2003 FORD ESCAPE Engine And Engine Cooling Problems

20 NHTSA complaints on file

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Engine And Engine Cooling Issues in the 2003 FORD ESCAPE

20 engine and engine cooling complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 FORD ESCAPE. Of these, 1 involved a crash, 2 involved a fire, and 2 resulted in injury.

20
Complaints
1
Crashes
2
Fires
2
Injuries
0
Deaths

All Engine And Engine Cooling Complaints

#10567551 |
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
#10561312 |
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
#10509910 | Crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE RPM INCREASED EXCESSIVELY AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHICH CAUSED THE CONTACT TO CRASH INTO A BUILDING. THE CONTACT WAS RUSHED TO THE HOSPITAL WHERE HE SUSTAINED BACK AND NECK INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER : 12V353000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING , VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000. *TR..UPDATED 06/24/13 *BF UPDATED 06/28/2013 *JS
#10502498 |
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 12V353000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR RECALL REPAIRS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT APPROXIMATELY SIX MONTHS AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED UNDER THE RECALL THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO EXHIBIT ACCELERATION ISSUES. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OVER 60 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY ADVISED HER THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 86,900. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 88,841. *TR
#10478105 |
MY CAR IS MISFIRING AND STALLING ON DE-ACCELERATION (WHEN WE SLOW DOWN). IT STARTED RECENTLY. FIRST IT HAD THE ENGINE LIGHT COME ON. WE HAD IT TESTED BY A MECHANIC WITH THE ELECTRICAL READER AND IT SAID WE NEEDED A NEW COIL. WE REPLACED THE COIL, DID A FULL TUNE UP AND IT STILL IS NOT WORKING. AFTER MANY HOURS OF RESEARCH WE SEE THAT THE FORD ESCAPE PCM HAS BEEN A CONSISTENT MANUFACTURING PROBLEM AND THE 2003 FORD ESCAPE HAD THIS PROBLEM. I CALL FORD AND THEY TELL ME MY CAR WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THAT PARTICULAR RECALL. HOWEVER, IT IS CLEAR THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH FORD ESCAPE. WHAT I AM TO DO? DRIVE THE CAR LIKE THIS AND RISK IT STALLING IN AN INTERSECTION OR ON A HILL AND HAVE THE POSSIBILITY OF A CRASH? FORD SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS MANUFACTURING PROBLEM THAT...
#10451130 | Fire
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A RESIDENTIAL DRIVEWAY WHEN THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE AND THE ENTIRE VEHICLE BECAME ENGULFED IN FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE WAS UNKNOWN AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS CONTACTED. THERE HAD BEEN NO MAINTENANCE PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE FAILURE FOR AT LEAST SIX MONTHS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,000.
#10450548 |
WHEN I RECENTLY HAD MY ROUTINE MAINTENANCE CHECK ON MY VEHICLE I WAS HORRIFIED WHEN MY MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THE FRONT SUB FRAME WAS RUSTED FROM THE INSIDE OUT! CAN YOU IMAGINE MY UTTER SHOCK WHEN MY MECHANIC ADVISED ME THAT THIS VEHICLE IS PROHIBITED TO BE DRIVEN SINCE CATASTROPHIC OUTCOMES WOULD BE LIKELY? HOW VERY FORTUNATE NOTHING FATAL TOOK PLACE WHILE BEING IN THIS VEHICLE; BECAUSE BASED ON THE CONDITION OF THE SUB FRAME IT COULD HAVE BEEN MY REALITY TO SUFFER DETRIMENTAL CONSEQUENCES. MY YOUNG CHILDREN ARE IN THIS SUV EVERY SINGLE DAY AND TO THINK THEIR LIVES WERE AT RISK JUST BY BEING A PASSENGER HAS SICKENED ME BEYOND WORDS. I HAD NO OTHER CHOICE BUT TO GET IT REPAIRED ASAP, SO I INFORMED THE CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER OF FORD MOTOR COMPANY AS INSTRUCTED BY THEIR WEBSITE AND ALL THEY COULD DO WAS APOLOGIZE FOR ANY...
#10449432 |
THIS VEHICLE HAS A BAD MISFIRE PROBLEM,ROUGH IDLE AS WELL AS BAD HITCHING ON HIGHWAY. LOOKED IT UP ON YAHOO ANSWERS AND A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. IS THERE GOING TO BE A RECALL ON THESE VEHICLES. I'M HEARING FAULTY COMPUTERS. *TR
#10416540 |
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STARTED HESITATING AND SPUTTERING PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC WHO CHANGED WAS THE SPARK PLUGS AND THE COILS WERE REPLACED PRIOR TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILING. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURE RUINED THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 142,000.
#10395980 |
