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

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  Whats not to love! - 2003 Ford Escape
  By krootox23 - October 18 - 11:59 am

  I do not see any flaws in this vehicle whats so ever. It gets great gas mileage, very very spacious. Extremely comfrotable leather interior. Engine is strong and tough. Anyone who says this car sucks or is bad is pulling it out of their a$$. I have owned the escape for nearly five years now and it has 197570 miles on it, I have never had to do any repairs except brakes rotors and oil changes with a few services for recalls.

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  I love my escape! - 2003 Ford Escape
  By esmith7 - March 12 - 11:48 am

  My escape has 175,000 and has only needed minor maintenance repairs.

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  116,000 miles later - 2003 Ford Escape
  By Dave - April 1 - 12:40 pm

  The driving experience is excellent, the handling, cornering, acceleration and braking are all above average or better. I was aware of several specific shortcomings of the vehicle, and all were solved by add-ons at purchase. For example: Several ford models are known to have transmissions issues at 100,000 miles+. This is solved by purchasing the TOWING package that adds a transmission cooling system & radiator to prevent trans damage. My transmission has never so much as slipped. The soft paint & rust issue is partly solved by a rubberized undercoating and wheel well sheathing. Overall the car is wonderful and would buy it again.

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  a little disappointed - 2003 Ford Escape
  By MarkfromLA - December 4 - 10:00 am

  The first week I had to return it because the radiator had a hole in it from the factory. Nine months later, at 12,000 miles, a wheel bearing went out. A little later, someone ran a redlight and wrecked the vehicle. It took 3 weeks to fix because Ford was VERY slow in getting replacement parts to the body shop. This vehicle has cost me a huge loss of time because of problems Ford could easily solve. Based on my experience with this vehicle, I wont buy another Ford.

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  H-Los Little SUV - 2003 Ford Escape
  By H-Lo - October 16 - 10:00 am

  Okay. Easier to drive around town than 2 previous Explorers. Seats a little hard on long trips. Husband misses his larger Explorer leg room and seat comfort. Transmission very jerky at times. A little concerned after seeing crash test results. Next SUV a Volvo??

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  Great small SYV - 2003 Ford Escape
  By tomsturf - October 16 - 10:00 am

  Good driver, great mpg

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  Always Ford - 2003 Ford Escape
  By zadyl - September 15 - 2:00 am

  I have the limited edition. Vehicle is as stated fun to drive, amazing gas milage.Controls somewhat difficult to get used to, particulaly the wind screen controls, back and front.

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  2003 Ford Escape XLS 2WD 3.0L - 2003 Ford Escape
  By colbri - June 11 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle has by far provided the most enjoyable driving experience of all the Fords I have owned over the years. In my opinion,its handling, performance and fuel economy, not to mention good looks, place it a head above the others in its class that I tested before settling on this particular Ford product.

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  Need 4wd on fire runs - 2003 Ford Escape
  By Vol FF - March 6 - 2:22 pm

  Bought it bewcause I needed 4wd to get to some of the fires I respond to. I love the way the truck handles at speed. The accelleration allows me to get out of situations before they become a problem. The only complaint is the transmission. It doesnt seem to shift smoothly all the time, especially in the winter. Other than that I will certainly buy another.

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  Transmission Shot - 2003 Ford Escape
  By JeffP - February 3 - 8:26 am

  This was a bank repo that appeared to be well taken care of. My wife drives this and likes the way it handles in snow and bad weather. We have never had this vehicle off road or done any towing and now at 123,000 miles the transmission is slipping when its cold. Our mechanic says its about to go out and replacement with rebuilt tranny is about $3,500. I replaced my Winstar tranny too at about 60,000 miles. See a trend here with Ford transmissions. I do and will think long and hard before buying another.