2001 FORD ESCAPE Steering Problems

ABS SYSTEM BURNED UP, HARD TO STOP BRAKES, LICKAGE UNDER THE HOOD

Mileage: 170,000

I AM NOT SURE IF I AM USING THE CORRECT WEBSITE OR CORRECT FORM. I WAS INVOLVED IN A VERY WEIRD CAR ACCIDENT. MY FORD ESCAPE SUDDENLY RUN TO THE SIDE (AS I WAS DRIVING ON ICE) IS THERE ANY HELP TO FIX THIS?. I WAS DRIVING NORTH DIRECTION. THE POSTED SPEED WAS 25 AND MINE WAS 20. THIS HAPPENED ON NORTH LELAND ST IN SAN PEDRO, CA 90731. LOOKS LIKE A MECHANICAL FAULT. I AM NOT SURE WHAT WAS WRONG. I HAVE A POLICE REPORT. THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

Mileage: 177,900

MY FORD ESCAPE DOES NOT SHIFT RIGHT ANYMORE AND IT WILL NOT STAY IN PARK I HAVE TO HAVE A BRICK PUT IN FRONT OF IT BECAUSE MY EMERGENCY BRAKE DOES NOT EVEN WORK. I RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER BUT I CANNOT FIND MY LETTER ANYMORE. I WAS HIT BY A VEHICLE AND I CANNOT WALK AND MY SON HAD CLEAN THE HOUSE SO I HAVE LOST MY LETTER I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF I COULD GET ANOTHER RECALL LETTER SO I CAN GET MIKE'S ESCAPE FIXED PLEASE.

Mileage: 25

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH, THE STEERING FAILED AND WAS NOT ALIGNED WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DETERMINED THAT THE FRAME AND OTHER COMPONENTS WERE SEVERELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,306. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

Mileage: 94,306

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL PULLED TO THE RIGHT WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS APPLIED. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE MADE A CLUNKING AND GRINDING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER (SEELYE KIA OF KALAMAZOO, 4102 STADIUM DRIVE, KALAMAZOO, MI 49080) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WAS CRACKED, RUSTED, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,193.

Mileage: 104,193

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THERE WAS NO CRASH. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON ONE OTHER OCCASION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,600.

Mileage: 132,600

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE POWER STEERING SEIZED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V597000 (AIR BAGS, SEAT BELTS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,345.

Mileage: 119,345

NHTSA 14V165/ FORD 14S02- BROUGHT 2001 FORD ESCAPE TO FORD DEALER WITH STEERING FAILURE DUE TO FAILURE OF LOWER CONTROL ARM SEPARATION AT SUB FRAME. CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE. WAS TOLD THAT RECALL COVERED BRACKET TO SECURE CONTROL ARM IN CASE OF STEERING FAILURE. STEERING HAD ALREADY FAILED. WAS TOLD SUB FRAME ASSEMBLY WAS ROTTED & SEPARATED. I HAVE PHOTOS. FORD DEALERSHIP ATTEMPTED TO REPLACE SUB FRAME UNDER RECALL PROTOCOL BUT WAS PREVENTED BY FORD REPS FROM DOING SO BECAUSE THE SEPARATION WAS NOT EXCESSIVE ENOUGH TO MEET CRITERIA. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS OFF ON SEPARATION, THE FRONT WHEEL WAS COMING OFF, BUT THAT WASN'T ENOUGH. I WAS TOLD THAT THE BRACKET PLACEMENT UNDER RECALL WAS THE REMEDY TO PREVENT STEERING FAILURE. BUT THIS IS AFTER THE FACT, THE STEERING AND CONTROL ARM HAD ALREADY FAILED AND WERE UNSUSTAINABLE BECAUSE THE BRACKET AT THIS TIME COULDN'T HELP. THE RECALL I WAS TOLD WAS TO PREVENT LOSS OF CONTROL OF STEERING IF PARTS FAILED AND NOT TO REPLACE SUB FRAME. SUB FRAME AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS(LEFT & RIGHT) WERE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE SO THAT I DID NOT HAVE TO JUNK CAR. CAR WAS AT DEALERSHIP TEN DAYS, NO LOANER CAR OR RENTAL WAS REQUESTED, BUT NOT OFFERED EITHER. MULTIPLE CALLS TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY YIELDED NO RESULTS, THEY APPROVED THE DEALERSHIP TO APPEAL THE DECISION TO NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE FROM THE RECALL DEPARTMENT BUT I WAS TOLD THAT ONCE THEY DENY A REPAIR , THEY NEVER RESCIND A DECISION. MY ISSUE IS, WHAT ARE WE DOING? BLOGS ON SAME ISSUE SHOW NUMEROUS REFUSALS TO REPAIR THESE VEHICLES BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY. THESE ARE SPECIFIC VEHICLES IN SPECIFIC AREAS THAT THEY KNEW OF THE SITUATIONS AND FAILURES, IT IS NOT ISOLATED. I'D LIKE TO GET SOME COMPENSATION TOWARDS THE COST OF THIS VERY PRICEY REPAIR. PLEASE ADDRESS THIS FOR OTHERS WITH SAME CRITICAL SITUATION. *TR

