2003 Ford Escort problems
The North American version of the Ford Escort is a range of cars that was sold by Ford from the 1981 to 2003 model years. The direct successor of the Ford Pinto, the Escort also largely overtook the role of the European-imported Ford Fiesta as the smallest vehicle in the Ford model line in North America. Produced across three generations, the first generation was a subcompact; the latter two generations were compact cars. Becoming highly successful in the marketplace, the Escort became the best-selling car in the United States after 1982, a position it would hold for much of the 1980s.
Produced across three generations, the Escort was the first world car developed by Ford, with the first-generation American Escort designed alongside Ford of Europe, who transitioned the Escort Mk III to front-wheel drive. During its production, the Escort also underwent a wide use of platform sharing and rebranding. The first generation served as the basis of the longer-wheelbase Ford Tempo/Mercury Topaz, the two-seat Ford EXP/Mercury LN7 and was rebranded as the Mercury Lynx. The second generation was introduced for 1991, growing into the compact segment. Moving away from a shared design with Ford of Europe, the Escort now shared a platform with the Mazda 323 and sharing a body with the Ford Laser (a model line sold in Asia and Oceania); the Mercury Lynx was replaced by the Mercury Tracer. For 1997, the third generation served as an extensive redesign of the previous-generation sedan; the Escort ZX2 two-door was introduced, with the Mercury Tracer adopting a similar redesign.
Ford introduced the Ford Focus in North America for 2000 as its third "world car", phasing it in as the successor of the Escort. After 2000, the four-door Escort was moved primarily to fleet sales (with the coupe remaining available); production ended entirely after the 2002 model year. In contrast to the first-generation American Escort and Escort Mk III of Ford of Europe (and the Mondeo/Contour and Mercury Mystique), the Focus adopted a much larger degree of commonality between its European and North American variants, in effect, becoming the original world car Ford had originally envisioned with the Escort.
During its entire production, the Escort was produced by Wayne Stamping & Assembly in (Wayne, Michigan) and the first generation was also produced by Edison Assembly in (Edison, New Jersey), San Jose Assembly Plant in (Milpitas, California), and Oakville Assembly in (Oakville, Ontario, Canada) while the second and third generations were also produced by Hermosillo Stamping and Assembly in (Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico).
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Common 2003 Ford Escort problems
Based on the complaints from owners of the Ford Escort 2003, some common problems reported include:
- Transmission Problems: Some drivers have experienced difficulty shifting gears, delays in acceleration, jerky movements, or complete transmission failure. These issues could be attributed to problems with the transmission fluid or the transmission control module, impacting the car's performance and drivability.
- Engine Performance: Complaints regarding engine performance include issues with fuel injectors, ignition coils, and other engine components. Owners have reported problems like engine stalling, rough running, decreased fuel efficiency, and trouble starting the car. These issues can affect the overall reliability and efficiency of the vehicle.
- Suspension and Steering: Problems with the car's suspension and steering have been highlighted, with reports of worn-out components like struts or ball joints, as well as issues with the power steering system. Symptoms include difficulty steering, a bumpy ride, and vibrations at higher speeds, impacting the car's handling and comfort.
These common problems with the Ford Escort 2003 can lead to safety hazards, reduced performance, and overall inconvenience for the owners. Addressing these issues promptly through proper diagnosis and repairs is crucial to ensure the vehicle's continued reliability and longevity.
Was Ford Escort a good car?
The Escort has been Ford's bread-and-butter car for over 15 years. Think of it as the car that brings consumers into the Ford family. The Escort's low price, decent reliability and above-average crash test scores have consistently offered recent college grads and young families an attractive set of American wheels.
How long did the Ford Escort last?
Ford Escort (Europe)
| Ford Escort | |
|---|---|
| Production | January 1968–July 2002 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Small family car (C) |
| Layout | Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive (1967–1981, 1987) Front-engine, front-wheel-drive (1980–2004) Front-engine, four-wheel-drive (1990–2004) |
Why did Ford discontinue the Escort?
As the years went on, the Escort became less popular, less prized, and more dated to the point where the vehicle subtly faded out from the public eye, as opposed to going out with a bang and attracting attention. The Ford Focus was launched in 2000 while the Escort was still being produced.
What car replaced the Ford Escort?
The Focus
The Focus was Ford's replacement for the Escort. The Mk1 was introduced in 1968, making its debut at the Brussels motor show in January that year.
Was Ford Escort a good car?
The Escort has been Ford's bread-and-butter car for over 15 years. Think of it as the car that brings consumers into the Ford family. The Escort's low price, decent reliability and above-average crash test scores have consistently offered recent college grads and young families an attractive set of American wheels.
How long did the Ford Escort last?
Ford Escort (Europe)
| Ford Escort | |
|---|---|
| Production | January 1968–July 2002 |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Small family car (C) |
| Layout | Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive (1967–1981, 1987) Front-engine, front-wheel-drive (1980–2004) Front-engine, four-wheel-drive (1990–2004) |
Why did Ford discontinue the Escort?
