KnownCarProblems2001 Ford Escort Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 68 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Ford Escort, most often about the transmission (19% of complaints, typically around 35,000 miles). It is the 2nd most complained-about Escort model year since 2000.
Complaints68
Recalls0
Crashes reported14
Fires reported3
Injuries reported6
Most common 2001 Ford Escort problems
Transmission
13 complaints · 19%Half of these problems showed up before 35,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, manual transmission.
The contact owns 2001 Ford Escort. The contact stated that the vehicle would not shift out of park after engine startup. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the dealer confirmed that the shifter and shift console needed to be replaced. The contact also mentioned that the rear passenger seat belt was twisted and…
2001 Escort. Bought in fall from hertz. Have had new platnum plugs installed. But car continues to cut off when leaving from a stopped positon such as a stop sign, light, and left turn lane. Cut off 2 days ago when starting from a stop sign. Had plenty of time from on comming cars. Stalled in hwy and a tractor trailer…
Engine
12 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 32,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system, exhaust system.
2001 Escort. Bought in fall from hertz. Have had new platnum plugs installed. But car continues to cut off when leaving from a stopped positon such as a stop sign, light, and left turn lane. Cut off 2 days ago when starting from a stop sign. Had plenty of time from on comming cars. Stalled in hwy and a tractor trailer…
There was a fast idle, vibration in steering wheel, burning smell coming from the engine, and the vehicle stalled along with the fast idle. The service dealer stated the vehicle had run fine. After five attempts to remedy the problem, and after being told repeatedly the vehicle ran normally, the consumer would like a…
Speed control
10 complaints · 15%Parts named most often: accelerator pedal, cruise control.
There was a fast idle, vibration in steering wheel, burning smell coming from the engine, and the vehicle stalled along with the fast idle. The service dealer stated the vehicle had run fine. After five attempts to remedy the problem, and after being told repeatedly the vehicle ran normally, the consumer would like a…
In aug. 2003, I purchased a 2001 Ford Escort, only a short time after having it (2 weeks) vehicle engine died while at stop light. This has happened repeatedly, it is now november, and my local dealership has had my car more than I have since purchase in august. Continually tell me "there is nothing wrong with it."…
Air bags
9 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 60,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
While slowing down to stop at a red light, the driver's air bag deployed inadvertently. As a result, the driver's visibility was impaired, causing him to crash into another vehicle.
I was involved in a very minor accident with only paint damage to my front bumper. The other vehicle also had only paint damage. I was stopped and the other vehicle scraped mine at a speed of maybe 25 MPH. My airbags depoyed and caused more damage than the accident itself.
Suspension
9 complaints · 13%Parts named most often: front, rear.
There was a fast idle, vibration in steering wheel, burning smell coming from the engine, and the vehicle stalled along with the fast idle. The service dealer stated the vehicle had run fine. After five attempts to remedy the problem, and after being told repeatedly the vehicle ran normally, the consumer would like a…
While driving the steering bolt became loose which caused the steering wheel to jump around. This made it difficult for the consumer to steer the vehicle. When at a stop light or at idle, the vehicle would vibrate badly and the consumer had to place the vehicle in neutral. When the windows were half way down, they…
Steering
5 complaints · 7%Parts named most often: rack and pinion, steering wheel/handle bar, column.
While driving the steering bolt became loose which caused the steering wheel to jump around. This made it difficult for the consumer to steer the vehicle. When at a stop light or at idle, the vehicle would vibrate badly and the consumer had to place the vehicle in neutral. When the windows were half way down, they…
Tl contact owns a 2001 Ford Escort. The contact stated that in 2006 the rack and pinion was replaced. The contact stated that she is responsible for paying the repair cost. The failure mileage was 60,000. Updated 02/02/10 updated 02/05/10.
Electrical
5 complaints · 7%Parts named most often: alternator/generator/regulator.
I currently own 2 (two) 2001 Ford Escort se. Both have the same electrical fire hazard and I have had to replace the blower motor resistor connector, blower motor resistor as well as the wiring harnesses and connector, the connectors melted and wiring burnt up.
I was at the store with my son (12 years old) and my grandson (3 years old), when we went to leave the key would not turn and the steering wheel was locked up. It was very cold outside, after about an hour I got ahold of someone to come pick US up. When I got home I did some internet research and found out this is a…
Brakes
5 complaints · 7%Parts named most often: foundation components, indicator light, pedals and linkages, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Ford Escort. When the contact depressed the brake pedal, the vehicle dramatically surged forward and crashed into another vehicle. She took her vehicle to the dealer and they repaired the coil spring in the brake pedal, along with other cosmetic repairs. One month later, while attempting to park…
The contact owns a 2001 Ford Escort. The contact stated that the shift anti- lock actuator failed and the vehicle would not shift out of park. The vehicle was repaired october 24, 2003 when the dealer replaced the shifter and the cable assembly. The contact stated that the failure recurred. In addition, the contact…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2001 Ford Escort recalls
NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2001 Ford Escort
- What are the most common problems with the 2001 Ford Escort?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (13 complaints, typically around 35,000 miles); engine (12 complaints, typically around 32,000 miles); speed control (10 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2001 Ford Escort have?
- NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2001 Ford Escort. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
- Is the 2001 a bad year for the Ford Escort?
- It is the 2nd most complained-about Escort model year since 2000, with 68 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.