Mileage: 77,700

HERE RECENTLY I HAVE HAD SEVERAL OCCURRENCES OF MY 2001 ESCAPE STALLING WHILE DRIVING. ON 2 OCCASIONS I WAS APPROACHING A STOP LIGHT, SLIGHTLY UPHILL AND WHEN I PRESSED THE BRAKE THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF LOSING ALL POWER AND STEERING AND I HAD TO "STAND" ON THE BRAKES TO STOP. A FEW OTHER TIMES IT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS TURNING A CORNER AS WELL AS GOING THROUGH A STOP LIGHT TURNING RIGHT OR LEFT, NOT GOING FAST AT ALL. PRETTY SCARY STUFF. I HAVE HAD NO PROBLEM STARTING IT BACK UP AFTER THE OCCURRENCES, HOWEVER IT KEEPS HAPPENING. *TR

WHILE DRIVING, MAINLY ON THE INTERSTATE MAINTAINED SPEED OF 70MPH I FEEL THE STEERING GO VERY LIMP. IT'S BEEN MUCH LIKE HYDROPLANING. LIKE THERE IS AIR BETWEEN MY TIRES AND THE ROAD. IT LASTS JUST A FEW SECONDS. I NOTICE THE STEERING COLUMN IS RUSTED. THE TRUCK SWERVES IN THE LANE AND OFTEN GOING OVER LINE. THE STEERING WHEEL IS VERY LOOSE WHEN THIS HAPPENS. *TR

Mileage: 205,430

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME DIFFICULT TO TURN AND THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. AFTER THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED, THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN RELATED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

AS I WAS DRIVING THE CAR DOWN THE STREET I BEGAN LOOSING CONTROL OF THE STEERING. THE STEERING WHEEL WAS FACING A 90 DEGREE RIGHT ANGLE AS I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT AND EVERY TIME I WOULD HIT A BUMP THE CAR WOULD JUMP TO THE RIGHT. THE STEERING WHEEL ALSO HAD A LOT OF PLAY WHILE DRIVING. I TOOK THE CAR STRAIGHT TO MY MECHANIC AND HE INFORMED ME THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE OR SAFE DUE TO THE LOWER CONTROL ARM SEPARATING FROM THE SUBFRAME WHICH HAS TO DUE WITH RECALL # 14S02. IS THE SUBFRAME BEING REPLACED AT SOME POINT? THEY PUT A CROSSBRACE ON THE VEHICLE BUT IT IS STILL BEING DEEMED UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

Mileage: 165,434

DEAR SIRS, AS YOU ARE AWARE, THIS PAST WEEKEND ON THE SAN MATEO BRIDGE IN HAYWARD CA, A HORRIFIC ACCIDENT/FIRE OCCURRED WITH A LIMOUSINE, WHERE FIVE INDIVIDUALS WERE TRAPPED AND KILLED DUE TO A VEHICLE FIRE. UPON SEEING AND HEARING ABOUT THIS HORRIFIC TRAGEDY, MY WIFE INSISTED THAT WE HAVE ALL OF THE RECALLS PERFORMED ON OUR 2001 FORD ESCAPE. MUCH TO MY SURPRISE, WHEN I TOOK OUR ESCAPE INTO FREMONT FORD ON MAY 7TH, [XXX], THE ASSISTANT SERVICE MANAGER, TOLD ME THAT HE WAS REFUSING TO PERFORM ALL OF THE RECALLS ON OUR TRUCK, BECAUSE THEY HAVE EXPIRED. AS THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND PRIMARY DRIVER OF THIS VEHICLE, PLEASE EXPLAIN TO ME HOW RECALLS INVOLVING SAFETY ISSUES EXPIRE? IS THIS A FORD COMPANY POLICY OR A FREMONT FORD DEALERSHIP/SERVICE POLICY? WHEN I PICKED UP OUR ESCAPE ON MAY 8TH FROM THE DEALERSHIP, I DOCUMENTED ON THE PAPERWORK THAT THEY REFUSED TO PERFORM THESE VERY IMPORTANT RECALLS. I AM NOT COMFORTABLE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE IN LIGHT OF THE TRAGEDY THAT OCCURRED THIS PAST WEEKEND. PLEASE ADVISE HOW YOU WOULD LIKE TO MOVE FORWARD CONCERNING THIS VERY IMPORTANT MATTER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 252,901

