Sell your 2001 Ford Escape for cash

The 2001 Ford Escape is a SUV that came with a choice of 2.0L 4-cyl and 3.0L 6-cyl engines. At 25 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.

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2001 Ford Escape at a glance

Body styleSport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines2.0L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl
TransmissionsManual 5-spd, Automatic 4-spd
DriveFront-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
FuelRegular Gasoline
Fuel economy16–21 city / 22–26 highway / 18–23 combined MPG
EPA annual fuel cost$2,900–$3,700 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles)
Tailpipe CO₂386–494 grams per mile
Versions tested by EPA4 configurations: Escape 2WD, Escape 4WD
Age25 years

Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data. Your car's exact equipment may differ.

What affects its junk value

  • Age: at 25 years old, most of a 2001 Escape's value comes from reusable parts and scrap metal, not resale.
  • Weight: as a SUV, it's heavier than a typical car, and scrap weight is a big part of any junk offer. See how scrap prices by weight work.
  • Catalytic converter: like all gas and diesel cars, it has a catalytic converter containing precious metals, one of the most valuable parts on a junk car. An offer assumes it's still in place. More on catalytic converters.
  • Recalls: NHTSA lists 13 recalls for the 2001 Escape. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking it.
  • Known problems: owners reported the most issues with the engine and engine cooling, typically around 39,000 miles. If that's what failed on yours, it can still be sold as-is.

How junk car offers are calculated

2001 Ford Escape recalls

NHTSA lists 13 safety recalls covering the 2001 Ford Escape. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.

Power TrainSep 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V606000

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11…

Risk: If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is be

StructureApr 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V165000

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2004 Escape vehicles manufactured October 22, 1999, through January 23, 2004, originally sold, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York…

Risk: A separation of the lower control arm can result in a significant loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Vehicle Speed ControlJul 2012 · NHTSA campaign 12V353000

Ford Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2004 Escape vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control manufactured from October 22, 1999, through January 23, 2004. Inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector could result in a stuck throttle when the accelerator…

Risk: A stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop or slow the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.

Service Brakes, HydraulicJan 2012 · NHTSA campaign 12V005000

Ford is recalling certain model year 2001-2002 Escape vehicles manufactured from october 22, 1999, through july 19, 2002, equipped with a brake master cylinder reservoir cap that could leak brake fluid. If brake fluid leaks from the cap, it could come in contact with the antilock brake system (ABS) module wiring harness connector.

Risk: Corrosion can develop in the electrical connector leading to melting, smoke or a fire.

Service Brakes, HydraulicApr 2007 · NHTSA campaign 07V156000

On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with antilock brakes (ABS), the ABS module connector may have missing or dislodged wire seals. This condition could allow contamination to enter the module connector, creating a potential for an electrical short.

Risk: An electrical short might cause an ABS malfunction that would illuminate the ABS warning light, and in some cases, the module may overheat resulting in burning odor, smoke, and/or fire. This condition could occur either when the vehicle ign

Latches/Locks/LinkagesDec 2004 · NHTSA campaign 04V602000

Certain 2004-2005 sport utility vehicles and certain 2001-2003 sport utiity vehicle having rear liftgate components serviced with 2004 equivalent components fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 206, 'door locks and door retention components.' the rear liftgate latching system does not meet…

Risk: If the liftgate is left unlocked, there is the potential that it may open during a crash.

Power TrainApr 2004 · NHTSA campaign 04V165000

On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with 3.0l v6 engines, during deceleration, the engine can stall.

Risk: Should the engine stall, a vehicle crash could occur.

Seat BeltsDec 2003 · NHTSA campaign 03V507000

On certain sport utility vehicles, a post within the safety belt buckle covers could fracture, which could affect latch function, resulting in either a "no latch" or "partial latch" condition. In the "partial latch" condition, the buckle tongue can be inserted into the buckle and appear to be engaged, but will release from the buckle…

Risk: In the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of injury.

VisibilityNov 2000 · NHTSA campaign 00V387002

Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The windshield wiper linkage can disengage due to a broken ball socket.

