Ford EscapeThe Ford Escape has been thoroughly updated, reinforcing the character and appeal that have made it America's perennial best-selling small sport-utility vehicle. The improvements nearly cover the spectrum, and inject a new level of refinement. We'd call the Escape a little truck among small SUVs. Its new styling deliberately invokes Ford's larger, truck-based SUVs.
They are currently replacing our transmission for the second time. Neither of the first two transmissions made it over 200 miles while towing and we did not exceed 65 mph. If yours has been replaced I suggest taking it out and towing it right away. We did all the extra service bulletin stuff the second time. We are going to try to get our dealer to deal for a different car, as we only bought this to tow. We had to leave it for a month the first time and do without a tow car as we were on our way to meet friends across the country. I won't even go into how the service manager tried to tell me I was going to have to pay the second time..... Needless to say, that isn't happening.
They are currently replacing our transmission for the second time. Neither of the first two transmissions made it over 200 miles while towing and we did not exceed 65 mph. If yours has been replaced I suggest taking it out and towing it right away. We did all the extra service bulletin stuff the second time. We are going to try to get our dealer to deal for a different car, as we only bought this to tow. We had to leave it for a month the first time and do without a tow car as we were on our way to meet friends across the country. I won't even go into how the service manager tried to tell me I was going to have to pay the second time..... Needless to say, that isn't happening.
Frustrating isn't it LittleEfailed with the Escape? Now I am getting scared of towing it again. I wonder what Ford would say if it happens a third time? Would the Lemon Law go into effect ? I wouldn't pay a dime for anything... to me it is false advertising that Ford is saying that the Escape is towable with four wheels down, etc....and it is not happening. I too, did buy the Escape for towing and will be retiring this year. I love the car for its handling capability, but hopefully it won't go out on us again when we tow in a couple of weeks from now.
Did they change the dipstick for you and check the fluid levels before you towed? Did you go through the idling for five minutes and went through each gear before driving off with it towed? Just curious... if you did that I am really going to get upset if it happens again for us.. and you too!
Unless something has changed in recent years, the Ford transmissions get pressurised fluid for lubrication ... by the engine driving the tranny oil pump! I would think the proper "wheels on ground" towing practice should be:
. Have engine idling and tranny in N.
But that's just me guessing ... and I ain't no expert for sure ... nor am I advising!
The 2009 Escape is supposed to have an all new transmission and 2009 is the first year that is towable (or supposed to be). Obviously, we cannot leave the car running while towing across country. We have towed many previous vehicles with no incidents prior to purchasing this Escape.
Bought a new 2009 Escape to pull behind our motor home. Did about 500 miles and the transmission burn out. They put in a new one. The car was rear ended a month later, and totalled. So, we bought the 2009 Mariner. Hauled it the first 150 miles. Stopped to run the motor ... guess wha??!!! Yep, it was burning out as well! We left it at the first dealer we could find. We find out tomorrow what the deal is.
Those of you having problems. Do you have cover/shields over your hoods? The shield manufactured assures me they have NEVER had a problem.
I would like to be armed with a right info when the Ford dealer calls us tomorrow.
Bought a new 2009 Escape to pull behind our motor home. Did about 500 miles and the transmission burn out. They put in a new one. The car was rear ended a month later, and totalled. So, we bought the 2009 Mariner. Hauled it the first 150 miles. Stopped to run the motor ... guess wha??!!! Yep, it was burning out as well! We left it at the first dealer we could find. We find out tomorrow what the deal is.
Those of you having problems. Do you have cover/shields over your hoods? The shield manufactured assures me they have NEVER had a problem.
I would like to be armed with a right info when the Ford dealer calls us tomorrow.
You seem to be not the only one having issues with the transmission!
I complained right off the lot something was wrong! Clunking when I backed up, and "dead spots" taking off from a stop, passing a car and going onto on ramps or just trying to go faster. I would have my pedal to the metal and the car would sit! Then all of a sudden it would take off like a rocket and I had to hit the brakes so I wouldn't hit a car in front of me!
I told the service dept from the first day I drove it there were problems and all I heard was, "nothings wrong" We don't have time to drive with you to figure it out! I told them it would happen within the first 5 minutes! Then I LOVE THIS ONE!
"That's how it's supposed to be" OMG! Are you kidding?? Passing a car in Nebraska on a two lane highway and my car decides to stop moving? I had to finally drive off the road to get out of the way of an oncoming car! Then as I was on a on ramp it did it again and all I could see was this semi heading at me and I couldn't go anywhere! It finally kicked in and I sped forward!
Then last month I took it in again and tey said, "your trans fluid was low" we filled that and reprogrammed the computer. I asked why it was low and they said "don't know". So Friday I took it in for a check up before driving to Colorado and in less then 10 minutes they called to say (very proudly) we found the problem and you need a new transmission! OMG OMG OMG!
I was heading to Co for a cardio check up, testing and business and they act like they were so proud to have FINALLY found this????
I now have no car, no doctors to see in Denver because I'm not there! Tests I have to cancel and business I was supposed to do! Not to mention the 3 weeks off work I took to travel! I don't get vacation!
I told them I want a NEW Escape at 0% financing and NO MORE then what we owe on this one! It IS NOT asking too much if you ask me!
One sales guy last Friday said, sorry it's not our problem it's a FORD MOTOR issue!?!?!?!?!? HUH?? They got it from FORD they SOLD it to me it IS their problem!
Then, (you'll love this) they said we can have your car ready on Monday, and you'll be good to go to Colorado!?!?!?!? Again! OMG! I'm supposed to drive a car with a NEW transmission in it all that way ( I wouldn't drive it out of the lot) and pretend ALL IS OK? Would they put their kids in it and drive? I bet not! I'm going to trust a less then qualifiued service department who couldn't find this in 6 months to replace an ENTIRE transmission correctly?????
Then they say, you could have had a catastrophic event! I drove that darn thing up mountain peaks over 14,000 ft high and they tell me this now????
THIS IS CRAZY! We should all write a letter to Ford and tell them they have a HUGE issue with more cars then they think!!
Thanks for letting me vent!
Last edited by Escape from my Ford!; 10-26-2009 at 05:39 PM..
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We blew up 2 transmissions while towing 
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