2000 Ford Escape problems

General information about Ford-Escape
Overview of popular issues
Analysis of common problems
Сomplaints list

The Ford Escape is a compact crossover SUV manufactured and marketed by Ford Motor Company since the 2001 model year. The first Ford SUV derived from a car platform, the Escape fell below the Ford Explorer in size; the Escape is currently sized between the Ford EcoSport and Ford Edge. The 2004 Ford Escape Hybrid was the first hybrid-electric vehicle from Ford, and the first hybrid produced as an SUV.

The first two generations of the Escape used the Ford CD2 platform (jointly developed with Mazda), leading to the release of the Mazda Tribute and Mercury Mariner; as with the Escape, both the Tribute and Mariner were marketed in North America. In Europe, the Escape was initially branded as the Ford Maverick from 2001 to 2008 (replacing a Nissan-produced SUV).

Under the mid-2000s "One Ford" globalization strategy, the third and fourth-generation designs of the Escape have been unified with the Ford Kuga, designed by Ford of Europe. Sharing a common body and chassis underpinnings (and several engines), the Escape and Kuga are manufactured in their home markets. As with previous generations, the fourth-generation Escape is offered with gasoline, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid options. Outside of North America, the Ford Escape is marketed in Australia, China, and Taiwan.

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Common 2000 Ford Escape problems

Based on the complaints from owners of the Ford Escape 2000, several common problems have been reported:

Rear Wheel Wells Rusting: Vehicles driven in snowy climates are prone to rust in the rear wheel wells. Dorman Products offers rear wheel wells to repair this damage.
Malfunctioning Rear Glass Hatch Sensor: The sensor of the rear glass hatch is prone to malfunction over time, causing the door ajar and dome light to stay on constantly.
Fuel Pump Failure: Some vehicles experience fuel pump failure between 140,000 and 170,000 miles, necessitating replacement.
Body Control Module Short Circuit: In certain 2001 to 2004 models, the body control module is prone to short circuit, leading to the horn sounding constantly without pressing the horn button.
EGR System DPFE Sensor Malfunction: The EGR system DPFE sensor is prone to malfunction over time, triggering the check engine light to illuminate on the instrument panel.
Exterior Paint Peeling: The exterior paint, especially on the hood and roof area, tends to peel off in some vehicles.
Power Steering Pump Fluid Leaks: Power steering pumps in some vehicles develop fluid leaks between 120,000 and 150,000 miles, requiring replacement.
Power Control Module Malfunction: In certain 2005 and 2006 models with a three-liter six-cylinder engine, the power control module is prone to malfunction due to radio interference from spark plugs, causing cylinder misfires.
Premature Automatic Transmission Failure: The automatic transmission in some vehicles, particularly 2005 to 2007 models, is prone to premature failure, necessitating repair or replacement.
Window Regulator Plastic Components Breaking: The plastic components of the window regulators are prone to breaking over time, leading to affected windows not rolling up properly.

These issues highlight the range of problems that Ford Escape 2000 owners have faced, from rust-related concerns to electrical and mechanical malfunctions. Addressing these problems promptly and with the necessary repairs is crucial to maintaining the vehicle's performance and safety.

What is the biggest problem with the Ford Escape?

Transmission problems: Average cost to fix: $3,406.
Ignition misfires: Average cost to fix: $156.
Engine stumbling: Average cost to fix: $256.
Power steering loss: Average cost to fix: $86-$156 (Reprogramming)

What was the worst year for the Ford Escape?

A: Buyers should avoid the 2013, 2014, and 2008 Ford Escape models. These years are known for significant reliability issues, with the 2013 and 2014 models having serious engine and transmission problems and the 2008 model experiencing the most complaints regarding transmission and steering system issues.

What year of Ford Escape is best to buy used?

Built to Withstand

2020 Ford Escape. The 2020 model is one of the best years for a used Ford Escape. ...
2022 Ford Escape. Not many changes were made to this model year, but the 2022 model is another one of the best years for the Ford Escape due to its innovative technology and sleek SUV design. ...
2023 Ford Escape.

What years did Ford Escape have transmission problems?

According to Ford Escape owner complaints on forums such as carcomplaints.com and Reddit, model years 2014 and 2008 are the most common years for transmission problems in the Ford Escape. However, year models 2006-2009 were also more prone to transmission problems than other models.

What is the biggest problem with the Ford Escape?

Transmission problems: Average cost to fix: $3,406.
Ignition misfires: Average cost to fix: $156.
Engine stumbling: Average cost to fix: $256.
Power steering loss: Average cost to fix: $86-$156 (Reprogramming)

What year of Ford Escape is best to buy used?

