general problems of the 2003 Ford Escape - part 1

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?.

The mechanic told me that the sub frame was broken and would be about $1000 to replace. I was driving down a dirt road , it was a little bumpy and the steering wheel stopped working due to the frame breaking. The 2003 Ford Escape has124000 miles on it. Luckily nobody was hurt, but I can't believe the frame of n SUV could break so easily.

Front sub frame rusted out and split half way across pulls vehicle when driving 14s02 complaint.

Lower control arm separated from sub frame. High corrosion area. Separated at a speed of about 65 mph going over highway bridge. Right front tire tipped out and sent vehicle into a uncontrolled swerve to the left and right. Ford's recall 14s02 cross brace patch was installed but still almost caused a major crash. I don't believe the inspection by Ford was done properly when they installed the brace. If they had they would be replacing the sub-frame also.

My vehicle was serviced for the Ford recall # 14s02 and a cross brace was installed. The recall was due to a subframe corroding away in some parts of the us including my region. My complaint is that Ford did not correctly fix this problem with their cross brace. They simply bolted a cross brace from one side of the frame to the other and it does nothing when the subframe actually corrodes away. I was lucky to not get in an accident a week ago when my frame that has the cross bar installed finally gave way and my front passenger side control arm completely separated from the cross brace and subframe that has corroded to nothing. Ford has claimed that since the recall work has already been done there is nothing more they can do. I think the NHTSA should investigate and make Ford actually fix this problem before someone gets seriously hurt. It was one of the scariest moments driving that I have ever had. Driving down the road with my 7 yr old son in the car and all of a sudden I lose steering almost all together. Thankfully I was one of the lucky ones that day. If this problem is not addressed then I'm afraid many people will be hurt.

The front sub frame is rusted and the vehicle is unsafe to drive.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. While driving 50 mph, the vehicle was unstable and there was loss of steering control. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer (arlington heights Ford located at 801 w dundee rd arlington heights, IL 60004, 888 481-8607) where it was diagnosed that the subframe was cracked. The vehicle was repaired with a brace. Two months later, the vehicle was towed to a local dealer (fox Ford Lincoln located at 2501 n elston Ave chicago, IL 60647 773-687-7800) where it was diagnosed that the subframe was fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened case numbers: casdash12577845 and cas12593478. The failure mileage was 96,000.

While driving, the front right tire felt like it was going to fall off the vehicle. I took it to my mechanic who stated that the sub-frame was cracked and Ford had a recall in place. I had it towed to the nearest Ford dealership who stated that it would be covered under the recall. Instead, they put a cross-bar on the cracked sub frame because they determined it was "not broken" only "cracked". The sub frame had "rusted and corroded" due to Ford's own admittance of "faulty parts". I asked if the vehicle was safe and they stated "no". I asked if the vehicle would pass inspection and again they stated "no". I asked if this was a "bandaid" that they put on to make themselves feel better about the fact that anyone operating the vehicle could lose total control. I asked to speak to a manager, who told me there was nothing he could do. He did state he would makes some calls and called me a day or two later to say, that his manager said if I wanted the vehicle fixed, I could pay $1,200 for the part and an additional $600-$800 in labor to fix the vehicle, or I could trade it in. I am beyond frustrated that Ford will not back up their product. The vehicle has less than 65,000 miles on it!.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. While driving approximately 20 mph and turning right, the vehicle made a clunking sound. The contact had to turn the wheel to the left in order to drive straight. When slowing down to approximately 5 mph, the vehicle made a clunking noise from the front passenger side. The contact exited the vehicle and discovered that the passenger side wheel was slightly detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed, but was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

Tl-the contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at a high speed, the vehicle veered to the right as the vehicle failed to remain in position. The contact had to steer the vehicle in excess in order to keep the vehicle in position. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who repaired the vehicle under NHTSA campaign number: 14v165000 (structure) however, the local dealer stated that there was corrosion around where the attachment area was and that the sub frame needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 109,000. Oo.

