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Ford Escape Mazda Tribute Maintenance and Repair

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Comments

  • oberfieldwebeloberfieldwebel Member Posts: 52
    It sounds like every Escape/Tribute owner should learn how to have their vehicle towed.
  • zsparkszsparks Member Posts: 8
    I have been keeping up on all of the different comments since about mid August. I am really amazed at how many people are belly aching about the Escape. Personally I don't have mine yet (it is ordered and hope to have by December) and maybe I will soon be complaining, but I have driven the Honda, Nissan, Kia, Explorer, Blazer, Jeep Wrangler/Cherokee and others in search of what my wife and I think will be the perfect (car/station wagon type SUV grocery getter kid hauler and all around fun rider) for us but keeping in the 20-25k price range. I think the big point here is the price range. Look around at what you can get anymore for that money and I think those of you with the clicks and whirls, recalls jitters and other problems that have come up will see that all these initial problems may not be so bad. Most people say that you should never buy a first year production vehicle. Maybe this is one SUV that some people should have heeded that advise and stayed away from since these things are known to happen in year one. I loved the Jeep Wrangler, it was a ball of a test drive and I had to talk my wife out of it for practicality purposes, the Cherokee Sport is just plain small and uncomfortable and the KIA Sportage is JUNK. I felt like I was in a go kart. The Nissan is underpowered. I could go on and on. Before we decided on the Escape we test drove four different V-6 models and every time we drove it we loved the car feeling, tightness and engine punch. I felt like I was in my wifes Grand Am. The Explorer, Blazer and Mountaineer are really trucks with a wagon rear end and frankly I did not like the hopping/truck feeling that I felt in it. I get that enough in my F-150. But also these have true 4 wheel drive tranny's with low end. This obviously results in different suspension and design type. Hence the unibody frame. For all practical purposes a car frame. I am not trying to slam on the people who are upset about their Escape because honestly people cheering and carrying on about how much they love a car is much more boring than reading messages about problems. At least we can all add our two cents and then look out for the clicking noise under the hood or tranny clunk in ours. I just hope I feel like I do now after having the car for a while. I'll be the first to type that I am upset about something, but I won't forget that it's not a LEXUS or BMW. It's a low priced Ford SUV that is appealing for a lot of reasons. Wind noise in my opinion is a given. I did not buy an Excursion. More often than not people pay for what they get and clearly a 25k price tag does not get much anymore. It is really too bad but that seems to be the American way anymore. I sure don't like it any more than you. Regardless of all of the bad messages I still am just chomping at the bit to pick it up. I certainly don't think that I am right by all accounts because I don't even have one yet. I just think that I have a perspective of what my money is paying for and for the money I don't expect it to be a MERCEDES.
  • FrankMcFrankMc Member Posts: 228
    is about the transmission. I read somewhere on the internet (blueoval.com or whereever), that Ford is working on a new transmission for the Escape but didn't get it done in time, so for the time being the automatic transmissions on their 6 cyl they will use the Mazda 626 4 cyl transmission. There have been some issues with that transmission, here is a link to a FAQ set up for that.
    http://www.dustbury.com/626/trans.html
  • newdriver2newdriver2 Member Posts: 68
    Where did you guys hear the news for the transmission?
  • adamjraeadamjrae Member Posts: 65
    If you want a SUV from 20-25 check out the Hyundai Santa Fe. I had a Tribute on order and dropped it for Dealer/Recall/Ordering problems. That weekend I took a Santa Fe out and loved it. It's basically everything the Tribute/Escape is minus Sunroof/7speaker stereo/side airbags/towing pkg(standard oil/trans coolor though)/ and none of the recalls.
  • newdriver2newdriver2 Member Posts: 68
    Does anyone know which transmission is using on the Tribute? Is the 626 V6 transmission or Contour V6
  • omnibudomnibud Member Posts: 24
    previous post indicate it's from the 4 banger set up from the 626
  • csapm3csapm3 Member Posts: 6
    To all those concerned about the tranny problems I did some research and have encouraging results. Turns out this is the tranny from the 626 4banger and Contour/Mystique with duratecs. When first introduced, the tranny had a terrible reliability record with regard to specific areas. Ford has been making running changes to this since 1994 but
    in 1999 (I guess when the Escape/Trib was planned) they beefed up the trans adressing specific problem areas. It is now obvious that this trans doesn't have the same internals as a 626 4 banger with considerably less HP and torque. I haven't had any bad symptoms with mine (1800 miles), but I was getting increasingly concerned that future problems would crop up. Someone earlier posted a link explaining the problems in the 626 and what was done to beef it up. It is interesting and should shut up some critics. It is www.dustbury.com/626/trans.html.

