2001 Ford Escape Latches, locks and linkages Problems
- Complaints
- 30about this part
- Share
- 3%of 996 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 117,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 30 complaints about the latches, locks and linkages of the 2001 Ford Escape, 3% of the 996 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 117,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Liftgate gets stuck and will not open. Once in a while it will open out of the blue, then I know as soon as I lock my car, it will be stuck again. Nothing has been done to correct the failure, because it is obviously a defect, a defect that has been recognized for other 2001 escapes, but not my particular one.”
NHTSA complaint #10144680, filed 2005-12, 70,000 miles“I own a 2001 Ford Escape. The locks on the hatch door and hatch glass window do not open consistently, particularly when it is hot outside (I live in fl). There are no other ways to open the door or window as there are no handles on the inside and no key lock on the outside. Ford has not issued a recall for this. I would think this would be some type of safety issue. From blogs I see that other owners have the same problem. It seems the actuator may be at fault.”
NHTSA complaint #10231467, filed 2008-06, 50,000 miles“Both back doors of my 2001 Ford Escape: I do not use my back doors very often since there are only 2 members of my household. I unlocked then tried to open both back doors, both were stuck shut, the handles were loose on the outside. It was not a freezing cold night. I locked and unlocked the doors a bunch of times, then tried to open again. They finally opened, but would not latch shut. The outside handle doesn't seem to be attached to the in door mechanism. My husband finally got the doors to stay shut. I have not opened them since. I am afraid they might open while driving!”
NHTSA complaint #10171404, filed 2006-10, 235,000 miles“The trunk-door (5th door) cannot be opened when exposed to the sun or temperature is warmer. It can only be opened after it is cooler in the evening or at night. The rear-left- passenger-door locked and cannot be opened at all. Now passengers have to enter and exit the vehicle using only one right-passenger-door. This is a safety issue and a very inconvenient one. Please help!!!!!”
NHTSA complaint #10458174, filed 2012-05, 87,500 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 milesRelated recalls
- 04V602000Dec 20, 2004Certain 2004-2005 sport utility vehicles and certain 2001-2003 sport utiity vehicle having rear liftgate components serviced with 2004 equivalent components…Covers: Ford Escape 2001–2005
Latches, locks and linkages: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 | 2% |
| 2022 | 1 | 0% |
| 2021 | 1 | 0% |
| 2020 | 54 | 3% |
| 2019 | 1 | 0% |
| 2018 | 5 | 0% |
| 2017 | 8 | 0% |
| 2015 | 29 | 3% |
| 2014 | 65 | 3% |
| 2013 | 65 | 2% |
| 2012 | 8 | 1% |
| 2011 | 4 | 0% |
| 2010 | 2 | 0% |
| 2009 | 1 | 0% |
| 2008 | 2 | 0% |
| 2007 | 3 | 1% |
| 2005 | 6 | 0% |
| 2004 | 4 | 1% |
| 2003 | 7 | 1% |
| 2002 | 20 | 2% |
| 2001 | 30 | 3% |
| 2000 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2001 Ford Escape
282 complaintsBrakes
163 complaintsElectrical system
136 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
128 complaintsVehicle speed control
107 complaintsAir bags
63 complaintsSteering
58 complaintsFuel system
55 complaintsBody and structure
54 complaintsSuspension
42 complaintsTires
37 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
36 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Ford Escape
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology