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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 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
75,940 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

May 012004

Escape

  • 150,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 60 mph, the vehicle loss motive power. The contact pulls the vehicle over to the side of the road. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not able to restart. The contact had the vehicle towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The contact was concerned that the failure was related to the alternator. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #4

Feb 072014

Escape

  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Escape. While driving up an incline at approximately 20 mph, the accelerator pedal was depressed with force, however, there was a significant reduction in the engine power. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was towed on one occasion to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the catalytic converter would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #3

Jun 012012

Escape 6-cyl

  • miles
Submission from re Ford Escape 2001 safety recall notice 11S24 the consumer received a recall notice in Jan 2012. The notice indicated she would be informed when the parts required to complete the safety recall would become available, which wouldn't be until the second quarter. The vehicle caught on fire while parked, which was prior to the recall, but was quickly extinguished. Shortly after the fire, the vehicle was repaired. Several months later, the consumer was partly compensated by Ford in the form of a check for $1900 accompanied by a document which stated by accepting the compensation, she would also be signing off on any other claims. The consumer also stated the catalytic converter, exhaust manifold, master cylinder, wiring harness, ABS, brake line booster, power steering rack and pinion, tie rods, intake manifold as well as the air bag were all replaced. The steering column would freeze, the rear passenger door handle fell off, rendering the door unstable, the coolant light illuminated, the oil pan needed to be replaced, the air condition stopped working and the rear shock were leaking.

- Waimanalo, HI, USA

problem #2

May 182008

Escape

  • 7,700 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Escape. While driving between 30 -35 mph, the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed by the dealer due to failure of the catalytic converter. The contact believes that the repair should be free, but the manufacturer disagreed. The failure mileage was 7,700.

- Rockland, MA, USA

problem #1

May 242004

Escape 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 82,000 miles
The catalytic converters (3) all failed on my vehicle. Vehicle taken to dealership and 3 weeks later the parts arived or were remanufactured.

- South Lyon, MI, USA

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