    I found one thing that I did not like about the tranny design. In order to change the filter, the trans must be completly opened. The pan is mounted vertically so there's no drop the pan method of service. I plan to do this (or have it done learning this) every two years. If it was a conventional pan set up I would do it myself.

    I still have that fuel smell after the motor is hot then turned off. It isn't as bad but is still present - although I'm really not concerned about it.
  • boomer18boomer18 Member Posts: 24
    It's somewhat disconcerting to learn that the Triscape trans filter seems to be so hard to access. I wonder whether the trans is the "new type" that supposedly doesn't need servicing (and don't say, "Dan Quayle, you're no BMW!). I like to change my auto tranny filters, and the portion of fluid that comes out in the process, about once per year (I'm in real estate sales and have a lot of short trips on surface streets w/lots of tranny shifts per mile driven). There's usually been significant significant particulate material in the bottom of the pan (especially around the little magnets they put in there) and in the filter.
  • gloo2gloo2 Member Posts: 2
    FOR NEWDRIVER2
    I CURRENTLY OWN A HONDA CRV--98 ES---NEVER HAD A PROBLEM----I MEAN NEVER!!!!!! WHAT A GREAT VEHICLE. TRUTHFULLY, I LIKE THE LOOK OF A TRIBUTE BUT I AM TOOOO SATISFIED WITH MY CRV. AND I STILL THINK ITS CUTE!!! IVE OWNED 2 HONDAS AND NEVER HAD ANY MECHANICAL PROBLEMS, FIRST WAS A CIVIC WHICH WAS TOTALLED BY ANOTHER CAR--SO THEN I BOUGHT THE CRV---ALSO, IT HAS AN EXCELLENT RESALE VALUE. MY CIVIC WAS 6 YRS OLD WHEN IT WAS TOTALED AND I GOT $6500 FOR IT---WHEN I OWED $2400
  • gloo2gloo2 Member Posts: 2
    ANY COMMENTS REGARDING HONDA CRV AND TRIBUTES? THOUGHT ABOUT TRADING IN, BUT AFTER READING ALL THIS----I DOUBT I'LL LEAVE HONDAWORLD
  • omnibudomnibud Member Posts: 24
    the crv is nice, with an excellent drive system, good looks and that honda reliability....i guess the only rap on it is the lack of snap. i should have got one 3 yrs ago, but pinched a few pennies and bought a sportage.....ops, well without going into diatribe about the KIA, lets just say that was 3 tough years. and i had no mechanical issues with it whatsoever, it just weighs too much and has too little a powerplant. actually does pretty good in snow, but you really have to put the coals to her to simply stay with traffic.
    so i went from a sportage to a trib ES, now i can't stop smilling...and the tranny is smooth and positive in its shift, the cabin is quiet and the handling crisp.
  • jnj521jnj521 Member Posts: 3
    I have a friend who bought a 2001 Escape about two weeks ago. I believe it was an XLT with everything but leather for about 23K. At 970 miles he came out of work one day with a friend of his wiping his hands on his back tire. When he asked what was going on the guy said he thought there was break dust all over the car. It turned out to be an oil substance. He started to drive home and could not turn the vehicle left. Back to the dealer and low and behold his power steering case was cracked. Leaked all the fluid all over the inside of the engine and undercarriage. It has been nearly 10 days and the dealer still hasn't got the part. Good old FORD or as better known by old timers Found On Road Dead(F O R D).

