rhevey

With all of the posts on these Forums about problems with Ford transmissions, specifically the 6F35 model as used in the Escape, Fusion, Mariner and Mazda Tribute I would strongly encourage anyone considering buying a new or used 2009 model or later to buy another brand. I bought a new 2009 Escape. Ford has stonewalled me on the 2 failures I had (the first after about 18000 miles of towing, the second about 1000 miles later) and refused to buy it back. I have posted more detail elsewhere in these forums. I made at least 5 requests to Ford to buy it back and they refused. They didn't even offer any compensation for miscellaneous expenses. I had to sell it at a substantial loss. From what I've learned if you experience 4 failures, Ford will buy it back under the Lemon Laws. I wasn't willing to go through the agony and wasted time to experience two more failues before asking Ford to buy it back. The average repair time is 2-3 weeks. It took the dealer 2-1/2 weeks to make the second repair on mine. That's a big chunk out of a 4-6 week trip. We only do long distance travel, 4-6 weeks at a time and can't live with an unreliable tow car. We'd end up marrooned in a distance city for "X" weeks killing time. I sent personal letters and e-mails to Alan Mulally, Ford CEO with no luck. I did get a call back from a Ford engineer who told me he was going to take another look at my claim but he abruptly notified me that there was nothing he could do. Apparently when he looked into my case he got his hand slapped.

I would highly recommend you don't buy a Ford Escape, Fusion, Mercury Mariner or Mazda Tribute to tow. They all use the same transmission which is very prone to catastrophic failure. My 2009 failed twice. It only had 10900 miles on it at the last failure. I sold it to a Ford dealer in Amarillo and went back to the Honda CR-V. Ford refused to buy it back at any price four times or reimburse me for my expense of making this mistake. Google "Ford Escape transmission problems + towing" and you will see several reports of transmission failures, some resulted in the vehicle catching fire. Also, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration lists at least 3 reports of transmission failures. Ford won't buy them back until you have four failures which is the magic number most State Lemon Laws use. If you want to put up with four failures then you can use your State Lemon Law to get a full refund of your purchase price minus a small allowance for your use of the vehicle. I'd be glad to share info such as addresses, names, phone numbers etc. with anyone. Contact me at: briact07@hotmail.com

I would highly recommend you don't buy a Ford Escape, Fusion, Mercury Mariner or Mazda Tribute to tow. They all use the same transmission which is very prone to catastrophic failure. My 2009 failed twice. It only had 10900 miles on it at the last failure. I sold it to a Ford dealer in Amarillo and went back to the Honda CR-V. Ford refused to buy it back at any price four times or reimburse me for my expense of making this mistake. Google "Ford Escape transmission problems + towing" and you will see several reports of transmission failures, some resulted in the vehicle catching fire. Also, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration lists at least 3 reports of transmission failures. Ford won't buy them back until you have four failures which is the magic number most State Lemon Laws use. If you want to put up with four failures then you can use your State Lemon Law to get a full refund of your purchase price minus a small allowance for your use of the vehicle. I'd be glad to share info such as addresses, names, phone numbers etc. with anyone. Contact me at: briact07@hotmail.com Hopefully this year's Dinghy Towing Guide from Motor Home Magazine will put a warning in their information on the Escape.