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Ford Escape Mazda Tribute Maintenance and Repair

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Comments

  • mikey2003mikey2003 Member Posts: 5
    I can't hear the noise before 65 and after 70, regardless if the gas pedal is being pushed or not. I may hear the noise at lower speeds, but it isn't as loud than at 65-70. The dealer replaced the rear axle, and power takeoff unit. This seemed to fix the problem for ~1 week. I think the problem started recurring after I had to floor the gas pedal when getting on a highway.
  • norrmanndonorrmanndo Member Posts: 81
    With any vehicle, when you get a noise only at a certain speed, it's usually a tire that needs balancing. Your rear axle shouldn't be engaging at 65 mph anyway. That doesn't seem like anything they should have been looking at. If your rear axle is trying to engage, then it's something to do with whatever mechanism engages the AWD. Is that what the power takeoff unit is?
  • mikey2003mikey2003 Member Posts: 5
    I'm not sure what the power take off unit does.. can someone explain this?
  • sterlingstreamsterlingstream Member Posts: 1
    I just began having stalling problems with my Escape a few weeks ago (2001 XLT, 3.0-6, 58k). July 18th I was on the highway 75mph going up hill and the following occurred simultaneously: loss of power, engine rmps varying between 200-1500, overdrive light flashing, puttering engine sounds (coughing up a hairball maybe?). I slowed down (as if I had a choice) and pulled off the highway. As I came to a stop the vehicle shut off (breaks stiffened, lost power steering, ect). I restarted it and did not have another problem for 1 week. On July 25th I was on a different highway 65mph going uphill, then level, then downhill as my car lost power and died 3 times in a 5 mile stretch. The only difference was the o/d light did not flash. I took it to the Ford dealership and had them do the recall work on it that I had just found out about. July 31st 65mph level then 40 mph level then August 1st 35mph level then 40 mph level then 35mph level (o/d light is flashing again)... Guess I'll be at the Ford dealership tomorrow eh? I just hope the dam thing doesn't die in a bad situation. Question; could this be an electrical short/static charge on the PCM or with a fuel control module? The problem seems to reset itself, even if only for a short while, after engine shutdown (only one reset without needing to shut down so far). My biggest worry/odd thought is that no idiot lights come on and there is no fault record of the event in the computer so the problem must be outside of the normal engine fault sensors. I am just rambling now but any thoughts anyone? PCM still?
  • otherplanetotherplanet Member Posts: 5
    The Low Coolant light stays On all the time. Checked the coolant, the level is OK there.
    Is it just a sensor problem? How much it costs to fix it?
  • drurex99drurex99 Member Posts: 10
    Had exactly the same problem. Dealership stated that there is a sensor inside the coolant reservoir that had been failing on more than a few Tribs.The entire coolant reservoir had to replaced as it was faster to remove that then to remove just the sensor and replace it. They replaced it under warranty. No problem since.
  • tributeowner1tributeowner1 Member Posts: 2
    Mine just started doing the same thing(Only starting when I hold my foot on the gas pedal). Did you (or anybody with similar)get your problem resolved?
  • otherplanetotherplanet Member Posts: 5
    Where I can find a spare tire for my 2001 tribute?
  • otherplanetotherplanet Member Posts: 5
    I just bought a used 2001 Tribute ES automatic. when I shift transmission from D to R, or from R to D, I can feel the the truck shaked, is that normal?
  • mhaynie1mhaynie1 Member Posts: 15
    I have a 2001 Tribute with 70,000 miles. The coolant light is due to a bad sensor - mine was replaced under warranty. I still have the original Continental tires - still in decent shape, though I may replace before winter. The truck doesn't shake when shifting. However, the shudder has returned so it is time to replace the fluid again.
  • clasleyclasley Member Posts: 16
    I have a '01 tribute es- 54,000 miles. My problem is that when I release my foot from the brake pedal I hear a hissing sound. I started noticing this problem about a month ago. Recently while getting recalls replaced I had them do the "mazda full service" check. They told me that I had less then 20% of pad left on my front brakes. I am not sure if this has anything to do with it but I have never heard of the pedal hissing just b/c of low pads. Any help you guys can give is appreciated!
  • dcgdcg Member Posts: 4
