If you have a chance to ESCAPE ownership, do it

[Bil]

My sister has an 02 Ford Escape, with less than 50k miles, that has eaten the transmission despite following manufacturers maintenance schedule. With only minor online research, I have found that this problem is pervasive, the number one complaint. Ford has denied any accountability (due to age, NOT mileage). This is a clear case of an inferior product being pawned off on an unsuspecting public. When I spoke with the service manager at the Ford dealership I was told that Ford was now upgrading their truck transmissions to use five pinion planetary gear sets as opposed to three pinion (he did not know if this was true for the Escape.) To me, this indicates that there was a durability issue with their transmissions and they know it, yet refuse to offer any remedy for people with the problem units. Transmission problems is the #1 complaint I have found in my research, by a two to one margin. There were no warning signs that there was any kind of transmission problem until it went completely out, eliminating any chance of getting a repair done while it was still a small problem instead of experiencing a catastrophic failure and being stranded hundreds of miles from home. Jessica at Ford Customer Relations basically told me "Oh well, she was told when she bought the extended warranty that it was time or mileage whichever comes first, so she's on her own." I responded that transmissions do not go bad sitting in the garage and that 50k miles was not an acceptable lifespan for a major component, like a transmission." I was then told that Ford would do nothing, "is there anything else I can 'help' you with? Have a nice day." Also the brake rotors wore out before the pads. Dealer told me this was normal. REALLY? Anyone know of a class action suit regarding this durability issue?

[canuck623]

Transmission issues are the number one complaint with every manufacturer I think. Ford does have some after warranty guidelines. I am wondering why you were not offered any help. Have you maintained your vehicle at your selling dealer? In other words are you or have you been a good enough customer to warrant help? The dealer I worked for helped customers on a daily basis but the key word there is "customer". If you bought your Escape and then never darkened their doorstep again except to complain about warranty repairs I can see you getting the cold shoulder.

The 5 pinion planetary are for the larger trucks and it was a voluntary recall put out by Ford. Has been on going for years. As far as the rotors....yup the early ones did wear out about as fast or faster than the pads.

[TulsaRed]

Originally Posted by canuck623

Transmission issues are the number one complaint with every manufacturer I think. Ford does have some after warranty guidelines. I am wondering why you were not offered any help. Have you maintained your vehicle at your selling dealer? In other words are you or have you been a good enough customer to warrant help? The dealer I worked for helped customers on a daily basis but the key word there is "customer". If you bought your Escape and then never darkened their doorstep again except to complain about warranty repairs I can see you getting the cold shoulder.

The 5 pinion planetary are for the larger trucks and it was a voluntary recall put out by Ford. Has been on going for years. As far as the rotors....yup the early ones did wear out about as fast or faster than the pads.

We bought a Ford escape July 2009. Have transmission problems. Thaked to two people. One had 6000 mi on 3rd transmission the other had 9000 mi on 4th transmission

[TulsaRed]

Originally Posted by TulsaRed

We bought a Ford escape July 2009. Have transmission problems. Thaked to two people. One had 6000 mi on 3rd transmission the other had 9000 mi on 4th transmission

does any one know of a class action going on