CarModelProblems.com

2003 Ford Escape Vehicle Speed Control Problems

NHTSA component category: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL · data through 07/12/2026

65Vehicle Speed Control complaints
11.6%Of all 558 complaints
#2Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How vehicle speed control ranks on this vehicle

SUSPENSION79 · 14.2%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL65 · 11.6%
STEERING42 · 7.5%
AIR BAGS38 · 6.8%

Share of the 558 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2003 Ford Escape overview page.

What owners report

“INTERMITTENT PROBLEM: WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED THE ENGINE SPEEDS UP REQUIRING EXCESS PRESSURE TO ENGAGE BRAKES.”NHTSA complaint 10160154 — filed 06/19/2006
“: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40MPH, THE ENGINE REVVED AT AN ELEVATED RATE AND THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED…”NHTSA complaint 10157705 — filed 05/17/2006
“DT: THE CONTACT STATED AT 55 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WOULD TURN ON IMMEDIATELY AFTER AT FIRST. THEN, THE ACCELERATOR WOULD HAVE TO BE…”NHTSA complaint 10142311 — filed 11/09/2005

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Vehicle Speed Control complaints by year filed

220052120071220096220111382013842015112017522021

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2003 Ford Escape have vehicle speed control problems?

Vehicle Speed Control is the #2 most-reported problem area on the 2003 Ford Escape: 65 of 558 complaints on file (11.6%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2003 Ford Escape have in total?

558 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 43 involved a crash, 27 involved a fire, 31 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's vehicle speed control category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.