My car is a part of a recall for rust and the lower control arm, but I think that scope is too narrow. My escape has rusted wheel wells and a rusted gas tank cover that I can see. I have also ready had to replace anti-lock brakes for rust, along with the exhaust system and all of its parts, the front lower control arms, sway bar links and all parts of the oil pan. All of this is due to rust. This was at the mileage of 58,465. I still have less than 80,000 miles but I am afraid to drive my car the 90 miles from my home to the jersey shore.
2003 Ford Escape body complaints
Page 4 of 5: complaints 71 to 100 of 121, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* 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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in the federal safety agency 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.
I have entered the VIN correctly but your system doesn't recognize it. First flat tire in the 10 years I have owned car purchased new. Jack, jack tools and temporary spare never used before.. Following owner's manual instructions, jack does not raise vehicle high enough to remove original equipment wheel and specified standard-size tire. Attempted flat repair on flat paved surface. I have 50 years experience working on automobiles.this flaw could be life-threatening if someone is trying to replace a flat tire in dangerous conditions (darkness, weather, dangerous location,medical emergency). The jack works mechanically and lifted the right rear corner of the vehicle but lacked 4 to 6 inches of lifting vehicle high enough to remove wheel. This is a factory defect and not an incompetent user. Jack was positioned as shown in manual. My first car was a 1931 model a ford and this is the first time I have encountered an oem jack that wouldn't work at least once.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. The contact stated that while having routine maintenance performed on the vehicle, the mechanic informed the contact that the sub frame was rusted. The vehicle was repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. The contact stated that the front end exhibited a loud noise as the front passenger's side front wheel separated. The vehicle was taken to the mechanic for inspection. The failure was located at the front sub frame and lower control arm, which were both determined to be corroded. As a result, the front passenger's side wheel separated from the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 68,000.
While that vehicle was being operated; decelerating from about 35 MPH, a very loud pop noise was heard and the front passenger side became unstable and steering became unreliable. Vehicle was stopped immediately. Upon initial inspection is appears that the wheel became partially detached from vehicle. After a thorough inspection is appears that the rear mounting bolt of the front passenger side control arm had detached from the sub-frame. This part of the sub-frame show excessive corrosion which LED to the failure of the control arm mounting point. As a result of the failure the vehicle lost all ability to maintain effective stability. Luckily the vehicle was already decelerating and being operated on a roadway that had sufficient room to make corrective measure otherwise the outcome of this failure easily could have been catastrophic and fatal. The vehicle has less than 100,000 miles. The body and other parts of the frame do not have significant amounts of rust.
My ford escape is rusting above the back wheels I also noticed the same rust on similar models and years of the escape is there a recall there should be.
2003 ford escape . Subframe rotted and control arm came off. Left passenger.
Left work and driving on a back road at 15 MPH and was approaching a stop sign, applied the brakes and heard a loud snap/pop. The right side of the vehicle instantly slammed down/dropped to the road; steering locked; I had no control over the vehicle; slid a few feet and stopped. The passenger tire was pinned between the ground and the vehicle. The axle was hanging and the sub frame was visible. It was clear that the subframe had literally snapped at a weld joint without warning. Weld joint snapped on subframe. This vehicle is only 9yrs w/70k miles and mostly garaged; a major safety concern. This would have worse at high rate of speed, if not fatal. Vehicle then towed to a ford dealership. I requested to have a ford rep review the case. The dealership told me I had to call ford. After calling, they then told me I had to request this through the dealership, but gave me a case number. The dealership then informed me that ford were not interested in reviewing the vehicle and wouldn't do anything and that I had call ford. I called ford back who escalated my case and an acct mgr called me back who explained there was nothing they could do at this time. Over 1100 in repairs are required due to a faulty frame. I asked repeatedly that this particular subframe failure be investigated as a quality/mfg problem and I requested an investigation and informed the company of several other cases that log the same ??exact?? Description and failure of the subframe. The company told me "keep my receipt". I stressed my dissatisfaction with how this was handled, but nothing could be done at this time. Ford should at a min. Issue a service bulletin to have the sub frame inspected to all of the escape owners, so failures can be avoided before they happen. This is from a very dissatisfied customer and will choose no longer to purchase any ford products, based on this experience.
The vehicle was being operated on city streets. As the vehicle approached a stop sign the brakes were applied, a loud crash and screech was heard as the vehicle fell to the ground and tire was dragged along. The front passenger side control arm has come detached from the vehicle because the front sub-frame had failed. The vehicle had to be towed to the shop. The failure was reported to be caused by corrosion. The vehicle only has 94,160 miles on it.
