Ford Escape Transmission Question

[iffwalleyes]

Hey everyone. I got a question or survey kind of for you all. My wife has had two Ford Escapes the first I think was a 2003 at 15K the transmission when to heck they fixed it by warranty. So in 2005 she decided to get a new Escape we'll at 39K that transmission decided to take a dump this fall. I guess it was lucky it was her as she had the extend warrenty I am not a believer of these so in this case it would have cost me a nice chunck of money but at least she had it. So we are wondering does she just have this bad of luck with Escapes or is this a known problem they have? Anyone else with similar problems? I don't technically know what the problems were with them other than Ford warranted both of them.

So then on to the technical sided of things when the car was taken in this fall it was averaging 24 MPG pretty regularly. Well after the smart guys at the Ford garage were done with installing a new transmission they now have it so it averages about 20 MPG. Not very happy about this at all. Especially since gas is so cheap well I guess it is going down isn't it. So what do you think they could have done to have tanked the mileage so much?

In either case I think a Rav4 is in line for her next ride what do you think of this Jer? I had one for a rental car and I like it quiet a bit.

[Jeremy airjer W]

The early escapes had issues with the trans coolers working a little to good in the cold weather. It would gel up the trans fluid and wipe out the tranny. I wouldn't say that the newer ones are commonly going bad but we occasional replace one here and there. Nothing like the 90's caravans though and not with those few miles.

I would bet the mileage is because there was some programing update for the PCM that was done.

Believe it or not I talked the sister in law into buying a ford escape. As far as small SUV's I think there are pretty decent. If you are thinking of switching I would take a newer Honda CRV for a test drive.

[Scott K]

The Escapes did have tranny problems, but were worse in 01. The 05 Escape trannies didnt have to many issues, are you pulling a heavier load with it often?

As for the milage change, it could have been a computer update that was done to it that changed it, or the new tranny could be just a little stiff yet, did you install new tires? Did this just happen recently? Winter blend fuel usually gets here in mid October, and it will give you worse milage. You could have a plugged fuel filter, air filter, dirty mass air flow sensor.

The Rav4, I dont know anything about them, so I will leave that up to Jer to tell you how good they are

[Shack]

Rule of thumb on PCM emissions updates (like said above), in most cases do not favor fuel economy. Federally required updates, recalibrations, flashes or what ever you would like to call them are done sometimes what out the knowledge of the customer and most often do not show up clearly on the invoice.

The Federal government in so many ways regulates more on having less hydrocarbons coming out the tail, than the vehicle getting better fuel economy.

4.W.E. has posted some good questions also.

Nothing like the 90's caravans though and not with those few miles.

Those where the days

[DTro]

I can't help with the tranny issues Jason, but just wanted to recommend the RAV4. We bought one new in '04. It just recently hit the magic 100k mark and still runs like the day we bought it. There are a few things that could be better such as road noise and the buzzy sounding little 4 banger, and also a rear end that likes to eat tires. But as far as a daily commuter goes, it works great, mid twenties MPG, lots of room to haul stuff and will even pull a small boat or trailer in a pinch.

[Jeremy airjer W]

I knew DTRO would see that!

Shack, good times!

[iffwalleyes]

No as far as pulling she never has her one she has right now doesn't even have a hitch. All highway miles. We leave the pulling up to the my duramax. I don't know she really like the escape but she isn't too sure she wants another after having problems with two different ones. As far as mileage I wonder if it might have to do with a stiff transmission but wasn't sure. I figure though that they probably did do some updating that is a bunch of junk why does an emission update cause more burning of fuel interesting. Not sure how were are improving emission by putting more out. But I know that seems to be there thing.

Thank Darren I like the Rav I had I am also thinking about the CRV though. Time will tell I told her she needs to run it till her extended warranty goes off then we can look for something different.

I guess actually what happend with the one we have right now is the torque converter went out and then pieces went into the trans and chewed everything up inside I guess that is what I was told.

[zamboni]

Honda CRV or be adventrous and try out a Hyundai Santa Fe, they are pretty nice. The new Kia Sportage since they have made them bigger are pretty sharp as well