    I drive a 2004 Mazda, Tribute. It has approx. 6700 miles on it. I bought it new last October 28, 2003. I recently brought my car back to the dealership where purchased because the Idle was fluctuating (extremely) upon 1st start-up of the day (when the car is cold) and the V-Belt was making chatter/noise sounding like tapping or pinging. They replaced the IAC valve after having my car for 3 days. And also replace the Drive Belt Tensioner and V-Belt, AC. I took the car home and the very next day the same problem occured with the Idle, only the fluctuations are not as extreme. The noise was back with the V-Belt, AC. The car is back at the dealership and they have had it for a week. The Service manager is confounded because they can not identify what is wrong with the idle. I also told them about all the cabin noise and squeeking especially when taking corners. It sounds like wind and a lot of flexing is taking place...The manager told me they lubricated the door gaskets.???I have not picked up my car yet because they have not identified the idle problem on their second go around. He said it may be humidity affecting the idle. I say the car should not be temper mental in regards to weather unless a part is defective and being affected by moisture. I can't wait till this winter's snow. They also rotated my tires without telling me and checked my brakes without telling me. I noticed it on my receipt.???What's up with that. No report was issued...as customary. Because after they rotated my tires the car is really noisy and has a lousy ride. The manager told me there was uneven tire wear and that the tires needed to be balanced and rotated .??? I purchased a Mazda once again, my third one, because I never have problems with them. Please anyone any feedback on the idle, tires and cabin noise would be apprediated. Thank you DCG
  • bri66bri66 Member Posts: 220
    Just received my 01 Escape back from Ford service today. I have 71,000 miles and have replaced the fluid twice once at around 30,000 miles and again around 60,000 miles for transmission shuddering. Unfortunately this time it came back again shortly after the second fluid change. Ford service department had to replace the torque convertor and if I had not had the 100,000 mile power train warranty it would have cost me three days for a rental and $800 for repair. Also replaced front wheel bearings back in June for front end whining, again covered under warranty. Thank goodness for warranties.
  • wijocowijoco Member Posts: 462
    It sounds like you have an unusual problem. At least you know they are making an effort to correct it, even if they're so far unsuccessful. My advice would be to be patient and give them another chance or two to correct it; if they can't fix the original problem after three tries on a warranted vehicle, then you're eligible for Lemon Law compensation. Hopefully it won't come to that. And no, humidity should have no effect on a fluctutaing idle. He's probably just trying to come up with some type of stall tactic until they can figure out the real trouble.
  • snowmansnowman Member Posts: 540
    I wonder any of you guys read the content of the lemon law.
    He can't pursue Lemon Law. It is too late for that, 70 some thousand miles and almost 4 years of usage...
  • snowmansnowman Member Posts: 540
    Sorry, for some reason I took your posting as response to #2525.
    This is what happens when you rich the end of the Internet, your eyes start loosing focus....:-)
  • printzprintz Member Posts: 70
    1,500 miles on the vehicle & has done it since I got it....When the tranny kicks into 3rd gear I feel a little vibration & in 4th a little more pronounced...You feel it coming from under the vehicle & on the accelerator pedal......What do you think, bad torque converter??.....
  • printzprintz Member Posts: 70
    Just realized that Ford only covers the powertrain under the 36,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty, WHAT A JOKE......They must have alot of confidence in the durablity of their products....This is my 1st Ford purchase & will be my last unless it changes....Thank god it's paid for & won't put 36,000 miles on it in 3 years...After those 3 years I'll trade it in for a vehicle whose manufacturer backs up their products with a better warranty....
  • bri66bri66 Member Posts: 220
    You definitely want to bring your Escape in for service. With only 1,500 miles you shouldn't be feeling any shuddering from your transmission. From what your describing it sounds exactly the same problem that I had. If you have no plans for keeping it after the 36 months you'll be all set, but if you do you may want to talk to your dealer about a 100,000 mile warranty. So far mine has paid for itself.
  • audia8qaudia8q Member Posts: 3,138
    Just realized that Ford only covers the powertrain under the 36,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty, WHAT A JOKE......

