2001 Ford Escape: check engine light

Filed Mar 8, 2016 · Engine, Transmission · 267,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford escape. While parked, the vehicle failed to move when the gear stick was shifted from park to drive. The failure occurred constantly. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. In addition, the contact mentioned that the check engine light illuminated. It was detected that oil was leaking onto the exhaust manifold. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 267,000.

Filed Jan 9, 2014 · Transmission · 151,000 miles · VA

While accelerating on the interstate, vehicle approached 50 miles an hour when it felt like the transmission was about to fall out of the vehicle. After talking with a lot of people and doing research, they call this shudder. It fills like when you drive off the edge of the interstate white line and hit the rough pavement. It would stop if I let up off the gas. I have no check engine light or transmission light showing on the dashboard. No error codes when the code reader was hooked up on the vehicle. This vehicle has already been to the dealership twice for this issue. The first time we had all of the gaskets and vacuum hoses replaced cost was over 1400 dollars. The second time we had the whole transmission serviced by the dealership over 700 dollars along with other items. The dealership has still not been able to identify the cause for the problem. There was a tech bulletin that came out a while back on the cd4e shudder problem and appears that the federal safety agency should force ford to do a recall on ford escapes for the shudder problem they have since the tech bulletin has come out and no solution has been done. All the research I have done seems to point to the torque converter which is not an easy fix and is costly. There needs to be a recall on this.

Filed Nov 18, 2013 · Electrical · 150,000 miles · AR

After driving my car without incident for 6 years, it began to intermittently lose power so much that the dash lights fade and the car almost stalls. This is worse at lower speeds, coasting, and idling. The engine misses out so badly that the car jerks forward if the brake is not pressed firmly to the floor and when it's worst at idle, it shakes horribly. I had the plugs replaced (not cheap) because that was the error showing when the check engine light finally came on several weeks after I started having this issue, and a mechanic had already looked at it and thought it was fixed. After having the plugs replaced, I had a lot fewer problems but could still tell there was a problem when it was colder outside and/or when I first started my car for a couple of months. It then began to get worse again and is just as bad now as it was before I had the plugs replaced. I don't want to keep replacing them if it's just going to keep happening again. While waiting at a red light on an uphill intersection just last week, I pressed the gas to pull through the intersection and barely any power resulted. I let off the gas and depressed it again, at least 3 different times, just to get through the intersection without it dying or launching myself into another car. It seems this model year may have a lot of electrical issues, but I've had all of the recall issues addressed and I'm still having major issues that aren't cheap to fix. I've also had the emergency brake indicator light come on without the brake being engaged twice during the time I've owned this vehicle and the indicator goes away just as quickly as it appeared within a couple of weeks.

Filed Feb 2, 2012 · Engine · NC

Tl* the contact owns a owns a 2001 ford escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the engine stalled and the check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to an independent mechanic, who stated the engine would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was unavailable. Updated 02/15/12

Filed Mar 30, 2010 · Electrical, Engine · 100,495 miles · OH

While traveling uphill going approx 45 MPH the engine on my 2001 ford escape shut down. Complete power to my car was lost. The odometer even lost the miles driven and was replaced by dashes momentarily. When the engine shut down I steered the car to the side of the road, I lost power steering and brakes. The check engine light also came on when this happened. There was no previous indication that there was an issue with the engine. After I pulled to the side of the road. I put car in park and turned key off. I waited approx 5 minutes and restarted the car with no problems. The check engine light was off and car started smoothly as usual. After researching this online, I don't seem to be the only person having this issue.

Filed Jun 19, 2008 · Engine · 7,700 miles · MA

Tl*the contact owns a 2001 ford escape. While driving between 30 -35 MPH, the check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was diagnosed by the dealer due to failure of the catalytic converter. The contact believes that the repair should be free, but the manufacturer disagreed. The failure mileage was 7,700.

