2003 Ford Escape Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 90about this part
- Share
- 16%of 558 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 120,831miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 90 complaints about the suspension of the 2003 Ford Escape, 16% of the 558 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 120,831 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 has 124,000 miles on it. Luckily nobody was hurt, but I can't believe the frame of n SUV could break so easily.”
NHTSA complaint #11331652, filed 2020-06, 124,000 miles“Recall #14s02 (NHTSA campaign # 14v165000) covered replacement of lower control arm & ballpoint for every nearby state, but not virginia. Both lower control arms on my vehicle are corroded and in need of replacement, but there is no open recall for my VIN because 14s02 did not include virginia. Driving vehicle with corroded control arms is deemed dangerous, but costs of replacing approach vehicle value.”
NHTSA complaint #11385460, filed 2020-12, 106,500 miles“I was driving along a highway getting ready to turn when the frame broke and I was barely able to get off the road when it stopped because I found out later the frame that kept the c v joint in place came apart and my tire twisted into the wheel well. The recall that was to keep this from happening had been performed but the repair did not keep this from happening to my vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10783183, filed 2015-10, 148,000 miles“In may of 2016, I took my Ford Escape in for repair of a recall. My understanding of the recall was to prevent a failure of the lower control arm as I read the recall notice and the conversation that I had with repair center agent. A month later the lower control arm separates. After I had my vehicle towed to Ford, it was expressed to me that recall was not to prevent failure but merely to stabilize the vehicle in the event of failure. …”
NHTSA complaint #10875236, filed 2016-06, 145,000 miles“I was driving my car out of my driveway and the steering wheel turned off center making it difficult to correctly steer the car. I took it to a mechanic and was told the sub frame rusted and cracked in half.”
NHTSA complaint #11230234, filed 2019-07, 123,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10205036Apr 21, 2016Safety recall 14S02 - Corrosion at forward attachment of lower control arm - requests for recall service action
- 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…
- 10056443Aug 11, 2014Ford: the lower control arm (lca) forward attachment will separate from subframe, causing diminishing directional control, due to operating in high corrosion areas for extended…
Suspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 5 | 2% |
| 2021 | 7 | 2% |
| 2020 | 9 | 1% |
| 2019 | 3 | 1% |
| 2018 | 11 | 1% |
| 2017 | 8 | 0% |
| 2016 | 7 | 1% |
| 2015 | 13 | 1% |
| 2014 | 18 | 1% |
| 2013 | 27 | 1% |
| 2012 | 12 | 2% |
| 2011 | 32 | 2% |
| 2010 | 34 | 2% |
| 2009 | 19 | 1% |
| 2008 | 31 | 2% |
| 2007 | 19 | 7% |
| 2006 | 65 | 14% |
| 2005 | 459 | 33% |
| 2004 | 154 | 31% |
| 2003 | 90 | 16% |
| 2002 | 80 | 8% |
| 2001 | 42 | 4% |
Other parts of the 2003 Ford Escape
121 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 28, 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