Towing 2009 Ford Escape, Tranmission burned out Options

[lillyw]

Well, I started this thread last May. Ford replaced the transmission, and we hauled it a 1000 more miles, no problem.

A week later the car was rear ended and totaled!!!!! It was cursed. So, we bought the new 2009 Mercury Mariner. Here we are on our first trip hauling it, about 150 miles in, and guess what???? Yep, the trany is burning up. We left it at a dealer on the road, and our just heading to our destination.

Question, those of you having problems, so you have a tow shield over the hood?

- Lilly

[wolfe10]

Well, I started this thread last May. Ford replaced the transmission, and we hauled it a 1000 more miles, no problem.

A week later the car was rear ended and totaled!!!!! It was cursed. So, we bought the new 2009 Mercury Mariner. Here we are on our first trip hauling it, about 150 miles in, and guess what???? Yep, the trany is burning up. We left it at a dealer on the road, and our just heading to our destination.

Question, those of you having problems, so you have a tow shield over the hood?

- Lilly

Lilly,

Are you talking about a shield in front of the GRILL-- where air enters the radiator?

If so, has that been suggested as a cause of the failure?

If so, I would like to know how the transmission fluid is cooled when the vehicle is towed-- i.e. is the fluid circulated through the cooler???

And, if it is, would adding a large transmission cooler for $100 be an answer???

"Inquiring minds want to know"!

Brett Wolfe

[kathykim]

We just bought a 2009 Ford Escape, auto transmission about six 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 and Marty Schermerhorn

Lilly - we do not use a tow shield. Please check the other thread about this subject. Supposedly the fluid level is the main problem with these transmissions. It needs to be lower to tow than the normal driving level. I think you will find that you will continue to have problems if the fluid level isn't lowered.

[GLGASTON]

We purchased a new 2009 Ford Escape XLT 4WD on August 1. It came with a "RECREATIONAL (FLAT) TOWING AND TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL SUPPLEMENT". It replaces the recreational towing and the checking automatic transmission fluid sections of the owners manual.

The supplement was first printed in June 2009. The only number I see on it is 9L8J 19A285 AA.

It shows examples of the dip sticks used and shows exactly where the fluid levels should be. It also warns to have your fluid level checked for flat towing by an authorized Ford dealer. This should be done before you tow.

[Pierre Mathieu]

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.

Hello, Kathy and Kim.

I read your messages with great interest. My dealer faxed me the technical bulletins concerning the matter.It looks like the solutionthey gave youlooks ok. You correct this problem by changing the dipstick for the transmission and follow the procedure for operating within the safe level of fluid and a few more details before towing( shift the gears after running the motor idle for five minutes and repeat after every 6 hours of towing+no more than 65 milles speed. I haven't towed my Escape 2009 yet and I will go to my dealer before towing to have the vereything corrected. I'm curioius to know what happened on your Sept.12th trip. Did eveything go well?

I'm from Quebec city and I'm probably one of the first owner to make this changes so your "nightmare" was of great help.

Thank You
Pierre Mathieu

[rhino]

The dipstick adjustment on the Ford Escape DOES NOT WORK. We needed number 4 tranny put in our 2009 Ford Escape. Ford ended up repurchasing it from us. The last transmission got hot at 106 miles of towing. Ford does not have a real fix for it, other than get rid of it.

[kathykim]

I'm really disappointed that rhino still had the problem after the dipstick adjustment. We did make a second test drive of over 500 miles and did not have a problem. That said, we do think there was a small amount of fluid on the back again, but we hit a little rain and couldn't really be sure. I have a feeling that this is just something to "get by", but will eventually blow up again. Someone on the Ford forum said that they were told Ford is working on a fix, with a different tranny cooler, but that hasn't been confirmed. We can only hope. I've attached a link to the Ford thread for those who are interested.
http://www.ford-forums.com/ford-escape/349...on-failure.html

[kathykim]

This was posted on the Ford Forum - I was incorrect about the cooler - it is something about the reservoir:


"We have our '09 Escape back after 15 days at the dealer for transmission failure after flat towing behind motorhome 300 miles.
Service manager at my Ford dealer stated Ford has a fix in the works. He didn't have good detail but indicated there was a reservoir to be added or revised on the 6F35. He also stated the fix could not be retrofitted to existing transmissions that it would require transmission replacement. He also indicated Ford would only replace transmission w/ retro trans as they fail and not replace preemptively."

[lizcroley]

It looks as if this thread might have a long life. It will be especially so as the snow birds begin their trek southward. The dealer in Daytona that replaced my tranny a couple of weeks ago told be he hadn't seen any problems with these transmissions until he saw mine three weeks ago Since then he said he as gotten two more being towed off I-95.

I really hope a fix is found that can be done without experiencing a two week outage while on the road. We full-timers need predictability and dependability. I must say that after buying Fords since 1972 (more than I would care to admit) this experience is somewhat disheartening.

