2003 Ford Escape

A safety defect may exist in vehicles in which remanufactured automatic transmissions were installed as service replacement parts. The shift lever bolt may not have been torqued to the proper torque specification.  If the improperly torqued shift level bolt loosens and backs out, the shift lever may disengage from the transmission without warning, and the transmission may not respond to the shifter selection movement by the operator.  This could result in the loss of transmission gear selection, and possible unintended vehicle movement, which would increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or property damage.  Correction: Dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the shift lever assembly and/or the shift level bolt torqued to the proper specification.

On certain vehicles registered and operated in areas where road salt is used on the roadways during winter months for extended time periods (Ontario,
Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland-Labrador), the forward attachment point for the lower control arm may separate from the vehicle's subframe. This could affect vehicle handling and increase the risk of a crash causing injury and/or property damage. Correction: Dealers will install a newly designed reinforcement cross-brace.

On certain vehicles equipped with a 3.0L V6 engine and speed control, inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector could result in a stuck throttle when the accelerator pedal is fully or almost-fully depressed.  A stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to slow or stop the vehicle if the transmission is not shifted into neutral.  This could result in a crash causing property damage and/or personal injury.  Correction: Dealers will replace the rear engine cover fastener, which will raise the cover in the area of the speed control cable to provide adequate clearance between the cover the speed control cable connector.

On certain vehicles, the electrical wiring connector to the ABS module may have been manufactured incorrectly.  Over time, contaminants can enter the ABS electrical connector interface and corrode the terminals.  This could cause the ABS warning indicator to illuminate, an open fuse, and in some instances, smoking, melting or burning of the electrical connector, with the potential for a fire while the vehicle is unattended.  In addition, ABS function may be lost.  Correction: Dealers will inspect and, if required, repair the wiring connector.

On certain vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines, the accelerator cable's inner liner may, over time, migrate out of the conduit at the dash panel fitting during vehicle operation.  The liner may migrate to the point that it contacts the accelerator pedal arm.  Under these conditions the liner may prevent the pedal from fully returning, which may not allow the throttle body to fully return to the "idle" position.  Typically the condition results in a progressive increase in the "idle" speed if liner migration continues over time, but may cause a more sudden increase if a greater portion of the cable moves at one time.  An unexpected increase in "idle" speed may result in longer than expected stopping distances, which could potentially lead to a crash.  Correction:  Dealers will replace the accelerator cable.