Problems with 2001 Ford Escape ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Recall o4v-165 intermittent stop and restart due to calibration errors. *mr the vehicle would die out and the consumer would smell smoke. *sc

Recall 04v-165 vehicle dies when slowing down. *mr the consumer requested reimbursement. *sc

Petition for adequacy of a recall remedy involving ford safety recall 04s13 re a problem with stalling in the 2001 ford escape. *mr the stalling continued. *sc *jb

The catalytic converters (3) all failed on my vehicle. vehicle taken to dealership and 3 weeks later the parts arived or were remanufactured. *ak

Recall 04v165000 concerning engine stalling. consumer stated that vehicle was not experiencing any problem with engine stalling until recall repairs were done on april 24, 2004. dealer was contacted.*ak

I have been experienceing alot of stalling with my 2001 ford escape. it usually happens when on a downgrade or slowing to stop. the idle drops very low and the car stalls. it often stalls when sitting at an idle also. i have had it stall many times when slowing down to make a turn. when the escape stalls, you lose steering. i am an accident waiting to happen. i first starting stalling in march of 2003 and have had hundreds of stalls. yesterday(3/31/04) the escape stalled 5 times in a 2 mile stretch. i am very worried that one day it will stall turning at a busy intersection and i won't be able to restart fast enough to stop from getting hit or hitting someone or something else. because i am out of warrenty ford will do nothing. i know there is a tsb on this problem, but i can't afford to have it done, and i feel this is something ford should do whether you're under warrenty or not.*ak

Engine stalls at 40 mph.*ak

Vehicle stalls while going downhill at approximately 35 miles an hour with foot off gas. this is the third or forth time it has happened. because of the stalling condition, use of brake and steering is difficult.*ak

2001 ford escape stalled at about 30 mph. car restarted and continued. this was the second time the car stalled. *cb

Engine light stayed on. a foul smell seeped through the ventilation. as a result consumer vomited, and felt light headed. *ak

2001 ford escape xlt 4wd stalled while driving. has done this on numerous occasions. also, occasionally will not start. usually when vehicle has been parked outside for several hours in rain. requires several attempts to start.*ak

While driving 2001 ford escape at average 50-60 mph speed ok. upon deceleration, car dies. took car to dealership next day (died 3 more times). dealer is saying 2 cylinder heads need to be replaced; 2 camshafts and basically need new engine installed at my expense. dealer has requested maintenance receipts (i have supplied all). now waiting to see if ford will assist in repairs. have called ford 6 times to file complaint stating since purchasing vehicle new in dec 2000, have had new transmission installed (warranty covered); new fuel pump (warranty covered); and new master cylinder (paid out of pocket). escape is not safe and not reliable.*ak

Auto stalled while going 30 mph on a slight incline. auto lost all power steering and electrical. it was lucky that no one was around (early morning). we had to coast to side, and because we didn't have power steering i hit the curb pretty hard. on the way home it did the same thing at about 40 mph. will take this to markel ford in omaha, ne for fix. we have 44,000 miles, and if ford cannot get this fixed it will be time to sell. this will be my first and last ford, if i have to pay for this fix. now i know why my father told me to buy a toyota. *la

2001 ford escape 3.0 l car engine stalled when in traffic slowing down while proceeding straight. *ak

While traveling to work today, my 2001 ford escape stalled four times while driving. each time, i was going between 20-35 mph and the car just completely shut off. this is extremely dangerous as i have a young son who was riding with me at the time. the dealer stated they have had numerous cars do this. *la

Vehicle stalls when driving on a downhill slope.u*ak

Engine unexpectedly stalled and engine lost all powerwhile puling into a driveway. this was the second incident in the last 6 months involving the ford escape that is my company car. i barely missed being hit by another car. the first time was on the freeway at 60 m.p.h. i consider myself luck i was not killed or injured.*ak

While driving, at various speeds, the engine stalled. the problem had been occurring for over 3 years. the vehicle was taken to the dealership numerous times but mechanic would replace different parts to the engine and also had the gasoline changed. the problem of stalling is still not resolved. *jb

Engine turned off while driving down hill (35-40) miles. i lost power steering and brakes. luckily i was able to turn into the parking lot and stopped the vehicle by hitting the curve. it had happened once before about a year ago but i ignored that incident. *la