    So why didn't you buy the Mazda Tribute? essentially the same vehicle but they come with a 4 year 50K warranty.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    That was a factor in my looking at a Quest instead of a Villager the last time I got a new car - the Nissan powertrain warranty was better, and they are the same van under the trim.

    Longer warranties have become a big competitive weapon. Mitsu is counting a Hyundai style warranty to bail them out of the zero/zero/zero mess they got in:

    Detroit Free Press

    Steve, Host
  • csf1csf1 Member Posts: 4
    Hello! Just subscribed to this site because I wanted to share some of the issues I've had with my 03 Tribute over the past 18 months. No problems with the engine thankfully! Purchased the car in January of 03 and when summer rolled around realized the air conditioning was very musty smelling, especially when first turned on so I would have to turn the vents away from me and drive fast with the windows down to blow out the initial mustiness. When I brought it back the dealer told me it's the type of gas we have in Ohio. ??? Where they got that one is beyond me. They admitted they had those complaints before and "sprayed" the air conditioning and it helped initially but then was back to foul air within a couple of weeks. Also, free oil changes are nice if you can make it to the dealer M-F from 8 - 5, which I can't. My husband complained that the seat warmer on the passenger side went on by itself, which drove him crazy. Initially they told me they couldn't replicate the problem so they couldn't fix it. The next time I brought it in I asked them to look again. They explained that they get this complaint every couple of weeks. When anyone "large".. any typical man, gets into the car by sitting then swinging legs in, the bottom of the seat is pressed down onto the button turning the heater on. I'm having it disconnected next week. They can do that while they are taking the seats out to buff and seal the rusted metal runners and supports under the front passenger and drivers' side seats. Service told me they never see rust like that unless a car has been submerged. (Does this explain the musty air conditioning?). Just for the record, the district manager refused to cover new metal supports under the warranty but the dealer is trying to make the customer happy. This is not surface rust we're talking about.. So that's it! Overall I'm happy with the car. No mechanical problems yet!

    CSF
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    Welcome aboard!

    "sprayed" the air conditioning and it helped initially but then was back to foul air within a couple of weeks.

    It may take more than one spraying to get the job done. Actually, you can do it yourself for practically no cost. There was a post by another user on these boards who spelled out in detail how he did it but our software upgrade seems to have our search feature paralyzed at the moment. I think the recommendation was to spray Pine Sol into the air conditioner intakes - somewhere beneath your windshield wipers.

    I also recommend turning off your air conditioning shortly before you turn off your engine (a minute or more).

    tidester, host
  • csf1csf1 Member Posts: 4
    Thanks! And thanks for the suggestion! I'll ask the service team where the intake is when I take it in next week and give it a shot. I'll let you know if it works.

    Have a great weekend!
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    While you're at it, ask you dealer what they use and what they would recommend. The other user may have said Lestoil - I just don't remember for sure.

    tidester, host
  • csf1csf1 Member Posts: 4
    Thanks! And thanks for the suggestion! I'll ask the service team where the intake is when I take it in next week and give it a shot. I'll let you know if it works.

    Have a great weekend!
  • csf1csf1 Member Posts: 4
    I'll ask...
  • lanceflancef Member Posts: 8
    You can also go to www.ford-trucks.com Then go to the forum for Ford Escape. There is a writeup and link titled "cab air filter" which details how to install a cabin air filter. There is a place for a filter but one is not installed when you buy a new Escape/Tribute
  • wijocowijoco Member Posts: 462
    There were some problems with the early model Escape evaporator drains plugging up or collapsing; I can't remember what model years were affected. Anyway you might mention this to the SM next time you're in, just to see what they think.
  • wijocowijoco Member Posts: 462
    Yes, but they were counting on the zero-zero-zero mess to bail them out of their previous problems, namely poor quality. Mitsu has been way behind the top Japanese marques in quality/reliability for a long time. And their products are neither sophisticated nor sporty; there really is no "Mitsubishi market." Longer warranties can actually spell disaster for a company incapable of building durable products.
        This 100k warranty craze is pretty curious when you consider that mostly companies with spotty quality histories are pushing them. Honda and Toyota haven't yet felt the need to match it: most of their products across the board still approximate the base warranties of their domestic competitors. It's ASSUMED their products are fairly reliable to 100K, and most loyal Honda/Toyota people are willing to pay an extra 10-20% retail for their vehicles up front with the understanding that they'll recoup their investment with lower long-term repair costs.
         Tripling these base warranties is expensive. I think it's actually another form of cynical short-term strategy: Lure buyers in with the feeling of security, create some cashflow, get your greasy mug on the cover of every business magazine as the next "Turnaround King," then high-tail it out of dodge (or Kia, whatever) with a sack of cash leaving your successor to deal with the millions of dollars of warranty repairs your company can't pay for. When those bills come due, it will be the buyer of the next-generation models expected to pay the extra cost of the company's new "upscale" models. Problem is that if the Kias, Suzukis, and Mitsus of the world haven't established quality reputations, customers will balk. "Why pay Honda prices for a Daewoo?" A lot of these borderliners will crash & burn. Maybe I'm just a pessimist, but every market has a saturation point.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    If you don't like Kia or Hyundai, I'll offer up Dodge as a good example of a company that turned its recent fortunes around with an extended warranty in its marketing quiver.

