Ten problems related to frame rust have been reported for the 2003 Ford Escape. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2003 Ford Escape based on all problems reported for the 2003 Escape.
Tl the contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the subframe was rusted, which created an abnormal rubbing sound when the vehicle was turned. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home. The vehicle was taken to ricart Ford (4255 s hamilton rd, groveport, OH 43125, (614) 836-6260) where it was diagnosed that a new subframe and lower control arm were needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was 196,703.
Tl the contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact heard a knocking sound coming from the vehicle. An independent mechanic discovered that the subframe was rusted and quoted a repair cost of $2,000 to have the frame replaced. Several unknown dealers were contacted and quoted repairs costs as high as $4,800. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 88,000.
The front sub frame is rusted and the vehicle is unsafe to drive.
The contact's daughter owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact stated that his daughter noticed that the subframe looked rusted and loose. The vehicle was towed to brondes Ford toledo (5545 secor rd, toledo, OH 43623) where it was diagnosed that the subframe had rotted. The vehicle was serviced per NHTSA campaign number: 14v165000 (structure). After the vehicle was driven over 20 mph, the wheels turned at different angles and the vehicle made a screeching sound. The vehicle was taken back to brondes Ford, but the dealer and manufacturer (who was made aware of the failure) declined to provide further assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the front end of the vehicle shook violently. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where he was advised that the sub frame was rusted out. The vehicle was not repaired. A local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and opened a case #cas13006709 and advised the contact to follow up. The vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 14v165000 (structure) however the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was unknown.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. While driving 10 mph, the passenger side of the subframe was rusted and detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to mark thomas Ford (located at 3098 elm rd ext ne cortland, OH 44410) where it was diagnosed that the frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened case number: cas13677317. The failure mileage was 174,522.
The vehicle was moving at 35 mph, the front passenger side wheel started making noise and got wobbly. I took it to a Ford dealer. The service department took a day to diagnose the problem. They indicated that the sub frame has rusted out and the lower control arms are not secure in the sub-frame and may separate anytime. They refuse to fix the problem as per the recall saying that they put a cross brace and the recall is fixed. The cross brace that was put, is a band-aid fix and does not address the failure of the defective sub-frame. The sub-frame will fail even after installing the cross brace that Ford seems to think will fix the problem. The lower control arm will separate and the cross brace will not prevent any accidents that could result from lower control arm separation.
Last year I returned my vehicle to the dealer for the sub frame recall. I had the new support installed. This year when I went for my annual vehicle inspection I was told to stop driving the vehicle as my subframe was so badly rusted that it could break at any time. Why was the subframe replacement not included in the recall?.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. While driving over a bump in the road at approximately 10 mph, the front passenger side wheel well fractured and damaged the suspension. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the subframe was rusted. The failure was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 145,000.
The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the frame was rusted. The contact mentioned that she felt her vehicle was unsafe to be driven. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 65,000.