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:
3 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
102,745 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.
Car was stationary in parking lot, I went to press the brake pedal to switch into drive. Brakes worked fine earlier, but when pressing the pedal, it dropped to the floor. No resistance left when pressing the brake pedal, was able to drive home very slowly. The brakes still worked, but only when the pedal was against the floor. Late at night when it happened, need to check for any leaks or damage in the morning.
The contact owned a 2001 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign numbers: 12V005000 (service brakes, hydraulic), 12V353000 (engine and engine cooling), and 14V165000 (structure, vehicle speed control). The contact did not receive any recall notifications. The contact stated that the brake lights remained illuminated for an extended period of time. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic. While the vehicle was parked in a residental parking space, a security guard noticed smoke coming from the vehicle. After making a second round, the guard informed the vehicle owner that the vehicle was consumed by flames. The fire department extinguished the flames. A fire report was filed and the contact took pictures. The vehicle was parked and had not been inspected by a dealer or manufacturer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that they would follow-up in writing, but did not provide a time frame for the recall repair. The vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was not available. Parts distribution disconnect.
1. difficulty applying the brakes and when their applied the whole back of auto shakes terribly 2. the back door on driver side does not lock and the back hatch door does not open and stays locked.
While the vehicle was being serviced for an oil change at a national chain, being stationary, engine off, and at the service bay, the front passenger side brake hose exploded. The on site manager's professional opinion is that the cause was by customer having a prior brake leak, and/or, opening brake fluid lid and/or adding brake fluid causing a burst.and the brake line pouring brake fluid onto the bay platform. Customer indicates otherwise.
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the key was out the ignition switch, the vehicle remained on. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ABS module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000.
- Hixson, TN, USA
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Backing out into empty road, stopping and turning vehicle with steering wheel is very difficult applying pressure to turn, straighten wheels. While driving and applying brakes to stop, the car shakes and the amount of pressure applied to brakes is enormously difficult to make car stop. With normal driving there is a grinding sound in the bottom of vehicle (drive train?). all these issues have been addressed with no apparent help!
2001 Ford Escape was sitting in driveway with engine off. Started smoking, popped hood to find fire on ABS module. Pulled off battery terminal and patted fire off. Car was being sent in the next week for recall. Wellsville NY Ford only replaced the brake reservoir cap and ABS fuse box. Never fixed the module, faulty seals or burnt harness, as per NHTSA action number :PE06048.
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Escape. The transmission failed to shift out of park without warning. Upon further inspection, the contact stated that there was a short in the ABS. After the fuses were replaced, the module began to smoke and melt. The vehicle only resumed normal operation after the override button was engaged to shift gears and the ABS warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign number: 12V005000 (service brakes, hydraulic); however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 297,578.
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Escape. While driving at various speeds and attempting to engage the brakes, the rear end of the vehicle started to shake violently and became difficult to stop. In addition, the rear latch activator failed to work intermittently. The failure occurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 40,000. Updated 8/28/15
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 20 mph, the brakes hesitated to stop the vehicle and the ABS system was activated in order to stop. The failure recurred on numerous occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnostic testing where the all wheel drive was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000.
I was in my car which is a stick shift, so I naturally don't have brakes preventing me from rolling on a hill. I drove up my drive way hill at the top I realized I had no brakes because I couldn't stop the car. I checked under the hood I had no brake fluid, no pressure on my brakes, and my brake light was still illuminated on the dash. I bought the car yesterday 9/20/2014 and by the time I woke up on 9/21 I had no brakes and was about to get on the road.
Here recently I have had several occurrences of my 2001 Escape stalling while driving. On 2 occasions I was approaching a stop light, slightly uphill and when I pressed the brake the car completely shut off losing all power and steering and I had to "stand" on the brakes to stop. A few other times it happened while I was turning a corner as well as going through a stop light turning right or left, not going fast at all. Pretty scary stuff. I have had no problem starting it back up after the occurrences, however it keeps happening.
