2001 Ford Escape Complaint Log

1. THE AIRBAG LIGHT WOULD STAY ON OR FLASH 2. THERE WAS NO CONSEQUENCE OR FAILURE SINCE I RESPONDED IMMEDIATELY BY TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP 3. DIAGNOSTICS WERE RUN SHOWING DIAGNOSTIC CODE B1881, HIGH RESISTANCE, R&R BOTH SEATS, R&R PRETENSIONS R KITS. REINSTALL AND CLEAR CODES. I WAS TOLD THIS MEANT IN A CRASH, THE FRONT SEAT BELTS (BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER) WOULD FAIL TO RETRACT, IN ESSENCE, RENDERING THE SEAT BELTS USELESS. REPAIR KITS WERE INSTALLED ON EACH SEATBELT. PARTS INCLUDED WITH INSTALLATION ARE: PART NUMBER PATSKEY $35.00, 1L8Z 78610E22 AAA KIT REPAIR $103.33, 1L8Z 78610E23 AAA KIT REPAIR $103.33, PLUS LABOR $227.95 FOR A TOTAL OF $523.61. I DON'T THINK CONSUMERS SHOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR SUCH REPAIRS. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE IN THIS CAR AND SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. *JB

2005 GAS PEDAL ACCELERATION ACCIDENT IN 2001 FORD ESCAPE . UPON STARTING CAR IT ACCELERATED BY ITSELF , AND I COULD NOT GET IT TO STOP. IT SPED UP TO AT LEAST 40MPH WITH A MIND OF ITS OWN. I CRASHED INTO A BRICK WALL AND IT TOOK THE JAWS OF LIFE TO TEAR OPEN THE CAR TO GET ME OUT. I AM TOTALLY DISABLED NOW WITH A SEVERELY SHATTERED FOOT AND ANKLE. I HAVE A METAL PLATE IN MY LEG NOW. *TR

2001 FORD ESCAPE W/37K MILES NEEDS POWER STEERING RACK REPLACED.

2001 FORD ESCAPE, 61,000 MILES, CLUTCH FAILURE, CLUTCH PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR, WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. WAS ON ENTRANCE RAMP TO INTERSTATE HIGHWAY, IN SLOW MOVING TRAFFIC, OTHERWISE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. INVESTIGATED ON INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THIS PROBLEM IS DESCRIBED IN FORD TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 1-24-1, SO IS OBVIOUSLY A KNOWN ISSUE. ONE OF RELATIVELY FEW TSBS THAT COULD CAUSE A CATASTROPHIC ACCIDENT IF IT OCCURRED AT SPEED. MOST OF THE TSBS ARE FOR THINGS LIKE "WHINING/BUZZING IN AUDIO SYSTEM," "ENGINE OIL RECOMMENDATIONS/APPLICATIONS," "INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS--FUEL SMELL TO THE INTERIOR." WHILE SOME OF THESE MAY BE SIGNIFICANT, FEW OF THEM WOULD CAUSE A CATASTROPHIC PROBLEM IF THEY OCCURED AT SPEED. THE "GENERAL RECALL" AND "SAFETY RECALLS" CATEGORIES, WHICH INCLUDE THINGS LIKE "SPEED CONTROL CABLE DEFECT" AND "REAR DRIVESHAFT REPLACEMENT DIFFERENTIAL LEAK" SEEM TO ME MUCH MORE APPROPRIATE PLACES FOR THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM TO BE REPORTED. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO FORD DEALER. CONVERSATION WITH THEM THIS MORNING. CONFIRMED THAT PROBLEM WAS WITH MASTER AND SLAVE CYLINDER WHICH THEY SAID NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. DENIED KNOWLEDGE OF A KNOWN PROBLEM OF THIS TYPE. SAID THAT THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I TOLD THEM TO GO AHEAD AND REPLACE THE CYLINDERS.

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IS STARTING TO FAIL. THE GEAR SHIFTING IS BECOMING MORE AND MORE JERKY. GRINDING SOUNDS ARE NOW AUDIBLE DURING GEAR SHIFTS.

