CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT WORK AT ALL, THERE ARE SO MANY PROBLEMS IN THIS VEHICLE. *JB
2001 Ford Escape complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2001 record →
TRANSMISSION SHIFT LINKAGE BROKE. CAUSING VEHICLE TO GO INTO NEUTRAL AND ROLL DOWN DRIVEWAY. 3RD INCIDENT OF SAME PROBLEM ON THIS VEHICLE. *NM
CONSUMER EXPERIENCED A TREAD SEPARATION ON ALL FOUR TIRES. *TS EACH TIRE WAS REPLACED. CONTINENTAL REJECTED THE CONSUMERS CLAIM STATED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A REPAIRED PUNCTURE IN THE TIRE. *SC
DT: AFTER THE CONTACT WAS PULLING OUT FROM A HIGHWAY ON OCTOBER 11, 2005 THE VEHICLE ACTED LIKE IT WAS LOSING POWER. IT WOULD SLOW DOWN, AND THEN IT WOULD ONLY GO LESS THAN 10 MPH. WHEN THIS OCCURRED THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT STARTED FLASHED. THREE OF THE CHILDREN IN THE CAR SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SEVEN MONTHS BEFORE SHE HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUSHED. THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS AT THAT TIME. THE CONTACT TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY SAID THAT THE COMPUTER SHOWED THE CODE P0733, THAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, AND IT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT FOUND THAT THERE WERE OTHER PEOPLE WITH SIMILAR TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. *AK.
DT: THE CONSUMER OWNS A 2001 FORD ESCAPE THAT EXPERIENCED A TRANSMISSION FAILURE. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 55 MPH THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT FLASHED. THE CONSUMER EXITED THE HIGHWAY AND WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. WHEN THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN THE VEHICLE REVVED, BUT WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO ENGAGE SECOND GEAR AND DRIVE 10 MILES HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS SHAKING OR LURCHING BACK AND FORTH ON THE DRIVE HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALERSHIP WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC CHECK WAS PERFORMED AND SUGGESTED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER COULD OFFER NO EXPLANATION OTHER THAN IT MAY BE THE TORQUE CONVERTER. THIS HAPPENED AT 71,000 MILES. THIS WAS THE SECOND TRANSMISSION. THE EXACT SAME THING HAD HAPPENED AT 49, 000 MILES. THE CONSUMER SPLIT THE COST WITH FORD WITH THE FIRST TRANSMISSION. THE SECOND TRANSMISSION HAS NOT BEEN REPLACED. THE CONSUMER WAS NEGOTIATING WITH FORD ABOUT THE PROBLEM. *AK
BRAKE FLUID FROM THE MASTER CYLINDER LEAKED ON A WIRING HARNESS AND CAUSED MULTIPLE SYSTEM FAILURES INCLUDING THE ABS SYSTEM, THE CRUISE CONTROL, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG, AND THE DISPLAY ON THE RADIO. THE SERVICE TECH INDICATED THAT I WAS LUCKY I AVOIDED A FIRE. THIS SEEMS VERY SIMILAR TO THE RECALL ON THE FORD F-150S THAT IS CAUSING MULTIPLE FIRES. *NM PER DIAGNOSTICS FOR THE VERIFICATION OF THE AIRBAG LAMP, THE CAUSE WAS DUE TO THE POWER FUSE OF THE MODULE/OPEN CIRCUIT FROM ABS INTERNAL CIRCUIT DAMAGE. *SC
