2003 Ford Escape Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 121about this part
- Share
- 22%of 558 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 109,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 121 complaints about the body and structure of the 2003 Ford Escape, 22% of the 558 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 109,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11099483, filed 2018-06, 56,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10836543, filed 2016-02, 80,000 miles“Last year I returned my vehicle to the dealer for the sub frame recall. I had the new support installed. This year when I went for my annual vehicle inspection I was told to stop driving the vehicle as my subframe was so badly rusted that it could break at any time. Why was the subframe replacement not included in the recall?”
NHTSA complaint #10787498, filed 2015-11, 127,000 miles“The front frame of the car has corroded to the point that the control arm has come loose and the car is not drivable. There is a recall of this specific problem for this make/model/year but I am being told my VIN is not part of this recall. The control arm detached while I was driving. I was not in an accident but was able to pull over. I had the damage asses by a local mechaninc, who informed me of the recall.”
NHTSA complaint #11052706, filed 2017-12, 131,000 miles“My Ford Escape is a 2003 model and was purchased certified used in 2007 by us. Within a year the paint on the roof and rear hatch started peeling. Two years later, it is rusting where the peel is gone and still continuing to peel. We have not had any accidents or inclement weather that caused the damage. I have done research and seen where this is common in fords my vehicle's age.”
NHTSA complaint #10294392, filed 2009-12, 70,000 milesRelated recalls
- 14V165000Apr 2, 2014Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2004 Escape vehicles manufactured October 22, 1999, through January 23, 2004, originally sold…Covers: Ford Escape 2001–2004
Related service bulletins
- 10183772Apr 21, 20162001-2004 Escape vehicles Safety Recall 14S02 has been issued for vehicles that are operated in high corrosion areas for an extended period, where a corrosion-related separation…
- 10014265Dec 27, 2004Serviceability of instrument panel register vents.
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 8% |
| 2024 | 2 | 3% |
| 2023 | 5 | 5% |
| 2022 | 20 | 8% |
| 2021 | 92 | 26% |
| 2020 | 671 | 41% |
| 2019 | 12 | 2% |
| 2018 | 20 | 1% |
| 2017 | 62 | 2% |
| 2016 | 21 | 2% |
| 2015 | 36 | 3% |
| 2014 | 84 | 4% |
| 2013 | 87 | 3% |
| 2012 | 68 | 11% |
| 2011 | 43 | 3% |
| 2010 | 84 | 4% |
| 2009 | 32 | 2% |
| 2008 | 41 | 2% |
| 2007 | 18 | 7% |
| 2006 | 63 | 14% |
| 2005 | 434 | 31% |
| 2004 | 138 | 28% |
| 2003 | 121 | 22% |
| 2002 | 87 | 8% |
| 2001 | 54 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2003 Ford Escape
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 complaintsFuel system
14 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Ford Escape
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 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