Ford Escape transmission problems

transmission problem

8.7

pretty bad

Typical Repair Cost:

$3,300.00

Average Mileage:

59,633 miles

Number of complaints:

3 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. had to pay to replace transmission (2 reports)
  2. not sure (1 reports)

Helpful Websites About 2004 Ford Escape transmission failure

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

problem #3

2008May 17

Escape XLT 3.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 87,000 miles

I have a 2004 Ford Escape XLT that I brought w/ 20,000 miles. My Escape is only 4 yrs old and have 87,000 miles, w/ the transmission going out. What type of mess is this! The way the economy is going, do Ford expect us to just be able to by a new transmission or new car. I called the Ford company to see if there was a recall on all 2002 to 2005 escapes, but they stated that there was no other complaints. Unless there is a recall, I will never by another Ford aka- (Found On Road Died)!

Tammie L.

Momence, IL, USA

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problem #2

2007Sep 15

Escape XLT 3.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 56,000 miles

My wife and I bought our 2004 Excape No boundaries edition 4x4 new off the lot. We always had it serviced by the dealer including transmission flushed around 36K miles. We had noticed that sometimes after starting the car the transmission would be hard to get into gear and then thunk when it went into gear. No big thing. Late 2007 we took 2 friends to the mountains and stayed at another friend's cabin. The cabin was at the top of a very steep road with several stop signs. Each time we started off onto the hill from a stop, the transmission would slip and then thunk into 1st gear. This got progressively worse over the course of the two day stay at the cabin. We drove home and noticed that once we were on the highway there were no problems. About 2 miles from our house we exited the highway and had to stop. Taking off we got the same THUNK going into 1st. I told my wife to take the truck to the dealer the next day. The next day, on the way to her work, the service engine/OD light started up and the transmission went completely to crap. The car was noisy and barely moving. A cottmans transmission shop is near her work, so I told her to take it there. They said the transmission needed a complete rebuild. I took the Escape to the dealer and they said the same thing. We had the transmission rebuilt at the least expensive place and immediately traded the vehicle. I had searched the internet and found dozens of complaints about the transmission failing even after being rebuilt. I will say, Ford came back (after I had it fixed) and offered to cut me a good deal to install a rebuilt unit. Also, this was the only real problem the car ever had, but it was a biggie.

exodus5

Harrisburg, NC, USA

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problem #1

2007Jul 13

(reported on)

Escape LX 3.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,900 miles

Transmission died 3 months after the 3-year warranty expired. The dealership said they would not cover anything because I had not had the transmission serviced at 25,000 km (15,000 miles). Ford Canada took the same stand. They phoned and bugged me about oil changes prematurely but never phoned me about something that basically voides any warranty claims. Whoever heard of servicing your transmission with only 15,000 miles on it. GM recommends servicing at 50,000 miles which makes more sense.

The Escape was driven in the city only and has no towing equipment. This transmission servicing requirement at such a low mileage means that either 1) the transmission is very weak to need such constant attention or 2) the servicing requirement is a gimmick by Ford to avoid fixing their faulty transmissions. This was my first Ford purchase in 30 years and I was recommending the Escape to my relatives until this happened. I'm sticking with GM products from now on.

Jim H.

Calgary, AB, Canada

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