maxrail7@msn.com

We purchased the 2009 Mazda Tribute Touring model which is the same as the Ford Escape. The owners manual says that it can be towed 4 wheels down, starting the car and running it for 5 minutes, putting it in neutral and the key in the accessory position. Not to exceed 65 miles per hours, stopping to run the car at each fuel stop. On our first trip of only 50 miles we had no problems. The next trip we went 200 miles stopping every rest area to be sure all was well, when a passing motorist said our car was smoking. There was transmission fluid all over the back and top of the car, and the car would not start. We had the car towed to the Mazda dealer and they said that the transmission was in drive. After about a week they said that Mazda agreed to put in a new transmission, which they did. Now after reading all the problems with the Ford Escape we are very concerned about trying to tow the car again. Has anyone else heard about this problem with the Mazda Tribute? Lyn