While driving vehicle began to stall then shut off. dealer notified. *ak

While driving the vehicle stalled without warning. the consumer stated that she went to the nhtsa website and found several other complaints on this issue. *ak *nm

We own a 2001 ford escape with less than 42000 miles on it. we have gotten all of the required oil changes and scheduled maintenance done on it. we went through the dealer for all service work and all but one oil change. recently it began shaking even when the car was not in motion. we took it back to the dealer again and they informed us that the engine was bad and needed replaced (costing $4000). the service technician had originally told us that the engine had gone bad because we had not changed the oil or had put the wrong oil in it. this is untrue, we have met the requirements set out by ford and had proof. then, he said that we must have gone through high water in the car because the air filter was yellowed. we have never taken the car through high water. we were told by a different ford mechanic that dust and pollen in the air can cause the yellowing. then they told us that the engine could have become ruined because of heavy rain. the dealer that we have been working with is: rusty eck ford 7310 east kellogg wichita ks 67207 phone: 316.685.9211 fax: 316.685.2890 this is obviously a defect in the manufacturing of the engine and we feel that ford should replace the engine. we have owned more than a dozen cars (one having over 180,000 on it) and have never had an engine go bad on us. we have owned 7 different ford vehicles. we have done our part in taking care of the ford escape, and we feel that it is ridiculous to have to pay for this kind of repair so early in its life. the excuses that we have been given for the engine failure are ludicrous. certainly, vehicles must be able to withstand rain showers.

Leaking front oil seal and oil pan gasket with only 60,000 miles. *jb

While driving at any speed and without warning the engine stalled. the consumer pulled to the side of the road and the vehicle was towed. the transmission also failed. it wouldn't shift properly from first gear to second gear. *ak

The radiator fill bottle located to the right of the engine compartment, has a sensor that detected when the level is low in it. there is a light that comes on ,when it is low activated in the dash next to the tachometer. it has turned on for about 6 months and will not turn off, even when the refill bottle is filled. the dealer says you have to replace the bottle and it has happened several times with the escapes. he suggested i buy a replacement bottle at a cost of about $62.00. this unit should not go out after only about 50,000 miles and mislead you to think you are out of fluid. there needs to be a recall on the bottle to have the dealer fix it at no cost, since it has occurred at vic bailey ford a lot of times on the new escapes. *jb

Consumer called complaining about having problems with the detention pulley coming out while driving at 40 mph. also, steering locked up. manufacturer was contacted, and stated that they will pay for the repairs on the vehicle. *ak

2001 ford escape transmission went out after the vehicle kept stalling out! *la

Maintenance. *jb

Ford escape 2001eeps stalling at 35-40mph whilst coasting down inclines.ecurrent problem. now happening 3-4 times a week. dealer had the vehicle in last year but could not find cause.*ak

My 2001 ford escape stalled while driving normally, about 35 mph. engine and oil lights illuminated, steering locked. pulled over and restarted. i've discovered this is a common problem among escape owners, and i am concerned about this serious safety hazard.*ak

While driving engine stalls without warning mechanic cannot locate problem with diagnostic equipment. *ak

Vehicle stalled while traveling at approximately 40 mph on county road. stall became noticeable because power steering and brakes were affected, check engine and oil lights came on. this is the third time in 2 years this has occurred.*ak

Consumer stated that while driving and without warning the engine is not giving enough power. dealer notified. *ak

I own a 2001 ford escape xlt with approximately 22,500 miles. on two occasions, the engine has stalled while i was driving approximately 40mph. *ak

Car shut off while moving at 35-40 mph with no warning. loss of power steering and brakes. winner ford said i needed new computer - took 2 weeks to repair. found out later they only reprogrammed computer. car had also shut itself off october of 2002, in for repairs, one week later, shut itself off again, another problem. escape is not reliable. see chat groups and edmonds.com for other peoples complaints.