I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE LIFTGATE LATCH NOT LOCKING PROPERLY FOR NEARLY A YEAR. I FOUND ON YOUR WEBSITE UNDER "RECALLS" THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE MODEL (FORD ESCAPE 2001). I CALLED MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME IT IS NOT FOUND UNDER THE FORD OASIS OF RECALLS. I'M CONCERNED AFTER READING THE INFORMATION, YOU PROVIDED ON YOUR WEBSITE, THAT THIS COULD CAUSE THE LIFTGATE TO OPEN DURING A CRASH. WHY ARE YOU CALLING THIS A "RECALL" WHEN FORD SAYS IT'S NOT A RECALL? I WANT TO GET THIS FIXED BUT BELIEVE FORD SHOULD SEE THIS IS A PROBLEM AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. *NM
APPROACHING HIWAY CONSTRUCTION WITH FLAGMAN AND ABOUT 10 CARS STOPPED, WHEN I HIT THE BRAKE, CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO DISENGAGE, THROTTLE STUCK WIDE-OPEN. I TRIED TO TURN IT OFF WITH ON/OFF BUTTON ON STEERING WHEEL BUT NO RESULT,APPROACHING STOPPED LINE OF CARS AT FULL THROTTLE, TOWING CAMPING TRAILER. FINALLY, I SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL AND WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR/TRAILER, ENGINE RACING MAX REVS AND MAKING STRANGE NOISE, FALTERING AS IT MIGHT WHEN THE FUEL MIXTURE WAS TOO RICH. I THEN TURNED THE ENGINE OFF, AND UPON INSPECTION UNDER THE HOOD AND LOCATING WHAT WE THOUGHT WAS THE CRUISE CONTROL, WE JIGGLED A CABLE GOING INTO IT AND HEARD A CLUNK WITHIN. I THEN STARTED THE CAR AND IT RAN NORMALLY. CONTINUED TRIP, JUST DIDN'T USE CRUISE CONTROL !! UPON RETURNING FROM TRIP, I CALLED MY FORD DEALER IN DURANGO, CO AND WAS TOLD TO CALL CUSTOMER RELATIONS. I DID SO TWICE, AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL ON MY CAR. I THEN SEARCHED THE NHTSA WEBSITE, AND FOUND THERE WAS A RECALL ON 2001 ESCAPE FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM (SAFETY RECALL 00S18, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID# 00V210001), BUT MY CAR'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED! I SUBMIT THAT THIS INCIDENT ILLUSTRATES THAT THIS VIN (AND MAYBE MANY OTHERS) SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED (I JUST DON'T USE THE CRUISE), SO I STILL HAVE THE OLD PART, PENDING RESOLUTION OF THIS ISSUE. THANK YOU. *NM
NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 04V602000 I HAVE THIS ABOVE LATCH PROBLEM. FORD IS TELLING ME MY CAR IS NOT ELIGIBLE. VIN # 07/18/2012. *JB UPDATED 07/18/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
AIR BAG LIGHT HAS ILLUMINATED OCCASIONALLY SINCE VEHICLE WAS NEW(NOV 1, 2001). SEAT BELT BUCKLE LATCH WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY IN JAN 03. PROBLEM FIXED. NEXT OCCURRENCE NOV 03. CONNECTIONS CLEANED AND TREATED, PROBLEM FIXED. IN MAY 05 PROBLEM APPEARED AGAIN, WITH THE ADDITION OF INTERMITTENT SEAT BELT LIGHT ILLUMINATION. VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO DEALER. A TSB HAD BEEN ISSUED BY FORD TO REPLACE THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE PRE-TENSIONER ON BOTH SEATS. THE TSB WAS NOT COVERED BY AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, AND THE REPAIR WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $695. REPAIR WAS DECLINED. HOWEVER, OWNER WAS CHARGED $75 TO READ THE CODES. OWNER CLEANED AND TREATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS UNDER BOTH SEATS. LIGHTS ARE NO LONGER ILLUMINATED. *JB
DT: 2001 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONSUMER FOUND A RECALL ON LINE, THIS RECALL DID NOT PERTAIN TO THIS VEHICLE DUE TO VIN. WHEN DRIVING, THE VEHICLE DIED, POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS HARD TO CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT KEEP A IDLING. . THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY HAVE NOT YET CONTACTED THE CONSUMER. THE PROBLEM STARTED TWO WEEKS AGO, ON AUGUST 30, 2005. THE CONSUMER STATED IT HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY TEN TIMES. *AK
IN JUNE 2005, I WAS TRAVELING TO WORK WHEN MY CAR HYDROPLANED AND I HIT A BRIDGE. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF MY AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. I SUFFERED A FEW BUMPS AND BRUISES BUT NEVER WENT TO THE DOCTOR. IF THE ACCIDENT WERE WORSE THAN WHAT IT WAS AND THE AIR BAGS MALFUNCTIONED, I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. I WENT TO FORD AND NOTHING WAS EVER DONE ABOUT IT. IT WAS NEVER LOOKED INTO TO SEE IF THEY DID INFACT MALFUNCTION. I LOOKED UP THE RECALLS AND THERE WAS ONE TO THE WHEEL AND SOMETHING ELSE AND I WANT TO SEE IF THAT RECALL WERE FIXED. *JB
2001 FORD ESCAPE 33063 MILES VIN [XXX] COULD HAVE RESULTED IN CRASH. (1) NO WARNING (2) TRANSMISSION FAILURE (3) TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT BY DEALER UNDER WARRANTY. *JB UPDATED 07/19/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
(1) [2ND FAILURE] NO WARNING. (2) TRANSMISSION FAILURE COULD HAVE RESULTED IN CRASH. (3) TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. *JB
1. THE AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD STAY ON OR FLASH 2. THERE WAS NO CONSEQUENCE OR FAILURE SINCE I RESPONDED IMMEDIATELY BY TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP 3. DIAGNOSTICS WERE RUN SHOWING DIAGNOSTIC CODE B1881, HIGH RESISTANCE, R&R BOTH SEATS, R&R PRETENSIONS R KITS. REINSTALL AND CLEAR CODES. I WAS TOLD THIS MEANT IN A CRASH, THE FRONT SEAT BELTS (BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER) WOULD FAIL TO RETRACT, IN ESSENCE, RENDERING THE SEAT BELTS USELESS. REPAIR KITS WERE INSTALLED ON EACH SEATBELT. PARTS INCLUDED WITH INSTALLATION ARE: PART NUMBER PATSKEY $35.00, 1L8Z 78610E22 AAA KIT REPAIR $103.33, 1L8Z 78610E23 AAA KIT REPAIR $103.33, PLUS LABOR $227.95 FOR A TOTAL OF $523.61. I DON'T THINK CONSUMERS SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR SUCH REPAIRS. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE IN THIS CAR AND SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. *JB
WE ARE A LEASING COMPANY AND HAVE HAD THREE (3) 2001 FORD ESCAPES TO DATE THAT HAVE HAD FAILED TRANSMISSIONS. FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE OUR ATTEMPTS TO GET REIMBURSEMENT.
IN MAY 2005 THE ACCELERATOR CABLE STUCK WIDE OPEN ON MY 2001 FORD ESCAPE (V-6 ENGINE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION) THIS HAPPENED IN MY DRIVEWAY WHEN I PUNCHED DOWN ON THE PEDAL VERY HARD. THERE IS A PLASTIC COVER ON TOP OF THE ENGINE THAT MUST BE REMOVED IN ORDER TO SEE WHERE THE CABLES HOOK UP TO THE THROTTLE BODY. I REMOVED THIS TO DETERMINE IF IT WAS THE THROTTLE BODY OR THE CABLE THAT WAS STUCK. AS I WAS TAKING IT OFF THE CABLE BECAME UNSTUCK ON IT'S OWN SO I WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. AT THAT POINT I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM SO THEY DID NOTHING. ON 8/10/05 MY WIFE PUSHED