2003 Ford Escort
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › Ford › Escort › 2003
These records cover every 2003 Ford Escort. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
1 recall names the 2003 Ford Escort. Newest first.
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 vehicle safety standard no. 209, seat belt assemblies.
Risk and remedy
Risk
In the event of a crash, the restraint system may not provide adequate protection to the seat occupant, which may increase the risk of personal injury.
Remedy
Trw will notify the customers who purchased the replacement seat belt assemblies free of charge. the recall began on august 27, 2004.
Owner complaints
10 complaints1 involved a crash1 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Latches/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
- Vehicle 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.
- Engine 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
- Power 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…
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.
- Service 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…
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.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine · Service brakes, hydraulic · Structure › Frame and members · Visibility › 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…
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
- Vehicle 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
- Tires › 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…
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
- Suspension › 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
- Air 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
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10019076Replace timing belt idler pulley during 2.0L zetec engine cylinder head replacement - service tip.
- 10013060Climate control a/c service tech tips.
- 10009870Trw vehicle safety systems, inc. IS recalling certain service replacement seatbelt retractors (driver's side front retractor in gray) manufactured in december 2002 and sold as a service replacement part between december 2002 and july 2004.
Every Ford Escort model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.