Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
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).
We opened the hatch window and the glass popped out into my husbands hands. The door ajar kept ringing because the glass wasn't in place. Since the same thing happened to my husbands 2001 Escape in May 2015 we knew that parts were available, however expensive. The body shop that we took the vehicle to advised us to check if there were any outstanding recalls for this since it seems strange for both vehicles to have the same problem. The window hatch isn't something that we generally use so it isn't from over use.
The rear window of my 2001 Ford Escape that was parked in my attached garage exploded sometime during the night. The window was not cracked at any time. I drove it at around 10:30 pm less than 1/4 mile the previous night and parked it in the garage. The next day around 1:30 pm, upon entering my garage, I noticed something black behind my car - turned out to be pieces of my rear window on the floor and inside the vehicle. I noticed many customer complaints on line regarding this problem. Ford has not issued any type of recall or offered any legitimate explanation. Called avis Ford in southfield, mi - no satisfactory result - only $402 cost of repair - claims never heard of this problem before. I am concerned about the possible danger of injury to passengers in the rear seat if someone had been in the car.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle in rainy conditions, she noticed that the windshield wipers would not function. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed that a plastic piece within the windshield wiper's motor assembly failed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number 00V387002 (visibility:windshield wiper/washer:linkages). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 120,000.
There were numerous problems. The EGR sensor (dpfe) was replaced along with the sop driver side outer belt molding, fuel pump, sway bar links and iac. There was a loud noise coming from the driver's side window, water leaked around the tailgate window, the vehicle was hard to start, the iac was sticking, the driver's side window squeaked and rattled, the vehicle hesitated upon starting, there was play in the front sway bar links, the coolant light stayed on, there was a crack around the oil pan and the oil drain plug was problematic, and the accelerator pedal was sticking.
The transmission on my 2001 Ford Escape, went out I had 58,000 miles on the truck. Had to put in a new transmission. Now 4 months later, the engine light comes on. The engine coolant warning light keeps coming on even though it is full. All of the lighters/sun roof have no power to them they all quit. I have replaced all fuses, with no luck. Now the all lights on the radio are gone, but the radio still works.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the glass on the rear door shattered while the vehicle was parked. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the manufacturer would replace the glass. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and current mileages were 2,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the sunroof glass and frame separated from the vehicle. In addition, the sun roof glass shattered. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 109,000.
I was driving down the interstate in wi, and out of no where my rear windshield shattered. The rear defrost was on and the outside air temp was approximately 16 degrees f. There was no collision and no evidence flying objects to cause the shatter.
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.
On or around April 15, 2005 my 2001 Ford Escape VIN [redacted]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 [redacted]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.
Related recalls
Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Linkages
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The windshield wiper linkage can disengage due to a broken ball socket.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the wiper module.
Window & Wiper complaints in other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2001 Ford Escape?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2001 Ford Escape, 3% of the model year's 996 complaints. The component named most often is windshield wiper/washer (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Ford Escape window & wiper problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 00V387002 (linkages, Nov 27, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2001 Ford Escape window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 95,000 miles, and 21% before 25,000 miles.
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.