    Too many recalls for me or anyone who pays this kind of money. Ford needs to seriously redesign their quality control or they will quickly lose their customer base.

    BTW very interesting posts.
  • psouthardpsouthard Member Posts: 10
    First problem with our Tribute (see post #76 for similar problem): On Friday, the wipers suddenly stopped working on our Tribute (not impressed to say the least!). After arriving at the local Mazda dealer, I was told that another Trib had come in the day before with the exact same problem. The technician said that he had not been able to repair the identical problem (linkage problem) on the other Trib. I am now driving a rental (payed for by the dealer/Mazda) while Mazda apparently finds a solution to this potential safety issue. Did I say that I was not impressed. Can anyone say recall #5 (or is that #6, #7, etc.)

    Has anyone else (besides post #76) experienced this problem.
  • drhbdrhb Member Posts: 1
    I was told by a Mazda dealer that the Trib is not real 4WD. That is, the button that allows "full time" 4WD is ONLY to get out of mud or deep snow; if it is left engaged, excess wear on the tranny will occur. This was also implied in the Mazda site, which refers to the 4WD button as being for "getting out of mud or deep snow."

    What's the point of a Tribute vs a RAV4 or a subaru, which both have fulltime 4WD? Am I missing something??
  • alexpalexp Member Posts: 70
    Drove today to a store passed Ford Dealership (Woodfield Ford in Schaumburg). Suddenly, traffic stopped and I noticed that reason for that was an Escape (taken for a test drive) stopping abruptly with loug noise and tire marks. Some fluid start leeking on the road. That Escape drove about 500 yards from the lot when it happened.
  • seadoo13seadoo13 Member Posts: 4
    Just got my loaded XLT a month ago, put on 1000km, It got 11 MPG in imperial gallons in the city. It's for sale!!!
  • scape2scape2 Member Posts: 4,123
    The CRV is a womans mini-suv. Honda needs to redesign like Toyota did the RAV4. Sorry, the CRV is to girly for me, I won't drive one!!
    A Ford dealer I drive by everyday has had the same 3 Escapes on their lot now for about a week. I wonder if all this bad press is starting to take its toll...
  • ranger47ranger47 Member Posts: 32
    Have you taken this vehicle back to the dealer to see if they can resolve the problem. That is about half what most people are getting in gas mileage..........
  • oberfieldwebeloberfieldwebel Member Posts: 52
    The Escape/Tribute is sounding more and more like a vehicle that was made behind what was the "Iron Curtain", possibly a Yugo?
  • FrankMcFrankMc Member Posts: 228
    I had heard bad things about the Mazda transmission, and also thought that it had been fixed. I was a little worried about the transmission going into a 6 cyl. Then on these boards I saw a few people write about transmission failures in under 1,500 miles. I'm sure that some transmissions fail prematurely in every car, but it just made me want to take a wait and see attitude about the entire car. I will be interested in seeing the reliabilty statistics in Consumer Reports.
  • newdriver2newdriver2 Member Posts: 68
    How many Honda or foreign cars that you owned before you got your Tribute? Do you have any trouble of your Tribute? Did the recall bothering you after you bought your Tribute? Is anything that you don't like in the Tribute? Do you know how many recall the Tribute had? (some people say 4 someone say 7)
  • willymacwillymac Member Posts: 5
    After viewing these posts, I am opting for the EW. What are cost & terms? Any comments? (Delivery of LX in December -maybe.)
  • willymacwillymac Member Posts: 5
    Why don't you restrict your comments to first hand experience or proper research to help/inform other members of this string, rather than clutter it with your witticisms. Better yet, find another forum. You are adding nothing.
  • rortvedtrortvedt Member Posts: 1
    I have had several Mazdas. MX-3,MX-6,Miata and now a Tribute. The MX-3 we bought in 92. It has 160,000 mi on it and we change the oil and do reg maint. Nothing ever gone wrong. We sold our MX-6 for the Miata. Never a problem with MX-6 and it had 85,000 miles. Bought the 99 Miata and it has 43,000 mi. No problems. Just bought the Tribute because it really is the best designed SUV on the market in both looks and handling and we have 1000 mi on it. So far, no problems. Mazda also has one of the best warranty coverage to 50,000. The simple matter is Mazda over all is known for reliability and there are always recalls for a new line of any car. It does not mean that they are junk. They are simply fine tuning. Yes, it is annoying and you get mad because you just bought a new car and have a problem but they will fix it. Many times owners then start to imagine problems or become a hypocondriac with their vehicle. Worse yet, they read uninformed posts on message boards and take the uninformed posts as truth. Your dealer should have a list of any and all recalls on the model of car you are buying and most of these issues were addressed in later production. I agree that it stinks they let about 6000 go with problems but the fact that they issued recalls quickly shows they want to make amends. Enjoy the car. It is really one of the best in it's class. Motor Trend wouldn't say so if they really didn't think so!!
  • roddy28roddy28 Member Posts: 1
    In reply to seadoo13, I also got about 11-12 mpg on my Mazda Tribute ES. Lousy fuel mileage, but great handling, acceleration, and styling. Can anything be done to fix this problem? They advertise 21-24 mpg on the specs, right?