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 8 YEAR OLD TWINS TO A PIANO RECITAL IN MY 2001 FORD ESCAPE, AND, WHILE GOING UP A STEEP HILL ON A FOUR-LANE ROAD, THE ENGINE DOWNSHIFTED AND THE CAR ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL. WHEN SHE REALIZED THAT SHE THE CAR WAS SPEEDING FORWARD WHEN SHE WAS NOT PRESSING ON THE ACCELERATOR, SHE APPLIED THE BRAKES HARD, BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. IN AN ATTEMPT TO AVOID THE CARS, SHE TOOK AN OFF-RAMP BUT QUICKLY REALIZED THAT TRAFFIC WAS STOPPED THERE AS WELL. IN DESPERATION, MY WIFE PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. THE CAR THEN STOPPED, BUT THEN LOST SHE LOST EVERYTHING. MY ESCAPE STARTED ROLLING BACKWARDS DOWN THE HILL, EVEN WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ON. AGAIN, THE FOOT BRAKE DIDN'T RESPOND. SHE WAS HEADED BACKWARDS DOWN THE 1/2 MILE, STEEPLY GRADED HILL INTO THE CARS COMING UP THE HILL. SHE TURNED THE WHEEL TO BACK UP THE STEEP EMBANKMENT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER BOUNCING BACKWARDS THROUGH THE STEEP DITCH AND TRAVELING ABOUT 14 FEET UP THE EMBANKMENT, THE CAR PAUSED FOR A MOMENT AND THEN SLAMMED FORWARD BACK INTO THE DITCH. OUR CHILDREN WERE NOT HURT. MY WIFE HAS SUFFERED WHIPLASH WHICH IS REQUIRING MEDICATION, PHYSICAL THERAPY, AND GIVES HER CONSTANT PAIN. MY LOCAL FORD DEALER HAS BEEN HONEST THAT A CRUISE CONTROL WIRE WAS FRAYED, AND EVEN THOUGH SHE WAS NOT USING THE CRUISE CONTROL, IT WAS MOVING IN PARALLEL TO THE ACCELERATOR CABLE. THE FRAYED CRUISE CONTROL CABLE STUCK AND CAUSED THE ACCELERATOR TO COMPRESS AND STICK. THEY HAVE NO EXPLANATION FOR THE LOSS OF BRAKES AND THE FAILURE OF THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. HOWEVER, AFTER THE HONEST ASSESSMENT, POOR TREATMENT ENSUED. THE DEALERSHIP IS FIXING THE CABLE, TRANSMISSION, AND BRAKES UNDER OUR EXTENDED WARRANTY AND NOT TAKING OWNERSHIP FOR THE ACCIDENT. THEY HAVE HAD MY CAR FOR 1 MONTH TODAY, AND I STILL DO NOT HAVE IT BACK. I WILL HAVE TO PAY THE $1000 DEDUCTIBLE FOR THE AUTO BODY WORK.

IN JUNE 2005, I WAS TRAVELING TO WORK WHEN MY CAR HYDROPLANED AND I HIT A BRIDGE. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF MY AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. I SUFFERED A FEW BUMPS AND BRUISES BUT NEVER WENT TO THE DOCTOR. IF THE ACCIDENT WERE WORSE THAN WHAT IT WAS AND THE AIR BAGS MALFUNCTIONED, I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED. I WENT TO FORD AND NOTHING WAS EVER DONE ABOUT IT. IT WAS NEVER LOOKED INTO TO SEE IF THEY DID INFACT MALFUNCTION. I LOOKED UP THE RECALLS AND THERE WAS ONE TO THE WHEEL AND SOMETHING ELSE AND I WANT TO SEE IF THAT RECALL WERE FIXED. *JB

IN MY 2001 FORD ESCAPE XLT BOTH FRONT HEADLIGHTS HAVE LOST THEIR SEALS, AT SEPARATE TIMES WITHOUT ANY DAMANGE TO THE VEHICLE HAVING OCCURRED, AND WATER ENTER THE LIGHT COMPARTMENT, DIFUSING THE HEADLIGHT AND NECESSITATING ABOUT $300 IN REPLACEMENT COSTS, EACH. I JUST FIND IT VERY STRANGE THAT BOTH LIGHTS HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND IT IS AN UNUSUAL PROBLEM TO BEGIN WITH. THE DRIVER SIDE HEADLIGHT WENT AROUND JUNE 2004 AND THE PASSENGER SIDE ONE JUST BROKE.

