We've got an 02 Escape that had transmission shifting problems since we bought it with 54K miles on it. Finally last August with around 100K the tranny called it quits. We had a re-man unit installed wich came with a 75K warranty. The service people and sales guys said that it was not uncommon with the 2001 models but after that they have been pretty solid. I guess our 02 was a late 01 in sheeps clothing.
They kind of confirmed that because we have the dash switch for shifting from AWD to locking in 4WD which they said was removed in the 2002 model year. | 