I plan to visit my selling dealer tomorrow to begin a discussion for some resolution.

Thanks to all of you for your candid posts.

John

[tomh802]

We bought a Ford Escape 2009 in December of 08 with the assurance of the owners manual saying that it is flat towable. Ford installed three transmissions for us that winter, and then bought it back in the summer. We now have an 09 Escape Hybrid, since we really liked the car. The hybrid has given us no problems while flat towing. We had to pay the difference in the MSRP's; and of course we were severely inconvenienced while the various dealers installed a new tranny. All the dealers were very good; although there was always a delay in getting the new transmission, they worked hard to get the job done as quickly as possible. Incidentally, we noticed that the hybrid gets several miles per gallon better economy when it is not necessary to use the AC, since the gas engine has to run all the while the AC is on.

[RUSSELLCKRAMER]

WE JUST PURCHASED A 2010 FORD ESCAPE FWD FOR OUR TOAD. DOES ANYONE HAVE A 2010? IF SO HAVE YOU HAD ANY TRANSMISION PROBLEMS? HAD IT TO DEALER TO LOWER FLUID LEVELS YESTERDAY. HOPE TO GO ON SMALL TRIP TO SEE IF ANYTHING HAPPENS. WILL KEEP YOU UPDATE IF ANYTHING HAPPENS. HAPPY RVING

[kathykim]

WE JUST PURCHASED A 2010 FORD ESCAPE FWD FOR OUR TOAD. DOES ANYONE HAVE A 2010? IF SO HAVE YOU HAD ANY TRANSMISION PROBLEMS? HAD IT TO DEALER TO LOWER FLUID LEVELS YESTERDAY. HOPE TO GO ON SMALL TRIP TO SEE IF ANYTHING HAPPENS. WILL KEEP YOU UPDATE IF ANYTHING HAPPENS. HAPPY RVING

I haven't heard much about the 2010. We have taken several more small trips with the 2009 with no problems. I am still convinced that the outside temperature is a factor, but hope I'm wrong. We won't be taking a long trip until July when we will go from Arizona to Oregon. If ours makes that trip, I will be convinced that the problem is solved. An update regarding the Ford Forum - that site was apparently hacked and the thread with the information is gone. I'm disappointed about that, as there was a good deal of useful information on that site. I've continued to monitor the site to see if any new problems get posted. One piece of advice - check the fluid yourself each and every time after you go to the dealer - they tend to top off the fluid when you are there for something unrelated. We also plan to have our dealer document the fluid level in writing before leaving for the Oregon trip. I hope everything works out for both of us! Kathy

[johnp8n]

Here's more info if you want the correct answers. I walked away from two Ford dealerships because instead of finding me the correct answer about towing, they made up an answer. If I was going to buy the car and live with it, I wanted to see the manufacturer towing guidelines in writing. The dealership where I bought my 2008 Ford Escape Hybrid did it right. The service advisor told me the car was towable four wheels down and all I needed to do was put it in neutral and of course put the ignition in accessory so the front wheels would turn. He showed me the user manual instructions that confirmed it. When they don't know, they find out instead of making up an answer. I recommend the Bob Allen Ford dealership in Overland Park, Kansas (913) 381-3000.

Note: They had never had someone who was going to tow this vehicle so they declined to install the Blue Ox tow baseplate or braking system so I had my rv service people do that for me. I'm happy they were honest and sent me elsewhere rather than doing a poor job.

I looked at my 2010 Mercury Milan's Owners Manual set up procedure for flat towing after each of the two transmissions burned up on first trip out with 2400 miles on car.
jep8n

[kathykim]

Johnp8n - Were you at the lowered fluid level when your transmission burned out on your Mercury? And if so, did you check it yourself? I'm desperately hoping this will fix the problem, and so far has been OK on our 09 Escape, but I just don't have that much confidence in this fix. But I refuse to quit towing - I will keep having transmissions put in as long as necessary...

[johnp8n]

Johnp8n - Were you at the lowered fluid level when your transmission burned out on your Mercury? And if so, did you check it yourself? I'm desperately hoping this will fix the problem, and so far has been OK on our 09 Escape, but I just don't have that much confidence in this fix. But I refuse to quit towing - I will keep having transmissions put in as long as necessary...

I do not know. The dealer we bought the car from said it was set up for towing. First 350 miles, with stop for 5 min run, the tx was burned. Spent 6 days at the Ford dealer in Manning SC while new tx(with a baffle to reduce fluid aeration) and radiator was installed. Was told fluid level was as per the manual for flat towing. Towed 3 100 mile trips and was in Wilmington NC and though I smelled burn oil. Went to Ford dealer in Wilmington NC and the service manager said the only thing he saw was a low fluid level in the tx. Before he added fluid I showed him the fluid level in the owner's manual and he said he did not know that. He assured me that the level was per the manual. 900 miles later the second tx burned up. Got tow dolly in VA and towed back to FL where I purchased car. On way back I stopped by ford in Manning and service manager gave me a copy of a recall he had received the day before requiring a reprogramming of the tx computer. Gave Ford in Titusville a copy of recall, and tx with new radiator was installed. They gave me a copy of the work order for the reprogramming of the tx computer. Got home yesterday after 1150 miles towing as per the manual and only problem was the battery was run down after 5.5 hours of towing. This has been a problem since I first towed it.

