2001 Ford Escape

Complaint history

When NHTSA received these reports. Changes in reporting alone do not establish a change in failure rates.

Problems owners report

Listed groups have at least 3 complaints. The page includes the 20 largest groups plus any additional flagged groups; some complaints are not assigned to a group.

AI groups complaints by meaning; the groups are approximate. Share ratio compares the problem’s share of this vehicle’s complaints with its share on other vehicles over the last 24 months (shown from 3 recent complaints). A 2× ratio means twice the complaint share, not twice the failure risk. Flags mark unusual shares or recent surges after an AI review of the complaint content. “First signal” does not mean the pattern has persisted continuously.How recall estimates are calculated.

Recalls

• NHTSA recall #15V606000September 29, 201557 vehicles affected

  power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (prndl); 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 that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.

  If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.

  Remedy

  Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.

• NHTSA recall #14V165000April 2, 2014348,950 vehicles affected

  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 Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. These vehicles may experience excessive corrosion at the forward attachment of the lower control arm.

  A separation of the lower control arm can result in a significant loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy

  Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install a newly designed reinforcement cross-brace, free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's number for this recall is 14S02.

• NHTSA recall #12V353000July 26, 2012529,719 vehicles affected

  engine and engine cooling; vehicle speed control: cables

  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 stuck throttle when the accelerator pedal is fully or almost-fully depressed. This risk exists regardless of whether or not speed control (cruise control) is used.

  A stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop or slow the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.

  Remedy

  Ford will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles by increasing the engine cover clearance, free of charge. The safety recall began August 3, 2012. Remedy parts are expected to be available in mid-August 2012. Until then dealers will disconnect the speed control cable as an interim remedy, if parts are not available at the time of an owner's service appointment. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.

• NHTSA recall #12V005000January 9, 2012244,530 vehicles affected

  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) module wiring harness connector.

  Corrosion Can develop in the electrical connector leading to melting, smoke or a fire.

  Remedy

  Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder reservoir cap and the ABS electrical system will be modified. An interim letter was mailed on january 20, 2012. Due to a parts delay, however, the remedy may not be available currently. If parts are not available, Ford will instruct owners to park their vehicles outside until such time as parts become available. Owners may contact the Ford motor company customer relationship center at 1-866-436-7332. This recall campaign is related to 07V-156.

• NHTSA recall #07V156000April 10, 2007446,460 vehicles affected

  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.

  An electrical short might cause an ABS malfunction that would illuminate the ABS warning light, and in some cases, the module may overheat resulting in burning odor, smoke, and/or fire. This condition could occur either when the vehicle ignition switch is in the off position or while the vehicle is being operated.

  Remedy

  Dealers will inspect the wire harness connector to the ABS module for missing or dislodged wire seals, and repair or replace the harness connector as appropriate. The dealer will also inspect the connector on the ABS module and replace it if it is found to be corroded or damaged. The recall began on april 23, 2007. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

• NHTSA recall #04V602000December 20, 2004262,113 vehicles affected

  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 liftgate latching system does not meet the inertia load requirement in one direction.

  If the liftgate is left unlocked, there is the potential that it may open during a crash.

  Remedy

  Dealers will replace the rear liftgate latch release rod, the release rod attachment clip and the door handle return spring. The recall began on march 31, 2005. Owners should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

• NHTSA recall #04V165000April 6, 2004321,903 vehicles affected

  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.

  Should the engine stall, a vehicle crash could occur.

  Remedy

  Dealers will reprogram the power control module (PCM) with the appropriate calibration. Owner notification began on april 21, 2004. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

• NHTSA recall #03V507000December 5, 2003132,243 vehicles affected

  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 engaged, but will release from the buckle without the push button being depressed when a relatively low load is applied, such as when an occupant moves slightly in the seat.

  In the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of injury.

  Remedy

  Dealers will have the driver and front passenger safety belt buckle cover removed and replaced with a newly designed service buckle cover. Owner notification began on february 2, 2004. Owners should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

• NHTSA recall #00V387002November 27, 200046,000 vehicles affected

  visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages

  Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The windshield wiper linkage Can disengage due to a broken ball socket.

  This condition will likely result in sudden and complete loss of the windshield wiper function, or of the wiper function on the driver side only, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy

  Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the wiper module.

• NHTSA recall #00V277001September 18, 200010,850 vehicles affected

  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 the connection.

  Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.

  Remedy

  Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the fuel line. Owner notification began september 27, 2000. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

• NHTSA recall #00V260001September 12, 20001,325 vehicles affected

  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.

  This condition could cause loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

  Remedy

  Dealers will inspect the rear hubs and, if necessary, replace them. Owner notification began september 25, 2000. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.

• NHTSA recall #00V210001August 9, 20001,193 vehicles affected

  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 enter those units that contain a cracked or missing servo cap locating tab, eventually causing corrosion that could interfere with the function of the speed control.

  If either of these conditions occurs and the speed control is used, the speed control could prevent the throttle from returning to idle, resulting in a stuck throttle. A stuck throttle could result in a crash.

  Remedy

  Dealers will inspect the speed control cables. Vehicles with speed control cables from cavities 3 and 4 will have the cable the speed control servo replaced.

• NHTSA recall #00V223001August 8, 20001,393 vehicles affected

  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 when the nut is tightened. In addition, some of the nuts may have been cracked during manufacture resulting in the nut fracturing when it is tightened during vehicle assembly.

  Either of these conditions Can lead to the steering wheel becoming loose or separating from the steering column, resulting in loss of steering control.

  Remedy

  Dealers will inspect and replace the steering wheel retention armature and, if necessary, the steering column to correct this condition.

Other model years

• 2001
• 2002 1,027
• 2003 558
• 2004 499
• 2005 1,394
• 2006 464
• 2007 254
• 2008 1,974
• 2009 1,693
• 2010 2,070
• 2011 1,319
• 2012 604
• 2013 2,753
• 2014 2,089
• 2015 1,133
• 2016 1,175
• 2017 2,704
• 2018 1,824
• 2019 599
• 2020 1,619
• 2021 352
• 2022 236
• 2023 102
• 2024 76
• 2025 26