2001 Ford Escort Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 19%of 68 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 35,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2001 Ford Escort, 19% of the 68 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 35,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“2001 Escort. Bought in fall from hertz. Have had new platnum plugs installed. But car continues to cut off when leaving from a stopped positon such as a stop sign, light, and left turn lane. Cut off 2 days ago when starting from a stop sign. Had plenty of time from on comming cars. Stalled in hwy and a tractor trailer truck had to brake and I almost lost my life. Did same thing several days ago from a left turn lane. Went to young Ford about it running rough and stalling. Ser mgr stated they do that and that is the reason they stopped making them. Have had trouble sinc I bought it. …”
NHTSA complaint #10007935, filed 2003-02, 31,000 miles“Transmission failed after 59,039 (vehicle would move forward when transmission selector in park or reverse position, could not get vehicle to move backward in any selector position). Transmission is being rebuilt by a national transmission shop.”
NHTSA complaint #10078929, filed 2004-06, 59,039 miles“When shifting from park to drive, car sometimes is in neutral instead. Then must go back to park and to drive again. Flushed transmission and replaced fluid and this has cut down on occurrences.”
NHTSA complaint #10166681, filed 2006-08, 59,000 miles“Failure of automatic transmission shifter safety interlock to function as intended. The shifter could be moved out of 'park' at any time. Condition caused by play on the selector shaft and dried lubrication.”
NHTSA complaint #10021449, filed 2003-06, 30,000 miles“I was driving at 70 MPH on the hwy, traffic started slowing at 50m MPH I pushed in the clutch shifted out of fifth and into fouth. With my foot still on the clutch the car stalled at 45 - 50 MPH.”
NHTSA complaint #747538, filed 2001-06Related service bulletins
- 10014086Dec 13, 2004General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 1 | 10% |
| 2002 | 5 | 15% |
| 2001 | 13 | 19% |
| 2000 | 18 | 18% |
| 1999 | 35 | 11% |
| 1998 | 43 | 11% |
| 1997 | 29 | 5% |
| 1996 | 19 | 9% |
| 1995 | 36 | 6% |
| 1994 | 19 | 7% |
| 1993 | 30 | 8% |
| 1992 | 8 | 5% |
| 1991 | 30 | 9% |
| 1990 | 4 | 4% |
| 1989 | 8 | 5% |
| 1988 | 7 | 5% |
| 1987 | 1 | 2% |
| 1986 | 1 | 2% |
| 1985 | 3 | 12% |
Other parts of the 2001 Ford Escort
12 complaintsVehicle speed control
10 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsSuspension
9 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsElectrical system
5 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsSeats
2 complaintsBody and structure
2 complaintsTires
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Ford Escort
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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