Driving down the interstate coming from georgia, it would downshift suddenly without warning. I have not been able to drive it in about 4 months.I thought I had everything repaired, then my truck stopped pulling in drive at a red light. My safety neutral switch is brand new and the position sensor. 10/12/2020 when problem arose after replacing sensors 02/09/2021 any ideas why it is doing this?
2003 Ford Escape transmission problems
55 complaints (10% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 69,000.
- owner complaints
- 55
- of this car's complaints
- 10%
- typical mileage
- 69,000
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 2
Which part fails
- Automatic transmission18
- Automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)9
- Driveline2
- Clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)1
- Automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Ford Escape transmission problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2003 Ford Escape transmission
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.
- Risk
- If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.
Recall number 15V606000 · Recall details
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
- What is wrong
- On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with 3.0l v6 engines, during deceleration, the engine can stall.
- Risk
- Should the engine stall, a vehicle crash could occur.
- Remedy
- Dealers will reprogram the power control module (PCM) with the appropriate calibration. Owner notification began on april 21, 2004. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1‑800‑392‑3673.
Recall number 04V165000 · Recall details
What 2003 Ford Escape owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
I have a 2003 ford escape and I have had to replace 2 of the shifter cables. The cables to allow the truck to go from prnd12.on the dashboard if the black bold square isn't around the p when I turn off the truck then I cannot take my key out of the ignition when parked.I do not want the vehicle to keep moving .
Vehicle moved forward when in reverse gear when I was trying to back up at work. I had to have people at work come help me pull the vehicle backwards to avoid crashing into the wall. It still only goes forward, even in reverse gear. It is not safe to drive!!!
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. The contact stated that while driving 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. Mark mclarty ford located at 4400 landers rd, north little rock, ar 72117, (501) 945-1200, was contacted and made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency campaign number: 15v606000 (power train) and 04v165000 (power train), however the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 229,000.
While my 2003 escape was in motion, the vehicle jerked and kicked ad I pressed accelerating on a heavy city highway. The vehicle couldn't drive or move forward. I believe it is the transmission went out. The gears were slipping or not going in position. I was using more gas, having a recall on transmission was announced on 2003 ford escape. Recall id 234608 on powertrain automatic transmission. And recall id 234607 automatic transmission: gear position indication. Recall id 234607 I called the ford service center. I was told no recalls under my VIN number. I asked for assistance to fix my transmission. No was answer. I took my car back to place I purchased it carter's radiator, purchased 5-8-2020. Carter radiator did diagnose, found it was the transmission. I was told car will not go into gears. 4th gear is in-operative. Ony 1st & 2nd gears operating. To repair faulty transmission will cost $3900, but because I purchased vehicle from them, repair cost is $2400.
Sense we bought this 2003 ford escape we have replaced 5 altenators transmission problems .3 neutral safety switches. And still having problems the transmission problems are the same reason for the recall but my car is just a month newer go figure
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.
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?
The air bag stay on and keeps blinking and won't turn off. I have done everything possible to check this issue out, having no luck so far.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. While driving various speeds, the vehicle decelerated on its own and completely stopped. The contact also stated that the gear selector did not engage in the selected gear. An unknown dealer was contacted and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in a recall for the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000.
Questions about the 2003 Ford Escape transmission
Does the 2003 Ford Escape have transmission problems?
Owners have filed 55 complaints about the transmission of the 2003 Ford Escape, 10% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2003 Ford Escape transmission problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 69,000 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2003 Ford Escape transmission?
Yes, 2 recalls: 15V606000, 04V165000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Ford Escape have bad transmission?
The Ford Escape model years with the most transmission complaints are 2010 (508 complaints), 2014 (481 complaints) and 2013 (401 complaints).
Other 2003 Ford Escape problems
Body 121Acceleration 90Suspension 90Engine 70Airbags 60Brakes 57Steering 44Electrical 39Tires 17Fuel system 14Wheels 12Locks 7Visibility 5Seat belts 4Driver assistance 2Lights 1
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