Wiring problems of the 2001 Ford Escape

Submission from re Ford Escape 2001 safety recall notice 11s24 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.

I went to start the car and noticed smoke coming out from under the hood and a bad smell. I opened the hood and noticed the area under the master cylinder was on fire. Luckily I had a small co2 fire extinguisher and put it out. The entire wiring harness is burned right off where it plugs into the ans module. After searching the internet it seems there is a problem with this make and model. I always wondered why I had to put brake fluid in twice per year. I hope the dealer doesn't try to rip me off and say it's not covered for some reason. They do not like to fix factory recalls.

I have a 2001 Ford Escape. While staying at a hotel on vacation in marfa, TX, I was awakened by my car alarm going of at approximately 5:30 am on may 12, 2010. When I went outside to turn it off, I found smoke pouring out from under the hood. Our neighbor called 911, and the car continued to smoke until the fire department arrived. As the fire dept. Was inspecting the car, flames did appear from the abs wiring harness and module. The fire was extinguished quickly and damage was confined to the abs harness and module. I had received a recall notice for the abs harness a couple of years ago, and took my car to a dealership in austin to have the necessary work performed. That work was performed on August 6, 2008. When I contacted Ford to let them know that my car had caught fire even though the recall was performed, they informed me that their records showed that the abs harness on my car was inspected and it was determined that it did not need to be replaced. As of may 16, 2010, my car is still at a Ford dealership in fort stockton, TX and I am at home in austin waiting to hear from Ford's office of general council.

Mar 27 had 2001 Ford Escape in dealership for oil leak and engine hesitation. Leak not fixed on 1st time taken to dealer. #3 coil, intake gaskets replaced & tuneup done for hesitation. Mar 31 vehicle taken back for same problems, #4 coil was replaced and was told no oil leak, also told engine not supposed to be washed and water blew out #4 coil. On the way home, still smelled burning oil & engine hesitation still felt. Called dealership, was told to let the car sit for a day. Car sat for 2 days. Car still drove the same, oil leak & hesitation still there. Took vehicle straight back to the dealership, on the way there vehicle had no power and would not go faster than 15mph. Then the egr valve blew. And I live 2 miles from the dealership. Dealership had the vehicle from Apr 1 to Apr 15. Now I was told the catalytic converters on the manifolds are plugged up and this is causing the hesitation and the oil leak was from the timing chain cover. Dealership had to remove the engine to replace the gasket. Was told they don't know how they missed this leak the other 2 times I took the vehicle in for this leak. Only thing the warranty covered is the oil leak. Federal mandated emission law is 8yrs or 80,000 miles. Vehicle is in the 8 years and @ 75,500 miles. Ford refuses to do anything about the converters. Took Escape to local mechanic Apr 17. Exhaust inspection showed only the rear catalytic converter plugged (replaced now). #4 & #6 coils not firing. Coils work connected in other sparkplug locations. Wiring for coils not working. These coil locations worked prior to going back to dealership. Mechanic said I should sue the dealership for misdiagnosis and breaking additional items when engine was removed. Mechanic also ran diagnostic, no codes coming up, dealership reset pcm to old programming, so vehicle now hesitates & dies. Wife still wants to keep vehicle. Told her no. Already shopping for anything other than Ford.

The car was parked for about an hour when my sister in law saw the fire coming out of the engine area. I turned the fire off with water. The master cylinder was completely burned. All of the wires coming out of the fuse box as well as the abs wires. The car will turn on but I cant shift it into drive. The brake fuse also burned out.

The SUV sat parked for a 3 day period. Heavy rain storms moved through area for 1 and 1/2 days of that time however the vehicle was not driven. After the 3rd day, the SUV was started at which time the check engine light started to blink and when accelerator was depressed for power, the engine sputtered. Problem was diagnosed as a 'bad coil pack". It was replaced and given back. After 3 days of driving, the same failure happened again, this time they replaced the "coil pack" and the wiring harness. Just over 6 months later, the same situation occured with the vehicle. It sat for 4 days in which time a severe rain storm came through however vehicle was not driven nor standing in water. Started the vehicle on the 4th day with the exact same result. Vehicle is in Ford garage and was notified that the coil pack was damaged due to moisture. These failures are not covered under any warranty and should be happening.

Engine unexpectedly stalled and engine lost all powerwhile puling into a driveway. This was the second incident in the last 6 months involving the Ford Escape that is my company car. I barely missed being hit by another car. The first time was on the freeway at 60 m. P. H. I consider myself luck I was not killed or injured.

Vehicle is stalling at low speed. Has been taken to dealer 4 times. Powertrain control module/ wiring assembly and pcm relay were replaced. Did not remedy the problem.

In the last 2 months - going downhill at 35mph vehicle stalled, loss of ps/pb, headlights/radio remained on, engine/oil light illuminated - vehicle towed to dealer, dealer unable to replicate problem, indicated that vehicle "started right up" - 1 wk later, vehicle stalled again, same as before, this time shut off vehicle completely and vehicle started up again - today seatbelt light started flashing and bells were ringing though driver was seatbelted. Vehicle did not stall during this episode. After reading other complaints, I do not feel safe driving this vehicle at highway speeds and will put vehicle up for sale.