Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-60, 61-75, 76-79
Hi, add one more transmission death to the pile. 2002 Escape with 105,000 miles. Not a happy camper.
I bought a 2002 Ford Escape XLT in 2006 with 49K miles. Thankfully, it came with a Pre-Owned Certification warranty to 75K miles. I noticed a clunk sound when it shifted from OD to drive when going uphill (it needs to down shift out of OD A LOT... every hill no matter how small). After a few weeks I took it in and it was a major transmission problem. All was covered by warranty, but I worry about future problems. I'm currently at 82K and the check engine light is on along with the e-brake light.
A fun and enjoyable vehicle to drive, I just wish Ford could do better with the mechanical aspects.
I bought my 2002 Ford Escape in 2005.
The first week, I was driving up my road and lost power. Problem covered by warranty.
Then the power door lock on passenger side broke. I paid for that over $500. After recently checking my warranty, I believe this should have been covered and will be checking with dealer.
ABS problem, covered under warranty.
Just recently paid $ 220 for a spark plug and coil that was apparently rusty. Who ever heard of a rusty spark plug?
Now it's in the shop with tranny problems. Just like driving over grated pavement - as described by other posters.
After reading other posts I'm very concerned. I love my Escape, drove it to the US this summer - great for road trips, but have had so many problems that I wouldn't buy another and wouldn't recommend anyone else buying one.
And for the record, I had regular maintenance, oil changes, fluids checked, etc.
'02 Ford Escape with 107K miles - just replaced the transmission. It has not been "right" for a while now. Fairly often in the mornings (first 20 miles or so of driving) it would JERK into gears on the way to work. It would act as if it was not going to accelerate and then it would JERK and try to change gears, but seemed like sometimes it didn't know what gear to go into.
Finally, on my way to work two weeks ago, I pulled over to take a phone call and put the car in park while I talked. When I tried to put car into drive, it wouldn't go anywhere. Would only drive in Reverse, 2nd or 1st gear. Cost $1,250 for used transmission replacement, but the used transmission has 66K miles. Now, when I accelerate on the highway, car revs very high and won't change into the next gear unless you release the accelerator a little bit, then it will change. I recall this same thing also went on for quite a while before the transmission failed, but I can't recall if it went on way prior to the actual "problems" that preceded the more obvious failures or not. Wish I could recall.
This is all very upsetting. After reading all of this, I think I'm going to be looking for a trade in. NOT a Ford Escape. I just got the darn thing paid off!! =-(
To 12:41: If your Escape was still in the "Bumper to Bumper" phase of the warranty (check your paperwork, I'm not sure what this mileage is in your case) the door lock should have been covered under the warranty, and you may be due a refund. Your comment seems to indicate you may not have a very competent or scrupulous service department (not at all uncommon for Ford). You might want to look into other nearby Ford dealerships. Maybe ask friends who own Fords about their service.
I bought a brand new 2008 Ford Escape XLT. It had 7,000 miles on it when I went on a trip to New York, where it was below freezing at nights. Then my transmission would not shift into reverse, and when it did it was jerky. I am now getting a new transmission from Ford. This is ridiculous!
We have a 2003 Ford Escape with 111,000 miles. It has been reliable for the most part, but I'm also beginning to wonder if it's going to need to be put down. Heck I've a 1990 5.0 Mustang with approx 240,000 miles looks great, doesn't use much oil, run strong ahhhhhh.
Oh, anyway I maintain the Escape the same as my Pony. Scheduled fluid changes, the whole enchilada, but it's starting to make the drunk bumps sound when putting it in reverse. I talked to the local Ford garage service tech.? He replied "why we ain't had any problems with the trannys on them thar Escapes" What a GOMER especially after reading everyone's similar problems.
I suspected possibly a C.V. joint going out, maybe an ABS solenoid going out. I generally prefer to work on my own vehicles because I'm tighter than a frog's rearend & that's water tight, but after changing the alternator on the Escape, I feel they might have me on this one.
Best Wishes, God Bless America.
2001 Ford Escape XLT... purchased new, met all scheduled maintenance including tranny fluid changes, and... it's my wife's car. No towing, offroading, racing etc...
88K miles, new tranny torque converter $1800.
105K miles, rebuilt the tranny $2500.
145K miles, rebuilt the tranny $2500.
Last tranny shop swears that this happens all the time. DO NOT BUY an ESCAPE!!!
