- The problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.
- The risk
- If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
- The fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.
Vehicle safety record
2001 Ford Escape Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 1,027 complaints about the 2001 Ford Escape with NHTSA, most often about the engine & cooling (315) and the brakes (162). Those complaints describe 77 crashes, 60 fires, 75 injuries and 3 deaths. It is covered by 15 recalls, the latest in September 2015 for the floor shift. For comparison, the 2000 has 5 and the 2002 has 1,070.
NHTSA data checked
DMore problems than a typical Escape year, for its age
#5 most complained-about 2001 vehicle
- Complaints
- 1,027
- Recalls
- 15
- Crashes
- 77
- Fires
- 60
- Injuries
- 75
- Deaths
- 3
Most common 2001 Ford Escape problems
Share of all 1,027 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
2001 Ford Escape recalls 15
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
- The problem
- The Timken Company (Timken) is recalling certain aftermarket front wheel bearings, part number 510072, sold from January 22, 2015, to May 21, 2015, to be used as service parts on 2001-2012 Ford Escape, 2001-2011 Mazda Tribute, and 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles. The affected wheel bearings have incorrect dimensions of a 42mm bore, 76mm outer dimension, and 39mm width, instead of a 42mm bore, 78mm outer dimension and a 45mm width.
- The risk
- Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Timken has begun notifying distributors who will offer purchasers replacement wheel bearings, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2015. Owners may contact Timken customer service at 1-866-984-6536.
- The problem
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2004 Escape vehicles manufactured October 22, 1999, through January 23, 2004, originally sold, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. These vehicles may experience excessive corrosion at the forward attachment of the lower control arm.
- The risk
- A separation of the lower control arm can result in a significant loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install a newly designed reinforcement cross-brace, free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S02.
- The problem
- Ford Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2004 Escape vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control manufactured from October 22, 1999, through January 23, 2004. 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. This risk exists regardless of whether or not speed control (cruise control) is used.
- The risk
- A stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop or slow the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.
- The fix
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles by increasing the engine cover clearance, free of charge. The safety recall began August 3, 2012. Remedy parts are expected to be available in mid-August 2012. Until then dealers will disconnect the speed control cable as an interim remedy, if parts are not available at the time of an owner's service appointment. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.
- The problem
- Ford is recalling certain model year 2001-2002 escape vehicles manufactured from october 22, 1999, through july 19, 2002, equipped with a brake master cylinder reservoir cap that could leak brake fluid. If brake fluid leaks from the cap, it could come in contact with the antilock brake system (abs) module wiring harness connector.
- The risk
- Corrosion can develop in the electrical connector leading to melting, smoke or a fire.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder reservoir cap and the abs electrical system will be modified. An interim letter was mailed on january 20, 2012. Due to a parts delay, however, the remedy may not be available currently. If parts are not available, ford will instruct owners to park their vehicles outside until such time as parts become available. Owners may contact the ford motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332. This recall campaign is related to 07v-156.
- The problem
- On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with antilock brakes (abs), the abs module connector may have missing or dislodged wire seals. This condition could allow contamination to enter the module connector, creating a potential for an electrical short.
- The risk
- An electrical short might cause an abs malfunction that would illuminate the abs warning light, and in some cases, the module may overheat resulting in burning odor, smoke, and/or fire. This condition could occur either when the vehicle ignition switch is in the off position or while the vehicle is being operated.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect the wire harness connector to the abs module for missing or dislodged wire seals, and repair or replace the harness connector as appropriate. The dealer will also inspect the connector on the abs module and replace it if it is found to be corroded or damaged. The recall began on april 23, 2007. Owners may contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
- The problem
- Certain cardone master cylinders with part numbers 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987mza, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, and 11-3156, and with date codes lower than dca7078 sold as replacement equipment for use on the vehicles listed above. The seal on master cylinder can fail and leak brake fluid.
- The risk
- Loss of brake fluid can result in poor braking performance, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
- The fix
- Cardone will notify owners and offer to repurchase any defective master cylinders. The recall began during april 2007. Owners can contact cardone at 1-800-777-4780.
- The problem
- Certain 2004-2005 sport utility vehicles and certain 2001-2003 sport utiity vehicle having rear liftgate components serviced with 2004 equivalent components fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 206, 'Door locks and door retention components.' The rear liftgate latching system does not meet the inertia load requirement in one direction.
