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:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
34,120 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.
While driving at any speed and without warning the engine stalled. The consumer pulled to the side of the road and the vehicle was towed. The transmission also failed. It wouldn't shift properly from first gear to second gear.
2001 Ford Escape has repeatedly stalled during normal driving. Car currently has 33,000 miles; however, I began having problems early on. Car has stranded me several times. Car has been towed in several times and dealership can find nothing wrong it. Dealership has replaced alternator, transmission, fuel hoses, sensor, computer, etc. And car still stalls. This week it had to be towed from my garage to the dealership because it would not start. Dealership again could find nothing wrong with car. I love the car, but am terrified to drive it as when it stalls everything locks up and I have had a couple near miss accidents trying to get off the road. I have an infant and this is unacceptable.
I purchased 2001 used vehicle from hertz car sales with 27,000+ miles. Transmission had to be replaced second week we had vehicle. Also realized that ac/heating system had "whistle" which could not be turned off. Major problem has vehicle stalling while driving, losing all power, brakes, etc. Fortunate not to have been rear-ended. Ford dealer has worked on problem, replacing transmission, fixing ac/heat system and attempted to repair the "stalling" problem. Thought it had been repaired, however, it happened again yesterday. Car at Ford dealer once again. It is strange to me that they do not comment that this has happened not once but many hundred times! I definitely feel there is a major problem with the Escape stalling and being unable to control. As we drive on mountain roads, this could cause a major accident. Ford has certainly lost my future business by not facing this very serious problem. Must there be fatalities before they act?
While driving down hill, all dash lights came on and vehicle stalled out losing steering and brake power. Dealer reprogrammed PCM and replaced eec power relay per tsb.
- Akron, OH, USA
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While driving 30-35 mph, vehicle will shut off without any notice. Contacted dealer, who was not willing to do anything.. numerous parts have been replaced regarding the stalling, but the problem still exists, the engine light also illuminated, consumer stated the transmission was replaced in April 2002, the engine cooling fans were replaced, and also the rack and pinion was replaced.
Shifter on steering column jumps out of gear while driving. When engaging gears from drive to reverse and drive to park, etc it makes a loud clunking noise. Engineer as looked at the vehicle and stated the condition discribed is operational characteristic of this vehicle. They are unable to fix it.
The shifter on the steering column jumps out of gear while driving on the road. I have taken this car to the shop numerous time for the same problem. The first time they looked at it the linkage cable to the drive shaft & steering column was loose. Other times they state they couldn't find anything wrong with it. However, as of this day the same problem occurs at least 2-3 a day. I have a 16 yr old son who just started driving and uses my car from time to time. This is a very serious issue and a real safety concern. This is not normal for any vehicle to have the shifter jump out of gear. A field engineer took a look at the car on 3-18-2002. He stated that the condition described is operational characteristic of this vehicle and is completely normal. The service & parts manager stated that no matter what we do to the car nothing will make it any better. He also stated that there hands are tied and they are unable to fix it. This could cause a real serious accident for me, my 16 yr old as well as other drivers on the road. Also there is a clunking noise when engaging the gears from park to reverse and drive to park etc, which they also state is completely normal.
While driving on highway shifter popped out of gear in a downward position, and brakes were squeaking. If shifting vehicle from park to drive there is a noise underneath the pedal.
I was traveling at approximately 30mph when suddenly I could not steer the car. I noticed the oil light on first and managed to pull over. All the dash lights were then on, the car had died while I was moving. I was able to start it back up. In reviewing edmunds auto site I then discovered that others had this same problem with the Escape and tribute. I printed off some of the responses, took the vehicle in to long Ford in eureka, mo on 9-11-01. They were not able to find any problem and also talked with the Ford engineers. They would not replace any parts stating that Ford would not authorize it unless they knew what the problem was. I then contacted Ford directly so there would be a record, but was not advised of any "fix" for this serious problem. This is an extremely dangerous situation especially when driving the number of miles I drive each day on very busy interstate highways. I am nervous even moving out of the right lane because I feel like I need to be close to the shoulder in the event this occurs again. I have been told you can shift into neutral and restart and hopefully if this happens again I will be able to do that before the vehicle slows and I have an accident. I am especially concerned when making left hand turns as well. Surely with as many people as have complained, they must have some idea of what is wrong and how to fix it.
Consumer is calling to report a failure in gear shift. Vehicle will jump from reverse to forward without going into neutral. Dealer has yet to be contatced.
1.) complete loss of power and all electrical systems while vehicle was being operated. Vehicle refused to restart; and 2.) gear stick shakes or shimmers vigorously when engaged in third (3rd) gear.
1.) complete loss of power and all electrical systems while vehicle was being operated. Vehicle refused to restart; and 2.) gear stick shakes or shimmers vigorously when engaged in third (3rd) gear.
Briefly, the transmission fails to shift upon acceleration above 50 mph, this has caused 2 near collisions on I-95, tire split open & roof rack blew off while driving (dot number: A3083jj390 tiresize: A3083jj390)
Transmission lost reverse gear. Problem not found until trying to back from parking space. Vehicle needed to be pushed out of lot. No previous indication of problem until it occurred.
Had shifted into reverse and it started to backup. Then, it hesitated when brakes were applied, sounded funny. Rpms revved up, and vehicle started to shake. Vehicle suddenly accelerated while still in reverse.
While driving transmission pops out of gear and goes into netural, cause unknown. After vehicle is parked for approximately 15 minutes it returns to normal conditions.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Maynard, MA, USA