2001 Ford Escape Transmission Problems

Which parts fail

• Automatic transmission
  62
• Automatic transmission › Control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
  10
• Manual transmission
  9
• Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (PRNDL)
  4
• Clutch assembly
  4
• Automatic transmission › Torque converter
  4

Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  810%
• 25k–50k
  1621%
• 50k–75k
  1925%
• 75k–100k
  1317%
• 100k–150k
  1317%
• 150k+
  810%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Ford Escape owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

Vehicle steers to right and vibrates. Dealer diagnosed as failure of sub frame and right axle. Vehicle was repaired under recall 14s02 at 89372 mi on 9/23/2014 and had crossbrace installed per recall. Vehicle stored in heated garage, on 7/20/2017 with 105199 mi backing out of parking spot wheel off center and vehicle shaking badly, grinding noise. Flat bed to dealer who diagnosed failed sub frame and broken right axle. Requested Ford repair under original recall which allowed for replacing sub frame and was denied for elapsed time. Safety issue, could have been catastrophic at speed.

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the gear shifter failed while reversing from a residential drive way. The gear failed to shift out of reverse and caused the contact to lose control of the vehicle, crashing into a parked vehicle. The front air bags failed to deploy. The contact suffered injuries to the right side lower back. A police report was not filed. The vehicle was towed to a salvage yard and was not diagnosed for the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure and current mileage was 109,050.

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.

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Ford Escape. While driving different speeds, the accelerator pedal became stuck. The contact placed the vehicle in neutral and depressed the brake pedal, which caused the vehicle to jerk and continue normal driving. The contact also stated that the passenger side air bag had bubbles and appeared as though it would explode. The failures were not diagnosed. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 163,000.

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

Tl contact owns a 2001 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and attempting to reduce speed, the vehicle stalled. In addition, the contact stated that on several occasions while at a stop light, the engine stalled. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not included in the NHTSA campaign number 04V165000 (power train). The failure mileage was 170,000.

Backing out into empty road, stopping and turning vehicle with steering wheel is very difficult applying pressure to turn, straighten wheels. While driving and applying brakes to stop, the car shakes and the amount of pressure applied to brakes is enormously difficult to make car stop. With normal driving there is a grinding sound in the bottom of vehicle (drive train?). All these issues have been addressed with no apparent help!

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the transmission failed. While driving 70 MPH, a grinding noise emitted from the front end of the vehicle and the gear independently shifted into reverse. The contact was able to engage the brakes and exit the highway. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 100,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Ford Escape. While driving approximately 70 MPH, the transmission suddenly switched to reverse and drove backwards. After the incident, the vehicle would not operate in reverse. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Ford Escape. While driving at an unknown speed, the transmission seized into second gear. The contact was unable to shift the vehicle into park or any other gear. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000. The VIN was not available.

Related recalls

Transmission complaints in other Escape years