Ford Escape
2003 only
2003 Ford Escape have 451 classified complaints on record for that year specifically, plus 3 recalls. The most common issue in this year is Subframe, cradle and frame corrosion, typically surfacing around 120,000 miles.
Computed directly from stored federal records for 2003 model years only — not blended with the rest of this vehicle's production run. See the full Ford Escape report for every year combined.
Where this year fits
What breaks, and when — 2003 only
Median onset: 120,000 miles.
More common in older model years.
Median onset: 130,000 miles. 5.5% of these reported an injury, a death, or a crash with fire.
More common in newer model years.
Median onset: 107,317 miles. 2.8% of these reported an injury, a death, or a crash with fire.
More common in older model years. · Typical repair: $230–$700 nationally.
Median onset: 122,500 miles. 19.4% of these reported an injury, a death, or a crash with fire.
Median onset: 139,000 miles. 10.5% of these reported an injury, a death, or a crash with fire.
More common in newer model years.
Median onset: 110,033 miles.
More common in older model years. · Typical repair: $660–$1,260 nationally.
Median onset: 81,000 miles.
Tends to show up earlier than this model's other issues.
Median onset: 118,000 miles.
From owner-filed complaints to NHTSA, not independently verified. Federal mileage reporting on recent complaints is sparse — see how it works. Cost ranges are national estimates from book labor hours and parts pricing, not this vehicle's actual repair history — they don't account for your location or shop type.
Cost estimator: what will this one cost you?
Enter the car's year and mileage. See which known problems are due in your next 3 years, what each costs at your state's labor rates, which ones to ask the seller about, and routine maintenance to budget for.
Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — complaints and recalls, scoped to 2003 model year. See the full Ford Escape report for every year and full specs/safety data.