Paint problems of the 2003 Ford Escape

The ash gold paint is bubbling all over the outside roof rear door sides (all over) the car to include the interior. The roof has rusted and Ford won't do anything. I went to two Ford dealers in san diego and called Ford direct. The passed me over to the highway safety admin hotline that told me to call Ford, they will handle the complaint. Everyday more paint peels off.

On both sides of my car just above the tires the paint has peeled off and has started to rust.

The exterior paint is peeling off in large pieces. Starting to rust.

Paint of Ford Escape 2003 peeling on the front. There are two large spots about 1 square foot each. I have called Ford in greenville, SC few times but to no avail. This problem started about 4 years ago with two 3/8 of an inch size flakes. The SUV has been garaged and has been taken good care of however now the paint is flaking with sections at a time. I have researched and have seen the exact same model with the same problem. At one point I have attempted to enter another Ford Escape assuming it was my car because of the similarity with the paint. . Read more...

We have a 2003 Ford Escape limited. The paint has started peeling off around the hatch at the back. It's just bubbling up for no apparent reason. We have never abused the car and it still has less than 70,000 miles on it.

The paint is peeling around the wheel wells and has started to rust; causing possible instability to the body of the car. I did some research online and this seems to be a common problem in 2003 Ford Escapes. Can something be done? there were some claims that Ford improperly prepared the Escape for painting. Please advise.

Paint peeling prematurely on 2003 Ford Escape.

2003 Ford limited gold Escape paint peeling and bubbling on hatch and above front window. Ford will do nothing when I called since there is no recall on this paint issue.

2003 Ford Escape . . . Paint peeling on roof around sun roof opening.

The paint on my ash gold 2003 Ford Escape has started to bubble and peel away from the metal body parts. Doors, hood, rear hatch and a large spot on the roof just behind the moon roof window. This is not something you can touch up. The paint is literally peeling off of the primer which then quickly erodes to expose the metal which starts to rust. There are hundreds of complaints on this spanning several years and several Ford models. In this age where we have to keep cars longer, this is a terrible thing to discover - the company simply can't figure out how to paint a car!!! I am the second owner and bought from the original owner. He pointed out the peeling but we both thought it could be touched up as he had been doing for a couple years. The roof was not looked at until I was working on the roof rack. This is the worst case and is not going to get fixed by any touch up paint.

Paint peeling down to bare metal on roof of vehicle with paint blistering elsewhere. Exposed bare metal rusting due to exposure to elements. Attempting resolution via dealer but no help at this time.

Paint peeling -- delaminating -- from roof of 2003 Ford Escape XLT, color code c2. Area is above junction of roof and windshield. Body shop verified condition a result of bad primer. Ford notified as well as two oklahoma city-area dealers -- overall Ford and bob moore Ford. No resolution from Ford as of yet.

Paint is peeling off on the drivers side back under the hatch window and on top of the vehicle just behind the sun roof. This vehicle has 74k miles and is garaged. From Nov. 2002 - Feb. 2005 it was even in parking garage while I worked. I take great care of my vehicle and it has never been in an accident. I have read a lot of other people are having the exact same problem in the exact same place on the same make, model and year. I called Ford and they don't care!!! it is out of warranty and there is no recall. . What can I do?.

1) the events leading to the failure are unknown 2) 2003 Ford Escape has an issue with its exterior paint. The paint is peeling away from the car and the exposed metal is rusting. This rusting leads to the compromise of the structural integrity of the car. This compromise can be detrimental in case of a collision. A google search revealed lots of 2003 Ford Escape owners complaining of the same issue. 3) nothing has been done to correct the failure.

Paint peeling in several spot on 2003 Ford Escape.

I have a 2003 Ford Escape XLT,white in color and currently have a problem with the paint blistering and peeling on the rear hatch below the window both sides. Additionally, the paint peeling has started under passenger side rear cargo window. I visited a local Ford dealership and they denied it as a defect. Out of warranty. I have had four autobody shops tell me $600. 00 to a $1000. 00 to repaint. "the problem is factory primer problem" and should expect to see more peeling if not repainted soon.

Paint blistering and peeling above the windshield on roof.

My problem is not mechanical but rather "physical". The paint has been peeling off the roof and hatch of my 2003 ash-colored Ford Escape limited since 2007. After reading others' blogs I am aware that I am not alone by any means. I purchased the SUV for it's nice appearance and color. I wish I'd known beforehand that this was going to happen, otherwise I would never have purchased a Ford. Apparently Ford is doing absolutely nothing about the problem. Is there anything you can do to help us? can't Ford be forced into a recall for this? these vehicles aren't cheap!! please help.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. Three months after the vehicle was purchased, the contact noticed a block of paint chipping off of the hood. Weeks later, the condition became progressively worse. The paint began bubbling and chipping excessively. When the contact attempts to wash the vehicle the paint will come off. She is in the process of notifying the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 74,000 and current mileage is 100,000. Update 06/10/08 updated 06/10/08.