Ask the Car People.SM


Ford Escape Mazda Tribute Maintenance and Repair

4133 messages,  Last post on Mar 24, 2013 at 5:59 AM

You are in the Ford Escape Forum.

What is this discussion about? Ford Escape, Mazda Tribute, SUV

    

Go to NHTSA to file a safety complaint.

Or call Monday-Friday (8 am to 8 pm ET) (888) 327-4236 TTY: (800)424-9153

Messages Page 358 of 414

#3564 of 4133 2003 Escape Tranmission Failure by jcgreenberg

Jun 19, 2007 (6:50 am)

Well, our '03 Escape just turned 27,000 miles and while the wife was driving it, it stopped. Bottom line, catastrophic transmission failure and $3,500! I have been surfing the internet and found that this is not the only Escape to have this problem! Now, Ford warranty on the Escape transmission is 5yr/60,000! But, as of right now, Ford will NOT STAND BEHIND THIS TRANSMISSION! I have not even reached the first transmission maintenance service at 30,000! The dealership even stated that our Escape shows no signs of abuse! Never been off road! So, has anyone else experienced transmission failures like this? Is it time for a class action suit??? Depending on what Ford will do for us, this may be our very last Ford Product! We were looking at the Escape Hybrid but as this repair will cost 1/3 of what we were offered trading our '03 Escape in for a '08 Escape Hybrid, I really don't know!

#3565 of 4133 Re: 2003 Escape Tranmission Failure [jcgreenberg] by steve_ HOST

Jun 19, 2007 (7:36 am)

Replying to: jcgreenberg (Jun 19, 2007 6:50 am)
If it's under warranty, why isn't Ford going to fix it or put a remanufactured transmission in? I don't understand why the repair is going to cost you $3,500.

#3566 of 4133 Re: 2003 Escape Tranmission Failure [jcgreenberg] by scatan

Jun 19, 2007 (9:19 pm)

Replying to: jcgreenberg (Jun 19, 2007 6:50 am)
I too am curioius why Ford is not standing behind the transmission. What reason did they give? Have you consulted with another dealership?

#3567 of 4133 2003 had 3yr 36,000 miles powertrain warranty by mschmal

Jun 20, 2007 (5:40 am)

He is out of warranty on time.
 
If you are looking at an Escape you absolutely WANT the trailor tow package. You get an upgraded transmission cooler which gives you benefits even if you never tow.
 
Many of the preowned off lease Escapes will have this feature as it was part of the lease program focus vehicle.
 
Mark.

#3568 of 4133 Also a brief word about Extended Service Contracts. by mschmal

Jun 20, 2007 (5:43 am)

Consumer Reports may recomend that you NOT buy the Extended Service plan but try sending them your repair bill and see if they will pay it for you.
 
That advice is like saying that if you are a healthy person and have good eating habits and no unhealthy habits then you should drop your health coverage as the chances are you will never get benefits equal to the premiums.

#3569 of 4133 Re: 2003 had 3yr 36,000 miles powertrain warranty [mschmal] by steve_ HOST

Jun 20, 2007 (6:08 pm)

Replying to: mschmal (Jun 20, 2007 5:40 am)
Well, the post said the warranty was 5yr/60,000 so I took that at face value. Time indeed has run out. Maybe Ford and the dealer will meet him halfway or something.

#3570 of 4133 One more thing. by mschmal

Jun 21, 2007 (12:22 pm)

Please keep in mind that if you are making lots of short trips or spend time ideling in traffic, then you should be following the severe duty maintenance schedule in the maintenance guide.
 
Most wear for an engine occurs at startup when the oil is in the oil pan, not up in the block. Also short trips mean that the engine does not fully heat up enough to burn off acids that collect in the oil. This ages the oil much faster.
 
Thats why its 5,000 miles or 6 months for Ford on oil changes UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS!
 
That being said, the trans failed at 27,000 miles on a 4 year old car. That person should have done the 30,000 mile service almost a year ago based on elapsed time no matter what the miles said.
 
Mark.

#3571 of 4133 Re: Tribute Stuck in Park/Neutral [tributestinks] by larrygjax

Jun 25, 2007 (4:35 pm)

Replying to: tributestinks (Dec 29, 2005 9:14 pm)
I know your message is really old....and I didn't see anyone offer any help but my 2002 Escape just did the exact same thing....I'm stuck in park and the shifter will move but never actually change into D, R, N but the box around the P goes away when I try to move into any other gear....what caused this problem and how bad was it (cost and time) to fix it? Thanks for any help.

#3572 of 4133 Re: 2003 Escape Tranmission Failure [jcgreenberg] by dilyhi

Jun 26, 2007 (11:43 am)

Replying to: jcgreenberg (Jun 19, 2007 6:50 am)
The transmission just went out on my '06 Escape at 12,500 miles. Fortunately it is still under warranty, but now am wondering if this is a common problem. We were thinking of trading it for an '08, not so sure if that is a good idea anymore.

#3573 of 4133 Re: 2003 Escape Tranmission Failure [dilyhi] by bdyment

Jun 27, 2007 (7:48 am)

Replying to: dilyhi (Jun 26, 2007 11:43 am)
No. This is not a common problem at all. Sounds like a fluke. I wouldn't hesitate to purchase a 2008.

Messages Page 358 of 414

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement