Ford Escape Mazda Tribute Maintenance and Repair

1111214161780

Comments

  • k9cop1k9cop1 Member Posts: 78
    Thanks for your reply. You've got more things to worry about than SUV'vs in Oregon(WTO, Mardi Gras, Earthquakes, etc...)! My brother moved from NY to Seattle to "relax"!
    As for me, I,m already "in it". I ordered my 4WD/XLT on Jan.14, got my "VIN" 2 weeks ago, and a call from my salesman yesterday saying that he has no idea when the "build date" of my vehicle is. Predicting a big storm in NY on Monday. Wish I had a 4WD!! LOL
  • spainspain Member Posts: 14
    I purchased a loaded Escape XLT exactly one week ago. My wife is driving it and she loves it. We looked at every make and model of SUV out there. My wife finally told me she was done shopping, and to just BUY SOMETHING!!! She fell in love with the Escape.

    The problems is that after she came home from work last night, we drove the Escape to a restaurant after it had been parked for about 15 minutes. We got that fuel smell for about 5 minutes and then it dissapated. I had specifically asked the dealer about the fuel smell problem before I bought it. He said that problem had been corrected. It has not! I will call the dealer as soon as they open this morning.
    I will let you know what they say!
    I do want to thank all of the contributors to Edmunds. You guys are great and very helpful to those of us who mostly lurk on these boards!!
  • e2ee2e Member Posts: 54
    See Post #626. You might reference that TSB when you talk to the dealer.
  • bruce317bruce317 Member Posts: 2
    please post an update to let us know if the fuel smell problem has been fixed by the TSB. Has anyone else taken their escape in for fuel smell and actually had it fixed?
  • tronsr1tronsr1 Member Posts: 149
    The fuel smell fix works...the dealer replaces the silicone manifold gaskets with the new Fluorocarbon gaskets. The newly delivered Escapes will still have the Fuel Smell until around June 1st, due to the prebuilt engine backlog. If you have the fuel smell ...tell the dealer to punch up the TSB 01-4-3. It will take a week or two for the dealer to get the new type gaskets from Detroit due to the heavy demand for them. Don't let the dealer tell you it was fixed before shipment...it was not!!!
  • spainspain Member Posts: 14
    I went by the dealership this morning and told the service consultant about the fuel smell problem. He said he never heard of it. I told him that their is a TSB on it, but I didnt have the TSB number with me. I scheduled an appointment for Tuesday morning at 7:00. He asked me to bring the TSB number and the info I told him that I had learned off of Edmunds. Is he lying or just ignorant of the troubles that the vehicles that he sells and services is having?
  • jmlagascajmlagasca Member Posts: 37
    I went to the Mazda dealer yesterday to get the fuel gauge fixed (#588) which took them about 4 hours...

    When I dropped the Trib off, I gave them the official TSB that Ford released regarding the Escape (can be found in the photo gallery of the Yahoo Escape Club). When I picked the Trib back up, they said that they had called Mazda's Headquarters and had received word of an official TSB. To put it shortly, the parts have been ordered and are on their way and the Trib will be fixed...
  • totigger2totigger2 Member Posts: 1
    Just ordered my bright yellow escape lxt. Since I am lucky in everything but love, I sure hope luck continues concerning gas smells, bad mileage, and engine shut-off.
  • jayster2jayster2 Member Posts: 3
    I purchased a Tribute AS FAD a few weeks ago and I now notice a slight fuel smell at start up.
    Is this the most common time to notice the fuel smell? What other times do you notice this fuel smell?. Thanks.
  • e2ee2e Member Posts: 54
    Does anyone know if the TSB# for this problem is the same for Tribute as it is for the Escape, or does Mazda use their own TSBs? I have a month-old Tribute ES which is not currently experiencing this problem, but I'd like to be prepared in case it develops.
  • msdfyedmsdfyed Member Posts: 15
    I just ordered an XLS with a v-6 engine on Thursday, Because I only wanted a yellow one the dealer told me it would take 6-10 weeks. I just read through the postings here over the last few months and I'm about to tell the dealer I don't want it! Someone please tell me that my car will be ok and I won't have any problems...Also, since my car is being built now, will all the recall items be fixed?
  • bironbbironb Member Posts: 63
    I would imagine all the recalls have been addressed, but I would not count on not having any problems with your new vehicle. I was also considering purchasing an Escape, but after monitoring the Tribute/Escape forums both here and at Yahoo Clubs! for the last six months the number of minor and major problems reported is mind-boggling. Although no vehicle is perfect, I personally feel that the Escape’s reliability and quality of assembly is not up to par at the present time and decided it’s not worth the gamble.

