RoadVitals

2003 Ford Escape Brakes Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the brake system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Brakes reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
57
Latest Jun 29, 2023
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
10%
of 558 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
13
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
2

What this page shows

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2003 Ford Escape submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 57 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming brake

The 25 most recent of 57, in the owner's own words

BrakesElectrical
Filed Jun 29, 2023

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, and while driving at unknown speeds, the vehicle was smoking. There were no warning lights illuminated. The owner disconnected the battery. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed the owner that the ABS module and wiring harness needed to be replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA ID
11529512
Incident
Jun 27, 2023
Mileage
130,000 mi
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed Jul 7, 2021

I was recently driving on the interstate and the gas pedal got stuck so the car started speeding up very fast and the brakes and emergency brake would not make it slow down. After this i found out there was a recall about this problem and it says the previous owner of the vehicle fixed it but it’s happened while i owned it so i don’t think it was fixed correctly.

NHTSA ID
11423859
Incident
May 12, 2021
Brakes
Filed Jul 21, 2020
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ENTERING THE DRIVEWAY TO PARK, THERE WAS SMOKE PRESENT. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND OPENED THE HOOD WHEN A FIRE WAS DISCOVERED. THE CONTACT GRABBED A WATER HOSE AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THE ABS MODULE CONNECTOR WAS MELTED ALONG WITH WIRES. AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT THE CONTACT WAS PREGNANT AND HAD HER 4-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER IN THE VEHICLE. NO INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT CONTACTED. NO POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THERE WAS A RECORDING STATING THAT NO CALLS WERE BEING ACCEPTED AT THE MOMENT. THE LOCAL DEALER (UNKNOWN DEALER INFORMATION) WAS THEN CALLED WHERE THEY MENTIONED THAT NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE06048 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) WAS PREVIOUSLY PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 115,000.

NHTSA ID
11340612
Incident
Jul 20, 2020
Mileage
115,000 mi
BrakesOther / unspecified
Filed Jul 11, 2020

I BROUGHT BRACES DRUMS FOR BACK WHEELS STILL IDONOT HAVE BRACES THEY DONOT WORK TOOK TO AUTO PLACE WAS TOLD TO CONTACT DEALER

NHTSA ID
11338743
Incident
Jul 10, 2020
BrakesDriver assistanceFuel system
Filed Aug 3, 2016

I BEGAN MERGING ONTO I 820 WHEN MY VEHICLE (BY ITSELF) FLOORED THE ACCELERATOR. I TRIED PRESSING THE BRAKE (IT WOULDNT PRESS DOWN, IT WAS HARD AS A ROCK). I USED BOTH FEET TO NO AVAIL. AT 75-80 MPH I JAMMED IT INTO NEUTRAL. THE RPM'S WERE STILL AT MAX. BY THIS TIME IT HAD SLOWED (I WAS ON THE SHOULDER OF THE HIWAY) TO ABOUT 20 MPH, THEN JAMMED IT IN PARK. I LOOKED AT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND ALL THE INSTRUMENTS WERE ON 0. I HESITATED THEN GAVE THE CAR SOME GAS, IT WAS STILL RUNNING! I COULDNT EVEN HEAR THE ENGINE UNTIL I REVVED IT. I PROCEEDED TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION. THE CAR DID TURN OFF. I NOTICED A 17 YR OLD BOY DYING BACK IN 2012 -13 FROM THE SAME ACT MY CAR DID. ITS BAD ENOUGH TO LOSE A CHILD BUT TO LOSE A CHILD BECAUSE OF A MALFUNCTION FROM A VEHICLE AND THE COMPANY STATING THEY WILL HAVE TO LOOK INTO IT FURTHER, IS NOTHING SHORT OF TOTAL NEGLIGENCE AND REFUSAL TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR ONES ERROR AND WE WANT TO KNOW WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO OUR YOUTH? LOOK WHO'S RAISING THEM AND GIVING THEM EXCUSES.

