoline	3	30,422 mi
Fuel system, other	3	14,891 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch	3	130,000 mi
Seat belts	3	136,000 mi
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments	3	4,150 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate	3	1,021 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel	2	36,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)	2	102,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system	2	77,000 mi
Equipment: electrical	2	4,530 mi
Power train: driveline	2	7,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock: ABS warning light	2	110,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	2	40,000 mi
Structure: body: door	2	200 mi
Structure: body: hood	2	30,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm	2	121,000 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly	2	76,990 mi
Child seat: shield assembly	1	31,731 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator	1	160,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood	1	30,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor	1	80,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner	1	2,571 mi
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift	1	4,900 mi
Exterior lighting	1	170,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery	1	20,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: mounting	1	49,000 mi
Parking brake	1	31,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift	1	10 mi
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)	1	—
Seat belts: front	1	34,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock: control unit/module	1	130,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock: wheel speed sensor	1	42,182 mi
Service brakes, electric	1	28,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light	1	106,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: wheel speed sensor/tone ring	1	90,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc	1	19,200 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	1	88,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages	1	—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system	1	3,500 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid	1	3 mi
Structure: body: roof and pillars	1	50,000 mi
Suspension: front	1	45,000 mi
Suspension: front: macpherson strut	1	62,900 mi
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar	1	106,000 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing	1	65,000 mi
Tires: sidewall	1	—
Visibility	1	90,000 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear	1	—
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer	1	90,000 mi
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer: linkages	1	260,000 mi

The 2002 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2004 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.