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10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
97,786 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Ford Escape fuel system problems

fuel system problem

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2003 Ford Escape Owner Comments

problem #7

Jun 302003

Escape

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

After driving car, parking and starting again, it will start but will not keep running. Usually can wait a few minutes with hood up and will be ok. Today (10/26/2019) it would not keep running. Had it towed. Purchased new 06/2003 and has always happened. Ford mechanics other mechanics do not know why.

- Cookeville, TN, USA

problem #6

Nov 112017

Escape

  • 108,000 miles
On many occasions, the engine has stalled while at a stop or going about 10 mph. Two times the engine has stalled on the freeway going over 60 mph, causing my car to be side swiped and stranded on the side of the freeway.

- Burlingame, CA, USA

problem #5

Aug 022016

Escape

  • 182,060 miles
I began merging onto I 820 when my vehicle (by itself) floored the accelerator. I tried pressing the brake (it wouldnt press down, it was hard as a rock). I used both feet to no avail. At 75-80 mph I jammed it into neutral. The RPM's were still at max. By this time it had slowed (I was on the shoulder of the hiway) to about 20 mph, then jammed it in park. I looked at the instrument panel and all the instruments were on 0. I hesitated then gave the car some gas, it was still running! I couldnt even hear the engine until I revved it. I proceeded to turn off the ignition. The car did turn off. I noticed a 17 yr old boy dying back in 2012 -13 from the same act my car did. Its bad enough to lose a child but to lose a child because of a malfunction from a vehicle and the company stating they will have to look into it further, is nothing short of total negligence and refusal to accept responsibility for ones error and we want to know what has happened to our youth? look who's raising them and giving them excuses.

- Ft Worth, TX, USA

problem #4

Sep 302015

Escape

  • 100,078 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Went to get car inspected and the exhaust Y pipe and engine cradle subframe has corrison. Called the Ford recall and for some reason my vehicle did not have a recall, but there were other 2003 recalls for the control arms and corrison of the frame and members. This seems to be a problem with a lot of Ford vehicles but not on the recall list and should be. Vehicle has 100,078 miles. There is also noise come from an area around the tires not sure which one.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #3

Oct 282013

Escape

  • 103,500 miles
Vehicle stalls or will not start as described in Ford recall number 04S13. I have replaced multiple parts including fuel pump, gas cap, fuel filter, etc. And now I found that there was a problem with the PCM programming on this vehicle. I purchased this truck used and do not know if this was serviced. This is a dangerous problem as stalling can cause an accident.

- Alvin, TX, USA

problem #2

Aug 192014

Escape 6-cyl

  • 90,375 miles
Fuel tank strap broke. Strap failure resulted in exhaust system supporting fuel tank. Strap failure due to corrosion. Photos available....updated12/17/14 updated 9/29/2015

- Latham, NY, USA

problem #1

Apr 112014

Escape

  • 100,489 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph, there was a loud noise from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the roadway where the contact fuel tank straps were fractured. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who stated that both fuel tank straps needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,489.

- Westfield, MA, USA

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