My wife owns a 2003 Ford Escape. While driving it down the road she noticed the steering was getting uncontrollable. She pulled the car off the road and called aaa for a tow. The car was towed to midas where we usually have our work done on our vehicles. Midas looked at the car while still on the tow truck. They said that it should be covered by the recall on the car. Midas called waikem Ford and was told to tell us to bring it there. We had the tow truck driver take it there. This was on 11/05/15. I was called on 11/6 and told they would not be able to look at the car that day and Monday 11/9 they would look at it. This was in a message to my phone. Monday I received another message from a guy named craig that he had taken pictures of the problem and sent it to Ford motor company. That was all the message said. Tuesday I received a message from craig that the car was done and we could pick it up anytime. I took my wife over to get the car and she drove it home which is three blocks away. She didn't notice anything wrong do to the short trip and slow speed. Saturday 11/14 she took the car out and once again the steering felt uncontrollable. I went over to waikem Ford and ask why the car wasn't fixed. I was told that Ford motor company had denied the fix on the car. Cross brace was installed which is what they do on the recall. How ever the frame rusted out where the control arms attach and the cross brace did nothing. The car was released to us without being told that the problem wasn't fixed. We were not told Ford motor company had rejected the request for repair. This is a known defect in the car, and Ford should have authorized the fix. Ford motor companies decision along with waikem Ford releasing that car to us put my wife and the public in danger.

Steering lose with little control. Mechanic states a separation of the lower control arm due to excessive corrosion in frame. Matches Ford recall 14s02. Yet recall was performed June 2014. So safety recall failed.

When pulling out of my parking spot my car steering itself sharply. I pulled the wheel back to straight. As I was doing this, I heard a crack. I have been hearing similar cracks in the past months when I go over bumps at slow speeds. I came upon recall #14s02. I brought my car to apple Ford in apple valley, mn to get my brace installed. My tech said the cars sub frame failed inspection. The frame was so bad you could stick a pen though it. He submitted photos to Ford motor company to get a new frame approved. Ford denied the repair as the sub frame is not broken all the way through. This fix is on the customer for $2200. I cannot pay that. I asked, since my frame was so bad if it was safe? it was recommended I stay off the highway, or stay under 60 mph. This is not a solution. I don't feel safe in my car anymore. I understand that Ford is only legally liable for the solution they came up with as a fix that the NHTSA approves. That is the brace only. Please look into making Ford replace significant corrosion to the frame instead of a complete break. I should be able to drive as normal with this recall fix. Now, I have a car that I want to get rid of. Who will want to buy this car for what it would have been worth if it was 100% road worthy? please take another look at this recall. I have repair documents and my Ford technician says he will be happy to speak with anyone who needs his input. He was very surprised the repair was denied due to the poor condition.

My daughter was driving at a slow rate of speed and the front wheel fell off the truck. There had been a recall on this part and we had the service completed. Ford added a cross member to the part as the parts were rusting. This was done within the year. The truck is now at a Ford dealership and the Ford motor company refuses to pay for the repair. I am grateful that my daughter was not hurt however this is the second time this wheel has fallen off. A year earlier during a service visit a Ford certified mechanic forgot to put a bolt back on. That dealership did pay to have the truck repaired and apologized. Again it was fortunate that my daughter was not hurt.

A recall on our Ford Escape was performed last August. The recall was for rusted frame/cradle area that holds front suspension together. At the time of the recall I informed the dealer that the cradle was weak and very rusty over and above any other rust on car. The dealer installed a brace between the two rails of the frame and told me that was the extent of the recall. The other day while driving the cradle gave out and the engine,the steering gear dropped down a few inches rendering the car undriveable. I was able to maintain control and get it to the dealership. I was told they are only resposible for the brace not the weak cradle. I guess my question is how can this recall stop anyone from a wreck or damage when the entire cradle is affected by this problem. This recall had to be approved by someone im sure. This brace will not stop a car from being out of control at any givin time as the cradle rot will affect a lot more than just the lower control arm area. I understand its an old car but Ford knows there is a serious rust issue with this part. If Ford and the NHTSA feel this bandaid repair is good enough for safety of my family then I have my doubt on whether there is anyone in either organization that knows anything about a car or safety at all.

