2001 Ford Escape complaints

VEHICLE PULLS EITHER RIGHT OR LEFT RANDOMLY WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL IS LET GO. OCCURS DAILY WITH VARYING INTENSITY, ON ANY ROAD SURFACE/CONDITION, HOT OR COLD, IN EITHER DIRECTION DURING SAME DRIVING PERIOD AND SOMETIMES NOT AT ALL FOR A SHORT PERIOD. ALIGNED TWICE, THRUST BEARINGS, BUSHINGS, PLATES REPLACED, TEST-DRIVEN. WHILE PROBLEM OCCURS DAILY, IT DOES NOT OCCUR EVERY MOMENT WHICH MAY BE WHY IT DOESN'T SHOW UP WHEN ROAD-TESTED. THIRD SERVICE APPOINTMENT HAS BEEN BOOKED. CONCERNED BECAUSE WITHIN A FEW SECONDS VEHICLE CAN BE IN ANOTHER LANE (NOT THAT I DRIVE WITHOUT MY HANDS ON THE WHEEL). THANKS!

VEHICLE WAS AT STOP SIGN, WAS HIT ON PASSENGER'S SIDE, NEITHER AIBAG DEPLOYED, VEHICLE TOTALLED. *AK

EXPERIENCING AN ODOR AND FUMES COMING IN THROUGH VENTS. *AK

OWNER HAS BEEN WAITING OVER 6 WEEKS FOR CALL FROM DEALERSHIP TO HAVE VEHICLE SERVICED UNDER RECALL 00V-387. CJ

THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE O RINGS, WHICH LEAKS FUEL INTO THE INTERIOR OF THESE CARS. FORD SAYS THEY DO NOT HAVE A FIX AND PEOPLE SHOULD JUST CONTINUE TO DRIVE THE ESCAPES AND MAZDA TRIBUTES WITH THE GASOLINE FUMES, EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE HIGHLY TOXIC.*AK

FUEL LEAKAGE AROUND FUEL INJECTORS - STRONG GAS FUMES; DEALER HAS TRIED TO CORRECT TWICE AND CANNOT CORRECT PROBLEM. THEY HAVE ORDERED NEW O-RINGS FOR FUEL INJECTORS BUT THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. *AK

RAW FUEL SMELL IN CABIN WITH HEATER ON AND AT STOP LIGHT/IDELING. INTAKE GASKETS, FUEL RAIL AND INJECTORS REPLEACED. PARTS RETURNED TO FACTORY. *AK

WHEN VEHICLE WAS WARM AND RESTARTED CONSUMER NOTICED A GAS SMELL. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

EXPERIENCE FUEL SMELL IN CABIN ON WARM RESTART OF TRUCK. MORE PRONOUNCED ON WARM DAYS. STARTED EXPERIENCING FUEL SMELL AT ABOUT 800 MILES. BASED ON OTHER ESCAPE OWNERS COMMENTS, PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE DUE TO A POORLY DESIGNED INTAKE MANIFOLD AND GASKET.

VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING AT 43 MPH, ROLLED ONCE, HIT AN EMBANKMENT, ROLLED AGAIN, WAS HIT HEAD-ON, THEN HIT FROM REAR. VEHICLE HAS BOTH FRONT AIRBAGS AND FRONT SIDE AIRBAGS, NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. CONSUMER WORRIED ABOUT SAFETY.*AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

GAS FUMES SMELL WAS COMING THROUGH VENTS, CAUSING HEALTH HAZARD. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER 3 TIMES, BUT HAD NO SOLUTION.*AK

CONSUMER SMELLS GAS FUMES INSIDE VEHICLE, MOST OFTEN IN MORNING, IF FAN IS ON OR DURING SHORT TRIPS WHEN TURNING VEHICLE ON/OFF. DEALER CHECKED IT A MONTH AGO AND FOUND NOTHING. PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURS AND THEY SEEM NOT TO CARE. *AK THE DEALER COULD NOT FIND THE CAUSE FOR THE FUME INSIDE THE VEHICLE. *YH

