Overview & Reviews

The Escape is Ford's new SUV. Smaller in size than the Explorer (and dwarfed by an Excursion), the 2001 Ford Escape competes in the same class as the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. Its main calling cards are an optional V6 engine and a large interior.

• Strong V6 engine, plenty of interior space, car-like road manners.

• Lacks the off-road capability of a truck-based SUV, barely adequate base engine, unknown reliability.

User Reviews:

Showing 11 through 20 of 161.00

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  1 year review - 2001 Ford Escape
  By Taybjay - June 14 - 2:00 am

  Ok the gas mileage stinks. My buddies Ford Excursion Diesel gets better. The seats are rock bottom hard. (metal folding chair hard!) The wiper stalk always gets in the way when you shift gears in the automatic. And the throttle response is very rammy. But whos complaining! The steering tracks in a BMW fashion. Theres room in this small ute. The 4x4 tracks well in snowy conditions.

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  Been pretty good so far - 2001 Ford Escape
  By Josh - May 24 - 9:54 pm

  Bought the Escape XLT 4x4 right when it first came out. It has served me well, the only problem was the brakes went out at around 60,000 miles. Around 80,000 miles, the tranny started to make some strange noises and now at 86,000 miles, it is time to get it looked at. Otherwise, it has been a great car...got me out of a couple Wisconsin snow drifts, and now keeps me cool in south Florida. The AC could have a little more ooommmpphhhh. Oh, and the CD player runs really hot and sometimes refuses to eject CDs at times.

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  What a disappointment! - 2001 Ford Escape
  By LazyGecko - July 10 - 1:51 pm

  I have been a long time Ford owner and when my wife wanted an SUV, I thought the Escape made a good choice. Reasonable price, nice styling and a manageable size. I figured the Ford quality would go along with it. At 80k miles, I have replaced the transmission (!) and several suspension components. The ABS and brake light has come on, and the master cylinder leaks brake fluid. Worse yet my 170k mile Taurus is 200% better in the Wisconsin snow falls than this piece of junk! The ride is awful. The seats are almost as uncomfortable as the vinyl wrapped plywood found in 1950s Cessna 152. Also, the seats stain with spilled WATER!

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  Great looks, value crummy reliability - 2001 Ford Escape
  By SoCal commuter - March 31 - 12:21 am

  Bought new 29,000 miles now. Have replaced SINCE WARRANTY ran out at 27,900: 2 power steering pumps, steering column, brakes at 26k, tensioner unit, tires, power brake assist motor, power steering hose, air filter unit, and 2 other engine repairs that details escape me now but each ran more than $200 in parts. Also, there is something in the engine manifold which cannot be fixed but is a "known issue" - theres a TSB on it - high-pitched squealing from manifold, Under warranty, about 5 breakdowns/year first three years. Always something new. Im going back to Toyota or Honda. This is the worst build quality I could imagine.

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  Disappointed - 2001 Ford Escape
  By Tonyyy - November 24 - 3:27 pm

  Check engine light keeps coming on for problem after problem. Most recently, at 51k, engine misfire. Had to replace ignition coil, ignitor - that didnt work. Ended up at dealer service ripping apart the whole engine to replace a bad valve - big expense. Big disappointment. CD player gets CDs stuck all the time, luggage rack needed repainted after only 10K, powered seats not working properly, really not enough head room for me at 64". Nice looking vehicle, but Ill be looking elsewhere next time.

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  The Escape Means Well - 2001 Ford Escape
  By djphilosophy - November 24 - 2:40 am

  I have treated this SUV with loving care & maintenance. It has all the fun things people want in an SUV, including space & performance. Unfortunately, the transmission died at 46K miles, has had 5 recalls (one involving the seatbelt receptacle!), & the local Ford dealership has been horrendous with service. I dont know who to complain to, but I know I will never buy Ford vehicles again! And the Escape had so much going for it. American automakers seem to give only a 60% effort into making a great car. Their cars come out half-baked! They look great on the outside, but all fragile on the inside.

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  Love the Escape but not the engine - 2001 Ford Escape
  By Debidoodl - June 29 - 2:00 am

  I love my 2001 Escape XLT. It has a sunroof, 6 cd changer, great speakers, good speed. Only, at 50,000 miles, Ive already had to replace the master cylinder, power brake booster, brakes, and have 2 recalls fixed. Now, my engine light is on for the 2nd time in 3 weeks. How can I be attached to a car that is making me question why I bought domestic? Ive owned a Honda and Toyota, loved both of them, particularly the lack of maintenance issues. Im struggling with whether or not to replace this car, before I finish paying it off! Im just concerned about future issues if its had so many at 50,000 miles!

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  2001 Escpe Power Steering Problems - 2001 Ford Escape
  By jc of the north - February 27 - 2:00 am

  Overall I have enjoyed this vehicle. It rides well and handles very well on snow and ice. Lots of power with the six and great passenger room. I dont like the amount of wind noise . I have also had some problems with the power steering system. Had a hose come off and covered the engine compartment with fluid. Was told this is a common problem with this model. Presently the vehicle is sitting in the shop waiting for a power steering pump. We are at two weeks and counting. Were told that the dealership has a couple more Escapes with the same problem sitting and waiting as well. This does not insire confidence in the maintainability of this vehicle.

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  Dont spend your money - 2001 Ford Escape
  By escapefromtheescape - February 14 - 2:00 am

  This is a nice looking car that performs well. The quality is persistently poor. The car has had a leaky roof, broken rear gate latch, malfunctioning rear storage cover, broken cigarette lighter, extremely rough running, herky jerky engine, broken spark plug coil, a recall for seatbelt tensioners that did not work, and the seats stain easily even after Scotchguard. I will never buy another Ford again.

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  Lots of problems - 2001 Ford Escape
  By 2bit - January 19 - 2:00 am

  During the first 2 months, this thing had more rattles than my 2yr olds toybox. Mysterious pieces of metal found in door. Thank goodness for gravity eventually fixing the rest that the dealer couldnt find. Have had the enigine light come on twice and had a anti-freeze light come on from a failed sensor. Warranty (I know why they only come with 3 yrs) ran out last month and now there is a funny, speed dependant sound coming from underneath the car. At least I didnt get one that has the mysterious stalling feature. This is the last Ford I will buy ... ever!