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 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
5 / 0
Average Mileage:
54,782 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.
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.
I was involved in a highway speed motor vehicle accident. I rear ended another vehicle at highway speeds. In the accident the seat belt pre-tensioner (or retractor) did not lock the belt in position. When I unbuckled after the accident the belt retracted back into the side panel.
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while traveling 30 mph the vehicle was crashed into on the rear passenger side by another vehicle. As a result, the vehicle rolled over and the air bags failed to deploy. The contact sustained cuts and bruises. The vehicle was destroyed. Also, the contact stated that the rear driver side seat belt webbing would seize, making it difficult to extend the seat belt. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and current mileage was not available. Updated 11/14/12 updated 11/15/12
Seat belt pretensioner fired while vehicle was in park and engine was being started. Right side fired one weekend left side fired next weekend same circumstances.
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.
- Plainwell, MI, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
While driving at 60 mph consumer was involved in an accident and neither of the air bags deployed. Also seat belts did not hold the passengers in the seats.
The vehicle was involved in an accident, and the passenger seat belt did not restrain the passenger in the seat, which caused the passenger to suffer injuries to the face.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Germantown, MD, USA