    Good luck in your decision.
  • e2ee2e Member Posts: 54
    No one can tell you that you won't have any problems on this or any other car. You can look at the discussions on any make/model, and you'll see owners complaining about various problems they're having. If you review the complaints on the Escapes & Tributes, I think you'll agree that they all tend to focus on several specific things, all of have already been addressed by Ford/Mazda. If the complaints were all over the board, and there were no pattern to them, then I'd be worried about the quality of the car.

    So here's a positive comment: We've had our Tribute ES for a month now, and have had no problems whatsoever. I think the fit and finish is exemplary, the performance and handling is outstanding, and the car is a great deal for the price. I'd buy it again in a heartbeat.
  • stecamstecam Member Posts: 15
    If you haven't gone to the Yahoo club, I suggest taking a look. A lot more posts, and overall, most of them are positive. I've had my Trib since October, and no problems at all - I'd buy it again.

    BUT - this is a first year model and there appears to be some quality issues. Although most of them are pretty specific (e.g. fuel smell) and minor, if you want to pay some extra $$'s and go for a more established line or a more reliable name, then maybe you should go that way instead. For me, I made the decision that dollar for dollar the Trib was the best on the market.

    BTW - the recalls to date, except for the wiper one, affected less than 2 or 3% of the cars sold at the time of the recall. They were not full recalls like you hear on the news. I wouldn't judge the entire line by those.

    Anyhow - good luck on your decision.
  • windowphobe6windowphobe6 Member Posts: 765
    Generally, Ford and Mazda TSB issues are wholly separate from one another.

    If I remember the rules correctly, any recall issues on a new vehicle must be handled before that vehicle can be sold at retail - in other words, the dealer can't turn it loose until he can certify that anything subject to an existing recall has been fixed in accordance with the requirements of the recall.
  • msdfyedmsdfyed Member Posts: 15
    Well the dealer called me back today and told me that my order had been place. He assured me that since my car is being built from scratch now, only the new parts will be used, not the ones that have been recalled. But he was sure to let me know that he can't guarantee that another recall will be made. I guess I'm willing to take that chance. He also said it should arrive in less than 8 weeks which seems like a short time compared to most of the time others have waited. I just hope it's all worth it!
  • jmlagascajmlagasca Member Posts: 37
    Right now, the most you can do is bring the Ford TSB to the dealer, Mazda officiallly hasn't released one yet (this is according to the Yahoo Tribute Club).


    I simply gave teh dealer the Ford TSB when I dropped the Trib off for a service app. and asked them to search for the fuel smell problem. They said they would call the corp. headquarters (which I'm assuming that they did) and would give me word if they found anything when I came to pick the truck up. Low and behold they said they found a TSB (I couldn't get a printed document regarding that though).


    I got some part numbers which they ordered on the invoice and asked BOBMAZDA if they were correct, he said that they were internal dealer Part numbers but not to worry since Mazda knows about the problem and would send the new gaskets.


    If you want to, bring in the Ford TSB to the dealer and ask them to research the problem (look up on the computer or call the Corporate Headquarters). They should recognize that the Escape and the Tribute have the same engines.


    If feel if Mazda Headquarters gets enough complaints they'll be forced to release at least a TSB. Sooner if not later, since it seems like they're lagging on the task right now.

  • e2ee2e Member Posts: 54
    Thanks for the info. I bought my Tribute at the beginning of February, and fortunately it was produced after the initial "hiccups" that Ford and Mazda experienced. The fuel smell reports are fairly new, from what I can tell -- I'm not experiencing this (or any other) problem on my Tribute, but just wanted to be prepared in case it appeared.
  • gailgiambronegailgiambrone Member Posts: 1
    When I drive my Tribute above 50 mph the wind noise is really bad. A man who has one just like mine volunteered that SOME of them are having to have sealers around the doors replaced.

    Also, aren't the running lights supposed to work without the taillights on?

    It seems like my air flow when I use the heater has some blockade because I don't feel enough comes through on my feet.
  • e2ee2e Member Posts: 54
    A number of people (and even a few magazine reviews) have commented that the Tribute/Escape have excessive wind noise at road speeds. I don't find mine objectionable, and others have said that, as well. It's possible that there's some variance from vehicle to vehicle, or it may simply depend on what everyone's used to in their previous vehicle. I've become a little leery about having the dealer do certain types of repairs. Mechanical stuff, OK -- but replacing door seals, or making door adjustments, etc. to correct what may be a design idiosyncracy, you may end up with a real problem. I've had numerous experiences like this with other cars where I wished I had left well enough alone. It all depends on how badly it's bothering you as to whether it's worth the try.

    The U.S. Tributes/Escapes do not have Daytime Running Lights.

    No complaints from me on the heater. There isn't the sensation of the fan blowing directly on my feet, but there is definitely heat being delivered at the floor.
  • canadianclcanadiancl Member Posts: 1,078
    Someone sent a bomb to a Ford dealership in Vancouver. A disgruntled Escape owner??
  • spainspain Member Posts: 14
    It took the dealership a few extra days to get the parts in to fix fuel smell. My wife finally took it to the dealer Friday morning and they assured her it would be ready that afternoon. They gave her a Ford Focus to drive for the day. They call us at about 4:30 yesterday afternoon and said that they had no idea that this procedure was this complicated and they are going to keep our Escape until Monday. My wife spoke to the service advisor and said it was a simply gasket change, how complex can that be? He didnt know because he is clueless! My question was how come they didnt know how complex this solution is to fix since it is such a common problem. My wife complained about having to drive the Focus and the advisor told her, "Its better than walking". I think I would rather walk than drive the Focus. It sucks! We are not happy!
  • hfdadhfdad Member Posts: 29
    i have test driven 3 tributes and have noticed the excessive wind noise at 50+mph. this is the only thing thats keeping me from purchasing one. I was hoping that someone had a solution.
  • jmlagascajmlagasca Member Posts: 37
    This problem is quite new to the dealers, or at least that is what the impression I'm getting. I just got the call yesterday that my parts came in and I'll be bringing my Tribute in this Friday for the fix.

    To be honest, most everyone I've heard who got the fix said that their Tribs/Escapes were in the dealer for at least one day (with a rental via the warranty), you're case seems extreme, but, I honestly would be relieved if my Trib was in the shop for those 24 hours. If it weren't in for at least one day it probably isn't the right fix but just the old gaskets that produce the fuel smell after several hundred miles of driving. I'm expecting that my Trib will be in overnight, if it isn't I'd be very surprised.

    Just if you're wondering, the car needs to stay at the dealer overnight in order to let the silicone used for installing the new flourocarbon gaskets to dry. If it's driven any less than one day after the repair the new gaskets may break and even leak fuel...

    Jeff
  • jmlagascajmlagasca Member Posts: 37
    It's the side view mirrors, the gap in between the mirrors and the A-pillar wasn't designed very well and because of that the wind noise is very prevalent.

    Until I hear of a permanent way to fix the problem I'll be taping some electrical tape to bridge the gap. Believe me, it works wonders, the noise is no longer that noticeable. Plus the black of the electrical tape blends in quite well with the mirrors, the only thing is if you fold the mirrors in, you'll have to re-tape them.

    I'm looking to see if anyone will be designing a bridge for the gap...maybe made out of ABS plastic?

    I heard some people are trying to retrofit some different side views onto their Escapes/Tributes in order to see if that works. That would be an extreme though if you're looking to get rid of the noise.

    Mazda and Ford themselves most likely will be addressing a lot (if not all) of the "minor" complaints/annoyances about the cars for the 2002 model. Hopefully the mirrors will make it onto that list, so it maybe good to wait another 6 months to get one or even order a 2002 (especially with the demand and lack of supply for certain parts/packages as well as the demand these cars have themselves).

