2003 Ford Escape Ford Escape 2003

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2003 Ford Escape repairs by problem area

Engine (37%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (5%)

Brakes and Traction Control (9%)

Suspension and Steering (24%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (21%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (2%)

Other (1%)

Chart based on 170 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2003 Ford Escape.

2003 Ford Escape repair cost distribution

$2500+ (3%)

$1000 - $2499 (7%)

$500 - $999 (18%)

$100 - $499 (48%)

< $100 (25%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 141 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2003 Ford Escape

Engine not specified

Ford Escape in British Columbia, Canada
Jul 2008 - Mar 2010
Aug 2008

64480 mi

C $400
2nd alternator in 1 year  
Sep 2008

65100 mi

C $100
Fuel pump,fuel meter sensor. 
Ford Escape in Illinois, United States
Jan 2009 - Mar 2010
Feb 2009

47000 mi
Coil and spark plug replaced. Codes indicated misfiring cylinder #5. Claim this was due to the engine detailing and cleaning resulted in chemical getting into coil and ruining it. Rplaced and works fine.  

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2003 Ford Escape 4dr SUV

201-horsepower 3.0L V6 4-speed automatic FWD

Ford Escape in Michigan, United States
Feb 2013 - Dec 2016
Apr 2013

122200 mi
ball joint 
May 2013

125000 mi

US $150
front right bearing, left & right lower control arm 
Nov 2013

138000 mi

US $40
replaced spark plugs 
Jan 2014

US $350
Fast light off catalyst & two way catalyst replaced  plus #4 & #5 ignition coil replaced 
Jun 2014

150000 mi

US $100
Replaced right front bearing & tie rod 
Apr 2015

166200 mi

US $150
replaced rear wheel bearings 
Aug 2016

195000 mi

US $40
Replaced a/c compressor 
Ford Escape in Nebraska, United States
Apr 2012 - Jun 2016
Sep 2012

134000 mi

US $450
Alternator went out on interstate. Previously replaced in December 2006 and again in November 2007. Cost for 2006 was $700. Alternator was under warranty so cost was $525 for labor. 
Feb 2014

150000 mi

US $283
Front driver brake line failed due to corrosion. Replacing all four brake lines. Also replacing nonworking 12 volt car power outlet. 
Sep 2014

155000 mi

US $336
Tone ring broken on front left axle. At least once daily when I would brake it would almost pulsate the brakes acting like I was on ice or something. Made me feel like I was not going to be able to stop. Replaced left front axle. 
Feb 2015

161000 mi

US $20
Transmission fluid leaking. Seal needed replaced and more transmission fluid added. 
Sep 2015

163000 mi

US $12
SUV was chugging or hesitating while driving. Replaced fuel filter and added a fuel system cleaner. SUV is still hesitating/chugging once in awhile. 
Jan 2016

160700 mi

US $773
Failed fuel injector. Also changing original spark plugs. Oil leaking on to back spark plug as well. All new rubber seals will be put on as applicable. 
Jun 2016

164000 mi
Small transmission fluid leak, needs a new seal. 
Ford Escape in Ontario, Canada
Aug 2012 - Sep 2012
Sep 2012

142600 mi

C $400
Passenger side front Wheel hub was warped. According to the dealership, this has never happened before, to any Escape. 
Ford Escape in New Jersey, United States
May 2014 - Nov 2018
Jun 2014

113000 mi

US $600
put in new bearings, new stabilizers,tie rods replaced 3 rear hard to reach ignition coils, belts while motor was apart, 6 spark plugs,etc. 
Oct 2014

117200 mi

US $150
Replaced fuel pump.Mechanic wanted 350 for parts & labor. Bought fuel pump from Amazon for 150 less. Did replacement myself.Saved 200 on parts & labor 
Jun 2015

121000 mi

US $116
Needed a new battery. Not a big deal. 
Feb 2016

125000 mi

US $60
Brake line ruptured. Replaced both front brake lines myself. Repair shop wanted 290.00. Cost of parts was 60.00. Saved 230.00. Total time was about 75 mins. 
Apr 2017

133600 mi

US $15
Needed to go through inspection. Was getting Airbag Code 47 flashing on dashboard ( common problem ). Took passenger seat out, disconnected yellow harness under said seat and cleaned and used dielectric gel on harness connectors. Bolted seat back in. Problem solved. No more Airbag light or flashing code on dashboard. Cost of Dielectric grease. 12.00. Took about 16 minutes. 
Jul 2017

135000 mi

US $28
Blowing hot air thru aircon. Bought can of Freon and recharged it myself. Took 10 minutes. 
Sep 2017

137312 mi

US $39
Replaced ignition coils #4,#5,#6. AutoZone wanted $73 per coil. I bought all 6 coils online for 40 bucks. Went to three mechanics (just for laughs), and was quoted $311,$350,$365. It took me, and I kid you not, 8 minutes. 8 MINUTES!!! Then I changed the oil, while drinking beer with my neighbor, and that took about 30 minutes. Oil cost me $40. Filter $10. So altogether, I spent $90, took me 38 minutes. Mechanics would of robbed me of close to $500. Pitiful. Oh yeah, the beer cost me $12 . Cheers!! 
Jan 2018

13787500 mi

US $190
Replaced Oxygen Sensors , both front & rear. Replaced Cylinder 4,5,6 Spark Plugs. Changed Air Filter. Changed Gas Filter. Had Code P0430, indicating Catalytic Converter problem. Code cleared, so it wasn't the Catalytic Converter. Total cost was approx. 190.00. No Repair shop involved, did the work myself. 
Feb 2018

137000 mi

US $250
Started to leak Steering Fluid. Investigated and had Pump Housing Crack. Installed new Power Steering pump, gaskets, hoses, clamps,etc. Real Pain in the Arse. Warning light came on for battery. Battery was good. I was leaving for Ireland in two days, so gave car to friend to repair while I was gone. He investigated and discovered the idiot who replaced the Alternator previous to when I owned the car, did not shrinktape a wire connection, and it corroded into two pieces,hence no charge to battery. Gave my buddy 100.00 bucks for his trouble, because I know how difficult it is to get to the Alternator! 
Ford Escape in Ontario, Canada
Jan 2011 - Sep 2014
Mar 2012

99200 mi

C $200
Muffler and tailpipe 
Sep 2013

120900 mi

C $200
DS rear wheel bearing 
Ford Escape in Nebraska, United States
Dec 2014 - Jun 2018
Jul 2016

78300 mi

US $1300
Ordinary wear and tear Knob that adjusts cooling and heat not adjusting temperature 
Ford Escape in California, United States
Mar 2016 - Jun 2022
Apr 2017

126000 mi

US $60
Coil on #4 cylinder 
Ford Escape in Minnesota, United States
May 2016 - Jul 2016
May 2016

135000 mi

US $700
Radio died, engine started running rough and within a couple minutes died. Car towed to shop and alternator and battery were replaced. 
Ford Escape in Kansas, United States
Feb 2010 - Jul 2014
Mar 2010

136000 mi

US $20
Replaced worn sway bar links. Replaced worn sway bar links 
Feb 2013

167300 mi

US $200
Oil Leaking from Timing Cover onto exhaust after driving. Replaced Timing cover gasket. Oil pan gasket and valve cover gaskets must be replaced when the timing cover gasket is replaced. ABS tone ring on the front passenger side cracked and would cause the ABS to engage randomly when braking in a slow turn. 
Ford Escape in North Carolina, United States
Jan 2015 - Mar 2016
Jan 2015

99000 mi

US $260
The timing cover leaking. Also had a bad oil pan drain pug, threads were bad. Replaced oil pan & gasket, valve cover gaskets, timing cover gaskets, flushed anti-freeze and changed the oil. 
Jul 2015

105000 mi

US $20
Interior fabric on passenger side door panel cam loose, removed & reapplied the adhesive then stuck the fabric back in place. 
Dec 2015

106000 mi
Reattached the drivers side door trim fabric. 
Ford Escape in Connecticut, United States
May 2012 - Sep 2013
May 2013

192000 mi

US $150
Spark plug and ignition coil on cylinder 6 needed to be replaced 
Ford Escape in Texas, United States
Jun 2009 - Mar 2015
Jul 2012

104200 mi
Replace alternator Airbag light gives code 32. Clockspring is bad. Airbag light code 32. Replaced clockspring. 
Jan 2013

102700 mi

US $400
Replaced tie rod ends. Front end alignment by David's Automotive in The Colony. Replaced wiper blades and rear window gas shocks. 
Ford Escape in Virginia, United States
Jun 2009 - Oct 2012
Aug 2010

89000 mi

US $175
Replaced exhaust gasket and other parts to repair exhaust leak. 
Feb 2011

95000 mi

US $2092
Two cylinders misfiring. Replaced the ignition coils and boots on the two misfiring cylinders, and replaced all six spark plugs. Due to Problem 1, the front catalytic converter became clogged and blew apart, damaging the rear catalytic converter. Replaced the front and rear catalytic converters. 
Mar 2011

95000 mi

US $30
Front left brake sticks. Caliper needs to be replaced. Decided to wait until other brake work needs to be done (e.g. pads/rotors) and have all work done simultaneously. 
Dec 2011

106000 mi

US $174
Headlight not working due to wiring corrosion. Replaced pigtail connector and bulb. Misfire in wet conditions (reappeared after 2 previous repair attempts). Replaced #4 ignition coil and spark plug. 
Ford Escape in Ontario, Canada
Sep 2006 - Jun 2011
May 2006

34100 mi

C $50
Sway bar end links, both sides 
Nov 2009

60760 mi

C $40
Outer tie rod end was loose; replaced with $30 in parts. Radiator drain cock snapped in half while hand-loosening; common problem with Fords as the drain cock is hollow. A 5/16" hex key was used to remove the stem, but parts counter did not have a direct replacement. Reused broken bit, will fix in 2 yrs. Both front ABS tone rings cracked, a common problem leading to premature ABS activation. Epoxied them back into place with JB weld; real cost to me was $0 as I already had a tube on hand. Factory fix is a new axle, as these are press-fitted. 

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2003 Ford Escape 4dr SUV

201-horsepower 3.0L V6 4-speed automatic AWD

Ford Escape in South Carolina, United States
Oct 2014 - Oct 2016
Jan 2015

US $18
radiator hose blew out and needed replacing 
Ford Escape in Ohio, United States
Aug 2013 - Apr 2017
Feb 2015

62500 mi

US $600
wheel bearing replaced. shock absorbers replaced passenger seatbelt retractor not working correctly, causing warning light for the airbag system 
Mar 2015

63000 mi

US $350
Lower control arm bushings were worn - buldging, cracked. Replaced entire arm = new arm, new bushings and ball joints. 
Ford Escape in Pennsylvania, United States
Feb 2014 - Oct 2021
Apr 2014

130000 mi

US $940
Clogged cat converter. car ran very poor, especially at high speeds. 
Jul 2016

157700 mi

US $200
Replaced rear bank ignition coil (on plug) under intake manifold. 
Sep 2017

169000 mi
Loose air bag connector under driver's seat 
Mar 2018

172000 mi

US $480
muffler and tailpipe 
Ford Escape in New Jersey, United States
Mar 2014 - Dec 2015
May 2014

74100 mi

US $225
Coils 4,5,6 failed. Replaced all 6 coils and spark plugs. 
Jul 2015

84200 mi

US $325
Tone ring for ABS cracked and caused ABS failure. New tone ring was installed which called for partial disassembly of left side wheel/suspension/axel. 
Sep 2015

85000 mi

US $95
Backup assist system failure 
Oct 2015

85300 mi

US $100
Brake cables to both rear wheels seized. Both were replaced 
Ford Escape in Florida, United States
Oct 2014 - Mar 2016
Oct 2014