A HISSING NOISE IS COMING FROM MY BRAKE PEDAL. WHEN I PRESS DOWN ON THE BRAKE IT GOES AWAY BUT WHEN I LET UP ON THE BRAKE IT STARTS MAKING THE HISSING NOISE AGAIN. *JB

AIR BAG LIGHT HAS ILLUMINATED OCCASIONALLY SINCE VEHICLE WAS NEW(NOV 1, 2001). SEAT BELT BUCKLE LATCH WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY IN JAN 03. PROBLEM FIXED. NEXT OCCURRENCE NOV 03. CONNECTIONS CLEANED AND TREATED, PROBLEM FIXED. IN MAY 05 PROBLEM APPEARED AGAIN, WITH THE ADDITION OF INTERMITTENT SEAT BELT LIGHT ILLUMINATION. VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO DEALER. A TSB HAD BEEN ISSUED BY FORD TO REPLACE THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE PRE-TENSIONER ON BOTH SEATS. THE TSB WAS NOT COVERED BY AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, AND THE REPAIR WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $695. REPAIR WAS DECLINED. HOWEVER, OWNER WAS CHARGED $75 TO READ THE CODES. OWNER CLEANED AND TREATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS UNDER BOTH SEATS. LIGHTS ARE NO LONGER ILLUMINATED. *JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES, THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO STOP. IN ADDITION, THE REAR LATCH ACTIVATOR FAILED TO WORK INTERMITTENTLY. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 8/28/15*CN

I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2001 FORD ESCAPE XLT V6, 4 WHEEL DRIVE. MY TRUCK CURRENTLY HAS 75000 MILES OF USE. I FEEL THE INCIDENT I CHOSE TO WRITE ABOUT IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE AS IT INVOLVES A MALFUNCTION OF THE ANIT-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) WHICH SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCES BRAKING ACTION (ON DRY PAVEMENT!) WHEN IT OCCURS. I AM ALSO AWARE OF AT LEAST TWO OTHER FORD ESCAPE OWNERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE. THE FAILURE CAUSES THE ABS TO ACTIVATE ON DRY PAVEMENT, WHEN ABSOLUTELY NO SLIPPAGE IS OCCURRING AT ANY WHEEL. THE ACTIVITY OF THE ABS SYSTEM ACTUALLY SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCES BRAKING CAPACITY AND CAUSES THE BRAKE PEDAL TO GO DOWN NOTICEABLY FURTHER THAN NORMAL WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP. ONLY A QUICK AVOIDANCE MANEUVER ALLOWED ME TO AVOID REAR-ENDING THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. PUMPING THE BRAKES DOES NOT HELP SINCE THE ABS HYDRAULIC CONTROL MODULE IS MODULATING THE BRAKES AT SUCH A RATE, PUMPING THE BRAKE DOES NOT PRODUCE A FIRMER PEDAL. I HAVE TRACED THE PROBLEM TO A FAULTY ABS SYSTEM ROTATION TRANSDUCER DESIGN ON THE FRONT WHEELS OF THE ESCAPE. THE TRANSDUCER IS BASICALLY A SPLINED RING ABOUT 8MM WIDE. THE RING IS APPARENTLY FRICTION FIT ONTO THE HALF-SHAFT NEAR THE FRONT CV JOINTS JUST INSIDE OF THE FRONT HUB ASSEMBLY. A SENSOR APPARENTLY PICKS UP THE PEAKS OR VALLEYS IN THE SPLINED RING AS IT ROTATES PAST THE SENSOR TO DETERMINE WHEEL ROTATION SPEED. IT IS THE SPLINED RING THAT FAILS, MINE ACTUALLY SPLIT ACROSS ITS WIDTH CAUSING IT TO LOOSEN AND MOVE AWAY FROM THE SENSOR. THIS APPARENTLY CAUSES THE ABS SYSTEM TO OPERATE ERRATICALLY AND ACTUALLY CAUSE A SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION IN BRAKING CAPACITY ON DRY PAVEMENT! THIS ERRATIC BEHAVIOR WILL OCCUR 5-10 TIMES BEFORE THE ABS CONTROLLER DETERMINES THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG AND SWITCHES OFF THE ABS SYSTEM. THIS ILLUMINATES THE ABS INDICATOR LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND DOES RESTORE NORMAL BRAKING PERFORMANCE. THIS CYCLE WILL REPEAT ITSELF EACH TIME THE TRUCK IS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED!!