John

[kathykim]

I do not know. The dealer we bought the car from said it was set up for towing. First 350 miles, with stop for 5 min run, the tx was burned. Spent 6 days at the Ford dealer in Manning SC while new tx(with a baffle to reduce fluid aeration) and radiator was installed. Was told fluid level was as per the manual for flat towing. Towed 3 100 mile trips and was in Wilmington NC and though I smelled burn oil. Went to Ford dealer in Wilmington NC and the service manager said the only thing he saw was a low fluid level in the tx. Before he added fluid I showed him the fluid level in the owner's manual and he said he did not know that. He assured me that the level was per the manual. 900 miles later the second tx burned up. Got tow dolly in VA and towed back to FL where I purchased car. On way back I stopped by ford in Manning and service manager gave me a copy of a recall he had received the day before requiring a reprogramming of the tx computer. Gave Ford in Titusville a copy of recall, and tx with new radiator was installed. They gave me a copy of the work order for the reprogramming of the tx computer. Got home yesterday after 1150 miles towing as per the manual and only problem was the battery was run down after 5.5 hours of towing. This has been a problem since I first towed it.

John

Thank you - we had not received a copy of the recall, so we just called our dealer and they told us to bring it in. Do you know if the reprogramming was specifically for towing, or was it for all Escapes?

[bbbeebop]

Ask your Ford Dealer to look up TSB 09-20-13. The tranny fluid must be set to the proper level.

[maperry]

I just had this happen to my 2010 Escape with automating. Griffin Ford (dealer in Waukesha Wisconsin) was very helpful. Ford fixed it under warranty with no question. It isn't really a question of air flow as much as transmission fluid level and following the Ford instructions. After they fixed it and filled it to the proper level I towed it back to Kansas with no problem.

The transmission fluid level needs to be set per Ford Service TSB 09-20-13. Ask your Ford dealer to do this. most dealers and aftermarket places fill the transmission too full for towing and then the heat of towing expands the fluid too much and and it cooks.

Just be sure to follow all instructions for warm-up and going through the gears before you tow, and run the transmission after a maximum of 6 hours on the road. I love the car and it works fine if you follow the Ford recommendations.

JUST BE SURE YOU HAVE THE RIGHT FLUID LEVEL.

[kathykim]

I just had this happen to my 2010 Escape with automating. Griffin Ford (dealer in Waukesha Wisconsin) was very helpful. Ford fixed it under warranty with no question. It isn't really a question of air flow as much as transmission fluid level and following the Ford instructions. After they fixed it and filled it to the proper level I towed it back to Kansas with no problem.

The transmission fluid level needs to be set per Ford Service TSB 09-20-13. Ask your Ford dealer to do this. most dealers and aftermarket places fill the transmission too full for towing and then the heat of towing expands the fluid too much and and it cooks.

Just be sure to follow all instructions for warm-up and going through the gears before you tow, and run the transmission after a maximum of 6 hours on the road. I love the car and it works fine if you follow the Ford recommendations.

JUST BE SURE YOU HAVE THE RIGHT FLUID LEVEL.

We have been towing with the correct fluid level with no problem, but have read of at least two people who burned up with the proper fluid level. I'm still hoping this will do the trick, but I won't have confidence in this fix until I tow it this summer on a longer trip. We have our dealer document the fluid level before leaving and also check it ourself to be sure that it is correct. We had two transmissions replaced under warranty before they figured out that the fluid level needed to be lowered (the 2009 does not have it listed in the owner's manual like the 2010 does). There was a very good thread on a Ford Forum regarding these issues until the Ford site was hacked and that forum was deleted.

[kathykim]

IMPORTANT

I just received a copy of the "Customer Satisfaction Program" noted above, which we have already have performed. ALSO ENCLOSED was a notice that the towing instructions in the Owner's Guide are incorrect. They included an "Owner Guide Supplement" with the notice. While reading the revised instructions (which all have to do with the reduced fluid level that we have already discussed), I noticed an important instruction. The booklet says that you must have the fluid level verified by an authorized dealer before towing. I feel this is definitely a way for them to start denying paying for a new transmission if there is still a problem and the fluid level hasn't been verified by a dealer. We will be stopping at the dealer for verification before every trip. What a pain! But paying for the transmission if there is a problem and we DON'T have it verified will be a bigger pain. Anyway - I thought this was important info to share.