The Lemon Index2001 Ford Escape.
The 2001 Ford Escape is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 577 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 263, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 15 recalls, and it gets 18 to 23 mpg combined. The best Ford Escape year is 2019.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 995 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Ford Escape year. 2001 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 42K to 121K miles on the car (478 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 24K–76K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 43K–126K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 47K–102K miles
Recalls 15
- transmission & drivetrain 2015
The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015.
- suspension 2015
The affected wheel bearings have incorrect dimensions of a 42mm bore, 76mm outer dimension, and 39mm width, instead of a 42mm bore, 78mm outer dimension and a 45mm width.
- body structure 2014
These vehicles may experience excessive corrosion at the forward attachment of the lower control arm.
Show all 15 recalls
- engine 2012
Inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector could result in a stuck throttle when the accelerator pedal is fully or almost-fully depressed.
- brakes 2012
FORD IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001-2002 ESCAPE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 22, 1999, THROUGH JULY 19, 2002, EQUIPPED WITH A BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR CAP THAT COULD LEAK BRAKE FLUID.
- brakes 2007
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH ANTILOCK BRAKES (ABS), THE ABS MODULE CONNECTOR MAY HAVE MISSING OR DISLODGED WIRE SEALS.
- brakes 2007
CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUI…
- latches/locks/linkages 2004
CERTAIN 2004-2005 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND CERTAIN 2001-2003 SPORT UTIITY VEHICLE HAVING REAR LIFTGATE COMPONENTS SERVICED WITH 2004 EQUIVALENT COMPONENTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE S…
- transmission & drivetrain 2004
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 3.0L V6 ENGINES, DURING DECELERATION, THE ENGINE CAN STALL.
- seat belts 2003
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, A POST WITHIN THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE COVERS COULD FRACTURE, WHICH COULD AFFECT LATCH FUNCTION, RESULTING IN EITHER A "NO LATCH" OR "PARTIAL LATCH" CONDITION.
- visibility 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES.
- fuel system, gasoline 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES.
- wheels 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SOME 4X2 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES NOT EQUIPPED WITH AN ANTILOCK BRAKING SYSTEM MAY HAVE INADVERTENTLY BEEN BUILT WITH 4X4 REAR HUBS INSTEAD OF 4X2 HUBS.
- speed control 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH SPEED CONTROL.
- steering 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 158 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Manual transmission shifter rattle or buzz
- Rear axle pinion seal leak at the rotary blade coupling (rbc)
- Intermittent loss of both
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedStuck throttle2012–2013
- ClosedFleet vehicle recall completion audit2010–2015
- ClosedEngine compartment fire2010–2012
- ClosedEngine compartment fire2009
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2800–3550 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
While driving, engine stalled and oil light illuminated, consumer checked oil level and it was at the normal level.
2001 Ford Escape owner · NHTSA complaint 894180
More owner reports
Intermittently while driving at 40/65 mph the engine cut off without warning or cause. The vehicle was serviced 5 times. Cause unknown.
NHTSA complaint 10017860
2001 Ford Escape transmission went out after the vehicle kept stalling out!
NHTSA complaint 10046989
Quick answers
Is the 2001 Ford Escape reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 2.6× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 263; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ford Escape year by this measure since 2010 is 2025.
What are the most common 2001 Ford Escape problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (42%), electrical (15%) and transmission & drivetrain (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2001 Ford Escape have?
15 safety recalls (latest: transmission & drivetrain). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2001 Ford Escape get?
18 to 23 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2001 Ford Escape problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 42,100 and 121,900 miles. The middle report was at 75,400 miles, from 478 complaints.
Does the 2001 Ford Escape have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 14% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2001 Ford Escape cost in fuel a year?
About $2800 to $3550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2001 Ford Escape have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
What Ford Escape year is better than the 2001?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2019, 2015 and 2018.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works