31st Mar 2005, 05:01

I also have a Ford 2001 Escape which like very much except for the transmission. First one went at 55,000 miles. Rebuilt installed and at 97,800 miles that went also. Car is well cared for. It's in the shop now...I'm going to ask for ford to pay at least half the cost... I know, Ha Ha Ha. Well I can try. kevkat52@cox.net.

9th Aug 2005, 03:18

I purchased my 2002 Ford Escape 4X4 from the dealership used with 14,000 miles. The transmission went at 30,000 miles. I live in NY. My brother also owns an Escape. His transmission went at 60,000 miles.

6th Sep 2005, 20:09

I am disappointed to tell you that I purchased a brand new 2006 Ford Escape XLT on September 2, 2005. I had had it less than 24 hours when at 75 miles per hour on the interstate it went in to neutral. Fortunately, by the grace of God my family did not suffer an auto crash, by getting run over by a semi truck. We were able to coast off the highway and to a gas station. It could have been much more serious. We called the road side service and were picked up by the tow truck who took us back to the dealership. They gave us a new Escape to drive while they try to figure out what is going on. They said they would get right on it on Tuesday (today) when the dealership reopens after the holiday. They did not look at it yet. Perhaps they will tomorrow. Ironically the reason that I bought a new car was that I drive a lot on the highway and do not want to get stranded by driving something unreliable. I will let you know how it all turns out, but I am extremely disappointed to say the least.

9th Sep 2005, 21:24

I just bought a used 2001 Ford XLT Escape in Aug. 2005. My wife and I had noticed in previous days when starting the car it was sometimes taking 1 or 2 trys to get it started. Today we went to start the car...and nothing. It does not turn over or anything. All electrical works, lights come on, sun roof and windows work. So I do not think it is a battery problem. Could this be just a starter problem or a part of the overall complaints I've been reading on posts like these? Any suggestions

Mike.

23rd Oct 2005, 11:13

Sounds like a recurring theme. My 2001 Ford Escape transmission seized and died at 29,500 miles. Fortunately that was covered under the original 3 yr/30K warranty. Now here I am at just over 60K and the trasmission has died again. So aggravating! The dealer says that the warranty on the first replacement only covered me until the original 30K warranty would have expired, so I am left with no option, but to spend $3500 or so on my THIRD transmission (and with no sense of irony they reassure me that this transmission will carry a new warranty good for another 3yrs/36K). I have enjoyed this vehicle in every other way, but the expense of this tranny problem may push me away from Fords for good. Has anyone had any luck getting Ford to accept part/all of the cost for these obvious design flaws???

8th Mar 2006, 10:34

I bought my Escape used in February '05. I loved it. It was great. I wanted a truck to feel safer then my tiny little car that I owned previously. In September of '05, my engine blew. This Escape was pampered... tuned up, regular oil changes, every 4000km...etc. My brother was driving it and it blew. I had it towed and was told that the engine's oil pump was shot, and the engine was not getting oil. Got a new engine. Ever since September my engine light has been on at least twice every month. IT goes in to be checked, and it's "fixed" and then the next month I deal with the next problem. over $4000 has been sunk into this car, and it is now in again. The engine is in pieces on the floor of a shop...I'm deciding what to do with it now. The colour of my escape is yellow... and it's suiting. IT'S A LEMON!!

6th Apr 2006, 09:33

We have a 2002 Ford XLT Escape since new. It has 71,000+. It has been largely trouble free. My wife drives it daily for about a 20 minute commute each way (mostly highway) and it is our main weekend vehicle. Soccer mom's car and weekend (camping) get away. Use infrequently to pull 17.5 Sea Hunt boat and snowmobile trailer. No issues pulling either.

Pros: decent acceleration, plenty of interior room and ammenities for decent comfort.

Cons: I never liked the "ticking" (like a tappet valve) sound we have had with this engine since the day we got it, but the engine doesn't use much oil and has always been trouble free. Don't know why we couldn't have just gotten "another one without the tapping sound".

We HATE the gas mileage.

Neither my wife and I like how "difficult" shifting into reverse or drive can be at times, but it wasn't until I read this forum that I realise we may be the lucky ones as we haven't had any "real" problems YET with our transmission.

The check airbag light has been coming on intermittantly now, but from what I hear, this is typically related to wiring under the passengers seat, so we have largely ignored the light, but certainly can't trust our airbags. I grew up with autos back in the 70's BA (before airbags), so we'll deal.

And last, but not least, since day one I am amazed the sun roof has enough power to close or open all the way. It usually takes several pushes on the button to finish either task.

25th Apr 2006, 08:42

I too own a 2002 Escape that has a ticking sound. Don't know if it's harmful to the engine and am getting the Dealer to check it out tomorrow. It has actually been there a long time, but is getting louder. I take good care of my car.

Since ownership I have had to have the dashboard replaced due to electrical problem, the sunroof switch (I too had to keep pushing the button to close), the brake rotors (shortly after purchase), and my airbag light goes off and on- depends on how may folks are riding in the car (I ignore that too-not covered under warranty). This was my first new car ever and I am glad I paid for the 100,000 extended warranty, as all of the above were covered, I have 40,000 to go before it's over!

15th May 2006, 14:14

I own a 2002 Escape XLT. It really do like the car to drive and in bad weather, but it has not been reliable.

I too am now faced with a transmission problem that looks like it means a $3000+ bill. Since I bought the car new, it has had a series of problems. First it was the air bag sensor, ($200) then the cap on the brake reservoir leaked ($15). Next a sensor on the ABS brakes failed ($450). There was a recall for stalling while going 45mile/hr which did happen a few times, but has not reoccurred since the fix.

Now the check engine light is on and the OD light flashes and the transmission is shifting rough. It still goes so I guess that is lucky, but I have had it to a dealer and to a private shop and both are unsure of what to fix, but said that a new transmission would fix the problem.