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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:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
18 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 exhaust system problems

exhaust system problem

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2001 Ford Escape Owner Comments

problem #5

Apr 232006

Escape

  • miles

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

I see more and more people are having problems of replacing the egr valve on their 2001 Ford Escape. I replaced mine twice and the dpfe sensor twice and just had the computer replaced at just under 42000 miles. There is too many problems with this model year and the warranty is up.. they (Ford) make so these cheap parts last until warranty expires, so the consumer has to pay I bought Ford all my life but I'm having second thought after this buy.

- Toledo, OH, USA

problem #4

Jan 032005

Escape

  • miles
Ford Escape 2001, egr sensor failure. The consumer wanted to know if the service bulletin applied to him, because he purchased the vehicle in Mexico, but T was manufactured in Kansas City mo.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #3

Jan 222002

Escape 6-cyl

  • 92 miles
There were numerous problems. The egr sensor (dpfe) was replaced along with the sop driver side outer belt molding, fuel pump, sway bar links and iac. There was a loud noise coming from the driver's side window, water leaked around the tailgate window, the vehicle was hard to start, the iac was sticking, the driver's side window squeaked and rattled, the vehicle hesitated upon starting, there was play in the front sway bar links, the coolant light stayed on, there was a crack around the oil pan and the oil drain plug was problematic, and the accelerator pedal was sticking.

- Mound, MN, USA

problem #2

Aug 082002

Escape 4WD

  • miles
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.

- Roanoke, VA, USA

problem #1

Jul 022001

Escape 4WD

  • miles
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

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