Two problems related to transmission noise 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.
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.
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.