IT WAS HAPPENED ABOUT A YEAR AGO, ESPECIALLY UNDER THE HOT WEATHER CONDITION. I AM NOT SURE THAT WHERE THE MASSIVE VIBRATION SOUND COMES FROM BUT MOST LIKELY IT FEELS THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL(STEERING SHAFT ROD?) OR BRAKE PEDAL. WHEN I FIRST REALIZED THIS PROBLEM, IT WAS VERY HOT SUMMER DAY AND AIR CONDITIONER (AC) WAS ON. I DROVE ABOUT FOR 15-20 MINUTES AND PARKED THE VEHICLE FOR A WHILE (ABOUT 20 MINUTES OR SO). THEN I STARTED THE ENGINE AGAIN AND TRIED TO BACK UP THE VEHICLE FROM THE PARKING SPOT, IT WAS HAPPENED. AFTER THAT HAPPENING, I WAS HAVING SAME PROBLEM WHENEVER I WAS DRIVING WITH AC ON(I DID NOT HAVE THE PROBLEM DURING COLD SEASON AT ALL). NOW IS SUMMER OF 2012 AND THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN COMING BACK MOST OF TIME OF DRIVING NO MATTER AC IS ON OR OFF (IT SEEMS LIKE GETTING WORST?). PAST 10 YEARS, I HAD SEVERAL RECALLS WITH THIS VEHICLE SO I REALLY WANT TO REPORT THE PROBLEM I HAVE IN CASE. *TR

SUBMISSION FROM RE FORD ESCAPE 2001 SAFETY RECALL NOTICE 11S24 *TGW THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN JAN 2012. THE NOTICE INDICATED SHE WOULD BE INFORMED WHEN THE PARTS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE SAFETY RECALL WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE, WHICH WOULDN'T BE UNTIL THE SECOND QUARTER. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED, WHICH WAS PRIOR TO THE RECALL, BUT WAS QUICKLY EXTINGUISHED. SHORTLY AFTER THE FIRE, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, THE CONSUMER WAS PARTLY COMPENSATED BY FORD IN THE FORM OF A CHECK FOR $1900 ACCOMPANIED BY A DOCUMENT WHICH STATED BY ACCEPTING THE COMPENSATION, SHE WOULD ALSO BE SIGNING OFF ON ANY OTHER CLAIMS. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, EXHAUST MANIFOLD, MASTER CYLINDER, WIRING HARNESS, ABS, BRAKE LINE BOOSTER, POWER STEERING RACK AND PINION, TIE RODS, INTAKE MANIFOLD AS WELL AS THE AIR BAG WERE ALL REPLACED. THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD FREEZE, THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE FELL OFF, RENDERING THE DOOR UNSTABLE, THE COOLANT LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE OIL PAN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, THE AIR CONDITION STOPPED WORKING AND THE REAR SHOCK WERE LEAKING. *JB

SUBMISSION FROM RE FORD ESCAPE 2001 SAFETY RECALL NOTICE 11S24 *TGW THE CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN JAN 2012. THE NOTICE INDICATED SHE WOULD BE INFORMED WHEN THE PARTS REQUIRED TO COMPLETE THE SAFETY RECALL WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE, WHICH WOULDN'T BE UNTIL THE SECOND QUARTER. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE PARKED, WHICH WAS PRIOR TO THE RECALL, BUT WAS QUICKLY EXTINGUISHED. SHORTLY AFTER THE FIRE, THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, THE CONSUMER WAS PARTLY COMPENSATED BY FORD IN THE FORM OF A CHECK FOR $1900 ACCOMPANIED BY A DOCUMENT WHICH STATED BY ACCEPTING THE COMPENSATION, SHE WOULD ALSO BE SIGNING OFF ON ANY OTHER CLAIMS. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, EXHAUST MANIFOLD, MASTER CYLINDER, WIRING HARNESS, ABS, BRAKE LINE BOOSTER, POWER STEERING RACK AND PINION, TIE RODS, INTAKE MANIFOLD AS WELL AS THE AIR BAG WERE ALL REPLACED. THE STEERING COLUMN WOULD FREEZE, THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR HANDLE FELL OFF, RENDERING THE DOOR UNSTABLE, THE COOLANT LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE OIL PAN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, THE AIR CONDITION STOPPED WORKING AND THE REAR SHOCK WERE LEAKING. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO CHANGE LANES, THE VEHICLE VEERED FROM RIGHT TO LEFT. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MOVE THE STEERING WHEEL RIGHT AND LEFT, BUT THE WHEEL KEPT MOVING IN THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION. THE CONTACT COULD NOT GAIN CONTROL OF THE STEERING WHEEL AND STRUCK A CONCRETE WALL ON THE FRONT PASSENGER CORNER OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DECLARED DESTROYED BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO A LOCAL HOSPITAL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE, BUT THE CONTACT IS NOT SURE IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 45,000. UPDATED 06/09/08 *BF UPDATED 06/09/08