As the years went on, the Escort became less popular, less prized, and more dated to the point where the vehicle subtly faded out from the public eye, as opposed to going out with a bang and attracting attention. The Ford Focus was launched in 2000 while the Escort was still being produced.
What engine did the Ford Escort have?
Powertrain details
| Engine configuration | Engine family | Output |
|---|---|---|
| 97 cu in (1.6 L) I4 | Ford CVH engine | 65–70 hp (48–52 kW) |
| 80 hp (60 kW) | ||
| 88 hp (66 kW) | ||
| 97 cu in (1.6 L) turbocharged I4 | Ford CVH engine | 120 hp (89 kW) |
2003 Ford Escort complaints
The NHTSA has received 0 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2003 Ford Escort.
You can leave your car complaint via the special form below.
2003 Ford Escort recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 2003 Ford Escort.
- Manufacturer: TRW OCCUPANT SAFETY SYSTEMS
- Components: SEAT BELTS:FRONT
- Summary: CERTAIN TRW DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELTS MANUFACTURED ON DECEMBER 6 AND 9, 2002, FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR 1997 FORD ESCORT 4-DOOR AND STATION WAGON PLATFORM VEHICLES, FORD'S P/N F7CZ54611B09AAC. THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES EXHIBIT A NO-LOCK CONDITION WHICH DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 209, SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES.
- Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM MAY NOT PROVIDE ADEQUATE PROTECTION TO THE SEAT OCCUPANT, WHICH MAY INCREASE THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
- Remedy: TRW WILL NOTIFY THE CUSTOMERS WHO PURCHASED THE REPLACEMENT SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 27, 2004.
Negative 2003 Ford Escort car reviews
Positive 2003 Ford Escort car reviews
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My experience with this car has been great! It reminds me of my previous car, a '91 Escort, which also showed great potential. So far, I haven't had any problems with it. Personally, I find it very comfortable (although I've never had to ride in the backseat, haha). It's great with gas and I think it will last a long time. And let's not forget, it was a great price! As a 17-year-old trying to buy a new car, I think this was the perfect choice.
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I love this car because it's just the right size for me. However, it may not be as comfortable for passengers in the back seat. I personally consider it more of a two-seater with some storage space. It does idle high and can be quite loud, which passengers often complain about. Although I have taken it back to Ford to have the idle fixed, it seems to have gotten worse. Despite these issues, I still really love this car because it hasn't left me stranded yet!
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This is a great first car for a new car buyer. I'm so glad you love it!
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Bought in Jan 1999. It's great fun to drive, and it's been really reliable. Plus, it looks better than the Focus! It's pretty quick, but a turbocharged ZX2 would be awesome. It can be a bit awkward to work on because of the design, but overall it's a nice car.
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From July 2003 till now, my ZX2 has been a dream to drive. With only two oil changes in the 10,000 miles I've driven it, it's been incredibly low maintenance. It's got a beautiful silver paint job, A/C, automatic transmission, tilt wheel, fog lights, CD player, AM/FM stereo, tachometer, folding rear seat, and spoiler. I truly believe that Ford should have kept building this car, as it was both affordable and incredibly reliable.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2003 Ford Escort problems:
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Other years of Ford Escort
Are you having problems with your 2003 Ford Escort?
Ryleigh Champlin 2025-01-04
I purchased this car in December 2011 with only 72.8k miles on it for my son who was in college at the time. Over the course of almost 4 years and 25.5k miles, I learned a valuable lesson about buying used cars: an older, low-mileage car is not always a good deal. Unfortunately, it cost a lot to maintain this car as I had to replace almost everything once, and some things twice, such as the front brakes and portions of the exhaust system. The harsh upstate NY winters, combined with rough roads, have aged this car tremendously. However, despite some items that shouldn't have failed, such as the CD player, speedometer, odometer, and blower motor resistor, I still found some great features in this car. For instance, the gas mileage is fantastic, averaging 32-36 MPG on most of my trips. Although it doesn't compare to my '07 Mustang GT, this car is still fun to drive. I also appreciate the ZX2 styling, which I find more appealing than the '03 Foci I owned. The stereo system sounds okay for a lower-end vehicle, and the car is pretty roomy for me, even though I'm a 250 lb guy. My son didn't care for the A/C, which broke in 2014, but he loved driving with the moonroof wide open. However, there were some downsides to this car, such as the auto tranny downshifting very hard and violently into 1st gear when you stomp on the gas. Additionally, in the northern rust belt, this car abhors water more than the Wicked Witch of the West, which can cause significant damage. It definitely needs a driver's armrest, and I highly recommend snow tires for winter driving, as its snow/ice traction is poor. Unfortunately, I had to take the vehicle to the auto graveyard the day after Thanksgiving 2015, with just under 100k on it, as the tranny was leaking oil when driven in Reverse, and it just wasn't worth fixing. Rest in peace.
Gust Schowalter 2024-11-19
I am considering trading in my car for something else. Although I have had it for 3 months, it hasn't quite grown on me. Unfortunately, it doesn't have the power I need and there seems to be an issue with the exhaust when I turn on the aircon. Despite its sporty appearance, it doesn't quite meet my needs. Today, I will be exploring other options.