2003 FORD ESCAPE Engine And Engine Cooling Problems

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

Mileage: 140,000

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

Mileage: 76,000

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

Mileage: 150,000

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

Mileage: 86,900

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 THEY HAVE DOCUMENTED OVER THE YEARS. *TR

Mileage: 103,000

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.

Mileage: 157,000

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 INCONVENIENCE. THIS FRIGHTENING SITUATION GOES FAR BEYOND FROM BEING AN INCONVENIENCE IT COULD HAVE BEEN A MAJOR LIFE THREATENING ISSUE. I WAS NOT ASKING FORD FOR A NEW VEHICLE, I SIMPLY WAS ASKING FOR ASSISTANCE TOWARDS A MAJOR EXPENSE THAT WAS NOT CAUSED BY MY LACK OF PROTECTING MY MAJOR INVESTMENT WITH ROUTINE MAINTENANCE CHECKS BUT BY FORD HAVING DEFECTIVE SUB-FRAMES INSTALLED IN THEIR VEHICLES. MY MECHANIC HAS NEVER SEEN SUCH A STRUCTURAL DEFECT AS THIS EVER BEFORE! FORD HAS ALREADY MANUFACTURED VEHICLES THAT INVOLVED MAJOR RECALLS FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM, SO QUITE NATURALLY OTHER FORD MODELS COULD SUFFER THE SAME DANGEROUS CONSEQUENCES WITH REGARDS TO THE FRONT SUB FRAME . I BELIEVE AN INVESTIGATION ON THIS HORRIFIC ISSUE IS DEEMED A NECESSITY DUE TO THE HISTORY OF FORD'S SUB FRAMES. THIS HAS BEEN VERY DEVASTATING TO ME AND I CAN'T IMAGINE ALLOWING ANOTHER CONSUMER TO ENDURE THIS MAJOR FEAR. YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS IS APPRECIATED. *TR

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

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.

Mileage: 141,000

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 - AND I WAS TOLD TO COMPLAIN AND RECORD THIS TO NHTSA AS OTHERS HAVE, AND IF ENOUGH DO, THEY WOULD HAVE TO RECALL. I AM NOT SURE IF I AM IN THE RIGHT PLACE TO PLACE THIS COMPLAINT. *TR

Mileage: 43,625

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 - AND I WAS TOLD TO COMPLAIN AND RECORD THIS TO NHTSA AS OTHERS HAVE, AND IF ENOUGH DO, THEY WOULD HAVE TO RECALL. I AM NOT SURE IF I AM IN THE RIGHT PLACE TO PLACE THIS COMPLAINT. *TR

Mileage: 43,625

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.

Mileage: 150,000

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 MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,600.

Mileage: 80,000

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 MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,600.

Mileage: 80,000

I OWN A 2003 FORD ESCAPE WITH A 6 CYLINDER ENGINE WHICH I BOUGHT NEW FROM HARROLD FORD IN SACRAMENTO 11/2002. I NOTICED A STRONG OIL BURNING SMELL. AND OIL LEAKING FROM THE ENGINE. I WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE SOURCE OF THE LEAK, SO I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO HARROLD FORD ON 12/30/2009. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THE OIL WAS LEAKING THRU THE OIL PAN, AND THAT FORD HAD A RETROFIT FOR THE PROBLEM. I ASKED IF THIS WAS A SEAL PROBLEM. I WAS TOLD NO, THE MATERIAL THE OIL PAN WAS MADE OF ALLOWED THE OIL TO EVENTUALLY START LEAKING DIRECTLY THRU THE MATERIAL. I ASKED IF THIS WAS A RECALL DUE TO THE FIRE DANGER, AND WAS TOLD NO. THE REPAIR WAS COMPLETED AND THE OIL PAN WAS REPLACED. I KEPT THE OLD OIL PAN. *TR

Mileage: 130,182

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

Mileage: 63,500

MY 2003 FORD ESCAPE 6 CYL 2 WHEEL DRIVE WAS STOPPED AT A STOPLIGHT WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY REVVED TO OVER 4000 RPM FOR APPROXIMATELY 7 SECONDS. FORTUNATELY, I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AT THE TIME. CHANGING FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL HAD NO EFFECT ON THE RPMS AND THE ENGINE WENT BACK TO ABOUT 1500 RPMS THROUGH NO ACTION ON MY PART. AFTERWARDS, THE VEHICLE DROVE NORMALLY. I RECALL THAT SIMILAR OCCURRENCES HAVE HAPPENED IN THE PAST SO I WANTED TO GET THIS INFORMATION TO YOU ASAP. I DO NOT RECALL WHAT VEHICLES WERE INVOLVED AT THAT TIME. WHAT WORRIES ME IS IF THAT HAPPENS WHILE I AM IN A PARKING LOT BACKING OUT OR SOME OTHER SITUATION WHERE MY REACTION WOULD BE TOO SLOW TO STOP AN ACCIDENT OR DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS ABOUT 32,000 MILES ON IT AND I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. *TR

