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 1 through 10 of 161.00

• 

  217k and still going - 2001 Ford Escape
  By JCR - November 29 - 8:38 pm

  3.0 V6 XLT. Bought it new with leather and towing pkg. Has 3500 lbs towing capacity which was best in class then. Still getting 20 mpg city and 25-27 mpg hwy. Great suv even by todays standards. Heard some horror stories with the transmissions on this vehicles I serviced my transmission every 50k no problem!

• 

  238,000 miles and going strong - 2001 Ford Escape
  By Steven - September 3 - 3:27 am

  My parents gave me this vehicle for free when they got a new lincoln mxX, ive had zero issues with it other than A/C and a rear door lock, other than that no engine troubles whatsoever theyre was an accident with someone standing still and me hitting them 10-15 mph and the bumper bar saved the radiator, otherwise zero damage other than bumper cover, this car is 11-12 years old of constant transportation whether its a 2 hour trip or to work everyday, i love this car and am gonna use it till it rots.

• 

  234,000 miles and still going strong! - 2001 Ford Escape
  By Sarah - August 30 - 7:57 am

  My Escape has run like a dream since day one. I live on 3 miles of dirt road and use the 4 wheel drive several times per year. Ive never gotten stuck. The engine runs smoothly and it really is fun to drive. Road noise is a little much, and seats are hard as well. Im gonna keep it til it dies, so far so good.

• 

  A get around town car. Not one for a long journey. - 2001 Ford Escape
  By ilovedodge - October 7 - 7:03 pm

  The Ford Escape is a great car for getting around town its not great for going over 50 miles in one way. Maybe if your under 6 foot tall this car would be more comfortable, but for me, its not. Seat are kind of hard and dont provide much support. The front wheel drive makes it hard to handle. And its a bitch to control on windy days. The body is too narrow in comparison with its height.

• 

  Killer Hotboxer - 2001 Ford Escape
  By nick152 - May 29 - 5:09 pm

  Decent car that gets you from A to B. There are better options in the same price range but this car is fine. Great car to light it up in.

• 

  If I had only known - 2001 Ford Escape
  By transyamber - August 29 - 1:33 pm

  I wish I had know that when I bought my 2001 Escape used in 2006 that the transmissions were so bad. I had to have the transmission rebuilt last year and am still paying for it. The bad part is it left me sitting beside the road last week. These are horrible transmissions to get worked on. Then they just break again. After $2000 and a complete rebuild the transmission died before there was 4000 miles on it! I do like it when its working right.

• 

  Fun to drive! But not exactly the best built - 2001 Ford Escape
  By candybandy - April 3 - 3:36 pm

  I love to drive our fun Escape! I love it sooo much! The problem is, it hasnt even reached 150K and its already causing more problems more than its worth. Around 70k one of the back door locks broke, and ever since then its been a downhill of brakes, tires, lights going out, fan belts, you name it. Right now our transmission is going out and Im very sad. Its parts act like its well over 200k but it looks almost brand new! I love the smooth ride of this and the quick turns it does. Its a great small SUV. Since this is a first year, I think if you bought a later model you would be better because they probably would have all the kinks out.

• 

  Good only under warranty - 2001 Ford Escape
  By Rick - December 3 - 2:00 am

  I bought my fully loaded Escape new in January 2001 and though well maintained I have had nothing but problems since the warranty expired. Repairs: washer fluid sensor, stereo display, master cylinder, cv boots, cruise control, rear hatch lock, air conditioner. Interior trim pieces fall off faster than the mechanic can put them back on. The leather trim on the door panels is peeling off. Air conditioning sprang a leak at 38K miles and is leaking again for the third time. Various problems cause check engine light to come on intermittently. By far the WORST vehicle I have ever owned.

• 

  Awesome - 2001 Ford Escape
  By BC Prosser - October 24 - 2:00 am

  Owned this escape since 2001 when it had 0 miles. It now has 235,000 and is still going. Never had any problems, original engine, transmission, clutch, and everything. New front struts/tie rods and brakes at 190k. Replaced the in-dash stereo, but left the speakers, they sound as good as the Bose speakers in our 2007 yukon denali. Vehicle drives great in all conditions, and still looks like new when its clean. The Escape has never let me down, and i hope to rely on it for years to come.

• 

  Tough little truck - 2001 Ford Escape
  By Cindy williams - September 21 - 2:00 am

  Right now I have 202,000 miles on my 2001 Escape. I bought it used a year ago. It is a 4 cylinder stick shift. Fuel mileage is pretty good, ride and handling are good, and reliability is great. Plenty of interior room and comfortable. Handles well in snow and driving around the farm. I bought it as a work vehicle and it has been great. The engine is what I like best. This is the first stick shift I have owned and learning has been very easy. The engine has plenty of power, to my surprise it can actually burn rubber quite easily! The only times I have had trouble in the snow are when it needed new tires and when I try to start up too hard the front tires spin, but its fun.