Built to Withstand

2020 Ford Escape. The 2020 model is one of the best years for a used Ford Escape. ...
2022 Ford Escape. Not many changes were made to this model year, but the 2022 model is another one of the best years for the Ford Escape due to its innovative technology and sleek SUV design. ...
2023 Ford Escape.

Is Ford Escape high maintenance?

A Ford Escape will cost about $8,721 for maintenance and repairs during its first 10 years of service. This beats the industry average for popular SUV models by $412. There is also a 26.60% chance that an Escape will require a major repair during that time.

Is the Ford Escape a reliable car?

The Ford Escape Reliability Rating is 4.0 out of 5.0, which ranks it 16th out of 26 for compact SUVs. The average annual repair cost is $600 which means it has average ownership costs. The severity of repairs is average, and major issues are less frequent than average, so major repairs are not common for the Escape.

2000 Ford Escape car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Ford Escape problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

Steering problems
Electrical system problems
Power train problems
Latches/locks/linkages problems
Air bags problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 2000 Ford Escape vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

2000 Ford Escape complaints

The NHTSA has received 5 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2000 Ford Escape.

2018-11-30

STEERING PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2018-11-07
Components: STEERING
Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 6 MPH, THE POWER STEERING SEIZED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO IN THE DIRECTION THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS TURNED. THE CONTACT HAD TO REVERSE THE VEHICLE AND USE EXCESSIVE FORCE TO TURN THE VEHICLE SAFELY INTO THE PARKING LOT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO PREFERRED FORD (1401 S BEACON BLVD, GRAND HAVEN, MI 49417, (616) 842-0600) TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ALSO DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN.

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2015-10-27

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2015-10-12
Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Summary: WHEN FAN FOR CLIMATE CONTROL IS ENGAGED, THE CAR WILL SHUT OFF AT WHATEVER SPEED VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT WITH LOSS OF STEERING AND BRAKES. FORD DEALERSHIP SAYS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. FIX COST JUST UNDER $800.00 !

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2009-06-16

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2009-06-16
VIN: 1FMYU93155K
Components: POWER TRAIN
Summary: TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 30-40 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD GRINDING NOISE. SHE DROVE THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP. WHEN SHE ATTEMPTED TO PLACE THE GEAR INTO PARK, THE VEHICLE PROCEEDED TO DRIVE IN REVERSE. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THE INTERMEDIATE SHAFT FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V382000 (POWER TRAIN: DRIVELINE), WHICH APPLIED ONLY TO THE FORD HYBRID. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 76,000.

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2008-09-08

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2006-01-15
VIN: 1FMYU01191K
Components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
Summary: TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DOOR DOES NOT OPEN ONCE IT IS CLOSED. THE LATCH DOES NOT WORK AT ALL. THE CONTACT HAS MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS AND FEELS THAT IT IS A SAFETY HAZARD IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE OR EMERGENCY. FORD WANTS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE ISSUE. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V602000 (LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH) WAS REFERENCED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 64,500.

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2008-05-07

AIR BAGS PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2008-02-25
Number Of Injuries: 1
Crash: 1
VIN: 1FMYU93105K
Components: AIR BAGS
Summary: TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE TRAVELING 30 MPH. THE CONTACT THEN STRUCK THE PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT INJURED HER NECK AND HER FRONT AND REAR BUMPERS WERE DAMAGED. SHE WAS UNSURE IF ANYONE ELSE WAS INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THE CONTACT HAS PHOTOS. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. AFTER THE CRASH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SPARE TIRE WAS THE INCORRECT SIZE FOR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S SPEED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,536 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000.

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Additional sources

More sources of information about 2000 Ford Escape problems:

Top 5 Problems Ford Escape SUV 1st Generation 2001-07 - YouTube

Are the 2002 Ford Escape good? Are there any big problems with ...

https://www.quora.com/Are-the-2002-Ford-Escape-good-Are-there-any-big-problems-with-them

Aug 14, 2021 ... Escape Hybrids have been known to go over 500,000 miles with few repairs and standard maintenance. The engine is lightly stressed, the electric ...

Warning to All 2001-2007 Ford Escape Owners: This Could Save ...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcL73oj6DoA

Mar 18, 2019 ... In this video we go over a very common issue with the brake hoses on the early Ford Escape models. My Company BSG Automotive offers Auto ...

Q&A: 2005 Ford Escape XLT V6 - Common Problems ...

https://www.justanswer.com/ford/56omd-ford-escape-xlt-2005-ford-escape-xlt-3-0-v6-4x4.html

Jun 26, 2011 ... I have a 2005 Ford Escape XLT 3.0 L V6 4X4 and yesterday I noticed the transmission selector on the dash didn't match · Have a 2000 ford escape ...