Towing 2009 Ford Escape, Tranmission burned out Options

[atkinsd]

You all have me concerned....................I have just pulled my towed 2009 Mazda Tribute 4Cyl (same as Ford Escape)into Greybull, Wyoming after travelling 1900 miles in the last week. The vehicle only has 4000 miles on it. I have followed the manual on towing, starting and running it for 5 minutes before start and at Gas up........No problems as of now. I will keep my fingers crossed.
I have all Blue Ox equipment.
Can someone who has the latest suggested info on do's and don,ts, let us know.

Really concerned now as I am a long way from home and on a 2 month trip west.

Dave A
Ontario,CDA

[lbassham]

Tow Car--I have heard the same report on the 2009 Ford Escape from many people when they flat tow. After much research, I purchased a Suzuki Grand Vitard 4WD with an electronic transfer case. It is a terrific tow car and easy to set up with a single knob on the dash that you use to transfer it to "double neutral". I have pulled it as much as 500 miles in a day---but I keep it around 55 to 60 MPH for economy. I have not had any problems other than some transmission fluid smell when we first stop. I also try to stop around every 3 hours and run the car for a few minutes in Park--the position you pull it in. This car had a great write-up in the towing guide 2 years ago and it still performs great. I have checked the transmission fluid and after 2 years I have not had to add any fluid. Another nice feature of the Suzuki Grand Vitara is it is moderately priced starting around $17K. Good luck and I am afraid the Japanese car manufactures are again way ahead of the americans on reliability and engineering. Larry

[gmcgomob]

After much help from this forum on the Ford Escape problems I have moved on to another vehicle. Ford will get it right one day. I understand this is the first year for the 6 speed transmission being used for flat towing in the Escape.

Good information on RV.Net forum concerning Ford Escape, same issues as in this forum. However, the Hybird had favorable comments.

I am now looking at GM's 4wd Colorado or Canyon. Still under 4Klbs. MPG not so good but 4wd known to do okay as a tow vehicle. At least haven't heard or read of any problems, yet. Any feedback on this vehicle?

Again thanks to all for the feedback on the Ford Escape.

[Grandriver]

Don,

No, I was certainly not suggesting that you consider the Focus (or any other toad for that matter).

What I was suggesting is that you can see exactly what is involved in installing a base plate on any toad of your choice using that link.

I found the Roadmaster website/pdf files to be a good tool to use when shopping for a toad-- we just went through the process, buying a new car yesterday, retiring our old toad of 9 years. You can see how much modification is needed and also evaluate whether this is a project you want to tackle or one you want a pro to handle.

I LIKE to have access to the information before making a final decision on a toad.

Brett Wolfe

Brett, I know what is involved, my NO. 2 son is an MEng who works in the auto biz in Detroit. He put on the baseplates on the Tahoe (his company has front end parts on the Tahoe so he was more than familiar with it) and I "assisted" (aka - watched and handed tools - he has everything at home including lathes and welding equipment as he has built his own SCCA DSR).

My point is that every car is different and one sees that when you look at the instructions (in our case Blue Ox) for a dozen vehicles. When I was changing from the Colorado to the Tahoe I looked at a variety of vehicles and in each case checked the Blue Ox instructions. Some are easy and some involve MAJOR surgery or a lot of front end parts removal and replacement. That is why I was asking someone who actually did an Escape for their experience since I don't put total faith in the comments of the baseplate manufacturers. The amount of work required (and in particular any cutting) will definitely have an impact on choice of vehicle.

I enjoy my Tahoe enough that it will be the first vehicle in 30 years+ that I will keep for more than 3 years (probably 5 or 6) and right now we tow it (it was a nothing behind the Ambassador but now we have a Jayco Kodiak 8.1L Greyhawk [only made for a year] and while it does the job of towing OK - just not the same without all that torque the diesel had). If it had not been for the cutting required (and BO said there was none required - but they were wrong - and the solution they suggested would have shattered the front end) the Tahoe baseplates would have gone on very quickly - simply remove the tow hooks, insert the plates which were to protrude right through the tow hook openings, use Loctite and bolt them in with a torque wrench, put on the safety cables and that would have been it. But, they did not protrude through the tow hook opening without some cutting. Because of the very strong frame on the Tahoe it does not require the cross support bar necessary on most vehicles.

Don

[TJMager]

We tow a 2008 Lincoln MKX and have about 3,500 miles on it with no problems to date. We travel 60-65 mph and always run motor in neutral for 5 minutes at every rest or gas stop. We also follow advice from our previous Honda CRX and never go to neutral from reverse. We have Blue Ox Base plate & tow bar plus US Gear Braking system.