I HAVE A FORD 2003 ESCAPE 6 CYL. BOUGHT IN MAY OF 2004 NEW - 76 MILES ON IT TEST DRIVEN FROM A DEALER IN SCHULENBURG, TX - THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON - THE PCM COMPUTER WENT OUT AND BLEW A SPARK PLUG ON 1/16/2011 - I HAD TO REPLACE THE PCM (WHICH I WAS TOLD SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ON THE 2003 FORD ESCAPE) SINCE THIS SHOULD NEVER GO OUT ON THE CAR. THE MILEAGE WAS ONLY 43,625 ON 1/16/2011 WHEN THIS HAPPENED. I HAVE THE CAR FOR 7-8 YRS. NOW. I HAD TO REPLACE THE PCM WITH A REMANUFACTURED (SINCE IT WOULD COST WAY MORE FOR A NEW ONE) PCM - ELECTRONIC IGNITION COSTING ME JUST OVER $2,100. AGAIN, THIS PART WAS INTENDED TO NEVER GO OUT FOR THE LIFE OF THE CAR, PERIOD. THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ON FORD MOTOR COMPANIES PART...
#10368385 |
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUTTERED AND COMPLETELY STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.
#10321398 |
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. INTERMITTENTLY, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH UP AN INCLINE. THE VEHICLE WOULD ALSO SUDDENLY ACCELERATE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE GASKET RECIRCULATOR WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE ON THE HIGHWAY AT A HIGH SPEED. AS THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE TO A HIGH SPEED SHE SUDDENLY HEARD A LOUD SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE GASKET RECIRCULATOR WAS REPAIRED FOR THE SECOND TIME AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS ALSO SERVICED. IN MARCH 2010 WHILE TRAVELING AT 60 MPH THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE AND THE PEDAL HAD FALLEN TO THE FLOOR AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE...
#10296904 |
FORD IS NOT ALLOWING MY CAR TO BE INCLUDED IN THE SAFETY RECALL: 04S13 FOR POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE RE-CALIBRATION. I HAVE NOTIFIED FORD AND THEY ARE SAYING THEY NEVER MISS A VEHICLE THAT GETS RECALLED. MY VEHICLE HAS STALLED MORE THAN 7 TIMES WHEN DECELERATING UNDER 40PMH. I HAVE BROUGHT MY CAR INTO A MECHANIC TWO TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. EVERYTIME IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THE VEHICLE TO STALL. *TR
#10243047 |
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHEN THE CONTACT DECELERATED AND REACHED A SPEED OF 40 MPH OR LESS, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL. IT WOULD COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WITH NO POWER STEERING OR BRAKING ABILITY. SHE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL WHILE DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IN ORDER TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AT LEAST ONCE PER DAY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPAIR THE VEHICLE AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 107,000.
#10237746 |
MY 2003 FORD ESCAPE STALLS WHILE DRIVING LEAVING ME WITHOUT POWER STEERING OR BRAKES. I CONTACTED FORD AT 800-392-3673 TO ASK ABOUT A RECALL. I FOUND OUT THAT FORD HAS RECALLED 363,440 FORD ESCAPES FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD THAT MY VIN NUMBER DID NOT CORRESPOND WITH THE 363,440 FORD ESCAPES THEY RECALLED BUT TO KEEP INTOUCH WITH MY SERVICE MANAGER AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP FOR MORE UPDATES. AT THIS TIME THEY CANNOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. *TR
#10174993 |
I HAD A 2003 FORD ESCAPE THAT STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING. IT WAS USUALLY WHEN I HAD LEFT THE VEHICLE FOR 8 OR MORE HOURS. I WOULD TRY TO START IT AND IT WOULD HESITATE AND TAKE A WHILE TO START IT. AFTER A FEW TRIES IT WOULD JERK BACK AT ME AND START. THIS WAS A PROBLEM FOR ABOUT 2-MONTHS. ON MAY 26, 2006 I LEFT MY VEHICLE IN THE PARKING LOT AT WORK. IT WAS THE FIRST REALLY HOT DAY (90+ DEGREES) OF THE YEAR. WHEN I GOT BACK TO MY CAR IT HESITATED WHEN I CRANKED IT. I CRANKED IT AGAIN AND IT POPPED BACK AND ME AND THEN THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION. THERE WAS SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE HOOD. I OPENED THE HOOD (BURNING MY FINGER IN THE PROCESS) AND FOUND PARTS AND PIECES EVERYWHERE. I TOOK IT TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND THE UPPER...
#10107287 |
NHTSA CAMPAIGN 04V165000; FORD ISSUED AN ENGINE STALLING RECALL. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT THE ENGINE STALLS UNEXPECTEDLY. THE VIN IS OUTSIDE THE REMEDY SCOPE. *NM
#10087628 |
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER MADE A TURN AND VEHICLE LOST POWER. FORD STATED THAT RECALL04V165000 WAS ISSUED. *AK
#10070811 | Fire
MY 2003 FORD ESCAPE WHICH I PURCHASED IN APRIL OF 2003 CAUGHT FIRE IN THE ENGINE DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE FUEL INJECTORS. WITHIN 20 MINUTES THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES AND DESTROYED. THE FLAMES ALSO PENETRATED THROUGH THE FIRE WALL WITHIN LITTLE TIME. I AM CURRENTLY WORKING WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY AS THE CAR IS A TOTAL LOSS. AT THIS TIME I HAVE HAD NO RESPONSE TO MY CALLS TO FORD REGARDING THIS EXTREME MALFUNCTION.
#10021729 |
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE STALLED AND IT WOULD BE HARD TO START UP THE VEHICLE AGAIN. *TT

