2001 Ford Escape Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often describe the engine quitting while driving, often at low speed or when slowing down, and many mention repeated dealer visits without a lasting fix. Brake complaints center on loss of pedal pressure and on ABS warning lights, while transmission complaints describe shuddering and hard or delayed shifting. Many reports come in at higher mileage, though stalling and brake concerns appear at low miles as well.

1. 1
   Engine cooling

   Engine stalls while driving or slowing down

   • 309 complaints (31%)
   • median 44,399 mi at 3.5 yrs old (104 state mileage)
   • 10 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $3,600 (median of 7 quotes)
   • filed 2000–2021

   Complaints describe the engine shutting off at various speeds, often between 20 and 40 mph, while coasting downhill or when coming to a stop. Some owners report that the vehicle restarts afterward, while others describe being unable to restart and needing a tow. According to the complaints, dealers replaced idle air control valves, throttle bodies, spark plugs and hoses, and in some cases told owners no fault could be found. Several owners mention an onboard computer or PCM as the suspected source. Reported from very low mileage up to about 200,000 miles, with many cases under 70,000 miles and several at highway speeds or in traffic.

   Recall 04V1650004 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask whether the PCM or idle control has been serviced and whether any stored codes were found. A test drive that includes coasting and slowing to a stop can help reveal a stalling tendency.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “While traveling to work today, my 2001 Ford Escape stalled four times while driving. Each time, I was going between 20-35 MPH and the car just completely shut off. This is extremely dangerous as I have a young son who was riding with me at the time. The dealer stated they have had numerous cars do this.”

   NHTSA complaint #10047158, filed 2003-11, 37,000 miles

   “I have had brake liquid leaking from the engine container since I purchased the car around 2001. I notified the dealership and the first time they said the cap malfunctioned and they replaced the cap, the second time they said I overfilled the container but it never stopped and to this day the container leaks. I also have had the car stall on several occasions. I thought this to be just a freak accident until I read these postings and it appears the problem is wide spread. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10213341, filed 2008-01, 4,000 miles
2. 2
   Brakes

   Brake pedal goes to floor / loss of braking pressure

   • 267 complaints (27%)
   • median 99,405 mi at 8.8 yrs old (161 state mileage)
   • 49 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $2,000 (median of 11 quotes)
   • filed 2000–2019

   Owners describe the brake pedal sinking to the floor with little or no braking force, sometimes with no warning beforehand. Complaints mention cracked or ruptured brake hoses at the calipers and master cylinder problems, including one case shortly after a master cylinder replacement. Others report brake fluid leaking and an ABS warning light, with dealers quoting repairs for ABS hydraulic motor circuit faults. Some owners say the vehicle pulls or does not stop properly even with recently replaced brakes. Spread from about 30,000 to over 180,000 miles; several reports describe sudden failure during normal driving or at intersections.

   Recall 12V005000Recall 07V156000

   What to check: Have the brake hoses, lines and master cylinder inspected for cracks or seepage, and check that the brake fluid reservoir cap recall work was completed. Ask whether the ABS warning light has come on and whether the ABS module connector was inspected.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Ford Escape 2001 master brake cylinder and brakes failed causing accident when I totally lost my brakes. 1 day after Ford dealership replaced master brake cylinder. Ford has faulty master brake parts.”

   NHTSA complaint #10189634, filed 2007-05, 74,000 miles

   “Door locks are not unlocking properly. Contacted Ford about problem and they informed moe to put grease on it this did not work. Ford Escape tries to quite while running. Replaced hoses and plugs and problems still going on. Ford Escape does not want to stop properly with new brakes or brakes that are only 10 to 20 percent worn. Also leaks brake fluid have been unable to locate leak on Escape.”

   NHTSA complaint #10371795, filed 2010-12, 185,000 miles
3. 3
   Vehicle speed control

   Unexpected acceleration or sticking throttle

   • 141 complaints (14%)
   • median 99,202 mi at 8.5 yrs old (94 state mileage)
   • 22 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2000–2021

   Complaints describe the vehicle accelerating beyond the set cruise speed or the accelerator pedal sticking, with brakes unable to slow it in some accounts. Owners mention the engine revving high after braking and needing to shift to neutral or use the parking brake to stop. In some cases dealers replaced the throttle body, and one owner removed the cruise control fuse to prevent recurrence. Complaints also describe high or erratic idle after starting. Mostly reported between about 50,000 and 120,000 miles, often at highway speeds or while climbing a hill.