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.

HISSING NOISE COMING FROM BRAKES. STOPS WHEN I DEPRESS THE BRAKES AND RETURNS UPON TAKING MY FOOT OFF BRAKES. THIS CANNOT BE GOOD. MECHANICS PRETENDED THAT THEY DID NOT HEAR THIS. MUST BE AN EXPENSIVE FIX BECAUSE I HAVE BEEN STONE WALLED. *JB

ON OR AROUND APRIL 15, 2005 MY 2001 FORD ESCAPE VIN [XXX]SUNROOF BEGAN TO MALFUNCTION. THAT IS, THE ROOF DID NOT MOVE FORWARD OR BACKWARD. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY LOCAL FORD DEALER TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THE SERVICE ADVISOR NOTIFIED ME THAT THE RACK FORD PART NUMBER [XXX]WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. I FEEL THAT WITH SUCH LITTLE USE (MAYBE A TOTAL OF 3 HOURS OVER 4 YEARS) THIS FORD PART SHOULD NOT HAVE GONE BELLY UP. IN MY OPINION, UNDER NORMAL USE, THIS PART SHOULD NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED IN SUCH A SHORT TIME WITH SUCH LITTLE USE. *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

2001 ESCAPE STALLS REPEATEDLY WHEN STARTING AND WHEN IDLING AT STOP LIGHTS. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN INTERMITTENT SO FORD DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO FIX. USUALLY ONLY HAPPENS WHEN THE ENGINE IS HOT. HAS NOT CAUSED AN ACCIDENT YET. THIS IS A 4 CYLINDER MANUAL TRANSMISSION SO IT DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE PREVIOUS RECALL.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS TURNING IN FRONT OF CONSUMER'S VEHICLE, CAUSING IT TO SWERVED AROUND THE VEHICLE TRYING TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. IN THE PROCESS, IT HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK

NEW FIRESTONE TIRE IN REGULAR PASSENGER VEHICLE USAGE. FOUR DESTINATION LE TIRES P23570R16 PURCHASED AS REPLACEMENTS OF OEM TIRES. WITHIN 10,000 MILES THE SIDEWALL BUBBLES FORMING TWO LARGE BLISTERS ON ONE TIRE. NO EXTERNAL DAMAGE CAUSED THIS CONDITION. FIRESTONE REPLACED THE TIRE. DEFECT WAS LEFT AT THE FIRESTONE OUTLET.*AK

DT: THE CONTACT OWNED A 2001, FORD, ESCAPE. EVERY TIME CONSUMER TOOK TIRES OFF TO WORK ON THE BRAKES B OR ANYTHING ELSE SHE HAD TO REPLACE HER WHEEL BEARINGS. THIS ONLY OCCURRED ON THE LEFT FRONT TIRE. THE AUTOMOTIVE PLACE THAT SPECIALIZED IN BRAKES SAID THAT THIS OCCURRED ON A LOT ON SIMILAR MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR VEHICLES. THE LAST TIME THEY WERE REPLACED WAS IN APRIL 2005. *AK

TRANSMISSION FAILURE RESULTING IN UNSAFE OPERATING CONDITIONS. VEHICLE DEVELOPED INTERMITTENT SHUDDER DURING ACCELERATIONS ALONG WITH INTERMITTENT LOSS AND SLIPPING OF FORWARD GEARS. HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS WHEN MERGING WITH TRAFFIC OR UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS SINCE CONDITION WAS UNPREDICTABLE AND VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND TO DRIVER'S INPUT. APPEARED TO HAPPEN MOSTLY IN COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS. FAILURE ALSO RESULTED IN NON COMPLIANCE WITH FMVSS REGULATIONS SINCE SHIFT LEVER DID NOT CORRESPOND ACCURATELY TO OPERATOR'S INTENDED VEHICLE DRIVING MODE (I.E NO FORWARD MOTION WHEN SHIFT SELECTOR WAS IN DRIVE POSITION). MULTIPLE TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETINS EXIST FOR THIS CD4E AUTO TRANSAXLE RELATING TO THIS FAILURE MODE IN FORD SYSTEM AND ALSO ON NHTSA WEBSITE, SO CONDITION IS KNOWN AND IS WIDESPREAD ON MANY VEHICLES. CREATED VERY HAZARDOUS DRIVING SITUATIONS BEFORE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE RESULTING IN INOPERATIVE VEHICLE.*AK

AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ILUMINATES INTERMITTENTLY DURING VEHICLE OPERATION. PROBLEM BEGAN AFTER COMPLETION OF FORD RECALL 04S13.*AK

VEHICLE STALES DURING DECELARTION

DT: CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER DOOR LATCHES STOPPED WORKING. AFTER ABOUT A MONTH EARLIER DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR LATCH QUIT WORKING. UPON EXAMINATION THE ATTACHMENT TO THE ROD BROKE AWAY FROM THE DOOR LATCH. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TO A SERVICE DEALER. *AK

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.

WAS STRUCK IN THE REAR END BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, EVIDENTLY, AFTER THAT THE TWO FRONT HUB BEARINGS WENT BAD. DEALERSHIP STATED IT WAS NOT DUE TO ACCIDENT.*AK

CAR SPONTANEOUSLY CAUGHT FIRE 3 HOURS AFTER BEING DRIVEN. I BELIEVE FORD IS TRYING TO COVER-UP WHAT REALLY HAPPENED BY FEEDING ME LINES OF BS. INCIDENTALLY, FORD COVERED 90% OF THE COSTS FOR REPAIR EVEN THOUGH MY CAR WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY.

DT: ON THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL OF THE VEHICLE THEIR IS NOISE COMING FROM THE AXLE. THERE IS A LOT OF MOVEMENT IN THE BRAKE PEDAL, AND THE VEHICLE PULLS TO LEFT. *NM *SB

MYSELF AND A FRIEND, DEANE GRIGGS, HAVE HAD THE TRANSMISSION FAIL IN OUR 2001 FORD ESCAPE, SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING, AT APPROXIMATELY 60,000 MILES. *JB

WHILE PARKED, THE BACK GLASS SHATTERED OUT OF THE FRAME. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.

CONTROL KNOB FOR HEATING/AIR CONDITIONG SWITCH BROKE OFF. *JB

ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKING. HAD INSPECTED, DETERMINED THROTTLE CABLE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS THE 2ND TIME IN 2 YEARS THIS HAS BEEN REPLACED. CURRENT RECALL BY FORD FOR THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT INCLUDE 2001 MODELS. *JB

BRAKE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. HAD CAR INSPECTED, DETERMINED BACK HALF OF MASTER CYLINDER WAS LEAKING CAUSING BRAKE FLUID LEVEL TO DROP AND WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON. MASTER CYLINDER TO BE REPLACED, REAR BRAKES NEED TO BE ADJUSTED AND ENTIRE BRAKE SYSTEM NEEDS TO BE FLUSHED. *JB

THE PLASTIC CAP ON THE MASTER BREAK CYLINDER LEAKED BREAK FLUID ON THE ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS. THE INSULATION ON THE HARNESS FAILED AND THE WIRING SHORTED, CAUSING A FIRE. THE BREAK FLUID ACTED AS FUEL FOR THE FIRE. THE BREAKING SYSTEM, ALTHOUGH ABLE TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO A SAFE STOP, WAS SERIOUSLY AND ADVERSELY AFFECTED. *JB

FORD ESCAPE 2001, WINDSHIELD WIPERS HAVEN'T KEPT WINDOWS CLEAR ENOUGH TO SEE DURING RAIN OR SNOW. *BF THE CONSUMER WAS ONLY GETTING 10-12 MILES PER GALLON ON THE HIGHWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS HARD TO DRIVE WHEN IT WAS WINDY OUTSIDE. WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO STOP THE VEHICLE, THE BRAKE WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR AND DID NOT COME BACK UP FOR SEVERAL SECONDS. THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES DID NOT ENGAGE. THE CONSUMER SPOKE TO THE DEALER AND HE SAID THE BRAKES MUST HAVE FROZEN UP. THE BATTERY LOW LIGHT WAS ON. *JB

