2003 Ford Escape Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 14about this part
- Share
- 3%of 558 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 90,375miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 14 complaints about the fuel system of the 2003 Ford Escape, 3% of the 558 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,375 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Vehicle stalls or will not start as described in Ford recall number 04s13. I have replaced multiple parts including fuel pump, gas cap, fuel filter,etc. And now I found that there was a problem with the PCM programming on this vehicle. I purchased this truck used and do not know if this was serviced. This is a dangerous problem as stalling can cause an accident.”
NHTSA complaint #10701874, filed 2015-03, 103,500 miles“I have a 2003 Ford Escape which had accelerator cable replaced under a recall from Ford in approximately 2005. I am having the same problems that caused the recall, which is not coming back to idle speed and actually sticking wide open on one occasion. Ford motor company refuses to replace this at their cost, so am doing this at my own expense, obviously sooner than later.”
NHTSA complaint #10260591, filed 2009-03, 93,000 miles“I began merging onto I 820 when my vehicle (by itself) floored the accelerator. I tried pressing the brake (it wouldnt press down, it was hard as a rock). I used both feet to no avail. At 75-80 MPH I jammed it into neutral. The RPM's were still at max. By this time it had slowed (I was on the shoulder of the hiway) to about 20 MPH, then jammed it in park. I looked at the instrument panel and all the instruments were on 0. I hesitated then gave the car some gas, it was still running! I couldnt even hear the engine until I revved it. I proceeded to turn off the ignition. The car did turn off. …”
NHTSA complaint #10892814, filed 2016-08, 182,060 miles“My 2003 Ford Escape which I purchased in april of 2003 caught fire in the engine due to a defect in the fuel injectors. Within 20 minutes the entire front end of the car was engulfed in flames and destroyed. The flames also penetrated through the fire wall within little time. I am currently working with my insurance company as the car is a total loss. At this time I have had no response to my calls to Ford regarding this extreme malfunction.”
NHTSA complaint #10070811, filed 2004-01, 5,600 miles“On many occasions, the engine has stalled while at a stop or going about 10 MPH. Two times the engine has stalled on the freeway going over 60 MPH, causing my car to be side swiped and stranded on the side of the freeway.”
NHTSA complaint #11051042, filed 2017-11, 108,000 milesFuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 8% |
| 2024 | 5 | 7% |
| 2023 | 7 | 7% |
| 2022 | 87 | 37% |
| 2021 | 75 | 21% |
| 2020 | 199 | 12% |
| 2019 | 26 | 4% |
| 2018 | 57 | 3% |
| 2017 | 94 | 3% |
| 2016 | 71 | 6% |
| 2015 | 57 | 5% |
| 2014 | 137 | 7% |
| 2013 | 287 | 10% |
| 2012 | 160 | 26% |
| 2011 | 284 | 22% |
| 2010 | 507 | 24% |
| 2009 | 203 | 12% |
| 2008 | 60 | 3% |
| 2007 | 23 | 9% |
| 2006 | 36 | 8% |
| 2005 | 62 | 4% |
| 2004 | 17 | 3% |
| 2003 | 14 | 3% |
| 2002 | 37 | 4% |
| 2001 | 55 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2003 Ford Escape
121 complaintsSuspension
90 complaintsVehicle speed control
90 complaintsAir bags
60 complaintsBrakes
57 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
55 complaintsEngine cooling
47 complaintsSteering
44 complaintsElectrical system
39 complaintsEngine
24 complaintsOther or unknown
24 complaintsTires
17 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Ford Escape
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology