Total Complaints
13 filings
FORD ESCORT · model year
2003 FORD ESCORT
13 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2003FORDESCORT carries 13 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2003 ESCORT is vehicle speed control with 2 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:engine (2) and air bags:frontal (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 2003 ESCORT. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
13
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
1 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 2 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 2 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 1 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 1 |
| TIRES:TREAD/BELT | 1 |
| STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 1 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | 1 |
Recalls (1)
04E04800012/07/2004
SEAT BELTS:FRONT
CERTAIN TRW DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELTS MANUFACTURED ON DECEMBER 6 AND 9, 2002, FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR 1997 FORD ESCORT 4-DOOR AND STATION WAGON PLATFORM VEHICLES, FORD'S P/N F7CZ54611B09AAC. THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES EXHIBIT A NO-LOCK CONDITION WHICH DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR V
Recent Complaints
20180319LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
2003 FORD ESCORT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DOOR HINGE/LATCH PROBLEMS RECALL NOTICE. CONSUMER HAS PREVIOUS CORRESPONDENCE WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE IN ARTEMIS. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME COMPLETING THE RECALL REPAIR. *JS
20150102VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 (NA) FORD ESCORT. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
Mileage: 115,000
20111201ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL* 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*LJ UPDATED 01/12/12
Mileage: 85,000
20081002POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCORT. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. IT WOULD NOT MOVE IN REVERSE OR FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE TRANSMISSION RATTLES AND SHAKES, AND THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FORD DEALER TESTED AND REPAIRED THE TRANSMISSION IN 2007, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE TRANSMISSION HAS A 80,000 MILE WARRANTY, BUT THE DEALER DOES NOT WANT TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK HER VEHICLE TO FOUR DIFFERENT FORD DEALERS AND THEY STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. SHE FEELS THAT BECAUSE HER VEHICLE HAS SO FEW MILEAGE AND IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, IT SHOULD BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,724.
Mileage: 30,724
20070504SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCORT. IN 2004, THE ABS LIGHT BEGAN ILLUMINATING INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES. THE DEALER WAS NOT ABLE TO REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT RECENTLY RECEIVED RECALL # 07V156000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE). THE DEALER PERFORMED THE REPAIR, HOWEVER, THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED BEFORE SHE LEFT THE PARKING LOT. THE MANUFACTURER TOLD THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER FORD DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 49,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
20061113ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
DT*: 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. *JB
Mileage: 23,600
20061113STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
DT*: 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. *JB
Mileage: 23,600
20061113VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:HEATER CORE
DT*: 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. *JB
Mileage: 23,600
20061113SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
DT*: 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. *JB
Mileage: 23,600
20050825VEHICLE 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. *AK
Mileage: 12,000
20050407TIRES:TREAD/BELT
WHILE DRIVING 2003, FORD, ESCAPE WITH 13.970 MILE WITH GENERAL AMERI - TRAC, 225/70R15 PASSENGER REAR TIRE THREAD SEPARATED FROM TIRE, CAUSING DAMAGE TO UNDER CARRIAGE AND BUMPER. WHILE REPLACING TIRE WITH SPARE NOTICED DRIVER'S REAR TIRE ALSO STARTED TO SEPARATE. ESCAPE WAS TO UNSAFE TO DRIVE AT THIS POINT, AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO CUTTER FORD DEALERSHIP, AIEA HAWAII. DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING, SAYING TIRES WERE ON FOR 12,000 MILES OR 1 YEAR. TOOK CAR TO SEARS TO HAVE TIRES REPLACED WHICH COST LITTLE OVER 250.00, BUT THIS DIDN'T INCLUDE ANY BODY DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE TIRE. IT APPEARED TO M THAT DEALERSHIP WISH TO AVOILD ANY PROBLEMS WITH TIRES, LIKE PREVIOUS TIRE PROBLEMS. TIRES HAVE ALWAYS BEEN DIVEN ON PAVED ROADS. HAVE RETAINED THE PAPERWORK FROM SEARS ON THE CONDITION OF TIRES.*AK
Mileage: 13,970
20041025SUSPENSION:FRONT
VEHICLE SEVERELY VIBRATED WHILE IN MOTION AT 70 MPH, AND IN NON MOTION. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. DEALER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT IT WAS THE NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THAT VEHICLE.*AK
Mileage: 3,000
20040823CrashAIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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.*AK
Mileage: 12,000
Compare 2003FORDESCORT to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 2003 FORD ESCORT have?▼
The 2003 FORD ESCORT has 13 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2003 FORD ESCORT?▼
Yes, the 2003 FORD ESCORT has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is SEAT BELTS:FRONT. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 FORD ESCORT?▼
The most-complained component for the 2003 FORD ESCORT is VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL with 2 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE and AIR BAGS:FRONTAL.
Is the 2003 FORD ESCORT safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.