10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 3 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 34,120 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
Loss of all forward gears in a 2001 Ford Escape. This occurred while driving on an on ramp to an expressway.
- Ypsilanti, MI, USA
2001 Ford Escape has repeatedly stalled during normal driving. Car currently has 33,000 miles; however, I began having problems early on. Car has stranded me several times. Car has been towed in several times and dealership can find nothing wrong it. Dealership has replaced alternator, transmission, fuel hoses, sensor, computer, etc. And car still stalls. This week it had to be towed from my garage to the dealership because it would not start. Dealership again could find nothing wrong with car. I love the car, but am terrified to drive it as when it stalls everything locks up and I have had a couple near miss accidents trying to get off the road. I have an infant and this is unacceptable.
- Tyler, TX, USA
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?
- Hiawassee, GA, USA
While driving down hill, all dash lights came on and vehicle stalled out losing steering and brake power. Dealer reprogrammed PCM and replaced eec power relay per tsb.
- Akron, OH, USA
While driving 30-35 mph, vehicle will shut off without any notice. Contacted dealer, who was not willing to do anything.. numerous parts have been replaced regarding the stalling, but the problem still exists, the engine light also illuminated, consumer stated the transmission was replaced in April 2002, the engine cooling fans were replaced, and also the rack and pinion was replaced.
- Peosta, IA, USA
Shifter on steering column jumps out of gear while driving. When engaging gears from drive to reverse and drive to park, etc it makes a loud clunking noise. Engineer as looked at the vehicle and stated the condition discribed is operational characteristic of this vehicle. They are unable to fix it.
- Canyon Country, CA, USA
The shifter on the steering column jumps out of gear while driving on the road. I have taken this car to the shop numerous time for the same problem. The first time they looked at it the linkage cable to the drive shaft & steering column was loose. Other times they state they couldn't find anything wrong with it. However, as of this day the same problem occurs at least 2-3 a day. I have a 16 yr old son who just started driving and uses my car from time to time. This is a very serious issue and a real safety concern. This is not normal for any vehicle to have the shifter jump out of gear. A field engineer took a look at the car on 3-18-2002. He stated that the condition described is operational characteristic of this vehicle and is completely normal. The service & parts manager stated that no matter what we do to the car nothing will make it any better. He also stated that there hands are tied and they are unable to fix it. This could cause a real serious accident for me, my 16 yr old as well as other drivers on the road. Also there is a clunking noise when engaging the gears from park to reverse and drive to park etc, which they also state is completely normal.
- Canyon Country, CA, USA
While driving on highway shifter popped out of gear in a downward position, and brakes were squeaking. If shifting vehicle from park to drive there is a noise underneath the pedal.
- Canyon Country, CA, USA
I was traveling at approximately 30mph when suddenly I could not steer the car. I noticed the oil light on first and managed to pull over. All the dash lights were then on, the car had died while I was moving. I was able to start it back up. In reviewing edmunds auto site I then discovered that others had this same problem with the Escape and tribute. I printed off some of the responses, took the vehicle in to long Ford in eureka, mo on 9-11-01. They were not able to find any problem and also talked with the Ford engineers. They would not replace any parts stating that Ford would not authorize it unless they knew what the problem was. I then contacted Ford directly so there would be a record, but was not advised of any "fix" for this serious problem. This is an extremely dangerous situation especially when driving the number of miles I drive each day on very busy interstate highways. I am nervous even moving out of the right lane because I feel like I need to be close to the shoulder in the event this occurs again. I have been told you can shift into neutral and restart and hopefully if this happens again I will be able to do that before the vehicle slows and I have an accident. I am especially concerned when making left hand turns as well. Surely with as many people as have complained, they must have some idea of what is wrong and how to fix it.
- Eureka, MO, USA
Consumer is calling to report a failure in gear shift. Vehicle will jump from reverse to forward without going into neutral. Dealer has yet to be contatced.
- Willimington, DE, USA
No summary listed for above vehicle.
- Pittsburgh, PA, USA
1.) complete loss of power and all electrical systems while vehicle was being operated. Vehicle refused to restart; and 2.) gear stick shakes or shimmers vigorously when engaged in third (3rd) gear.
- Raleigh, NC, USA
1.) complete loss of power and all electrical systems while vehicle was being operated. Vehicle refused to restart; and 2.) gear stick shakes or shimmers vigorously when engaged in third (3rd) gear.
- Raleigh, NC, USA
Briefly, the transmission fails to shift upon acceleration above 50 mph, this has caused 2 near collisions on I-95, tire split open & roof rack blew off while driving (dot number: A3083jj390 tiresize: A3083jj390)
- Beaverdam, VA, USA
Engine stalls when shifting from drive to reverse. Engine has stalled when coasting in traffic. Dealer cannot find/repair problem.
- Land O Lakes, FL, USA
Transmission lost reverse gear. Problem not found until trying to back from parking space. Vehicle needed to be pushed out of lot. No previous indication of problem until it occurred.
- Plymouth, MI, USA
Consumer was unable to shift from drive to park, dealer replaced a broken cable. Dealer did not explain repairs.
- St.John, IN, USA
Had shifted into reverse and it started to backup. Then, it hesitated when brakes were applied, sounded funny. Rpms revved up, and vehicle started to shake. Vehicle suddenly accelerated while still in reverse.
- Houston, TX, USA
While driving transmission pops out of gear and goes into netural, cause unknown. After vehicle is parked for approximately 15 minutes it returns to normal conditions.
- Jackson, MS, USA
- Maynard, MA, USA