Severe Issues

2001 FORD ESCAPE Problems

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2001 Ford Escape. This model year has 1,051 NHTSA complaints β€” top issue: Engine Problems.

1,051
Complaints
78
Crashes
60
Fires
76
Injuries
3
Deaths
15
Recalls

Before you buy β€” check the actual VIN

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about the specific car β€” accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks, and open recalls.

Worst 2001 Ford Escape Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1
323
complaints

Engine Problems

Crash-related:6
Fires:18
Injuries:4
#2
162
complaints

Brake System

Crash-related:13
Fires:22
Injuries:17
#3
146
complaints

Electrical Faults

Crash-related:3
Fires:24
Injuries:2

Considering a 2001 Ford Escape?

This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car β€” accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).

All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2001 Ford Escape. A single complaint may appear in multiple categories.

ComponentComplaintsCrashesFiresAvg MileageVolume
Engine Problems323618β€”
Brake System1621322β€”
Electrical Faults146324β€”
Transmission / Drivetrain1323β€”β€”
Hydraulic122720β€”
Unintended Acceleration111176β€”
Airbag Malfunctions63352β€”
Steering Defects5963β€”
Structural Problems5432β€”
Fuel System54β€”5β€”
Gasoline49β€”5β€”
Suspension Failures45β€”1β€”
Tire Issues391β€”β€”
Visibility35β€”β€”β€”
Uncategorized Issues3331β€”
Door Lock Issues30β€”1β€”
Seat Belt Issues297β€”β€”
Equipment2521β€”
Wheel Issues81β€”β€”
Air82β€”β€”
Headlight/Taillight Failures711β€”
Fuel/Propulsion System51β€”β€”
Seat-Related Issues53β€”β€”
Other5β€”β€”β€”
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)3β€”2β€”
Parking-Brake Issues3β€”β€”β€”
Interior Lighting3β€”β€”β€”
Visibility/Wiper2β€”β€”β€”
Electric21β€”β€”
Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB1β€”β€”β€”
Equipment Adaptive/Mobility1β€”β€”β€”

Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2001 Ford Escape. Type a keyword (e.g. β€œtransmission”, β€œstalling”, β€œbrakes”) to filter.

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Showing 400 most recent complaints of 1,051 total. View all on NHTSA β†—

Engine ProblemsJun 2, 2021

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 towe…

Unintended AccelerationJan 15, 2021

I TRIED TO SPEED UP GETTING ON THE HIGHWAY AND IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PASSED 60 MPH AND SHIFT DOWN AND STALLED OUT. WHEN I LET OFF THE GAS IT DOES NOT SLOW DOWN ON ITS OWN. IT BACKFIRES. *TR

Uncategorized IssuesAug 30, 2020

TORQUE CONVERTER CLUTCH SOLENOID WENT OUT WHEN DRIVING AT 60MPH WHICH CAUSED MY CAR TO SLOW DOWN.

Suspension FailuresFeb 21, 2020

WHILE MY CAR WAS IN THE SHOP LAST YEAR, NOTICED LAST THAT THE FRAME ON MY 2001 FORD ESCAPE HAS RUSTED, IN SOME PLACES COMPLETELY THROUGH AND METAL HAS COMPLETELY FLAKED OFF. WILL BE EXPENSIVE TO FIX ACCORDING TO MECHANIC, AND THAT CAR IS NOT REALLY SAFE UNLESS FIXED. I KN…

Steering DefectsπŸ”₯ FireSep 21, 2019

ABS SYSTEM BURNED UP, HARD TO STOP BRAKES, LICKAGE UNDER THE HOOD

Transmission / DrivetrainAug 25, 2019

I'VE RECENTLY GOT A NEW BATTERY, O2 SENSOR AND ALTERNATOR AND MY CAR KEEPS SHUTTING OFF IN DRIVE.

Suspension FailuresAug 15, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT; HOWEVER, THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED TO THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS CORRODED. THE FAILURE ALLOWED…

Wheel IssuesJul 16, 2019

JULY 9, 2019 TRAVEL IN 80 MPH ON I-95 SOUTH ABOUT 23 MILES FROM MIAMI. LEFT PASSENGER NEW VANDERBILT COOPERP235/70R16 TURBO TECH A/S RADIAL BLEW IN HALF IN THE MIDDLE.SOMEOHOW WAS ABLE TO STOP WITHOUT CAUSING ME OR ANYONE ELSE SERIOUS ACCIDENT.. HAVE NOT YET DETERMINED VEHICLE …

Steering DefectsπŸ’₯ CrashMay 21, 2019

I AM NOT SURE IF I AM USING THE CORRECT WEBSITE OR CORRECT FORM. I WAS INVOLVED IN A VERY WEIRD CAR ACCIDENT. MY FORD ESCAPE SUDDENLY RUN TO THE SIDE (AS I WAS DRIVING ON ICE) IS THERE ANY HELP TO FIX THIS?. I WAS DRIVING NORTH DIRECTION. THE POSTED SPEED WAS 25 AND MINE WAS 20. …

Engine ProblemsMay 13, 2019

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY GOING 60 MPH , MY CAR STARTED SHAKING ALMOST UNCONTROLLABLY , MAKING A LOUD NOISE LIKE THE MMUFFLER WAS FALLING OFF. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD , SHUT THE CAR OFF. OPEN THE HOOD TO FIND THE COIL LAYING ON THE MOTOR AND THE SPARK PLUG NO WHERE TO BE FOUND…

