Friday, August 7, 2026
RecallGazette

Vehicle problems, recalls & safety intelligence

2003 Ford Escape electrical system problems

39 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the electrical system on the 2003 Ford Escape7% of all complaints for this model year.

39
Electrical System complaints
7%
share of all complaints
90,000 mi
median reported incident mileage
2 / 5
crash / fire reports

What owners report

  • 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…

    filed Jun 29, 2023

  • Sense we bought this 2003 ford escape we have replaced 5 altenators transmission problems .3 neutral safety switches. And still having problems the transmission problems are the same reason for the recall but my car is just a month newer go figure

    filed Jul 14, 2020

Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.

Related service bulletins

  • Pcm failure - electrical accessories intermittent - inoperative. *tt

    0693 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 1, 2006
  • Restraint system - safety belt buckle and pretensioner diagnostic trouble code (dtc) b1877 and/or b1881. *tt

    04244 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Oct 7, 2005
All 2003 Ford Escape TSBs →

Electrical System problems in other Escape years

YearReportsShare
2025 Escape629%
2024 Escape2736%
2023 Escape3840%
2022 Escape198%
2021 Escape319%
2020 Escape15210%
2019 Escape376%
2018 Escape533%
2017 Escape1546%
2016 Escape888%
2015 Escape13012%
2014 Escape21110%
Escape electrical system problems by year →

Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.