The front frame of the car has corroded to the point that the control arm has come loose and the car is not drivable. There is a recall of this specific problem for this make/model/year but I am being told my VIN is not part of this recall. The control arm detached while I was driving. I was not in an accident but was able to pull over. I had the damage asses by a local mechaninc, who informed me of the recall.
2003 Ford Escape body complaints
Page 2 of 5: complaints 11 to 40 of 121, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* 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 the federal safety agency 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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. While the contact's spouse was driving 30 MPH, a loud pop was heard and the steering wheel became extremely loose. The contact stated that the vehicle swerved to the right and the driver was able to stop the vehicle on the side of the roadway. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was towed to ourisman ford & lincoln of alexandria (6129 richmond hwy, alexandria, va 22303, (703) 660-9000) where it was diagnosed that the subframe was fractured and needed replacement. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced per the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v165000 (structure), but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Tl* the contact's daughter owns a 2003 ford escape. The contact stated that his daughter noticed that the subframe looked rusted and loose. The vehicle was towed to brondes ford toledo (5545 secor rd, toledo, oh 43623) where it was diagnosed that the subframe had rotted. The vehicle was serviced per the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v165000 (structure). After the vehicle was driven over 20 MPH, the wheels turned at different angles and the vehicle made a screeching sound. The vehicle was taken back to brondes ford, but the dealer and manufacturer (who was made aware of the failure) declined to provide further assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
The front sub frame is rusted and the vehicle is unsafe to drive.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. While driving 35 MPH, a loud noise was heard coming from the front passenger side of the vehicle and the vehicle swayed back and forth. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact was able to drive the vehicle home and, upon inspecting underneath the vehicle, noticed corrosion and separation of the lower control arm from the frame. The vehicle was not taken to an independent mechanic or dealer for diagnostic testing or repairs. The contact researched online and found the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v165000 (structure). The manufacturer confirmed that the VIN was not included in a recall. No further assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 153,207.
My son was driving this vehicle when the front control arm snapped off from the front subframe! Thankfully, he did not get killed or injured. The vehicle was towed to a local garage who informed me that ford recall # 14s02 applies to this very condition. Upon calling ford's customer assist line, I was completely shut down. I told the rep that I need a tow since the car was not drivable. She told me that ford will not pay for a tow or any consequential damages. This makes no sense to me. Obviously, ford has acknowledged a problem. I don't think it is fair for them to take no responsibility & leave the consumer footing the bill. Please look into this when you get a chance. Thank you.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the front end of the vehicle shook violently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where he was advised that the sub frame was rusted out. The vehicle was not repaired. A local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case #cas13006709 and advised the contact to follow up. The vehicle was serviced under the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v165000 (structure) however the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was unknown.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. While the vehicle was being inspected, the contact noticed that the subframe was completely fractured. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 134,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. While driving 45 MPH, the steering failed and the subframe fractured. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided case number: 17653427. No further assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 172,907.... .updated 11/16/17 *bf updated 11/28/2017
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. While the contact's daughter was driving 40 MPH, the driver struck a pothole and the vehicle began to pull to the right. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the front passenger side lower control arm and subframe were bent due to rust and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that they could not assist because the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v165000 (structure). The approximate failure mileage was 135,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. While driving 10 MPH, the passenger side of the subframe was rusted and detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to mark thomas ford (located at 3098 elm rd ext ne cortland, oh 44410) where it was diagnosed that the frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened case number: cas13677317. The failure mileage was 174,522.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. While driving 50 MPH, the vehicle was unstable and there was loss of steering control. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer (arlington heights ford located at 801 w dundee rd arlington heights, il 60004, 888 481-8607) where it was diagnosed that the subframe was cracked. The vehicle was repaired with a brace. Two months later, the vehicle was towed to a local dealer (fox ford lincoln located at 2501 n elston ave chicago, il 60647 773‑687‑7800) where it was diagnosed that the subframe was fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened case numbers: casdash12577845 and cas12593478. The failure mileage was 96,000.