    Jeff
  • spainspain Member Posts: 14
    Jeff,
    Thanks for easing my mind a little. I dont mind them keeping my car for 4 days if they know what they are doing, it requires some time to allow the silicone to dry, and it solves the problem. It does concern me that the service advisor had never heard of the problem until I brought him the TSB, doesnt know how to fix it or how long it takes to fix it, and jokes about my wife having to drive around in a Focus. I will let you know how it goes from here when I pick the car up.
  • donos1donos1 Member Posts: 2
    There is a lot of talk about recalls on the Tribute, but I haven't seen a list. My dealer says he is not aware of the recalls.
    Is there anyplace I can get a list of the recalls?
    I've checked the Mazda site, but could find nothing.
    So far the minor annoyances I have found in the first 3K miles are:
    1. noise from the seat belt mechanism (right next to your ear, very annoying)
    2. rear wiper doesn't always touch the glass. Especially in colder weather.
    3. Gas gauge, works strange. Go about 50 miles after a fill up and I'm already on 1/2 tank.
    4. Mileage doesn't come close to the estimates at about 17 for mostly highway driving.

    Don
  • e2ee2e Member Posts: 54
    Here's the link:


    http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/recalls


    Most of the Tribute recalls occurred fairly early in the start-up of production and didn't affect all that many vehicles. The most recent one on the wiper linkage affected vehicles produced thru November. If your Tribute was produced after that date, it shouldn't be affected by any of these.

  • luvmyestributeluvmyestribute Member Posts: 2
    Has anyone followed their Tribute to see if it is tracking correctly or just been behind one on the road? I have taken mine in for wiggling exhaust pipe, but was told that it is common for mazdas. I find this much movement to be unacceptable. I don't find this wiggle to be "common" with new exhaust. Speed nor size of bump/crack/hazard seems to change pipe deflections side to side.
  • merlin67merlin67 Member Posts: 7
    I bought my Tribute in September of 2000 and it has been alot trouble. So far, it has been in for two recalls (wiper blades and fuel line) I've had to have the blower motor replaced and I have had it in going on 3 times to have the gassy exhaust smell I get in the car when I warm start it. The lates problem is that the accelerator just quit working on the highway last week during rush hour. It didn't stall, but just coasted to a stop. I was within 10 miles of the dealership and decided to just take it there. It did this four more times in 10 miles. It's now been there for 5 days. The first thing they told me was that I had let it run out of gas. I told them that that was not possible since I had started out with 3/4 of a tank and had only driven 60 miles that day. Another day passes and they call me and tell me they put gas in it and now it runs fine, but they would like to have their master mechanic take a look at it in case it was actually the fuel sending unit. He was not coming in again until Monday (this was Thursday), but I could go ahead and pick it up. I said that I would be happy to wait until Monday and they then said maybe they could get someone to drive it that night. The same thing happened to the person who drove it home that night. On Saturday, they called me to tell me that they had found 3 inches of water in the bottom of the gas tank and that was the problem. The fuel pump would need to be fixed and none of this is a warranty issue. My question is this...is it possible to get three inches of water in the bottom of your gas tank and if so, how? Or are they pulling my leg.
  • jordan29jordan29 Member Posts: 20
    i too experienced wind noise from my tribute. tape DOES help, but doesn't really look that good. i'm going to try some playdoh and will let the group know how this works out.
  • jordan29jordan29 Member Posts: 20
    i just called mazda and complained about the position of the gear shift blocking radio and other controls and the wind noise.

    the rep told me that she will 'list this down' as a list of complaints, but can't become a recall unless A LOT of people complain about the same issue.

    well anybody is bothered by the position of the gear shift or wind noise, give mazda a call. give your vin #. 1800 2225500 option 4.

