2001 Ford Escape: complete transmission failure

Filed Dec 20, 2016 · Transmission · 100,000 miles · IN

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford escape. The contact stated that the transmission failed. While driving 70 MPH, a grinding noise emitted from the front end of the vehicle and the gear independently shifted into reverse. The contact was able to engage the brakes and exit the highway. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 100,000.

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 Aug 3, 2015 · Brakes · 297,578 miles · VA

Tl* the contact owns a 2001 ford escape. The transmission failed to shift out of park without warning. Upon further inspection, the contact stated that there was a short in the ABS. After the fuses were replaced, the module began to smoke and melt. The vehicle only resumed normal operation after the override button was engaged to shift gears and the ABS warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was repaired under the federal safety agency campaign number: 12v005000 (service brakes, hydraulic); however, the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 297,578.

Filed Jun 6, 2014 · Body · VA

I purchased a 2001 ford escape from commonwealth motors in richmond, va. After purchase the dealership was to inspect an issue with the reverse lights as they wouldn't go out. After the vehicle was brought back I noticed a piece of rusted metal fell from around the door panel. I looked underneath & discovered massive corrosion & rusted crossbars, frames, gas tank, shocks, etc. Everything under the vehicle was rusted. So, I contacted the dealership and expressed my concerns and was told that the vehicle runs so I should be happy. Well, I felt my safety was in question so I began some research. What I learned was the vehicle was not purchased from "carmax" as the owner stated, but that it was purchased from "carmax auction". So I contacted them and luckily got a copy of the bill of sale. To my disbelief the bill of sale states this vehicle has frame damage. So I equipped with this bill of sale, met with the owner again. He said the car doesn't have a frame, thus this was an error. He would not agree to reason and told me I purchased it "as is". As the days went on more and more began to fall apart. Less than 60 days after purchase, the transmission shifted because the brace was rusted away causing the components within the transmission to crack so I had to get it replaced/rebuilt. Mechanic says the transmission was hanging down & amazed it hadn't fallen out. The corrosion was so bad he had to weld a new brace to hold the new transmission but it is welded to the front bumper bar because nothing else will support its weight. The subframe cradle cracked 2 days before recall 14s02. I don't have another vehicle so I had to get it fixed. Is it possible other parts are built with the same material as the subframe? My car is like a cavity that was left untreated. It was purchased in ohio where it resided for years. I feel lost. I have before and after pics.

Filed Jan 27, 2011 · Transmission · 138,760 miles · CA

The automatic transmission on my 2001 ford escape v6 xlt suddenly downshifted into second gear while driving on the freeway at 65 MPH. I exited at the first available exit, and drove the vehicle back home in second gear. Prior to the failure, the transmission exhibited no signs or symptoms of anything being wrong with it. At present, second gear is the only gear that still works in the transmission. It now sits inoperable in my driveway because I don't have the $3000-$4000 required to get it fixed. After much internet research, I've found that transmission failures in this vehicle and later years of the same model are quite common, with several people experiencing multiple transmission failures on the same vehicle. A common consensus, is that the failures are due to a four cylinder transmission being installed in a higher torque and horsepower v6 model. Ford must be forced to recall these vehicles and fix the transmission problems once and for all. It's really unfair that the consumer is required to pay huge sums of money to repair shops to get problems fixed that shouldn't be happening in the first place. I've written to ford, and visited the dealership that sold me the vehicle and both are unsympathetic.

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 Nov 22, 2006 · Transmission · GA

Vehicle is 2001 ford escape xlt 4x4. Full transmission failure and stall in overdrive on interstate with no advanced warning. Vehicle has under 70,000 miles. No wreck involved only by miracle. Cost of transmission is over $4,000. Happened to fast and with under 100,000 miles has got to be a defect.

Filed Aug 17, 2006 · Transmission · 85,700 miles · MA

On friday 8/11/06 I was on my way to work driving my 2001 ford escape (with 5-speed manual transmission). I was going at around 45 MPH in a busy road. Suddenly there was a total transmission failure and my vehicle came to an instant total stop. There was screeching of tires and I was very fortunate not to crash and that the vehicles behind me did not hit me. It was also a matter of luck that there were no persons killed nor injured. My car was stuck on gear and could not be pushed forward or backward, so it had to be towed with a platform truck. I bought this vehicle new in 2001 and have been the sole owner. I have given this vehicle all of its recommended maintenance every 3,000 miles. I informed ford motor company about this failure and they were not helpful at all. I think the general public has to be informed about this safety risk with 2001 ford escapes.

Filed Oct 6, 2005 · Transmission · 49,000 miles · MA

Dt: the consumer owns a 2001 ford escape that experienced a transmission failure. While driving on the highway at 55 MPH the overdrive light flashed. The consumer exited the highway and was stopped at a red light. When the light turned green the vehicle revved, but would not move forward. The transmission would not shift. The consumer was able to engage second gear and drive 10 miles home. The vehicle was shaking or lurching back and forth on the drive home. The vehicle was taken to a dealership where a diagnostic check was performed and suggested a new transmission. The dealer could offer no explanation other than it may be the torque converter. This happened at 71,000 miles. This was the second transmission. The exact same thing had happened at 49, 000 miles. The consumer split the cost with ford with the first transmission. The second transmission has not been replaced. The consumer was negotiating with ford about the problem.

Filed Aug 30, 2005 · Transmission · 33,063 miles · MI

2001 ford escape 33063 miles VIN [xxx] could have resulted in crash. (1) no warning (2) transmission failure (3) transmission was rebuilt by dealer under warranty. *jb updated 07/19/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)

Filed Aug 30, 2005 · Transmission · 59,500 miles · MI

(1) [2nd failure] no warning. (2) transmission failure could have resulted in crash. (3) transmission replacement.

Filed Apr 29, 2005 · Transmission · 48,000 miles · MA

Transmission failure resulting in unsafe operating conditions. Vehicle developed intermittent shudder during accelerations along with intermittent loss and slipping of forward gears. Hazardous conditions when merging with traffic or under normal driving conditions since condition was unpredictable and vehicle did not respond to driver's input. Appeared to happen mostly in cold weather conditions. Failure also resulted in non compliance with fmvss regulations since shift lever did not correspond accurately to operator's intended vehicle driving mode (I.e no forward motion when shift selector was in drive position). Multiple technical service bulletins exist for this cd4e auto transaxle relating to this failure mode in ford system and also on the federal safety agency website, so condition is known and is widespread on many vehicles. Created very hazardous driving situations before catastrophic failure resulting in inoperative vehicle.