Mileage: 45,000

WE NOTICED A HISSING NOISE,TOOK IT TO DEALER,WAS TOLD BRAKE BOOSTER,MASTER CYLINDER,LEFT STABILIZER LINK ASSY,AND PRE-TENSIONER CONNECTORS ON AIR BAG ALL NEED REPLACED. CAN NOT AFFORD TO REPLACE PRE-TENSIONER CONNECTORS. SEEMS UNUSUAL TO ME THAT ALL WOULD GO OUT ALL OF A SUDDEN,ESPECIALLY BOTH THE BOOSTER AND MASTER CYLINDER. TO MY KNOWLEDGE WE DID NOTHING TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE PROBS. I MAY BE HARD TO REACH,AS I AM STAYING WITH MY FATHER IN HERMANN WHILE HE UNDERGOES CANCER TREATMENTS,BUT,MY WIFE CAN BE REACHED AT THE EVENING PHONE # LISTED.

Mileage: 84,000

I STOPPED MY 2001 FORD ESCAPE AND PUT THE SHIFT INTO PARK. THE SHIFT FLEW INTO PARK AND THE VEHICLE STAYED IN DRIVE, WHICH ALMOST SENT ME INTO A BAYOU. I TURNED THE IGNITION OFF AND THE SHIFT WAS JAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN DRIVE. I HAD TO GET IT TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. I WAS TOLD BY ONE OF THE MECHANICS THAT THE CABLE ON THE SHIFT BROKE LOOSE. HE SAID HE WAS SURPRISED THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL ON IT YET BECAUSE THEY ARE GETTING ESCAPES AND ESCORTS IN THEIR SHOP WITH THE SAME EXACT THING HAPPENING.*AK

Mileage: 63,000

DT: 2001 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONSUMER FOUND A RECALL ON LINE, THIS RECALL DID NOT PERTAIN TO THIS VEHICLE DUE TO VIN. WHEN DRIVING, THE VEHICLE DIED, POWER STEERING MALFUNCTIONED, AND THE VEHICLE WAS HARD TO CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT KEEP A IDLING. . THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY HAVE NOT YET CONTACTED THE CONSUMER. THE PROBLEM STARTED TWO WEEKS AGO, ON AUGUST 30, 2005. THE CONSUMER STATED IT HAPPENED APPROXIMATELY TEN TIMES. *AK

Mileage: 77,000

2001 FORD ESCAPE W/37K MILES NEEDS POWER STEERING RACK REPLACED.

Mileage: 37,000

THE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED DUE TO THE STEERING WHEEL BEING LOOSE. *JB

WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN INTO THE PARKING GARAGE VEHICLE STALLED. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE, AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT COMPUTER SENSOR CRANK, AND IDLER ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THAT THIS PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE, AND HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *AK

WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER PUMPING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *JB THE CONSUMER COULD NOT CONTROL THE VEHICLE DUE TO LOSS OF POWER IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND NO BRAKES. *TC

Mileage: 121,918

WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER. THE CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE AUTO SERVICE FOR INSPECTION AND THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. *AK THERE WAS GRINDING AND A ROUND METAL OBJECT SNAPPED AND BROKE OFF OF THE AC COMPRESSOR. THERE WERE ALSO PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAG AND THE STEERING. *SC *JB

Mileage: 41,500

2001 FORD ESCAPE XLT, MILEAGE OF < 42,000, IN OTHERWISE EXCELLENT CONDITION, PURCHASED USED, IN NOV 2003 WITH JUST OVER 36,000 MILES, NOW REQUIRES REPLACEMENT OF WORN TIE ROD ENDS. THIS IS PREMATURE FOR THE USAGE. FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD BE AWARE OF THIS. *AK

Mileage: 41,382

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A BRAKE SYSTEM PROBLEM. CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES, ROTORS, AND TIE RODS EVERY 10,000 MILES. *AK

Mileage: 10,000

UPON DRIVING DOWNHILL CAR DISENGAGED.LOST POWER STEERING AND BRAKES.ANUAL BRAKES AND STEERING ALSO FAILED.*AK

Mileage: 30,000

DANGEROUS SITUATION REGARDING 2001 FORD ESCAPE.*MR THE CONSUMERS BRAKE FLUID SYSTEM WAS CONTAMINATED. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED TO HAVE REPAIRS MADE. *CB THE CONSUMER NOTICED THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS CONTINUOUSLY GETTING LOWER TO THE FLOOR AND STOPPING BECAME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD A POWER STEERING LEAK.*JB

MY WIFE GOT DISTRACTED AND SIDE SWIPED THE TRAILER OF AN 18 WHEELER WHILE PASSING ......A VERY BAZAAR ACCIDENT......SHE WAS ONLY SLIGHTLY INJURED AND HER 2001 FORD ESCAPE WAS DESTROYED..... MY COMPLAINT IS......HER STEERING WAS COMPLETELY BROKE...NO CONNECTION BETWEEN THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE FRONT END.... HER STEERING WHEEL JUST SPINS AROUND .... BEING A CAR GUY I SEE THIS AS A FAILURE IN THE FORDS STEERING.....I WALKED THE ACCIDENT SCENE AND DID NOT SEE ONE THING SHE COULD HAVE HIT TO BREAK HER STEERING. HER IMPACT WITH THE TRUCK SHOULD NOT HAVE BROKE HER STEERING EITHER .....PLEASE INVESTIGATE. *JB