   Recall 12V353000Recall 00V210001

   What to check: Ask whether the speed control cable recall was completed and whether the throttle body or cruise servo has been serviced. Check that the accelerator pedal returns freely and that idle settles normally after start-up.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My wife was driving our 8 year old twins to a piano recital in my 2001 Ford Escape, and, while going up a steep hill on a four-lane road, the engine downshifted and the car accelerated out of control. When she realized that she the car was speeding forward when she was not pressing on the accelerator, she applied the brakes hard, but nothing happened. In an attempt to avoid the cars, she took an off-ramp but quickly realized that traffic was stopped there as well. In desperation, my wife pulled the emergency brake. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10128681, filed 2005-07, 54,000 miles

   “Twice in last year (excluding today) I had unintended acceleration while driving my 2001 Ford Escape. Both times I was on the freeway and SUV had a mind of its own. I stepped on brakes - it did nothing. I tried to pull up on gas pedal - nothing happened. Finally stopped with neutral and emergency brake...took SUV to Ford - they replaced the throttle body on 6/18/04. Today (7/23/04) while on the freeway driving to work (in rush hour traffice), I accelerated to get out of the way of a truck that was going to merge onto the freeway. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10082561, filed 2004-07, 68,000 miles
4. 4
   Transmission and drivetrain

   Transmission shudder, harsh shifting, or stuck in gear

   • 130 complaints (13%)
   • median 78,947 mi at 5.9 yrs old (84 state mileage)
   • 18 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $3,000 (median of 10 quotes)
   • filed 2000–2021

   Owners describe shuddering during acceleration from a stop and hard or delayed shifting, sometimes with the overdrive light flashing alongside the check engine light. Some complaints report the transmission failing to come out of park or reverse, or the shift linkage breaking and the vehicle rolling. Dealers in some cases told owners the transmission needed replacement, while others were sent to different dealers for a fluid flush machine. Reported from about 25,000 to over 150,000 miles, with many cases between 50,000 and 70,000 miles.

   Recall 15V6060002 related service bulletins

   What to check: Ask about transmission fluid service history and whether the CD4E unit has been replaced or rebuilt. During a test drive, note any shudder from a stop and confirm the shifter moves cleanly through all positions.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “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 had clean the house so I have lost my letter I would appreciate it if I could get another recall letter so I can get mike's Escape fixed please.”

   NHTSA complaint #11180398, filed 2019-02, 25 miles

   “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 it due to an accident I had everything was placed and boxes and stuff and I cannot find it if somebody can please contact me back about this problem so I can get it fixed and start driving my Escape again it shifts hard it clunks and it will not stay in the parking …”

   NHTSA complaint #11182893, filed 2019-02, 25,000 miles
5. 5
   Brakes

   ABS light on and faulty ABS tone ring

   • 63 complaints (6%)
   • median 110,000 mi at 10.0 yrs old (48 state mileage)
   • 21 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $1,900 (median of 7 quotes)
   • filed 2002–2017

   Complaints describe the ABS warning light illuminating intermittently, sometimes after rain, and the vehicle behaving as though ABS is not working. Several owners report a cracked ABS tone ring, which dealers said was engaging the system when it should not, producing jerking or forward creep at a stop. Others report ABS hydraulic motor circuit failure with repair estimates, and one describes the ABS module smoking after fuse replacement. Mostly reported between about 75,000 and 150,000 miles, with some cases as low as 80,000 miles.

   Recall 07V156000Recall 12V0050001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Check that the ABS light comes on and goes out normally after start-up, and have the tone rings and wheel speed sensors inspected. Ask whether the ABS module connector seals recall was performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I own 3 Ford escapes and all 3 have same safety issue. I learned on google that I am not alone. It is a very common problem. I am talking about ABS tone ring which cracks and causes ABS to malfunction. It becomes a serious issue when it happens while driving. Initial malfunction causes on-board computer to be confused and brakes don't perform as they should, causing extended braking distance. Once on-board computer recognizes the problem ABS dashboard light will come on and the driver is aware of the issue. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10475891, filed 2012-09, 149,000 miles

   “When vehicle is at a stop with the brakes applied at either a red light, stop sign, or traffic, the car jerks to move forward. This does not happen all the time, it has been doing this since the beginning of the year. Ford dealership replaced an ABS ring that was cracked. They said, this is causing the vehicle to move forward because the ABS is trying to engage.”

   NHTSA complaint #10522455, filed 2013-06, 147,200 miles

Buying note. Before buying, verify that the open recalls for this model year were completed and have a mechanic check the brake lines, ABS components and subframe for corrosion. A thorough test drive that includes stopping, coasting and a short highway run is worthwhile, since stalling, shifting and throttle complaints often show up only under those conditions.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.