2003 FORD ESCORT — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
13
Owner Complaints
1
Recall
0
Service Bulletins
0
Investigations
Overview of the 2003 FORD ESCORT
The 2003 FORD ESCORT has received a total of 13 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There has been 1 recall campaign affecting this vehicle, covering issues with SEAT BELTS:FRONT. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine And Engine Coolingengine (2 complaints), Vehicle Speed Control (2 complaints), and Air Bagsfrontal (1 complaint).
Recalls for the 2003 FORD ESCORT
NHTSA has recorded 1 recall for the 2003 FORD ESCORT, potentially affecting up to 388 vehicles.
Recall 04E048000 — SEAT BELTS:FRONT
| 388 vehicles affected
Defect: CERTAIN TRW DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELTS MANUFACTURED ON DECEMBER 6 AND 9, 2002, FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR 1997 FORD ESCORT 4-DOOR AND STATION WAGON PLATFORM VEHICLES, FORD'S P/N F7CZ54611B09AAC. THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES EXHIBIT A NO-LOCK CONDITION WHICH DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM MAY NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT, WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: TRW WILL NOTIFY THE CUSTOMERS WHO PURCHASED THE REPLACEMENT SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 27, 2004.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2003 FORD ESCORT
13 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2003 FORD ESCORT. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Coolingengine | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Air Bagsfrontal | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Latcheslockslinkages | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Power Trainautomatic Transmission | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Airantilockabs Warning Light | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Service Brakes Hydraulic | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Structureframe And Members | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspensionfront | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Tirestreadbelt | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemheater Core | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most Recent Complaints
2003 FORD ESCORT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DOOR HINGE/LATCH PROBLEMS RECALL NOTICE. CONSUMER HAS PREVIOUS CORRESPONDENCE WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE IN ARTEMIS. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME COMPLETING THE RECALL REPAIR. *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 (NA) FORD ESCORT. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCORT. THE CONTACT STATED THE OIL DIP STICK FRACTURED WHEN ATTEMPTING TO CHECK THE OIL LEVEL. AN AUTHORIZED DEALER STATED THE DEFECT WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THAT MODEL YEAR VEHICLE. THE DIP STICK WAS NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. UPDATED 01/05/12*LJ UPDATED 01/12/12
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCORT. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. IT WOULD NOT MOVE IN REVERSE OR FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE TRANSMISSION RATTLES AND SHAKES, AND THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FORD DEALER TESTED AND REPAIRED THE TRANSMISSION IN 2007, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE TRANSMISSION HAS A 80,000 MILE WARRANTY, BUT THE DEALER DOES NOT WANT TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE TO FOUR DIFFERENT FORD DEALERS AND THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. SHE FEELS THAT BECAUSE HER VEHICLE HAS SO FEW MILEAGE AND IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, IT SHOULD BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,724.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCORT. IN 2004, THE ABS LIGHT BEGAN ILLUMINATING INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES. THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECENTLY RECEIVED RECALL # 07V156000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE). THE DEALER PERFORMED THE REPAIR, HOWEVER, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED BEFORE SHE LEFT THE PARKING LOT. THE MANUFACTURER TOLD THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER FORD DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 49,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Safety Rating for the 2003 FORD ESCORT
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2003 FORD ESCORT in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2003 FORD ESCORT
No technical service bulletins have been reported for this vehicle.
NHTSA Investigations for the 2003 FORD ESCORT
There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.
Other Model Years of the FORD ESCORT
- 1998 FORD ESCORT — 470 complaints
- 1999 FORD ESCORT — 413 complaints
- 2000 FORD ESCORT — 128 complaints
- 2001 FORD ESCORT — 85 complaints
- 2002 FORD ESCORT — 41 complaints
- 2003 FORD ESCORT (current)
Other FORD Models
- FORD F-150 — 45,660 total complaints
- FORD EXPLORER — 42,140 total complaints
- FORD ESCAPE — 34,654 total complaints
- FORD FOCUS — 29,539 total complaints
- FORD FUSION — 28,243 total complaints
- FORD TAURUS — 23,867 total complaints
- FORD WINDSTAR — 19,456 total complaints
- FORD EDGE — 17,247 total complaints