    -Roddy
  • newdriver2newdriver2 Member Posts: 68
    Is there any different interior between the Tribute and Escape? I heard the Escape interior looks much cheaper than the Tribute. The seat in the Escape also less leather than the Tribute. Is this true? Any Escape/Tribute has this feeling or just someone say this because it is a Ford.
  • dyl2dyl2 Member Posts: 13
    Hey guys (or gals), I'm having the same problem and I've already got over 2000 miles on my truck so there goes the break in theory. I've called a couple of dealers and am taking it in on Thursday to have it checked out but it sounds like they don't know what to do about it. I've gotten at best 10 mpg but probably much worse than that. If you find out what's going on please post it or email it if you will davidylee2000@hotmail.com). I will do likewise. Let's get to the bottom of this.
  • seadoo13seadoo13 Member Posts: 4
    Yes, I've taken it back to the dealer and they couldn't pull any codes from the computer. they said come back in 5 months, it should get better by then. ha ha ha. You've got to wonder if dealers are comedians too. Anyway, did a little research, and there's no reason a 3 litre V-6 can't get good gas mileage. Unfortunately, Ford and Mazda engineers would have to go and re-engineer the mapping in the computer. Sure don't see that happening in the next year or so! Anyway I didn't buy an SUV so that it could live in the dealer's shop.
  • ii31ii31 Member Posts: 24
    Hi Folks,

    My tribute (ES/V6) is giving around
    15/20 instead of 18/24 advertised.

    I fill up the tank (double clicks on gas
    paddle), initialize trip odometer. When
    gas guage is close to E, fill up the
    tank again and use the gallons/trip-odo
    miles to get the MPG reading. For some
    reason, the full to 3/4 line in fuel
    guage comes up quickly than the last 1/4!

    High pitch whistle noise from fuel pump
    (rear axel) area:
    Took it to a Mazda service. They claim that
    it's normal. My tribute has 2000 miles now.

    To JayLiu: No, the noise I noticed isn't related
    to AC or vents.

    I.I.
  • ptmccainptmccain Member Posts: 86
    First, Seadoo is a moron for saying he is going to "sell" his Escape because of low gas mileage. As if every Escape gets gas mileage this low.

    Second, problem are undeniable. But to be fair we would need to do a survey of all Escapes being delivered. How many is that now, 15,000 or more?

    Third, obviously people having problems are going to gravitate here. OK, so I've heard of four problem Escapes.