NHTSA ID
10892814
Incident
Aug 2, 2016
Mileage
182,060 mi
AirbagsBody & structureBrakes
Filed Feb 15, 2016

0N APR 22, 2015 WHILE DRIVING FROM SHADY SPRING WV TO PRINCETON WV ON I-77 TO A DRS APPT, MY WIFE AND I NOTICED A POPPING SOUND COMING FROM THE RIGHT FRONT OF THE VEH WHEN VEERING OR TURNING RIGHT. I HAD TO WORK THAT DAY AFTER I RETURNED FROM THE DR AND HAD PLANNED TO TAKE THE VEH TO A MECHANIC AFTER I GOT OFF TO FIND OUT THE PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON PLUTO ROAD IN SHADY SPRING, I ROUNDED A CURVE TO THE RIGHT AT 20 MPH AND SOMETHING BROKE CAUSING THE VEH TO COME TO A SUDDEN STOP. I HAD THE VEH TOWED TO A&R SERVICE CTR IN SHADY SPRING AND WAS NOTIFIED THAT AFTERNOON THAT THE SUB FRAME BROKE/ LOWER CV JOINT HAD CAME LOOSE AND THAT THERE WAS EXCESSIVE RUST AND CORROSION COVERING THE WHOLE UNDERNEATH OF THE VEH. I NOTIFIED KC PREOWNED AUTO WHOM I HAD PURCHASED THE VEH FROM IN SEPT 2014. HE WENT TO THE MECH AND LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE AND CALLED ME AND STATED THE GOOD NEWS IS THERE IS A RECALL ON THE SUB FRAME THAT HAD BROKEN AND COULD BE TAKEN TO MOUNTAINEER AUTO IN BECKLEY WV FOR REPAIR. THE VEH WAS TAKEN ON APR 27 2015, AND AFTER BEING SENT TO A BODY SHOP FOR A RUSTED AND BROKEN BOLT, A NEW SUB FRAME WAS PLACED ON THE FRONT. MY WIFE PICKED IT UP ON JUN 20 2015 AND NOTICED DRIVING HOME A VIBRATION COMING FROM THE FRONT RIGHT AND A GRINDING SOUND COMING FROM THE MIDDLE OF IT. I TOOK IT BACK TO MOUNTAINEER AUTO THE NEXT DAY AND WAS TOLD BY THE SVC REP (J T) THAT FORD WAS NOT GOING TO PUT ANYMORE MONEY IN TO THIS VEH AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY WOULD DO. I NOTIFIED THE WV ATTY GENERAL FOR HELP AND AFTER TRYING TO RECTIFY THE ISSUE RECEIVED A LETTER THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE. THE VEH SAT IN MY DRIVEWAY UNTIL FEB 3, 2016, WHEN I SAVED UP MONEY TO FIX IT MYSELF. I TOOK IT BACK TO MOUNTAINEER AUTO AND WAS TOLD THE CARRIAGE BEARING WAS BROKE, AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST AND CORROSION. TOOK IT TO 2 BROTHERS AND RECEIVED THE ATTACHED STATEMENT.

NHTSA ID
10826154
Incident
Apr 27, 2015
Mileage
118,546 mi
BrakesEngine
Filed Dec 21, 2015
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 75 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED SMOKE COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE VEHICLE WAS SMOKING AND RUSHED HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE BRAKE SYSTEM MODULE HARNESS AND MASTER CYLINDER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKING SYSTEM CAUGHT FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 148,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10811513
Incident
May 15, 2014
Mileage
148,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 9, 2014
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACTS OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM UNDER THE HOOD. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND IT WAS STATED THAT THE FIRE STARTED NEAR THE ABS BRAKES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V156000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 162,063.

NHTSA ID
10609301
Incident
Jul 6, 2014
Mileage
162,063 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 3, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED AFTER THE CONTACT APPLIED FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN PULLING TO THE RIGHT. THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AFTER APPLYING FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND DID NOT OFFER A REMEDY. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ABS ANTI-LOCK SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIRS WERE NOT COMPLETED ON THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WERE 127,000.

NHTSA ID
10608024
Incident
Jun 20, 2014
Mileage
127,000 mi
Body & structureBrakesSuspension
Filed May 30, 2014

MY CAR IS A PART OF A RECALL FOR RUST AND THE LOWER CONTROL ARM, BUT I THINK THAT SCOPE IS TOO NARROW. MY ESCAPE HAS RUSTED WHEEL WELLS AND A RUSTED GAS TANK COVER THAT I CAN SEE. I HAVE ALSO READY HAD TO REPLACE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES FOR RUST, ALONG WITH THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND ALL OF ITS PARTS, THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARMS, SWAY BAR LINKS AND ALL PARTS OF THE OIL PAN. ALL OF THIS IS DUE TO RUST. THIS WAS AT THE MILEAGE OF 58,465. I STILL HAVE LESS THAN 80,000 MILES BUT I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR THE 90 MILES FROM MY HOME TO THE JERSEY SHORE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10595174
Incident
Jun 10, 2011
Brakes
Filed Feb 18, 2014
Crash reported

WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE 30 MINUTES PRIOR. WE WERE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC UNTIL LEAVING THE FREEWAY 1 LIGHTS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. WHEN MY DAUGHTER TRIED TO USE THE BRAKES THE PEDAL WENT STRAIGHT TO THE FLOOR. WHEN SHE PUMPED THEM NUMEROUS TIMES, THERE WASN'T ANY CHANGE. SHE DIDN'T HAVE ANY BRAKES. SHE REAR ENDED MY NEWLY PURCHASED VEHICLE FROM THE SAME DEALERSHIP. POLICE WERE AT THE LIGHT WHERE SHE REARENDED ME. THEY CONFIRMED NO BRAKES, MY HUSBAND DID, THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER TOO. WHEN IT WAS RECEIVED TO THE BODY SHOP ON MONDAY MORNING THE BRAKES WERE VERY SOFT ACCORDING TO THE TECHNICIAN. AFTER SITTING FOR A WEEK, THE BRAKES WORKED FINE. THEY CANT DETERMINE WHY THE BRAKES FAILED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS THE FIRST CALL I MADE AT THE ACCIDENT AND THEY TOLD ME THEY KNOW IT HAD LEGAL BRAKES. COME TO FIND OUT THE BRAKE FLUID WAS BLACK AND HAS AN OUTSTANDING RECALL WITH THE ABS THAT HAD NEVER BEEN TAKEN CARE OF. THERE IS ALSO A RECALL ON CERTAIN MASTER CYLINDERS WHICH WERE FAULTY/LEAKING AND THE STOCK NUMBERS. UNFORTUNATELY THE STOCK NUMBER WAS REMOVED FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER. WE HAVE A VEHICLE THAT NEVER EVEN MADE IT TO OUR HOME THAT IS NOW TOTALED. THE DEALERSHIP IS ONLY GOING TO "MAKE IT RIGHT" WITH PROOF THAT THE BRAKES FAILED. THE POLICE REPORT STATES SUCH AND I HAVE THE REPORT FROM THE BODYSHOP, BUT AFTER WAITING FOR THE INSURANCE TO HAVE THE TEST DONE, THEY CANT CONFIRM LOSS OF BRAKES. THEY CAN ONLY STATE THE FLUID BEING BLACK. WE NOW ARE HAVING TO FIGHT TO NOT LOSE OUR TRADE IN VALUE AND TO NOT HAVE A REPORTABLE ACCIDENT AGAINST MY DAUGHTER VS A MECHANICAL FAILURE. THIS IS A NIGHTMARE BOTH THE DEALERSHIP AND THE INSURANCE ARE NOT MAKING THIS EASY. THE MOST EXPENSIVE VEHICLE I EVER OWNED FOR 30 MINUTES IS ALL I CAN SAY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10564823
Incident
Jan 25, 2014
Mileage
109,419 mi
Brakes
Filed Jun 5, 2013

LOSS OF USE OF BRAKES WHILE COMING TO A STOP AT A BUSY INTERSECTION. JAMMING THE BRAKES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR BROUGHT THE CAR TO A STOP, BUT WAS VERY SLOW TO RESPOND. MECHANIC INSPECTED HOSES AND LINES AND FOUND THE PASSENGER FRONT BRAKE HOSE TO BE SPLIT AND LEAKING. THIS WAS A HORRIFYING EXPERIENCE AS I HAD MY YOUNG KIDS IN THE VEHICLE. FORTUNATELY, I WAS NOT STOPPING FROM A FASTER VELOCITY WHEN THIS ISSUE OCCURRED. I HAVE LEARNED THAT THE TIGHT BENDS IN THE BRAKE HOSE(S) ON THIS MAKE/MODEL OF VEHICLE MAY BE A FACTOR FOR HIS HAPPENING TO VARIOUS CONSUMERS, SO THIS IS WORTH INVESTIGATING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10515388
Incident
May 31, 2013
Mileage
201,708 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 10, 2013
Crash reported