Fifth time vehicle has been to the dealership for the same problem. Vehicle is stopped at a red light or in traffic, the vehicle lunges forward with the brakes applied. Daughter took it back to the same dealership and they thought they fixed the problem. She was on her way back to college...4 miles from the house at a red light. She called and said the vehicle was still doing what it was doing before. This needs to be investigated and a recall issued.
On Friday Aug 31.2013 I was coming up a hill on South bound highway 92 when I accelerated and there was a deer so I tried to slow down and my brakes wouldn't work I again hit the brakes went to the floor and the vehicle lost control and accelerated I hit the ditch no brakes all the way to floor and the car was still speeding out of control like it was driving itself. Brakes
2001 Ford Escape XLT 3.0L V6 AWD - [xxx] daughter sitting at a red light or in traffic with the brake applied, the vehicle tries to move forward. She explained it as jerking forward. This has happen on several occasions with her. Vehicle was taken straight to sheehy Ford of warrenton, va dealership. They were able to find a crack ABS ring that they said was the cause for the jerking while the brake was applied. Replaced the part. Experienced the same thing on the way home. Returned it to Ford dealership. They were not able recreate the problem so they said nothing was wrong with the vehicle. This vehicle has a total of 13 recalls according to automd.com. According to Ford.com website, this vehicle has no recalls listed. They have a couple listed that should be added to my daughters vehicle: 2001 Ford Escape power train recall 04V165000: Campaign number: 04V165000: Date manufactured: Apr 14, 2004, vehicles affected: 321903: Component: Power train status: Not done 2001 for Escape service brake, hydraulic recall 12V005000 - not done please investigate this as it is a big problem when its a teenager driving. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
When vehicle is at a stop with the brakes applied at either a red light, stop sign, or traffic, the car jerks to move forward. This does not happen all the time, it has been doing this since the beginning of the year. Ford dealership replaced an ABS ring that was cracked. They said, this is causing the vehicle to move forward because the ABS is trying to engage.
Dear sirs, as you are aware, this past weekend on the san mateo bridge in hayward ca, a horrific accident/fire occurred with a limousine, where five individuals were trapped and killed due to a vehicle fire. Upon seeing and hearing about this horrific tragedy, my wife insisted that we have all of the recalls performed on our 2001 Ford Escape. Much to my surprise, when I took our Escape into fremont Ford on May 7th, [xxx], the assistant service manager, told me that he was refusing to perform all of the recalls on our truck, because they have expired. As the original owner and primary driver of this vehicle, please explain to me how recalls involving safety issues expire" is this a Ford company policy or a fremont Ford dealership/service policy" when I picked up our Escape on May 8th from the dealership, I documented on the paperwork that they refused to perform these very important recalls. I am not comfortable driving this vehicle in light of the tragedy that occurred this past weekend. Please advise how you would like to move forward concerning this very important matter. Thank you for your assistance. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
I own 3 Ford Escapes and all 3 have same safety issue. I learned on google that I am not alone. It is a very common problem. I am talking about ABS tone ring which cracks and causes ABS to malfunction. It becomes a serious issue when it happens while driving. Initial malfunction causes on-board computer to "be confused" and brakes don't perform as they should, causing extended braking distance. Once on-board computer "recognizes" the problem ABS dashboard light will come on and the driver is aware of the issue. Broken ABS tone ring will cause ABS brakes to engage on dry surface even at the lowest speeds. This failure becomes serious issue at the moment of initial malfunction because the driver is caught by surprise. Please view comments by others at the link below. All comments are screen captures with original url visible at the top of each comment. eaglehorizon.com/tone-ring/ it is a very common problem, it is a safety issue and I am surprised this is not a recall yet. I hope you can take appropriate action. It applies to many Ford vehicles dating from 2001- present.
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 10 mph, the contact attempted to brake and the vehicle failed to stop. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the brake lines needed to be replaced. In addition, the contact stated that the rear hatch, rear passenger door and the driver side doors would not open. The contact was able to lock and unlock the doors however. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The current mileage was 227,691 and the failure mileage was 198,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Boston, MA, USA