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 71 through 80 of 260.00-
Escape Limited - 2003 Ford Escape
By charles allison - January 10 - 7:37 pmThe first SUV owned. Loaded with all the extras. The V-6 is outstanding. Cruises at 80 mph effortlessly. 5 1/2 hour trips to the beach in comfort - 25.5 mpg hwy. Great front bucket seats, radio/CD player is excellent, but could use better speakers. Adequate cargo space for dog and luggage. Roof rack is a plus, but rarely used. I dont care what Consumer Reports says - the Escape is the best compact SUV on the market. I will buy a new one with a navigation system as soon as available. Until then, at 90,000+ miles, my Escape continues to march without a hiccup.
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Not too bad for a 13 year old car - 2003 Ford Escape
By Gary - January 6 - 6:25 pmI bought my 2003 Ford Escape XLT with leather seats and a sunroof in February of 2015 with 130,000 miles on it. The moment I got it I gave it a tune up and a oil change a month later I had to replace the front driver side strut and its been good ever since. I read reviews online that the transmission sometimes has problems on these cars so I decided to install a transmission oil cooler which is supposed to extend the life of the transmission it shifts smoothly by the way and the engine is good too. The battery light has been on ever since I got it but there is nothing wrong with the battery or the alternator I had it looked at by more than one mechanic and they all said the same thing one of them said it could be a bad connection to the alternator he had customers with the same exact car and the same exact problem and he said he replaced the alternator only for the light to come back on so he changed the alternator connection and that solved the problem just recently I drove 8 hours to Buffalo, NY and 8 hours back with that battery light on and nothing happened. Dont expect a 13 year old car to be perfect its going to wear down a bit and end up needing a repair no matter the make or model Ford, BMW, Volvo, Nissan, Honda, Chevy, etc. I am satisfied with my Ford Escape
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Not too bad for a 13 year old car - 2003 Ford Escape
By Gary - January 6 - 6:25 pmI bought my 2003 Ford Escape XLT with leather seats and a sunroof in February of 2015 with 130,000 miles on it. The moment I got it I gave it a tune up and a oil change a month later I had to replace the front driver side strut and its been good ever since. I read reviews online that the transmission sometimes has problems on these cars so I decided to install a transmission oil cooler which is supposed to extend the life of the transmission it shifts smoothly by the way and the engine is good too. The battery light has been on ever since I got it but there is nothing wrong with the battery or the alternator I had it looked at by more than one mechanic and they all said the same thing one of them said it could be a bad connection to the alternator he had customers with the same exact car and the same exact problem and he said he replaced the alternator only for the light to come back on so he changed the alternator connection and that solved the problem just recently I drove 8 hours to Buffalo, NY and 8 hours back with that battery light on and nothing happened. Dont expect a 13 year old car to be perfect its going to wear down a bit and end up needing a repair no matter the make or model Ford, BMW, Volvo, Nissan, Honda, Chevy, etc. I am satisfied with my Ford Escape
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Fun, with very few flaws - 2003 Ford Escape
By Ketch22 - January 6 - 10:00 amI am really loving my new Escape. After getting over the initial "wow I got a new car" feeling, I can honestly say that I bought the right car for me. I used to own a Mustang but needed more room and something that could comfortably hold more than 2 people. It has a lot of pep and very good sight lines in the drivers seat. Very nice factory stereo and gets much better gas mileage than I thought it should. One flaw is the cheap interior and exterior door handles. Sometimes I feel like I could snap them off with a good tug.
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Get the extended warrenty - 2003 Ford Escape
By gg - December 4 - 11:35 amI loved my Ford Escape until the transmission went out at 56,000 miles. I have heard from others that this is common for Ford vehicles. I thought it had a powertrain warranty and did not purchase the extended warranty. If you decide to buy this SUV, pay the extra money for the extended warranty.
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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.
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Overall Excellent! - 2003 Ford Escape
By ralph manfredonia - October 3 - 1:43 pmOutstanding value overall. Fun to drive and extremely good on gas(front wheel drive model)
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Great Car - 2003 Ford Escape
By JohnG - August 30 - 9:52 amThis vehicle has met my expectations since my very first test drive. It was great to feel the smooth acceleration as I stepped on the gas and listened to the mighty little 3.0 come to life. It handles the road and curves like something that you might expect in a European concours. Its been loyal and fun to drive and my girls, the 100 lb. yellow labs, love it too!
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Excellent Small Vehicle - 2003 Ford Escape
By Tsantell - August 3 - 10:00 amI saw the Escape and I right away thought this was a cool small SUV I liked the SUVs since they came out on the market but I did not want the big size it was just not for me or my family so when the Escape was available my wife an I dint think twice this was it. I enjoy the driving the power and the comfort of the vehicle. TS
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Who doesnt appreciate a ford? - 2003 Ford Escape
By luz - August 3 - 10:00 amMy first car was a Ford Escort.. my second was a Ford Mustang and now I have the Ford Escape. Not only are Fords fun to drive,comfortable and last but certainly not least, built to last!
