Escape Hybrid

• CVT transmission
• 65,697 miles

I was traveling on the highway @ 65 mph when I experienced a 'catastrophic engine failure' with four occupants. I don't know if it was skilled driving, divine intervention or just plain luck that permitted me to safely stop the vehicle without a crash or injury.

I turned the engine off, counted to 50-Mississippi or so, then attempted to start the engine. The engine sounded like you were stirring a wooden box of rocks.

The vehicle was towed to a Ford Blue Oval and hybrid-certified dealership, who determined the engine was a 'catastrophic' loss (their words) and the only option to repair was to install a remanufactured engine. The repair cost? $6500.

The vehicle was delivered in July 2006 with a 3 year, 60,000 mile extended warranty. The engine failed one month and 5,697 miles out of warranty. I give kudos to the Ford Statistician who figured out how long extended warranties should last.

I have maintained this vehicle better than Ford's recommendations. I have service records indicating an oil and oil filter replacement, on average, every 3400 miles vs Ford's recommended 5,000 mile interval. Yet, I experienced a catastrophic engine failure just outside of warranty.

I contacted Ford's Customer Service center, and have asked for assistance with this extraordinarily expensive repair. "Too Bad", says Ford. "Out of Warranty. We cannot help you."

As of now, I no longer believe that Ford products are safe. I am thankful my immediate family was not killed in this incident. I've filed a complaint with the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration.

As of now, I no longer believe my Ford Escape Hybrid is reliable: the remanufactured engine installed in my vehicle has a better warranty than the extended warranty on my vehicle.

As of now, I no longer believe Ford products are competitively priced when you factor a $6500 repair cost into the ownership equation. After only three years of ownership, competitive products in the same class as the Ford Escape begin to look very attractive. As of now, I am no longer a Ford enthusiast.

As of now, I am telling my story to all of my friends and acquaintances, and urging them to think twice or three times before making a Ford product purchase decision. To a person, they are thankful my family was not hurt. To a person, they are appalled that a Ford Motor Company product would spectacularly fail and place my family at catastrophic risk of injury or death. Yet, Ford is not interested in learning from the incident or offering assistance for the repair.