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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.

7.8

pretty bad
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
5,714 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 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2001 Ford Escape Owner Comments

problem #7

Oct 132003

Escape 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles

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

Engine suddenly dies while driving that already happened twice, and both times at about 35mph in traffic.

- Marietta, GA, USA

problem #6

Jul 052002

Escape

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle has stalled twice. Dealer replaced main computer and various sensors. Please provide additional information.

- Travellers Rest, SC, USA

problem #5

Oct 152001

Escape 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle has stalled twice at 35-40 mph while coasting down hill. Dealer replaced computer module and ecc relay. Nlm consumer states keyless entry works intermittently. The weather strips coming off on both back doors. The vacuum line was loose and hissing. The coolant light continues to come on due to coolant bottle failure, also there was a cracking noise under the dash and the radio went out.

- Finksburg, MD, USA

problem #4

Feb 112002

Escape

  • miles

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

While driving 35mph accelerator started decelerating without warning. Lost all power due to memory in computer going out.dealer reprogrammed computer.

- Morena Valley, CA, USA

problem #3

Jan 282002

Escape

  • miles
At highway speed vehicles suddenly died. Driver lost brakes and steering control. Driver coasted to side of road. Took vehicle to dealer, and they replaced relay system. One month later, problem reoccurred. Dealer stated it was the processer.

- Dacula, GA, USA

problem #2

Dec 132001

Escape

  • miles
When trying to go up a hill vehicle will automatically shutoff. Problem is intermittent. Contacted dealer, and the dealer replaced eec power relay.

- Popa Beach, FL, USA

problem #1

Nov 162001

Escape

  • miles
Vehicle stalled wihtout warning while driving @~30mph. This has happened several other times on the road. Dealer has performed repairs 3 other times as follows: Visit 1 - changed fuel pump relay, visit 2 - changed ECM module relay, visit 3 - replaced fuel pump and sender. Dealer service has indicated that they were unable to find exact cause of stalling, so they are replacing components in hopes of catching the problem. After vehicle stalled, power steering and brakes were non-functional and I once again needed to pull off the road evasively to avoid rear-ending the cars in front of me. Clarification: This most recent stalling incident occured today, even after the fuel pump was replaced.

- Austin, TX, USA

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