- The risk
- If the liftgate is left unlocked, there is the potential that it may open during a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will replace the rear liftgate latch release rod, the release rod attachment clip and the door handle return spring. The recall began on march 31, 2005. Owners should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
- The problem
- On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with 3.0L v6 engines, during deceleration, the engine can stall.
- The risk
- Should the engine stall, a vehicle crash could occur.
- The fix
- Dealers will reprogram the power control module (pcm) with the appropriate calibration. Owner notification began on april 21, 2004. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
- The problem
- On certain sport utility vehicles, a post within the safety belt buckle covers could fracture, which could affect latch function, resulting in either a "no latch" or "partial latch" condition. In the "partial latch" condition, the buckle tongue can be inserted into the buckle and appear to be engaged, but will release from the buckle without the push button being depressed when a relatively low load is applied, such as when an occupant moves slightly in the seat.
- The risk
- In the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of injury.
- The fix
- Dealers will have the driver and front passenger safety belt buckle cover removed and replaced with a newly designed service buckle cover. Owner notification began on february 2, 2004. Owners should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
- The problem
- Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The windshield wiper linkage can disengage due to a broken ball socket.
- The risk
- This condition will likely result in sudden and complete loss of the windshield wiper function, or of the wiper function on the driver side only, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the wiper module.
- The problem
- Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The o-ring seals in the fuel line connector at the outlet end of the fuel filter were damaged when the line was connected to the filter during vehicle assembly. In some cases, this damage could result in a fuel odor, or possibly in fuel dripping from the connection.
- The risk
- Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the fuel line. Owner notification began september 27, 2000. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
- The problem
- Vehicle description: some 4x2 sport utility vehicles not equipped with an antilock braking system may have inadvertently been built with 4x4 rear hubs instead of 4x2 hubs. If the incorrect hubs are installed on a 4x2 vehicle, the rear wheels can loosen, or in some cases, separate from the vehicle.
- The risk
- This condition could cause loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect the rear hubs and, if necessary, replace them. Owner notification began september 25, 2000. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
- The problem
- Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles equipped with speed control. The speed control cable can have a cracked or missing speed control cable servo cap locating tab. The locating tab could enter the servo clutch cavity and interfere with the speed control servo clutch. Also, water could enter those units that contain a cracked or missing servo cap locating tab, eventually causing corrosion that could interfere with the function of the speed control.
- The risk
- If either of these conditions occurs and the speed control is used, the speed control could prevent the throttle from returning to idle, resulting in a stuck throttle. A stuck throttle could result in a crash.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect the speed control cables. Vehicles with speed control cables from cavities 3 and 4 will have the cable the speed control servo replaced.
- The problem
- Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. These vehicles may have a mis-assembled or incorrectly manufactured nut that attaches the steering wheel assembly to the steering column. The nut could be upside down in the steering wheel assembly, which could overstress the steering column shaft when the nut is tightened. In addition, some of the nuts may have been cracked during manufacture resulting in the nut fracturing when it is tightened during vehicle assembly.
- The risk
- Either of these conditions can lead to the steering wheel becoming loose or separating from the steering column, resulting in loss of steering control.
- The fix
- Dealers will inspect and replace the steering wheel retention armature and, if necessary, the steering column to correct this condition.
What owners say
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1,027 complaints about the 2001 Ford Escape
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 42.
I put money down on the vehicle the next day when I drove it I noticed that the seat belt doesn't work. I told him about it and he told me to se if it stays clicked on the passenger side. It does but I couldn't drive that way it was choking me. He said he would put a new one in it but never did. I have gone there several times a week and several times in a day for a couple of weeks. It has airbags or they don't work. Because the light will flash a bunch of times and then stay on. I can't drive it because there are...
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no safety devices to keep me from being killed in the event of an accident. I would like help getting my down payment back so I can get a road worthy vehicle. I have spent all if this time trying to find away to get my money back. I have lost almost all of my clients due to not having reliable transportation to get to my the homes to clean them.
