2001 Ford Escort
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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These records cover every 2001 Ford Escort. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
1 recall names the 2001 Ford Escort. Newest first.
Certain trw driver's side seat belts manufactured on december 6 and 9, 2002, for use as replacement equipment for 1997 ford escort 4-door and station wagon platform vehicles, ford's p/n f7cz54611b09aac. the seat belt assemblies exhibit a no-lock condition which does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 209, seat belt assemblies.
Risk and remedy
Risk
In the event of a crash, the restraint system may not provide adequate protection to the seat occupant, which may increase the risk of personal injury.
Remedy
Trw will notify the customers who purchased the replacement seat belt assemblies free of charge. the recall began on august 27, 2004.
Owner complaints
68 complaints14 involved a crash3 involved a fire6 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Tires
I purchased all four michelins about a year ago. Since then I had two blowouts on the rear drive-side tire and one on the front driver-side tire. all three blew out on the sidewalls, two of which were on the inner side sidewall and one on the outer side sidewall. there were no nails, glass, or…
I purchased all four michelins about a year ago. Since then I had two blowouts on the rear drive-side tire and one on the front driver-side tire. all three blew out on the sidewalls, two of which were on the inner side sidewall and one on the outer side sidewall. there were no nails, glass, or other debris responsible for these blowouts. The first one not only left a gapping hole on the inner side sidewall, but it got so hot it also blew out the tire stem and was smoking for a good hour afterwards. They replaced that tire with a brand new michelin of the same type. Then the second blew out happened on that new tire several months later also leaving a gapping hole on the inner side sidewall and it was so hot the guys couldn't even touch it to fix it until they doused it with water. They replaced it with a brand new michelin as well. Then several months later (today) the front driver side tire blew similarly. I did not crash and there was no fire, however there was a lot of smoke and these instances could have easily been a lot worse since I was on the freeway each time, but I'm lucky they were not. I definitely feel we are dealing with some defective tires here. *tr
- Electrical system
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…
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 common issue and no recall? No car, can't pick my daughter up at her friend's house (she IS stranded), can't take my grandson home and have to figure out a way to work tomorrow. This IS a major safety issue leaving people stranded without warning. Especially if there are health issues or children involved. My dad IS 73 and loves ford, he was surprised and disappointed about this also. What IS ford thinking?.. Greed and money. *tr
- Power train › Automatic transmission · Seat belts › Rear/other · Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Abs warning light
TL* 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…
TL* 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 stated that the rear passenger seat belt did not work properly and that the shoulder strap would not buckle properly. The failure mileage was 75,000. the ABS light would randomly illuminate. Updated 12/15/11 updated 12/28/11*lj the right rear seat belt was twisted, which made it inoperable, the brake shift inter-lock malfunctioned and the consumer was unable to shift the from park to drive. Updated 03.12.12
- Power train · Seat belts
TL* 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…
TL* 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 causing the seat belt to not lock properly. The manufacturer was contacted but the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 35,000 and the current mileage was 75,000.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
I have a 2001 ford escort ZX2. Ive had it a little over a year now. This reoccurring problem IS getting very frustrating. When I start my car it sounds like its getting ready to die. It just struggles at very low rpm. I don't know if there IS a way to adjust the idle but IS there a fix? *cn
- Steering › Rack and pinion
Tl*the 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 *bf updated 02/05/10.*jb
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Gas recirculation valve (egr valve) · Suspension › Rear › Springs › Coil springs
TL* the contact owns a 2001 ford escort purchased april 2002. The rear coil springs, struts, and egr valve were placed at an expense of $870.00. after the repair the front coil springs, and struts failed, they then added that this failure was common for her model type. the failure and current mileages were under 59,000. updated 11/23/09. *Lj updated 11/24/09
- Air bags · Air bags › Frontal
I was in a accident on the 105fwy west, going between 15-25 mph in moderate morning traffic. I hit the back of a car, slammed my face against the steering wheel, and severely damaged my front hood, bumper and engine, which has been totaled out! my air bags failed to deploy! Its a 2001 ford escort, never been in a accident, and I have neck, back, and severe jaw pain. *Tr
- Electrical system · Visibility
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. *tr
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Pedals and linkages · Vehicle speed control
Tl*the 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…
Tl*the 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 vehicle into a parking space, it surged forward again and crashed into a pipe. the air bags deployed and the vehicle sustained moderate damage. an investigator from her insurance company IS in the process of inspecting the vehicle. the contact has pictures of the vehicle. a police report was filed. the current and failure mileages were 115,000.