Risk: This condition will likely result in sudden and complete loss of the windshield wiper function, or of the wiper function on the driver side only, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fuel System, GasolineSep 2000 · NHTSA campaign 00V277001

Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The o-ring seals in the fuel line connector at the outlet end of the fuel filter were damaged when the line was connected to the filter during vehicle assembly. In some cases, this damage could result in a fuel odor, or possibly in fuel dripping from the connection.

Risk: Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.

WheelsSep 2000 · NHTSA campaign 00V260001

Vehicle description: some 4x2 sport utility vehicles not equipped with an antilock braking system may have inadvertently been built with 4x4 rear hubs instead of 4x2 hubs. If the incorrect hubs are installed on a 4x2 vehicle, the rear wheels can loosen, or in some cases, separate from the vehicle.

Risk: This condition could cause loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Vehicle Speed ControlAug 2000 · NHTSA campaign 00V210001

Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles equipped with speed control. The speed control cable can have a cracked or missing speed control cable servo cap locating tab. The locating tab could enter the servo clutch cavity and interfere with the speed control servo clutch. Also, water could enter those units that contain a cracked…

Risk: If either of these conditions occurs and the speed control is used, the speed control could prevent the throttle from returning to idle, resulting in a stuck throttle. A stuck throttle could result in a crash.

SteeringAug 2000 · NHTSA campaign 00V223001

Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. These vehicles may have a mis-assembled or incorrectly manufactured nut that attaches the steering wheel assembly to the steering column. The nut could be upside down in the steering wheel assembly, which could overstress the steering column shaft when the nut is tightened. In addition…

Risk: Either of these conditions can lead to the steering wheel becoming loose or separating from the steering column, resulting in loss of steering control.

Common 2001 Escape problems

Owners have filed 996 complaints about the 2001 Ford Escape with NHTSA. 76 reports involved a crash and 58 reports involved a fire. Owners reported 75 injuries.

Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.

Most-reported components

  • Engine and Engine Cooling158
  • Vehicle Speed Control78
  • Electrical System66
  • Power Train62
  • Engine and Engine Cooling57
  • Engine and Engine Cooling47

Typical mileage when problems were reported

  • Engine and Engine Cooling39,000 mi
  • Vehicle Speed Control120,000 mi
  • Electrical System105,000 mi
  • Power Train60,000 mi
  • Engine and Engine Cooling37,000 mi
  • Engine and Engine Cooling50,000 mi

2001 Ford Escape crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2001 Ford Escape.

VersionOverallFrontal crashSide crashRolloverRollover risk
4 DrNot rated——★★★☆☆—

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP). Ratings from different model years or rating systems aren't directly comparable.

2001 Ford Escape service bulletins

Manufacturers have filed 158 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 2001 Ford Escape. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.

Most common bulletin topics

  • Engine and Engine Cooling15
  • Unknown or Other14
  • Electrical System11
  • Service Brakes9
  • Power Train8
  • Engine and Engine Cooling7

Recent bulletins

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsApr 2016 · 16-0071

    2001-2004 Escape vehicles Safety Recall 14S02 has been issued for vehicles that are operated in high corrosion areas for an extended period, where a corrosion-related sep

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsApr 2016 · TSB160071

    Safety recall 14S02 - Corrosion at forward attachment of lower control arm - requests for recall service action

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsAug 2014 · TSB-14-0143

    Ford: the lower control arm (lca) forward attachment will separate from subframe, causing diminishing directional control, due to operating in high corrosion areas for ex

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsMay 2008 · CSP-08B01

    Ford: 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, certi

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA opened 11 defect investigations covering the 2001 Ford Escape.