WHEN TRANSMISSION GEAR IS SHIFTED FROM NEUTRAL INTO REVERSE NOTHING HAPPENS, ENGINE REVVS, BUT VEHICLE DOES NOT MOVE. CONSUMER HAS TO SHIFT BACK AND FORTH UNTIL VEHICLE IS FINALLY IN GEAR. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER 3 TIMES, CANNOT REMEDY PROBLEM. *AK THE PROBLEM ALSO OCCURS FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE. THE GEAR INDICATOR LIGHT GOES OFF TOO. *YH

STRONG GAS FUMES IS GETTING INTO VEHICLE, BUT DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE CAUSE. ALSO GAS MILEAGE IS VERY POOR. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

WHEN VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED CONSUMER CAN SMELL GASOLINE . CONSUMER CAN NOT FIND WHERE LEAK IS COMING FROM. CONSUMER IS GETTING LESS GAS MILEAGE EVER SINCE THIS INCIDENT HAS HAPPENED. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER SAID THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM. *AK

WHEN TURNING REAR DEFOGGER ON INSIDE OF VEHICLE, AND WHEN CONSUMER TURNS VEHICLE OFF REAR DEFOGGER STILL STAYS ON FOR DAYS AT A TIME. *AK

CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO USE RADIO BECAUSE TRANSMISSION PAWL IS IN THE WAY AND IS TOO FAR, CAUSING CONSUMER TO SHIFT GEAR WHILE DRIVING.*AK

THE VEHICLE HAS A FUEL SMELL IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AFTER RUNNING AND ALSO PRODUCES A WARM START FUEL SMELL IN THE CABIN WHEN THE VENTS ARE TURNED ON.

THE SHIFT LEVER WHEN PLACED IN THE "D" DRIVE POSITION DOES NOT LOCK IN PLACE. ADDITIONALLY THE SHIFT LEVEL EXTENDS 3-4" INTO THE RADIO AND CONTROL PANEL FOR OTHER INSTRUMENTS LIKE REAR DEFOGGER AND PARKING LIGHT SWITHCH. IF SHIFTER IS BUMPED WHILE TRYING TO CHANGE RADIO OR TO PLAY A CD OR CASSETTE, THE SHIFTER EASILY GETS KNOCKED OUT OF POSITION. I HAVE REPOTED THIS TO MY DEALER, THEY CHECKED OTHER ESCAPES ON THE LOT. THEY ALL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I EMAILED FORD DIRECTLY ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, AND THEY HAVE NOT AS YET RESPONDED. I BELIVE THAT THIS PROBLEM CAN CAUSE A SERIOUS PROBLEM IF NOT FIXED.

FUEL SMELL AFTER RESTARTING VEHICLE WHEN ENGINE IS WARM. FUEL ODOR VERY STRONG! THIS HAS BEEN SHOWN TO BE A PROBLEM ON NUMEROUS ESCAPES AND TRIBUTES, AS SEEN ON THE YAHOO FORDESCAPECLUB AND IN THE EDMUNDS.COM DISCUSSION THREAD FOR THE FORD ESCAPE. IF I TURN THE VENT OFF FOR A FEW MINUTES AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE SMELL GOES AWAY. NOTE THAT MY DEALERSHIP AND SEVERAL OTHERS HAVE CLAIMED NOT TO BE ABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE, BUT SEVERAL PEOPLE ON THE FORDESCAPECLUB SITE HAVE BEEN ABLE TO TIGHTEN THE BOLTS ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE INTAKE MANIFOLD (AS FACING ENGINE) TO LIMIT THE SMELL. MY DEALER EVENTUALLY REPORTED THAT THIS WAS CAUSED BY A "WEEPING" INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKET. I AM CONCERNED THAT UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS THE FUEL SEEPING FROM THE GASKET COULD IGNITE AND CAUSE AN UNDER-HOOD FIRE.*AK

DISTINCT GASOLINE FUEL SMELL IN CAR UPON SHORT STOP-OVERS, VERY CONSISTENT. FUEL ODOR IN THE VEHICLE WHEN RESTARTED

VEHICLE LOST ELECTICAL POWER, INCLUDING IGNITION WHILE TRAVELING AT 65 MPH. IF THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN THE PASSING LANE OR IN A TUNNEL UPCOMING IN 35 MILES, THE ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE BEEN VERY SERIOUS AND VERY LIKELY CATASTROPHIC. VEHICLE WAS TOWED 100 MILES TO GIBBONS FORD. IT REMAINS THERE AS OF 9 JAN 01.*AK

CABIN FILLS WITH SMELL OF RAW FUEL WHEN CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM ON ..ALSO SMELL OF RAW FUEL UNDER HOOD . MFG INSPECTED VEHICLE AND DOES NOT KNOW WHERE PROBLEM ORIGINATES.VEHICLE IS NOW OUT OF SERVICE 36 DAYS WHILE ENGINEERING LOOKS FOR SOLUTION TO PROBLEM .VARIOUS PARTS HAVE BEEN CHANGED WITH NO RESOLUTION TO DATE .

FUEL SMELL INSIDE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT COMING THROUGH AIR CONDITIONING VENTS

PLEASE FORCE FORD MOTOR CO. TO PROVIDE A SEAT BELT EXTENDER FOR THIS VEHICLE. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

WHILE TRAVELING AND ARRIVING AT DESTINATION SAW SMOKE COMING UNDER HOOD. OPENED HOOD AND SAW FLAMES. PUT FIRE OUT. DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND STATED THAT POWER STEERING PUMP CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK

GEAR SHIFTER WILL NOT GO DOWN ALL THE WAY. WHEN MOVING HAND, GEARS WILL CHANGE WHILE DRIVING. *AK THE GEAR SHIFTER HANDLE GETS STUCK HALF-WAY DOWN WHEN CHANGING GEARS DUE TO DESIGN FLAW. *YH

FUEL SMELL COMING FROM A/C VENTS AFTER WARM ENGINE RESTART. SUSPECT INTAKE MANIFOLD NOT PROPERLY TIGHTENED.

GAS ODOR IN INTERIOR COMPARTMENT OF VEHCILE AFTER ENGINE IS SHUT DOWN. GAS SMELL IS EVIDENT ON PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE

VEHICLE EXPERIENCING PROBLEM WITH ICE DEVELOPING ON FRONT WHEELS WHICH CAUSES SEVERE VIBRATION WHEN DRIVING. DEALER / MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED AT THIS TIME. *AK

CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WAS VERY TIGHT AND WAS HAVING TROUBLE KEEPING THE VEHICLE ON THE ROAD. NLM

CABLE CAME OFF CLUTCH PEDAL UNDER THE DASH. PEDAL WENT COMPLETELY TO FLOOR AND WAS UNABLE TO SHIFT CARE. CABLE WAS REPLACED BY VEHICLE OWNER, BUT FAILED TO STAY ON 2 MORE TIMES.

SMELL OF GAS ENTERS CABIN THROUGH VENTS ON WARM RESTARTS AND IN IDLING FOR LENGTHY PERIODS AS WELL AS STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. *AK

LIGHT GAS OR OIL SMELL IN PASSENGER COMPARTMENT DURING IDLING WITH HOT ENGINE (NOT ON COLD START)

SINCE DRIVING VEHICLE OFF LOT, I'VE NOTICE A FUEL ODOR COMING FROM THE UNDERHOOD AREA INTO THE PASSENGER CABIN THROUGH THE HEATING/COOLING VENTS. THIS REGULARLY OCCURS DURING WARM RESTARTS AND WHEN IDLING IN TRAFFIC WITH A WARM ENGINE. ODOR IS MORE NOTICABLE WITH DASH VENTS BLOWING. FUEL LINE RECALL WAS ACTED UPON BUT DIDN'T PROVIDE SOLUTION.

