2001 Ford Escape Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 128about this part
- Share
- 13%of 996 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 68,308miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 128 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2001 Ford Escape, 13% of the 996 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 68,308 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My PCM has failed. I understand that this is a known problem with the Escape for over 5 years. I would like to see if there is any adjustment or recall for this as I know of many failures. I enter my complaint to see if it will help others, and perhaps initial a recall and a credit for this very expense repair.”
NHTSA complaint #10523628, filed 2013-07, 140,204 miles“While accelerating on the interstate, vehicle approached 50 miles an hour when it felt like the transmission was about to fall out of the vehicle. After talking with a lot of people and doing research, they call this shudder. It fills like when you drive off the edge of the interstate white line and hit the rough pavement. It would stop if I let up off the gas. I have no check engine light or transmission light showing on the dashboard. No error codes when the code reader was hooked up on the vehicle. This vehicle has already been to the dealership twice for this issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #10559263, filed 2014-01, 151,000 miles“The transmission on my 2001 Ford Escape, went out I had 58,000 miles on the truck. Had to put in a new transmission. Now 4 months later, the engine light comes on. The engine coolant warning light keeps coming on even though it is full. All of the lighters/sun roof have no power to them they all quit. I have replaced all fuses, with no luck. Now the all lights on the radio are gone, but the radio still works.”
NHTSA complaint #10090614, filed 2004-09, 58,000 miles“I own a 2001 Escape xls with v6, auto and 4 wd. Have 29k miles on it. My transmission is completely ruined because of an internal failure which burnt off all the transmission fluid. This transmission (cd-4e) seems to have a history of problems in various Ford and mazda vehicles. It is ridiculous that something like this is happening frequently. I would like somebody to look into this transmission and the various problems it has created.”
NHTSA complaint #10056576, filed 2004-02, 28,750 miles“The o/d light started flashing .I drove the vehicle about 5 miles to my driveway.when I went to move the car it wouldn't go in reverse. Contacted dealer with no results. Sent car to transmission shop and had a rebuilt transmission put in.”
NHTSA complaint #10120182, filed 2005-05, 46,915 milesRelated recalls
- 15V606000Sep 29, 2015Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1…Covers: Ford Escape 2001–2008, Mercury Mariner 2001–2008
- 04V165000Apr 6, 2004On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with 3.0l v6 engines, during deceleration, the engine can stall.Covers: Ford Escape 2001–2003
Related service bulletins
- 10014086Dec 13, 2004General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures.
- 10013406Nov 29, 2004Wheel speed sensor removal tip.
- 10013369Nov 1, 2004General power train control module (pcm) programming procedures.
- 10011344Sep 1, 2004A final drive whine at 25-45 mph (40-72 km/h).
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 12% |
| 2024 | 2 | 3% |
| 2023 | 25 | 25% |
| 2022 | 31 | 13% |
| 2021 | 46 | 13% |
| 2020 | 243 | 15% |
| 2019 | 128 | 21% |
| 2018 | 276 | 15% |
| 2017 | 391 | 14% |
| 2016 | 321 | 27% |
| 2015 | 287 | 25% |
| 2014 | 481 | 23% |
| 2013 | 401 | 15% |
| 2012 | 66 | 11% |
| 2011 | 268 | 20% |
| 2010 | 508 | 25% |
| 2009 | 301 | 18% |
| 2008 | 329 | 17% |
| 2007 | 44 | 17% |
| 2006 | 80 | 17% |
| 2005 | 117 | 8% |
| 2004 | 27 | 5% |
| 2003 | 55 | 10% |
| 2002 | 105 | 10% |
| 2001 | 128 | 13% |
| 2000 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2001 Ford Escape
282 complaintsBrakes
163 complaintsElectrical system
136 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 complaintsOther or unknown
31 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