    i looked at a Mazda MPV and noticed that the gear shift is located at the same position as in the tribute, but has a steeper 'bend' angle, much like one in the japanese version tribute.
  • e2ee2e Member Posts: 54
    It's absolutely possible, and it's happened to me. It sounds like you got a bad load of gas when you filled up. Some of the older underground tanks will allow some water to seep in. If the station tanks were nearly empty of gas when you happened to pull in, you could have pumped some of this water (which doesn't mix with the gas in the tank)into your vehicle. This occurred to me on a vacation a few years ago, and the symptoms were exactly as you described. The dealer had to completely drain and dry the gas tank, replace filters, and if I remenber correctly, change the plugs. Your only hope is to take the repair receipts and your gasoline receipt back to the station, or file a claim with their corporate office. Good luck.
  • melissannhmelissannh Member Posts: 8
    Okay - now, we all know that an open web site promotes sharing that may sometimes lead to what others will just call a "lot of complaining". BUT TRUTH BE TOLD - read the other websites and you will see we have an awful lot of workmanship complaints about the same vehicle.

    When you have a team and a management team that inssits JOB1 is important - (FOrds new mission motto), and you go from design to production in 18 months - there are BOUND to be issues and lots of them. My Escape has been a nightmare the day I got. Its cheap, loud, low quality and since it is yellow - I now just lovingly call it the Yellow Bomb.

    I will definetly will email Ford to add that gear selector is in the way and I banged it down into 2nd again today when I went to turn the radio on.
  • edlohedloh Member Posts: 6
    I have to agree that the wind and some road noise is pretty high on the Tribute. My guess is the road noise is from the tires. The noise gets louder with speed, tested to 80mph. Usual highway speed in Houston. In fact i called and complain to mazda and the rep ask me what is the speed limit..... I am comparing this to my 89 Nissan Pulsar. you can definately tell a difference. Are they going to redesign the 2002 Tribute? Any info will be appreciated.
  • james118james118 Member Posts: 1
    After waiting six months it finally arrived! I now drive a brand new Tribute-Es. Was it worth the wait?….. Yes! This is really a fun car to drive. I Can’t stop smiling every time I get into it. The handling is incredible and the braking is outstanding! Talk about stopping on a dime. Although there are some little issues I have. The gear-shift is in the way of the radio. A little bothersome, but easy to get accustomed to. I only wish they would have made it smaller, or at least made it so that it folded in towards the steering wheel and not the radio. I do hear a little wind noise out of the driver’s side. Not a big issue and it has been excessively windy. The only real major concern I have is that I hear the transmission a lot. Especially after a full stop, and only until it hits top gear. Although in stop and go traffic you hear it all the time. I was reading from others about the break-in period. I’ll have to wait and see. Besides this I am very happy and excited about my new Tribute. It does turn a lot of heads while I am driving. Oh, and to top it all off my dealer even gave me the Zoom-Zoom CD. I thought that was hilarious. Well everyone have fun….zoom zoom!
  • kappamomkappamom Member Posts: 1
    I recently purchased an Escape on March 2 and excessive wind noise was the first thing I noticed on the highway. My passenger stated that he couldn't hear any. I also was disappointed with the quality of the radio speakers when I was playing the cd player. Perhaps after some adjustments I can correct this. But overall, I am happy with my suv;this is my first experince with suv's.
  • rosebugrosebug Member Posts: 1
    I have an LX V6 with about 6800 miles. Overall, I like it very much and with all the snow in Minnesota this winter, it has been great.

    However, I have a few complaints.

    I have been getting really poor gas mileage, averaging around 17 mpg. I realize that it is winter and that I may not see the best mileage driving in the snow, but I regularly make a 150 mile trip every other weekend, and most of it is highway and interstate, so I expected better. One of the reasons I choose the Tribute over and Explorer was for the gas mileage. I guess I had been spoiled by the 36 mpg I got with my 1993 MX-6.

    I too have noticed the gas gauge problem where you fill up and all of a sudden after 30 some miles, it reads 3/4 of a tank. I do think it drops slower after that.

    Although I had not experienced any gas odor or windshield wiper problems, I took the Tribute in to the dealer (which the nearest is 45 miles away) per the recall notice I received. That was at about 3500 miles. 3000 miles later the wiper quit working in the rain at night. They quit straight up. Needless to say, I couldn't see a thing all the way home... fortunately, I was on familiar roads and only was 4 miles from home.

    When I got home I was furious. I was just sure that the wipers quit because of the wiper linkage problem described in the recall. Since it was Saturday night, I had to wait until Monday morning to call the dealer. I hoped it wouldn't rain or snow in between.