Had my 2003 Escape in to the dealer for a wheel bearing problem, while it was in the shop they did the open recall 14s02 sub frame brace installation. Drove the car 2 times. The wife decided to drive to the store on a 3rd time and called me to say car was pulling hard to the passenger side. After getting the car home I remove the passenger front tire thinking that we had a sticking brake caliper and could see right away that the sub frame had ripped apart right where the lower control arm bolts up. After more investigation and many photos it appears to me that the bolt that was used to install the brace per the recall has cause the upper part of the frame to rip apart from the lower part (split it open) there is significant rust on the frame but this really looks like the bandaid caused a bigger problem. I called the dealer, they said to call Ford, I called Ford they said take it back to the dealer and they would evaluate it. But after reading comments here I decided against that and will probably just haul it to scrap yard. What a waste !.

Vehicle went in for control arm brace recall in 2014 due to poor metzl used on the subframe, March of 2015 it failed leaving limited control of steering, Ford was contacted and stated that they are only responsible for the control arm recall and to contact the dealer. They said they did what they were told to do and the rotted subframe was not a part of the recall. Ford needs to recall the subframe part before someone gets seriously injured or killed.

Daughter driving her vehicle home from work noticed severe vibration in front of vehicle and gradual loss of control of steering. Following day, vehicle brought to repair shop for inspection. Discovered that right lower control arm broken. Discovered that there was a massive recall for exact issue. Remedy said to be support brace/cross member. Vehicle brought to Ford dealership for repair. Recall device installed, however, dealership failed to advise vehicle owner of rotting sub frame in right front of vehicle. Inspected by independent auto shop after install and severe rotting and structural defects found in right front sub frame. Support brace supplied by recall essentially useless as it bolts in to rotting sub frame. Independent shop advises that vehicle is unsafe to drive for both occupants and other drivers due to serious likelihood of loss of control. Note that there are multiple complaints on same issue. Also note that a significant number, (over 50%), of these complaints reveal severe rotting and structural failure to right front sub frame. Contacted Ford about sub frame issues and concerns and was referred back to Ford dealership. Advised to express concerns over workmanship! Ford dealership installed the replacement cross member just fine. But they bolted it to a rusted defected sub frame!! come on people. Do we have to wait until some young unsuspecting mother with a car load of kids loses control of her vehicle and hits a tree, or a pole, or oncoming traffic before the real issue is addressed? I can only imagine the lawsuits!! certainly have enough people for a class action.

While backing out of drive felt an unusual tug of steering wheel, and steering wheel was rotated approx. 30 degrees. Drove it to repair shop where they discovered the lower control arm had rusted away from the subframe mount and the subframe was significantly rusted. Also was notified of safety recall 14s02. Made appointment and slowly drove vehicle to Ford dealership to have recall addressed. Dealership replaced only sub frame crossbrace as directed by Ford motor CO. Subframe is still rusted in other areas surrounding newly installed crossbrace and unsafe to drive. Dealership wanted over $2000 to replace subframe.

The front passenger side lower control arm failed while my son was driving the vehicle. He was going straight, and the right front side just buckled under while he was in motion. Luckily he wasn't on a heavily-travelled road when it happened, because there would have been a serious accident. The vehicle, although it is a 2003 Ford Escape, is not part of recall #14s02. Why, I don't know? no one at Ford can explain this to me, as it is exactly what has been happening with this make and model/year. We had it repaired at great cost to us, with exactly the parts/labor that Ford had been describing in the recall. Our mechanic even got the replacement crossmember from Ford! Ford themselves wanted nothing to do with the repair. In addition to the lower control arm, and crossmember, the tire had to be replaced, along with the right front axle assembly, as they were severely damaged from the frame failure. I would really like an answer as to why my vehicle is not included in the recall, when the recall describes exactly what has happened to my vehicle.

