2003 Ford Escape Tires Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 3%of 558 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 22,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the tires of the 2003 Ford Escape, 3% of the 558 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 22,000 miles. 2 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.
“My 2003 Ford Escape had only 1500 miles on it when the drivers side rear tire blew out on the freeway. I was able to control the car to come to a stop. The continental tire blew out the side.”
NHTSA complaint #10045793, filed 2003-11, 1,400 miles“Driving on interstate at 70 MPH, back tire blew out, car spun, lost control, rolled x 2. Car landed on roof. Driver had miner injuries, cuts, bruises, transported to hospital by ambulance, released from e.d. In 2 hours.car is total loss. Tires all with minimal wear, lots of tread, warratied for 60,000 miles, this tire failed at 30,000 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #10430718, filed 2011-10, 122,000 miles“While driving 55 MPH a loud noise was heard coming from the passenger side. The rear passenger side tire blew out. The consumer was able to pull over and change the tire with a spare tire. Continental, size p235/70r16. The consumer was told the tire incident was due to a road hazard, however the consumer disagreed.”
NHTSA complaint #10065271, filed 2004-05, 28,149 miles“While driving the left rear tire tread separated and the tire blew out. The driver was able to drive the vehicle off the road. The tire was original equipment (tire size p235.70r16) . Dealer notified and informed consumer that the cause was undetermined. The vehicle brakes and rotors failed which caused noise while braking.”
NHTSA complaint #10037870, filed 2003-10, 22,000 miles“Right rear passenger tire failed on 2003 Ford Escape. Tires in question are firestone destination le, (DOT vn08, 0107) just days and one year after purchase new. After tire failure vehicle one veered violently into left lane of the two lane interstate highway and vehicle two collided with vehicle one sending vehicle one skidding on its drivers side before coming to a rest on the right breakdown lane. Total time when vehicle one noticed a noise to end of incident was less than 1 minute. …”
NHTSA complaint #10232139, filed 2008-06, 65,000 milesTires: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2 | 1% |
| 2020 | 7 | 0% |
| 2019 | 11 | 2% |
| 2018 | 2 | 0% |
| 2017 | 6 | 0% |
| 2016 | 2 | 0% |
| 2015 | 5 | 0% |
| 2014 | 12 | 1% |
| 2013 | 8 | 0% |
| 2012 | 1 | 0% |
| 2011 | 3 | 0% |
| 2010 | 2 | 0% |
| 2009 | 1 | 0% |
| 2008 | 25 | 1% |
| 2007 | 8 | 3% |
| 2006 | 4 | 1% |
| 2005 | 7 | 1% |
| 2004 | 3 | 1% |
| 2003 | 17 | 3% |
| 2002 | 12 | 1% |
| 2001 | 37 | 4% |
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 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 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