Purchased a 2002 Ford Escape brand new. The transmission started leaking with less than 30,000 miles on it. The dealer put some die in it and at 40,000 miles pulled it out and rebuilt it under warranty. At 65,000 miles it just started slipping one day. Of course the transmission was trashed and had to be replaced. Like the vehicle, but why can't Ford put a transmission that lasts in. Called Ford customer service to see if they would stand behind their product, but of course they are standing so far behind it I can't even see them. Unfortunately this is why people buy foreign cars.
2002 Ford Escape XLT 4X4, transmission started slipping and needs overhauled at 65,000 miles.
The car had a battery cell leaking that I noticed after we brought it home new from the dealer.
The engine rear main oil seal was leaking at 10,000 miles (requires the engine or transmission to be removed from the vehicle to replace).
The starter needed replaced at 15,000 miles.
CD player.
EGR flow sensor (replaced under recall).
Brake master cylinder cap was defective and leaked brake fluid, stripping the paint off of the brake booster and contaminating the brake fluid (not a big deal, but it's $20 for a stinking brake reservoir cap and required an additional brake fluid flush).
ABS sensor at 40,000 miles, and a front wheel hub bearing at 60,000 miles.
All of these problems would be more common to a vehicle with 150-200,000 miles. This does not include the regular maintenance issues like brake rotors (these are maintenance items that you would expect) or things like AC/heater control knobs that break due to a flawed design.
The engine oil has been changed every 3,000 miles, coolant flushed every 2 years, brake pads, fuel and air filters, and the transmission has been serviced at 30 and 60,000 miles.
This vehicle has been extremely well maintained and lightly driven. These are engineering and part manufacturing problems. Ford knows exactly what is going on with these vehicles. It pays 12 hours labor just to pull the transmission out and re-install. There is no way in hell Ford is going to recall this item and pay for the thousands of transmission failures on the road. Ford would rather sell you a new vehicle, but how could you trust them after an experience like this?
I have a 2002 Ford Escape and took it to Firestone for a oil change last year. I have never had any issues with the car prior to this. They called me to find out when my car started over heating. I told them it has never done that. Then they told me that the car blew a head gasket and that it was drivable till I could take it somewhere.
After talking with some friends, it became clear to me that I should not even pick the car up and tried to get them to make whatever repairs were necessary. Of course they would not. I did get them to cover the labor. I still had to shell out $3,000 for a new engine.
Now, a year and a half later, my transmission is gone and I have to shell out another $3,000. I love my car and was excited when I first got it. Now it feels like a huge money pit. The only other cars I have ever had have been foreign and I really wanted to buy American this time. I don't think I will be making that mistake again!!! I am sticking with Honda from now on!!
2002 Ford Escape XLT, was bought new and paid off, no problems while under the "warranty" the dealer gives, it's expected to have no problems with brand new cars.
The car companies need to do a better job with these so called warranties, nevertheless at 90k miles needed to re-thread 2 spark plugs, then a month later have the engine heads rebuild because of valve problems. A week after the engine heads, a new transmission, I had to start in 2nd because Drive would not respond quickly.
Just recently the manifold was replaced. Now I have to check a possible problem with the fuel system because the check engine light code indicated something with the fuel cap loose. Very disappointing how cars no longer are built tough, the first car problem incident seems to have trigger a domino effect and before I continue to spend any more money, I opted to buy a new toy, hopefully in some years (generally after warranty expires) I won't be writing about my disappointment with Toyota.
I own a 2005 Ford Escape that has 59,980 miles. At 2:00 on 6/24/09 the engine died while paying for the turnpike. It would start but would die when put into drive. Had it towed to a Ford dealer ($184.25), was told it was the torque converter and that it would cost me $1800. At 59,980 miles, and the dealership where I bought my car not offering any kind of discount on an $1800 bill, my next car will not be a Ford. I will do a lot of internet research before I purchase another car.
Sharon.
Call me fortunate, I drove off the lot with 2 miles on the 2002 Ford Escape XLT. We have been very happy with this vehicle and have only had to replace the EGR valve and master xylinder.
However a while back the engine light came on and I found out that it was from my transmission. The torque converter was going out. I thought, "Great, what does that look like?" I took it in a couple weeks ago and I was told that I needed a new tranny or to have it rebuilt. $2400-$3000.
As I said I'm fortunate because I do have 165,000 miles on my Escape. So my decision is drive it till it dies and leaves me stranded or get something new... Grrrrr I hate being here.
Well I too am fortunate. I have had my 03 Escape XL cyl. for almost 7 years.. I have just found out I need 3 plug converters so I will be driving this til it stops.. I have now 175,000 on mine bought it with only 5 miles on it...
I am thinking of possibly a Beetle, not sure LOL.