FORD ESCAPE · model year

2001 FORD ESCAPE

1387 NHTSA complaints, 109 crash reports, and 15 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2001FORDESCAPE carries 1387 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 109 crashes, 93 fires, 109 injuries, and 5 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2001 ESCAPE is engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline with 158 filings, followed by vehicle speed control (78) and electrical system (66). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 15 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 8 investigation files overlapping the 2001 ESCAPE. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

1387
Complaints
109
Crashes
93
Fires
109
Injuries
5
Deaths

Total Complaints

1387 filings

Crashes Reported

109 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE158
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL78
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM66
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION62
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE57
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING47
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC41
UNKNOWN OR OTHER31
AIR BAGS31
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION30
SERVICE BRAKES30
SUSPENSION28
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL27
STEERING27
STRUCTURE:BODY27

Recalls (15)

15V60600029/09/2015

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one

07E02300029/03/2007

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAI

00V38700227/11/2000

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE CAN DISENGAGE DUE TO A BROKEN BALL SOCKET.

12V35300026/07/2012

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Ford Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2004 Escape vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control manufactured from October 22, 1999, through January 23, 2004. Inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector could result in a st

04V60200020/12/2004

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH

CERTAIN 2004-2005 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND CERTAIN 2001-2003 SPORT UTIITY VEHICLE HAVING REAR LIFTGATE COMPONENTS SERVICED WITH 2004 EQUIVALENT COMPONENTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 206, 'DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS.' THE REAR LI

00V27700118/09/2000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE O-RING SEALS IN THE FUEL LINE CONNECTOR AT THE OUTLET END OF THE FUEL FILTER WERE DAMAGED WHEN THE LINE WAS CONNECTED TO THE FILTER DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY. IN SOME CASES, THIS DAMAGE COULD RESULT IN A FUEL ODOR, OR POSSIBLY IN FUEL DRIPPING FROM T

00V26000112/09/2000

WHEELS:HUBCAP/COVER

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SOME 4X2 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM MAY HAVE INADVERTENTLY BEEN BUILT WITH 4X4 REAR HUBS INSTEAD OF 4X2 HUBS. IF THE INCORRECT HUBS ARE INSTALLED ON A 4X2 VEHICLE, THE REAR WHEELS CAN LOOSEN, OR IN SOME CASES, SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE

07V15600010/04/2007

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ANTILOCK BRAKES (ABS), THE ABS MODULE CONNECTOR MAY HAVE MISSING OR DISLODGED WIRE SEALS. THIS CONDITION COULD ALLOW CONTAMINATION TO ENTER THE MODULE CONNECTOR, CREATING A POTENTIAL FOR AN ELECTRICAL SHORT.

00V21000109/08/2000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL. THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE CAN HAVE A CRACKED OR MISSING SPEED CONTROL CABLE SERVO CAP LOCATING TAB. THE LOCATING TAB COULD ENTER THE SERVO CLUTCH CAVITY AND INTERFERE WITH THE SPEED CONTROL SERVO CLUTCH. ALSO, WATER COULD E

12V00500009/01/2012

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001-2002 ESCAPE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 22, 1999, THROUGH JULY 19, 2002, EQUIPPED WITH A BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR CAP THAT COULD LEAK BRAKE FLUID. IF BRAKE FLUID LEAKS FROM THE CAP, IT COULD COME IN CONTACT WITH THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM (ABS)

00V22300108/08/2000

STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A MIS-ASSEMBLED OR INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED NUT THAT ATTACHES THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY TO THE STEERING COLUMN. THE NUT COULD BE UPSIDE DOWN IN THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY, WHICH COULD OVERSTRESS THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT W

04V16500006/04/2004

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L V6 ENGINES, DURING DECELERATION, THE ENGINE CAN STALL.

03V50700005/12/2003

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, A POST WITHIN THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE COVERS COULD FRACTURE, WHICH COULD AFFECT LATCH FUNCTION, RESULTING IN EITHER A "NO LATCH" OR "PARTIAL LATCH" CONDITION. IN THE "PARTIAL LATCH" CONDITION, THE BUCKLE TONGUE CAN BE INSERTED INTO THE BUCKLE AND APPEAR TO BE ENGAG

15E04500003/06/2015

SUSPENSION:FRONT:WHEEL BEARING

The Timken Company (Timken) is recalling certain aftermarket front wheel bearings, part number 510072, sold from January 22, 2015, to May 21, 2015, to be used as service parts on 2001-2012 Ford Escape, 2001-2011 Mazda Tribute, and 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles. The affected wheel bearings have

14V16500002/04/2014

STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2004 Escape vehicles manufactured October 22, 1999, through January 23, 2004, originally sold, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New

Recent Complaints

20210602ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR:INTEGRATED STARTER(OTHER THAN PROPULSION)

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.

Mileage: 150,000

20210602ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

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.

Mileage: 150,000

20210115VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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

Mileage: 200,000

20210115UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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

Mileage: 200,000

20210115FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

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

Mileage: 200,000

20200830UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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

Mileage: 220,000

20200221STRUCTURE:BODY

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 KNOW ESCAPE FRAMES HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN RECALLS, BUT MY CAR WAS NOT. DO I HAVE ANY REMEDY?

Mileage: 200,000

20200221SUSPENSION

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 KNOW ESCAPE FRAMES HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN RECALLS, BUT MY CAR WAS NOT. DO I HAVE ANY REMEDY?

Mileage: 200,000

20190921FireELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

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

Mileage: 170,000

20190921FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

Mileage: 170,000

20190921FireSTEERING

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

Mileage: 170,000

20190825ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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

Mileage: 178,905

20190825ENGINE

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

Mileage: 178,905

20190825POWER TRAIN

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

Mileage: 178,905

20190815STRUCTURE:BODY

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 THE PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM TO TRAVEL FORWARD EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 235,000.

Mileage: 235,000

20190815SUSPENSION

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 THE PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM TO TRAVEL FORWARD EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 235,000.

Mileage: 235,000

20190716WHEELS

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 DRUM OR OTHER POSSIBLE DAMAGE. HAD JUST HAD 4 LIKE TIRES ROTATED AND AIR PRESSURE CHECKED PRIOR TO TRIP.

Mileage: 183,000

20190521CrashSTEERING

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. THIS HAPPENED ON NORTH LELAND ST IN SAN PEDRO, CA 90731. LOOKS LIKE A MECHANICAL FAULT. I AM NOT SURE WHAT WAS WRONG. I HAVE A POLICE REPORT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

Mileage: 177,900

20190521CrashWHEELS

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. THIS HAPPENED ON NORTH LELAND ST IN SAN PEDRO, CA 90731. LOOKS LIKE A MECHANICAL FAULT. I AM NOT SURE WHAT WAS WRONG. I HAVE A POLICE REPORT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

Mileage: 177,900

20190521CrashUNKNOWN OR OTHER

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. THIS HAPPENED ON NORTH LELAND ST IN SAN PEDRO, CA 90731. LOOKS LIKE A MECHANICAL FAULT. I AM NOT SURE WHAT WAS WRONG. I HAVE A POLICE REPORT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

Mileage: 177,900

Compare 2001FORDESCAPE to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2001 FORD ESCAPE have?
The 2001 FORD ESCAPE has 1387 NHTSA complaints, 109 crashes, 93 fires, 109 injuries, and 5 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2001 FORD ESCAPE?
Yes, the 2001 FORD ESCAPE has 15 recall(s). The most common affected component is POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2001 FORD ESCAPE?
The most-complained component for the 2001 FORD ESCAPE is ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE with 158 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2001 FORD ESCAPE safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.