Comments: 1-15, 16-17
Prior to a month ago I had no complaints about my Escape. I had parked my escape and there was nothing wrong with my truck. When I started my vehicle in the morning the clutch pedal didn't feel right. There was nothing for the top 2/3 rd. of the pedal. The clutch was engaging (and disengaging) immediately off the floor. Normally my shifting was smooth. Now it was jumpy.
I took my Escape to the dealer I have always used. I explained my issue, the advisor asked if I had noticed any loss in hydraulic fluid. I explained that there had been no fluid loss as I park in the same place at home and at work. The advisor sat in the driver's seat and pushed the clutch pedal in and out a few times. I was then told that all I was experiencing was normal wear. I told the advisor I disagreed because there was nothing when the clutch was pushed.
About a week later I took my Escape back to the dealer and demanded someone take my Escape for a ride. The first time the advisor (a different person) released the clutch he agreed that there was something-major wrong.
When I returned to the shop to get my Escape I was told that they had never heard of this problem occurring. The bracket behind the clutch pedal was bent. They said the only way this bracket could have bent was to pulled the pedal up. I informed the advisor I had not at any time pulled the pedal up. I was informed that they had taken the bracket off, welded the bracket and then put it back on. I must admit the pedal felt just like it was supposed to. The total of my bill was $97.75.
Twelve days later my nightmare started. The evening prior to my leaving for holidays I noticed the clutch pedal was doing the same thing notified the advisor at the dealership of the problem. I also explained I was flying out of town in 2 hours therefore I did not have time to drive my Escape to the dealership. When the advisor asked, "Is the vehicle was drivable." I stated that, "it was last night when I parked it." We then made arrangements for them to drive my Escape to the shop. At this time I explained to the advisor that my daughter would be using the Escape in my absences. I also informed them she had my permission to make the decisions necessary regarding the repairs to the Escape.
In the mean time I loaded our entire luggage into the Escape to take to the airport to pre board. When I stepped on the clutch pedal there was nothing.
I reported this to the service desk. I was unable to talk to the advisor I had talked to so I left a message stating the Escape was no longer drivable.
The next day my daughter calls me to tell me the news about the Escape. The advisor told her that they had gone over everything on the Escape not once, but twice and they could not identify the problem. She was told that the bracket behind the clutch pedal was not bent this time.
Their only solution was that they drop the transmission so they could look at the clutch. My daughter was at this time quoted that the maximum cost of replacing everything in the clutch would be between $1150.00 and $1200.00. It was agreed between my daughter and myself that if the pressure plate needed replacing, that the clutch plate and any bearings needed be replaced.
I returned to town 2 weeks later and went to the dealer. I was informed the parts had come in Friday afternoon and the Escape was having the transmission pulled out. The service man had to lower the Escape on the hoist as I had to retrieve items I needed out of the truck. I informed the advisor I would be out of town over night and that I would call him on Wednesday.
When I called on Wednesday I was told when the transmission was dropped it was noted that there was one spring missing out of one of the clusters on the pressure plate. I was informed that there still was lots of surface on the clutch plate. The service tech. felt this was the problem and changed the clutch plate, pressure plate and the bearings needed. Upon putting the transmission back into the Escape it was noted that the pedal was still not functioning any different.
I was told when the floor mats were pulled back the tech notice the rod, which was connected, to the bracket, which had previously bent. This rod was connected to the slave cylinder. After close observation it was noticed that the clip which connected the rod to the slave cylinder was bent.
Since the bent clip could not be replaced the master cylinder required changing.
The cost of this issue is $1463.94 plus the original bill for repairing the bracket $97.75 equals $1561.69.
When I picked up the Escape I requested and received the replaced pressure and clutch plates. Two other licensed mechanics informed me that the clutch was changed unnecessarily. Had the service tech followed through when the bent bracket was repaired he would have noticed then that the clip needed changing.
When I questioned the matter of changing the clutch I was then told that the missing spring out of the pressure plate had jammed the clutch preventing the clutch from releasing. This was the first time it was mentioned that the clutch was jammed.
Another thing I find hard to believe is that since I didn't pull up on the clutch pedal I must have caught my foot on the pedal and not realised I pulled the pedal up. Their other explanation to my bending the bracket was I must have caught the strap to my purse on the pedal and the action of lifting my purse out of the Escape bent the bracket.
After submitting a detailed document outlining my observations I received a letter that tells a different story. It appears to me that I am being treated like I have no knowledge of the mechanics therefore my remarks are not valid.
I continue to feel that the clutch did not require changing and that I'm being charged for their error.
Apart from deserving some sort of prize for the most long-winded, repetitive review ever, I have this to say:
DON'T TAKE YOUR CARS TO DEALERS UNLESS IT'S COVERED UNDER Warranty.
THEY ARE ALL LIARS, CHEATS and INCOMPETENTS.
I have a ford escape and my clutch is doing the exact same thing. Did it end up being the master cylinder? I think may slave cylinder needs replacing too.
I must agree with the symptoms and problems that everyone is having. Could this be a result of poor design from Ford?... Just wondering how many Ford Escape owners are out there that are being screwed by dealers and mechanics nationwide. Just because they can't diagnose the problem with the master and slave cylinders!!!... I went to four different mechanics and a dealer and they all have some "theory" of what's wrong with the car. But, one thing was certain, the rod from the master cylinder is missing, the bracket where the clutch is bent for no apparent reason, and dipping into my already empty pockets, I have to pony up a couple of $100.00 so I can get it fixed and go to work to save up for another repair from their poor design, poor engineering, and basically, poor lousy cars. I should have insisted that my girlfriend bought a foreign car.