    I called the dealer and they of course wanted me to "drop by" so they could look at it. I told them I had already been in for the recall (I had to use a vacation day to make that visit) and I wasn't really interested in taking another day off to just drop by so that they could look at it and then order the part and then I would have to drive back there for a 3rd trip. The service guy asked me if I had tried to run the wipers when they were frozen and I told him that this happened in the rain and that I am always very careful to loosen the wipers when it is freezing outside.

    I asked the service guy what they do when you bring your vehicle in per a recall notice and he told me all they do is an inspection. Well, hats just great.... could have told them the wipers were working when I brought it in the first time. I think if a part is prone to failure, that it should be replaced no matter what. I even called another Mazda dealer to find out what they do for a recall and all they do is an inspection.

    After MUCH pressing on my part, I managed to schedule an appointment and have the service department order the part to fix the recall problem, just in case that was the problem, to save me another trip.

    Not surprising to me, it turned out that the wiper linkage was the problem and they fixed it with the part that had been ordered. Then they made a note on my copy of the service order that the "customer needs to make sure that the wipers are not turned on when they are frozen". This did not sit well with me, especially since the recall was made. I told the service guy again that this had not caused the problem.

    My whole purpose for this long story is to encourage any of you that received the recall notice on the wiper to take your vehicle in and demand that you get the part replaced. You never know under what circumstances you will be driving in when your wipers quit.
  • donos1donos1 Member Posts: 2
    Thanks e2e for the link. However, it has no listings for the Tribute or the Escape.

    Don
  • jmlagascajmlagasca Member Posts: 37
    Blue Oval News has most of the recalls available for the Escape (all apply for the Trib as well).


    Try this link Blue Oval News: Vehicle Info. They should have all the recent recalls.


    Take note though, that the last official recall on the Tribs/Escape was made in Nov. for those that were made prior to November. Since then there have been none which is quite a relief.

  • bb2272bb2272 Member Posts: 1
    I've noticed that a lot of the people who posted here in Sept. and Oct. had major problems with their Tributes and Escapes. Are the cars that are now being produced now "cured" from those problems or are the same things arrising? In other words, should we wait until the 2002 comes out or is it safe to buy now?

    I'm tempted to buy one--really like the look and feel--but, not if I have to spend more time in the shop than on the freeway.
  • merlin67merlin67 Member Posts: 7
    I had posted last weekend about the water in my tank and thought I would update. When they sent the gas tank out to be cleaned, the folks who cleaned it said that there wasn't just water. There was also rust, sugar, and other chemicals they could not identify. So, I guess it was a vandalism job. This is a very expensive repair... right about $1000.00. On the up side, at least insurance pays for it if its vandalism.

    The good news is that at least it isn't a problem with how it was constructed and it wasn't a result of a recall! First time I can say that in this forum!
  • jmlagascajmlagasca Member Posts: 37
    Ok, I posted something about this earlier today but I guess it was erased... hmm... wonder why?


    Anyway, for those of you who are dealing with the fuel smell from your Tributes, be relieved that Mazda has now posted an official TSB regarding the smell and the fix.


    I guess I can't post the official information here for some reason but you can check it out at the Yahoo Tribute Club. A member over there says he has the official press release and will be posting it soon.

  • jmlagascajmlagasca Member Posts: 37
    Tributes and Escapes manufactured since November of last year have not been affected by any recalls.
    Mine was made in December and I haven't had any major concerns but some annoyances that have been fixed (fuel gauge and electric seat adjustment switch). I do have the fuel smell however and am getting it fixed this friday. However in 3000 miles I haven't had any major problems.
  • e2ee2e Member Posts: 54
    They're in there -- I've seen them. Make sure you're looking under 2001 Mazda TRUCK (not just Mazda -- that listing includes only their autos).
  • zsparkszsparks Member Posts: 8
    The day my wife and I picked up our Escape I followed her home and saw what you described. I got under the car and looked at the hangars and have concluded that I like that it is less rigid than other exhaust systems I have replaced and I think that it may help preserve the exhaust system over time. By wiggling it around by hand it does not hit anything and it seems that it was put together to sway a little with good things in mind rather than the bad that you are thinking. I am not an engineer but I have done my share of tearing engines apart and working on cars and this does not bother me.

