2003 Ford Escape Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 55about this part
- Share
- 10%of 558 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 69,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 55 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Ford Escape, 10% of the 558 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 69,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I have a 2003 Ford Escape and I have had to replace 2 of the shifter cables. The cables to allow the truck to go from prnd12.on the dashboard if the black bold square isn't around the p when I turn off the truck then I cannot take my key out of the ignition when parked.I do not want the vehicle to keep moving .”
NHTSA complaint #11394382, filed 2021-02, 194,000 miles“Driving down the interstate coming from georgia, it would downshift suddenly without warning. I have not been able to drive it in about 4 months.I thought I had everything repaired, then my truck stopped pulling in drive at a red light. My safety neutral switch is brand new and the position sensor. 10/12/2020 when problem arose after replacing sensors 02/09/2021 any ideas why it is doing this?”
NHTSA complaint #11398303, filed 2021-02, 150,000 miles“Vehicle moved forward when in reverse gear when I was trying to back up at work. I had to have people at work come help me pull the vehicle backwards to avoid crashing into the wall. It still only goes forward, even in reverse gear. It is not safe to drive!!!”
NHTSA complaint #11353342, filed 2020-09, 140,000 miles“While driving on an expressway, my car suddenly would not engage and I had to coast off the exit ramp, getting stuck at the top of the ramp. The car would not go into gear, and I had to be pushed off the ramp and into a parking lot. This was at 5pm on a weekday, and had someone not come to help me push the car out of the way, it could have been a major accident.”
NHTSA complaint #10400859, filed 2011-05, 45,000 miles“Ford Escape 2003 80 000 miles and transmission will not go in reverse and now slips and makes noise in all gears. Only Ford I've ever owned....might be the last unless this is resolved to my satisfaction. No specific event to determine why tranny is going..seems like thousands of other Escape owners have the same problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10254392, filed 2009-01, 80,000 milesRelated recalls
- 15V606000Sep 29, 2015Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1…Covers: Ford Escape 2001–2008, Mercury Mariner 2001–2008
- 04V165000Apr 6, 2004On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with 3.0l v6 engines, during deceleration, the engine can stall.Covers: Ford Escape 2001–2003
Related service bulletins
- 10014086Dec 13, 2004General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures.
- 10013406Nov 29, 2004Wheel speed sensor removal tip.
- 10013369Nov 1, 2004General power train control module (pcm) programming procedures.
- 10011344Sep 1, 2004A final drive whine at 25-45 mph (40-72 km/h).
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 12% |
| 2024 | 2 | 3% |
| 2023 | 25 | 25% |
| 2022 | 31 | 13% |
| 2021 | 46 | 13% |
| 2020 | 243 | 15% |
| 2019 | 128 | 21% |
| 2018 | 276 | 15% |
| 2017 | 391 | 14% |
| 2016 | 321 | 27% |
| 2015 | 287 | 25% |
| 2014 | 481 | 23% |
| 2013 | 401 | 15% |
| 2012 | 66 | 11% |
| 2011 | 268 | 20% |
| 2010 | 508 | 25% |
| 2009 | 301 | 18% |
| 2008 | 329 | 17% |
| 2007 | 44 | 17% |
| 2006 | 80 | 17% |
| 2005 | 117 | 8% |
| 2004 | 27 | 5% |
| 2003 | 55 | 10% |
| 2002 | 105 | 10% |
| 2001 | 128 | 13% |
| 2000 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2003 Ford Escape
121 complaintsSuspension
90 complaintsVehicle speed control
90 complaintsAir bags
60 complaintsBrakes
57 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 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