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:
2 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
1,365 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.
Consumer states that the vehicle stalled while the consumer was driving at 50 mph, and the consumer lost power of the steering and brakes. Contacted dealer and the dealer cannot find the problem.
Vehicle was parked inside of carport and without prior warning heard a loud bang. Vehicle caught on fire/exploded and melted to the ground. Dealership was aware of problem.*akbrakes have been squeaking when hot or cold. The front brake rotors and pads are glazed. There is a clunk noise heard in the front end when making a left or right turn. The noise was coming from a loose metal clip. The engine light stayed illuminated while in motion.
While driving only at low speeds, steering column will make a loud noise and it could cause future steering problems. Dealer notified. The cover on the bottom of the steering wheel was broken. The vehicle shimmys when applying the brakes. The brakes were inspected and the front rotor was machined and the front pads cleaned. Consumer states there is a pecking noise in the engine. Consumer states the accelerator pedal is hard to push because the throttle body needed replacing. The air conditioner stops while at idle. Also, when coming to a stop, the heater is not warm.
Consumer states while traveling at highway speed, engine light illuminated and engine died. Consumer states she is terrified to drive this car, family was present and could have been killed. There was no time to get off the road.
- Chicago, IL, USA
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Driving home on a Sunday night going downhill, around a curve at about 30 mph... all the engine lights came on, steering and brakes failed... couldn't stop car... had to slowly pull on emergency brake and thankfully the road started to incline... vehicle stopped... I had to put it in park and the vehicle restarted... I drove the 1 mile left to my house... I will call the dealership in the morning but I do not have hope after reading the other complaints I could find on the internet... this is another of a long line of issues I have had with this truck.
Driving home on a Sunday night going downhill, around a curve at about 30 mph... all the engine lights came on, steering and brakes failed... couldn't stop car... had to slowly pull on emergency brake and thankfully the road started to incline... vehicle stopped... I had to put it in park and the vehicle restarted... I drove the 1 mile left to my house... I will call the dealership in the morning but I do not have hope after reading the other complaints I could find on the internet... this is another of a long line of issues I have had with this truck.
Vehicle would cut off intermittently while 25-30 mph without any warning. Dealer and manufacturer have been notified. Feel free to provide any further information.
Vehicle has on 2 occasions shut off while driving. Without warning, the engine, battery, and oil lights come on at the same time and vehicle immediatelty shuts itself off. Vehicle has been to the dealership after both occurrences. The iac, dpfe, and fuel pump relay were all replaced and my vehicle's PCM was reprogrammed. None of these "fixes" have solved the problem. Although the technician working on the vehicle and the shop foreman have made every effort to assist me with the problem, the cause of the problem has yet to be determined. The manufacturer is aware of this problem with this particular vehicle, but cannot explain what is wrong or how to repair it. I do not feel safe driving my Escape knowing that it could shut itself off at any time without warning in the middle of a busy road.
The engine has stalled three times over the last month. All at low speeds, usually turning into a driveway or parking lot. I see that you have opened a case on this (PE01-043). Just wondering if you have any additional information on this problem so that when I take it to the dealor, I can make sure that they know what the problem is and get it fixed. I am just afraid that I am going to walk into the dealor and they are going to look at me like I have 4 heads when I tell them of the problem. Reading on the internet, I see that alot of people are having this problem and it does not seem like Ford has any idea what is causing it. I am getting worried that this is going to start happening at higher speeds or in instances where it would be more dangerous. It also seems that many people are going back a 2nd and 3rd time becuase they are not getting the problem fixed the first time. I am worried that I will take it in a couple of times and then the problem reoccurs after my warrany has ended. What is my recourse then? any information that you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Thanks. 10-25-02:consumer called back in to advised had vehicle serviced at a Ford dlrship in reference to tsb 2-11-06. Vehicle was repaired. 2 weeks later vehicle stalled again.
The above mentioned is an attorney writing on behalf of Ms. Meredith duley. While driving Ms. Duleys vehicle shuts off for no apparent reason losing all power. This is happened four times. Manufacturer notified.
Engine has stalled twice while driving 40-50mph. Sunroof motor had to be replaced. Coolant recorvery jug had to be replaced. Sensor asy-egr was replaced after 1st time engine stalled. Has since stalled again.
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.
Auto stalled while going down extended incline at speed 35-40 mph. I was in a long line of cars and was very lucky to get the car to the side of the road without an accident. I quickly slipped the gear into neutral as it slowed and car immediately restarted. I am putting this incident into your site, even though it hasn't happened again since Dec., because I know other drivers have had this reoccur intermittently, even after Ford supposedly fixed vehicle.
Vehicle had stalled on four separate occasions while driving 35-40 mph. Vehicle has been to dealer on three occasions, and problem still occurring. The power relay was considered the cause for the vehicle?S stalling and was replaced. When the vehicle stalled again, the dealer replaced the pff sensor first and power train control next and lastly did PCM programming, but the vehicle continued to stall.
On 02/11/2002 traveling at 35mph going to work made a left turn and truck suddenly started to stall. Accelleration begin to decrease and a loud roaring or grinding sound was coming from under the car. Pulled over due to decrease in acceleration and stopped car. Turned car off and on again and started to accelerate and car would not go above 35mph. Finally made it to dealership. Dealer looked at car and determined it was the steering assembly and replaced. On 03/14/02 went out to start car and drove 35 mph engine light came on and stayed on the remaining of day. Took to dealer the next day due to light still on, dealer replaced part indicating switch chip bad. On 07/25 and 07/ 29 car fails to start after an extended period of driving has done this on several occasion and have called dealer to bring vehicle in to look at on 08/01/02. Vehicle stalls at 35 -40 mph on several occasions. Not happy with vehicle problems and feel these defects can be a danger to me and other drivers on the road. Ford should do there best to replace parts and accomodate their consumers for time and headaches.
Consumer states that the vehicle stalls while driving, the most recent repairs made by the dealer was the replacement of the iac and air intake, consumer is concerned about the problem happening again. The indicator lights for engine coolant and battery illuminated, the dealer replaced a part on the coolant rec tank, however the coolant light illuminated again.
I was driving in rush hour traffic with the radio on and air only on. I was pressing on the gas and going no where. Then I realized the car just died. I was in the fast lane. There was no where to go so I had to take a left turn and coasted across 2 lanes of traffic. I was in panic as I was just coasting and had no power to move. All the power steering and breakes did not work because the engine was not engaged. It was a very dangerous situation. After I reached the side street, I put on my flashers. I put the vehicle in nuteral. It started and I went home. I am very nervous to drive this vehicle, because if it happens again, I could be in a situation where I could get killed, having no power to stop, advance or turn.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- West Milford, NJ, USA