RoadVitals

2001 Ford Escape Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
309
Latest Jun 2, 2021
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
31%
of 996 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
24
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
4

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. 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. 309 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.

Owner reports naming engine

The 25 most recent of 309, in the owner's own words

ElectricalEngine
Filed Jun 2, 2021

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 60 mph, the vehicle loss motive power. The contact pulls the vehicle over to the side of the road. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not able to restart. The contact had the vehicle towed to the local dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the failure recurred. The contact was concerned that the failure was related to the alternator. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.

NHTSA ID
11419367
Incident
May 1, 2004
Mileage
150,000 mi
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 25, 2019

I'VE RECENTLY GOT A NEW BATTERY, O2 SENSOR AND ALTERNATOR AND MY CAR KEEPS SHUTTING OFF IN DRIVE.

NHTSA ID
11246286
Incident
Aug 25, 2019
Mileage
178,905 mi
Engine
Filed May 13, 2019

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY GOING 60 MPH , MY CAR STARTED SHAKING ALMOST UNCONTROLLABLY , MAKING A LOUD NOISE LIKE THE MMUFFLER WAS FALLING OFF. I PULLED OFF THE ROAD , SHUT THE CAR OFF. OPEN THE HOOD TO FIND THE COIL LAYING ON THE MOTOR AND THE SPARK PLUG NO WHERE TO BE FOUND. CALLED A FRIEND WHO'S A MECHANIC , HE WENT N GOT A NEW SPARK PLUG , PUT IT IN AND THE CAR DROVE FINE FOR ABOUT 5 WEEKS. BECAUSE YESTERDAY COMING OFF THE PARKWAY THE CAR STARTED SMELLING LIKE GASOLINE INSIDE AND MAKING NOISE LIKE THE MUFFLER CAME OFF.SO I PULLED INTO A WALMART PARKING LOT ONLY TO FIND THAT IT HAPPENED ONCE AGAIN ... THE SPARK PLUG HAS BLOWN OUT OF THE ENGINE TWICE NOW IN THE LAST MONTH AND A HALF. NOW THE SPARK PLUG WILL NOT GO BACK IN. WHEN WE WENT TO GET ANOTHER SPARK PLUG THE MAN AT THE PARTS STORE SAID THUS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORDS. THAT IS NOT EXCEPTABLE!! I HAVE TO LOSE A DAY OF WORK TO TAKE IT TO A MECHANICS SHOP. MY DAUGHTERS AND GRANDCHILDREN WERE IN THE CAR. IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM YOU NEED TO FIX IT BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT

NHTSA ID
11207163
Incident
May 12, 2019
Mileage
149,754 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 27, 2019

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 SPOT IT'S STILL ROLLS I HAVE A BRICK UNDERNEATH IT SO IT DOESN'T ROLL AND HIT SOMEBODY ELSE IF SOMEBODY COULD CONTACT ME ON THIS PLACE THANK YOU.

NHTSA ID
11182893
Incident
Jan 17, 2019
Mileage
25,000 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 22, 2017
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT CAUGHT FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNOCCUPIED AND WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN:07V156000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) AND :12V005000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,000.

NHTSA ID
11024973
Incident
Jul 28, 2017
Mileage
100,000 mi
Body & structureBrakesDriver assistance+2 more
Filed Aug 14, 2017
Fire reported

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.

NHTSA ID
11015079
Incident
Aug 12, 2017
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Sep 19, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 5-10 MPH, THE THROTTLE BECAME STUCK WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS FULLY DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL PRESSURE FEEDBACK EGR (DPFE) SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 12V353000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

NHTSA ID
10908012
Incident
Jul 20, 2015
Mileage
190,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Sep 9, 2016

DESPITE NUMEROUS CALLS TO FORD, I STILL RECEIVE RECALL NOTICES ON THIS VEHICLE, HOWEVER IT WAS A CASH FOR CLUNKERS VEHICLE. I PARTICIPATED IN THIS PROGRAM AND THE VEHICLE WAS PERMANENTLY DISABLED BACK IN 2009/2010.

NHTSA ID
10905032
Incident
May 20, 2010
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 14, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE SHOOK, STALLED, AND ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED TWICE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V175000 (POWER TRAIN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000. UPDATED 09/08/16*LJ *TR

NHTSA ID
10884826
Incident
Jul 13, 2016
Mileage
115,000 mi
Engine
Filed May 1, 2016

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE EXPRESS WAY THE CAR ENGINE WAS STUCK ACCELERATING UNTIL IT THREW A ROD AND THE ENGINE QUIT AFTER THAT. WAS DRIVING 60 UNTIL THE CAR STARTED ACCELERATING

NHTSA ID
10862412
Incident
Apr 20, 2016
Mileage
260,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 8, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE PARKED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO MOVE WHEN THE GEAR STICK WAS SHIFTED FROM PARK TO DRIVE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. IT WAS DETECTED THAT OIL WAS LEAKING ONTO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 267,000.

