Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2003 Ford Escape
NHTSA data on file today
The 2003 Ford Escape has 9 NHTSA recall campaigns and 558 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #15V606000 Rebuilt Transmission Shift Lever May Disengage NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #15E045000 Front Wheel Bearing has Wrong Dimensions NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #14V165000 Lower Control Arm Corrosion-Regional Recall NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #12V353000 Speed Control Cable Connector Interference NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #07V156000 ABS MODULE ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #07E023000 MASTER CYLINDER LEAK NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #04V602000 FORD/FMVSS 206/REAR LIFTGATE DOOR NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #04V574000 FORD/ACCELERATOR CABLE NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #04V165000 FORD/ENGINE STALLING NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Structure 121 complaints
- Suspension 90 complaints
- Vehicle Speed Control 90 complaints
- Air Bags 60 complaints
- Power Train 55 complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 47 complaints
Of the 558 complaints on file, 43 report a crash and 27 a fire; across all 558 complaints, owners report 31 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $5,000–$12,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2003 Ford Escape has significant issues, with 558 owner complaints and 9 recall campaigns, suggesting potential reliability concerns. Frequent complaints involve the structure, suspension, and speed control systems. Recalls highlight powertrain and brake system issues. The data suggests a higher probability of failure compared to average vehicles.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| structure | Unknown | $500–$1,500 | common |
| suspension | Unknown | $300–$1,000 | common |
| vehicle speed control | Unknown | $400–$1,200 | common |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil and filter changes
- Brake system check
- Tire rotation and alignment
- Spark plug replacement
- Coolant system flush
- Transmission fluid change
- Timing belt replacement
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Strange engine noises
- Sticky accelerator pedal
- Uneven tire wear
- Braking issues
- Check engine light
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2003 Ford Escape at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.