Terry
Vancouver, Canada

[rodneymary]

I contacted my local Ford dealer ( a very large dealer) and they said they had heard of no reports of towing the Escape. The service manager said they had not received any bullentins/ He suggested I follow the instructions in the owner manual and tow. I am going to attempt to contact Ford direct. I did before I purchased to be sure it would tow 4 flat and they emailed me that it would with no problems. Unfortunatly the email got erased and I did not print it.
To answer Don's question about the base plate. I installed a Demco as that is the same one I have on my explorer and already had the Demco tow bar. It was an easy install. Just remove the front end and set aside and bolt up. No holes to drill and just cut out about a 2" X 2" section of the baffle to allow the pins to come through. I had to purchase 6 10mm nuts to attach to the frame as only 4 of the holes in the frame were pre-threaded. I contacted Demco and talked with the engineer who was extremely helpful with advise and ideas. The instructions are easy to follow. Took about 2 hours.
I have an SMI Stay and Play brake system I took off my previous toad. I have the Air Force one by SMI on the Explorer.
That is one sweet brake system. Uses air from the motor home to activate and it is soooo smooth.
I will report back after I hear from FORD.
Further to the base plate I looked at Blue Ox and it required moving parts etc and also was lower to the ground by 2". I like Blue ox and have used before, also have a Blue Ox tow bar Aventa II. Personally like the Demco a little better. Seems to be more rugged although never had any problems with the BLue Ox.

[piperjohn2]

We also bought a '09 Mercury Mariner so we can tow it with out modifications, has anyone addressed this to FoMoCo headquarters? We currently tow an '03 Windstar with a Remco axle loc-out. Works great but wanted to replace our dead Chrysler T & C for something with better mileage and a back-up towable vehicle, now we don't know about our one month old Mariner...

JohnR in WI

[vojob]

I just read Motorhome magazine and it indicates that the Escape with automatic is not towable.
Joe
Tucson, AZ

[Adogman60]

We just bought a 2009 Ford Escape, auto transmission about 6 weeks ago. We towed it about 500 miles, by the book, and the trasmission is burnt. They are getting us a new one.

They said it got too hot towing it. I wonder if the tow shield is covering up some kind of vent?

Anyone else have trouble?

- Lilly & Marty Schermerhorn

My 2006 Escape could not be towed 4 wheel down or on a dolly because of the transmission. It had to be trailered\

zgerald Crosby

[lynneandjim]

Bought a 2009 V-6 AWD Escape because it was 4 wheels down towable(per Ford's internet site, manual and FMCA towing guide). Towed it 193 miles and we were flagged down with smoke pouring out of car. We of course followed the instructions to a T in the manual. Car was towed to a Ford dealer in Perry, Fl and the service manage was not aware that the car was towable 4 wheels down. After discussion with the factory it was repaired with some other service modules that also were bad. They told us the transmission was defective, it didn 't have the extra reservior; We towed it home 200 miles without incident. Towed it 1000 miles with the procedure in the manual, run 5 minutes, not over 65 and ACC position. Got an oil change at the Ford dealership. Left on a trip to the North west (from Florida) got to Jennings, Fl and there was transmission fluid all over the car inside and out. Car wouldn't go into Park and we called Ford towing again. This time it went to Valdosta Lincoln Mercury. They did know that the Escape is towable 4 wheels down claimed no problems with the Escape or the Mercury Mariner. Ford again replaced the transmission. This time they told us that probably when we had the oil changed that the serviceman "topped off" the transmission fluid causing the "boil over" that "blew" the transmission. Evidently there is a service bulletin on that subject. Also the new transmission has a different fluid in it that is for higher temperatures. Of course there was also a new dipstick with markings that are lower than the previous transmission. We also were handed a e-mail version of what we are to do to tow the vehicle. Run 5 minutes, put transmission thru all gears, do that again every 6 hours. We asked where this can be found with no luck. Ford's customer service denies there is a problem with this car. So far "knock on wood" we have gone over 24oo miles without "blowing" another transmission. However, we don't let any service manager or tech near the fluid. Upon questioning them, they know nothing about not adding fluid above the lower line on the dipstick.
PS we love the car it goes off road without problems, just wish they would get their stories straight.

[janharmon]

I just took my 2009 Mercury Mariner (same as Escape) to my dealer and got it checked. There is a service bulletin that was issued in June regarding this issue. The manufacture date is important as those made prior to 10/29/08 may have the wrong transmission dip stick and be overfilled, hence the problems that have occurred towing this car.
The TSB is 09-11-4 if you would like to have your dealer look this up and make sure you have the correct dipstick. A new one is available for those who have the wrong one. Part # 7A020.
Thanks to those who have made others aware of this problem before the manufacturer did so.

