Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. While driving 60 MPH, the transmission failed. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 136,000.
2003 Ford Escape transmission complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 55, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I own a 03 ford escape and when driving at about 30mph my tire started rubbing the fenderwell and pulling hard to the right I had to fight to keep my car from hitting things and about 5 seconds after all of a sudden there is a very loud clunk sound from my passenger front tire. And my front end dropped and wheel locked up. Causing me to lose control of my vehicle. Nearly missing parked cars. I was told my lower control arm separated from subframe. Which has a corrosion issue (this is a know problem with this model, recall reference number --- 14s02) .. I was advised by a private mechanic that my subframe needed replaced. I googled and found out about this recall and had it taken to my local ford dealership and so far have heard nothing.. This is ridiculous. And because of this safety recall, it damaged my car even further, broke my c/v joint. Probably messed up the axel to
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. While driving approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The ignition coils, spark plugs, and manifold gasket were replaced. One month later, the failure recurred twice. The vehicle was taken to two different independent mechanics where the ignition coils, spark plugs, and manifold gasket were replaced again. The failure persisted. The technician stated that the power train control module would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH he tried to accelerate and the rpms increased. The brake failed to engage until he put the gear shift into neutral. The contact was able to maneuver the vehicle to the side of the road, where the vehicle was able to be restarted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The mechanic diagnosed that there was to much air going into the throttle body, and the cold air was freezing the throttle body and prevented it from functioning properly. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 76,000. Updated 3/5/14*cn
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle began to jerk and lunge. In addition, there was a burning odor. The contact shut off the engine but after restarting, he was unable to shift into any gear. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 195,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. The contact stated that an unknown fluid was leaking from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis and the contact was informed that the torque converter became cracked and would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified but offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 63,085 and the current mileage was 80,000.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. The contact stated that the vehicle would stall without warning. The vehicle would also accelerate suddenly. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was told that the power train control module needed to be replaced, but that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency recall campaign id number:04v165000(power train: automatic transmission: control module(TCM.PCM). The failure mileage was 118,000 and the current mileage was 119,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. The contact stated that while decelerating at various speeds, the vehicle would stall. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer on several occasions, but they were unable to duplicate or diagnose the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with the federal safety agency campaign id number 04v165000 (power train:automatic transmission:control module (TCM, PCM)). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was unknown.
The vehicle stalls (loses all power and comes to a halt) at low speeds even sometimes in reverse gear. It has happened at parking lots at low speeds or when I am just about to take off at traffic lights. Only happens at low speeds. Have taken it to the dealership multiple times, have gotten the computer module reprogrammed, changed battery, alternator, idler controller valve and relay so far. None of these have fixed the problem, the car is back with the mechanic for other checks. The problem has been very intermittent, it sometimes happens and sometimes does not!. Taking the key out and putting it back and starting the engine again gets me moving again!. So far I have been lucky not to be hit by anyone from behind!.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stalled. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where they were unable to diagnose the failure. The failure occurred approximately seven different times intermittently. The mechanic stated also that there was a recall under the federal safety agency campaign id number 04v165000 (power train:automatic transmission:control module (TCM, PCM)). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 50,000.
My 2003 ford escape has all the symptoms of the recall the federal safety agency campaign id number 04v165000 (power train:automatic transmission:control module (TCM, PCM)) but dose not have one of the vins that fall into the list.
While driving on an expressway, my car suddenly would not engage and I had to coast off the exit ramp, getting stuck at the top of the ramp. The car would not go into gear, and I had to be pushed off the ramp and into a parking lot. This was at 5pm on a weekday, and had someone not come to help me push the car out of the way, it could have been a major accident.
I have never trusted the 4 wheel drive. After first winter usage, the sounds it made when engaged and when turning the wheel sounded like a rubbing bushing or something within the gearbox. 2 dealers said you couldn't really test it in the summer, as you needed the snow for it to activate properly, but it still bucks when turning the wheel, so much so, that I do not trust it to use. I've owned jeep 4wheel and all- wheel versions, so that is why I don't trust it. I know ford has over the years upgraded this system, but it was still a $1600 option when I bought it, and expect it to work. Have there been similar complaints, as I have never received a recall notice for this problem, but have had 2 other recall fixes made. After the toyota braking problem, I feel this is of equal consequence. It always seemed to be worse when going in reverse.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. The vehicle stalls without warning while driving at any speed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer once for the failure. The dealer was not able to duplicated the failure.the failure recurred on june 27,2010 while driving on the highway at 55mph. The manufacturer was contacted,they stated the vehicle had no open recall and the vehicle was not in included in recall 04v165000 power train:automatic transmission:control module (TCM, PCM) . The failure mileage was 150,000 and the current mileage was 157,000.
The transmission on my 2003 ford escape has failed twice. Talking with my transmission guy I am convinced that the transmission is not heavy duty enough to handle this usage.
Ford is not allowing my car to be included in the safety recall: 04s13 for powertrain control module re-calibration. I have notified ford and they are saying they never miss a vehicle that gets recalled. My vehicle has stalled more than 7 times when decelerating under 40pmh. I have brought my car into a mechanic two times for the same problem. Everytime it was determined that there was no reason for the vehicle to stall.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. Sporadically, during deceleration, the engine stalls. The dealer stated that her VIN was excluded from the federal safety agency campaign id number 04v165000 (power train:automatic transmission:control module (TCM, PCM)); therefore, they would not assume responsibility for the repair. The contact is in the process of having the vehicle repaired by her local mechanic. The failure mileage was 118,000 and current mileage was 125,000.
I purchased a 2003 ford escape with 24,000 miles on it. I should have known better, as vehicle stalled when I test drove it, but was assured the PCM just needed to be reflashed. 3 days after purchasing the car it stalled out on me when turning a corner, foot not on the accelerator. Was only able to get the car restarted after really revving engine hard. Took it back, assured me it was my "anti-theft device" two days after getting vehicle back, stalled yet again when pulling into my driveway. Symptoms are much like the recall listed for 2003 escapes but of course my VIN number is not included. So I took it back to dealer and they "can't get it to stall" but replaced this time the idle air control valve. Picked it up, next day stalled out as I turned corner into parking lot. This car is unsafe.
2003 ford escape with 30,000 miles needed automatic transmission replaced. Out of warranty because of age. I paid over $4k to have it replaced. Ford refused to compensate for obvious manufacturing / design defect.
Ford escape 2003 80 000 miles and transmission will not go in reverse and now slips and makes noise in all gears. Only ford I've ever owned....might be the last unless this is resolved to my satisfaction. No specific event to determine why tranny is going..seems like thousands of other escape owners have the same problem.
Tl*the contact owns a2003 ford escape. While driving 40 MPH, the vehicle would stall then shut off. The contact stated that the failure only occurred when decelerating. The dealer was unable to diagnose the failure. There is a recall for the power train: automatic transmission: control module (the federal safety agency campaign id #04v165000) however, the dealer stated that his VIN was not included. As of april 9, 2008, the dealer had not repaired the vehicle. The contact stated that the failure has occurred approximately 50 times. The failure mileage was 65,000 and current mileage was 80,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. While attempting to accelerate, the vehicle completely shut off and had to be restarted. The vehicle did not restart immediately. The vehicle was diagnosed as having idle air control valve failure. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 04v165000 (power train:automatic transmission:control module (TCM, PCM)). The current mileage was 101,000 and failure mileage was 80,000. Updated 05/06/08.
Transmission failure in a 2003 ford escape xlt. This vehicle has 53,576 miles on it and showed no warnings of failure. While operating vehicle in traffic the overdrive light started flashing and the transmission started slipping and no movement from vehicle. This is a safety hazard as there is no way to safely exit drive lanes , and may cause rear end collisions. The cd4e transmission has major design flaws known by ford hence the conversion of transmission manufacturers from batavia, ohio to livonia, michigan in 2006. I have yet to have the problem repaired as I may be using the vehicle for explanatory proof of poor quality and engineering.
About once a month, for the last four months, my 2003 ford escape will stall out. This has happened when the engine is cold and upon deceleration such as when entering or making a turn. The car restarts without hesitation. There was a safety recall issued about this problem, #04v165000, where the fix seems quite simple but ford's main customer relations dept. Says my car is not part of that recall. Same car, same problem, but not related to original recall. Seems absurd. Although there have been no accidents, the threat of one exists if the car stalls while I'm turning across oncoming traffic or, possibly, rear-ended.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. On august 26, 2007, while driving 37 MPH, the engine failed. The failure is now occurring at least four times per day when the vehicle is started. The federal safety agency recall number 04v165000 (power train:automatic transmission:control module (TCM, PCM)) was referenced. The powertrain was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 85,834.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. While driving under 40 MPH, the engine failed. The failure has occurred on four different occasions. Safety recall # 04v165000 (power train:automatic transmission control module (TCM, PCM)) does not apply to the VIN. The purchase date and engine size were unknown. The current and failure mileages were 66,000. Updated 02/01/08. *lj updated 02/01/08
Tl* - the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. While driving 40 MPH, thought there was a tire failure. Inspection revealed the tires to be fine. The contact got back in the car and tried to shift into reverse gear with no results. The vehicle was towed to the ford dealership, and the dealership informed the contact that the vehicle needed a new transmission. The contact was concerned about the diagnosis since the vehicle had 43,000 miles on it. *ak updated 2/9/2007 - the failure occurred suddenly and without warning.
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.
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.
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