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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2003 Ford EscapeRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 9 safety recalls and 598 owner complaints for the 2003 Ford Escape. Most complaints involve structure (121) and suspension (92). The EPA rates it 18–22 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
18–22mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
9campaigns
Latest Sep 2015
Owner complaints
598
Top: structure
Fuel cost / yr
$2,850est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

9 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Power train: floor shift

Free remedy

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 with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.

Power trainReported Sep 29, 2015NHTSA 15V606000

Suspension: wheel bearing

Free remedy

The Timken Company (Timken) is recalling certain aftermarket front wheel bearings, part number 510072, sold from January 22, 2015, to May 21, 2015, to be used as service parts on 2001-2012 Ford Escape, 2001-2011 Mazda Tribute, and 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles. 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.

SuspensionReported Jun 3, 2015NHTSA 15E045000

Structure: frame and members

Free remedy

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, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. These vehicles may experience excessive corrosion at the forward attachment of the lower control arm.

StructureReported Apr 2, 2014NHTSA 14V165000
See all 9 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 7, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

598 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jan 2003 – Apr 2025
  1. Structure121
  2. Suspension92
  3. Vehicle speed control91
  4. Power train64
  5. Air bags62
  6. Electrical system52
  7. Engine and engine cooling52
  8. Steering45
  9. Service brakes, hydraulic44

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Escape model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20011,027
20021,070
2003598
2004499
20051,584
2006720
2007393
20082,417
20091,693
20102,130
20111,319
2012604
20132,757
20142,089
20151,135
20161,178
20172,701
20181,823
2019599
20201,548
2021353
2022238
2023102
202477
202526
20263
Crashes reported
44
Fires reported
29
Injuries reported
32
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 7, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Structure

121 reports1 crash1 fire
“The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the front wheel would extend outward while turning the vehicle, braking, or during acceleration, causing the vehicle to slightly veer to the right. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the front passenger’s side control arm had slightly detached. The dealer informed the contact the failure was a result of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V165000 (Structure) and the vehicle was included; however, the fix needed exceeded the repair stated in the recall remedy. The dealer diagnosed that the front subframe was extremely rusted and needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened. The contact was also referred to NHTSA Hotline to file a complaint. The approximate failure mileage was 122,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 8, 2024StructureODI 11564147

Suspension

92 reports4 crashes1 fire
“Driver had uneasy feeling with stability of vehicle as if it was swaying. He got it looked at and was told he probably needed lower control arm and links to take care of the problem. After ordering parts, the vehicle, while driving to work, a loud popping sound was heard and then the vehicle dropped down and had to be towed home (thank God this didn't happen on the expressway). I then looked up any recalls on this vehicle and low and behold there was a recall on this year, make and model car BUT not on this VIN number (Ford's number for this recall is 14S02. Recall date 2014-04-02 Recall no.14V165000). This vehicle suddenly and dangerously broke down from this same problem, and has the same issue that was recalled by Ford on this make, model and year described in their recall (14S02) but the VIN number seems to say otherwise when I looked it up. This needs to be investgated before this happens to someone while driving in snow or rainy condtions or while driving on the expressway. Please investigate!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 11, 2022SuspensionODI 11456359

Vehicle speed control

91 reports13 crashes2 fires
“I was recently driving on the interstate and the gas pedal got stuck so the car started speeding up very fast and the brakes and emergency brake would not make it slow down. After this i found out there was a recall about this problem and it says the previous owner of the vehicle fixed it but it’s happened while i owned it so i don’t think it was fixed correctly.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 7, 2021Vehicle speed control, Service brakesODI 11423859
All 2003 Escape problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 7, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl · 3.0L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 7, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Escape 2WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
202522$2,850404
Escape 4WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
192321$2,950423
Escape 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172319$3,300468
Escape 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
162118$3,450494
  • Escape 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    20 city · 25 hwy · $2,850/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Escape 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L
    19 city · 23 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Escape 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    17 city · 23 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Escape 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.0 L
    16 city · 21 hwy · $3,450/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 7, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Ford Escape as of Nov 7, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 7, 2026Vehicle 4840
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2003 Escape questions

How many recalls does the 2003 Ford Escape have?

9 safety recalls as of Nov 7, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2003 Ford Escape problems?

Owners filed 598 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are structure (121), suspension (92), vehicle speed control (91). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2003 Ford Escape get?

The EPA rates the 2003 Ford Escape at 18–22 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 7, 2026