Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Ford Escape owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
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). …
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. …
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.
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.
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 updated 06/2/2015
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 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.
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 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
Related recalls
Structure › Frame and members
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2004 Escape vehicles manufactured October 22, 1999, through January 23, 2004, originally sold, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New…
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install a newly designed reinforcement cross-brace, free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Body complaints in other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2001 Ford Escape?
NHTSA has 54 complaints about the body & structure of the 2001 Ford Escape, 5% of the model year's 996 complaints. The component named most often is body (27 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Ford Escape body problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 14V-165 (frame and members, Apr 2, 2014). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2001 Ford Escape body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 133,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 2 fires and 3 injuries to body & structure problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.