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.
The transmission went out in my wife's escape, at 37, xxx miles. We had to have it towed to our neighborhood ford dealership. Like a fool I had no extended warranty and it had expired at 36,000 miles. The service manager told me that since I had bought the suv there they would call Ford and see if they could cut me some slack on the repair bill being it was so close from the end of the warranty. Everything seemed fine until the next day, when I had to call them since they didn't call when they were supposed too. The service manager, told me that ford will not give any discounts on the service or the parts and that was because I was "off-roading" in it. I almost had a f*cking stroke! I live on a dirt road. When it rains there are some muddy spots on the drive, Not to mention my wife was 7 months pregnant at the time. This is her vehicle! I tried to nicely explain this to the service manager, (before I had my stroke) but he got a serious attitude with me and said he found grass and mud "caked" under the vehicle. I told him I was on my way up there to see for myself. When I arrived, low and behold he was out to lunch, when he KNEW I was on my way to see him. I had another service tech show me the escape, There was no mud or grass under the vehicle. After waiting for him to return I confronted him about it and he had told me they already cleaned it out and washed the undercarriage. I almost blew a gasket. No sh*t, I almost clocked him. I called ford myself to complain but I got the biggest run around about call this person call that person, I finally gave in and paid for the transmission to be fixed. I picked it up and drove straight to the Toyota dealership and traded it in on a 4-runner. Best move I ever made. I hope there are some very smart people out there who will read this BEFORE buying this piece of crap and be fore-warned. By the way, the dealership is now under new ownership and has since replaced the management. That still will not change my view of Ford or their products. The way corporate handled me on the phone and at the dealership was completely embarrassing and very unprofessional on their part. The escape was never abused nor had it ever been "off-roading". Also if their 4wd escapes can't handle an off-road environment they shouldn't portray them in the commercials slinging dirt and climbing rocks. Hell, me and my wife were driving down a paved road when the trans decided to go. If that's what they call ford tough they can keep that sh*t.
The transmission went into 'get you home mode'and lost reverse gear about 3 weeks ago. The car was checked by Ford and no fault found and reverse was back again. The advice was keep driving it till it fails and it has now forward drive and a burning smell from the gearbox! The car has been far from a joy to drive these last 3 weeks and using lots of fuel. So had to be towed home on a saturday nightits my wifes car so lucky i was with her when it failed. I will put another report in when and if the problem is solved. Has any other owner had this problem? Very poor performance for a well looked after 65000m car. MORE TO Follow
Ford my f*cking ass, I have replaced the tranny in this piece of sh*t three times, bought it new, I will never never buy american again. Americans can't make cars or presidents. F*cking god dam ford dealers worst bunch of scum sucking f*cks I hope they all die of ass cancer.
- Gerard H.,
Tivoli, NY, US
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
The transmission went out in my wife's escape, at 37, xxx miles. We had to have it towed to our neighborhood ford dealership. Like a fool I had no extended warranty and it had expired at 36,000 miles. The service manager told me that since I had bought the suv there they would call Ford and see if they could cut me some slack on the repair bill being it was so close from the end of the warranty. Everything seemed fine until the next day, when I had to call them since they didn't call when they were supposed too. The service manager, told me that ford will not give any discounts on the service or the parts and that was because I was "off-roading" in it. I almost had a f*cking stroke! I live on a dirt road. When it rains there are some muddy spots on the drive, Not to mention my wife was 7 months pregnant at the time. This is her vehicle! I tried to nicely explain this to the service manager, (before I had my stroke) but he got a serious attitude with me and said he found grass and mud "caked" under the vehicle. I told him I was on my way up there to see for myself. When I arrived, low and behold he was out to lunch, when he KNEW I was on my way to see him. I had another service tech show me the escape, There was no mud or grass under the vehicle. After waiting for him to return I confronted him about it and he had told me they already cleaned it out and washed the undercarriage. I almost blew a gasket. No sh*t, I almost clocked him. I called ford myself to complain but I got the biggest run around about call this person call that person, I finally gave in and paid for the transmission to be fixed. I picked it up and drove straight to the Toyota dealership and traded it in on a 4-runner. Best move I ever made. I hope there are some very smart people out there who will read this BEFORE buying this piece of crap and be fore-warned. By the way, the dealership is now under new ownership and has since replaced the management. That still will not change my view of Ford or their products. The way corporate handled me on the phone and at the dealership was completely embarrassing and very unprofessional on their part. The escape was never abused nor had it ever been "off-roading". Also if their 4wd escapes can't handle an off-road environment they shouldn't portray them in the commercials slinging dirt and climbing rocks. Hell, me and my wife were driving down a paved road when the trans decided to go. If that's what they call ford tough they can keep that sh*t.
- Scott E., Mocksville, NC, US