Mileage: 52,713

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP BECAUSE THE EMISSIONS INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. THE REPAIR SHOP KEPT THE VEHICLE FOR TWO WEEKS DUE TO THE PARTS THAT NEEDED TO BE ORDERED. WHEN THE GASKET WAS INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE BECAME VERY HOT AND THE CORKING (USED TO SEAL THE GASKET) MELTED ONTO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND WOULD COST $3,700 JUST TO START THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINE WHAT OTHER MALFUNCTIONS WERE OCCURRING. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 68,000.

Mileage: 68,000

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.

Mileage: 107,000

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

DEALERSHIP FAILED TO NOTIFY ME OF CURRENT VEHICLE RECALLS REGARDING MY 2003 FORD ESCAPE LIMITED, FAILED TO IDENTIFY MECHANICAL PROBLEMS DURING SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE (OIL CHANGE) AS RECOMMENDED BY THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY, WHICH STATES ITS TECHNICIANS PERFORM A "MULTI-POINT INSPECTION" "WITH THE MOST UP-TO-DATE TRAINING" WHICH LED TO SUBSEQUENT ENGINE FAILURE (LOCKED-UP). *TR

Mileage: 77,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN AT 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 78,942 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

Mileage: 75,000

2003 ESCAPE LIMITED 3.0 V6 IS DIAGNOSED WITH A CRACKED EXHAUST MANIFOLD RESULTING IN LEAKING EXHAUST GASES. VEHICLE MILEAGE IS 31,200 AND HAS NEVER BEEN OFF PAVED ROADWAYS. I THINK THIS PROBLEM HAS EXISTED FOR SOME TIME BUT HAS NEVER BEEN PICKED UP ON BY REGULAR MAINTENANCE VISITS TO THE DEALERSHIP. MY DEALER EXPLAINED THAT THE PROBLEM IS A COMMON ONE AND OBVIOUSLY SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ITEM AS LEAKING EXHAUST GASES ARE VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED. THE ENGINE BEGAN TO REV AND THE RPM RACED TO ITS MAXIMUM POTENTIAL. THE CONTACT TURNED OFF THE ENGINE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 62,900. UPDATED 01/09/08. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED NOISE IN FRONT END WHEN HITTING A BUMP AND PERFORMED INSPECTION PER RECALL. UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

Mileage: 62,900

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING UNDER 40 MPH, THE ENGINE FAILED. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED ON FOUR DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. SAFETY RECALL # 04V165000 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM)) DOES NOT APPLY TO THE VIN. THE PURCHASE DATE AND ENGINE SIZE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 66,000. UPDATED 02/01/08. *LJ UPDATED 02/01/08 *TR

Mileage: 66,000

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CAR STALLS WHEN THE CAR IS PUT INTO GEAR OR WHEN HE COMES TO A STOP. THE CONTACT HAS TAKEN THE CAR TO SUPERIOR FORD SIX TIMES AND THEY HAVE REPLACED: THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR, VAPOR MANAGEMENT VALE, MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, VALVE-AIR BYPASS, PURGE REGULATION VALVE, BODY ASSIST AIR CHARGE, AND ECC PROCESSOR WAS RECALIBRATED. THE CONTACT SAID THAT THE CAR STILL CONTINUES TO STALL AFTER ALL THESES PARTS HAVE BEEN CHANGED. THE CONTACT SAID THAT HE HAS ALSO SENT CERTIFIED LETTERS TO FORD ABOUT THE PROBLEM. CONTACT CAN PROVIDE ALL OF THE REPAIR ORDERS.

Mileage: 36,068

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 INTAKE MANIFOLD BLEW APART. THE DEALER NEVER GAVE US A REASON WHY (WE PUSHED BUT WE WERE TOLD THAT IT SHOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED AND THAT THE ENGINEER WAS ON VACATION). WE HAD THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD FIXED AND IT COST US A LOT OF MONEY OUT-OF-POCKET. I ASKED THEM FOR THE OLD UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD BACK, BUT THEY WOULDN'T GIVE IT BACK. I WAS ALWAYS INTENDING TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE FORD WAS 3-YEARS OLD WITH 54,000 MILES ON IT, SO IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY, ALTHOUGH THE DEALER STATED THAT IT WAS A FAULTY PART THAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM? IT IS POSSIBLE THAT IT WAS N A HORRIBLE MISFIRE, BUT WE AREN'T SURE. I DO KNOW THAT IT SCARED ME AND COULD HAVE HURT SOMEONE. LUCKILY THE VEHICLE DID NOT CATCH ON FIRE. THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED FOR 2-MONTHS WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED HESITATING AGAIN WHEN I STARTED IT. I WAS TERRIFIED TO DRIVE IT AND THE DEALER TOLD ME IT WAS UNRELATED BUT I COULD PAY (AGAIN) TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT. I STARTED HAVING PANIC ATTACKS WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE, SO WE TRADED IT IN. I WOULD LIKE A REFUND AND TO STOP THIS FROM HAPPENING TO OTHER PEOPLE. *NM

Mileage: 54,000

I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE FROM MINNESOTA TO IDAHO WHEN, I'VE BEEN TOLD, A CONNECTOR BELT BROKE AND BROKE THROUGH THE ENGINE. AS A RESULT, THE ENTIRE ENGINE MUST BE REPLACED. I WAS PULLING A 5 X 8 TRAILER WITH A CLASS 3 HITCH AND I'VE BEEN ADVISED BY THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN THAT THE TRAILER DID NOT CONTRIBUTE TO THE BREAKDOWN. AS THE VEHICLE CLEARED A HILL ON AN INTERSTATE, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE TRUCK AND SPRAYING LIQUID AND SMOKE. WHEN WE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, THE OIL HAD COMPLETELY DRAINED FROM THE OIL RESERVOIR (I'VE BEEN ADVISED THAT THE OIL CAP WAS FIRMLY IN PLACE AND DID NOT CONTRIBUTE TO THE INCIDENT). THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALERSHIP AND IS CURRENTLY IN PROCESS OF RECEIVING A NEW ENGINE. THERE IS A HOLE IN THE BOTTOM OF THE TRUCK AND "METAL PARTS IN THE ENGINE." I'VE ASKED ABOUT WHY THE FAILURE OCCURRED AND THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THEY DIDN'T KNOW. WHEN I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE ABOUT THIS THEY TOLD ME THAT THE ENGINE WILL BE SENT TO FORD FOR ANALYSIS BUT THE FINDINGS WILL NOT BE SHARED WITH ME. MY CONCERN ABOUT THIS BREAKDOWN IS THAT THIS IS THE SECOND NEW FORD VEHICLE I'VE PURCHASED WHERE THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED SHORTLY FOLLOWING THE EXPIRATION OF THE 3 YEAR/36,000 MILE WARRANTY. THIS CURRENT VEHICLE HAS 35,552 MILES AND THE WARRANTY EXPIRED ON 6/14/06. *NM

Mileage: 35,552

I WAS EXITING OFF THE INTERSTATE AND AROUND 35 MPH MY ENGINE COMPLETELY DIED AND I LOST POWER STEERING. I WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT TO THE SHOULDER AND RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT THE RPMS KEPT BOUNCING AROUND. I TOOK THE VEHICLE INTO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER, BUT THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT. I RESEARCHED ONLINE MYSELF AND FOUND THAT FORD HAD A RECALL THAT MATCHED MY EXACT SITUATION/PROBLEM. THE NHTSA ID IS 04V165000. FORD SAID MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. HOWEVER, I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT MINE SHOULD BE EXCLUDED CONSIDERING THAT MY VEHICLE IS THE SAME MAKE/MODEL/YEAR/ENGINE TYPE OF THE RECALLED ONES AND MY PROBLEM MATCHED EXACTLY WITH WHAT WAS REFERENCED IN THE RECALL. ALSO MY WARRANTY RUNS OUT IN 2 WEEKS AND I DON'T WANT THE SAME PROBLEM TO HAPPEN AGAIN AND THEN LET THE DEALER FIND THE PROBLEM. IT ALSO CONCERNS ME BECAUSE MY WIFE DRIVES MY CAR AND I'M CONCERNED ABOUT MY FAMILY.*JB