- Suspension › Rear › Springs › Coil springs
During a routine inspection, my mechanic noticed that the rear spring coils on my 2001 ford escort (59,000 miles) were noticeably worn down and needed to be replaced immediately, as to not puncture my tires. He said that this IS a known problem in escorts and taurus and that tires can be punctured…
During a routine inspection, my mechanic noticed that the rear spring coils on my 2001 ford escort (59,000 miles) were noticeably worn down and needed to be replaced immediately, as to not puncture my tires. He said that this IS a known problem in escorts and taurus and that tires can be punctured by these rear coil springs while the vehicle IS in motion. I had the rear springs replaced, which IS an expensive repair. *tr
- Power train › Automatic transmission
When shifting from park to drive, car sometimes IS in neutral instead. Then must go back to park and to drive again. *jb
- Power train › Automatic transmission
When shifting from park to drive, car sometimes IS in neutral instead. then must go back to park and to drive again. flushed transmission and replaced fluid and this has cut down on occurrences. *jb
- Electrical system
On several attempts to fix my vehicle I still haven't found the trouble until I saw the recall list, I have had trouble with my shifter, air flow device for idle, to my back light on the top shorting out, to stall with engine light on and not be able to find the problem, I have spent a lot of time…
On several attempts to fix my vehicle I still haven't found the trouble until I saw the recall list, I have had trouble with my shifter, air flow device for idle, to my back light on the top shorting out, to stall with engine light on and not be able to find the problem, I have spent a lot of time and money on these problems and was never notified about parts going wrong on my car, I have a escort 2001 ZX2. Now it make a weird sound when driving slow! I have put new brakes on it and the problem IS still there. *jb
- Air bags › Frontal
Front end collision totaling ford escort ZX2 without deployment of air bags. *jb
- Vehicle speed control › Cruise control
Dt: the contact states while parked with the engine off vehicle caught on fire. the vehicle had been sitting for over two hours. He smelled smoke and checked in the garage where the vehicle was parked. The fire was coming from under the hood in front of the steering compartment. The fire was…
Dt: the contact states while parked with the engine off vehicle caught on fire. the vehicle had been sitting for over two hours. He smelled smoke and checked in the garage where the vehicle was parked. The fire was coming from under the hood in front of the steering compartment. The fire was extinguished by the fire department. The vehicle was totaled. there was extensive damage to the garage and the contact's house. The preliminary report indicated the fire started in the engine compartment. Reports were taken by the police, fire department, and insurance company. *ak
- Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module
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. *nm
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Fan
My car shakes, rattles and rolls - thinks it's elvis. *nm
- Fuel system, other › Delivery › Fuel pump
2001 ford escort 4-door 477-lxx. I had started up my car and backed out of the driveway when my car refused to run. I tried turning it over several times but to no avail. so I contacted a mechanic, who towed the car in for diagnosis. he called me today with the following: there was defective…
2001 ford escort 4-door 477-lxx. I had started up my car and backed out of the driveway when my car refused to run. I tried turning it over several times but to no avail. so I contacted a mechanic, who towed the car in for diagnosis. he called me today with the following: there was defective wiring on fuel pump housing of my car. the fuel pump was from the factory according to the mechanic. one set of 4 terminals on the pump were angled back properly, but the other set of 4 were straight so that the terminals were almost touching. the positive and negative terminals on the two center terminals of the straight set were fused upon inspection. Had shorted out the fuel pump. the insulation was burned off, and the mechanic assumed that the two positive and negative terminals probably had been arcing above the gas tank each time the car started since it left the factory, since the fuel pump had been basically untouched. this problem could have caused a violent explosion of gas in the fuel tank, and killed both me and my mother, and possibly burned our house down. this problem was repaired by the mechanic by bending the terminals back to their proper position. *ak
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
