Model Year Problem Record
The complete public record for the 2003 Ford Escape: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.
Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.
The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.
123 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 14V165000.
92 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
91 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 04V574000, 12V353000.
73 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
65 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 07V156000.
62 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
55 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 04V165000, 15V606000.
44 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
39 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
23 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
17 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
15 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
12 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
7 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 04V602000.
6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.
Power Train. Recall covering the power train system, reported to NHTSA on April 6, 2004. The campaign covers an estimated 321,903 vehicles across all affected models.
Vehicle Speed Control. Recall covering the vehicle speed control system, reported to NHTSA on December 7, 2004. The campaign covers an estimated 470,245 vehicles across all affected models.
Latches, Locks and Linkages. Recall covering the latches, locks and linkages system, reported to NHTSA on December 20, 2004. The campaign covers an estimated 262,113 vehicles across all affected models.
Brakes. Recall covering the brakes system, reported to NHTSA on April 10, 2007. The campaign covers an estimated 446,460 vehicles across all affected models.
Vehicle Speed Control. Recall covering the vehicle speed control system, reported to NHTSA on July 26, 2012. The campaign covers an estimated 529,719 vehicles across all affected models.
Vehicle Structure. Recall covering the vehicle structure system, reported to NHTSA on April 2, 2014. The campaign covers an estimated 348,950 vehicles across all affected models.
Power Train. Recall covering the power train system, reported to NHTSA on September 29, 2015. The campaign covers an estimated 57 vehicles across all affected models.
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.
Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
Cruise Control Cable. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
Cruise Control Cable. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
Cruise Control Cable. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
Cruise Control Cable. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
Cruise Control Cable. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
Cruise Control Cable. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
Engine Compartment Fire. Resulted in recall campaign 12V005000.
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. Resulted in recall campaign 07V156000.
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. Resulted in recall campaign 07V156000.
Stuck Throttle. Resulted in recall campaign 12V353000.
Stuck Throttle. Resulted in recall campaign 12V353000.
Stuck Throttle. Resulted in recall campaign 12V353000.
ENGINE STALLING. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.
Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.