2003 Ford Escape cruise control problems
Owners reported cruise control problems in 91 complaints for the 2003 Ford Escape, 12% of the complaints on file. It is the 3rd most reported problem area for this model year.
At a glance
- Complaints
- 91 12% of this year's complaints
- Typical mileage
- 87,000 miles 75 complaints with mileage
- Crashes and fires
- 13 and 2
- Injuries and deaths
- 10 and 0
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
When cruise control problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 8 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 9 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 8 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 10 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 9 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 5 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 6 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 9 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 5 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 3 |
| 200k+ miles | 3 |
What the data shows
Of the 75 cruise control complaints that report mileage, the median is about 87,000 miles, and 33% were reported before 60,000 miles.
These complaints mention 13 crashes, 2 fires, 10 injuries.
What owners wrote
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. The contact stated that while driving at 67 MPH, the cruise control failed to disengage. As a result, the contact crashed into an embankment and the vehicle rolled over multiple times. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained minor scrapes and bruises and the two passengers in the rear of the vehicle sustained bumps, bruises and scrapes that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed.
As I was driving, I pressed the accelerator approximately 3/4 of the way to pass a vehicle. When I released the pedal- the vehicle continued to accelerate. I was eventually able to get the vehicle to stop after placing the transmission in neutral and firmly applying the brakes. As I came to a stop, the vehicle was beginning to smoke, and I feared it was going to catch on fire. I immediately exited the vehicle, and the engine was still running at full throttle.
Other problems reported for the 2003 Ford Escape
- Body & structure 123 complaints
- Suspension 92 complaints
- Engine 71 complaints
- Brakes 65 complaints
- Air bags 62 complaints
- Steering 44 complaints
- Electrical system 39 complaints
- Transmission 28 complaints