    But to your point, their warranty costs have dropped 34% in three years, so they got the build quality under control at the same time they extended the factory warranty. (Forbes)

    Steve, Host
  • wijocowijoco Member Posts: 462
    "If you don't like Kia or Hyundai, I'll offer up Dodge as a good example of a company that turned its recent fortunes around with an extended warranty in its marketing quiver.

    But to your point, their warranty costs have dropped 34% in three years, so they got the build quality under control at the same time they extended the factory warranty."

    Build quality and warranty costs are not the same thing. Warranty costs can be artificially reduced by refusing claims and cutting labor pay to dealer technicians, among other ways.

    A lot of companies are showing incredible decreases, in the 20s and 30s% in warranty costs over the past few years, modeling their new math after Ford's "streamlined" claims system. But the same companies are showing far less gains in quality or problems per vehicle during the same period. Huh???

    If, over the past three years warranty costs and build quality have been moving Chrysler's favor, why was their market share at its lowest point late last year? And in the middle of the aggressive financing period/price cuts? Because a quality reputation is established over a long period of time. That article goes on to mention the hot selling new models recently introduced, like the 300C, Magnum, and Durango, and the reduced scrap rates in their plants (which is a better indicator of quality), as major contributors to their (very) recent market share increase. Certainly, an extended warranty will lure more buyers, but if a customer's decision is made based on a warranty, then doesn't that show how little faith he had in the product's quality to begin with?
        New model introductions always put a quick spike in manufacturer's earnings. But will Chrysler sustain quality improvements? Odds are they won't in the short term. New model intros are usually accompanied by teething problems that temporarily retard quality reports. My contention is that simply tripling base warranties will be a long-term disaster for companies that can't *greatly* improve and sustain their quality.
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Ok, but if Mitsu doesn't have the quality reputation to attract buyers, how will they get people to the dealer without some hook?

    If they are making the most dependable cars in the world right now, it still will take a few years for the word of mouth and long-term reliability ratings to generate sales.

    The highest warranty claims among auto makers right now is Ford (trying to stay a little topical!) with 2.5% of sales, according to that Warranty Week link. So if Mitsu can get sales going again with the Hyundai style warranty, and keep their claims rate down (the norm is 1.9% for US manufacturers), then maybe they'll be in a lot better shape in three years than they were after three years of zero-zero-zero.

    I really think that a 5/60 powertrain warranty should be norm these days whether it's an Escape or a CR-V.

    Steve, Host
  • wijocowijoco Member Posts: 462
    "Ok, but if Mitsu doesn't have the quality reputation to attract buyers, how will they get people to the dealer without some hook?

    If they are making the most dependable cars in the world right now, it still will take a few years for the word of mouth and long-term reliability ratings to generate sales."

    Im not saying they shouldnt try every angle to get people in, but if they cant fix their quality problems, the extended base warranties will indeed cost them more in the long run than a 3/36 warranty. Desperate times call for desperate measures, but Im sure thats what they thought at the start of the 0-0-0 campaign.

    "I really think that a 5/60 powertrain warranty should be norm these days whether its an Escape or a CR-V."