Mileage: 50,000

CONSUMER NOTICED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION VEHICLE PARTS STARTED FALLING FROM UNDER ENGINE DEPARTMENT, RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING. *AK

NHTSA:VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE A MIS-ASSEMBLED OR INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED NUT THAT ATTACHES THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY TO THE STEERING COLUMN. THE NUT COULD BE UPSIDE DOWN IN THE STEERING WHEEL ASSEMBLY, WHICH COULD OVERSTRESS THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT WHEN THE NUT IS TIGHTENED. IN ADDITION, SOME OF THE NUTS MAY HAVE BEEN CRACKED DURING MANUFACTURE RESULTING IN THE NUT FRACTURING WHEN IT IS TIGHTENED DURING VEHICLE ASSEMBLY.DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE STEERING WHEEL RETENTION ARMATURE AND, IF NECESSARY, THE STEERING COLUMN TO CORRECT THIS CONDITION.*AK

I WAS IN A ROLL OVER ACCIDENT IN MY 2001 FORD ESCAPE WHILE DRIVING AT 25-30 MPH ON A PRIMARY ROAD IN CRESSKILL, NJ. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY PULLED HARD TO THE RIGHT AND I SAW THAT I WAS GOING TO HIT A PARKED VEHICLE. I TURNED THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT, WHILE BREAKING, BUT THE ESCAPE DID NOT TURN. I IMPACTED THE PARKED VEHICLE, FLIPPED, SKIDDED 64 FEET ON THE ROOF OF MY ESCAPE, AND WAS ABLE TO REMOVE MYSELF FROM THE CAR WHEN HE CAME TO REST. I HAVE INTERESTING PICTURES OF THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL ASSEMBLY AND STEERING LINKAGES.*AK

Mileage: 39,000

THE CONSUMER'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN THE ENGINE LIGHTS BEGAN TO BLINK THEN THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP. SCC

VEHICLE ENGINE REVS/SEARCHES/HUNTS, WHILE DRIVING STEADY AND MAINTAINING A CONSTANT SPEED ON A LEVEL ROAD, GOING DOWN OR UP A HILL AND THE ACCELERATOR IS NOT BEING PLAYED WITH. INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE HANDLING SEEMS TO LOSE THE POWER ASSIST - TURNING ALL OF THE SUDDEN REQUIRES MORE MUSCLE EFFORT - AND HANDLING GETS VERY STIFF. SUV HAS STALLED 5 TIMES ALREADY AND DEALER STILL UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. EVERY TIME - I LOST THE STEERING, THE BRAKES, THE ACCELERATOR AND THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEMS. ESCAPE IS A VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS SUV - UNABLE TO PREDICT WHEN IT WILL STALL OR WHEN IT WILL SUDDENLY ACCELERATE (I DON'T DARE USE THE CRUISE CONTROL).

WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH STEERING WHEEL LOCK UP WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER CANNOT FIX PROBLEM AND DON'T KNOW WHAT IS THE CAUSED OF THE PROBLEM. TS

WHILE DRIVING ONLY AT LOW SPEEDS, STEERING COLUMN WILL MAKE A LOUD NOISE AND IT COULD CAUSE FUTURE STEERING PROBLEMS. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK THE COVER ON THE BOTTOM OF THE STEERING WHEEL WAS BROKEN. THE VEHICLE SHIMMYS WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE BRAKES WERE INSPECTED AND THE FRONT ROTOR WAS MACHINED AND THE FRONT PADS CLEANED. CONSUMER STATES THERE IS A PECKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE. CONSUMER STATES THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS HARD TO PUSH BECAUSE THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED REPLACING. THE AIR CONDITIONER STOPS WHILE AT IDLE. ALSO, WHEN COMING TO A STOP, THE HEATER IS NOT WARM. *JG

WHILE DRIVING ONLY AT LOW SPEEDS, STEERING COLUMN WILL MAKE A LOUD NOISE AND IT COULD CAUSE FUTURE STEERING PROBLEMS. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK THE COVER ON THE BOTTOM OF THE STEERING WHEEL WAS BROKEN. THE VEHICLE SHIMMYS WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES. THE BRAKES WERE INSPECTED AND THE FRONT ROTOR WAS MACHINED AND THE FRONT PADS CLEANED. CONSUMER STATES THERE IS A PECKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE. CONSUMER STATES THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS HARD TO PUSH BECAUSE THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED REPLACING. THE AIR CONDITIONER STOPS WHILE AT IDLE. ALSO, WHEN COMING TO A STOP, THE HEATER IS NOT WARM. *JG

