Are the issues on this 2001 Ford Escape deal breakers?

I'm considering buying a 2001 Ford Escape, but it has a couple minor issues.
1) The seat belt warning indicator goes off every couple minutes, even when all the seat belts are buckled.
2) The PRNDL doesn't show what gear the car's in, although the gear shift work just fine.
Are these simple, affordable fixes or would this car be a waste of money?

Both of these are likely not major issues. On that old of a vehicle, I would definitely get it checked out for any mechanical issues.

Spray some WD40 into the seat belt connectors. The gear indicator is also a bad connection or broken wire I expect.

I would be worried about it being 2001. 1000 max.

If the seat belt chime is the issue, the owners manual lists the procedure on how to disable the chime, or just Google it. However, if it's the "SRS" (supplemental restraint system) or air bag light that's on, that can cost some big BIG money to fix.
The shift indicator is a mechanical cable driven deal. The part is like $30, but would probably be two hours of labor to install.

You can disable the chime yourself, and if you're handy, replace the shift indicator for the part cost only, but if a shop has to be involved, it's your call if the repairs are worth it.

To Add; If you want the seat belt chime to work correctly, the drivers side seat belt buckle assembly (by the center console) will have to be replaced. WD-40 will not fix it. A good tested used one runs $25-40 at the salvage yard or places like eBay.

Possibly so

This car can be a money pit in a hurry. Any trouble concerning the transmission is a big warning sign. Stay away.

You can easily disconnect the seat belt indicator.
There are two sides of both of the problems. If you want to fix them then the parts are cheap. If you want to fix these two problems then the labor is not cheap.

You don't know what gear you'r in? That's how important the indicator is. The belt chime is a 2 miniute fix.

Both are electrical. Really minor issues(I mean really minor that they were not even noticed)
Usually just looking at the shifter arrow shows where it is at. Either you are moving forward or going in Reverse(this too is noticeeable by looking out the window. If the car is not moving you are in either Neutral or Park. But it is either a fuse or a bulb to light it up.

The seat belt warning indicator dings you crazy especially if it is just groceries on the seat. Ergo, "F" that noise… Is the usual reaction. Kill it. And that could be as simple as a fuse removal or a wire disconnect.

Being that age, expect battery MAY kiss it. Figure 5 years per battery since 2001 and you got an idea where the battery is in its life… In 2018.
Brake pads is something you should have checked to see if they exist. It is a quick eyeball check to assess that.
Steering components on Fords in general wear out fairly soon, so maybe have a mechanic check the ball joints and Tie rod ends of the steering geometry to see that is healthy.
Muffler may be good or maybe nearly gone.
All in all, what you see is what you get.

"2001 Ford" is the deal breaker on this deal.

Unless you have you're own service bay, this car will bleed you dry. These two items are only the "tip of the iceberg".