Tl- the contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact had received NHTSA campaign:14v165000. The contact had taken the vehicle to the dealer to service the vehicle under the recall. The mechanic were to install a newly designed reinforcement cross-brace which was performed,however,the mechanic could not complete a front end alignment because there was an excessive amount of corrosion present. The front end alignment was an enforced procedure per the manufacturer which was included in the remedy for the recall. The manufacturer was notified of the problem and they informed the contact that there was nothing they would do. The contact had not experienced the failure,however,the steering was now affected due to the recall. Gb.

At a slow speed, steering all of the sudden became erratic. It could not be driven, so my local dealer took a look at it. He is a certified Ford mechanic. He said the subframe was damaged and it was directly related to the recall #14s02 which is for a crossbar to the subframe due to a potential loss of steering. We had to have it towed to the only Ford dealership in our area, oneonta Ford. The put the crossbar in and performed only the specific recall work. They are telling me now that it still cannot be driven as the subframe is damaged. This is directly related to the issue and the recall. I don't feel I should have to pay for this. Oneonta Ford is not doing the right thing.

Driving vehicle and heard a loud pop and sudden loss of steering. Limped the vehicle home and took to dealer who contacted Ford for further instructions. They installed a cross brace that does not fix the problem. Ford will not do anything to the subframe because it has not fully detached. There is no steering control at all over 15mph and in their eyes it is safe to drive. Service manager at the local dealership drove the vehicle and experienced for himself that there is no control over the vehicle. The recall has not fixed the problem at all.

The enclosed form with the things fixed should help. I was turning and the wheel almost fell off. I was in the parking lot so nothing was hit or hurt.

I am writing about a recall for my Ford Escape. This recall included the front control arms and the subframe. They were being recalled for corosion on the control arms and if separated from the subframe it could cause significant steering loss and loss of control of the car and increasing chance of an accident. I took my car in for the recall fix, they installed a reenforcement part and sent me on my way. After this, slowly, my steering wheel started becoming cock-eyed. After driving it like that for a few days,I noticed that after I take a left turn the car would jerk as the steering wheel straightened. I immediately called the Ford dealer that fixed the recall, since the recall clearly stated that it could lose steering control and asked them to look at it again, thinking that he recall was not fixed properly or something else to do with the recall is failing. They looked at it and said that the subframe is coroded and it has nothing to do with the recall. And that it would cost 1800 dollars to fix. I asked why it wasnt included in the recall since the steering is effected, they said that the subframe wasnt included. I have read several documents about this recall and several of them state that the subframe is included. So I called Ford customer care, they stated that the recall only included the subframe if the control arm separated from it before the recall was fixed not after. I think this is so unfair, since clearly the subframe was coroded when they did the recall fix. They had to have seen that, just because it wasn't separated at the time doesn't mean it shouldn't be included. Anyway, I ended up taking it to my own mechanic who can fix it for alot less, but it is still costing me 1400 dollars!! I can't afford it, can something be done about this, I think it should be fixed for free, and that the sub frame should be included. Please help, thanks. Recall 14s02.

Hi, I took my 2003 Ford Escape into the dealership to have a recall fixed and since the repair the vehicle has gotten worse, the recall was for a steering stabilizer and my steering has gotten more wobbly. . . . I have emaile both the dealership and the company and so far nothing and that has been since the beginning of June. Thank you.

Ii have taken my car to a Ford dealer three weeks ago and they had to order the part. I'm still waiting for them to call me for my repairs. Mike castrucci st. Rt. 28 milford,ohio45150.

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact stated that she received NHTSA recall campaign notice 14v165000 (steering) in may 2014 and attempted to have the vehicle repaired but the parts were unavailable. The manufacturer was notified of the delay. There were no failures at this time.

I cant remember I just remember my head lights going out and I tried to control my car and couldn't.