    Also as far as the gear shifter goes, I think that this may be more of a preference issue than a design issue. My wife and I both agree it was a bit different feeling at first but we both have grown to really like it. I think that it is perfectly placed to not be in the way of the radio and we will even rest our hand on it for comfort/stability when messing with the radio. Someone typed that they inadvertantly shifted into 2nd while reaching for the radio and I am unclear as to how you would do this reaching for the radio since the lever has to be pulled back to lower from drive to 2nd due to the lever lock. To do this you must be listening to country music as this would be the only reason I would move that aggressively to the radio to change it.

    Also for me the lever falls exactly into a dash dark space at night right between the illuminated hazard/rear defrost switches and the radio pre-set switches. Upper body height may play a part with this but my wife is about 5-6 and I am about 5-10 with typical proportioned upper body length. I assume a number of people dislike it and I can understand why. But for it to be looked at as a design blunder I disagree and say that it is just a preference.

    By the way we also have a 1996 Grand Am and Full size truck and we LOVE OUR ESCAPE. Not a full fledged family truckster but one helluva fun puddle jumper that can do the family thing too. ENJOY!!!
  • jmlagascajmlagasca Member Posts: 37
    When Mazda and Ford co-designed the two trucks, they designed them so that they could be sold as a universal design, meaning that one design is used in several different markets.

    Mazda in trying to target the Japanese audience placed the gear shifter on the steering wheel. This was done in order for Mazda Tributes in Japan (who have no center console) to allow front passengers to pass to the back seat (like a minivan). Unfortunately for those of us here in the states and in europe, where those designs aren't too popular, we got stuck with the column shifter.

    I do wish that the shifter was placed in the center console, but it's no biggie to me. My complaint about the shifter however is that sometimes when putting the selector into gear, it doesn't lock in with the gear active, so sometimes when I do reach around the area, the gear inadvertenly locks/jumps into place.

    However, I do find that some complaints are invalid. Anyone knows that in buying a car, you're supposed to thoroughly research the car beforehand, finding out about it's faults. Simply put, it's a large/important purchase that could affect the way you live for several years to come. That said, why are people adamantly complaining about how their escapes/tributes suck when it's obvious that they didn't do too much (if any) research about the car's qualities in the first place? Not necessarily concerning recalls but the small annoyances such as the gear shifter, wind noise... I'm sure those little complaints wouldn't have come forth, since in researching the car, those people would have been aware of the car's faults (being that those faults are pretty big to them) and would have skipped on buying a $25,000 "piece of junk".
  • goinergoiner Member Posts: 5
    We have owned an escape XLT for five months. It has been fine. My wife accidentally put a Subaru key part way in the lock. It locked her out as it was supposed to do.
    Once back into the car, the key will not work in the ignition. The tumbler will not turn in the ignition. The Ford service Dept (240 miles from home) says it was the wrong key # for escape. Ours was #1 and they say it should be a #3. My Ford service center is clueless as to what the
    # on the keys means. I have this sinking feeling again about Ford products. Any feedback on this odd issue?
    Bob
  • spainspain Member Posts: 14
    I did take mine in for the fuel smell fix under the TSB. Since we got it back, all is well and we are pleased with this vehicle. It really handles well and the V6 has alot of power. We are happy with our Escape and would recommend it!
  • goinergoiner Member Posts: 5
    As a followup to my post about Keys and lockout on the Escape. It turns out that if you have the securilock feature on your SUV and put the wrong key in the ignition by mistake, the car will lock you out. It will need to be towed to a ford dealer who will reprogram your keys at $20 a piece.
    This system is the most ridiculous design yet by Ford. The car works fine, but the name should be changed to "trapped" rather than escape. Imagine being in an "unsafe" neighborhood, you fumble for your keys and oops, put the wrong one in the ignition. Now you get to wait there inside your car for help to arrive and tow you away...
    What a stupid design.
    Bob
Sign In or Register to comment.

Your Privacy

By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our Visitor Agreement.