This isn't the first time I had to have a rebuilt transmission in this vehicle. I had one 2 years ago, that cost 2100 dollars. Today my vehicle is in the shop again... this time, they found a leak in the transmission gasket, fuel pump needs to be replaced, wheel bearings are shot, strut problems, alignment was causing tires to wear faster than normal, replacing 2 front tires, they found a couple of leaks for a grand total of 2200 dollars to fix... my vehicle isn't worth this amount money, in fact with all the money I have put into it, I could have bought a brand new chevy or other make car. I will never, ever, ever buy another Ford.. If I would have known it was going to be this expensive to have a Ford, I would have never bought it. I thought American made cars were at least a little better than this... wow.

I took my 02 Escape in to my local Ford dealership for recent recalls, but also told them I was concerned about the stalling issues we have been having with the vehicle while in reverse and occasionally while driving on the road. These stalling issues started roughly 1 year ago, and the auto shop I took it to recommended I check with Ford for recalls, but did not have an explanation for the issue. Anyway, after tests and diagnostics were complete at Ford, they informed me that I had an internal transmission failure involving the torque converter. I was told that my only option really was to replace the transmission and given quotes for a new and used transmission. Well, I left the dealership with the vehicle and was actually calling around for other quotes, yet still used the vehicle. Needless to say, it is now stranded in a parking lot waiting to be towed at the moment because it will not start AT ALL. The stalling issue, at first, seemed very random and infrequent. However, it progressively became worse (of course), and is now to the point where I cannot even pull out of a parking spot without stalling and restarting several times, that is, if it even starts up.

Nice job FORD. After much research , have found that this is a common problem which Ford never took the initiative to fix. I guess once they get your cash you can go F yourself. I recently bought a new vehicle and stayed away from the Ford lineup. So F them. Now there is a recall on the braking system. The master cylinder cap leaks. NO SH*T! It leaked since I got the car. They replaced two master cylinders and three caps to no avail. I finally go a rubber glove and closed in under the cap. Too late though cause that brake fluid at away at the engine compartment.

The Escape's transmission went out without any prior warning. It was shifting well, and it never made a clunking noise between gears. I started driving it up a hill and it suddenly began acting like it was in neutral. We had a great transmission shop, who has had a lot of experience with Escape transmissions, rebuild the entire transmission. They did it for about a thousand less than the cost to replace the transmission, and they beefed up the common weak points on that tranny. The repair included a full parts and labor warranty for 2 years or 24,000 miles. It's been a great car and I'm hoping it will last another 75,000 miles. We'll see.

Broke down on the road and back in the same crappy motel room as the last time, with pets and junk everywhere. Waiting to see how long and how much it's going to cost again for the most expensive and unreliable car I've ever owned in my life. As soon as the wheels are turning on this 2002 Ford Escape piece of sh*t car, it is for sale. (But certainty not to any friend of family member).

I lost the transmission with NO warning at all on a trip to see my family, 70 miles to go. 360.00 for the tow bill alone. GOD I HATE THIS CAR!!! GOD I HATE THIS CAR!!!!

Like so many other complaints I've read, just one day my escape would not go into gear, no warning. Took the car to my mechanic and he said the transmission needed to be replaced est cost @ $ 3000.00 and he said he thought it was a design flaw and they have had lots of problems with these transmissions and FORD should do the right thing and issue a recall. Well I spoke with my ford dealer and apparently they have fixed the issue in the newer escapes. I said to the salesman well if FORD knew there was a big enough problem to change the design why cant they fix my car since it was a flaw. Needless to say, I got no help. This is my last ford!

I was halfway between Norfolk, VA and Phila., PA when I had transmission failure. I had just recently had the car inspected, tires rotated and oil change and this incident happened with no warning. I had to be towed back to Phila. The car is no longer under warranty so I was at the mercy of Ford ($4000.00) and 2 other mechanics @ $1800-2500 for a rebuilt. I called Ford Motor Corp and they were very unsympathetic and said they were not aware of any defects with the transmissions in Ford Escapes. I have 57K miles on this car. They didn't think that it was unusual for such low miles and offered no help. When I told them I would never buy another Ford product, they said I should feel free to buy whatever product I choose. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD CAR OR SUV! The car has been back twice for adjustments since the rebuild and I think it may have to go again before this warranty is done. I think it's time to trade it in.

I OWN A 2002 FORD ESCAPE. DRIVING HOME ONE DAY THE OD LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND SHIFTED HARD ONCE. NO PREVIOUS PROBLEMS AT ALL. THEN THE TRANSMISSION WENT COMPLETELY. BROUGHT IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP THAT I BOUGHT IT FROM AND THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD COST $4200.00 TO PUT A NEW ONE IN. I ASKED IF IS COULD JUST BE FIXED AND THEY SAID THAT BECAUSE THE PUMP WENT AND TRASHED THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION THAT IT WOULD COST THE SAME TO FIX IT. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT FORD SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR SCREW UP AND PUT OUT A RECALL FOR THESE. I DIDN'T EVEN GET ANY DEAL CONSIDERING I BOUGHT IT FROM THEM AND ONLY ONE YEAR AGO.

Back in May announced to hubby I thought the trani was acting up. A couple weeks later the engine light came on. Took it to dealer and explained the trani problems. They said NOTHING wrong but an O2 sensor. Did not get that replaced. Mileage was 96,000 km at the time. Drove 16,000 more km and the trani failed. Mechanic who replaced the trani said the diagnostic showed the O2 sensor was fine. I also have drove plenty of Fords and I too will never buy another one. Last vehicle was a Ford Ranger Splash with less than 100,000 km and needed new trani. What the H---!

The FIRST time the transmission went out it was thankfully under warranty. The SECOND time it went out 70,000 miles later it was not under warranty. The crap shop that fixed it the first time basically told us 1. that they have never fixed a tranny on an Escape until we showed them the paperwork on them doing it and then they 2. told us tough luck and that the trannys on the Escape are "rock solid" and we got the one bad one. Needless to say we'll never buy a Ford (Found On Road Dead/Fix Or Repair Daily) ever again!!!!!

I have had great luck with my 2002 Escape...until..started getting a brief rumble effect when the transmission would upshift with any load at all on the engine. It kept getting worse and worse. Took to the Ford Dealer who does our maintenance and they couldn't find anything. "It just shifts a little rough" Then it got worse, more frequent really. Took back to Ford. Had a complete flush of the transmission and was told to drive it 200 miles and see if it cleared up! No luck. It is in the shop now getting a new transmission @ $3057.00 min. Called Ford customer service to complain and was told it was my problem because it was out of warranty. I was fine until I discovered the 1000's of similar problems with 2001-2004 Escape transmissions on the web. Where is Ford in all this? No wonder they are losing market share to everyone else!!!!!

My husband, daughter and I were driving from San Diego to San Francisco taking my daughter to move into a new apartment. We were on our way to meet a moving truck. The car died on Interstate 5 about 100 miles south of San Fran in 99 degree heat, in the middle of nowhere with almost no shoulder on the side of the road to pull off on. We sat in the car with huge semi's roaring past shaking the car with no where to go, in the blazing heat, waiting for AAA to come tow us for 3 hours!!!! We had to go to the nearest town that had a Ford place. We got the last motel room, missed meeting the movers, had to rent a car from another town, taking a bus there.... etc, etc. It took a week to get the car fixed and my daughter had to go back down to the town via 3 bus changes, (a 7 hour trip) to pick up the car. The transmission cost $3600, the hotel room, dinner, rental and bus fares about $250.

Just about your worst nightmare short of freezing to death.... I heard there are a lot of tranny problems with the Escapes.

Will never buy another Ford. EVER.

I have a 2002 Ford Escape that at 43,000 miles should not be having a transmission problem. The car was just in the shop for a week due to a flashing "O/D off" signal. After an extensive review, I was told that it had a bad cylinoid. OK, had that replaced, took it home, and after approx. 50 miles of highway driving, the "O/D off" light is flashing AGAIN. Now the next step, as I was told, is to do a transmission overhaul. More big bucks!!! My question is: Immediately prior to this problem, I finally had a recall done for an acceleration cable or vehicle speed control malfunction. Could these be related in any way???

Since purchasing my 2002 Ford Escape it has been one (Big Pain In The Rear.) I will NEVER Purchase another Vehicle made by FORD, because FORD does NOT stand behind their products. I have had to have my passenger door fixed twice, replace the transmission, & now my A/C is not working. I have called Ford Motor Company many times about the problems I have had with my 2002 Escape & all they had to say is that there hasn't been a recall on any of the problems I am having with my vehicle & that I am responsible for the repairs. I have spent over $5000.00 on my 2002 Ford Escape with no help from the Ford Motor Company.