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-
Im Escaping Ford to get a Yugo - 2003 Ford Escape
By Bill - May 28 - 3:03 pmFord, dont know what youre doing, but I know youre not building a tough, reliable vehicle. Within 35k miles: trans. shot, paint shot, brakes shot. Stalls periodically. The geniuses at dealer, at the ones who could form complete sentences, cant find anything wrong. Will never, ever, so much as drive by another Ford dealership. Im done with them.
-
My honeymoon with Ford is over! - 2003 Ford Escape
By Zack - June 7 - 1:56 amI bought this car from a dealership with about 40,000 miles. I drive less than 10,000 miles a year but the repair costs on this car have ended my honeymoon with Ford -I cant wait to pay it off and never, ever tough a Ford! I had a Mazda before and then decided to try American but this was a big mistake. Unless Ford works on its quality, they will definitely collapse. I just got a Honda for my wife! –The catalyst convertor, peeling paint, the engine light never halts!
-
DO NOT BUY - 2003 Ford Escape
By Laura M - April 20 - 4:43 amAlthough I have enjoyed this vehicle because I have had very little engine problems I am DISGUSTED with the paint problems. A few months ago I noticed blisters in the paint job on hatchback and hood. Now the paint is just peeling off and no coverage. I have heard and read literally hundreds of complaints...yet Ford will not listen. This is a serious problem as my vehicle now looks awful.
-
Stay away from the Escape - 2003 Ford Escape
By bm on 7-29-08 - July 29 - 4:50 pmI purchased this vehicle new in December of 2002 and everything was fine until April of 2007. The transmission failed and cost approx. $4000 to repair with only 60,000 miles on it. Then in January of 2008 it was having problems again losing power between 35 mph and 50 mph. I took it back to the dealer that fixed it before and they told me it was a mass air flow sensor so I fixed it - although it didnt seem to be running right. Then just a month ago more problems. They told me it was the catylitic converter. So I fixed again. Today I need a new engine. Im not going to fix anymore. Oh buy the way they only offered $4000 for the trade in as is on a new car. I put $6000 in repairs in 1 year.
-
Transmission problems -get Extended Coverage - 2003 Ford Escape
By Dissatisfied - November 27 - 8:37 pmMy transmission suddenly went at 63,000 miles. I didnt purchase extended warranty coverage when I bought the vehicle. Big mistake. It cost me $1,900.00 to have the transmission rebuilt by the dealer and $300.00 to rent a car for the week as the dealer didnt have a loaner. The dealer found a cracked piston and thought it might possibly have been a bad casting. I got no help from Ford. I am also having trouble with my instruments. They tell me I will have to replace the whole dashboard to fix these. The vehicle was just paid off last year and now I have big repair expenses. I feel Ford should put more quality in important parts of this vehicle. I feel the Escape is overpriced.
-
Transmission problems - 2003 Ford Escape
By Shelly - June 19 - 9:55 pmI bought my Escape new, but unfortunately I didnt buy the extended warranty. Even thought it was well maintained, at 54,000 miles the transmission failed. I had it towed to a Ford dealer, and then had to get a rental car to get home, since I was out of town. It cost me over $3000 to get the transmission replaced, plus rental car expenses, with no help from Ford customer service. I cant recommend this car for reliability, since Ive since heard of others with similar problems.
-
Not happy with my Escape - 2003 Ford Escape
By notahappydriver - July 25 - 3:24 pmI have had my Escape for a little under 2 years and I am ready to get rid of it. The acceleration is great thats about the only thing I like about it. It does not ride smooth and feels rough around the edges. The tires and wheels get covered in brake dust within a day washing them you can never keep them clean.
-
Hope the kinks are out - 2003 Ford Escape
By Mike - July 16 - 10:28 pmBought this car used and had problems from the day I picked it up. When I picked up Escape the remote mirrors did not work & the salesman had taken out the radio due to problems. About a month later the emergency brake froze (would not release). Then about 2 months after that the power moonroof would not open (no Escape for 5 days). No other problems after that (thank goodness). I was seriously considering selling this vehicle, but decided to hang on to it. Hopefully all the kinks are out.
-
looking for less jolt - 2003 Ford Escape
By zoran windrich - May 22 - 9:58 pmWe bought ours brand new from the dealer and from the start it fit the bill. It was sporty, higher than some cars so you felt safer in it, until my mom started driving it. We did not realize it then but the car lurches forward when the accelerator is slowly pressed. For a grand mother with over forty years of driving this is a problem. She feels scared that maybe she will hit someone unexpectedly. We are selling it it has only 4000 miles in perfect condition.
-
Disappointed - 2003 Ford Escape
By Big White - November 5 - 5:41 pmIm very disappointed. I Have 13000 miles and had to have my transmission replaced. Ford would not replace with a new one so on a 1yr old car I now have a rebuilt transmission. The service I received from the dealership was the worst experiance Ive ever had. This is the second time Ive had it in for stalling reasons. I will never buy another Ford car. I DO NOT feel confident driving this SUV.