My father took my escape to have the brakes assessed and while it was up on the lift, the owner of the service station made mention to the excessive, abnormal rust in the chassis. He stated that the condition of the chassis is very dangerous and that the support arm, that was installed due to the recall #14v165000 and 14s02, is attached to rust and not supporting anything to make the truck safe. I have tried a number of times to ask for help from ford customer relations and they are unwilling to assist in any way. This truck was well cared for and the engine and transmission are in great working order. I should be able to continue to drive this car, however, because of the rust issue, the truck is not safe to drive. Undertaking a new car payment would be a huge financial burden that I am unable to afford at this time. It is very disheartening that a large corporation such as ford manufactured a substandard vehicle and they would rather its customer(s) drive an unsafe car than maintain responsibility and offer some kind of assistance.
My vehicle was setting in my driveway on 4/14/2017 and the neighbor came pounding on my door stating my vehicle was on fire. He tried putting the fire out to avoid the fire from reaching the gas tank and also spraying the side of my house to try to keep it from catching the siding on fire. The front drivers side tire blew up so he dropped the hose and ran.when the fire dept got here it had already burned my vehicle all the way up and melted the siding on the house. The fire chief was unable to determine the cause of the fire because of the way everything was burned! Nothing was left but the 2 rear tires and wheels and the 2 back tail light lens. I had drove it 2 1/2 hrs before the fire started so the motor was already cooled off! I've checked for recalls but none to be found on this yr model. I also filed a complaint with recall center and with ford motor corporation.all they said was I would receive the report within the next 15 days. It's been 11 days now and still haven't received anything! Complaint #: 10978773 (ford corp) fire department incident #: 17-1703168....keith fitch. Fire chief...
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 12v353000 (engine and engine cooling, vehicle speed control) and 14v165000 (structure); however, the parts for the recall repairs were unavailable. The contact stated that the undercarriage of the vehicle, especially near the control arm, was corroded to the point that it failed inspection. Also, the vehicle's RPM monitor fluctuated between 0-5, failing to correctly indicate an increase in rpms. The failure caused the vehicle to rev up without the contact purposely causing an increase. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 244,310. Parts distribution disconnect.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. The contact stated that while driving at 25 MPH, there was an abnormal noise coming from the vehicle and that when driving it felt abnormal without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the sub frame had experienced severe corrosion and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact stated two years prior to the failure vehicle was remedied under the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v165000 (structure). The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. While driving 65 MPH, a loud noise was heard coming from the front passenger side and the vehicle immediately veered to the side of road. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was serviced per the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v165000 (structure). The vehicle was towed home to a family member's home where it was inspected by an independent mechanic who diagnosed that a cracked subframe due to extreme corrosion was the cause of the failure. The manufacturer and dealer did not provide assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 113,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. While driving various speeds, the vehicle drove abnormally. The dealer confirmed that the vehicle was serviced per the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v165000 (structure) prior to being purchased. The ontact stated that the frame of the vehicle had corroded where the support brackets were installed from the previous recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000. ..updated 02/09/17
My 17-year-old son was driving the car home from work and after making a right turn the car severely jerks to the right. He almost went off of the road. We took the car to our local mechanic and were told that there was corrosion and separation of the control arm and we would need a brace to complete the repair. The mechanic said when he took the car for a test drive the steering wheel is out of alignment and he almost hit a mailbox when the car jerked to the right. When investigating how to get a used part I discovered that there is a recall for this exact issue (ford recall #14s02). My car fits the same model year and purchase/registration locations as indicated in the recall, but ford refuses to make the repair under the recall. Currently we are completely unable to drive the vehicle because it is unsafe for my son and other drivers on the road for the car to be driven. Had my son been driving faster when this happened there could have been a terrible accident.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. Upon exiting a parking area, there was an abnormal suspension vibration near the front of the vehicle. The front subframe fractured and impacted the front passenger side tire. The contact and a mechanic inspected the fact that there had been premature rust and corrosion associated with the underbody, subframe, and the bar that was connected to the frame. The vehicle was unable to be driven and was towed by the mechanic. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and provided no solution other than for the contact to take the vehicle to the dealer. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 14v165000 (structure) and 15e045000 (suspension). The failure mileage was not available.
The vehicle was moving at 35 MPH, the front passenger side wheel started making noise and got wobbly. I took it to a ford dealer. The service department took a day to diagnose the problem. They indicated that the sub frame has rusted out and the lower control arms are not secure in the sub-frame and may separate anytime. They refuse to fix the problem as per the recall saying that they put a cross brace and the recall is fixed. The cross brace that was put, is a band-aid fix and does not address the failure of the defective sub-frame. The sub-frame will fail even after installing the cross brace that ford seems to think will fix the problem. The lower control arm will separate and the cross brace will not prevent any accidents that could result from lower control arm separation.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v165000 (structure). The vehicle was repaired. While driving approximately 5 to 10 MPH, there was a grinding noise. The vehicle was coasted over to the side of the road and towed to a mechanic. It was diagnosed that the subframe was completely rusted. The manufacturer was notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.