THE THROTTLE ON THE CONSUMER'S 2001 FORD ESCAPE FAILED. *NM *SC *JB

THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 30 MPH,WHEN SUDDENLY A VEHICLE TURNED IN FRONT OF HIS/HER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE BECAME INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON COLLISION AND THE AIR BAG'S DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB

1. NO EVENTS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURE. 2. PASSENGER DOOR FAILED TO OPEN. 3. CAR CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. WAS TOLD BY DEALER THERE WAS NO SERVICE BULLETINS REGARDING THIS ISSUE. THIS EVIDENTLY IS A LIE. IF POSSIBLE, WILL FOLLOW UP WITH MORE INFORMATION. *NM

THE VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO THE DEALER, AND THE ENGINE COIL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK

THE VEHICLE JERKS AND RAPIDLY ACCELERATES WHEN PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL IN REVERSE. WHEN TAKEN TO GET SERVICED THEY COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK

FORD ESCAPE 2001, EGR SENSOR FAILURE. *BF THE CONSUMER WANTED TO KNOW IF THE SERVICE BULLETIN APPLIED TO HIM, BECAUSE HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN MEXICO, BUT T WAS MANUFACTURED IN KANSAS CITY MO. *JB

I WAS DRIVING HOME AND THE CAR STARTED TO SHAKE. I PULLED OVER AT A GAS STATION AND MY HUSBAND CHECKED TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG. WE COULD NOT FIND WHAT WAS WRONG AND DROVE HOME. AGAIN THE CAR WAS SHAKING THEN IT STARTED TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND THEN WE HEARD SOMETHING SNAP AND THE CAR JUST SHUT OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. AFTER HAVING IT TOWED IT TURNED OUT THAT WE NEEDED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. THE VALVE SHEERED FROM THE VALVE STEM AND THE VALVE SHATTERED THE PISTON AND ENDED DENTING THE OIL PAN AND WAS FOUND IN THE OIL PAN. THIS ENDED UP COSTING US $5000. WE CALLED THE DEALER WHERE WE PURCHASED THE CAR IN APRIL OF 2004 AND HE SAID THAT HE WAS WILLING TO HELP US, BUT DECIDED NOT TO STATING IT WOULD BE "BAD BUSINESS" TO REPLACE TO CAR EVEN THOUGH WE HAD PURCHASED IT 8 MONTHS PREVIOUS TO THE INCIDENT. WE THEN HAD IT TOWED TO A FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE A NEW ENGINE WAS PLACED IN THE 2001 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE SPEAKING TO A FORD MECHANIC HE STATED THAT HE HAS SEEN THIS HAPPEN BEFORE TO THE ESCAPE. THE DEALER THAT FINALLY ENDED UP WORKING ON THE ESCAPE CALLED FORD AND TOLD THEM THE PROBLEM BUT FORD STATED THAT THEY HAD HEARD ABOUT THIS BUT THERE WASN'T ENOUGH COMPLAINTS TO WARRANT A RECALL BECAUSE OF THE DEFECT. THE CAR WAS OUT OF COMMISSION FOR 10 DAYS DUE TO THE DEALER MAKING PROMISES AND THEN TAKING THEM BACK. *JB

THE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE STEERING WHEEL BEING LOOSE. *JB