DOWN HARD ON THE GAS PEDAL WHILE MERGING INTO FREEWAY TRAFFIC. THE ACCELERATOR STUCK WIDE OPEN AGAIN AND SHE FOUND HERSELF GOING ABOUT 100 MPH DOWN THE HIGHWAY. FINALLY SHE PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL, SHUT OFF THE ENGINE, COASTED TO THE BERM AND CALLED A TOW TRUCK. SINCE THE DEALER COULDN'T FIX THE PROBLEM THE FIRST TIME I DECIDED TO LOOK AT IT AGAIN MYSELF. AGAIN I TOOK THE PLASTIC COVER OFF THE TOP OF THE ENGINE AND ONCE AGAIN THE CABLE BECAME UNSTUCK. THIS MADE ME SUSPECT THAT THE PLASTIC COVER MAY HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE PROBLEM. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION I FOUND THAT THE CRUISE CONTROL CABLE HOUSING HAD BROKEN RIGHT BEFORE THE PART THAT CONNECTS TO THE THROTTLE BODY. THIS CREATES A SITUATION THAT CAN CAUSE THE CRUISE CABLE TO PIVOT UP AND WEDGE AGAINST THE PLASTIC ENGINE COVER DURING HARD ACCELERATION INSTEAD OF IT MOVING IN ITS HOUSING LIKE I
A HISSING NOISE IS COMING FROM MY BRAKE PEDAL. WHEN I PRESS DOWN ON THE BRAKE IT GOES AWAY BUT WHEN I LET UP ON THE BRAKE IT STARTS MAKING THE HISSING NOISE AGAIN. *JB
DT: THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001, FORD, ESCAPE. EVERY TIME CONSUMER TOOK TIRES OFF TO WORK ON THE BRAKES B OR ANYTHING ELSE SHE HAD TO REPLACE HER WHEEL BEARINGS. THIS ONLY OCCURRED ON THE LEFT FRONT TIRE. THE AUTOMOTIVE PLACE THAT SPECIALIZED IN BRAKES SAID THAT THIS OCCURRED ON A LOT ON SIMILAR MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR VEHICLES. THE LAST TIME THEY WERE REPLACED WAS IN APRIL 2005. *AK
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 8 YEAR OLD TWINS TO A PIANO RECITAL IN MY 2001 FORD ESCAPE, AND, WHILE GOING UP A STEEP HILL ON A FOUR-LANE ROAD, THE ENGINE DOWNSHIFTED AND THE CAR ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL. WHEN SHE REALIZED THAT SHE THE CAR WAS SPEEDING FORWARD WHEN SHE WAS NOT PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR, SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES HARD, BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. IN AN ATTEMPT TO AVOID THE CARS, SHE TOOK AN OFF-RAMP BUT QUICKLY REALIZED THAT TRAFFIC WAS STOPPED THERE AS WELL. IN DESPERATION, MY WIFE PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE CAR THEN STOPPED, BUT THEN LOST SHE LOST EVERYTHING. MY ESCAPE STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS DOWN THE HILL, EVEN WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON. AGAIN, THE FOOT BRAKE DIDN'T RESPOND. SHE WAS HEADED BACKWARDS DOWN THE 1/2 MILE, STEEPLY GRADED HILL INTO THE CARS COMING UP THE HILL. SHE TURNED THE WHEEL TO BACK UP THE STEEP EMBANKMENT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER BOUNCING BACKWARDS THROUGH THE STEEP DITCH AND TRAVELING ABOUT 14 FEET UP THE EMBANKMENT, THE CAR PAUSED FOR A MOMENT AND THEN SLAMMED FORWARD BACK INTO THE DITCH. OUR CHILDREN WERE NOT HURT. MY WIFE HAS SUFFERED WHIPLASH WHICH IS REQUIRING MEDICATION, PHYSICAL THERAPY, AND GIVES HER CONSTANT PAIN. MY LOCAL FORD DEALER HAS BEEN HONEST THAT A CRUISE CONTROL WIRE WAS FRAYED, AND EVEN THOUGH SHE WAS NOT USING THE CRUISE CONTROL, IT WAS MOVING IN PARALLEL TO THE ACCELERATOR CABLE. THE FRAYED CRUISE CONTROL CABLE STUCK AND CAUSED THE ACCELERATOR TO COMPRESS AND STICK. THEY HAVE NO EXPLANATION FOR THE LOSS OF BRAKES
2001 FORD ESCAPE W/37K MILES NEEDS POWER STEERING RACK REPLACED.
2001 FORD ESCAPE, 61,000 MILES, CLUTCH FAILURE, CLUTCH PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. WAS ON ENTRANCE RAMP TO INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, IN SLOW MOVING TRAFFIC, OTHERWISE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. INVESTIGATED ON INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THIS PROBLEM IS DESCRIBED IN FORD TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 1-24-1, SO IS OBVIOUSLY A KNOWN ISSUE. ONE OF RELATIVELY FEW TSBS THAT COULD CAUSE A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT IF IT OCCURRED AT SPEED. MOST OF THE TSBS ARE FOR THINGS LIKE "WHINING/BUZZING IN AUDIO SYSTEM," "ENGINE OIL RECOMMENDATIONS/APPLICATIONS," "INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS--FUEL SMELL TO THE INTERIOR." WHILE SOME OF THESE MAY BE SIGNIFICANT, FEW OF THEM WOULD CAUSE A CATASTROPHIC PROBLEM IF THEY OCCURED AT SPEED. THE "GENERAL RECALL" AND "SAFETY RECALLS" CATEGORIES, WHICH INCLUDE THINGS LIKE "SPEED CONTROL CABLE DEFECT" AND "REAR DRIVESHAFT REPLACEMENT DIFFERENTIAL LEAK" SEEM TO ME MUCH MORE APPROPRIATE PLACES FOR THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM TO BE REPORTED. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO FORD DEALER. CONVERSATION WITH THEM THIS MORNING. CONFIRMED THAT PROBLEM WAS WITH MASTER AND SLAVE CYLINDER WHICH THEY SAID NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. DENIED KNOWLEDGE OF A KNOWN PROBLEM OF THIS TYPE. SAID THAT THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I TOLD THEM TO GO AHEAD AND REPLACE THE CYLINDERS.
DT: CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER DOOR LATCHES STOPPED WORKING. AFTER ABOUT A MONTH EARLIER DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LATCH QUIT WORKING. UPON EXAMINATION THE ATTACHMENT TO THE ROD BROKE AWAY FROM THE DOOR LATCH. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TO A SERVICE DEALER. *AK
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS STARTING TO FAIL. THE GEAR SHIFTING IS BECOMING MORE AND MORE JERKY. GRINDING SOUNDS ARE NOW AUDIBLE DURING GEAR SHIFTS.
IN MY 2001 FORD ESCAPE XLT BOTH FRONT HEADLIGHTS HAVE LOST THEIR SEALS, AT SEPARATE TIMES WITHOUT ANY DAMANGE TO THE VEHICLE HAVING OCCURRED, AND WATER ENTER THE LIGHT COMPARTMENT, DIFUSING THE HEADLIGHT AND NECESSITATING ABOUT $300 IN REPLACEMENT COSTS, EACH. I JUST FIND IT VERY STRANGE THAT BOTH LIGHTS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND IT IS AN UNUSUAL PROBLEM TO BEGIN WITH. THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT WENT AROUND JUNE 2004 AND THE PASSENGER SIDE ONE JUST BROKE.
DT: ON THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE THEIR IS NOISE COMING FROM THE AXLE. THERE IS A LOT OF MOVEMENT IN THE BRAKE PEDAL, AND THE VEHICLE PULLS TO LEFT. *NM *SB
ON OR AROUND APRIL 15, 2005 MY 2001 FORD ESCAPE VIN [XXX]SUNROOF BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION. THAT IS, THE ROOF DID NOT MOVE FORWARD OR BACKWARD. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THE SERVICE ADVISOR NOTIFIED ME THAT THE RACK FORD PART NUMBER [XXX]WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. I FEEL THAT WITH SUCH LITTLE USE (MAYBE A TOTAL OF 3 HOURS OVER 4 YEARS) THIS FORD PART SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE BELLY UP. IN MY OPINION, UNDER NORMAL USE, THIS PART SHOULD NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED IN SUCH A SHORT TIME WITH SUCH LITTLE USE. *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2001 FORD ESCAPE XLT V6, 4 WHEEL DRIVE. MY TRUCK CURRENTLY HAS 75000 MILES OF USE. I FEEL THE INCIDENT I CHOSE TO WRITE ABOUT IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE AS IT INVOLVES A MALFUNCTION OF THE ANIT-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) WHICH SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCES BRAKING ACTION (ON DRY PAVEMENT!) WHEN IT OCCURS. I AM ALSO AWARE OF AT LEAST TWO OTHER FORD ESCAPE OWNERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE. THE FAILURE CAUSES THE ABS TO ACTIVATE ON DRY PAVEMENT, WHEN ABSOLUTELY NO SLIPPAGE IS OCCURRING AT ANY WHEEL. THE ACTIVITY OF THE ABS SYSTEM ACTUALLY SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCES BRAKING CAPACITY AND CAUSES THE BRAKE PEDAL TO GO DOWN NOTICEABLY FURTHER THAN NORMAL WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP. ONLY A QUICK AVOIDANCE MANEUVER ALLOWED ME TO AVOID REAR-ENDING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. PUMPING THE BRAKES DOES NOT HELP SINCE THE ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL MODULE IS MODULATING THE BRAKES AT SUCH A RATE, PUMPING THE BRAKE DOES NOT PRODUCE A FIRMER PEDAL. I HAVE TRACED THE PROBLEM TO A FAULTY ABS SYSTEM ROTATION TRANSDUCER DESIGN ON THE FRONT WHEELS OF THE ESCAPE. THE TRANSDUCER IS BASICALLY A SPLINED RING ABOUT 8MM WIDE. THE RING IS APPARENTLY FRICTION FIT ONTO THE HALF-SHAFT NEAR THE FRONT CV JOINTS JUST INSIDE OF THE FRONT HUB ASSEMBLY. A SENSOR APPARENTLY PICKS UP THE PEAKS OR VALLEYS IN THE SPLINED RING AS IT ROTATES PAST THE SENSOR TO DETERMINE WHEEL ROTATION SPEED. IT IS THE SPLINED RING THAT FAILS, MINE ACTUALLY SPLIT ACROSS ITS WIDTH CAUSING IT TO LOOSEN AND MOVE AWAY FROM
THE O/D LIGHT STARTED FLASHING .I DROVE THE VEHICLE ABOUT 5 MILES TO MY DRIVEWAY.WHEN I WENT TO MOVE THE CAR IT WOULDN'T GO IN REVERSE. CONTACTED DEALER WITH NO RESULTS. SENT CAR TO TRANSMISSION SHOP AND HAD A REBUILT TRANSMISSION PUT IN.
VEHICLE STALES DURING DECELARTION
WAS STRUCK IN THE REAR END BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, EVIDENTLY, AFTER THAT THE TWO FRONT HUB BEARINGS WENT BAD. DEALERSHIP STATED IT WAS NOT DUE TO ACCIDENT.*AK
TRANSMISSION FAILURE RESULTING IN UNSAFE OPERATING CONDITIONS. VEHICLE DEVELOPED INTERMITTENT SHUDDER DURING ACCELERATIONS ALONG WITH INTERMITTENT LOSS AND SLIPPING OF FORWARD GEARS. HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS WHEN MERGING WITH TRAFFIC OR UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS SINCE CONDITION WAS UNPREDICTABLE AND VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND TO DRIVER'S INPUT. APPEARED TO HAPPEN MOSTLY IN COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS. FAILURE ALSO RESULTED IN NON COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS REGULATIONS SINCE SHIFT LEVER DID NOT CORRESPOND ACCURATELY TO OPERATOR'S INTENDED VEHICLE DRIVING MODE (I.E NO FORWARD MOTION WHEN SHIFT SELECTOR WAS IN DRIVE POSITION). MULTIPLE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS EXIST FOR THIS CD4E AUTO TRANSAXLE RELATING TO THIS FAILURE MODE IN FORD SYSTEM AND ALSO ON NHTSA WEBSITE, SO CONDITION IS KNOWN AND IS WIDESPREAD ON MANY VEHICLES. CREATED VERY HAZARDOUS DRIVING SITUATIONS BEFORE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE RESULTING IN INOPERATIVE VEHICLE.*AK
