Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA
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Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2001 Ford Escape submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 54 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
The 25 most recent of 54, in the owner's own words
WHILE MY CAR WAS IN THE SHOP LAST YEAR, NOTICED LAST THAT THE FRAME ON MY 2001 FORD ESCAPE HAS RUSTED, IN SOME PLACES COMPLETELY THROUGH AND METAL HAS COMPLETELY FLAKED OFF. WILL BE EXPENSIVE TO FIX ACCORDING TO MECHANIC, AND THAT CAR IS NOT REALLY SAFE UNLESS FIXED. I KNOW ESCAPE FRAMES HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN RECALLS, BUT MY CAR WAS NOT. DO I HAVE ANY REMEDY?
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT; HOWEVER, THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED TO THE LEFT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS CORRODED. THE FAILURE ALLOWED THE PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM TO TRAVEL FORWARD EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 235,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE STEERING FAILED AND WAS NOT ALIGNED WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FRAME AND OTHER COMPONENTS WERE SEVERELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,306. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT MOVE THE WHEELS. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT OBSERVED THAT THE CONTROL ARMS AND THE SUBFRAME EXPERIENCED SEVERE CORROSION. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
SUBFRAME IS RUSTING APART NEED NEW SUBFRAME OR VEHICLE IS UNSAFE!!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL PULLED TO THE RIGHT WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS APPLIED. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE MADE A CLUNKING AND GRINDING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER (SEELYE KIA OF KALAMAZOO, 4102 STADIUM DRIVE, KALAMAZOO, MI 49080) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WAS CRACKED, RUSTED, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,193.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE FRONT FRAME BECAME SEVERELY RUSTED. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 182,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ESCAPE. UPON INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CROSS BRACE STARTED TO DETACH ON THE SUBFRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO EWALD'S VENUS FORD (2727 LAYTON AVE, CUDAY, WI) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CROSS BRACE WAS TIGHTENED. THE TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE REPAIR WAS TEMPORARY DUE TO CORROSION. FOUR MONTHS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 12V005000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC), 12V353000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING), AND 14V165000 (STRUCTURE, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE CONTACT DID NOT RECEIVE ANY RECALL NOTIFICATIONS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ILLUMINATED FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN A RESIDENTAL PARKING SPACE, A SECURITY GUARD NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. AFTER MAKING A SECOND ROUND, THE GUARD INFORMED THE VEHICLE OWNER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS CONSUMED BY FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FLAMES. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE CONTACT TOOK PICTURES. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD FOLLOW-UP IN WRITING, BUT DID NOT PROVIDE A TIME FRAME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD EXTENSIVE PREMATURE RUST AND CORROSION. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER, BUT NO REMEDY WAS PROVIDED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH SEVERE RUST ON THE SUBFRAME, MAKING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE) IN WHICH A CROSS BAR WAS INSTALLED UNDER THE SUBFRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 184,000.
I OWN A 2001 FORD ESCAPE WITH 148,000 MILE THAT HAS HAD BEEN PRETTY WELL CARED FOR. IT SPEND MOST OF ITS LIFE GARAGE KEPT. I RECENTLY NOTICED THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMED A LITTLE ODD AND TOOK IT IN TO HAVE IT ALIGNED. MY PROBLEM WAS THE ENGINE CRADLE OR SUB-FRAME WAS RUSTED THOUGH. THIS COULD HAVE RESULTED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT OR INJURY HAD I NOT HAD IT FIXED BECAUSE FAILURE OF THIS PART WHILE DRIVING COULD CAUSE LOSS OF STEERING/CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. I CONTACTED FORD BUT THEY DIDN'T SEEM TO CARE. I SEE ON THE INTERNET THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY YOU FOLKS HAVE TAKEN STRONGER ACTION. I WILL NEED TO SEND MY REPAIR BILL AND POSSIBLE A PICTURE TOMORROW OR FRIDAY BECAUSE MY SCANNER IS NOT WORKING.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE DROVE ERRATICALLY WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRACKET WHERE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM CONNECTED TO THE SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE REPAIR FAILED TO REMEDY THE ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,779. UPDATED 06/13/17*LJ *CN
1. DIFFICULTY APPLYING THE BRAKES AND WHEN THEIR APPLIED THE WHOLE BACK OF AUTO SHAKES TERRIBLY 2. THE BACK DOOR ON DRIVER SIDE DOES NOT LOCK AND THE BACK HATCH DOOR DOES NOT OPEN AND STAYS LOCKED.
FORD WILL NOT RECALL. SERIOUS DANGER!!!OVER THE PAST TEN YEARS I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH LATCHES AND DOORS NOT OPENING CORRECTLY AND BEING STUCK FOR WEEKS. THIS TIME I CAN NOT OPEN DRIVERS DOOR WHICH IS VERY DANGEROUS IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT OR FIRE. I AM A MECHANIC AND TOOK INSIDE OF DOOR APART AND CAN VERIFY THAT ACTUATOR FOR DOOR LOCK IS WORKING AND DOES UNLOCK. THE LATCH IS NOT SPRINGING OPEN. I DID A SEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND HAVE SEEN THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM AND FORD WILL NOT RECALL THE 2001 MODEL FOR THIS PROBLEM. THEY RECALLED 2014 AND 2015 FOR 200,000 PLUS VEHICLE BECAUSE OF DOOR LATCH. THE OTHER PEOPLE THAT ARE COMPLAINING HAVE GOTTEN NO SATISFACTION FROM FORD AND ARE ASKING WHAT WILL IT TAKE FOR A RECALL A DEATH OR 10. WE CALLED FORD AND ALL THEY SAID IS THERE IS NO RECALL AND TO BRING IT IN SO THEY CAN FIX IT(120 DOLLARS AN HOUR LABOR). I READ SOME OF THE FORD EXPERTS ONLINE COMMUNICATING WITH CUSTOMERS ON WHAT TO DO AT COST CHAT AND THEY CAME DOWN TO CHISELING POST OR CUTTING WITH DREMEL TOOL OR DESTROYIN OTHER DOOR TO GET AT IT. BASICALLY ALOT OF MONEY THAT I DO NOT HAVE TO FIX. I HAVE OWNED CARS 50-60 YEARS OLDER AND HAVE NEVER HAD PROBLEMS OPENING DOORS OR EVEN HEARING OF PROBLEMS. WHERE ARE THEY GETTING THESE ENGINEERS FROM THESE DAYS. SOS TO ANY ONE OUT THERE THAT CAN HELP.... MY WIFE HAS TO GET IN THROUGH PASSENGER SIDE. THIS ALONG WITH THE PLASTIC INTAKE MANIFOLDS UPPER AND LOWER AND THE VACUUM LEAKS THEY ALWAYS GET TO MAKE FOR A FINE IDLE. ALWAYS HAPPENS STATIONARY, IN MOTION ETC ETC...
SUSPENSION FAILED ON THE RIGHT FRONT DUE TO CORROSION WHEN PULLING INTO DRIVEWAY. FORD HAS REFUSED TO REPAIR BECAUSE I AM 30 MILES FROM THE AREA COVERED BY FORD RECALL 14S02 AND YOUR CAMPAIGN 14V165000. HELP
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE REVERSING OUT THE DRIVE WAY AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE LOWER CONTROL ARM FRACTURED. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 153,127. ...UPDATED 09/12/16 *BF
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND CONTAINED HOLES BIGGER THAN A GOLF BALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO POINTED OUT THE SAME ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE SEPARATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE ALMOST CAUSED A CRASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER AND REPAIRED WITH A CROSS BRACE THAT WAS PLACED ON THE SUB FRAME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THERE WAS NO CRASH. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON ONE OTHER OCCASION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,600.
THE FRONT HOOD IS PEELING AND BUBBLING OFF.
WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD 60 MILES AN HOUR AT NIGHT TIME A DEER RAN IN FRONT OF THE CAR. MY SON JAMMED ON THE BRAKES SKIDDING A DISTANCE HITTING THE DEER. BECAUSE OF JAMMING ON THE BRAKES MY SON HIT THE STEERING WHEEL WITH HIS FACE CAUSING INJURY TO HIS NECK, FACE AND HEAD. HIS SEAT BELT WAS ON AND THE AIRBAGS NEVER WENT OFF. HE SKIDDING A DISTANCE SWERVING RIGHT TO THE EDGE OF THE ROAD HITTING A METAL BAR AT THE EDGE OF A DRIVEWAY. I SENT A COMPLAINT INTO THE NHTSA AND WAS TOLD THE AIR BAGS WOULDN'T OF GONE OFF. I ALSO HAVE A PICTURE OF A FRIENDS FORD TRUCK GOING OFF THE ROAD AT 60 HITTING A HOUSE AND THE AIRBAGS NEVER WENT OFF. SO THE EXCUSE THE AIRBAGS WOULDN'T GO OFF HITTING A DEER IS COMPLETELY WRONG. FIGURE OUT THE FORCE OF JAMMING ON THE BRAKES AT 60 MILES AN HOUR SKIDDING A DISTANCE. FORD HAS A PROBLEM AND SHOULD STAND BY THEIR VEHICLES. YOU HAVE LOST A FEW CUSTOMERS BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF STANDING BY YOUR PRODUCT. I AM SENDING COMPLAINTS TO WHOMEVER I CAN BECAUSE I KNOW THE NHTSA WOULD DO ANYTHING. *TR
VEHICLE HAD A RECENT RECALL 14S02. FORD INSTALLED A BRACKET TO CORRECT THE ISSUE. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE WHOLE CAR IS CORRODED. I RECENTLY HAD AN INSPECTION DONE AND WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION AS THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE REAR CONTROL ARMS. SO, I TOOK IT TO A FRAME SHOP TO LEARN THAT MY CAR SHOULD BE CONDEMNED. THAT THERE IS NO AMOUNT OF REPAIR THAT WILL FIX THIS. THAT IT IS BEYOND REPAIR AT THIS POINT AND I SHOULD NOT DRIVE IT. I WAS TOLD THAT PER THE RECENT RECALLS FOR CORROSION THIS SHOULD BE REPORTED. IT IS A DEFINITE DEFECT AND BASED ON THE YEAR OF THE VEHICLE THIS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING. THEY SUGGESTED THAT SOMETHING MORE COMPLEX IS WRONG HERE. EVEN THE WORK PERFORMED BY FORD ISN'T GOING TO HOLD UP BECAUSE IT'S TOO BADLY RUSTED AND THERE'S NOTHING TO HOLD IT TOGETHER. *TR
MY SON WAS GOING DOWN THE ROAD ABOUT 60 MILES AN HOUR WHEN A BIG DEER CAME OUT IN FRONT OF HIM. HE JAMMED ON HIS BRAKES SKIDDING BUT STILL HIT THE DEER TOTALING THE CAR. NOT ONE OF THE AIRBAGS CAME OUT. HE WENT FORWARD HITTING HIS UPPER BODY AND FACE ON THE STEERING WHEEL. HE HAD HIS SEAT BELT ON. THE POLICE WERE CALLED TO THE ACCIDENT. HE WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL BY FRIENDS. HE TURNED BLACK AND BLUE AND STILL IS HURTING. THE CAR WAS JUST INSPECTED THE END OF OCTOBER. I FEEL FORD AND THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE HELD LIABLE. THAT THE CAR SHOULD BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF THE AIRBAGS NOT WORKING CAUSING INJURY. I'M WITHOUT A CAR...UPDATED 12/04/14*BF UPDATED 06/2/2015 *JS
GOING APPROX. 25 MPH, SLOWING TO A STOP SIGN. APPLIED BRAKES AND PASSENGER TIRE MADE NOISE AND U JOINT BUSTED. RIM//TIRE WAS POSITIONED INCORRECTLY. RUST IS VISIBLE. I NEED TO KNOW IF THIS IS RELATED TO FORD RECALL OF ESCAPE SUVS DUE TO RUST THAT COULD CAUSE THE SEPARATION OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FROM THE SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE.THE RECALL COVERS VEHICLES SOLD IN STATES WHERE HIGH CORROSION IS LIKELY TO OCCUR. MY VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN BRADLEY, IL. WHAT DO I DO?? *TR
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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