Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford escape. The contact stated that the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic who diagnosed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 45,000.
2004 Ford Escape transmission complaints
Page 2 of 2: complaints 11 to 27 of 27, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I first noticed a surging and squeal type noise while coming to a stop. Spouse had repaired 3 times yet it continues. During this time I also heard a clanking noise from rear end as if hatch (window/door) was not securely closed but then assumed it may be related to the aforementioned issue. I mentioned noise increased, loud, frightening (steering difficulties). He contacted ford by phone (x3) and emailed however their reply was no fatalities or incidents had been reported therefore we have 2 options. 1) take it to a ford dealer for repair at our expense, 2) trade in for a new ford vehicle. Both school/city/govt employed and cannot afford 2000.00 to repair. Yesterday my husband removed the entire right shock when I returned home from work after a 12 hr day & told him I felt as if the back end was going to fall off & clanking sound intensified. At 8pm he was laying under car on garage floor and found the shock hanging! He was forced to remove as I had to work the next day at 6am. I am driving without one shock, new tires, rusted rear frame and surge continues. I would appreciate any suggestions as to other avenues for reporting. I have 2 coworkers with similar issues, both escapes. The removed shock is rusted, near crumbling of sort but saved along with several photos. Thank you in advance for reviewing my lengthy email and look forward to any input and recommendations. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr updated 1/21/15
Transmission broke in the year2008 and then again in less then 18 months later. The car we as not even 5years old. Two transmission job. Ford need to do recall on the transmission. Spoke to other owners and they had problems too. I will let themknow where to file complaint. Ford knows their is problem with the transmission but won't admit to it because it is a so costly for them to fix it.
Driving down road and the rpms on my 2004 escape jump up. So I try to slow down and car keeps accelerating. Throw car into park because brakes wouldn't slow it down. Ever site I read says it is the accelerator cable. Supposedly this was replaced by dealer while in for air bag indicator light repair in december 2012. Under recall. Now when I start vehicle rpms jump, and get burning smell from motor. Cars rpms jump while driving down road also. Battery and alternator were replaced in may 2013 but since they were replaced battery indicator light is dimly lite upon accelerating. I have spent a fortune on this vehicle and every time I turn around it needs more work. I also after getting battery and alternator replaced had to put a new throttle body component in because motor was racing to 3000 rpms while in park or while foot was on break. Please help. I am scared to death to drive this vehicle like it is. Can not afford to put anymore money into it either.
The problem started when the car was driving and all of sudden the car starts struggling and then shuts off. It would take a several attempts for the car to restart but eventually it would. Now the cars just idles and runs really rough and shuts off while driving. Took it to ford and they said all it needed was a new cat-converter manifold, not stating why. We replaced it ($1500) but the problem still repeated. Took it to a repair shop and they said it needed to replace 6 ignition coils and plugs and possibly the PCM. They also said the ignition coils caused the cat-convertor manifold to malfunction in the first place. So we replaced all coils and plugs for $1600 but they said the PCM was fine for now but it was a matter of time for the PCM to fail. I'm not sure if ford deliberately neglected this ignition coil issue but it is suspicious. My commute is mainly interstate hwy and I'm afraid this problem is might cause a major accident while on a major interstate hwy.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford escape. The contact was driving up a steep incline approximately 25 MPH when the engine rpms increased abnormally and the transmission failed to respond. The vehicle was driven to a nearby authorized dealer for diagnosis where they informed the contact that the transmission would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 81,000. Updated 01/15/13*lj updated 12/23/2013
Ford escape limited 2004 problem with automatic transmission, don't work VIN:[xxx]. I bought in march 2011. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
I have a 2004 ford escape xlt w/ 60000 miles. It required a torque converter replacement as part of the transmission shifting problem. Why isn't this listed as a recall item/ online it appears there have been several transmission failures for this vehicle. All vehicles, including mine have been well maintained. This vehicle and those in online reports indicate very similar failures. This seems to be a manufacturing deficit/ fault. This transmission problem should be a recall/replacement item!
The transmission on my 2004 ford escape stopped working while driving on the highway. The car went from drive to neutral at 60 MPH. It happened while I was accelerating to change lanes and almost caused a major accident as the car behind me had to slam on it's brakes and swerve to avoid other vehicles.
Transmission failure at 65k miles. Trans fluid flushed by ford @ 30k miles. Car is less than 3 years old and almost every mile is on a flat easy interstate highway. I asked for assistance, ford told me to go fly a kite. I also informed ford that they lost an entire family's future purchases of any ford product / service.
Consumer noticed the vehicle was using excessive fuel and was not shifting into gear properly. At one time, the vehicle would not go into reverse. The dealer examined vehicle and determined that transmission was defective, even with up to date service records, and noted that problem first started at 49,000 miles, manufacturer refused to assist in repair.
2004 ford escape, consumer would like reimbursement for the catalytic converter. *kb front and rear catalytic converters plugged. The dealer replaced both. The egr valve had a hole in it.
Came out of park while I was pumping gas and rolled into the store . ( about 35 feet ).
My 2001 ford escape had its automatic transmission break at 40,00 miles. It had to be repaired 3 more times within the year,the third time after having the recall for the stalling problem. There was a seam weld broken in clutch drum in 2nd repair.
Complete transmission failure at freeway speed. No accident, injuries, or property damage was involved. The vehicle a '04, ford, escape, 2wd, auto, had 5,104 miles and was less than 90 days old. Vehicle was towed to dealership, which promptly replaced defective transmission with a new one. Total time required was (6) working days. Most of the required time was waiting for the delivery of a new transmission. Dealership reported the transmission failure was due to the "planetary bearing". The "needle bearings" in the "planetary bearing" had failed. They disintegrated. Small metal fragments worked through out the transmission, resulting in excessive internal damage. Transmission was repaired under warranty. All costs for towing, repair, and loaner were paid by ford motor co. Repair work was performed by dick masheter - ford and they did a good job. I did request a 3yr, 36,000 mile warranty for the new transmission. This was denied. I still have the original factory warranty of 3 yr, 36,00 miles; but I wanted the clock reset for the new transmission. This would have extended the warranty for the new transmission to 41,104 miles. A single failure may happen, since we don't live in a perfect world. I'm filing a complaint for informational purposes, so the federal safety agency may track this type of failure and perhaps determine if it requires further investigation and/or a recall.
My 2004 ford escape rolls backward when in drive on an incline (moderate to steep). The dealer says this is normal. I think this is a safety problem.
Consumer noticed the vehicle was using excessive fuel and was not shifting into gear properly. At one time, the vehicle would not go into reverse. The dealer examined vehicle and determined that transmission was defective. The manufacturer replaced the transmission. *ak
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