Hey guys, my buddy is looking to buy a Ford Escape. He's not sure whether to get a new one or a couple years old. What are the typical problems that Escapes have, and are there any years to stay away from and which years are the best? Thanks!

 

rattles

 

I DO NOT recommend 2001-2005 model years, due to the CD4E transmission!!!

That thing stinks!

I had a 2003 Escape, fully loaded, and the transmission blew out 4 times! Yes, FOUR (4) TIMES!

Not to mention it left me stranded more times than I wanted to be.

They are worse than Chevy Blazers.

Plus forget about changing the plugs... that's a good $600 job right there, because they are wedged near the firewall.

Plus it's front wheel drive... it's a gunky suv.

 

My uncle is a commercial and fleet manager for ford. All of the 2008+ Escapes are virtually solid, as Ford is trying to corner the taxi industry with the new hybrids. My uncle personally has clients in NYC with well over 100k miles on them with little or no problems whatsoever. Not to mention, Ford is working side by side with the taxi companies in working out any problems, as Ford has recently announced that they will no longer be making the Crown Victoria's available as Taxi's.

 

the 08's have a big problem with the transmission cooler leaking. i have 4 today in my dealership, same complaint slipping n leaking fluid in the frt

 

*Sigh*... just when I think Ford solved a crucial problem, they just made a booboo in another.

I'm still not a big fan of automatics... way to much to go wrong.

All my stick vehicles, never had a problem transmission wise... so far it's been like 5 and counting.

 

Its small, and cannot carry anything in the bed. Oh yeah, it lacks a bed.

 

yup done lots of those...still not as common as the radiators and belt tensioners on the 6.4s tho

 

My sister has had 2. An 03, and an 06. She hasn't had any issues. I know 3 other girls that drive them. They have always been great for them. Mall security drives them because they can move through the parking lots easy.

I would tell your buddy to get a bit bigger SUV. I think the Escape kinda falls in the "chick car" category. JMO.

ManualF150, could your exhaust have caused any problems? It sounds like you had some bad luck. Is this your work?

 

Yup! Those are what I call "bird pipes"... I used to have gulls and crows perch on them all the time....

Actually, that was a Flowmaster 40 Series, SI/DO... didn't sound too bad...

I had my first bad experience with a K&N filter with that thing too.

Maybe it was just a lemon... who knows.

 

How far did those pipes stick out?

 

Dunno, but every inch increased the length of laugh.

 

Oh, 'bout 12" or 1 foot.

People used to smack their shins into them all the time when they'd walk by my suv at like the mall or shopping center.

 

manual, i can not believe someone would do such weird things as you do, but i dont know if you are smart enough to be fooling us all.

 

Oil pan gaskets on older 3.0 liters, and transmission problems. That's about it really.