There were problems with the vehicle shutting down while in traffic. the idle gauge kept dropping and going up until it eventually dropped below 1, then it cut out immediately . the consumer had taken the vehicle back to the dealer and attempted to fix the problem on numerous occasions but were unable to verify. the dealer said there was water contamination in the gas tank, and the consumer was told that a rat had bitten through the wires. the consumer had taken the vehicle back in for the stalling problems and gas fumes were coming through the a/c vents. later on that day the vehicle caught fire. the consumer requested a refund and or exchange for a new vehicle. *mr *ts *scc *jb

2000 ford f-550 was being towed and experienced under hood fire.*mr the consumer was driving a ford f550 and was towing a 2001 ford escape. the owner of the escape started the vehicle before the tow truck driver arrived. he informed her to shut it off. while he was towing the vehicle, he heard a booff sound and noticed white smoke coming from under the hood. he then pulled over, unhooked the vehicle and moved a safe distance away. *ph

When driving the vehicle at any speed it would stall. *ak

My 2001 ford escape has stalled four times. coasting down hill just cuts right out. no rhyme or reason to the problem. *jb

Driving car when it stopped running without any notice. engine just stopped. *nlm

While driving the vehicle stalled and lost power assist and brakes. the vehicle was restarted and taken to a dealer the next day where they a component was replaced. the problem has not re-occurred. *tt *cb *nlm

Gasoline fumes entered the vehicle while driving. *nlm

My 2001 ford escape's engine has stalled numerous times over the past 3 months.the engine will stall when put in to drive, reverse, while idling or when stepping on the accelerator. this problem started when the car was under 2 years old. the ford dealership i brought it to has tried 4 times to repair the vehicle with no success. they have replaced various parts; sensors, valves, etc. they also expressed to me that they do not know how to rectify this problem. i have 11 more months on my lease and have requested a replacement car under the lemon law, which they told me i do not quailify for because i have over 18,000 miles on the car. obviously, the car is dangerous and unsafe to drive.*ak

The vehicle stalled without warning, the dealer was unable to duplicate the problem. *jb

I purchased 2001 used vehicle from hertz car sales with 27,000+ miles. transmission had to be replaced second week we had vehicle. also realized that ac/heating system had "whistle" which could not be turned off. major problem has vehicle stalling while driving, losing all power, brakes, etc. fortunate not to have been rear-ended. ford dealer has worked on problem, replacing transmission, fixing ac/heat system and attempted to repair the "stalling" problem. thought it had been repaired, however, it happened again yesterday. car at ford dealer once again. it is strange to me that they do not comment that this has happened not once but many hundred times! i definitely feel there is a major problem with the escape stalling and being unable to control. as we drive on mountain roads, this could cause a major accident. ford has certainly lost my future business by not facing this very serious problem. must there be fatalities before they act? *jb

Third time in 2 years suv has lost power driving on highway. loss of steering and brakes nearly caused multiple accidents of i-95. called dealer, was told other complaints exist, ford is aware of complaint, but unable to duplicate problem. *jb

2001 escape stalling - i am driving down the road and the escape just stops right in the middle of traffic or when i am turning. this is very scary and i have been lucky since it happened once on the interstate in 4 four lanes of traffic. i have tried to contact ford about it to see if they had a recall or service bulletin and they left a voice mail with no telephone number. now they have unanswered 3 additional emails. i contacted the local dealer and he says he knows nothing about escape stalling even though it is all over the internet where they say the dealers can not fix it. my dealer is just making guesses. this is why i wanted at least a service bulletin so i do not have to go through a guessing game with my dealer. i am very scared of my escape now especially in interstate traffic. *jb

My 2001 ford escape has stalled 3 times in the last month and a half when decelerating to a stop sign or stop light. engine cuts out and power steering is lost.*jb

I have a 2001 ford escape xlt with approx. 54,000 miles. near the end of my 45 minute morning commute, as i was slowing to go through a traffic light, my vehicle stalled and i lost power steering and braking abilities. luckily, i was able to safely pull to the side of the road. i turned off the ignition and then restarted the car and was able to continue without further incident. this was the 2nd time that this has happened - the first was shortly after i first purchased the car (in early 2002). i took it to my dealer and explained the issue. upon investigation, the dealer was unable to reproduce the problem. i am not sure if this is related, but i have also experienced numerous 'false' warning lights that the dealer has been unable to reproduce.

The vehicle stalled, which caused consumer to abruptly pull over.*jb