Engine ProblemsFeb 27, 2019

MY 2001 FORD ESCAPE WILL NOT SHIFT INTO 1ST OR 2ND GEAR WITHOUT RUNNING HARD AND TICKING ONCE I GET SET PAST 3RD GEAR IT WILL RUN OKAY I PUT IT IN PARK AND IT WILL NOT STAY AND PARK IT ROLLS SO I HAVE TO PUT A BRICK UNDER THE WHEELS I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER BUT I HAVE MISPLACED…

Steering DefectsFeb 15, 2019

MY FORD ESCAPE DOES NOT SHIFT RIGHT ANYMORE AND IT WILL NOT STAY IN PARK I HAVE TO HAVE A BRICK PUT IN FRONT OF IT BECAUSE MY EMERGENCY BRAKE DOES NOT EVEN WORK. I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER BUT I CANNOT FIND MY LETTER ANYMORE. I WAS HIT BY A VEHICLE AND I CANNOT WALK AND MY SON HA…

Unintended AccelerationJan 12, 2019

I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED RECENTLY. THIS DIDN'T HAPPEN UNTIL IT GOT COLD BUT, THE GAS PEDAL STICKS WHEN I AM DRIVING MAKING IT EXTREMELY HARD TO STOP EVEN IF MY VEHICLE HAD BEEN WARMED BEFOREHAND. THE VEHICLE HAS DONE THIS MORE THAN ONCE. THE MOST NOTABLE ONES WERE WHEN I WAS DR…

Steering DefectsOct 10, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE STEERING FAILED AND WAS NOT ALIGNED WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FRAME AND OTHER COMPONENTS WERE SEVERELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TA…

Suspension FailuresSep 11, 2018

WE TOOK OUR VEHICLE TO OUR MECHANIC FOR OTHER WORK TO BE DONE. HE NOTED THAT THE SUSPENSION PART (WHICH HAS BEEN PREVIOUSLY REMEDIATED WITH THE APPLICATION OF A BRACKET WITH A RECALL) IS EXCESSIVELY RUSTED. WHILE I SURELY UNDERSTAND THAT RUST IS A FACTOR OF TIME AND MILES, WE H…

Suspension FailuresMay 7, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT MOVE THE WHEELS. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE CONTROL ARMS AND THE SUBFRAME EXPERIENCED SEVERE CORROSION. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONT…

Structural ProblemsApr 22, 2018

SUBFRAME IS RUSTING APART NEED NEW SUBFRAME OR VEHICLE IS UNSAFE!!

Suspension FailuresFeb 28, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (SUSPENSION); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. …

Brake SystemFeb 18, 2018

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 WORK…

Steering DefectsFeb 1, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL PULLED TO THE RIGHT WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS APPLIED. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE MADE A CLUNKING AND GRINDING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER (SEELYE KIA OF KALAMAZOO, 4102 STADI…

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Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2001 Ford Escape.

Recalls for 2001 Ford Escape

15 campaigns

NHTSA recall campaigns for the 2001 Ford Escape. Recalls are free to fix at any authorized dealer. Run a VIN check below to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.

15V606000Invalid Date
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT

15E045000Mar 6, 2015
SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING

14V165000Feb 4, 2014
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

12V353000Invalid Date
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

12V005000Sep 1, 2012
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

07V156000Oct 4, 2007
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

00V260001Dec 9, 2000
WHEELS:HUBCAP/COVER

07E023000Invalid Date
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

04V602000Invalid Date
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

04V165000Jun 4, 2004
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

00V277001Invalid Date
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY

00V223001Aug 8, 2000
STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

00V210001Sep 8, 2000
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

00V387002Invalid Date
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES

03V507000May 12, 2003
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

2001 Ford Escape β€” FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2001 Ford Escape reliable?β–Ύ

Severe Issues. The 2001 Ford Escape has 1,051 NHTSA owner complaints, 78 crash-related, and 15 recall campaigns. The most reported issue is Engine Problems (323 complaints). Source: NHTSA via VinSpector AI.

What are the most common problems with the 2001 Ford Escape?β–Ύ

#1: Engine Problems (323 complaints). #2: Brake System (162 complaints). #3: Electrical Faults (146 complaints)

At what mileage do problems start on the 2001 Ford Escape?β–Ύ

Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.

How safe is the 2001 Ford Escape?β–Ύ

The 2001 Ford Escape has 78 crash-related complaints and 60 fire reports out of 1,051 total NHTSA complaints. 76 injuries were reported. For NCAP lab crash test star ratings, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Does the 2001 Ford Escape have any recalls?β–Ύ

Yes β€” 15 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2001 Ford Escape. The largest issue: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT. Check nhtsa.gov/recalls or run a VIN check to see if your specific vehicle has open recalls.

Should I buy a 2001 Ford Escape?β–Ύ

The 2001 Ford Escape has severe issues β€” review the top problems before buying. Pay particular attention to Engine Problems issues. Always run a VIN check on the specific car you're considering to check for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.

Wider context: See the full Ford Escape reliability report with year-by-year comparison.

Check Your Specific 2001 Ford Escape

Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car β€” accidents, title issues, odometer fraud. Full report just $4.99.