2003 Escape - multiple issues and less than 40K miles...

DTPQ093 · 06-07-2007, 10:18 AM

I enjoy the vehicle, however...

the CD player has acted up from the beginning, rear window defrost cable fell off the window, has had to have breaks, rotors, front bearings and now - sway bars...what the heck?

Oh and now there's been, what, 3 different recalls?

I'm sorry but I really believe I didn't get $23K worth of car.

It's time for Ford (and other US auto makers) to step up and stop settling for, "Eh, good enough." parts, materials and manufacturing of the their vehicles and start putting quality in. It it any wonder why everyone is buying foreign?

There's a lot of folks with degrees and 6+ figure salaries at the US auto companies that are making some pretty stupid decisions. If you don't make a quality product - people aren't going to buy it!

Pattisue · 04-30-2008, 06:50 PM

I have a 2002 Ford Escape and have had no problems until Nov. 07 when my warranty ran out. Now I have had brakes front and rear (ok I can live with that), drums, rotors, stablizer pins, tie rod pins, hub bearings and it makes the gosh awful sound when I apply the brakes and also has this constant tweety noise while driving. I have always liked Fords but this is ridiculous. No one can seem to fix the problem. Can any one offer any suggestions. I have spent $586.00 and have had it in now to 3 more places and no one can seem to find the problems.

HELP PLEASE

Weheavy · 04-30-2008, 10:18 PM

DTPQ093 What kind of driving do you do is it city? I have a 2005 with 76k and drives like its new.

If your putting less than 10k a year on your Escape and leads me to believe it's city driving which is hard on a vehical or it's sitting a lot which is also hard on a car.

My daughter's Honda has aged 10 years since she moved to Toledo 3 years ago. Also my Dad has an 83 Hurst Olds he bought new and now has less than 50k on it. He only takes it to shows and the mechanic because all that sitting in the garage under a cover is also hard on a car.

But then again you could of got a lemon which sucks.

schmutt · 05-26-2008, 05:59 PM

I have an '03 XLT 106,000kms,the odd off road excursion to go fishing and as of last week:left front wheel bearings (twice) LF CV because I thought maybe that was what was killing the bearing in just over a year.The 'tweeting' was the rear hatch needing more preload as the seals get older,as for the bushings brakes and rotors......It's hard to find a good mechanic,those are gravy jobs..and the '07 and older Escapes are more Japanese than North American (Mazda,Tribute to be exact).Now if I can figure out why my daytime running lights are blinking,I'll be a happy camper.
~Bruno

maxx216 · 12-02-2008, 07:59 AM

Funny you should mention the blinking DRLs on your Ecape because I have the same problem. I found out that the DRL moduel needs replacing ( test done at the dealership) but it will cost about $300.00 to do so. So my question is does any one know where the moduel is located on the 03 Escape?

deimos · 12-02-2008, 02:16 PM

@ Patti, i have 2002 Escape w/ 109K and it drives and looks like new, have i had to replace brake parts,yes. These are wear items they are gonna have to be replaced same thing goes for tie rod ends and hubs typically they last longer than brakes, but if you live somewhere with harsh roads you will see a shorter life on the suspension components. There is not much to these parts (brakes and suspension) if they are failing or failed @ 53,000 miles you must be driving your vehicle quite hard. Is it likely that the factory hardware is less in quality than that of the 3rd party equivalents,sure. This is not an issue with ford but with all manufacturers.

csems · 12-09-2008, 11:44 PM

Hello all,
I just purchased a 2003 Ford Escape XLT with 65K miles. It is pretty loaded out with 2 tone leather seats, 2 tone paint, sunroof, 6 disk CD. I think I did OK with it. The dealers are dying to make sales so I got it for 8000 cash. They were asking 10,700 for it but I made the offer and stuck with it. Walked away 3 times before they finally agreed.
I have some mechanical concerns though that maybe someone would have a suggestion about. First, the brakes pulse. Other fords I have had that means that the brakes are ready to be replaced. No big problem. There is a noise in the front end when I go over bumps though that makes me think a strut is broken or worn. It is a pop that only happens when I hit a small bump. The oil pan was leaking, but I got the dealer to fix it before I would take delivery of the car.
The sunroof switch seems to work "most" of the time. Everything else seems fine so far.
I am really impressed with the power this thing has. 3.0 DOHC V6. Is this the duratek engine that was used in the older Tauruses?
Are there any major recalls for it? How do I know if the recall has been done?