FUEL SMELL INSIDE VEHICLE WHEN STARTING ENGINE. *AK

THERE IS A GASOLINE ODOR THAT COMES THROUGH THE HVAC SYSTEM DURING A WARM RE-START; NEVER ON COLD START. OUTSIDE AIR TEMPERATURE ALSO SEEMS TO HAVE A BEARING ON THE ODOR. THE GASOLINE ODOR IS NOT APPARENT WHEN OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS BELOW 32 DEGREES. THE ODOR SEEMS STRONGEST ON THE RIGHT HAND (PASSENGER) SIDE OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT.*AK

WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE NAMED IN THIS COMPLAINT IN OCT. 2000 AND WITHIN FOUR DAYS OF THE PURCHASE RETURNED IT TO THE DEALER BECAUSE WE EXPERIENCED GASOLINE FUMES (NOT EXHAUST) COMING THROUGH THE AIR VENTS WITH EITHER HEAT/AIR OR A/C ON. THE DEALER KEPT THE CAR FOR OVER A WEEK AND SAID THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH IT, THOUGH SERVICE PEOPLE SMELLED THE GAS FUME SMELL. WE RETURNED THE CAR A SECOND TIME AS THE SMELL WAS GETTING STRONGER. IT OCCURS ON WARM STARTS, NEVER WHEN THE CAR IS STARTED UP COLD. THE FUME SMELL IS APPARENT FOR 5-10 MINUTES, AND THINS OUT WHEN THE CAR IS RUNNING AT HIGH SPEEDS AND AIR IS COMING IN. THE SECOND TIME THE DEALER HAD THE CAR THEY KEPT IT A WEEK AND COULD NOT FIX IT. THEY AGREED TO REPLACE THE VEHICLE WITH ANOTHER. TEN DAYS LATER WE TOOK OWNERSHIP OF ANOTHER VEHICLE EXACTLY LIKE THIS ONE. FORTY-EIGHT HOURS INTO DRIVING IT THE GAS SMELL WAS NOTICEABLE AGAIN. WE NOTIFIED THE DEALER WHO SAID THAT FORD HAS NO FIX FOR IT. THE DEALER HAD NO COMMENT OR IDEA ON WHEN/IF/HOW THIS WOULD BE RESOLVED. WE WENT OUT TO THE INTERNET AND IN SEVERAL LOCATIONS, EDMUNDS.COM AND YAHOO ESCAPE CLUB AMONG OTHERS, WE FOUND TESTIMONIAL AFTER TESTIMONIAL OF CUSTOMERS OWNING THE V-6 ESCAPE, AND THE MIRROR CAR, THE MAZDA TRIBUTE, HAVING EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEMS WE HAVE EXPERIENCED. THIS IS CLEARLY NOT AN ISOLATED EXCEPTION WITH OUR VEHICLE. ONE PERSON EXPERIENCED HIS CAR BURNING TO THE GROUND WITH 800 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. WE WANT TO ALERT YOU TO THIS PROBLEM AND THE FACT THA

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD GET STUCK IN RIGHT TURNS WHEN TURNING RIGHT. WHEN TURNING LEFT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT FULLY TURN UNLESS FORCED INTO THE NEEDED RANGE. FINALLY STEERING WHEEL GOT STUCK IN A RIGHT TURN AND HAD TO BE TOWED. LESS THAN 24 HOURS OF OWNERSHIP AND LESS THAN ME DRIVING 15 MILES.*AK

FUEL VAPORS ENTERING PASSENGER COMPARTMENT VIA VENTILATION DUCTS. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

TIRES HAD LESS THAN 3,000 MILES ON THEM AND TREAD ALREADY 1/2 GONE. (TIRESIZE: 16 INCH)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 16 INCH )

WHILE PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP LIGHT THIS VEHICLE EQUIPPED WITH FIRESTONE, WILDERNESS/AT TIRES, P23575R16, SIDEWALL BLEWOUT UNEXPECTEDLY. FORD HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK

WINDSHIELD WIPERS NOT OPERATING. DEALER NOTIFIED AND WAITED FOR PARTS. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND IT WAS RAINING, AND WINDSHIELD WIPERS DIDN'T WORK AT ALL. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. PARTS HAD TO BE ORDERDERED. *AK