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 60 mph, the vehicle loss motive power. The contact pulls the vehicle over to the side of the road. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not able to restart. The contact had the vehicle towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The contact was concerned that the failure was related to the alternator. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
I tried to speed up getting on the highway and it would not accelerate passed 60 mph and shift down and stalled out. When I let off the gas it does not slow down on its own. It backfires. *Tr
Torque converter clutch solenoid went out when driving at 60mph which caused my car to slow down.
While my car was in the shop last year, noticed last that the frame on my 2001 ford escape has rusted, in some places completely through and metal has completely flaked off. Will be expensive to fix according to mechanic, and that car is not really safe unless fixed. I know escape frames have been included in recalls, but my car was not. Do I have any remedy?
Abs system burned up, hard to stop brakes, lickage under the hood
I've recently got a new battery, o2 sensor and alternator and my car keeps shutting off in drive.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford escape. While attempting to accelerate from a stop, the vehicle veered to the right; however, the steering wheel turned to the left. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the subframe was corroded. The failure allowed the passenger side control arm to travel forward every time the vehicle was in motion. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 235,000.
July 9, 2019 travel in 80 mph on i-95 south about 23 miles from miami. Left passenger new vanderbilt cooperp235/70r16 turbo tech a/s radial blew in half in the middle.Someohow was able to stop without causing me or anyone else serious accident.. Have not yet determined vehicle drum or other possible damage. Had just had 4 like tires rotated and air pressure checked prior to trip.
I am not sure if I am using the correct website or correct form. I was involved in a very weird car accident. My ford escape suddenly run to the side (as I was driving on ice) is there any help to fix this?. I was driving north direction. The posted speed was 25 and mine was 20. This happened on north leland st in san pedro, ca 90731. Looks like a mechanical fault. I am not sure what was wrong. I have a police report. Thank you very much!
While driving down the highway going 60 mph , my car started shaking almost uncontrollably , making a loud noise like the mmuffler was falling off. I pulled off the road , shut the car off. Open the hood to find the coil laying on the motor and the spark plug no where to be found. Called a friend who's a mechanic , he went n got a new spark plug , put it in and the car drove fine for about 5 weeks. Because yesterday coming off the parkway the car started smelling like gasoline inside and making noise like the...
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muffler came off.So I pulled into a walmart parking lot only to find that it happened once again ... The spark plug has blown out of the engine twice now in the last month and a half. Now the spark plug will not go back in. When we went to get another spark plug the man at the parts store said thus is a common problem with fords. That is not exceptable!! I have to lose a day of work to take it to a mechanics shop. My daughters and grandchildren were in the car. If this is a common problem you need to fix it before someone gets hurt
My 2001 ford escape will not shift into 1st or 2nd gear without running hard and ticking once I get set past 3rd gear it will run okay I put it in park and it will not stay and park it rolls so I have to put a brick under the wheels I received a recall letter but I have misplaced it due to an accident I had everything was placed and boxes and stuff and I cannot find it if somebody can please contact me back about this problem so I can get it fixed and start driving my escape again it shifts hard it clunks and it will not stay in the parking spot it's still rolls I have a brick underneath it so it doesn't roll and hit somebody else if somebody could contact me on this place thank you.
My ford escape does not shift right anymore and it will not stay in park I have to have a brick put in front of it because my emergency brake does not even work. I received a recall letter but I cannot find my letter anymore. I was hit by a vehicle and I cannot walk and my son had clean the house so I have lost my letter I would appreciate it if I could get another recall letter so I can get mike's escape fixed please.
I bought this vehicle used recently. This didn't happen until it got cold but, the gas pedal sticks when I am driving making it extremely hard to stop even if my vehicle had been warmed beforehand. The vehicle has done this more than once. The most notable ones were when I was driving to work on the highway. One time the vehicle was warmed and the other was not. Both times the gas pedal got stuck after I tried to accelerate and kept propelling me forward. Both times I had been driving.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford escape. While driving approximately 15 mph, the steering failed and was not aligned with the vehicle. The vehicle was driven to an independent mechanic who determined that the frame and other components were severely rusted. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 94,306. The vin was unknown.
We took our vehicle to our mechanic for other work to be done. He noted that the suspension part (which has been previously remediated with the application of a bracket with a recall) is excessively rusted. While I surely understand that rust is a factor of time and miles, we have around only 90,000 miles on this vehicle. I believe that the bracket was the most cost effective solution for fmc to apply. As a result, I fear that there are many more drivers of this vehicle who may erroneously believe that the...
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issue with the suspension had been addressed by the recall and may be under the illusion that they are driving a safe vehicle. I do not have photos at this time, but will provide them later.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford escape. The contact stated that the vehicle made an abnormal noise and the steering wheel would not move the wheels. Upon inspection, the contact observed that the control arms and the subframe experienced severe corrosion. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to nhtsa. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 120,000.
Subframe is rusting apart need new subframe or vehicle is unsafe!!
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford escape. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 14v165000 (suspension); however, the parts to do the repair were unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. Village ford (23535 michigan ave, dearborn, mi 48124) was contacted and refused to repair the vehicle because it exceeded the value of the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.
Car was stationary in parking lot, I went to press the brake pedal to switch into drive. Brakes worked fine earlier,but when pressing the pedal, it dropped to the floor. No resistance left when pressing the brake pedal, was able to drive home very slowly. The brakes still worked, but only when the pedal was against the floor. Late at night when it happened, need to check for any leaks or damage in the morning.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford escape. While driving 25 mph, the steering wheel pulled to the right when the accelerator pedal was applied. Additionally, the vehicle made a clunking and grinding noise. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer (seelye kia of kalamazoo, 4102 stadium drive, kalamazoo, mi 49080) where it was diagnosed that the subframe on the front passenger side was cracked, rusted, and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 104,193.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford escape. While the vehicle was stationary, the front frame became severely rusted. An unknown dealer was contacted and stated that there was no recall on the vehicle. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 182,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford escape. Upon inspection of the vehicle, the contact noticed that the cross brace started to detach on the subframe. The vehicle was taken to ewald's venus ford (2727 layton ave, cuday, wi) where it was diagnosed that the subframe was severely corroded and needed to be replaced. The cross brace was tightened. The technician informed the contact that the repair was temporary due to corrosion. Four months prior to the failure, the vehicle was repaired per nhtsa campaign number: 14v165000 (structure). The manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was 140,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2001 ford escape. While the vehicle was parked, the engine compartment caught fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was unoccupied and was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was destroyed. The local dealer was not contacted and the manufacturer was not notified. The vin was included in nhtsa campaign:07v156000 (service brakes, hydraulic) and :12v005000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.
After starting the car, the dash light for airbag/seatbelts flashes continuously or flashes and then stays lit. Was told this was a known issue and was a wiring/sensor issue with the seatbelts. Assured there was nothing wrong with the seatbelt or airbag. This was intermittent in late 2016 and became continuous by june 2017. As this now happens continuously, it is impossible to know when or if you actually have an issue with your airbag or seatbelt.
Ford Escape: every year compared
All Escape years2001 Ford Escape vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 Ford Escape | 1,027 | 15 | D | |
| 2001 Jeep Cherokee | 1,111 | 8 | F | Compare |
| 2001 Toyota RAV4 | 314 | 0 | F | Compare |
| 2001 Kia Sportage | 228 | 2 | F | Compare |
| 2001 Subaru Forester | 142 | 0 | C | Compare |
| 2001 Honda CR-V | 0 | 1 | A | Compare |
| 2001 Ford Expedition | 609 | 10 | F | Compare |
| 2001 Ford Excursion | 206 | 7 | F | Compare |
| 2001 Ford Econoline | 175 | 5 | F | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 2001 Ford Escape
Does the 2001 Ford Escape have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 15 recalls for the 2001 Ford Escape: floor shift (September 2015); wheel bearing (June 2015); frame and members (April 2014); engine and engine cooling (July 2012) and more. Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Ford Escape?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the engine & cooling (315), brakes (162), electrical system (140).
How many complaints has the 2001 Ford Escape had?
1,027 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on October 18, 2000 and the latest on May 25, 2026. Of these, 77 describe a crash and 60 a fire, and together they report 75 injuries and 3 deaths.
Is the 2001 Ford Escape a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 31 out of 100 (grade D: more problems than a typical Ford Escape year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Ford Escape years have the most complaints?
2013 (2,757), 2017 (2,708), 2008 (2,417). See every Ford Escape year compared.
What should I do if my 2001 Ford Escape has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data