2003 Ford Escape Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 1%of 558 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 90,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the visibility of the 2003 Ford Escape, 1% of the 558 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,000 miles.
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.
“Just as I parked my 2003 Ford Escape in my driveway, I heard a huge crashing sound. The back window had exploded. I called Ford company of canada. While, acknowledging that it was a defect and a recurring problem, they would not cover the cost of repair ($360) since the vehicle was out of warranty. The man who fixed the windshield told me that the back window exploding has been an ongoing issue with the Ford Escape--- more than any other car/truck/SUV on the road today. Why hasn't there been a recall?”
NHTSA complaint #10300015, filed 2010-01, 90,000 miles“Sitting in vehicle in grocery store parking lot and heard loud pop sound. I noticed the rear window had shattered. I later concluded that the rear window shocks had exploded and shattered the rear window.”
NHTSA complaint #10127344, filed 2005-07, 260,000 miles“I was in my driveway after running errands and decided to wash pollen off car. Driver's side door was open, so I just sprinkled water on the car and when it hit the sunroof, I heard a pop. Looking at top of sunroof I saw nothing unusual. When I opened the inside roof, I saw the glass was all splintered. As I closed the driver's door, the glass all fell onto the inside roof. Guy at Ford told me I must've had a crack in the sunroof & when the water hit, it shattered. My windshield did have a crack in it, and that didn't shatter so that blows that theory! 70 degrees that day.”
NHTSA complaint #10192717, filed 2007-06, 76,990 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10014062Dec 13, 2004Rear window defroster grid/integral antenna diagnosis and repair - terminal tab repair.
- 10011159Aug 9, 2004Rear window defroster grid/integral antenna diagnosis and repair - terminal tab repair.
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 4% |
| 2024 | 1 | 1% |
| 2023 | 3 | 3% |
| 2022 | 4 | 2% |
| 2021 | 26 | 7% |
| 2020 | 71 | 4% |
| 2019 | 3 | 1% |
| 2018 | 13 | 1% |
| 2017 | 15 | 1% |
| 2016 | 20 | 2% |
| 2015 | 21 | 2% |
| 2014 | 27 | 1% |
| 2013 | 38 | 1% |
| 2012 | 20 | 3% |
| 2011 | 45 | 3% |
| 2010 | 90 | 4% |
| 2009 | 13 | 1% |
| 2008 | 29 | 1% |
| 2007 | 11 | 4% |
| 2006 | 21 | 5% |
| 2005 | 37 | 3% |
| 2004 | 16 | 3% |
| 2003 | 5 | 1% |
| 2002 | 34 | 3% |
| 2001 | 36 | 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 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 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