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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.

9.2

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
1,667 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 wheels / hubs problems

wheels / hubs problem

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2001 Ford Escape Owner Comments

problem #6

Jul 232007

Escape 6-cyl

  • miles

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

I was traveling northbound on the 215 freeway at about 70 to 75 mph in the #1 lane when I heard noises I recognized from my past as tire tread coming lose from the tire it self. I immediately began to maneuver my vehicle to the right shoulder. As god would have there was a break in traffic that allowed me to do so. After the roadside service (aaa) arrived to change the damaged tire with the spare I was shocked to see that the damaged tire was damaged only to the outside wall of the tire. Which appeared to have just come lose. I am thankful there was no accident caused but I do want to file this complaint.

- Rialto, CA, USA

problem #5

Apr 152005

Escape 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,000 miles
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.

- Little Rock, AR, USA

problem #4

Aug 142002

Escape 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving at 65mph on flat surface and no warning tire sidewall started to separate, causing a blowout on the rear tire, consumer had to pull over. Dealer notified. Firestone wilderness, size P23570R16. Dot# W208 itc1601. Consumer stated the entire sidewall separated, Ford and Firestone refused to give a prorate warranty.

- Bour Bonnais, IL, USA

problem #3

Aug 192002

Escape 4WD

  • miles

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

Entire outer sidewall seperated from tire. Tires properly inflated, rotated per maintenance instructions. Vehicle never used off-road, never carried a heavy load, nor ever used for towing.

- Bourbonnais, IL, USA

problem #2

May 052001

Escape

  • miles
Left front tire - slight bulge in sidewall (dealer replaced with new), right and left rear tires - causing vibration and determined to be out-of-round (dealer replaced with new). (dot number: "?" tiresize: P235/70R16)

- Austin, TX, USA

problem #1

Oct 242000

(reported on)

Escape 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While pulling away from a stop light this vehicle equipped with Firestone, wilderness/at tires, P23575R16, sidewall blewout unexpectedly. Ford has been contacted.

- Milford, MI, USA

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