2001 Ford Escape
75,400miles.
Just curious, let me know if you are an owner of FORD ESCAPE, Manual transmission and having the same problems. E-mail me please...
c n t r_a l t_d e l@yahoo.com (no spaces)
My clutch was getting “soft” and then failed to work at all. Could not put it in gear from neutral when pressing in on the pedal. Had the Escape towed to a highly recommended mechanic. The slave cylinder was leaking and the hydraulic line between the master and slave cylinders had rubbed against the mount for the transmission causing a small hole to wear through. $260.00 bucks for towing and repairs and I am back on the road. The hydraulic leak is very small and could easily go un-noticed till you have to add fluid.
Dealers = Stealers.
The problem with a low clutch pedal is very simple, this assuming that generally the clutch does not slip, and the low clutch pedal event occured seemingly overnight. It has nothing to do with a bent clutch pedal bracket; the transmission does not need to be dropped, nor is it a problem with the pressure plate or the clutch disc itself. IT IS NOT A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM WHATSOEVER.
The hydraulic clutch master cylinder wears in a way which causes it to jam occasionally, in a low position. That is, the piston does not return fully after releasing the pedal. When you press the pedal again, it feels low, or as has been described, "stays on the floor." Another symptom is that it likely is difficult to shift.
The solution is simple - replace the clutch master cylinder. It's a 1 hour job if that, costs approximately $100 new (after-market), or pick up a junk-yard bargain.
If you do the work yourself, you will have to bleed the line at the slave cylinder, but this is an easy matter.
^I Agree with you to some extent. ^ I am in process of purchasing a 2001 Escape from my mother and it has the exact same issue. Had it not been for the experience of replacing the Master Cylinder and STILL having the same problem, I would agree with you. I am currently awaiting a Slave Cylinder to try and replace that tomorrow. After that, if I still have the problem I will begin replacing the sections of the Hydraulic Line for the clutch.
My mother took it to a dealer and they basically were of no assistance whatsoever. They told her that they could not duplicate the problem (even after driving the vehicle) and that they could not take her word for it and do some work on the car anyway.
Also, it's a little cheaper than you had thought. I bought the Master Cylinder ($43) and Slave Cylinder ($30) It may run you $100 after parts and labor at a crappy dealership though. (probably more like $250 lol)
I have a 2001 ford escape 4x4 xlt, do not buy this vehicle! tie rod ends, wheel bearings, transmission / transfer case, stabilizer bars problems one after another!
We have owned our 2001 Ford Escape for 7 years now and kept up on maintenances.
We just found out this week that the tie rod is shot. To replace the engine is approximately $2500, but they will ship for free. It is really discouraging that we have purchased a vehicle that we will never get any equity out of and is now just a piece of metal in the garage! I will never consider this vehicle for any future purchase, which isn't too far off now!
Whoa! To 18 August, hold on a minute. First you mention the tie rod is shot, and then you talk about replacing the engine for $2,500. Those are two totally different things! Either you didn't fully understand what repairs are required, or you're being ripped off! It shouldn't cost $2,500 to replace a lousy tie rod.
I have 2001 Esacpe that is dead in my driveway, which I just got back from ford 2weeks ago. It died in middle of road, I got it towed to Ford they replaced Computer and Fuel Sensor 1000.00 later. In Jan last year did same thing and they replaced #5 coil, I bought the truck with 115000.00km om it and today it had 13300.00 and I have spent over 5000.00 on it I am sick over this, ford is not finding the problem they and now they are saying 190kms later its either the pc again or a coil. I just want to get it running long enough to trade it in, no, not for another Ford. Please, If anyone knows the problem could you please Email me...mary.kelland@sympatico.ca Thank You.
I have 2001 Escape that is dead in my driveway, which I just got back from ford 2weeks ago. It died in middle of road, I got it towed to Ford they replaced Computer and Fuel Sensor 1000.00 later. In Jan last year did same thing and they replaced #5 coil, I bought the truck with 115000.00km on it and today it had 13300.00 and I have spent over 5000.00 on it I am sick over this, ford is not finding the problem they and now they are saying 190kms later its either the PC again or a coil. I just want to get it running long enough to trade it in, no, not for another Ford. Please, If anyone knows the problem could you please Email me...mary.kelland@sympatico.ca Thank You.
I replaced the left wheel bearing 4 times in 3 years, and the right one twice. All parts were certified original parts, all failed; right now I'm changing the left for fifth time.
I'll try to get rid of it, as I'm exhausted. The dealer charges 182.00 labor plus 62.00 for parts. Beware of this SUV.
I have a 2001 Ford Escape XLT 5 speed, and have not had any major flaws; just a bearing, that's it, otherwise I'm pushing 127000 miles, and still running strong.
No matter what you drive, it's going to have problems. Stupid people take vehicles to dealers for repairs, and they just keep bringing you back in.
I also own a 2001 Ford Escape 5 spd. My clutch has been doing the same thing lately, I am pushing 120,000 kms and this will be the most serious repair I have ever had to make.
But today when I shifted into reverse, the clutch wouldn't pop back out and I couldn't get it out of gear, it just kept on going, I had to stall it to stop. That scared me; I keep thinking "thank god" I was at home and not in a parking lot or something.
I do enjoy my truck, it has been very reliable for me as I drive over 100 kms a day to and from work. But I am worried about the clutch, and after reading some of the stories, I DO NOT want to go to the dealer LOL.