Filed Jan 23, 2007 · Transmission · 94,080 miles · MI

My over drive light came on suddenly and continually flashed during a ten minute drive home. The RPM needle spiked straight up a few times during the drive and it seemed like I "lost power". Dean sellers ford diagnosed an internal transmission failure requiring a whole new transmission for $3600. I have never used a service other than lapeer ford and dean sellers. I bought the escape (2001 xlt 4 wh) from lapeer ford with 16,000 miles on it. The car never showed signs of this failure previous to yesterday. Dealerships. Searching the internet, I found that there was one transmission recall but when I put in my VIN it was free of recalls. Dean sellers charged me $89 to diagnose the car. I got another quote at american transmission in troy. They towed my car in. Ford test drove my car and electronically checked it. Previous repairs all done at lapeer ford and dean sellers ford: new tire at 16,000 miles; new ignition at 25,000; check engine light at 33,000; plug tire at 40,000; new windshield at 43,000; 4 new tires at 44,000 due to numerous flats (lapeer gave me 3 free); front brakes and wheel bearings at 55,000; tire nail at 60,000; new blades at 61,000; belt recall and tie rod and master cylinder at 69,000; crank case oil leak and rear brakes at 74,000; front brakes at 76,000; washer pump and multi-function switch and fuel filter at 78,000; rear wiper at 85,000; ABS light module, front brake pads, rotor pads right front ABS sensor at 86,000; air filter and battery cleaned at 89,000; license plate bulb and both front sway bar links at 90,000; front lights kept flashing, replaced daylight running lights control assembly at 93,000 and now at 94,000 the transmission. No one at dean sellers today told me that I might not make it home! But immediately upon leaving the dealership the transmission stalled especially during turns.

Filed Jan 9, 2007 · Engine, Suspension · 16,600 miles · NY

(2007) while driving my vehicle, the engine-cooling system-low coolant warning indicator lamp illuminates and after checking the coolant resevoir which was at proper levels. Delaer notified me that the coolant sensor as bad and needed to be replaced costing $300. (2007) while driving or parked, after turning the steering wheel left or right, there would be a loud squeak or screehing sound coming from the tire area. Dealer notified me that the axle rod needed to be replaced costing over $300. (2006) last year there was a check engine light on which was caused by a malfunctioning engine coil #5 which burned out my spark plug. That cost was over $700. There were several other problems with theis vehicle but too many to name.

Filed Jun 2, 2006 · Engine, Fuel system · 28,000 miles · OH

The first incident happened on 05/01/06 after driving at least 30 min to 45 min. At a speed of around 50 MPH, the check engine light came on. I took it to the dealer where they diagnosed a loose gas cap. On 5/22/06 after driving again at least 30 min to 45 min. After returning home and backing out of the driveway my escape stalled and would not start, after about an hour it started again did not take it to the dealer. The third incident happened may 30 after driving 30 min to 45 min the check engine light came on again. I took it to the dealer where they replaced the vapor management valve which is still not correcting the problem, so they are talking about replacing the fuel tank. The dealer has been very helpful, but after five years I would think I would not have this problem.

Filed Mar 29, 2005 · Electrical · 60,000 miles · VA

The SUV sat parked for a 3 day period. Heavy rain storms moved through area for 1 and 1/2 days of that time however the vehicle was not driven. After the 3rd day, the SUV was started at which time the check engine light started to blink and when accelerator was depressed for power, the engine sputtered. Problem was diagnosed as a 'bad coil pack". It was replaced and given back. After 3 days of driving, the same failure happened again, this time they replaced the "coil pack" and the wiring harness. Just over 6 months later, the same situation occured with the vehicle. It sat for 4 days in which time a severe rain storm came through however vehicle was not driven nor standing in water. Started the vehicle on the 4th day with the exact same result. Vehicle is in ford garage and was notified that the coil pack was damaged due to moisture. These failures are not covered under any warranty and should be happening.

Filed Nov 26, 2004 · Engine · CA

While driving vehicle stalled. Check engine light illuminated. Consumer stated that vehicle experienced the same problem that was mentioned in recall 04v165000. Contacted the dealer. However, the problem recurred.

Filed Sep 8, 2004 · Engine, Transmission · 58,000 miles · VA

The transmission on my 2001 ford escape, went out I had 58,000 miles on the truck. Had to put in a new transmission. Now 4 months later, the engine light comes on. The engine coolant warning light keeps coming on even though it is full. All of the lighters/sun roof have no power to them they all quit. I have replaced all fuses, with no luck. Now the all lights on the radio are gone, but the radio still works.