NHTSA ID
10845616
Incident
Mar 7, 2016
Mileage
267,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Sep 29, 2015
Crash reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER; 12V353000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL). WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO CRASH INTO A COMMERCIAL VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

NHTSA ID
10778357
Incident
May 14, 2014
Mileage
125,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jul 7, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY DECELERATED AND THE BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO DRIVE FOR APPROXIMATELY FIVE MORE MINUTES BEFORE THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.

NHTSA ID
10732560
Incident
Jul 6, 2015
Mileage
122,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Jul 5, 2015

WAS RUNNING FINE THEN STARTED THE CAR ONE MORNING AND IDLE WAS OUT OF CONTROL AND IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE WITH THE IDLE AS HIGH AS IT IS

NHTSA ID
10732022
Incident
Feb 10, 2015
Mileage
186,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 31, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING UP AN INCLINE AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED WITH FORCE, HOWEVER, THERE WAS A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN THE ENGINE POWER. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED ON ONE OCCASION TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ID
10702957
Incident
Feb 7, 2014
Mileage
140,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Mar 19, 2015
Fire reported

WHILE PARKED IN EMPLOYEE'S PARKING LOT THE FORD ESCAPE ENGINE STARTED TO SMOKE THEN CAUGHT FIRE . *TR

NHTSA ID
10695439
Incident
Mar 19, 2015
Mileage
180,000 mi
EngineFuel system
Filed Jan 30, 2015

IN 2001 FORD ESCAPES A MISFIRE OCCURS AND CAUSE THE FUEL MILEAGE TO DECREASE. IT ALSO CAUSES THE CAR TO SHUTTER AT IDLE WHEN IT IS COLD. AFTER CHECKING MESSAGE BOARDS IT APPEARS THAT MORE THAN A HANDFUL ARE HAVING THE SAME EXACT ISSUE AND DESPITE CHANGING ANY PARTS ACCEPT THE CONNECTORS AND PCM THE ISSUE STILL OCCURS. THE NUMBER OF CARS EFFECTED BY THIS IS MORE THAN JUST A COINCIDENCE AND SHOULD BE LISTED AS A FACTORY DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10679944
Incident
Dec 8, 2014
Mileage
164,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jan 5, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER IT RAINED OR SNOWED, THE VEHICLE WOULD STUTTER AND FAIL TO ACCELERATE OVER 20 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE COIL PACK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

NHTSA ID
10670200
Incident
Apr 1, 2005
Mileage
105,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structureEngine+1 more
Filed Nov 19, 2014
Crash reported1 injury reported

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

NHTSA ID
10659367
Incident
Nov 15, 2014
Mileage
210,000 mi
BrakesEngineSteering
Filed Jul 24, 2014

HERE RECENTLY I HAVE HAD SEVERAL OCCURRENCES OF MY 2001 ESCAPE STALLING WHILE DRIVING. ON 2 OCCASIONS I WAS APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT, SLIGHTLY UPHILL AND WHEN I PRESSED THE BRAKE THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF LOSING ALL POWER AND STEERING AND I HAD TO "STAND" ON THE BRAKES TO STOP. A FEW OTHER TIMES IT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS TURNING A CORNER AS WELL AS GOING THROUGH A STOP LIGHT TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT, NOT GOING FAST AT ALL. PRETTY SCARY STUFF. I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEM STARTING IT BACK UP AFTER THE OCCURRENCES, HOWEVER IT KEEPS HAPPENING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10615920
Incident
May 1, 2014
Engine
Filed Jun 17, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE AND BLACK SMOKE STARTED TO EMIT FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID
10598915
Incident
Dec 24, 2012
EngineFuel system
Filed Jun 16, 2014

WE WERE DRIVING AROUND A CURVE AND ONTO A STRAIGHT PART OF THE ROAD ABOUT 40-43 MPH AND THE ENGINE JUST CUT OFF. WE WERE ABLE TO COAST OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND STOP. THE STEERING AND BRAKES HAD NO POWER. WE TRIED STARTING THE ENGINE AND IT CRANKED BUT ACTED LIKE IT WAS NOT GETTING ANY FUEL (THERE WAS HALF A TANK). WE LEFT TO GET A RIDE AND WHEN WE RETURNED TO TOW THE CAR IT STARTED RIGHT UP AND HAS BEEN DRIVING FINE SINCE. WE ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE IT NOW BECAUSE IF WE HAD BEEN IN TRAFFIC WE WOULD HAVE BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10598418
Incident
Jun 14, 2014
Mileage
135,423 mi
Engine
Filed May 5, 2014

STUTTERING AND STALLING. *TR

NHTSA ID
10586691
Incident
May 1, 2014
Mileage
138,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 31, 2014
Fire reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A FIRE STARTED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. UPDATED 06/24/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65MPH, A LOW POP WAS HEARD. BLACK SMOKE ROLLED INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. UPDATED 06/25/2014 *JS

NHTSA ID
10575922
Incident
Jul 29, 2013
Mileage
103,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Jan 5, 2014
Fire reported

SHORTLY AFTER BEING PARKED AND SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE WITHIN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND DESTROYED EVERYTHING IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10558561
Incident
Oct 27, 2013
Mileage
125,000 mi

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .