The Lemon Index2003 Ford Escape.
The 2003 Ford Escape is about average by owner complaints: 145 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 106, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about speed control, it has 9 recalls, and it gets 18 to 22 mpg combined. The best Ford Escape year is 2019.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 558 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Ford Escape year. 2003 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 45K to 130K miles on the car (431 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- body structure complaints mostly came at 73K–130K miles
- speed control complaints mostly came at 40K–145K miles
- suspension complaints mostly came at 88K–147K miles
Recalls 9
- transmission & drivetrain 2015
The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015.
- suspension 2015
The affected wheel bearings have incorrect dimensions of a 42mm bore, 76mm outer dimension, and 39mm width, instead of a 42mm bore, 78mm outer dimension and a 45mm width.
- body structure 2014
These vehicles may experience excessive corrosion at the forward attachment of the lower control arm.
Show all 9 recalls
- engine 2012
Inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector could result in a stuck throttle when the accelerator pedal is fully or almost-fully depressed.
- brakes 2007
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ANTILOCK BRAKES (ABS), THE ABS MODULE CONNECTOR MAY HAVE MISSING OR DISLODGED WIRE SEALS.
- brakes 2007
CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUI…
- latches/locks/linkages 2004
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 S…
- speed control 2004
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES BUILT WITH 3.0L V6 ENGINES, THE ACCELERATOR CABLE MAY PREVENT THE THROTTLE FROM RETURNING TO THE IDLE POSITION.
- transmission & drivetrain 2004
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L V6 ENGINES, DURING DECELERATION, THE ENGINE CAN STALL.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 72 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Ticking noise from left cylinder head with warm engine
- Brake squeal / engineering contract request
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedCruise control cable2012
- ClosedStuck throttle2012–2013
- ClosedFleet vehicle recall completion audit2010–2015
- ClosedEngine compartment fire2010–2012
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2900–3550 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
While driving the vehicle inadvertently accelerated. This resulted in a head on collision with a tree. The cause of this is undetermined.
2003 Ford Escape owner · NHTSA complaint 10108649
More owner reports
While driving at low speeds the vehicle stalled without warning. Please provide additional information.
NHTSA complaint 10083407
While driving at highway speeds engine shut down and caused loss of power steering.
NHTSA complaint 10019373
Quick answers
Is the 2003 Ford Escape reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 106; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ford Escape year by this measure since 2010 is 2025.
What are the most common 2003 Ford Escape problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are speed control (23%), engine (17%) and airbags (12%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2003 Ford Escape have?
9 safety recalls (latest: transmission & drivetrain). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Ford Escape get?
18 to 22 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2003 Ford Escape problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 45,000 and 130,000 miles. The middle report was at 90,000 miles, from 431 complaints.
Does the 2003 Ford Escape have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 12% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2003 Ford Escape cost in fuel a year?
About $2900 to $3550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2003 Ford Escape have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
What Ford Escape year is better than the 2003?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2019, 2015 and 2018.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works