Mileage: 34,875

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

1. VEHICLE HAD RECALL 04S13 PERFORMED FOR POSIBLE LOSS OF POWER WHEN DECELERATING. VEHICLE IS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. VEHICLE WAS 19 MONTHS OLD WITH 3600 MILES AND HAD NOT HAD ANY PRIOR PROBLEMS.*AKI 2. 2 WEEKS AFTER RECALL WAS PERFORMED THE VEHICLE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE EXACT CONDITIONS THAT THE RECALL WAS TO PREVENT. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO SERVICE DEPT. AND THEY SUPPOSEDLY REPAIRED PROBLEM. VEHICLE NOW UNEXPECTEDLY ACCELERATES USUALLY WHEN BRAKING. THIS HAS HAPPENED 5 TIMES AND CONTINUES TO GET WORSE EVERY TIME. THE LAST INCIDENT THE VEHICLE WAS IDLING AND ABOUT HALF WAY INTO A PARKING SPACE AND IT ACCELERATED OWN ITS OWN, THE FRONT WHEELS JUMPED A 6 INCH VERTICLE CURB, AND LEFT 5 FOOT SKID MARKS IN THE GRASS WHILE TRYING TO STOP. 3. THE DEALER HAS DRIVEN THE VEHICLE BUT THE PROBLEM DID NOT OCCUR. DEALER INSTALLED FLIGHT RECORDER FOR TWO WEEKS. THE PROBLEM DID NOT OCCUR. THEY REMOVED FLIGHT RECORDER AND A TECHNICIAN RODE IN VEHICLE THE PROBLEM OCCURED AND TECHNICIAN HAD VEHICLE TAKEN BACK TO SHOP. THEY COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING AND RETURNED VEHICLE. ACCELERATION OCCURED AGAIN THEY REINSTALLED FLIGHT RECORDER AND SAID THEY NEEDED THREE RECORDING TO DIAGNOIS PROBLEM. THIS HAS NOT OCCURED YET AND DEALER IS CALKLING TO GET FLIGHT RECORDER BACK.

Mileage: 3,600

NEW CAR, OWNED 10 MONTHS. 16,000 MILES ON IT. SUDDEN ENGINE FAILURE, NO WARNING WHAT SO EVER, IE; NO OVERHEATING, ALARM ETC. ENGINE REPLACED, 10 DAYS LATER DROVE ONLY 12 MILES ON NEW ENGINE. BLEW HEAD GASKET, AND ENGINE BEGAN TO BURN. AGAIN NO WARNING. *JB

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER MADE A TURN AND VEHICLE LOST POWER. FORD STATED THAT RECALL04V165000 WAS ISSUED. *AK

Mileage: 21,121

WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

Mileage: 35,000

WHILE DRIVING DOWN RT 10 W AT 50 MPH MY 2003 FORD ESCAPE STALLED. I HAD TO SIT WITH MY HAZARDS ON, IN THE LEFT LANE OF THIS BUSY HIGHWAY, UNTIL THE POLICE COULD COME AND MOVE ME TO A SAFE PLACE. I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED AND THE DEALERSHIP HAS HAD IT IN REPAIR FOR15 DAYS PRIOR TO THIS.*AK

Mileage: 15,520

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.

Mileage: 5,600

I BOUGHT A 2003 FORD ESCAPE IN NOVEMBER 2002 AND I HAVE EXPERIENCED A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH MY SUV OVER 5 TIMES. RIGHT NOW, MY SUV IS IN THE SHOP FOR A COOLANT SYSTEM REPLACEMENT AND A RADIO REPLACEMENT. MY RADIO WAS REPLACED TWICE THIS YEAR ALREADY. MY SUV WOULDN'T START TWICE THIS YEAR. I BELIEVE I HAVE DRIVEN A LOANER CAR AT LEAST 5 TIMES SINCE NOV 2003. I AM NOT HAPPY WITH MY SUV. I FEEL IT IS A LEMON. IT HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR ME SINCE DAY ONE. *LA

PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S ENGINE, AND WINDOWS.*MR PRIOR TO DATE, VEHICLE WAS SERVICED SIX TIMES FOR: DIFFICULTY IN CRANKING, CLINKING NOISES IN THE ENGINE AND DIFFICULTY WITH THE IDLE. DESPITE THE LATEST SERVICE, CRANKING AND IDLING CONTINUED. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPAIR THE RECURRING PROBLEMS WHICH CONTINUED TO EXIST. CONSUMER LATER DISCOVERED THE REAR WINDOW LEAKED. CONSUMER STATED VEHICLE IS A DEFECTIVE AND INFERIOR PRODUCT. *PH *NLM

EXHAUST SYSTEM COMPONENTS RADIATE EXCESSIVE HEAT WHEN VEHICLE IS PARKED. HEADER, MANIFOLD, AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER COMBINED TEMPERATURES CAUSE SCORCHING OF GRASS WHEN PARKED IN A LOWLY-CUT, GRASSY AREA. RAMIFICATIONS COULD BE SAFETY IMPACTS TO OCCUPANTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL.

