2003 Ford Escort Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 20%of 10 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 54,300miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2003 Ford Escort, 20% of the 10 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 54,300 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.
“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 miles“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 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10019076Jan 1, 2006Replace timing belt idler pulley during 2.0l zetec engine cylinder head replacement - service tip.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 2 | 20% |
| 2002 | 11 | 33% |
| 2001 | 12 | 18% |
| 2000 | 21 | 21% |
| 1999 | 62 | 19% |
| 1998 | 49 | 13% |
| 1997 | 66 | 12% |
| 1996 | 30 | 15% |
| 1995 | 54 | 9% |
| 1994 | 30 | 11% |
| 1993 | 33 | 9% |
| 1992 | 15 | 9% |
| 1991 | 17 | 5% |
| 1990 | 12 | 12% |
| 1989 | 22 | 14% |
| 1988 | 21 | 15% |
| 1987 | 12 | 21% |
| 1986 | 9 | 20% |
| 1985 | 5 | 19% |
| 1984 | 5 | 24% |
Other parts of the 2003 Ford Escort
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaintsTires
1 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
1 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Ford Escort
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