Problems with 2003 Ford Escape STRUCTURE

Paint peeling in several spot on 2003 ford escape. *tr

1) the events leading to the failure are unknown 2) 2003 ford escape has an issue with its exterior paint. the paint is peeling away from the car and the exposed metal is rusting. this rusting leads to the compromise of the structural integrity of the car. this compromise can be detrimental in case of a collision. a google search revealed lots of 2003 ford escape owners complaining of the same issue. 3) nothing has been done to correct the failure. *tr

My ford escape is a 2003 model and was purchased certified used in 2007 by us. within a year the paint on the roof and rear hatch started peeling. two years later, it is rusting where the peel is gone and still continuing to peel. we have not had any accidents or inclement weather that caused the damage. i have done research and seen where this is common in fords my vehicle's age. *tr

My 2003 ford escape xlt paint is peeling in strips off the hood and from the sunroof back. i have made multiple complaints to ford in righting on the phone and in person. they claim to have never heard of the problem. in my research i have found @ least 45 others with the same issue. this is something they should not be allowed to sweep under the rug. it is a defect they are responsible for. *tr

Paint defective on 2003 ford escape with gold ash paint. *tr

I have a 2003 ford escape xlt,white in color and currently have a problem with the paint blistering and peeling on the rear hatch below the window both sides. additionally, the paint peeling has started under passenger side rear cargo window. i visited a local ford dealership and they denied it as a defect. out of warranty. i have had four autobody shops tell me $600.00 to a $1000.00 to repaint. "the problem is factory primer problem" and should expect to see more peeling if not repainted soon. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. the contact noticed that the paint on the passenger side door, lift gate, and ledge showed signs of bubbling paint. the dealer stated that the failure was not covered under warranty and does not have a recall. the manufacturer stated that they will speak with the dealer. the current mileage was 19,400 and failure mileage was 19,350. the consumer provided a repair invoice. updated 08/31/07 *tr

Paint blistering and peeling above the windshield on roof. *tr

2003 ford escape. noticed paint around lift gate ledge bubbling and peeling. only top layer of paint is peeling, gray layer appears to be fine, no signs of bubbling or peeling. talked to dealer and they said it was because the two layers never bonded when the car was painted at the factory. when i contacted the manufacturer to see if they would cover it, they said to go to the dealer and they would look at it and decide what to do. never heard back from dealer after i made contact with them. *tr

My problem is not mechanical but rather "physical". the paint has been peeling off the roof and hatch of my 2003 ash-colored ford escape limited since 2007. after reading others' blogs i am aware that i am not alone by any means. i purchased the suv for it's nice appearance and color. i wish i'd known beforehand that this was going to happen, otherwise i would never have purchased a ford. apparently ford is doing absolutely nothing about the problem. is there anything you can do to help us? can't ford be forced into a recall for this? these vehicles aren't cheap!! please help. *tr

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 ford escape. three months after the vehicle was purchased, the contact noticed a block of paint chipping off of the hood. weeks later, the condition became progressively worse. the paint began bubbling and chipping excessively. when the contact attempts to wash the vehicle the paint will come off. she is in the process of notifying the manufacturer. the failure mileage was 74,000 and current mileage is 100,000. update 06/10/08 *bf updated 06/10/08

The paint is coming off the roof of the car near the front wind shield area and also on the hatchback door. *cn

Dt: the caller pulled the hood release and with the hood in the release position and the safety latch on the hood while she was driving the hood flew up. the caller said the latch that held the hood from the outside did not hold when the hood flew up. the dealer fixed it, and said there was nothing wrong with the latch. the manufacturer said there was nothing wrong with the latch. the caller was able to get the vehicle off the road. *ak *sc

I purched my new vehicle on 7/12/03 and on 3/3/04 upon opening my driver door, i heard a clanking noise and the driver door fell off. upon further inspection i located the top pin inside the car but the clip was no where to be found. i closed the door & climed out the passenger side. i contacted a local ford dealer (not where i purchased it from) to get it fixed. they said they had never heard of this and they were very suprised. but, from what i just read.... its happened before. i took the vehicle into the local dealership and they did not have the clip so they jerry-rigged something to hold the pin in place. *ak

We bought my escape xlt on 5/26/03. on 7/30/03, upon exiting my vehicle, the front driver's side door fell off. i do not feel safe in this vehicle. ford will not issue me a different escape unless we paid $9k towards a new one and i've only made one payment on my new vehicle. they said they've never seen this before and it won't happen again. we bought this vehicle because of the safety markings it received from consumer reports. i found that on march of 2003 another consumer had this same issue. that means that we're likely not the only ones to have this happen to us, like the ford dealerships would have us believe. after they returned the vehicle to me, they said it was fixed, but upon examination we noticed a part had been left off and my door was damaged and scuffed. we have contacted a lawyer and are persuing our options. *jt

Rear hatch - sheet metal around plastic trim piece used for handle and space between window and handle dent easily during normal opening and closing. several body shops we have taken the vehicle to for estimates says this happens alot. area should be reinforced or hatch should be made of composite material like the mini-vans. *nlm

I went to shut my drivers side door and it felt a little funny. i opened it again and when i shut it i heard a clanking noise. when i opened my door again the pin and clip fell out and the door (the top hinge) came off. i had to remove the bottom pin and clip to re- hang my drivers side door in order to go to the dealership to have them do nothing and tell me that i am the only person they have ever seen it happen too and that it shouldn't happen again. *jb

2003 ford escape leaks dirt into passenger compartment when driving down a gravel road, at times the dust inside the passenger cabin is so thick it is impossible to see road or instruments. road dust is visible passing by door and seals. dealer has serviced vehicle twice for this condition. last visit the dealer suggested they would be happy to clean the vehicle out anytime we brought it in for service, and we should not operate the heater/air on gravel roads( we live on a gravel road). ford customer care was notified, but never responded.