2003 Ford Escort Problems
- Complaints
- 10filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 18,785miles, 8 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 25 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 23 city / 28 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Ford Escort (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 10 consumer complaints for the 2003 Ford Escort. The part named most often is brakes, with 2 complaints (20% of the total), followed by engine cooling (2) and vehicle speed control (2). 8 of the complaints include a mileage, and 75% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 18,785 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 2 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Brakes2 20%
- Engine cooling2 20%
- Air bags1 10%
- Body and structure1 10%
- Suspension1 10%
- Tires1 10%
Example complaints
Brakes: “The contact stated while the vehicle was stopped with the engine running, the idle was rough. There was also a rumbling noise coming from the front right of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a service dealer, where the dealer determined that the vibration was due to the way the engine mounts and brackets were installed, and that some vibration was inherent to the design of the vehicle. The consumer also stated there was a clicking sound when the brake pedal was applied while in reverse. The heater core was replaced due to it leaking. The front pads were replaced. Updated 12/05/06.”
NHTSA complaint #10173398, filed 2006-11, 23,600 milesEngine cooling: “The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escort. The contact stated the oil dip stick fractured when attempting to check the oil level. An authorized dealer stated the defect was a common problem with that model year vehicle. The dip stick was not replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 85,000. Updated 01/05/12 updated 01/12/12”
NHTSA complaint #10437947, filed 2011-12, 85,000 milesVehicle speed control: “Dt: the caller says vehicle vibrates when it is in idle. Also when vehicle is at a stop light or signs the steering wheel shakes uncontrollably. This happened for the last 6 months and it became worse. Dealer said there was nothing they could do to fix it. The manufacturer said it was a characteristic of the vehicle, and it could not be fixed.”
NHTSA complaint #10134201, filed 2005-08, 12,000 milesAir bags: “While driving at 25 MPH consumer's vehicle rear ended another vehicle, and the air bags did not deploy. Driver sustained minor injuries. Manufacturer had not been contacted.”
NHTSA complaint #10089490, filed 2004-08, 12,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
75% of the 8 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 12,000 and 30,724 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2003 Ford Escort version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Escort ZX2 FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 23 | 28 | 25 | $2,700 |
| Escort ZX2 FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 23 | 30 | 25 | $2,700 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2003 Ford Escort in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 2 on record; the latest 2 are shown.
- 10019076Jan 1, 2006Engine cooling. Replace timing belt idler pulley during 2.0l zetec engine cylinder head replacement - service tip.
- 10013060Oct 14, 2002Equipment. Climate control a/c service tech tips.
Other model years of the Ford Escort
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 10 | 18,785 | 0 | — | 25 | — | Not enough data |
| 2002 | 33 | 51,600 | 0 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2001 | 68 | 40,600 | 0 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2000 | 98 | 57,810 | 1 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 325 | 67,856 | 1 | — | 25 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 375 | 75,000 | 0 | — | 25 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1997 | 543 | 78,000 | 1 | — | 28 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 1996 | 205 | 86,000 | 0 | — | 25 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1995 | 576 | 99,650 | 4 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 279 | 82,937 | 1 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 379 | 82,170 | 1 | — | 25 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1992 | 162 | 111,000 | 2 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 1991 | 327 | 128,375 | 3 | — | 25 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1990 | 101 | 79,893 | 2 | — | 27 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1989 | 152 | 100,000 | 1 | — | 27 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1988 | 143 | 67,000 | 2 | — | 28 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1987 | 56 | — | 3 | — | 28 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1986 | 45 | 80,150 | 2 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1985 | 26 | 75,000 | 3 | — | 26 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1984 | 21 | 5,000 | 3 | — | 25 | — | Stable |
| 1983 | 7 | — | 5 | — | — | — | Not enough data |
All Ford Escort model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 Ford Escort have?
NHTSA recorded 10 consumer complaints for the 2003 Ford Escort as of Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2003 Ford Escort is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 2 complaints (20% of the total), followed by engine cooling with 2.
Has the 2003 Ford Escort been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Ford Escort get?
The EPA rates the 2003 Ford Escort (Escort ZX2, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 25 mpg combined, 23 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,700 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2003 Ford Escort reported?
Among the 8 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 18,785 miles and the middle half falls between 12,000 and 30,724 miles; 75% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
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. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.