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.
2001 Ford Escape transmission complaints
Page 5 of 5: complaints 101 to 128 of 128, newest first, as owners wrote them.
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. Please provide further details.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
The left front axle made a clicking noise as the vehicle turned. The problem was fixed by the dealer. My concern is that the dealer replaced the axle with an axle from the original design. There's a good chance that this axle may cause the same problem since ford has not redesigned this part. I'm also a bit suprised that my dealer had replaced the same axle on another escape and ford still has no tsb or recall.
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.
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.
Sluggish driving after a oil change, could not find anything wrong, next week, shift went out. After getting vehicle back brake pedal seems loose and the steering was not right. Wiper transmission went out, replaced.
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*ak (dot number: a3083jj390 tiresize: a3083jj390)
Consumer was unable to shift from drive to park, dealer replaced a broken cable. Dealer did not explain repairs.
Engine stalls when shifting from drive to reverse. Engine has stalled when coasting in traffic. Dealer cannot find/repair problem.
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.
Gear shift lever sticks in front of radio. When changing radio stations hands knocks gear shift into neutral while vehicle is in motion.*ak consumer states that the vehicle produces so much brake dust that the wheels turn black only after three or four days of driving, ford states nothing can be done.
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.
Hose clamps on both trans cooler hoses in front of vehicle were not fixed onto hose. Top hose blew from transmission cooler and resulted in lose of most all trans fluid. Trans stoped working. Fluid was all over front lower part of vehicle including both insides of disk brakes. We were traveling at 40 MPH and in a residential area. Warranty repair is in progress. Tow truck operator stated this was not the first time he had encountered this situation with this particular vehicle.
The front axle and cv joints completely fell off. There was no evidence of the saftey connector bolt being installed at factory. I have photos. Might be called a lower ball joint.
Transmission would leak fluid while parked. Fumes would enter vehicle. Had taken vehicle to dealer 5 times for problem, and had plugs and casing seals replaced. Problem of leakage would always reappear.
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. Please give any further details.
Transmission failed.
Intermittently gear shifter does not lock into gear. Dealer has inspected vehicle, but could not correct the problem.*ak
Left rear passenger restraint was jammed after the first use. This part was replaced and it was jammed after the first use. It was replaced a second time and is currently fuctional but this is the first time in 4 months since purchase date that it has been functional. Rear differential had a broken seal and was leaking. This part was replaced and is now functional. The master cylinder was cracked and replaced. This part is now functional. The power steering was effected when part of the power steering system fell out of the car when the vehicle was put in park. The parts (including alternator, belts and spring) literally fell off the car. This could have resulted in many fatalities as the vehicle was on the highway only minutes prior with a car full of passangers. The results of this incident would have been drastically different if this had happened when the vehicle was in motion. Ford has not been responsive to my needs as a consumer and has minimized the safety hazard posed by this defective vehicle.
Tires make a humming noise. Consumer feels that they may be leaving ground like hydroplaning, and at 65 MPH vehicle wobbles, vehicle is not stable at high speeds with window down. *ak the vehicle hesitates when A/C unit is in operation and A/C make a loud cyclic clicking sound. Transmission makes sound. The vehicle was unstable at 65 MPH with a slight wind and front end makes tumbling sounds on rough roads. The alternator light comes on intermittently. The cruise control turns off automaticaly by itself. The front brake has excessive dust. The vehicle had numerous interior system failures and malfunctioning.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
When trying to shift gears it gets stuck. When the gear is in reverse if you put your foot on the gas pedal the engine just revvs. You have to slam the gear shifter up and down to get it into the drive position.
When transmission gear is shifted from neutral into reverse nothing happens, engine revvs, but vehicle does not move. Consumer has to shift back and forth until vehicle is finally in gear. Took vehicle to dealer 3 times, cannot remedy problem. *ak the problem also occurs from reverse to drive. The gear indicator light goes off too.
Consumer is unable to use radio because transmission pawl is in the way and is too far, causing consumer to shift gear while driving.
The shift lever when placed in the "d" drive position does not lock in place. Additionally the shift level extends 3-4" into the radio and control panel for other instruments like rear defogger and parking light swithch. If shifter is bumped while trying to change radio or to play a cd or cassette, the shifter easily gets knocked out of position. I have repoted this to my dealer, they checked other escapes on the lot. They all have the same problem. I emailed ford directly about this problem, and they have not as yet responded. I belive that this problem can cause a serious problem if not fixed.
Gear shifter will not go down all the way. When moving hand, gears will change while driving. *ak the gear shifter handle gets stuck half-way down when changing gears due to design flaw.
Cable came off clutch pedal under the dash. Pedal went completely to floor and was unable to shift care. Cable was replaced by vehicle owner, but failed to stay on 2 more times.
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