I have just had to replace both front wheel bearings at 33,000 miles (luckily still under warranty). Car started to become noisy when driving at 25 mph+, sounded like tire whine from having an aggressive tire tread on dry pavement. Seems much quieter now with the new wheel bearings. Also replaced brakes had to put on new rotors as well. Seems that to be becoming a pricey maintenance vehicle. It's a shame because this car has been babied by my wife. Hate to see performance under tougher conditions.
I, too, just took my 2002 Ford Escape XLT with 33,000 miles on it to the dealer and was told it needs new front bearings and new brake rotors! This after having the transmission serviced because it got stuck in park.
I replaced a wheel bearing at 28000 miles; the transmission at 30000. If I didn't purchase the extended warranty, I would be driving this truck off a cliff.
Our Ford Escape 2002 model has suffered a similar fate - bearings on both front wheels have gone after only 50,000 kilometres - outside of the normal 3 year warranty. I've been exploring information on other websites and it's claimed that these bearings should last at least 100,000 miles. Then again, I've had my car regularly serviced and the bearings have never been checked. Our service people even asked Ford for an approval on this - no success. I want to get some answers as it's costing me dearly.
I just replaced my first set of front wheel bearings at 122,000 miles.
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