    If you're saying "should be" like "I sure would like for this to be so" then yeah I agree. Shoot, manufacturers "should" give us 10/100 warranties. But if Honda can sell a certain amount of cars and make a hefty profit, increasing their market share slightly each year, offering base warranties, why would they spend more on 5/60 warranties? Loyal Honda and Toyota buyers will return to replace their Camrys and Accords based on brand loyalty built on years of positive experience. That's where the money is in any business-repeat customers. When you have to spend all your profit on advertising and incentives trying to replace dissatisfied lost customers, you're right where Mitsu is now.
  • chuck1chchuck1ch Member Posts: 15
    2001 Tribute LX 45,000 miles.

    Started getting light and dealer said it was the overflow tank. Had to order part, which they sent to me for self install. Two nuts, two hoses and one electrical connector. Done in 30 minutes, most of which was straining the coolant from the tank through a filter which caught alot of crud. Had coolant flushed at 40K. Thought the tank would be flushed too.
  • idleidle Member Posts: 8
    I don't have a stalling problem but after the recall my escape idles at 2200 rpm when I start it up, this happens even if the engine is warm. It quickly goes down to 750 rpm but the 2200 is too high when compared to the 1200 to 1400 rpm it reached when starting before the recall fix. Anyone got any ideas on how to fix this. Ford tells me that 220 is normal.
  • idleidle Member Posts: 8
    My Escape, after the recall idles at 2200 rpm when I start it up, this happens even if the engine is warm. It quickly goes down to 750 rpm but the 2200 is too high when compared to the 1200 to 1400 rpm it reached when starting before the recall. Anyone got any ideas on how to fix this. Ford tells me that 220 is normal. The recall was to fix the deceleration stalling problem.
  • snowmansnowman Member Posts: 540
    It can be corrected but you need to visit performance shops, the shops that sell chips and other hi tech things. They'll hook up handheld PC and overwrite idling speed.
  • scape2scape2 Member Posts: 4,123
    Why there are two Escape/Tribute problem rooms? There is very little to no difference between an 04 and an 05. Not enough to warrant two rooms...
    And why is there no CRV problem room again??
  • idleidle Member Posts: 8
    Can you recommend a shop in the Toronto, Brampton area? Thanks for your suggestion.
  • snowmansnowman Member Posts: 540
    Sorry I can't, but if you google it, you can locate one. Look for places that are selling performance chips for Fords.
  • scape2scape2 Member Posts: 4,123
    Why is this in the "Owners club" and not out where everyone can see this room?
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    I'm not sure what you mean.

    This discussion happens to be listed in SUVs and cross-listed in the Owner's Club, so it shows up in both lists. Any board related to the twins should turn up in any search of the Escape or Tribute. There are several ways to navigate around Town Hall, so you'll have to narrow it down if you have a specific problem.

    Steve, Host
  • wijocowijoco Member Posts: 462
    First step is to call the dealer service department and find out if 2200 is the correct cold idle for the reflash you received. That strategy may be intentional to prevent the stall sequence. If it's normal, then ask if there is a later-dated relash with a lower cold idle available. If not then I personally wouldn't worry about it, it won't hurt the car. A lot of pre-EEC cars were set to around 2,500 cold idle.
  • juddaijuddai Member Posts: 1
    Just got an '05 Tribute and started having problems. I can start the car and at times the signal arrow lights are on solid and I can't shift from park to anything else. Also today, while I was driving, the signal lights came on again solid and the A/C and Air stopped working. When I turned on the signal to change lanes, the problem resolved.

    This has been happening all week and after several tries of turning the car on and off, the signal arrow lights will turn off and all is normal.

    Please help!!
  • karenckarenc Member Posts: 1
    Could anyone tell me why I should buy one vs. the other? The tribute has a 2500 rebate and the escape only 1500 rebate (for 2005).
  • snowmansnowman Member Posts: 540
    They are basically the same vehicle, except Trib has longer warranty and may be very small details. Go with whichever you like...
  • maysmays Member Posts: 1
    my check engine light comes on and the check gas cap light comes on too i have replaced the gas cap and reset light now it is back on again
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