    Fourth, the yahoo! Escape club has over 900 members and I've rarely read of problems there.

    The most prominent "problem" is the wind noise on the Escape, which we all know about, or should have known about from all the reviews we read.

    So, before everyone believes the Escape is just a pile of junk we ought to bear in mind the points above.

    PTM
  • alotawattsalotawatts Member Posts: 44
    Ordered an LX Tribute Sept. 5, 2000 with the Moonroof/stereo package. Got word from the Dealer today that there is a problem with the Moonroofs leaking. Delivery time is now anyone's guess (as it was to begin with). After all of the other reported problems I feel fortunate that I did not receive my Galaxy Blue colored Lemon in my ten week wait. The Northwest is not the place for broken windshield wipers and leaking roofs so I am Zoom-Zoom-Zooming to purchase a different vehicle.
  • newdriver2newdriver2 Member Posts: 68
    Thank you for those people who reply/answer my questions. Since the day that I design to buy a new car, I did a lot of research on the mini-SUV. I just cannot tell myself to buy a CRV instead of the Escape because I like its handling and baking. However, I heard a lot of people say that Ford is a bad company and the cars from Ford are very easy to break down. Is it ture? I know someone in Edmunds.com tell me that he got a Crown Victoria with 178k milage and my escort also has 103k right and it did not give my any trouble. (except I change the alternator and timing belt) Why some people say that? Did anyone has the same feeling too? Please tell me.
  • doublewingdoublewing Member Posts: 16
    Did you ever see the Blues Brothers movie, where the cop car disintergrates at the end?

    At bit like the Audi Fox, eh?
  • scape2scape2 Member Posts: 4,123
    It seems we have a few moles in and out of Escape/Tribute rooms spreading the fear that these vehicles are junk. I also hope people would dig deeper and visit other chat rooms around the net about these vehicles. I visited the Yahoo Escape room and the MAJORITY of people are happy with their purchase and have experienced no problems. I will be in the market after April (Taxes) for an Escape XLT 4wd v6. I was also sucked in by these moles and made started feeling a bit hesitant about purchasing an Escape. NO MORE! I have been around the net and so far the Escape/Tribute are a solid homerun.
  • katherine33katherine33 Member Posts: 5
    Dear Katherine:

    Thanks for your e-mail asking us for information on the Mazda Tribute. It
    is always a pleasure to hear from our subscribers.

    I am happy to tell you that we are planning to publish a report on the Mazda
    Tribute in the March 2001 issue. This report should be available on our site
    around February 15th. Regrettably, we can't release any information prior to
    publication. If possible, you may wish to delay your purchase until our
    report is published.
  • peterw64peterw64 Member Posts: 2
    I have a tribute lx v6, and I am experiencing
    some fuel smell during warm start-ups** the smell
    seems to be coming in from the vents ** the smell
    does seem to go away ** but waiting 10 minutes
    and restarting i get the fuel smell again** the
    mechanic didnt see any leaks but sat in the car
    with me and he also smelled the fumes ** but he
    checked it out and couldnt find anything**has anyone had this problem and had it fixed ** i am
    thinking about requesting the fuel line be replaced regardless *** does anyone have any input?*** oh yeah ** the vehicle has about 2500 miles on it*
    thanks
  • scape2scape2 Member Posts: 4,123
    Katherine 33, Glad you posted those recalls. Now anyone can see that certain recalls only pertain to a certain number of Escapes/Tributes built during a certain time frame. If people read these they will also see that a recall doesn't constitute that ALL Tributes/Escapes will have EVERY recall. Ford/Mazda are catching these problems and fixing them. This is why I am waiting another 6-9 months before I really start looking to buy. If this was an attempt to disuade buyers like me, nice try, your just pushing me farther and farther to the Escape/Tribute group.
  • oberfieldwebeloberfieldwebel Member Posts: 52
    Did Consumers Reports really suggest that you delay your purchase of a Tribute until their report is published in March? I wonder what they have to report that would induce them to make that statement?
  • newdriver2newdriver2 Member Posts: 68
    How many peole experienced the fuel smell when they start the Tribute/Escape in warm?
  • dfchiso2bme1dfchiso2bme1 Member Posts: 1
    Hello group I am a newby at this but I figured I would share a problem or two I am having with my 4wd ES Trib. We have encountered the fuel smell in our garage after driving the Trib, but we haven't smelled it inside the vehicle while we were driving it. Oh, before I go rambling on about the minor problems we are having with our TRIB I would like to say my wife and I simply LOVE our truck. Now, back to business about the fixable problems we are having with our trib. The low gas mileage we think is affected by whatever is causing the fuel smell. Once one is fixed the other will disappear. oh, by the way it is in for service as we speak getting the previously mentioned problems fixed. We have less than a 1000 miles on our TRIB. No other problems to mention at this time.
  • katherine33katherine33 Member Posts: 5
    Vince 8,