210000 mi

US $300
Valve cover gaskets, coil over packs, main catalytic ,spark plugs, intake plenum upper lower gaskets, pcv valve and pcv valve hose 3 sections, all these parts replaced cause of systematic failure of oil seeping to spark plug well . 
Ford Escape in Ohio, United States
Dec 2014 - Dec 2015
Jan 2015

US $718
Had fuel pump replaced. 
Ford Escape in British Columbia, Canada
- Dec 2007
Dec 2007

24620 mi

C $212
replaced both front swa7y bar links 
Ford Escape in District of Columbia, United States
Jan 2008 - Dec 2015
Nov 2008

85000 mi

US $400
New sway bar end links 
Feb 2009

86000 mi

US $650
New fuel pump and filter. 
Jan 2010

96000 mi

US $350
Ignition coils 4 & 5 were bad and were replaced. 
Aug 2010

101700 mi

US $530
Broken radiator hose plus flush and fill. 
Mar 2011

108000 mi

US $1000
New left front wheel bearing and control arm. New front left wheel bearing and lower control arm. 
Jan 2012

100300 mi

US $612
Replaced right front control arm Serpentine belt and tensioner. 
Mar 2012

122000 mi

US $450
Front left control arm replaced. 
Nov 2012

132800 mi

US $500
New oil pan gasket. 
Jul 2013

139000 mi

US $520
New alternator installed. 
Jun 2014

145000 mi

US $350
Right front ball joint New front right ball joint 
Feb 2015

152000 mi

US $370
Right inner tie rod replacement 
Apr 2015

154300 mi

US $1200
New shocks and struts. New stabilizer bar and tie rods . 
Sep 2015

159000 mi

US $150
New battery 
Oct 2015

159000 mi

US $680
New radiator and hoses 
Dec 2015

159000 mi
Transmission blown. 
Ford Escape in Michigan, United States
Dec 2004 - Dec 2013
Jan 2004

119000 mi

US $100
Gas line leak 
Jan 2005

US $200
Front stabilizer bar loose 
Sep 2013

125000 mi

US $450
Pan gasket leaking. Removed and replaced. 
Ford Escape in Ohio, United States
Apr 2015 - May 2015
May 2015

131000 mi

US $300
Alternator stopped working. Part cost $200, but I needed to remove the plenum to pull the alternator up from the back of the engine. So extra cost was gasket kit 
Ford Escape in New Jersey, United States
May 2009 - Mar 2015
Jun 2009

101000 mi
Airbag indicator began blinking. Eventually diagnosed the code as the restraint connector underneath passenger seat. Made sure connection was secure; light went off, and has remained so. 
Apr 2010

114000 mi

US $250
Rear pinion gasket leaking, was replaced. 
Aug 2010

118000 mi

US $275
Tie rod ends worn out, needed replacement. Were making a 'knocking' or 'fluttering' sound when going over uneven pavement or bumps. 
Dec 2011

127000 mi

US $450
Car started to run very rough, as though it were 'missing'. Check engine light flashing. OBD II indicated coil #3 was shot. That coil and all spark plugs replaced. 
Jul 2013

140700 mi

US $300
Engine began knocking - check engine light turned on. Replaced faulty coil on one cylinder. 
Aug 2013

141000 mi

US $400
ABS ring on axle began activating at random braking intervals. Axle required replacement; cv boots were replaced at the same time. 
Sep 2014

157000 mi

US $190
Vehicle is making a loud clunking noise (again) when travelling over lightly rutted/bumpy roads. Mechanic advised undercarriage so rusted that suspension repair would not make financial sense. Driving vehicle into ground and will replace. 
Mar 2015

161000 mi
Brake lines rusted out and failed on the road. Immediately replaced vehicle. Overall, it was a great car, but was ultimately overly susceptible to corrosion. 
Ford Escape in Saskatchewan, Canada
Jun 2013 - Sep 2016
Sep 2013

83700 mi

C $130
battery failed after a number of years. would not hold charge. purhcased new battery and works as required now. 
Feb 2014

