2003 Ford Escape: sudden loss of power

Filed May 14, 2018 · MS

The engine will stutter and stall (after driving fine) and will then the engine shuts down. I lose power steering and brakes - if the car restarts, it will shut down again when I press on the brake. I had it towed recently to a shop and they could find nothing wrong. It happens off and on - I found a similar issue with previous ford escapes and there was a recall in 2004, but my vehicle was not affected (it was made at the same plant as the recalled vehicles. This happened to my husband in a busy intersection and happened to me in a parking lot - it is very scary when it happens.

Filed Jun 27, 2006 · Transmission · NY

Submission regarding long outstanding issue with his 2003 ford escape purchased on december 30, 2002. *ts ***nar*** the vehicle has exhibited transmission since the date of purchase. The vehicle has been taken to the dealer 15 times but they have been unable to correct the problem. The transmission stopped shifting at 35 MPH, lost power then overheated after driving distances of about 10 miles (city driving). But when the vehicle was driven through puddles of water the problem would diminish and the transmission would shift normally and power would be restored. During the consumers last visit to the dealer he was told that there was nothing else they could do.

Filed Mar 9, 2006 · Transmission · 26,324 miles · NJ

Winding noise from under the car. At 40 MPH transmission lost power. Transmission blew drive gear needs to be completely rebuilt. Only 27 days out of warranty, only 26,324 miles on the car.

Filed Oct 18, 2005 · Engine · 34,875 miles · KY

I was exiting off the interstate and around 35 MPH my engine completely died and I lost power steering. I was able to make it to the shoulder and restart the vehicle, but the rpms kept bouncing around. I took the vehicle into my local ford dealer, but they said nothing was wrong with it. I researched online myself and found that ford had a recall that matched my exact situation/problem. The federal safety agency id is 04v165000. Ford said my VIN number was not included in the recall. However, I find it hard to believe that mine should be excluded considering that my vehicle is the same make/model/year/engine type of the recalled ones and my problem matched exactly with what was referenced in the recall. Also my warranty runs out in 2 weeks and I don't want the same problem to happen again and then let the dealer find the problem. It also concerns me because my wife drives my car and I'm concerned about my family.

Filed Nov 18, 2004 · Engine · 3,600 miles · IN

1. Vehicle had recall 04s13 performed for posible loss of power when decelerating. Vehicle is a 2003 ford escape. Vehicle was 19 months old with 3600 miles and had not had any prior problems.*aki 2. 2 weeks after recall was performed the vehicle was in an accident due to the exact conditions that the recall was to prevent. The vehicle was returned to service dept. And they supposedly repaired problem. Vehicle now unexpectedly accelerates usually when braking. This has happened 5 times and continues to get worse every time. The last incident the vehicle was idling and about half way into a parking space and it accelerated own its own, the front wheels jumped a 6 inch verticle curb, and left 5 foot skid marks in the grass while trying to stop. 3. The dealer has driven the vehicle but the problem did not occur. Dealer installed flight recorder for two weeks. The problem did not occur. They removed flight recorder and a technician rode in vehicle the problem occured and technician had vehicle taken back to shop. They could not find anything and returned vehicle. Acceleration occured again they reinstalled flight recorder and said they needed three recording to diagnois problem. This has not occured yet and dealer is calkling to get flight recorder back.

Filed Apr 26, 2004 · Fuel system · 11,593 miles · MD

Engine stalls and has a loss of power at times under acceleration.

Filed Aug 13, 2003 · Acceleration, Engine · 10,460 miles · NH

I have complained twice before about my 2003 ford escape stalling without warning. It has now done it a total of 6 times. The vehicle stalls without warning in various situations. The most unnerving was when I was traveling at about 15 MPH. It has also hesitated and bucked into an intersection on 2 different occasions. I contacted the executive offices at ford motor company and expressed my safety concerns, and I was informed that because the problem is not reproducable they do not feel that they are in a position to repurchase the vehicle at this time. My dealership has attempted to reproduce the stall and are unable, as am I. They have performed a tsb, installed a new throttle body and a new crankshaft sensor. The problem continues to persist. I now have a vdr in the vehicle for the third time. This vehicle is a major danger to myself, my passengers and anyone who is around the vehicle when it may stall due to the fact that when it does happen I lose all power steering and brakes. I do not trust the vehicle and I no longer feel safe in it.

Filed Aug 1, 2003 · Brakes, Engine · 3,500 miles · NM

While driving at 50/55 MPH vehicle died out without warning. This resulted in loss of power steering and brakes.the cost for repairs were $114.21. *ak

Filed May 7, 2003 · Engine · 1,000 miles · CT

While driving at highway speeds engine shut down and caused loss of power steering. *nlm

Filed Mar 27, 2003 · Engine · 268 miles · GA

I've had my new SUV for 4 days (270 miles) - it stalled while sitting in traffic. Lost all power. Managed to get it over in a empty turning lane, turned everything off, put it back in park and it started right up. Luckily I was only 2 miles from the dealership. Before purchasing, salesman assured me that the "stalling" problem that occurred on earlier models was corrected with the 2003 model. Apparently not. I drive in heavy traffic to and from work - this happened going to work, been in vehicle about 30 minutes.