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CarComplaints.com Notes: With questionable safety ratings, a faulty power control module (PCM) and a rear subframe that can rust out, the first model year Escape is known for problems. But the worst one of all? A design flaw that carried through multiple model years and caused dangerous unintended acceleration.

A lack of clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector meant the throttle could get stick open when the accelerator was fully depressed. Following a petition from the Center for Auto Safety, NHTSA opened an investigation and eventually issued a recall to fix the sticky throttles in the 2001–2004 model years.

Even with the throttles fixed, the 2001 model year could still have trouble stopping due to multiple problems with leaking brakes.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 1
Average Mileage:
93,792 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2001 Ford Escape miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2001 Ford Escape Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #11

Aug 082002

Escape 4WD

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Driving down slight downhill at constant speed. ~1/2 half tank gas. Without warning or other indication, engine suddenly died. Check engine light and oil light both lit. No other lights noticed. Pulled off road, had to use emergency break to stop. Put in park and tried to start engine. Started without problem.

- Anchorage, AK, USA

problem #10

May 202002

Escape 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
At 50mph when foot was let up from accelerator, there would be a delay in deceleration, also steering column would shake. Cause unknown. Dealer notified. Check engine light came on and stayed on. The vehicle did not always accelerate or decelerate correctly. The dealer replaced the PCM computer system three times, but the problem continued to exist.

- Burlingame, CA, USA

problem #9

Feb 142002

Escape 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle stalls out intermittently between 35 and 50 mph without warning, causing a loss of vehicle control. Dealer has repaired vehicle. The consumer also noticed that the indicator lights for the engine coolant and the battery indicator would come on, and would stay on for several miles.

- Durham, NC, USA

problem #8

Oct 152001

Escape 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle has stalled twice at 35-40 mph while coasting down hill. Dealer replaced computer module and ecc relay. Nlm consumer states keyless entry works intermittently. The weather strips coming off on both back doors. The vacuum line was loose and hissing. The coolant light continues to come on due to coolant bottle failure, also there was a cracking noise under the dash and the radio went out.

- Finksburg, MD, USA

problem #7

Apr 012002

Escape

  • miles
Instrument panel lights will continuously come on, for example engine check light will come on, but there was never anything wrong with vehicle. Contacted dealer.

- Avon, OH, USA

problem #6

Jul 282001

Escape 4WD

  • miles
My Escape stalled 4 different times while driving down the street. My speed was 40 mph or less. There is the tightness in the steering and the engine light goes on and all power is lost.it starts up with no problem.

- Hilo, HI, USA

problem #5

Jul 022001

Escape 4WD

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Engine check light indicated that that egr sensor needed to be replaced. The dealer replaced this sensor and the egr pressure valve. The dealer claimed that Ford knew that this was a problem after production, so they produced a new sensor. At the minimum, a tsb should have been issued.

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #4

Jun 152001

Escape 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving, engine stalled and oil light illuminated, consumer checked oil level and it was at the normal level.

- Rensselaer, NY, USA

problem #3

Aug 102001

Escape

  • miles
Consume R was traveling about 45mph on a mountain road, and without prior warning, engine check light came on the dashboard. Then, there were no brakes or power steering. Also, speed pedal went all the way to the floor. Consumer was able to control vehicle. Dealership was aware of problems.

- Shermansdale, PA, USA

problem #2

Aug 032001

(reported on)

Escape 4WD

  • miles
Drive down a hill at approximately 30 mph - engine and oil light went on. Loss of power and car did not appear to be getting any gas. Car kept running.

- Schuylkill Haven, PA, USA

problem #1

May 072001

(reported on)

Escape 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Engine check light keeps coming on and stays on. Dealer has attempted to fix defect 5 times, but cannot fix defect even after replacing computer and within emmission control device sparts.

- Brentwood, CA, USA

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