THE FRONT BRAKE LINE HOSES BLEW OUT (R & L) WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY. THE PARKING BRAKE WAS INEFFECTIVE IN SLOWING THE VEHICLE AS IT WAS TRAVELING DOWN HILL. WITH NO MEANS OF SLOWING, THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED INTO A PARKING LOT IN AN ATTEMPT TO GET ON LEVEL GROUND WHERE IT WAS MORE CONTROLLABLE AND COULD BE STOPPED MORE EASILY. THE PARKING LOT WAS NOT LARGE ENOUGH TO SLOW THE VEHICLE AND A CHOICE HAD TO BE MADE TO CRASH INTO A BUILDING OR DRIVE OFF THE EDGE OF THE PARKING LOT TO ANOTHER LOT THAT WAS APPROXIMATELY 4 FEET LOWER. THE 2ND OPTION WAS CHOSEN. ONCE THE VEHICLE HAD LANDED WITH GREAT FORCE, IT WAS DIRECTED UPHILL WHERE IT EVENTUALLY CAME TO A STOP AND PUT INTO PARK. UNFORTUNATELY, EXTENSIVE DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE FRAME AND UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE INCLUDING OIL PAN, EXHAUST SYSTEM, ENGINE MOUNTS, RADIATOR SUPPORT FRAME AND UNDER BODY ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION MOUNTING POINTS. I WAS TOLD BY THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER, THE FIRESTONE AUTO CENTER AND FOUND IN OTHER RESEARCH THAT FORD ESCAPES ARE KNOWN FOR RUBBER BRAKE LINE FAILURES. I HAVE HAD VEHICLES MUCH OLDER THAN THIS AND HAVE NEVER HAD A RUBBER BRAKE LINE DRY ROT AND RUPTURE LIKE THESE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BEFORE MORE DAMAGE IS DONE AND MORE PEOPLE INJURED OR WORSE. WE WERE LUCKY. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE. SAFETY ISSUES LIKE THIS NEED TO BE ADDRESSED WITH AN IMMEDIATE RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10505771
Incident
Apr 8, 2013
Mileage
165,878 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 8, 2012

WHILE DRIVING MY ESCAPE, THE FRONT BRAKES STARTED TO MAKE A KNOCKING/THUMPING NOISE. WHEN I GOT HOME, I REMOVED THE TIRES AND NOTICE THAT BOTH THE FRONT DISK BRAKES ROTORS WHERE DE-LAMINATING. WITH YOU FINGER NAIL YOU COULD PULL OFF HUNKS OF METAL. I STILL HAVE BOTH ROTORS. AND THE BRAKES HAD ONLY ABOUT 15,000 MILES ON THEM. BRAKE JOB WAS DONE BY A FORD DEALER. THE DISK WHERE TURNED AND THEY ARE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10469637
Incident
May 23, 2012
Mileage
65,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 19, 2012

SUDDEN ABS FAILURE SMALL ACCIDENT.TOOK ABS RELAY OUT AFTER THIS BRAKES WORK FINE. *JS

NHTSA ID
10455802
Incident
Apr 19, 2012
Mileage
110,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 17, 2012
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THE ABS LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE BRAKE PEDAL BOUNCED ABNORMALLY WHEN DEPRESSED. IN ADDITION, THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR RELEASED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE ABS MODULE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE A WARE OF THE FAILURE AND DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIR, STATING THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V156000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: ANTILOCK: CONTROL UNIT/MODULE). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ID
10455477
Incident
Apr 10, 2012
Mileage
60,000 mi
Body & structureBrakes
Filed Feb 13, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NOTICED A LEAKAGE ON HER DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY INFORMED HER THAT THE BRAKE HOSE FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE LIFT GATE WOULD NOT OPEN. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR HAD IT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 109,000.

NHTSA ID
10447780
Incident
Feb 1, 2010
Mileage
109,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 26, 2011

ABS LIGHT ON 2003 FORD ESCAPE KEEPS COMING ON....WAS NEVER NOTIFIED BY FORD ABOUT A RECALL ON THIS...ALSO HAVE HAD TO REPLACE AN ENGINE IN IT ONLY HAD IT FOR 37,000 MILES WHEN I HAD TO REPLACE THE ENGINE....FORD DOES NOT NOTIFY CUSTOMERS OF POTENTIAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. *TT

NHTSA ID
10421657
Incident
Aug 14, 2011
Mileage
80,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 24, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CONTROL UNIT MODULE WAS CORRODED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED BY THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V156000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRUALIC:ANTILOCK:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 89,000.

NHTSA ID
10421357
Incident
Aug 22, 2011
Mileage
89,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 16, 2011
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED FOR THIRTY MINUTES WHEN SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE ENGINE. THE HOOD WAS THEN RAISED AND FLAMES WERE ALSO COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORTED TO THE SCENE, BUT THE CONTACT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE HIMSELF. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT FILED A REPORT WHICH WAS AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED AND THE ORIGIN OF THE FIRE WAS LOCATED AT THE ANTI LOCK BRAKE CONTROL BOX. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO WOULD INSPECT THE VEHICLE AND REPORT THEIR FINDINGS TO THE CONTACT. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER, NOR INSURANCE COMPANY WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.

