Model year
2003 Ford Escape
NHTSA lists 7 recalls and 558 complaints for the 2003 Ford Escape (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are SUSPENSION (79), VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL (65), STRUCTURE:BODY (50). NHTSA lists 8 investigations. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 18–22 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,050–$3,700, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2001 996 complaints
- 2002 1,027 complaints
- 2003 558 complaints
- 2004 499 complaints
- 2005 1,394 complaints
- 2006 464 complaints
- 2007 254 complaints
- 2008 1,974 complaints
- 2009 1,693 complaints
- 2010 2,070 complaints
- 2011 1,318 complaints
- 2012 604 complaints
- 2013 2,753 complaints
- 2014 2,089 complaints
- 2015 1,130 complaints
- 2016 1,166 complaints
- 2017 2,701 complaints
- 2018 1,821 complaints
- 2019 596 complaints
- 2020 1,612 complaints
- 2021 350 complaints
- 2022 236 complaints
- 2023 101 complaints
- 2024 76 complaints
- 2025 26 complaints
- 2026 3 complaints
Recalls
15V606000 · Sep 29, 2015
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT; POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
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…
14V165000 · Apr 2, 2014
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
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,…
12V353000 · Jul 26, 2012
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
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…
07V156000 · Apr 10, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
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.
04V602000 · Dec 20, 2004
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
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…
04V574000 · Dec 7, 2004
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CABLES
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES BUILT WITH 3.0L V6 ENGINES, THE ACCELERATOR CABLE MAY PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION.
04V165000 · Apr 6, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L V6 ENGINES, DURING DECELERATION, THE ENGINE CAN STALL.
Complaints
558 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 43, fire flag on 27, injury field 31, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| RP04002 | ENGINE STALLING · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | Jun 24, 2004 | Aug 31, 2004 |
| PE06048 | ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE; SERVICE BRAKES,… | Oct 30, 2006 | Apr 17, 2007 |
| DP09003 | ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE | Apr 14, 2009 | Apr 15, 2009 |
| RQ09002 | ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE | Apr 15, 2009 | Jan 15, 2010 |
| EA10002 | Engine Compartment Fire · SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE | Jan 14, 2010 | Feb 29, 2012 |
| AQ10001 | Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit · UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Nov 18, 2010 | Dec 28, 2015 |
2 more actions are in the file and are not listed in this table.
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Escape 2WD · 2L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 20 | 25 | 22 | — | — | $3,050 |
| Escape 2WD · 3L · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 17 | 23 | 19 | — | — | $3,550 |
| Escape 4WD · 2L · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 | 23 | 21 | — | — | $3,200 |
| Escape 4WD · 3L · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 16 | 21 | 18 | — | — | $3,700 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2003 Ford Escape at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.