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1.7

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
100,245 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 suspension problems

suspension problem

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2003 Ford Escape Owner Comments

problem #7

Oct 312017

Escape

  • 53,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. While driving approximately 5 mph, a crunching sound was present coming from the front passenger side and the vehicle suddenly could not be driven properly. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the lower control arm had fractured due to corrosion. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was repaired in 2014 per NHTSA campaign number: 14V165000 (structure). The contact indicated that the vehicle later experienced the same failure listed in the recall. The local dealer was not notified. The failure mileage was 53,000.

- Bradford, PA, USA

problem #6

Apr 202015

Escape

  • 75,000 miles
The lower control arm on my 2003 Ford Escape is rusted through and Ford didn't include my vehicle in the recalls. They are obviously having a wider issue with this control arm since recall number 14so2 has affected my Escape as well. They claim that my lower control arm wasn't part of the factories that was listed so they won't include me in the recall. I have had this issue for a while and if I was going down the highway my entire wheel could have disconnected and cause a horrible crash. They must include all Ford Escapes from 2001 through 2004 as listed in this recall since my Escape is obviously included in this recall and I should not be charged for the repair or at least notified of the danger. They should not be allowed to pick and choose which car they deemed acceptable for the recall if there is obviously a defect which could cause harm to the owner and is documented as being harmful, ,

- Blowing Rock, NC, USA

problem #5

Dec 072014

Escape

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact heard a constant noise coming from the front of the vehicle near the wheels. The dealer stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V165000 (structure). The dealer provided the recall remedy of a newly designed cross brace as an interim repair, but the noise failure recurred. Within three months, the power steering failed. The front passenger side wheel was leaning due to the fact that the lower control arm fractured. The subframe was rusted to the point of corrosion. The dealer was notified of the failures. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop for diagnostic testing. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

- Chagrin Falls, OH, USA

problem #4

May 142014

Escape 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

TL - the contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign number: 14V165000 (lower control arm corrosion); however, the part was unavailable to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified. The contact had not experienced a failure. Jcc updated 08/19/14 updated 08/23/2017

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #3

May 302014

Escape

  • 230,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact stated that there was a loud abnormal noise heard as the vehicle stalled. The contact mentioned that the lower control arm became detached from the sub frame, which had extensive corrosion. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the lower control arm, the sub frame and the cv joint needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign id number: 14V165000 (suspension). The approximate failure mileage was 230,000.

- Belleville, NJ, USA

problem #2

May 172014

Escape

  • 102,000 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the steering wheel became difficult to maneuver. Additionally, the contact stated that the lower control arm fractured. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the sub frame failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 102,000.

- Turtle Creek , PA, USA

problem #1

Apr 092014

Escape

  • 121,716 miles
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign id number: 14V165000 (suspension-lower control arm regional) and was taken to the dealer for repairs. The dealer confirmed that there were rust holes on the surface of the frame and made an interim repair, which included attaching a cross member and support bar to the subframe. The contact stated that shortly after the recall repairs were performed, the vehicle would exhibit an abnormal popping noise from the front end. The contact was traveling approximately 25 mph and attempting to complete a turn when the loud, popping noise was heard. The lower control arm became detached from the subframe on the front passenger's side. The vehicle then began to shake violently and the contact was not able to control the steering wheel. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where it was diagnosed that the entire subframe needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure multiple times. The approximate failure mileage was 121,716.

- Flat Rock, MI, USA

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