88740 mi
Battery issue due to cold weather. Took out battery to ensure full charge, cleaned terminals and cables to ensure proper connection. Re-installed battery and connections. No further ussues. 
Jul 2014

90520 mi
Have not started vehicle for some time...battery dead. Charging now, and will see if that fixed it once again. 
Feb 2016

93620 mi

C $405
The lower/return (non-pressure) power steering line had a leak, this was replaced at a local repair shop. 
Ford Escape in British Columbia, Canada
May 2013 - Sep 2015
Sep 2013

107260 mi

C $200
Sunroof not working. Plastic bracket attached to the driving cable broken. Replaced with after market aluminum ones. 
Apr 2015

115940 mi
Engine oil leak 
Ford Escape in Alberta, Canada
Aug 2011 - Jan 2012
Sep 2011

58280 mi

C $400
tie rod diver side 6 cd changer stopped working 
Ford Escape in Pennsylvania, United States
Jan 2012 - Jun 2014
Jul 2013

181200 mi

US $2800
Remanufactured 3.0 DOHC Engine was installed 
Ford Escape in Missouri, United States
Dec 2010 - Oct 2011
Jun 2011

176000 mi

US $474
sway bar links and a wheel bearing 
Ford Escape in Utah, United States
Jul 2010 - Jan 2019
Aug 2010

82000 mi

US $30
Oil pan gasket 
Sep 2010

84000 mi

US $200
Alternator 
Apr 2011

95000 mi

US $700
Replaced ABS control module 
Mar 2012

115000 mi
Broken wire in EGR solenoid circuit 
Dec 2012

131000 mi

US $60
Self-adjusters on rear brakes not working. Replaced adjuster hardware. 
Feb 2014

155000 mi
Alternator failure Power steering pump leaking ABS sensor failure 
Sep 2015

187000 mi

US $30
Replaced ABS sensor 
Feb 2016

188600 mi

US $4000
Transmission failure 
May 2016

189900 mi

US $150
Replaced failed alternator 
Aug 2016

190900 mi

US $200
Replaced worn inner tie rods 
Mar 2017

195000 mi

US $75
Poor startup and idle. Replace idle air control motor. 
May 2017

197000 mi

US $25
Recharged AC 
Mar 2018

204000 mi

US $120
Tired battery was replaced. 
Ford Escape in Philippines
Jun 2011 - Jun 2012
Dec 2011

21080 mi

$2900
Intermittent loss of power during accelerating/overtaking at high gear somewhat like water contamination in fuel or worn out spark plug Drive belt noise during cold start but gone after engine start . Probably, tensioner bearing start to corrode or drive belt problem. The intermittent loss of power as previously reported was diagnosed as loss of current supply to the spark plug, thus high voltage coil plate has been replaced. Operation has returned to its normal status. 
Ford Escape in Texas, United States
Jun 2010 - Jul 2014
Aug 2010

145000 mi

US $1265
Evaporator tube was clogged with shavings from pistons in condenser 
May 2011

154700 mi

US $283
Ignition cylinder locked-up (lock tumbler stuck). Ignition cylinder replaced and key reprogrammed. 
Aug 2011

160000 mi

US $800
Alternator went out - replaced 
Jun 2012

188000 mi

US $700
PCV Valve replacement, Throttle valve adjustment, replace belts 
Aug 2012

190300 mi

US $500
Vehicle had a very high idle with a low whine. Replaced two hoses. They also went ahead and replaced all belts. 
Aug 2013

199000 mi

US $100
Connection leaking freon after recharge. Did not require them to drain in order to fix. 
Dec 2013

205000 mi

US $350
Car would stall immediately after start or super low RPMs. They gave it a tune up and cleaned the throttle plate. I still experience the low RPMs on occasion, but it does not stall. 
Feb 2014

206000 mi
Stalling - cleaned throttle plate 
Ford Escape in Ontario, Canada
Dec 2007 - Feb 2008
Jan 2008

