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 / 12
Injuries / Deaths:
8 / 1
Average Mileage:
78,590 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.
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Escape. While driving at 55 mph, the ABS warning light illuminated and would not shut off. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 07V156000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000. Updated 09/03/15
The contact owned a 2001 Ford Escape. While driving approximately 45 mph, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and failed to slow down, even though the brake pedal was depressed numerous times. As a result, the contact lost control of the vehicle and its rear end crashed into a tree. A four year old passenger seated in the rear was fatally injured due to the massive impact to the vehicle. The driver lost consciousness and suffered a minor concussion. The front seat occupant sustained a spinal injury. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a police facility. The vehicle was included in three recalls under NHTSA campaign number: 00V210001 (vehicle speed control), NHTSA campaign id number: 07E023000 (service brakes, hydraulic) and NHTSA campaign id number: 12V005000 (service brakes, hydraulic). The contact never received notification of the recalls and experienced the consequences mentioned in each recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was unavailable.
Vehicle was approaching intersection w/ stop sign. Vehicle would not slow. Driver reported 'no brakes'. brakes, disks, were replaced 5 weeks prior and were apparently in working order. Suspicion that throttle may have stuck open, resulting in inability to slow with brakes. Vehicle was in frontal, T-bone crash, two vehicles total loss with injuries.
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Escape. The contact stated that there was a recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 12V005000 (service brakes, hydraulic: Antilock: Control unit/module ); however the part had been unavailable since the recall was issued in January of 2012. The dealer was uncertain of when the part would become available. The contact planned to notify the manufacturer of the problem. There was no failure at this time.
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the ABS module system failed and the ABS warning light illuminated sporadically. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who ran a diagnostic test and stated that the ABS, vehicle speed control, brake lamps and switches failed because the ABS module was not working. The vehicle was previously repaired under NHTSA campaign id number: 07V156000 (service brakes, hydraulic: Antilock: Control unit/module) however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified who advised the contact that there was an open manufacturer's recall on the vehicle but the parts needed for repairs were not yet available. The contact filed a complaint with the manufacturer. The failure mileage was 105,000 and the current mileage was 170,000.
- Sanger, TX, USA
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The contact owns a 2001 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 12V005000 (service brakes, hydraulic: Antilock:control unit/module). An authorized dealer was notified on four occasions and the contact was informed that the parts necessary to remedy the failure were not available. The dealer was not able to provide a time frame as to when the parts would become available. The manufacturer was also notified and stated that the parts were not available. The failure mileage was 51,829. Updated 05/31/12
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign id number: 12V005000 (service brakes, hydraulic:anti lock:control unit/module) but was unable to have the vehicle repaired because the dealer did not have the necessary parts available. The contact stated that the situation was an inconvenience and he was concerned because the recall notification advised him not to drive the vehicle due to the potential of a fire occurring. The manufacturer was not contacted and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 102,000. Updated 05/10/12
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Escape. The contact received the recall notice associated with NHTSA campaign id number 12V005000 (service brakes, hydraulic:antilock:control unit/module). An authorized dealer was notified and the contact was informed that the parts necessary to repair the vehicle would not be available until August 2012. The manufacturer was then notified, but denied any assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 75,000. Updated 05/10/12
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 12V005000 (service brakes, hydraulic:antilock:control unit/module). An authorized dealer was notified on two occasions and the contact was informed that the parts necessary to remedy the failure were not available. The manufacturer was also notified and they were unable to provide a schedule as to when the parts would become available. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 114,000 and the current mileage was 117,000.
The tone ring on the driver side of my car, which is part of the ABS system, cracked. This apparently is a very common problem with serious consequences. This break, which usually disables the ABS system, did not register on my car's computer system.
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign id number: 12V005000 (service brakes, hydraulic:antilock:control unit/module). The contact stated that the recall advised that the contact not drive until the parts for the recall repair were available. The contact spoke with the dealer and was advised that the parts would not become available until the second quarter of the year. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact had not experienced a failure. The current mileage was 51,781.
About four months my 2001 Ford Escape has been putting off this strong odor, so bad I am afraid to drive it. My safety brake light will not turn off, even when it is not in use. Over the last 3 months, I have paid to have my car engine looked at -spark plugs, brakes and rotors replaced, hoping for positive results. Smell still remains. I have put money into getting this car fixed, I do realize its an older car, butt it's all I have and need it for transportation to work, due to the ABS recall I just received, I am afraid it's going to just burst into flames at any time.
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Escape. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign id number: 12V005000 (service brakes, hydraulic:antilock:control unit/module ) however, the parts needed to complete the recall repairs were not readily available and would not become available until the second quarter of 2012. The manufacturer was notified of the issue and the contact expressed significant concern of a potential safety hazard and having to wait so long to have the issue rectified. There had not been a failure related to the recall defect.
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 12V005000 (service brakes, hydraulic:antilock:control unit/module). An authorized dealer was notified and the contact was informed that the parts necessary to remedy the failure would not be available until June of 2012. The contact also stated that the vehicle smelled as if rubber was melting. The manufacturer was then made aware of the failure and also stated that the parts would not be available until June. The failure mileage was 101,000.
My 2001 Ford Escape caught fire on July 20, 2011 due to a leak and a short in the ABS moduler. My insurance paid for everything except what caused the fire. I can not get Ford to allow me to claim my out of pocket expense due to the fire. The cause of the fire is now a recall, at the time of the fire it was a service letter. Please help me recover the money due me. I don't understand how the insurance can file a claim, but I can't.
2001 Ford Escape felt like ABS was kicking in on ice. Felt pumping in pedal and poor braking. This has happened several times in past 2 weeks. Seem to happen most at speeds of 30-60 mph. Almost reended another vehicle. Car was purchased 9/6/2011.
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Escape. The contact stated the vehicle caught fire while parked in the garage. The fire was located on the wiring harness near the brake reservoir. The vehicle was not destroyed. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who stated the ABS module caused the fire. The contact also found out prior to the fire a recall remedy was performed on the vehicle in November 2008, under NHTSA campaign id number:07V156000(service brakes, hydraulic:antilock:control unit/module). The manufacturer was notified. The failure and current mileages were 173,000.
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Escape. The contact was driving approximately 30 mph when the ABS and brake warning lights illuminated. In addition, the contact noticed an unusual odor coming from under the hood. The failure was ongoing for one month. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer for the failure. The manufacturer was contacted and advised that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id number: 07V156000 (service brakes, hydraulic:anti lock:control unit/module) but was advised that his vehicle was not part of the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 122,300 and the current mileage was 123,600.
Door locks are not unlocking properly. Contacted Ford about problem and they informed moe to put grease on it this did not work. Ford Escape tries to quite while running. Replaced hoses and plugs and problems still going on. Ford Escape does not want to stop properly with new brakes or brakes that are only 10 to 20 percent worn. Also leaks brake fluid have been unable to locate leak on Escape.
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Escape. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked in the residence garage, he smelled an odor of burning wires. Also, the contact noticed smoke emitting from under the hood and intense sparks from the ABS module as a result of the melting wiring harness. There were no flames. The emergency brake and ABS warning indicators illuminated two weeks prior to the failure. The ABS module was disconnected and the vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnosis. There was a recall 07V156000 (service brakes, hydraulic: Antilock: Control unit/module) related to the failure; the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Danese, WV, USA