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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:
21 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
16 / 1
Average Mileage:
12,704 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 seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

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2001 Ford Escape Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #7

Dec 312001

Escape 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

While traveling 15mph on the highway and approaching an intersection, another vehicle veered into consumers vehicle from right front. Upon impact, airbags did not deploy. Dealership was aware of problem. Consumer states that the ABS also failed. Two months after the accident, the vehicle was repaired and returned, consumer does not feel safe in this vehicle. Within 2 weeks of ownership, the dashboard pulled away from the windshield.

- Kingman, AZ, USA

problem #6

Nov 222001

Escape

  • miles
Auto accident on 11/22/01, in excess of $11,000 damage to right headlight, front bumper, right front fender, grille, hood, right front wheel/tire, radiator, misc. Engine parts, roght front door, and left side of windshield, and neither air bag deployed.

- Oakland, CA, USA

problem #5

Nov 222001

Escape

  • miles
Auto accident on 11/22/01, in excess of $11,000 damage to right headlight, front bumper, right front fender, grille, hood, right front wheel/tire, radiator, misc. Engine parts, roght front door, and left side of windshield, and neither air bag deployed.

- Oakland, CA, USA

problem #4

Mar 012001

Escape

  • miles

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

While traveling at 45 mph consumer rearended another vehicle. Consumers vehicle was crashed pretty badly in the front. Also, air bags did not deploy. Consumer has not contacted dealer yet.

- Alexander City, AL, USA

problem #3

Feb 142001

Escape

  • miles
Consumer was traveling 55mph and went off the road. As vehicle slid down sideways into an embankment, it spun around. Airbags did not deploy. Dealer said sensor was ripped off from what they dont know. Consumer went back to accident site and found the air bag sensor. Vehicle has been ruled totaled by the insurance company.

- Waxhaw, NC, USA

problem #2

Feb 282001

Escape

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle was at stop sign, was hit on passenger's side, neither aibag deployed, vehicle totalled.

- St. Louis, MO, USA

problem #1

Jan 292001

Escape

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle was traveling at 43 mph, rolled once, hit an embankment, rolled again, was hit head-on, then hit from rear. Vehicle has both front airbags and front side airbags, neither airbag deployed. Consumer worried about safety.

- Annville, KY, USA

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