Mileage: 5,982

WITHOUT WARNING VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING FROM UNDERNEATH. THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM VENT AREA INSIDE OF VEHICLE. ALSO, THERE WAS A BAD SMELL. *AK

I HAVE COMPLAINED TWICE BEFORE ABOUT MY 2003 FORD ESCAPE STALLING WITHOUT WARNING. IT HAS NOW DONE IT A TOTAL OF 6 TIMES. THE VEHICLE STALLS WITHOUT WARNING IN VARIOUS SITUATIONS. THE MOST UNNERVING WAS WHEN I WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 15 MPH. IT HAS ALSO HESITATED AND BUCKED INTO AN INTERSECTION ON 2 DIFFERENT OCCASIONS. I CONTACTED THE EXECUTIVE OFFICES AT FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND EXPRESSED MY SAFETY CONCERNS, AND I WAS INFORMED THAT BECAUSE THE PROBLEM IS NOT REPRODUCABLE THEY DO NOT FEEL THAT THEY ARE IN A POSITION TO REPURCHASE THE VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. MY DEALERSHIP HAS ATTEMPTED TO REPRODUCE THE STALL AND ARE UNABLE, AS AM I. THEY HAVE PERFORMED A TSB, INSTALLED A NEW THROTTLE BODY AND A NEW CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. THE PROBLEM CONTINUES TO PERSIST. I NOW HAVE A VDR IN THE VEHICLE FOR THE THIRD TIME. THIS VEHICLE IS A MAJOR DANGER TO MYSELF, MY PASSENGERS AND ANYONE WHO IS AROUND THE VEHICLE WHEN IT MAY STALL DUE TO THE FACT THAT WHEN IT DOES HAPPEN I LOSE ALL POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. I DO NOT TRUST THE VEHICLE AND I NO LONGER FEEL SAFE IN IT.*AK

Mileage: 10,460

WHILE DRIVING AT 50/55 MPH VEHICLE DIED OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THIS RESULTED IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES.THE COST FOR REPAIRS WERE $114.21. *AK *CB

Mileage: 3,500

ESCAPE STALLED FOR THE FOURTH TIME. I DID HAVE A VDR IN THE VEHICLE FOR 5 WEEKS BUT IT DID NOT STALL DURING THAT TIME. THE DEALER SAID IT WAS SAFE TO TAKE IT OUT BECAUSE IT DID NOT SEEM LIKE IT WAS GOING TO DO IT AGAIN. WELL IT DID AND I LOST ALL BRAKING AND STEERING ABILITY. *PH

Mileage: 9,578

ENGINE STALLING. *AK

Mileage: 7,500

MY ESCAPE STALLED 2 TIMES LAST MONTH. I TOOK IT INTO BE SERVICED WHERE I WAS ASSURED THEY DID EVERYTHING NECESSARY ON THE TSB. IT STALLED AGAIN TODAY AND I TOOK IT BACK. I WAS TOLD THEY DON'T KNOW WHY IT IS STALLING AND THEY HAVE EQUIPPED THE CAR WITH A BUTTON THAT I AM TO PUSH WHEN IT HAPPENS AGAIN AND THEN RETURN. THIS DOES NOT SOUND SAFE TO ME CONSIDERING I DRIVE ALMOST 50 MILES A DAY, PLUS IT IS A MAJOR INCONVENIENCE. *NLM

Mileage: 7,465

AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF FOR ABOUT 2 MINUTES A "SIZZLING" NOISE WAS HEARD. THE MUFFLER LOOKED LIKE IT TURNED A REDDISH COLOR. CONSUMER SUSPECTED THAT MUFFLER WAS CORRODED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE STALLED AND IT WOULD BE HARD TO START UP THE VEHICLE AGAIN. *TT

WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ENGINE SHUT DOWN AND CAUSED LOSS OF POWER STEERING. *NLM *SCC

Mileage: 1,000

I'VE HAD MY NEW SUV FOR 4 DAYS (270 MILES) - IT STALLED WHILE SITTING IN TRAFFIC. LOST ALL POWER. MANAGED TO GET IT OVER IN A EMPTY TURNING LANE, TURNED EVERYTHING OFF, PUT IT BACK IN PARK AND IT STARTED RIGHT UP. LUCKILY I WAS ONLY 2 MILES FROM THE DEALERSHIP. BEFORE PURCHASING, SALESMAN ASSURED ME THAT THE "STALLING" PROBLEM THAT OCCURRED ON EARLIER MODELS WAS CORRECTED WITH THE 2003 MODEL. APPARENTLY NOT. I DRIVE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC TO AND FROM WORK - THIS HAPPENED GOING TO WORK, BEEN IN VEHICLE ABOUT 30 MINUTES. *NLM

Mileage: 268