NHTSA ID
10419622
Incident
Aug 15, 2011
Mileage
170,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Aug 3, 2011
Fire reported

FIRE EMERGING FROM HYDRAULIC ANTI-LOCK CONTROL UNIT THE SUBJECT TO FORD RECALL # 07S51 AFTER RECALL WORK WAS COMPLETED, *KB

NHTSA ID
10416933
Incident
Jul 8, 2011
Mileage
150,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Jul 10, 2011

2008 FORD RECALLED MY 2003 ESCAPE FOR ABS MODULE CONNECTOR. I HAD IT REPAIRED. MY ESCAPE HAS BEGAN TO "GRAB" WHEN I APPLY BRAKES. NEW ROTORS & PADS DID NOT HELP. WHILE ONLINE TO CARCOMPLAINTS.COM, I SAW ANOTHER RECALL FOR ABS MODULE CONNECTION FOR 2003 FORD ESCAPE HAS BEEN REOPENED.(JAN 2010) BUT I WAS NOT NOTIFIED. I HAVE HAD TROUBLE WITH BRAKES ON THIS VEHICLE FOR THE PAST 4 YEARS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10411675
Incident
Jul 1, 2011
Mileage
110,033 mi
Brakes
Filed Apr 3, 2011

FRONT BRAKES AND ROTORS SHOT AT 50 THOUSAND MILES AND WERE REPLACED, REAR BRAKES SHOWED VERY LITTLE WEAR, 100,000 MILES AND ROTOR AND BRAKE WEAR ARE AGAIN EXCESSIVE AND NEED REPLACEMENT SOON, REAR BRAKES STILL OK AND ARE THE ORIGINALS. THE BRAKES ON THIS VEHICLE ALWAYS HAVE SEEMED INADEQUATE, AS IF THE REAR BRAKES DO NOT SELF ADJUST THEY WERE CHECKED AND CLEANED AND DETERMINED TO BE WORKING OK. I DO PERFORM THE REVERSE AND BRAKE TECHNIQUE TO ADJUST THEM. BOTTOM LINE "THE REAR BRAKES DO NOT SELF ADJUST AND BRAKING IS WHOLLY ON THE FRONT BRAKES PREMATURELY WEARING OUT ROTORS AND PADS!" *TR

NHTSA ID
10394084
Incident
Mar 30, 2011
Mileage
50,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 24, 2011

SUDDEN FAILURE OF ABS SYSTEM. ABS LIGHT NOT OPERATING ON DASHBOARD INDICATOR PANEL.

NHTSA ID
10385068
Incident
Feb 1, 2011
Brakes
Filed Dec 31, 2010

2003 FORD ESCAPE RECALL - #07V156000 RECALL FOR SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC : ANTILOCK : CONTROL UNIT/MODULE I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE AUGUST 2005. APPARENTLY IN 2007 THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS BRAKE ISSUE. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED, NOR DID ANY DEALER ATTEND TO THIS ISSUE DURING A ROUTINE SERVICE. I CONTACTED FORD SEPTEMBER 2010 WHEN MY ANTI LOCK LIGHT STARTED TO APPEAR ON MY DASH. FORD DID NOT LIST ME AS THE OWNER EVEN THOUGH I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE THROUGH A REPUTABLE DEALER AND HAD MY INFO STORED ON THEIR OWNERS WEB PAGE, AND HAVE ALL BILL OF SALES INFO ON FILE. WHILE TALKING TO THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE PERSON IT WAS CLEAR THAT HE WAS EDITING THE RECORD TO SOMEHOW SHOW THAT I EITHER KNEW ABOUT THE RECALL OR THAT SOME DEALER INSPECTED THIS ISSUE AND FOUND NOTHING WRONG. WHEN I ASKED TO TALK TO A MANAGER, I WAS PUT ON HOLD FOR OVER 30 MINUTES AND FINALLY HUNG UP. I THEN SENT AN EMAIL COMPLAINING. FORD WROTE BACK THEY WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT THIS AS THE CAMPAIGN IS OVER. I NOW HAVE A VERY SERIOUS ANTI LOCK BRAKE ISSUE. THE ANTI LOCK MECHANISM HAS NOW FAILED. I WISH THE NHTSA TO HELP ME GET FORD TO FIX THIS ISSUE SINCE I OWNED THE VEHICLE SINCE 2005, THE RECALL WAS IN 2007, FORD NEVER TRIED TO CONTACT ME ON THIS RECALL, AND NO FORD DEALER EVER INSPECTED MY VEHICLE FOR THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID
10373601
Incident
Sep 26, 2010
Mileage
90,000 mi

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