C $100
Had a transmission service (flush), same day service, approx $150 cdn. Done by dealer. Did not fix problem (transmission shudder, and miss). Then developed a transmission leak, paid approx $100, did not fix the leak. Was told it was a different problem, estimate $300 to fix, that’s when I traded it in.  
Ford Escape in Florida, United States
Dec 2012 - Jun 2013
Jan 2013

US $900
valve cover gaskets leaked, oil pooled in the spark plug wells. This cause the engine to misfire and dump fuel into the catalytic converter. The front cats basically melted dumping into the rear cat which clogged causing sever lack of power 
Ford Escape in Saskatchewan, Canada
Jun 2009 - Aug 2009
Jul 2009

109120 mi

C $1800
o2 sensors kept blowing....tests showed it was main computer..main computer was changed out. On way home from shop check engine light went on, turned around and then it was discovered it was probable the main electrical harness, changed it out. 
Aug 2009

109120 mi

C $653
cd kept sticking in 6cd changer U-joints needed to be replaced. Ball joints needed to be replaced. Overall deducted $653 in reconditioning costs when traded. 
Ford Escape in Washington, United States
Nov 2012 - Jun 2022
May 2013

165000 mi

US $300
I supplied shocks and struts/springs that I had bought for my mechanic to install. 
Oct 2015

200300 mi

US $606
Alternator failed, and needed replacement. 
Sep 2016

205000 mi

US $1400
Broken band controlling 2nd & 4th gear. No other damage done, so band was replaced. 
Jun 2017

212000 mi

US $80
Engine overheated, but was shut down before damage occurred. The diagnosis was a failed thermostat. A new thermostat housing with included thermostat solved the problem. 
Mar 2018

216000 mi

US $35
Vehicle ran rough, and gave an OBDC-II code relating to EGR. A new EGR valve solved the problem. 
Dec 2020

235000 mi

US $500
Alternator failed; new one installed. 
Ford Escape in Michigan, United States
Sep 2011 - May 2016
Jul 2013

96300 mi

US $100
Rough Idle, Cylinder #5 misfire 
Jun 2014

110000 mi

US $577
No brakes, lost hydraulic fluid pressure. Replaced one failed brake line. Tie rod or other suspension part replaced 
Jul 2014

110300 mi

US $250
Replaced Front pads and rotors, rear wheel cylinder, front left brake line, both rear brake line. Replaced serpentine belt Rear wheel hubs 
Apr 2015

115000 mi

US $135
Stabilizer rattled 
May 2016

140000 mi

US $1200
Subframe rusted out. 
Ford Escape in Montana, United States
Dec 2009 - Jun 2022
Feb 2010

105000 mi

US $500
Clogged (front/left) Catalytic Convertor. Clogged (front/left) Catalytic Convertor replaced with new part. Took approximately 10 days to get part. After replacement of clogged (front/left) catalytic convertor, the vehicle was still not running properly. It was determined that the main catalytic convertor was also clogged. A local exhaust shop replaced the cat and fixed the problem. Broken stud in rear/right exhaust manifold was causing an exhaust leak. Had to drill and use an EZ-Out to remove broken stud. Installed Heli-Coil insert and new stud and exhaust manifold gasket. 
Apr 2012

125000 mi

US $900
Cruise Control Inoperative: 1) Replaced Clock Spring in steering wheel. 2) Replaced Cruise Control Servo/Module 
May 2013

139000 mi

US $175
Problem: Leaking exhaust manifold (front) caused by broken exhaust manifold stud. Repair: 1) Drilled out broken stud. 2) Removed and replaced all studs/nuts. (Ford parts) 3) Replaced exhaust manifold gasket. (Ford part) 
Jun 2022

230000 mi

US $200
Replaced both front lower control arm assemblies. Ball joints were in bad need of replacement. Installed (front) new rotors and pads. 

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2003 Ford Escape 4dr SUV

127-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD

Ford Escape in Ontario, Canada
Dec 2011 - Jun 2014
Apr 2012

102800 mi

C $2900
fuel idle module and another module 

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2003 Ford Escape Repair Histories

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2003 Ford Escape problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.