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P2601 on FORD ESCAPE

Severity
Medium
NHTSA Reports
4
Most Affected
2017, 2018

What P2601 Means on Your FORD ESCAPE

Real FORD ESCAPE Owner Reports (Source: NHTSA Complaints Database)

"An “engine fault check engine now” Came up. We quickly brought our 2017 Ford escape into our near by Ford dealership. Mechanic says a P2601 code came up, which is related to coolant to Aux pump performance. They found reservoir leaking a reservoir spiderd hose down to oil cooler."

— 2017 FORD ESCAPE owner • ENGINE • Filed 11/11/2025

"Check engine light came on and car was idling rough. Took to auto repair shop and was quoted almost $12,000 to fix problem. Code P0316, P2601 and P0302. Misfire in cylinder 2 due to coolant leakage. My entire engine needs to be replaced. I will now need to purchase a new car."

— 2017 FORD ESCAPE owner • ENGINE • Filed 10/16/2025

"The contact owns a 2017 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the “Service Engine Now” warning light was illuminated. The contact then stated that he noticed an abnormal burning odor."

— 2017 FORD ESCAPE owner • ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING • Filed 04/15/2023

"While driving on the highway on [XXX] at normal highway speed, the instrumental panel suddenly displayed a warning to pull over and shut-off the engine. There were no prior indications of a malfunction."

— 2018 FORD ESCAPE owner • ENGINE • Filed 01/30/2024

Data from NHTSA Vehicle Complaints Database. All reports are filed by vehicle owners directly with the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Common Causes of P2601 on FORD ESCAPE

75%
25%

Percentages based on NHTSA complaint component analysis for this vehicle.

Complaint Trend by Year

2017
3
2018
1

What To Do Next

  1. 1
    Check for recalls on YOUR VIN

    Go to nhtsa.gov/recalls and enter your VIN. Free repairs if your vehicle is covered.

  2. 2
    Get a proper diagnosis

    A code alone doesn't tell you the exact failed part. A diagnostic at a shop ($50-$150) pinpoints the root cause before you spend money on parts.

  3. 3
    Compare repair quotes

    Get 2-3 quotes. Dealer vs independent shop prices often differ 30-50% for the same repair.

P2601 on Other Vehicles

Data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (U.S. Department of Transportation) and the SAE J2012 OBD-II standard. Code definitions follow the SAE J2012 / ISO 15031-6 standard. Owner reports are filed directly with NHTSA by vehicle owners. This information is provided for educational purposes only and should not replace professional automotive diagnosis. Always consult a qualified mechanic for vehicle repair decisions.

Last updated: March 2026