While driving, the front right tire felt like it was going to fall off the vehicle. I took it to my mechanic who stated that the sub-frame was cracked and ford had a recall in place. I had it towed to the nearest ford dealership who stated that it would be covered under the recall. Instead, they put a cross-bar on the cracked sub frame because they determined it was "not broken" only "cracked". The sub frame had "rusted and corroded" due to ford's own admittance of "faulty parts". I asked if the vehicle was safe and they stated "no". I asked if the vehicle would pass inspection and again they stated "no". I asked if this was a "bandaid" that they put on to make themselves feel better about the fact that anyone operating the vehicle could lose total control. I asked to speak to a manager, who told me there was nothing he could do. He did state he would makes some calls and called me a day or two later to say, that his manager said if I wanted the vehicle fixed, I could pay $1,200 for the part and an additional $600-$800 in labor to fix the vehicle, or I could trade it in. I am beyond frustrated that ford will not back up their product. The vehicle has less than 65,000 miles on it!
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. The contactwas informed that the vehicle would not be repaired per the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v165000 (structure) due to excessive corrosion on the subframe. The vehicle was unsafe to drive. The frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
2003 ford escape. Consumer writes in regards to corrosion of the subframe lower control arm recall notice repairs and seeks reimbursement. *smd the consumer stated six months after the recall was performed, his wife heard a terrible noise and the vehicle became impossible to steer. The consumer arrived to where his wife was and did an inspection, and discovered the frame on the passenger side was completely rusted through and broken in half. The next day, a mechanic inspected the vehicle and found the front cross member was rusted out and broken on the passenger side and the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The consumer was informed he was not entitled to reimbursement, because the lower control arm separated from the subframe after the recall was performed.
The ash gold paint is bubbling all over the outside roof rear door sides (all over) the car to include the interior. The roof has rusted and ford won't do anything. I went to two ford dealers in san diego and called ford direct. The passed me over to the highway safety admin hotline that told me to call ford, they will handle the complaint. Everyday more paint peels off.
0n apr 22, 2015 while driving from shady spring wv to princeton wv on I-77 to a drs appt, my wife and I noticed a popping sound coming from the right front of the veh when veering or turning right. I had to work that day after I returned from the dr and had planned to take the veh to a mechanic after I got off to find out the problem. While driving home from work on pluto road in shady spring, I rounded a curve to the right at 20 MPH and something broke causing the veh to come to a sudden stop. I had the veh towed to a&r service ctr in shady spring and was notified that afternoon that the sub frame broke/ lower cv joint had came loose and that there was excessive rust and corrosion covering the whole underneath of the veh. I notified kc preowned auto whom I had purchased the veh from in sept 2014. He went to the mech and looked at the vehicle and called me and stated the good news is there is a recall on the sub frame that had broken and could be taken to mountaineer auto in beckley wv for repair. The veh was taken on apr 27 2015, and after being sent to a body shop for a rusted and broken bolt, a new sub frame was placed on the front. My wife picked it up on jun 20 2015 and noticed driving home a vibration coming from the front right and a grinding sound coming from the middle of it. I took it back to mountaineer auto the next day and was told by the svc rep (j t) that ford was not going to put anymore money in to this veh and there was nothing they would do. I notified the wv atty general for help and after trying to rectify the issue received a letter that nothing could be done. The veh sat in my driveway until feb 3, 2016, when I saved up money to fix it myself. I took it back to mountaineer auto and was told the carriage bearing was broke, and nothing could be done due to excessive rust and corrosion. Took it to 2 brothers and received the attached statement.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. The contact stated that the vehicle had a recall on the frame and was repaired. While driving 20 MPH, the vehicle shook and the steering wheel wobbled. The front driver side wheel was straight while the front passenger side wheel faced outward. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the subframe was completely fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 145,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. While driving approximately 10 MPH, a loud thumping sound came from the front of the vehicle and the steering malfunctioned. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the subframe seperated due to severe rust and corrosion, which caused the lower control arm to fracture. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 167,000.
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