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. *JB

ONE WEEK PRIOR TO FIRE, THERE WAS A UNUSUAL SMELL THAT WAS ALMOST LIKE A "FUNNY WOODSTOVE' SMELL. THIS SMELL WAS ONLY PRESENT UNTIL THE CAR HEATED UP AND THE AIR FRESHENER WOULD COVER THE ODOR. IT GOT VERY STRONG THE AFTERNOON BEFORE THE FIRE HAPPENED. IT WAS MORE OF A STALE TIN CAN IS THE BEST WAY THAT I CAN DESCRIBE IT. I CAME HOME IN THE EVENING AND AT 5:30 AM OF THE 30TH MY MOTHER AND I HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION WHICH WE FOUND OUT WAS LATER THE REAR TIRE ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF MY 2001 FORD ESCAPE BURSTING DUE TO THE INTENSITY OF THE FIRE AND THE ORIGIN, THE REAR LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FORD ESCAPE IS DESTROYED AND BURNED AT OVER 1400 DEGREES AND SPREAD SO RAPIDLY THAT BY THE TIME THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BUT CONTROL THE FORE AND PUT IT OUT. MY PARENTS VEHICLE WAS IN THE DRIVEWAY NEXT TO MY ESCAPE AND WAS ALSO DESTROYED. SINCE THE INCIDENT I HAVE CONTACTED FORD SEVERAL TIMES TO REPORT THE INCIDENT AND HAVE AN INVESTIGATOR COME OUT TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE AS THE ORIGIN IS ALREADY DETERMINED DUE TO THE WAY THE VEHICLE BURNED. I HAVE BEEN GIVEN THE RUNAROUND SEVERAL TIMES, AND IT HAS BEEN ALMOST THIRTY DAYS. THERE WAS SOMETHING VERY WRONG WITH MY CAR AND THIS FIRE HAPPENED ONLY A COUPLE OF HOURS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY, LUCKILY I WAS NOT KILLED AND MY FAMILY STILL HAS A HOME. THE FIRE MARSHAL HAS STATED THAT THE FIRE PATTERNS ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR ARE CONSISTENT WITH A LEAKING O RING FROM THE GASOLINE TANK. THIS MATTER WAS GOING TO FURTHER BE INVESTIGATED WHEN MIDDLESEX MUTUAL AND FORD WERE PRESENT TO LIFT THE VEHICLE UP OFF THE GROUND, HOWEVER FORD HAS BEEN IGNORING THIS SERIOUS ISSUE AT HAND. *NM

FORD FAILURE TO PERFORM RECALL #04V-165 FORD #04S13 ON MY 01 ESCAPE. CONTACTED FORD, PROVIDED VIN, FORD CLAIMED NO RECALL ON MY VEHICLE. HOWEVER MT 01 ESCAPE WAS PRODUCED IN 10/2000 WHICH WAS DURING THE RECALL PERIOD. HAS NEVER BEEN DONE. VEHICLE NOW STALLS AND HARD STARTS (LONG CRANKS) SOMETIMES TAKES 2 OR 3 TRIES. *AK

WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKES AT 38000 MILES WERE COMPLETELY WORN OUT, SO WERE THE ROTORS. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DEALER TO BE REPAIRED. *AK THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO FIND OUT WHY SO MUCH BLACK AN SILVER DUST WAS ON THE FRONT WHEELS. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS NORMAL WEAR AN TEAR. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE DUST WAS ON THE FRONT TIRES WITHIN 200 MILES AFTER CLEANING. FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE REPLACED AT NO CHARGE TO THE CONSUMER. *TC

THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HESITATE BEFORE ACCELERATING IN REVERSE. THE DEALERSHIP REPAIRED THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *NM

WHEN I PRESS ON MY ACCELERATOR AT A STOP SIGN IT STICKS. THEN WHEN IT BREAKS THROUGH I ACCELERATE QUICKLY. I AM AFRAID THAT I AM GOING TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT AND INJURE MYSELF OR OTHERS. IT HAPPENS ALL THE TIME.

A STRANGE AIR-LEAKING NOISE HAS BEEN COMING OUT OF THE BRAKE AREA OF MY FORD ESCAPE. THE NOISE STARTED OUT SOMEWHAT QUIET, BUT IT HAS GOTTEN LOUDER AND LOUDER. WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THE SOUND GETS MUCH QUIETER, ALMOST SILENT, BUT THE HISSING RETURNS WITH A VENGEANCE AS SOON AS I PRESS ON THE ACCELERATOR. THIS STARTED AROUND 46,500 MILES, AND NOW I AM AT 48,000. A REPUTABLE MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT THE BRAKE VACUUM BOOSTER WAS LEAKING. THIS SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR PROBLEM FOR A CAR THAT IS A 2001 MODEL WITH SUCH LOW MILEAGE. I IMAGINE THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WHO WILL BE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS VACUUM BOOSTER PROBLEM. *NM

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION WHILE BEING DRIVEN. OWNER HAD TO APPLY BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES IN ORDER TO SLOW DOWN. TAKEN TO DEALER FOR CLEANING OF THE THROTTLE BODY.*AK