[piperjohn2]

I hope it's permissible to do this, here is the reply we received from FoMoCo, it is a siple "Copy and Paste no alterations on my part, and refers to our '09 Mercury Mariner FWD 4 cyl. with less than 200 miles on the odometer...
Included is the "From address" and time stamp:

From: crcfmc@ford.com
Subject: Ford Motor Company
To: piperjohn2@tds.net
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X-OriginalArrivalTime: 10 Jul 2009 01:37:04.0301 (UTC) FILETIME=[EDB18DD0:01CA00FE]
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Dear John Randall,


In an effort to assist you, we have researched your inquiry. Our resources indicate that the 2009 Mercury Mariner is can be towed for personal travel, such as behind a motor home or a truck. For more information and proper guidelines, please refer to your vehicle's Owner Guide, under Recreational Towing.


It may also be possible to access an online version of your Owner's Manual through our website at:


www.genuineservice.com
select "Owner Guides"


In addition, please be advised that while we feel that FMCA website may be of assistance to you, this resource is not maintained or monitored by Ford Motor Company. Ford Motor Company makes no guarantees and assumes no responsibility for information, services or materials provided to you through this channel.


We truly regret the circumstances that have prompted you to contact us and we apologize for any misunderstanding in our previous response.


Should you feel that we have not adequately addressed your questions, please feel free to contact us via telephone at (800)392-3673 between the hours of 8am and 5pm, local time, Monday through Friday. Hearing-impaired callers with access to a TDD may contact 1-800-232-5952.


Sincerely,
Shiela
Customer Relationship Center
Ford Motor Company


For online support visit us at: www.customersaskford.com which contains answers to frequently asked questions and links to other key product and service information.


Ford Confidentiality:
--------------------
For security reasons, please do not submit any sensitive personally identifiable information, such as credit card numbers, driver license number, SSN, DOB, etc. Thank you.


[THREAD ID:1-4PK4LA]


-----Original Message-----


From: piperjohn2@tds.net
Sent: 7/8/2009 10:40:45 AM
To: crcfmc@ford.com
Subject: Re: Ford Motor Company


We are NOT towing anything with the Mariner we want to TOW THE
Mariner. This is why we bought the Mariner to be able to tow it and
now we are reading people are having problems towing even when
following what the owners manual states WHAT are YOU going to do to
make this car TOWABLE?? If we knew that it was NOT TOWABLE we would
have bought someone else's vehicle THAT IS TOWABLE


John

[piperjohn2]

janharmon wrote:

I just took my 2009 Mercury Mariner (same as Escape) to my dealer and got it checked. There is a service bulletin that was issued in June regarding this issue. The manufacture date is important as those made prior to 10/29/08 may have the wrong transmission dip stick and be overfilled, hence the problems that have occurred towing this car.
The TSB is 09-11-4 if you would like to have your dealer look this up and make sure you have the correct dipstick. A new one is available for those who have the wrong one. Part # 7A020.
Thanks to those who have made others aware of this problem before the manufacturer did so.

janharmon,

Can you tell me the full number on your new dip stick? Ours was made in 11/09 and has a complete part number of:
9L8P-7A020-AG followed by M534A.

John

[Jackhal]

I was surprized to see a non-hybrid escape automatic could be towed four wheels down. I did look up in the FMCA towing guide for 2009 and it said it could be towed four down, however, earlier models stated regular automatics could not be towed 4 down. I know the hybrid can be towed 4 down as it has a special transmission. I wondering if there was a misprint on the regular auto trans? Something doesn't sound right here. I have the 2008 escape hybrid and it is an excellent tow car and well built as well, we love the car. Good Luck & Happy RVing!!!

[piperjohn2]

I was surprized to see a non-hybrid escape automatic could be towed four wheels down. I did look up in the FMCA towing guide for 2009 and it said it could be towed four down, however, earlier models stated regular automatics could not be towed 4 down. I know the hybrid can be towed 4 down as it has a special transmission. I wondering if there was a misprint on the regular auto trans? Something doesn't sound right here. I have the 2008 escape hybrid and it is an excellent tow car and well built as well, we love the car. Good Luck & Happy RVing!!!

Jackhal,

The '09 has a new 6 spd. transmission and the '08 and prior has the older transmission. the problem that some are experiencing is the wrong dip stick was installed and Ford issued a service bullitan the replace the dip stick.

We were ready to sing the papers on an '08 and asked one more time if it was towable and found out it was NOT. Then we bought an '09 as it was towable only problem is we bought it 15 days to early as we could have qualified for $4500 on the "Cash for Culkers" program.... We traded in a '98 T & C that had blown a transmission line in the radiator.

JohnR in WI

[babs1955]

[I just read Motorhome magazine and it indicates that the Escape with automatic is not towable.
Joe
Tucson, AZ

Just to let you know, the 2009 Ford Escape, 6 cylinder, automatic transmission IS towable with four wheels down in the neutral position. This is the reason that we bought the car.
We DID have problems with the maiden voyage of the Escape on June 10. We towed it for three hours and stopped to start it at a rest stop.,.It wouldn't start. Transmission blew out.
We had it towed to Wayne Morris Ford in Perry, Georgia for a new transmission. Twelve days later and we got our car back. Ford gave us a rental so that we could be on our way to our destination for our vacation.
Will it happen again???? Sure.....the customer assistance at Ford said that there have been MANY transmission blow outs on this vehicle and they are aware of the problem.

I am taking this matter to my Ford salespeople along with many comments and incidences of transmission problems on this vehicle. I want to be assured that this will not happen again.

I love this car, and false advertising by the Ford company won't make it with me.
Just thought you should know. :-)

[kathykim]

We have now had two transmissions put in our 2009 Ford Escape. Neither made it over 200 miles. Will be testing transmission number 3 while towing within the week. Will post with results. Had to practically beg for the new dipstick even though dealer printed and outlined TSB from Ford regarding this issue. Hoping that's the problem, but not holding out much hope at this point. There are more posts on the Ford Forums regarding this issue.

[kathykim]

Ok -update on towing our Escape. We just got back from our "test" tow. We went about 400 miles. The first 200 we stopped and started it every 50 miles, just to make sure we would have a vehicle when we got where we were going. No problems. Towed it back the full 212 miles, with no stops, and no hot smell, no lights, all looks good. However, it did look like there was a little fluid on the rear of the vehicle. My husband checked the fluid and it was higher than when he and the service manager had checked it. It was within the hash marks and not between the minimum line and the bottom of the hash marks (per SSM 20836) How did that happen? Turns out that when we took the vehicle in for another issue (less than a week after the transmission and dipstick were changed out and the fluid level was checked by our service manager and my husband together), the tech topped off the fluid! AAAGGGHHH. Anyway, at this point no damage seems to have been done. We have it in the shop for yet another issue. (Sigh) The only issue with this test was that we had a lot of mountain driving, and did not really get to tow at speeds up to 65 for many of these miles. We will be doing yet another test tow on Sept. 12th with all flat interstate driving, about 250 miles each way. If it makes it thru that, we will finally have confidence to go somewhere that we actually want to go and isn't just to test out the car.

[hdsnyder]

Purchased a 2009 ford escape in april, towed it for the first time on Aug. 8th, drove 296 miles, stopped once to run for 5min.when iI arrived in brunswick Ga.discvered tranny was burned up. We spent 12 days getting a new one & also a new up to date dip stick, fluid was adjusted to just above low mark, a new towing procedure was followed, this time running thru all the gears as i used to do our 03 honda crv. We left for lumberton NC. & stopped along the way to run thru gears & run for 6 min. it nwas 306 miles to lumberton, when I went to run car it would not shift, fluid all over the back. I rented a tow dolly & returned to sebring Fl. to our dealer on aug 21st, car will be done tue the 8th of sept.with another tranny. Ford is now saying fluid must be below the LOW mark, they have scratched a new mark on the dip stick. I don't have much faith in this new method .

[kathykim]

Purchased a 2009 ford escape in april, towed it for the first time on Aug. 8th, drove 296 miles, stopped once to run for 5min.when iI arrived in brunswick Ga.discvered tranny was burned up. We spent 12 days getting a new one & also a new up to date dip stick, fluid was adjusted to just above low mark, a new towing procedure was followed, this time running thru all the gears as i used to do our 03 honda crv. We left for lumberton NC. & stopped along the way to run thru gears & run for 6 min. it nwas 306 miles to lumberton, when I went to run car it would not shift, fluid all over the back. I rented a tow dolly & returned to sebring Fl. to our dealer on aug 21st, car will be done tue the 8th of sept.with another tranny. Ford is now saying fluid must be below the LOW mark, they have scratched a new mark on the dip stick. I don't have much faith in this new method .

Do you know if they replaced the cooler as well? They did not replace ours the first time, but they did replace ours the second time. I'm hoping this along with the lower fluid level will make a difference, but I'm probably fooling myself. However, I am just wondering if they did replace your cooler as well as the transmission?