Overview & Reviews
Need more luxury when you Escape? For 2003, Ford will offer a new Limited edition that includes body-color trim, polished aluminum wheels, a reverse sensing system, a Mach audio system with six-disc CD changer, heated front seats and sideview mirrors, premium leather seats, front side airbags and an autodimming rearview mirror. The XLT can also be upgraded this year with an appearance package that includes special wheels, side step bars and body-color exterior trim. For all 2003 Ford Escapes, there are upgraded interior materials and fabrics, an available two-tone cabin color scheme, illuminated power window and lock switches and three new colors. Finally, the XLS 4WD with a four-cylinder engine and a manual transmission is dropped for 2003.
- Powerful V6, large cargo capacity, comfortable interior, car-like handling.
- Weak standard four-cylinder engine, small gas tank size limits range.
User Reviews:
Showing 1 through 10 of 260.00-
Crummy for a used vehicle - 2003 Ford Escape
By cooperh - May 14 - 12:48 pmWhen I bought this it was 10 years old so I was not expecting much, but no matter how I look at it I am disappointed. Paint chipping and rusting is a serious issue on the exterior, the suspension is harsh, loudly clunking, and has been a money pit. I understand in buying used vehicles that there are fixes waiting to happen, but I didnt expect the magnitude that came with this thing! It may have been a nice vehicle when it was new but has not stood up to the test of time well. Other vehicles Ive driven that gave me less issues than this were an 03 Ram 1500 dually, an 05 Mitsubishi Endeavor, and 07 Hyundai Entourage.
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Worst car Ive ever had - 2003 Ford Escape
By glee222012 - September 11 - 10:03 pmI havent even had this car for a good year its at 90,000 miles and since day one ive had numerous problems with it. I had my winshield washer fluid never work along with my cigarette lighter(s) i dont smoke but i would have liked to put a gps in considering me and my husband travel. everytime i turn on my a/c my rpm shoots up and its start this stuttering thing and even after the a/c is turned off it still stutters. i DO NOT get 18 mpg and when i had bought it i was told i was to get 20 mpg i have to put 50 or more in it EVERY WEEK the interior as well as the exterior is falling apart the fabric on the doors are peeling off on each door and the paint is peeling off outside
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problem ford - 2003 Ford Escape
By jennifer amerson - September 19 - 8:42 amI have had this car fixed 5 times. It still will not start. I keep a journal and I have to crank it up to 12 times to get it to start in the middle of the month every month, and 6 times every time on the first week of each month. I think this is an electrical problem. I have had the idle valve replaced and it still will not start. Also has had 3 recalls done on it and I just had the power steering hose replaced on it last week. I do not know what to do just keep begging Ford to fix it so that I will not be late for work anymore. Cranking problem started 2 years ago and I have been told that this car can not be fixed. It only has 30,000 miles on it.
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Nothing but trouble with this car - 2003 Ford Escape
By Never again - July 25 - 11:13 amI acquired this vehicle with the idea of great quality. Big Mistake! 1 week after purchasing it, the engine light came on, the fuel door open light came on, the battery light came on, etc... Took it into dealership where I was told that the lights were on from a short in the wiring. 1 week later while slowing down to make a turn during rush hour traffic, the car completely shuts off. This happened about 15 times with the dealership telling me they could find anything wrong with it. Come to find out there was a recall. The trans. started slipping not more than 3 months after that. Brand new rear tire was bald in less than 3 months from rubbing. Smelled burning oil always. radio buttons broke
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premature brake wear and failure - 2003 Ford Escape
By biltmore - December 1 - 10:00 amOur Ford Escape has only 12200kms. On July 31 2003 we were involved in a collision where the brakes failed in a panic stop situation. Dealership would not check the brakes under warranty so we are now involved in a law suit to recover damages due to the fact that there were two other vehicles in the collision. Brakes were spongy and alot of brake residue left on the wheels.This vehicle is driven in normal city driving situations+
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Ford Escape 2003 - 2003 Ford Escape
By Judy Smith - November 6 - 10:25 amWould not buy this car again. Inferior interior with knobs breaking off or falling off after 1.5 yrs Would frequently not go in reverse, and had to be put back in park and tried again. The dealer said they "couldnt find anything wrong." Very uncomfortable seats. No back support at all. In spite of this, I realized I like a smaller SUV just not this one.
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Poor choice - 2003 Ford Escape
By K PRIDE - December 30 - 2:00 amBefore warranty was over, Ford replaced entire plastic panel around bottom of vehicle (faded). Battery failed & was replaced. We just went out of warranty (38,000 mi) and the gas pedal has started sticking when you take it out of park. At 40K mi, the CD player has quit working. Sorry, but its out of warranty! Sorry, FORD, you lose in the long run!
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Phila - 2003 Ford Escape
By Bizz33 - August 18 - 10:00 amConstantly experiencing stall out problems
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Failed transmission at 60000 miles - 2003 Ford Escape
By RayDF - July 6 - 2:00 amThe vehicle is OK, but the automatic transmission had to be replaced at 60000 miles of normal use (at a cost of $2600). Is this another of the now- famous Ford transmission problems? I thought that by now this problem would be solved. However, it obviously isnt... Also, I wouldnt recommend buying a 2WD with the six cylinder: it consistently smokes the front wheels if you press the accelerator too hard. The 4WD wont have this problem. Alternatively, the 4-cylinder engine should be made available with an auto transmission.
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Look Elsewhere - 2003 Ford Escape
By American made - February 28 - 2:00 amClumsy seating. Poor console setup. The future of American engineering at its worst. Transmission problems within first 2 months (dealer replaced it, though they were hesitant). Two tires needed replacing, due to bubble developements. Not very happy so far. I should have compared other similar vehicles, before jumping the gun.