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS TURNING IN FRONT OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE, CAUSING IT TO SWERVED AROUND THE VEHICLE TRYING TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. IN THE PROCESS, IT HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK
HISSING NOISE COMING FROM BRAKES. STOPS WHEN I DEPRESS THE BRAKES AND RETURNS UPON TAKING MY FOOT OFF BRAKES. THIS CANNOT BE GOOD. MECHANICS PRETENDED THAT THEY DID NOT HEAR THIS. MUST BE AN EXPENSIVE FIX BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN STONE WALLED. *JB
NEW FIRESTONE TIRE IN REGULAR PASSENGER VEHICLE USAGE. FOUR DESTINATION LE TIRES P23570R16 PURCHASED AS REPLACEMENTS OF OEM TIRES. WITHIN 10,000 MILES THE SIDEWALL BUBBLES FORMING TWO LARGE BLISTERS ON ONE TIRE. NO EXTERNAL DAMAGE CAUSED THIS CONDITION. FIRESTONE REPLACED THE TIRE. DEFECT WAS LEFT AT THE FIRESTONE OUTLET.*AK
2001 ESCAPE STALLS REPEATEDLY WHEN STARTING AND WHEN IDLING AT STOP LIGHTS. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN INTERMITTENT SO FORD DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO FIX. USUALLY ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE ENGINE IS HOT. HAS NOT CAUSED AN ACCIDENT YET. THIS IS A 4 CYLINDER MANUAL TRANSMISSION SO IT DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE PREVIOUS RECALL.*AK
WHEN PLACING FOOT ONTO THE GAS PEDAL VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE. THEN, ONCE IT MOVES IT JUMPS. *AK
AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILUMINATES INTERMITTENTLY DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. PROBLEM BEGAN AFTER COMPLETION OF FORD RECALL 04S13.*AK
THE BRAKES IN MY CAR COMPLETELY FAILED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES, LUCKILY, BECAUSE I WAS ON RARELY USED DIRT ROADS. THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARARNTY, SO I RETURNED IT TO THE DEALER, WHO FIXED OR REPLACED A MAJOR HYDRAULIC COMPONENT OF THE BRAKE SYSTEM.
THE SUV SAT PARKED FOR A 3 DAY PERIOD. HEAVY RAIN STORMS MOVED THROUGH AREA FOR 1 AND 1/2 DAYS OF THAT TIME HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVEN. AFTER THE 3RD DAY, THE SUV WAS STARTED AT WHICH TIME THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STARTED TO BLINK AND WHEN ACCELERATOR WAS DEPRESSED FOR POWER, THE ENGINE SPUTTERED. PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A 'BAD COIL PACK". IT WAS REPLACED AND GIVEN BACK. AFTER 3 DAYS OF DRIVING, THE SAME FAILURE HAPPENED AGAIN, THIS TIME THEY REPLACED THE "COIL PACK" AND THE WIRING HARNESS. JUST OVER 6 MONTHS LATER, THE SAME SITUATION OCCURED WITH THE VEHICLE. IT SAT FOR 4 DAYS IN WHICH TIME A SEVERE RAIN STORM CAME THROUGH HOWEVER VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVEN NOR STANDING IN WATER. STARTED THE VEHICLE ON THE 4TH DAY WITH THE EXACT SAME RESULT. VEHICLE IS IN FORD GARAGE AND WAS NOTIFIED THAT THE COIL PACK WAS DAMAGED DUE TO MOISTURE. THESE FAILURES ARE NOT COVERED UNDER ANY WARRANTY AND SHOULD BE HAPPENING.
CAR SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE 3 HOURS AFTER BEING DRIVEN. I BELIEVE FORD IS TRYING TO COVER-UP WHAT REALLY HAPPENED BY FEEDING ME LINES OF BS. INCIDENTALLY, FORD COVERED 90% OF THE COSTS FOR REPAIR EVEN THOUGH MY CAR WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY.
