2003 Ford Escape: check engine light

Filed Sep 23, 2019 · Transmission · 168,200 miles · CA

O/d off light flashes. No check engine light. Transmission column shifter moves properly in all gears p,r,n,d,2,1 but vehicle only moves in reverse and engages in park and neutral. Vehicle will not move in drive, 2 or 1. Transmission fluid condition and level is normal.

Filed Jul 20, 2019 · Acceleration, Transmission · 200,000 miles · MS

While I was driving on hwy 45 my escape jumped out of gear and overdrive indicator showed it had turned off at the same time. Also it caused my vehicle to almost stoll while traffic was behind me and beside me. I had to shift gear shift until light showed again then shift it to drive. Also had to click overdrive back on several times until it kicked on. I had my sister and my 2 children 9yrs and 10 yrs old in vehicle when it happened. Also had my vehicle to start jumping and shaking like it was missing . Engine light is on all the time now, and airbag light. Is it safe to drive?

Filed Jun 13, 2018 · Body, Suspension · 121,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. While turning at low speeds, the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle shook. In addition, the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to bob chapman ford (1255 columbus ave, marysville, oh 43040, (937) 642-0015) where it was diagnosed that the control arm and subframe were fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v165000 (structure). The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 121,000.

Filed May 21, 2018 · Engine, Steering · 202,871 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. While driving 20 MPH, the check engine indicator illuminated and the vehicle stalled. While driving 25 MPH, the vehicle lunged forward when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The only functioning warning indicator on the instrument panel was the check engine indicator. The contact stated that the vehicle leaked oil continuously. The failures were not diagnosed or repaired by a dealer. The manufacturer was emailed, but did not reply. The failure mileage was 202,871.

Filed Oct 1, 2012 · Engine, Transmission · 103,000 miles · AK

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.

Filed Mar 23, 2012 · Electrical · 110,056 miles · PA

When I am driving my car will try to die and all gauges will go to the highest RPM, speed, and full gas, then it will go back to zero and then proceed to the speed I was going, the battery light will keep flashing but no check engine light comes on. When I researched it, it seems that on more than ten occasions if not more are having the same electrical problem and no garage can figure out, they try replacing alternators, batteries, and wires and grounds and nothing is working, it can't be read on codes because nothing is showing up. If you ask me this should be a recall because if you search it in bing over two hundred matches comes up with the same complaint!!!

Filed Apr 15, 2011 · Electrical, Engine · 43,625 miles · TX

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 the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Jul 22, 2009 · Airbags · 63,899 miles · CT

Purchased 2003 ford escape 04/05/08. Air bag light came on a week later returned vehicle for other minor fixes was told light was not important as the bags would not deploy. During oil change on 12/08 told ford service dept. Again about air bag light same answer. Also inform them about car shaking was told it was because I waited too long for oil change. Took vehicle in for oil change 07/08/09 was refused vehicle told it was dangerous for me to drive found rt front lower balljoint loose in steering knuckle worn out steering knuckle need to replace both lower ball joints and rt front steering knuckle probably cause of why vehicle was shaking and would cost about $1700 and were not sure if extended warranty would cover. They were rude and I broke down. This car has had the shakes since I bought it. I finally took my vehicle home to bring it back the next day. I picked it up on the 15th once ford stated all repairs were completed vehicle was road tested and engine light was gone except they did nothing for the air bags. This shop is 12.07 miles from my home approx halfway through the engine light came on and the car started shaking between 45 and 50mph. I called them when I got home gave me another appointment different diagnostic. No one in this shop can tell me if any recalls have been done on this vehicle. I have a handicap daughter who gets her medical care at the veterans administration hospital an hour away. I need a safe vehicle. My family cannot afford another car. These people never give me a straight answer and put down whatever they want on their invoices. This shop is run by a husband and wife team no one cares if my vehicle is safe they just want to make money off of us. Can you please help me find out what has been corrected on my vehicle VIN . Thank you very much.

Filed Aug 9, 2003 · Acceleration · GA

In march 2003 vehicle began to hesitate and accelerate, maintain speeds while foot off the gas (once at 65 MPH), & shake like it wanted to stall. A couple times it even sped up while I was braking at red lights. On 4-10-03 service department could not duplicate symptoms since they are particularly exaggerated after parked for an hour or so. Stated that I could leave it overnight (no alternative transportation offered) or wait until engine light came on. Since the car did not feel safe, I brought it to another dealership which offered alternative transportation. The problems seemed to improve for a week or 2 before returning, following each of the following repairs: 5/16/03 replaced throttle body/idle air control/PCM reprograming; 6/6/03 repair vacuum tube/hose; 6/25/03 replace PCM with new updated PCM. Two weeks later 7/12/03 operation of power locks/windows, and rear wipers/defrost were going in and out with dash ABS, brake, and battery lights coming on concurrently. Service department could not duplicate concern until 9 days later when they asked me to come get the vehicle. The symptoms returned immediately after I started the car up to leave. 7/21/03 alternator was replaced. Hesitation, acceleration, shaking, and maintaining speeds, although not as frequent, continue and could not be reproduced by ford representative on 8/4/03. I am now continuing to pursue lemon law procedures.