My wife's has a 2003 ford escape. We were driving luckily at a low speed when we heard a pop in the passenger front end and lost control of steering. The subframe on passenger side control arm popped and subframe is rotted. This should not happen to a vehicle that is only 10 years old. I saw that the federal safety agency did an investigation that deemed 2003 windstars unsafe do to the same exact problem safety recall notice 11s16. My wife is pregnant and if she was driving any faster and this had happened ford company could have put my wife and our baby in danger. I do not feel that I should have to pay for repairs on this vehicle when the same year vehicles have issues with them. My next contact is my lawyers office because if this would have happened to my wife the day before when we were on the freeway ford would be responsible for knowing other vehicles in the same year had the exact same issue. I do not want to see other people in danger and ford needs to step up and take responsibility for there vehicle defects.
The exterior paint is peeling off in large pieces. Starting to rust.
On both sides of my car just above the tires the paint has peeled off and has started to rust.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. The contact stated that she noticed a leakage on her driveway. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and they informed her that the brake hose fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had not been notified. In addition, the contact mentioned that the lift gate would not open. The vehicle had not been inspected by a dealer nor had it been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 109,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. While driving 25 MPH, the low sub frame on the passenger side separated from the vehicle and the contact lost control of the vehicle. A local mechanic diagnosed that the sub frame failed due to rust. The dealer and manufacturer denied any assistance with repairs to the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 70,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Paint of ford escape 2003 peeling on the front. There are two large spots about 1 square foot each. I have called ford in greenville, sc few times but to no avail. This problem started about 4 years ago with two 3/8 of an inch size flakes. The SUV has been garaged and has been taken good care of however now the paint is flaking with sections at a time. I have researched and have seen the exact same model with the same problem. At one point I have attempted to enter another ford escape assuming it was my car because of the similarity with the paint. There are several discussions about this problem: http://www.edmunds.com/ford/escape/2003/consumer-discussions.html my concern is that ford has failed to remediate this issue with its active customer base and I believe it should be noted as gross negligence.
Paint defective on 2003 ford escape with gold ash paint. Peeling around back window and 3 large patches, over 6" in diameter, on roof.
We have a 2003 ford escape limited. The paint has started peeling off around the hatch at the back. It's just bubbling up for no apparent reason. We have never abused the car and it still has less than 70,000 miles on it.
Paint defective on 2003 ford escape with gold ash paint.
The paint is peeling around the wheel wells and has started to rust; causing possible instability to the body of the car. I did some research online and this seems to be a common problem in 2003 ford escapes. Can something be done? There were some claims that ford improperly prepared the escape for painting. Please advise.
Paint peeling prematurely on 2003 ford escape.
My ford escape is a 2003 model and was purchased certified used in 2007 by us. Within a year the paint on the roof and rear hatch started peeling. Two years later, it is rusting where the peel is gone and still continuing to peel. We have not had any accidents or inclement weather that caused the damage. I have done research and seen where this is common in fords my vehicle's age.
Paint is peeling from the roof and two spots on the tailgate. The service manager at sloan ford in exton, pa wouldn't even look at it. A rep from ford advised that a dealer should look at it. The service manager at kennedy ford collision in conshohocken pa was kind enough to look at the vehicle and confirm that it is defective. Ford declined assistance. The ford rep would not admit that there is a defect despite advising me that ford service managers have superior expertise in evaluating failures.
2003 ford escape ... Paint peeling on roof around sun roof opening.
2003 ford limited gold escape paint peeling and bubbling on hatch and above front window. Ford will do nothing when I called since there is no recall on this paint issue.
Paint is peeling off on the drivers side back under the hatch window and on top of the vehicle just behind the sun roof. This vehicle has 74k miles and is garaged. From nov. 2002 - feb. 2005 it was even in parking garage while I worked. I take great care of my vehicle and it has never been in an accident. I have read a lot of other people are having the exact same problem in the exact same place on the same make, model and year. I called ford and they don't care!!! It is out of warranty and there is no recall.. What can I do?
1) the events leading to the failure are unknown 2) 2003 ford escape has an issue with its exterior paint. The paint is peeling away from the car and the exposed metal is rusting. This rusting leads to the compromise of the structural integrity of the car. This compromise can be detrimental in case of a collision. A google search revealed lots of 2003 ford escape owners complaining of the same issue. 3) nothing has been done to correct the failure.
The paint on my ash gold 2003 ford escape has started to bubble and peel away from the metal body parts. Doors, hood, rear hatch and a large spot on the roof just behind the moon roof window. This is not something you can touch up. The paint is literally peeling off of the primer which then quickly erodes to expose the metal which starts to rust. There are hundreds of complaints on this spanning several years and several ford models. In this age where we have to keep cars longer, this is a terrible thing to discover - the company simply can't figure out how to paint a car!!! I am the second owner and bought from the original owner. He pointed out the peeling but we both thought it could be touched up as he had been doing for a couple years. The roof was not looked at until I was working on the roof rack. This is the worst case and is not going to get fixed by any touch up paint.
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