    To clarify this is the Tribute/Escape problem discussion so that is why I posted the recall info. I thought it might help those that may be experiencing problems. It is was in no way an attempt to dissuade just inform. I have been examining the Tribute for last 2 months and will mostly likely buy one myself.
  • katherine33katherine33 Member Posts: 5
    Oberfieldwebel,

    I believe Consumer Reports only wanted to say if you want more info (good or bad) wait until mid Feb to buy. As you know many people do not make a purchase until Consumer Reports has thoroughly tested the product and supplied their analysis with rating charts.
  • walkercmwalkercm Member Posts: 11
    I have a similar problem, I have a Ford Escape XLT with 2,100 miles. Bought it in September. Noticed "oil-like" fluid leading from my car (a slow drop leak). Ford dealer said it was power-steering fluid leaking from my "power steering rack". Anyway, I'm waiting for a replacement part now. Anyone else know of a similar problem?
  • scape2scape2 Member Posts: 4,123
    Consumer reports is bias. I have been with the Edmunds forum for over a year now visiting room after room. I also visit other car/truck/Suv chat sites around the net. I wish I would have kept the post now, but a person posted facts/links and so on proving Consumer reports is bias. Something on a foreign car is ok, but on a domestic of the same line, not ok. This person posted magazine dates, issues, and articles proving his point. Beware of Consumer reports being the god of reviews. I personally don't like Consumer reports anylonger. I don't trust people who also review toasters and microwaves...
  • newdriver2newdriver2 Member Posts: 68
    Personally, I agree what you say and I think I may know which consumer report that you are talking(Suzuki Sidekick and GM Tracker).
    That is the reason why I keep post some questions about the Tribute/Escape on this site because the comment from other owners can be more trusted than consumer report.
  • loachloach Member Posts: 246
    A coworker of mine leased a Tribute on 9/5. About a month later she began experiencing the fuel smell problems and received a recall notice about the fuel line. She had that fixed, but the fuel smell came back. Now the dealer is telling her the intake manifold is cracked, and there is another recall pending for this problem. The dealer claims the problem only affects 1% of Tributes manufactured before 9/30. Can anyone else comment on intake manifold problems or confirm any of this information?
  • ccrixellccrixell Member Posts: 1
    With all the Presidential polls, I decided to take a poll here............knowing all about the recalls, how many of you would still be willing to purchase a Tribute?

    I am one of those "on again, off again" people. I love the way it drives, the price and the stylish looks although I am afraid to make the move to purchase.

    Can anyone help?? Thanks.
  • dyl2dyl2 Member Posts: 13
    Just got my truck back from the dealer after the fuel line was fixed. They said it had nothing to do with the low mpg and said that I would probably have to break it in which is a load of *r*p since I've already got 2500 miles on it. Good luck to all else who are having trouble with low mpg and let me know how you do.
  • tincup47tincup47 Member Posts: 1,508
    How many miles are you going on a tank of fuel?
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