Vehicle Speed ControlPE12019 · opened Jul 2012, closed Feb 2013Led to recall 12V353000

Stuck Throttle

In a letter dated July 25, 2012 Ford Motor Company (Ford) submitted a Defect Information Report (DIR), NHTSA Recall No. 12V-353 to NHTSA identifying a safety defect involving inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed control cable connector, which could result in a stuck throttle condition.The vehicle

Unknown or OtherAQ10001 · opened Nov 2010, closed Dec 2015

Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit

On November 18, 2010, NHTSA's Recall Management Division (RMD) opened an audit query (AQ10-001) to investigate recall remedy completion by rental car companies on safety recall campaigns.It was expected to provide the agency an indication of how completely and how quickly rental car fleets perform necessary recall-rela

Service Brakes, HydraulicEA10002 · opened Jan 2010, closed Feb 2012Led to recall 12V005000

Engine Compartment Fire

Ford and Mazda recalled model year (MY) 2001 through 2004 Ford Escape (07V-156) and Mazda Tribute (07V-157) vehicles due to non-crash fires or non-fire thermal events originating in the engine compartment at or near the ABS control module.Approximately 545,700 vehicles were subject to the initial safety recalls and app

Service Brakes, HydraulicRQ09002 · opened Apr 2009, closed Jan 2010

Engine compartment fire

In letters dated march 30, 2007, Ford motor company (Ford) and mazda north american operations (mazda) notified the agency that they will conduct recalls 07v-156 and 07v-157, respectively, to remedy a safety defect that may result in fire in a wiring connector used in certain model year (my) 2001-2004 Ford Escape and m

Service Brakes, HydraulicDP09003 · opened Apr 2009, closed Apr 2009

Engine compartment fire

The office of defects investigation (odi) received a defect petition dated march 5, 2009 alleging that the petitioner never received the recall remedy for 07v-156 and that, as a result, the petitioner's my2003 Ford Escape caught fire at the ABS control module.in response to odi follow-up, the manufacturer verified that

Service Brakes, HydraulicPE06048 · opened Oct 2006, closed Apr 2007Led to recall 07V156000

Engine compartment fire

In letters dated march 30, 2007, Ford and mazda notified NHTSA that they will conduct safety recalls to remedy a safety defect that may result in fire in a wiring connector used in certain model year (my) 2001-2004 Ford Escape and mazda tribute sport utility vehicles equipped with ABS.recall 07v-156 involves approximat

Engine and Engine CoolingRP04002 · opened Jun 2004, closed Aug 2004

Engine stalling

Summary:the petitioner alleges that after having the recall remedy performed on her model year (my) 2001 Ford Escape, it continued to exhibit an intermittent stall condition.consequently, she petitioned the agency to examine the adequacy of the recall remedy for safety recall 04v-165.on april 5, 2004, Ford motor compan

Seat BeltsPE03030 · opened Jul 2003, closed Dec 2003Led to recall 03V507000

Safety belt buckle failure

This investigation was opened on july 14, 2003 based on 4 reports alleging the driver's safety belt buckle failed to latch or remain latched.mazda notified odi that it transferred engineering responsibility to Ford when the vehicle design was brought to the united states for production in Ford's assembly plants.Ford de

Engine and Engine CoolingEA02027 · opened Sep 2002, closed Apr 2004Led to recall 04V165000

Engine stalling

Ford's and mazda's letters to NHTSA dated april 5 and april 9, 2004, state that they will recall model year 2001-03 Ford Escape and mazda tribute vehicles with the v6 engine built thru september 11, 2002.dealers will adjust engine calibration in the programmable control module (PCM), which in its current setting, can c

Engine and Engine CoolingPE01043 · opened Dec 2001, closed Sep 2002

Engine stalling

Vehicle Speed ControlRQ01001 · opened Feb 2001, closed Dec 2001Led to recall 00V277002

Gasoline vapor intrusion

There is no summary currently available

Other Ford Escape years

Sell a 2002 Escape › · All Ford Escape years

Other 2001 Ford models

Selling a 2001 Escape: questions

How much is a 2001 Ford Escape worth for junk?

It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. As a heavier vehicle, its scrap weight adds to the offer. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.

Can I junk a 2001 Escape that doesn't run?

Yes. We buy 2001 Escapes that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.

Can I sell a 2001 Escape with open recalls?

Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 13 recalls for the 2001 Ford Escape; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What paperwork do I need to sell my 2001 Escape?

Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.

Before you sell

Sources

Data retrieved October 2026.

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