Other 2003 FORD ESCAPE Problem Areas

Suspension 79 complaints Vehicle Speed Control 65 complaints Structurebody 50 complaints Steering 42 complaints Air Bags 38 complaints Electrical System 29 complaints Structure 29 complaints Service Brakes Hydraulic 25 complaints Engine 24 complaints Power Train 24 complaints Unknown Or Other 23 complaints Engine And Engine Coolingengine 19 complaints Power Trainautomatic Transmission 18 complaints Structureframe And Members 18 complaints Structureframe And Membersunderbody Shields 15 complaints Air Bagsfrontal 14 complaints Wheels 12 complaints Service Brakes 11 complaints Vehicle Speed Controlaccelerator Pedal 11 complaints Vehicle Speed Controlcables 11 complaints Air Bagsfrontalsensorcontrol Module 10 complaints Power Trainautomatic Transmissioncontrol Module Tcmpcmtecm 9 complaints Tires 9 complaints Fuelpropulsion System 7 complaints Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slipcontrol Unitmodule 7 complaints Suspensionfrontcontrol Armlower Arm 7 complaints Tirestreadbelt 7 complaints Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscpads 5 complaints Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust System 4 complaints Latcheslockslinkages 4 complaints Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscrotor 4 complaints Vehicle Speed Controlcruise Control 4 complaints Electrical Systemignition 3 complaints Electrical Systemignitionswitch 3 complaints Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systemmanifoldheadermufflertail Pipe 3 complaints Fuel System Gasoline 3 complaints Fuel System Other 3 complaints Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslatch 3 complaints Seat Belts 3 complaints Structurebodydoorhinge And Attachments 3 complaints Structurebodyhatchbackliftgate 3 complaints Electrical System Instrument Clusterpanel 2 complaints Electronic Stability Control Esc 2 complaints Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System 2 complaints Equipmentelectrical 2 complaints Power Traindriveline 2 complaints Service Brakes Airantilockabs Warning Light 2 complaints Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip 2 complaints Structurebodydoor 2 complaints Structurebodyhood 2 complaints Suspensionfrontcontrol Arm 2 complaints Visibilitysunmoon Roof Assembly 2 complaints Child Seatshield Assembly 1 complaint Electrical Systemalternatorgeneratorregulator 1 complaint Electrical Systemwiringfront Underhood 1 complaint Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systememission Controlcatalytic Convertor 1 complaint Equipmentapplianceair Conditioner 1 complaint Equipmentmechanicalaccessory Scissorscrewbottle Jacklift 1 complaint Exterior Lighting 1 complaint Fuel System Gasolinedelivery 1 complaint Fuel System Gasolinestoragetank Assemblymounting 1 complaint Parking Brake 1 complaint Power Trainautomatic Transmissionlever And Linkagecolumn Shift 1 complaint Power Trainclutch Assemblypedalhand Levermotorcycle 1 complaint Seat Beltsfront 1 complaint Service Brakes Airantilockcontrol Unitmodule 1 complaint Service Brakes Airantilockwheel Speed Sensor 1 complaint Service Brakes Electric 1 complaint Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slipabs Warning Light 1 complaint Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slipwheel Speed Sensortone Ring 1 complaint Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdisc 1 complaint Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentshoses Linespiping And Fittings 1 complaint Service Brakes Hydraulicpedals And Linkages 1 complaint Steeringhydraulic Power Assist System 1 complaint Steeringhydraulic Power Assistpower Steering Fluid 1 complaint Structurebodyroof And Pillars 1 complaint Suspensionfront 1 complaint Suspensionfrontmacpherson Strut 1 complaint Suspensionfrontstabilizer Bar 1 complaint Suspensionfrontwheel Bearing 1 complaint Tiressidewall 1 complaint Visibility 1 complaint Visibilityglass Siderear 1 complaint Visibilityrear Window Wiperwasher 1 complaint Visibilityrear Window Wiperwasherlinkages 1 complaint
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