ON 02/11/2002 TRAVELING AT 35MPH GOING TO WORK MADE A LEFT TURN AND TRUCK SUDDENLY STARTED TO STALL. ACCELLERATION BEGIN TO DECREASE AND A LOUD ROARING OR GRINDING SOUND WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE CAR. PULLED OVER DUE TO DECREASE IN ACCELERATION AND STOPPED CAR. TURNED CAR OFF AND ON AGAIN AND STARTED TO ACCELERATE AND CAR WOULD NOT GO ABOVE 35MPH. FINALLY MADE IT TO DEALERSHIP. DEALER LOOKED AT CAR AND DETERMINED IT WAS THE STEERING ASSEMBLY AND REPLACED. ON 03/14/02 WENT OUT TO START CAR AND DROVE 35 MPH ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON THE REMAINING OF DAY. TOOK TO DEALER THE NEXT DAY DUE TO LIGHT STILL ON, DEALER REPLACED PART INDICATING SWITCH CHIP BAD. ON 07/25 AND 07/ 29 CAR FAILS TO START AFTER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF DRIVING HAS DONE THIS ON SEVERAL OCCASION AND HAVE CALLED DEALER TO BRING VEHICLE IN TO LOOK AT ON 08/01/02. VEHICLE STALLS AT 35 -40 MPH ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. NOT HAPPY WITH VEHICLE PROBLEMS AND FEEL THESE DEFECTS CAN BE A DANGER TO ME AND OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD. FORD SHOULD DO THERE BEST TO REPLACE PARTS AND ACCOMODATE THEIR CONSUMERS FOR TIME AND HEADACHES.*AK

WHILE DRVING STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND THEN VEHICLE STALLED, ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. VEHICLE WAS CHECKED BY DEALER, WHO ADVISED CONSUMET THAT THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEM.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 30-35 MPH, VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF WITHOUT ANY NOTICE. CONTACTED DEALER, WHO WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK. 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.*JB

WHILE DRIVING 30-35 MPH, VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF WITHOUT ANY NOTICE. CONTACTED DEALER, WHO WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK. 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.*JB

WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 40 MPH, WITH BOTH CHILDREN IN THE CAR, MY CAR STALLED IN A BUSY INTERSECTION. MY BRAKES, STEERING, ACCELLERATOR, AND ELECTRICAL(RADIO AND SPEEDOMETER) WENT OUT. I WAS FORCED TO COAST DOWN THE STREET TO FIND SOMEWHERE TO PULL OVER. I HAVE SENT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY ACTED LIKE IT WAS MY FAULT THAT IT HAPPENED AND THAT THEY HADN'T HEARD OF SUCH COMPLAINT. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE IT EVEN AFTER THEY SAID IT IS FIXED. I HAVE HEARD OF THIS HAPPENING,AFTER I DID SOME REASEARCH AND PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED IT HAPPENING AGAIN. I WOULD LIKE SOME KIND OF TRADE OR REIMBUIRSEMENT. MY REASON BEING IS FOR THE SAFTEY OF MY CHILDREN AND MYSELF. THE CAR IS ONLY 11 MONTHS OLD.*AK

THERE IS A BOLT THAT HOLDS STEERING COLUMN IN PLACE. WHILE DRIVING THAT BOLT BROKE OFF, AND CONSUMER COULD NO LONGER CONTROL VEHICLE. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK

I HAVE SPOKEN WITH A FORD REP. FOR A NEW CAR, TOO MANY THINGS HAVE GONE WRONG. IT IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP HAVE THE WINDOW AND ABS BRAKES FIXED. EVERY TIME IT'S SOMEHTING NEW! NLM

MY ESCAPE STALLED 4 DIFFERENT TIMES WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET. MY SPEED WAS 40 MPH OR LESS. THERE IS THE TIGHTNESS IN THE STEERING AND THE ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON AND ALL POWER IS LOST.IT STARTS UP WITH NO PROBLEM.*AK

CAR ELECTRICAL, STEERING AND BRAKES CUT OFF DRIVING AT 35-40 MPH ON CURVY ROAD. JUST BOUGHT THE CAR USED 2 DAYS AGO. FIRST TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED. NOW THAT IVE LOOKED AT THIS SITE, SEEMS MANY PEOPLE HAVE THIS PROBLEM. GOING TO DEALER TOMMOROW. WE LIKE THE CAR, BUT WE'RE AFRAID WE HAVE OURSELVES A LEMON. I HOPE THE DEALER/FORD WILL FIX THIS PROBLEM AND STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT.

ENGINE STALLED WHILE GOING DOWNHILL, POWER BRAKES AND STEERING WENT OUT SO VERY HARD TO CONTROL ON AN INCLINE. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE EXACT SAME SITUATIONS WITH THIS VEHICLE.

I LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELING DOWNHILL. I LOST POWER TO THE CAR WHICH APPARENTLY, CAUSED COMPLETE SYSTEM FAILURE. THE BATTERY, ENGINE, AND OIL LIGHTS CAME ON. I LOST 90% OF MY BRAKES AND LOST ALL STEERING ABILITY. I HAD TO PULL THE EMERGENCY BRAKE IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CAR RESTARTED AFTERWARDS. THE COMPANY TOLD ME IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE RELAY. BUT I STILL HAVE AN ISSUE WITH THE FACT THAT I LOST STEERING CAPABILITIES AND PROBABLY COULD HAPPEN AGAIN IN THE FUTURE.*AK

DRIVING AROUND 40MPH, AND CAR HAS STALLED THREE TIMES ON ME NOW WITH LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKES, MOST RECENTLY ON 10/11/2001. FORD SAYS THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT IS WRONG.*AK

THE SUV WAS PURCHASED NEW IN MID-DECEMBER 2000. ON 9/7/07, I WAS SLOWING DOWN, ON A DOWNHILL SLOPE, TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN WHEN THE SUV SHUT ITSELF OFF AND THE STEERING COLUMN LOCKED UP. IT HAD 1/3 TANK OF GAS. I SHIFTED THE AUTOMATIC INTO PARK, TURNED THE KEY, THE CAR STARTED AND I EXTRICATED MY 7 YEAR OLD SON AND MYSELF FROM THE BUSY INTERSECTION AND FROM THE MOUTH OF ON-COMING TRAFFIC (WE LANDED IN THE LEFT TURN LANE, MUCH TO A JEEP'S DISMAY). I DROVE SLOWLY TO MY SON'S SCHOOL (3 BLOCKS DOWN), THEN TO WORK WHERE I NOTIFIED FORD VIA IT'S 800 NUMBER. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR THAT AFTERNOON WITH THE DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THE CAR FIXED. I LEFT THE CAR WITH THE DEALERSHIP. ON 9/8/01, I CALLED AND THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE CAR WAS READY. I ASKED THE SERVICE MANAGER TO REVIEW THE REPAIRS WITH ME & MY HUSBAND AND TO EXPLAIN WHY THE REPAIR "FIXED" THE PROBLEM. HE SAID THEY REPLACED A VALVE WHICH CONTROLS AIR FLOW. HE SAID THIS WOULD CAUSE THE CAR TO SHUT OFF, ESPECIALLY IF I HAD BEEN ENGAGING THE BRAKES WHEN THE CAR SHUT OFF. I WAS ENGAGING THE BRAKES WHEN IT SHUT OFF, SO I ACCEPTED THIS EXPLANATION. I PACKED MY 7 YEAR OLD INTO THE SUV AND LEFT. WITHIN 7-10 MILES, THE CAR SHUT ITSELF OFF, AGAIN (ONLY 26 HOURS AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT AND THE SUPPOSED "FIX")! THIS TIME I WAS ACCELERATING UP A SEMI-STEEP INCLINE. MY EYES WERE FORWARD. I NOTICED OUT OF THE BOTTOM OF MY FIELD OF VISION A RED GLOW. I LOOKED DOWN AND THE OIL LAMP WAS GLOWING. I JUST HAD THE OIL CHANGED WITHIN 1,000 MILES AND THE CAR WAS JUST AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT MORNING, SO THAT COULDN'T BE A PROBLEM. I THEN NOTICED THAT ALL OF THE OTHER DASHBOARD LIGHTS (MOST IN WHITE LIGHT) ALSO WERE LIT UP. AT THAT POINT, THE STEERING BEGAN TO LOCKED UP AND THE CAR SLOWED TO A STOP. I MANAGED TO MANEUVER THE SUV TO THE COMMUNITY CENTER'S DRIVEWAY ON THE RIGHT. WE NARROWLY MISSED BEING MOWED DOWN BY A VAN WHICH HAD GAINED SIGNFICANT MOMENTUM HAVING JUST SWOOPED DOWN THE DOWNGRADE AND WAS RACING UP THE INCLINE. 1/4 TANK GAS.

WHILE THE ESCAPE IS DRIVING AT NO PARTICULAR SPEED, THE STEERING WHEEL TUGS A LITTLE THEN IT LOCKS COMPLETELY UP, THEN THE BRAKES FAIL, THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE ONLY WAY TO GET THE CAR TO STOP IS TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. MY ESCAPE HAS DONE THIS THREE TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT IT IN MAY OF THIS YEAR. TWO OF THE INCIDENTS ALMOST RESULTED IN CAR ACCIDENTS BECAUSE THE CAR CAN NOT BE STEERED. THE CAR TOTALLY FREEZES UP WITH ALL ENGINES LIGHTS COMING ON. THE SPEED DOESN'T SEEM TO BE A FACTOR. ALL THREE OCCASSIONS MY CD PLAYER HAS BEEN ON, THE AIR HAS BEEN ON LOW AND MY LIGHTS HAVE BEEN ON. AFTER THE CAR FINALLY STOPS BY USING THE EMERGENGY BRAKE, I SHUT EVERYTHING OFF AND IT STARTS RIGHT BACK UP AGAIN.