MYSELF AND A FRIEND, DEANE GRIGGS, HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION FAIL IN OUR 2001 FORD ESCAPE, SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING, AT APPROXIMATELY 60,000 MILES. *JB
THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HESITATE BEFORE ACCELERATING IN REVERSE. THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *NM
A STRANGE AIR-LEAKING NOISE HAS BEEN COMING OUT OF THE BRAKE AREA OF MY FORD ESCAPE. THE NOISE STARTED OUT SOMEWHAT QUIET, BUT IT HAS GOTTEN LOUDER AND LOUDER. WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THE SOUND GETS MUCH QUIETER, ALMOST SILENT, BUT THE HISSING RETURNS WITH A VENGEANCE AS SOON AS I PRESS ON THE ACCELERATOR. THIS STARTED AROUND 46,500 MILES, AND NOW I AM AT 48,000. A REPUTABLE MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THE BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER WAS LEAKING. THIS SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR PROBLEM FOR A CAR THAT IS A 2001 MODEL WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE. I IMAGINE THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WHO WILL BE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS VACUUM BOOSTER PROBLEM. *NM
WHILE PARKED, THE BACK GLASS SHATTERED OUT OF THE FRAME. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.
THE THROTTLE ON THE CONSUMER'S 2001 FORD ESCAPE FAILED. *NM *SC *JB
I WAS DRIVING HOME AND THE CAR STARTED TO SHAKE. I PULLED OVER AT A GAS STATION AND MY HUSBAND CHECKED TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG. WE COULD NOT FIND WHAT WAS WRONG AND DROVE HOME. AGAIN THE CAR WAS SHAKING THEN IT STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND THEN WE HEARD SOMETHING SNAP AND THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. AFTER HAVING IT TOWED IT TURNED OUT THAT WE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. THE VALVE SHEERED FROM THE VALVE STEM AND THE VALVE SHATTERED THE PISTON AND ENDED DENTING THE OIL PAN AND WAS FOUND IN THE OIL PAN. THIS ENDED UP COSTING US $5000. WE CALLED THE DEALER WHERE WE PURCHASED THE CAR IN APRIL OF 2004 AND HE SAID THAT HE WAS WILLING TO HELP US, BUT DECIDED NOT TO STATING IT WOULD BE "BAD BUSINESS" TO REPLACE TO CAR EVEN THOUGH WE HAD PURCHASED IT 8 MONTHS PREVIOUS TO THE INCIDENT. WE THEN HAD IT TOWED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE A NEW ENGINE WAS PLACED IN THE 2001 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE SPEAKING TO A FORD MECHANIC HE STATED THAT HE HAS SEEN THIS HAPPEN BEFORE TO THE ESCAPE. THE DEALER THAT FINALLY ENDED UP WORKING ON THE ESCAPE CALLED FORD AND TOLD THEM THE PROBLEM BUT FORD STATED THAT THEY HAD HEARD ABOUT THIS BUT THERE WASN'T ENOUGH COMPLAINTS TO WARRANT A RECALL BECAUSE OF THE DEFECT. THE CAR WAS OUT OF COMMISSION FOR 10 DAYS DUE TO THE DEALER MAKING PROMISES AND THEN TAKING THEM BACK. *JB
BRAKE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. HAD CAR INSPECTED, DETERMINED BACK HALF OF MASTER CYLINDER WAS LEAKING CAUSING BRAKE FLUID LEVEL TO DROP AND WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON. MASTER CYLINDER TO BE REPLACED, REAR BRAKES NEED TO BE ADJUSTED AND ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE FLUSHED. *JB
ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKING. HAD INSPECTED, DETERMINED THROTTLE CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME IN 2 YEARS THIS HAS BEEN REPLACED. CURRENT RECALL BY FORD FOR THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT INCLUDE 2001 MODELS. *JB
CONTROL KNOB FOR HEATING/AIR CONDITIONG SWITCH BROKE OFF. *JB
Reading these
NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.
Full record for the 2001 Ford Escape → · Every Escape year → · How the figures are calculated →