Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-60, 61-75, 76-79
Well, these postings have been eye opening. I bought my 2002 Escape used (36K) and I now have 78K. I am waiting for the call from the transmission shop now. The car no longer drives in drive, but works in reverse and the low gears. I am guessing based on the posts above that I will not be getting good news.
In all fairness though, I (my wife) had a ’95 Pathfinder and the trans went on that at 95K. When I called the trans guy and mentioned ’95 pathfinder, he said “it will not go in reverse?” He was dead on.
Wow... I just read all these commments... and my 2002 Escape is in the shop... for bearings and tranny problems... I have had nothing, but headaches with this SUV... It went on fire at 70k on the highway (with my kids in the vehicle with me!!!)... Ford replaced the motor (I had bought extended warranty) but I had a heck of a time getting this... Ford company does not care at all about their customers... nor about their well-being! Anyway... 2 months ago I lost my brakes while driving home so I had a wonderful time getting it home safely... I got it to the Ford dealership and I had many issues with the braking system ($1,800) worth!! And now... here it is again.. in the shop... the front bearings alone are going to cost me $450.00. I don't even have a quote yet for the tranny. I am so disappointed with this vehicle... this was my 3rd Ford vehicle and it is defintely my last... I can't jeopardize my life, my children's lives or those around me because you just don't know when something will decide to quit on you... I have been sick to my stomach all day! And the sad thing is... I have been driving my vehicle like this for a month and Ford told me today that it is UNSAFE to drive!!! SICKENING!!! DO NOT PURCHASE A FORD...
Andrea
New Glasgow, Nova Scotia.
Like everyone else here, I now have to spend upwards of $3000 to fix a transmission that is obviously flawed. There is a problem here with FORD not accepting responsibility.
My daughter bought a Ford Escape '03 and the transmission will not shift automatically. She could shift manually from low to overdrive two days ago, no reverse yesterday and today it is doing the shake, rattle and barely roll. Is this due to Ford lack of quality control? Our insurance wants to blame my daughter for negligence in maintenance (low transmission fluid) but we have the regular maintenance receipts so???
I have a 2002 XL Escape that I loved, but the reverse gear has started slipping and I have an appointment at my Ford garage tomorrow. After reading these posts I am not expecting good news I had no idea it would cost $3000 to replace! Maybe I should trade before it goes. My car has 89,500 miles.
2002 Ford Escape XLT's transmission went dead at 64,000 miles.
I've been driving the car only to work for 4 years and now it's gonna cost me about $3,000 to fix it.
2001 Ford Escape 3.0L V6 with col. change auto. Nice car, but guess what - transmission problem. A previous poster accurately described the problem - "this transmission noise that sounds like the noise reverb strips make when you drive over them. It usually occurs when I accelerate after slowing, not braking, like for a curve. The tachometer also jumps/vibrates when this happens." I have noticed exactly the same thing. Can't say if Ford (New Zealand) will come to the party, but it seems to be a known fault.
2001 escape Xlt 3.0 v6. Got the transmission rebuilt, but it still has that now famous " driving over re-verb strips " noise. No more fords for me.
2005 Ford Escape:
I have 26,000 miles on the Escape. I have taken in 4 times about my Transmission, Ford tells me all 4 times that there is nothing wrong with the car and I already had to replace my Rotors, now my Escape sounds like a 4 wheel drive going down the road, and every bump in the road it sounds like the whole car is falling apart and the other day I put my key in to crank it and the key would not turn over, it was like I had the wrong car keys after 10 min, it finally turned. I'm glad I wasn't being car jack or anything. The Florida Lemon Law say you have to file within the first 2yrs of having the car. March 2008 will be 3. Any one have any suggestions for me.
2003 Ltd Escape 4x4.
At about 5,000 miles, my ignition wire was loose and that prevented me from being able to start my car (random).
Paint peeling off the back bumper.
Since the beginning, my gauges spike (aka "prove out") randomly with no other noticeable side effects - most of the time, when the car is "trying" on a low grade hill, etc. In spite of vigorous efforts, dealership unable to fix problem.
At 71,000 miles, my transmission has gone out. No warning - O/D off light flashed and high-pitched whining/humming sound.
I've been finding the comments on this survey very interesting. My 2003 Escape XLT (4x4) is currently at the dealership having the transmission replaced.
I really have a question to others out there on steps to take to get Ford and/or the Dealership to pay a share of the expenses related to this replacement.
I have telephoned Ford Canada and talked to a Customer Relations clerk and her supervisor. No help there as the vehicle is outside warranty at 168,000 kms (104,000 miles). Although this may be high, it is 90% highway miles as a result of my daily commute to work. This type of driving is definitely not hard on the transmission so I'm at a complete loss.
I've been told my repair will cost $5,300! That's totally outrageous! Who has that kind of money lying around?
I bought a used 2003 Ford Escape XLT Sport three years ago now. Up until the last week, everything was great about it.
While I was driving home one winter evening, I heard a whining noise, and then my O/D Off light started flashing on my dash. I made if home safely, but was definitely concerned. I drove my husband's truck the next day and made an appointment at the garage. Needless to say, I never made it there, on my own that is. We ended up towing it that weekend.
My mechanic called the next day to tell me that the transmission was done. I found this hard to believe - it only has 95,000 kms on it, it always goes in for schedule maintenance and it has never been driven hard. I was ticked!
So, after getting plenty opinions and advice, I decided to purchase a completely rebuilt tranny. The total amount (with labour) was around $3000 CDN!
I was seriously considering upgrading to a newer model when the time was right because I liked this vehicle so much, but now I have serious doubts. We'll see.
Jennifer, Ontario, Canada.
My wife and I just purchased a used 2002 Ford Escape XLT with 41000 miles. The vehicle is spotless and exactly what we were looking for. The very next day the O/D light started flashing; a loud wining sound emerged from the Transmission; a terrible smell from under the vehicle; and severe slipping of the Transmission. The selling Dealer is very sorry this has happened and has agreed to rebuild the Transmission. For this we are very happy, but after reading these comments I am very concerned over our purchase. Things do happen, but at only 41000 miles this seems very unlikely.
Signed,
Concerned.
2002 Mazda Tribute I bought this new. I have 134,000 miles on mine. Lots of highway miles. Transmission was slipping in first. I noticed it slipped badly in drive. I put it in 1st and took off with no problems. Shifted to 2nd and no problems. Shifted into drive and drove fine. Slowed down to make a 10-15 mile per hour turn, transmission didn't know what gear to shift to. Dropped it into 2nd and car drove fine, up shifted to drive, runs fine. Mine is at the shop and I'm waiting to hear what they will say.
I bought this new and wanted to pay it off and drive it into the ground. Sounds like a new tranny and trade in time. I've got an old Camaro in the drive that I can put 3500 dollars. I know I will get 175,000 miles out of that setup. Made In America.. Made In the New America... Good Luck Ford Owners.
I have read all your posts and I thought I would add mine.
I purchased my 2007 Mercury Mariner Premier Edition new when my 97 Ford Explorer XLT appeared to start having some transmission problems at 95,000 miles. I just got my car back today after having a new transmission put in at 13,000 miles. The dealer covered everything plus some stuff the Mercury dealer messed up. Mercury had told me for a long time that nothing was wrong with the transmission it was all in my head. I'm going to stay with Ford for service. I'm very nervous now about my Mariner but hopefully I will be lucky and never have another transmission problem, but I doubt it.