WAS TRAVELING 40MPH ON HIGHWAY WENT TO CHANGE LANES AND POWER STEERING DIDN'T RESPOND. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND OIL LIGHT ILLUMINATED, DEALER CLEANED GROUND CONNECTIONS UNDER THE BATTERY. SUB WOOFER INOPERABLE, DEALER REPLACED. *SLC

CONSUME R WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 45MPH ON A MOUNTAIN ROAD, AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON THE DASHBOARD. THEN, THERE WERE NO BRAKES OR POWER STEERING. ALSO, SPEED PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO CONTROL VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEMS. *AK

WHILE TRAVELING 15-20MPH ON A NEIGHBORHOOD SIDE STREET CONSUMER RAN INTO A PARKED CAR, CAUSING VEHICLE TO ROLLOVER 360 DEGREES. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. *AK CONSUMER SUFFERED A FRACTURED RIB IN THE ACCIDENT, CONSUMER THINKS THAT THIS VEHICLE SHOULD NOT HAVE ROLLED OVER AS EASILY AS IT DID. *SLC

ENGINE HAS SHUT OFF 3 TIMES WHILE DRIVING, SINCE CAR BOUGHT 6 WEEKS AGO. ALWAYS ON HILLY, CURVEY ROADS, DOING 35-40 MPH, COASTING AND BRAKING LIGHTLY. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. POWER STEERING AND BRAKES GO. HAVE TO MUSCLE CAR TO ROADSIDE. TURNING OFF KEY AND RESTARTING SEEMS TO WORK. HAVE ALSO PUT IN NEUTRAL, TURNED KEY OFF AND RESTARTED, SHIFTING BACK INTO DRIVE. BEEN TO DEALER ONCE LAST WEEK FOR PROBLEM. THEY COULD NOT DETECT OR RECREATE. DEALER CONTACTED FORD HOT-LINE, WHO MADE SUGGESTIONS, TO NO AVAIL. DEALER SAYS THEY NOR FORD HAVE HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. HARD TO BELIEVE THIS. HAVE SPOKEN WITH FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE TWICE, SYMPATHETIC REACTION BUT WITH NO ADVICE OR SOLUTION. HAPPENED AGAIN YESTERDAY. CAR BACK TO DEALER NOW FOR WEEK WHILE ON VACATION. VERY AFRAID I'M GOING TO KILL MYSELF OR SOMEONE ELSE IN ACCIDENT. EXPRESSED CONCERNS TO DEALER AND FORD. THERE ARE 16 LIKE COMPLAINTS ON NHTSA SIGHT. IS ANYTHING BEING DONE?*AK

DRIVING DOWN A SLIGHT GRADE THE ENGINE JUST QUIT ON SIX OCCASIONS AT THE SAME LOCATION ADJACENT TO A CELLULAR ANTENNA TOWER. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER WHO SAID THE DIAGNOSTIC COMPUTER CODE INDICATED INTERRUPTION IN THE ANTI-THEFT SMART KEY SYSTEM. WHEN THE SAME PROBLEM REOCCURRED, THE DEALER HAD THE CAR FOR A WEEK AND FORD'S SERVICE HOTLINE TOLD THEM TO SHIELD THE IGNITION AND ADD GROUNDING TO THAT ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE ENGINE HAS SHUT DOWN ONCE AGAIN AND DEALER WANTS US TO BRING CAR BACK SO THEY CAN TRY TO DUPLICATE FAILURE WHILE HOOKED UP TO THEIR SERVICE COMPUTER.OCCURRED

WHILE TRAVELING AT 20-25 MPH STEERING PULLED SHARPLY TO LEFT. REAR WHEELS LOCKED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO TRAVEL ACROSS LAINS, HITING STEERING WHEEL UNLOCKED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHRE INFORMATION.*AK

WHILE TRAVELING AND ARRIVING AT DESTINATION SAW SMOKE COMING UNDER HOOD. OPENED HOOD AND SAW FLAMES. PUT FIRE OUT. DEALER INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND STATED THAT POWER STEERING PUMP CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK

CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WAS VERY TIGHT AND WAS HAVING TROUBLE KEEPING THE VEHICLE ON THE ROAD. NLM

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD GET STUCK IN RIGHT TURNS WHEN TURNING RIGHT. WHEN TURNING LEFT THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOT FULLY TURN UNLESS FORCED INTO THE NEEDED RANGE. FINALLY STEERING WHEEL GOT STUCK IN A RIGHT TURN AND HAD TO BE TOWED. LESS THAN 24 HOURS OF OWNERSHIP AND LESS THAN ME DRIVING 15 MILES.*AK