17th Nov 2008, 15:58

I bought a 2002 Ford Escape XLT in 2006 with 49K miles. Thankfully, it came with a Pre-Owned Certification warranty to 75K miles. I noticed a clunk sound when it shifted from OD to drive when going uphill (it needs to down shift out of OD A LOT... every hill no matter how small). After a few weeks I took it in and it was a major transmission problem. All was covered by warranty, but I worry about future problems. I'm currently at 82K and the check engine light is on along with the e-brake light.

A fun and enjoyable vehicle to drive, I just wish Ford could do better with the mechanical aspects.

20th Nov 2008, 12:41

I bought my 2002 Ford Escape in 2005.

The first week, I was driving up my road and lost power. Problem covered by warranty.

Then the power door lock on passenger side broke. I paid for that over $500. After recently checking my warranty, I believe this should have been covered and will be checking with dealer.

ABS problem, covered under warranty.

Just recently paid $ 220 for a spark plug and coil that was apparently rusty. Who ever heard of a rusty spark plug?

Now it's in the shop with tranny problems. Just like driving over grated pavement - as described by other posters.

After reading other posts I'm very concerned. I love my Escape, drove it to the US this summer - great for road trips, but have had so many problems that I wouldn't buy another and wouldn't recommend anyone else buying one.

And for the record, I had regular maintenance, oil changes, fluids checked, etc.

17th Dec 2008, 12:07

'02 Ford Escape with 107K miles - just replaced the transmission. It has not been "right" for a while now. Fairly often in the mornings (first 20 miles or so of driving) it would JERK into gears on the way to work. It would act as if it was not going to accelerate and then it would JERK and try to change gears, but seemed like sometimes it didn't know what gear to go into.

Finally, on my way to work two weeks ago, I pulled over to take a phone call and put the car in park while I talked. When I tried to put car into drive, it wouldn't go anywhere. Would only drive in Reverse, 2nd or 1st gear. Cost $1,250 for used transmission replacement, but the used transmission has 66K miles. Now, when I accelerate on the highway, car revs very high and won't change into the next gear unless you release the accelerator a little bit, then it will change. I recall this same thing also went on for quite a while before the transmission failed, but I can't recall if it went on way prior to the actual "problems" that preceded the more obvious failures or not. Wish I could recall.

This is all very upsetting. After reading all of this, I think I'm going to be looking for a trade in. NOT a Ford Escape. I just got the darn thing paid off!! =-(

17th Dec 2008, 21:57

To 12:41: If your Escape was still in the "Bumper to Bumper" phase of the warranty (check your paperwork, I'm not sure what this mileage is in your case) the door lock should have been covered under the warranty, and you may be due a refund. Your comment seems to indicate you may not have a very competent or scrupulous service department (not at all uncommon for Ford). You might want to look into other nearby Ford dealerships. Maybe ask friends who own Fords about their service.

22nd Jan 2009, 14:11

I bought a brand new 2008 Ford Escape XLT. It had 7,000 miles on it when I went on a trip to New York, where it was below freezing at nights. Then my transmission would not shift into reverse, and when it did it was jerky. I am now getting a new transmission from Ford. This is ridiculous!

31st Jan 2009, 16:22

2001 Ford Escape XLT... purchased new, met all scheduled maintenance including tranny fluid changes, and... it's my wife's car. No towing, offroading, racing etc...

88K miles, new tranny torque converter $1800.

105K miles, rebuilt the tranny $2500.

145K miles, rebuilt the tranny $2500.

Last tranny shop swears that this happens all the time. DO NOT BUY an ESCAPE!!!

15th Mar 2009, 11:59

Purchased a 2002 Ford Escape brand new. The transmission started leaking with less than 30,000 miles on it. The dealer put some die in it and at 40,000 miles pulled it out and rebuilt it under warranty. At 65,000 miles it just started slipping one day. Of course the transmission was trashed and had to be replaced. Like the vehicle, but why can't Ford put a transmission that lasts in. Called Ford customer service to see if they would stand behind their product, but of course they are standing so far behind it I can't even see them. Unfortunately this is why people buy foreign cars.

11th May 2009, 12:55

I have a 2002 Ford Escape and took it to Firestone for a oil change last year. I have never had any issues with the car prior to this. They called me to find out when my car started over heating. I told them it has never done that. Then they told me that the car blew a head gasket and that it was drivable till I could take it somewhere.

After talking with some friends, it became clear to me that I should not even pick the car up and tried to get them to make whatever repairs were necessary. Of course they would not. I did get them to cover the labor. I still had to shell out $3,000 for a new engine.

Now, a year and a half later, my transmission is gone and I have to shell out another $3,000. I love my car and was excited when I first got it. Now it feels like a huge money pit. The only other cars I have ever had have been foreign and I really wanted to buy American this time. I don't think I will be making that mistake again!!! I am sticking with Honda from now on!!

26th May 2009, 03:07

2002 Ford Escape XLT, was bought new and paid off, no problems while under the "warranty" the dealer gives, it's expected to have no problems with brand new cars.

The car companies need to do a better job with these so called warranties, nevertheless at 90k miles needed to re-thread 2 spark plugs, then a month later have the engine heads rebuild because of valve problems. A week after the engine heads, a new transmission, I had to start in 2nd because Drive would not respond quickly.

Just recently the manifold was replaced. Now I have to check a possible problem with the fuel system because the check engine light code indicated something with the fuel cap loose. Very disappointing how cars no longer are built tough, the first car problem incident seems to have trigger a domino effect and before I continue to spend any more money, I opted to buy a new toy, hopefully in some years (generally after warranty expires) I won't be writing about my disappointment with Toyota.