After starting the vehicle, the consumer heard a popping noise from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the dealership and the consumer was informed of a fuel pump problem. *Ak *jb
- Vehicle speed control › Accelerator pedal
While applying the accelerator pedal vehicle failed to accelerate. after applying the accelerator pedal numerous times vehicle accelerated uncontrollably. consumer noticed that the accelerator pedal was stuck. consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it to the dealer for inspection. mechanic determined that the throttle body needed to be replaced.*ak
- Exterior lighting › Headlights › Switch
Our 2001 escort ZX2 has had many issues. Most recent was the license plate light catching fire. Now the headlight switch which controls headlights and brightest and turn signals had a short. Car can not be drove at night. I am concerned about this. Also a while back there was a burned wire in the steering column. *ak
- Air bags › 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. *ak *sc *jb
- Power train › Automatic transmission
Transmission failed after 59,039 (vehicle would move forward when transmission selector in park or reverse position, could not get vehicle to move backward in any selector position). transmission IS being "rebuilt" by a national transmission shop.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline › Belts and associated pulleys
Consumer complained about a stalling problem. when applying the brakes at a stop sign or red light vehicle shimmied, and then stalled. When trying to accelerate vehicle shook. *Ak
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10026389Ford: certain 1999-2001 model year vehicles up to 6000 lb gvwr registered in new york and certain 2001 vehicles up to 6000 lb gvwr registered in the state of maine, certified for sale in california-federal emission warranty refund.
- 10019076Replace timing belt idler pulley during 2.0L zetec engine cylinder head replacement - service tip.
- 10014086General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures.
- 10014062Rear window defroster grid/integral antenna diagnosis and repair - terminal tab repair.
- 10013116Malfunction indicator lamp (mil) illuminated - system lean diagnostic trouble codes (dtc's) - service tips. Various models including 2004 f-series.
- 10013060Climate control a/c service tech tips.
- 10011159Rear window defroster grid/integral antenna diagnosis and repair - terminal tab repair.
- 10009870Trw vehicle safety systems, inc. IS recalling certain service replacement seatbelt retractors (driver's side front retractor in gray) manufactured in december 2002 and sold as a service replacement part between december 2002 and july 2004.
- 10009321Inoperative electric rear window defroster (heated backlite) grid lines, integral antenna concerns.
- 10008580Lamp-brake-invadvertent disabling of brake shift interlock.
- 10004027Remote keyless entry (rke) - service tips.
- 10003194Idle vibration on vehicles equipped with 2.0L spi or zetec engine only.
- 10002780Malfunction indicator lamp (mil) illumination with diagnostic trouble codes p0442, p0455, p0456, p0457, p1442 or check fuel cap lamp illuminated with diagnostic trouble code p0457.
- 10002649Higher than normal idle speed, runs rough at idle and/or diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p0171.
- 637615Rough idle, low power and / or stall at idle, a malfunction indicator lamp illuminated and diagnostic trouble codes p0300 through p0304 stored in memory.
- 636089Some vehicles equipped with the 2.0L spi engine may exhibit a malfunction indicator lamp (mil) illuminated and diagnostic trouble codes (dtc) p0300 through p0304 stored.
- 636065Information regarding discharged battery charging service tips and guidelines.
- 630515Engine oil system priming procedures, service tips for reports of premature engine failure.
- 630507Some vehicles may exhibit malfunction indicator lamp illuminated with diagnostic trouble code p1744 with no driveability concerns present.
- 630001Some engine assemblies with aluminum cylinder heads repaired in-vehile have been found to leak coolant and/or oil from the cylinder head gasket area.
- 627927Some vehicles may exhibit vacuum or air leaks in the intake manifold and / or engine system causing diagnostic trouble codes p0171 and or p0174.
- 625715Brake shift interlock.*jb
- 623988Information regarding transmission fluid usage charts. *Slc
- 623944Some vehicles may exhibit heater core leaks. *Slc
- 621046Exhibiting higher than normal idle speed, runs rough at idle and / or diagnostic trouble code p0171.
- 619424Subject regarding engine oil recommendations for use in 2001 vehicles - sae 5W-20 motor oil.
- 619329Some vehicles with 2.0L spi engine only, may exhibita burning oil smell noted from outside or from within the passenger compartment.
Every Ford Escort model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.