2001 Ford Escape Engine and Engine Cooling Problems
Owners have filed 282 complaints with NHTSA about engine and engine cooling problems on the 2001 Ford Escape, 28% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 41,500 miles. The words owners use most often: “engine stalled” (11% of reports).
- 282engine and engine cooling complaints
- 41,500median miles at failure
- 4mention a crash
- 3mention an injury
- 1related recalls
- 16%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Engine stalled: mentioned in 30 of 282 complaints (11%)
- Steering brakes: mentioned in 18 of 282 complaints (6%)
At what mileage do engine and engine cooling problems happen?
Based on 88 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 282 complaints, 4 mention a crash, 12 a fire, 3 an injury.
Ford Escape engine and engine cooling complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine and Engine Cooling complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Escape | 4 | 15% | 5,000 |
| 2024 Escape | 1 | 1% | 4,500 |
| 2023 Escape | 4 | 4% | 4,200 |
| 2022 Escape | 6 | 3% | 49,100 |
| 2021 Escape | 3 | 1% | 37,350 |
| 2020 Escape | 12 | 1% | 85,000 |
| 2019 Escape | 94 | 16% | 81,000 |
| 2018 Escape | 344 | 19% | 89,300 |
| 2017 Escape | 508 | 19% | 82,038 |
| 2016 Escape | 57 | 5% | 95,500 |
| 2015 Escape | 44 | 4% | 114,000 |
| 2014 Escape | 187 | 9% | 100,000 |
| 2013 Escape | 175 | 6% | 105,000 |
| 2012 Escape | 6 | 1% | 23,186 |
| 2011 Escape | 17 | 1% | 44,500 |
| 2010 Escape | 35 | 2% | 49,012 |
| 2009 Escape | 37 | 2% | 55,000 |
| 2008 Escape | 38 | 2% | 42,000 |
| 2007 Escape | 6 | 2% | 61,500 |
| 2006 Escape | 21 | 5% | 45,000 |
| 2005 Escape | 90 | 6% | 89,362 |
| 2004 Escape | 18 | 4% | 96,000 |
| 2003 Escape | 47 | 8% | 53,357 |
| 2002 Escape | 294 | 29% | 32,000 |
| 2001 Escape | 282 | 28% | 41,500 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (1)
Vehicle speed control:cables; engine and engine cooling
Problem: Ford Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2004 Escape vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control manufactured from October 22, 1999, through January 23, 2004. 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. This risk exists regardless of whether or not speed control (cruise control) is used.
Risk: A stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop or slow the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles by increasing the engine cover clearance, free of charge. The safety recall began August 3, 2012. Remedy parts are expected to be available in mid-August 2012. Until then dealers will disconnect the speed control cable as an interim remedy, if parts are not available at the time of an owner's service appointment. Owners may contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 60 mph, the vehicle loss motive power. The contact pulls the vehicle over to the side of the road. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not able to restart. The contact had the vehicle towed to the local…
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…
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford escape. While driving up an incline at approximately 20 mph, the accelerator pedal was depressed with force, however, there was a significant reduction in the engine power. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was towed on one occasion to an independent…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2001 Ford Escapes have engine and engine cooling problems?
No. NHTSA has 282 owner complaints about engine and engine cooling for the 2001 Ford Escape (28% of the 996 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2001 Ford Escape engine and engine cooling?
Yes: 1 safety recall list engine and engine cooling. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do engine and engine cooling problems start?
The median reported mileage is 41,500 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about engine and engine cooling problems on the 2001 Ford Escape?
The most frequent phrase is “engine stalled”, in 30 of 282 complaints, followed by “steering brakes” (18).
Other 2001 Ford Escape problems
See all 2001 Ford Escape problems or engine and engine cooling problems across all Escape years.