While that vehicle was being operated; decelerating from about 35 mph, a very loud pop noise was heard and the front passenger side became unstable and steering became unreliable. Vehicle was stopped immediately. Upon initial inspection is appears that the wheel became partially detached from vehicle. After a thorough inspection is appears that the rear mounting bolt of the front passenger side control arm had detached from the sub-frame. This part of the sub-frame show excessive corrosion which led to the failure of the control arm mounting point. As a result of the failure the vehicle lost all ability to maintain effective stability. Luckily the vehicle was already decelerating and being operated on a roadway that had sufficient room to make corrective measure otherwise the outcome of this failure easily could have been catastrophic and fatal. The vehicle has less than 100,000 miles. The body and other parts of the frame do not have significant amounts of rust.

On may 2 2013, my daughter lost the ability to steer the vehicle while driving at 35 mph on a busy city street. The vehicle made a left turn in front of oncoming traffic and eventually came to a stop in the entrance driveway of a fast food restaurant. It was towed to the local Ford dealership, where it was determined that the subframe had failed due to corrossion which caused the right front passenger tire to become partially detached from the vehicle. It appears the failure may be related to the vehicle air conditioning discharging condensate on the affected part. The Ford dealer advised they had seen 1 other vehicle recently with the same issue. I have asked for a factory representative to investigate the failure but so far my request has not been honored.

2003 Ford Escape . Subframe rotted and control arm came off. Left passenger.

Left work and driving on a back road at 15 mph and was approaching a stop sign, applied the brakes and heard a loud snap/pop. The right side of the vehicle instantly slammed down/dropped to the road; steering locked; I had no control over the vehicle; slid a few feet and stopped. The passanger tire was pinned between the ground and the vehicle. The axle was hanging and the sub frame was visible. It was clear that the subframe had literally snapped at a weld joint without warning. Weld joint snapped on subframe. This vehicle is only 9yrs w/70k miles and mostly garaged; a major safety concern. This would have worse at high rate of speed, if not fatal. Vehicle then towed to a Ford dealership. I requested to have a Ford rep review the case. The dealership told me I had to call Ford. After calling, they then told me I had to request this through the dealership, but gave me a case number. The dealership then informed me that Ford were not interested in reviewing the vehicle and wouldn¿t do anything and that I had call Ford. I called Ford back who escalated my case and an acct mgr called me back who explained there was nothing they could do at this time. Over 1100 in repairs are required due to a faulty frame. I asked repeatedly that this particular subframe failure be investigated as a quality/mfg problem and I requested an investigation and informed the company of several other cases that log the same ¿exact� description and failure of the subframe. The company told me "keep my receipt". I stressed my dissatisfaction with how this was handled, but nothing could be done at this time. Ford should at a min. Issue a service bulletin to have the sub frame inspected to all of the Escape owners, so failures can be avoided before they happen. This is from a very dissatisfied customer and will choose no longer to purchase any Ford products, based on this experience.

The vehicle was being operated on city streets. As the vehicle approached a stop sign the brakes were applied, a loud crash and screech was heard as the vehicle fell to the ground and tire was dragged along. The front passenger side control arm has come detached from the vehicle because the front sub-frame had failed. The vehicle had to be towed to the shop. The failure was reported to be caused by corrosion. The vehicle only has 94,160 miles on it.

My wifes has a 2003 Ford Escape. We were driving luckily at a low speed when we heard a pop in the passenger front end and lost control of steering. The subframe on passenger side control arm popped and subframe is rotted. This should not happen to a vehicle that is only 10 years old. I saw that NHTSA did an investigation that deemed 2003 windstars unsafe do to the same exact problem safety recall notice 11s16. My wife is pregnant and if she was driving any faster and this had happened Ford company could have put my wife and our baby in danger. I do not feel that I should have to pay for repairs on this vehicle when the same year vehicles have issues with them. My next contact is my lawyers office because if this would have happened to my wife the day before when we were on the freeway Ford would be responsible for knowing other vehicles in the same year had the exact same issue. I do not want to see other people in danger and Ford needs to step up and take responsibility for there vehicle defects.