kathykim

I think that alll the 6 cylinder whether FWD or 4WD seem to have this problem. Make sure you have the new dipstick and keep the fluid at the level in the Special Service Message. Do NOT let the dealer top off the fluid. I don't think it is a true "fix" for the problem, but does seem to help somewhat. It is VERY frustrating.

We did do another trip of about 500 miles and everything seemed OK. Still think there may have been a small amount of fluid on the back, but the level tested the same when we returned. I'm hoping they are quietly working on a fix at Ford and the newer transmissions are better. Probably just wishful thinking. Please let us know how your trip works out. We will only be taking trips of less than 250 miles each way until next summer, so we're just keeping our fingers crossed at this point.

Even thought the owner's manual and Remco state that the Honda Fit is towable, you are smart to try to get some actual info before buying. The 2009 Ford Escape's owner's manual states it is towable and you will see from the other threads, that many transmissions have been burnt up while towing (including two of ours). I wish I had known this BEFORE I bought mine.

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?

My husband believes that could lead to more problems. What if a fuel line or something broke? He just doesn't think it would be safe.

Did they replace your the tranny cooler as well? The first time that ours was replaced, they did not replace the cooler, but they replaced the cooler as well the second time. I'm still not sure that has solved our problem, but was curious to know if they had replaced your cooler. Our service guy seemed to think that was part of the problem. However, he also doesn't believe that this is a problem for anyone other than us.

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.

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.

Rhino - I was wondering what the result of your stop in Missouri was. Please post and let us know. Thanks!

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.