After driving car, parking and starting again, it will start but will not keep running. Usually can wait a few minutes with hood up and will be ok. Today (10/26/2019) it would not keep running. Had it towed. Purchased new 06/2003 and has always happened. Ford mechanics other mechanics do not know why.
2003 Ford Escape fuel system problems
14 complaints (3% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 90,375. 2 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 14
- of this car's complaints
- 3%
- typical mileage
- 90,375
- crashes
- 2
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Storage: tank assembly: mounting1
- Delivery1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Ford Escape fuel system problems in other years
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
What 2003 Ford Escape owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
On many occasions, the engine has stalled while at a stop or going about 10 MPH. Two times the engine has stalled on the freeway going over 60 MPH, causing my car to be side swiped and stranded on the side of the freeway.
I began merging onto I 820 when my vehicle (by itself) floored the accelerator. I tried pressing the brake (it wouldnt press down, it was hard as a rock). I used both feet to no avail. At 75-80 MPH I jammed it into neutral. The RPM's were still at max. By this time it had slowed (I was on the shoulder of the hiway) to about 20 MPH, then jammed it in park. I looked at the instrument panel and all the instruments were on 0. I hesitated then gave the car some gas, it was still running! I couldnt even hear the engine until I revved it. I proceeded to turn off the ignition. The car did turn off. I noticed a 17 yr old boy dying back in 2012 -13 from the same act my car did. Its bad enough to lose a child but to lose a child because of a malfunction from a vehicle and the company stating they will have to look into it further, is nothing short of total negligence and refusal to accept responsibility for ones error and we want to know what has happened to our youth? Look who's raising them and giving them excuses.
Went to get car inspected and the exhaust y pipe and engine cradle subframe has corrison. Called the ford recall and for some reason my vehicle did not have a recall, but there were other 2003 recalls for the control arms and corrison of the frame and members. This seems to be a problem with a lot of ford vehicles but not on the recall list and should be. Vehicle has 100,078 miles. There is also noise come from an area around the tires not sure which one.
Vehicle stalls or will not start as described in ford recall number 04s13. I have replaced multiple parts including fuel pump, gas cap, fuel filter,etc. And now I found that there was a problem with the PCM programming on this vehicle. I purchased this truck used and do not know if this was serviced. This is a dangerous problem as stalling can cause an accident.
Fuel tank strap broke. Strap failure resulted in exhaust system supporting fuel tank. Strap failure due to corrosion. Photos available....updated12/17/14 *bf updated 9/29/2015*js
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, there was a loud noise from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the roadway where the contact fuel tank straps were fractured. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who stated that both fuel tank straps needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,489.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. While parked, the contact smelled a strong odor of fuel inside and outside of the vehicle. Immediately, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where they detected that both fuel tank straps were corroded. One of the straps was completely detached from the fuel tank and the second strap was partially attached. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 49,000. Updated 09/27/11 *bf updated 11/07/11
I have a 2003 ford escape which had accelerator cable replaced under a recall from ford in approximately 2005. I am having the same problems that caused the recall, which is not coming back to idle speed and actually sticking wide open on one occasion. Ford motor company refuses to replace this at their cost, so am doing this at my own expense, obviously sooner than later.
My 2003 ford escape stalls when placed in to gear and sometimes when stopping.
Questions about the 2003 Ford Escape fuel system
Does the 2003 Ford Escape have fuel system problems?
Owners have filed 14 complaints about the fuel system of the 2003 Ford Escape, 3% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2003 Ford Escape fuel system problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 90,375 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2003 Ford Escape fuel system?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Ford Escape have the most fuel system problems?
The Ford Escape model years with the most fuel system complaints are 2010 (508 complaints), 2013 (287 complaints) and 2011 (284 complaints).
Other 2003 Ford Escape problems
Body 121Acceleration 90Suspension 90Engine 70Airbags 60Brakes 57Transmission 55Steering 44Electrical 39Tires 17Wheels 12Locks 7Visibility 5Seat belts 4Driver assistance 2Lights 1
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