mrgrc@aol.com

10/21/2009 We bought a new 2009 Escape V6 FWD in May of 2009. Our story is like most of the others. The first transmission was gone on the first trip of significance. The mechanic who worked on the car at the dealership who replaced it said "this car should not be flat towable". But after replacing the dip stick and adjusting the fluid level, I was assured all is good. But, please stop every couple hours, start and run the car for 5 minutes, and take it through the gears before proceeding. I have been totally paranoid since, and have followed instructions to the letter and then some. Did relatively short days from Quad Cities - IL/IA in mid Sept. After leaving Orlando a week ago last Saturday, we drove to 30 miles east of Tallahassee. Took the car grocery shopping that evening-- all was good. Hooked up next morning, and all was good. Stopped for the third time in Gulfport, MS (342 miles) to "exercise" the tranny. found tranny fluid all over the rear of car, and it is locked in neutral. It did start and I got it to park where it locked up. shut it off and now it won't start. Had Ford emergency tow it to a nearby dealer. That was 12 days ago, and we are making little progress. I e-mailed Ford customer relations (2x) and called once. The POOREST treatment I have EVER received. They still deny that they have a problem, and are unwilling to even reimburse us for the rental car or discuss camping fees. I expect we will be another week getting back on the road, and we had commitments in Mesa, AZ that we have missed. Have any of the others who have had similar experiences considered a group banning together in a class action suit to get fair treatment in this debacle??? mrgrc