Ford Escape Mazda Tribute Maintenance and Repair

msdfyed

I'm lockless also, all I have is a latch to lift! Better not lose that remote lock key!

k9cop1

At least I'm not alone. I called Ford & they state that they have no idea why some "have" & some "have not"! I don't know if the lock assembly is present & the key hole is under the cladding or the whole thing is missing.
Ford says they will notify my dealer & have them put a lock & new cladding on (no drilling out).
Could be the 6th recall!!! LOL
Dave

hfdad

I have owned a Tribute for 7 weeks, have 1600 i. on it and like it very much so far. It has all kinds of power with the v6. I do mostly local driving, warm it every morning before going to work, because of the short drive and get 18 mpg. I looked briefly at the Highlander, but was scared off by the high price. It was about $7000. more. The Tribute seems like a good vehicle for the money. I also get a lot of compliments about it.

odie6l

The Keyhole (or no keyhole) on the Liftgate are due to the package.... XLS trim HAS the keyhole on the back door because the person might not want the keyless entry. the XLT trim DOES NOT HAVE a keyhole because the Keyless Entry is standard on the XLT.

Hope this helps with the keyhole on the back door questions.

Odie

ke4yyd

My XLT has the liftgate keyhole.

David

1jimv1

Door keyholes are seldom used by most people so they are often corroded and difficult when you do rarely need to use them. Worse, every thief knows how to pull them quickly with a slide hammer or equivalent so they are a seriously weak point in security. Only one on the street side in plain view is best if you have radio entry.

k9cop1

My point isn't so much the safety factor, but more so the idea that Ford has goofed again over a simple item that is on every vehicle in the world!
Dave

tincup47

Most vehicles with remote entry have done away with RH lock cylinders.

tbuchta

Dont know what you want on your SUV, but you mentioned 35 thousand dollars and that the Highlander was out of reach, just wanted you to know that I bought mine for 28.5, awd, v6, not a limited but loaded with all the other option packages including towing, if you havent driven one you owe to yourself....

k9cop1

I understand about the obsolescence of rear door key holes( although the battery in your key fob may die one day). Then why is it that SOME Escapes (XLS & XLT') have it & some don't?

roger55

4 week old Escape XLT. Pulling to one side as if an alignment problem. Dealer Service can't
find the problem. First it was 1 bad front tire, then they decided it 3 bad tires, then it was
decided the braking system was at fault. Completely dissected the brake system and put it
back together. Had a "special" rep from Ford look at it... he decides it's not the brakes.
Just needs an alignment!!! Finally got our Escape back (they had it 2 weeks). Still have exactly the same problem. This is a disaster.

k9cop1

I have 3500 miles on my XLT & it died while I was navigating a rt curve on Friday. I performed an old "stick shift " manuver, threw the car into neutral & restarted on the fly! I don't know if this is related to your problem, but please keep me posted on "the cure".
Thanks
Dave

tinoman1

left turn; right turn; uphill; downhill;

I've heard all of these scenarios where the engine stops. with both escapes & tribs. At first I thought it was a few isolated examples, but after months of following trib & escape owners' stories, this problem seems to be more than just a few isolated examples. dont know how everyone feels, but car reliablility is very close to #1 on my list.

bren99

About a couple of months ago every time I was driving my escape it would skip, and everytime I was at a red light it acted like it was going to die on me. So I took it in and it took them two days to figure out it was the coils on it , so they fixed it and ever since it has run great!

k9cop1

Coils or coil? What exactly did the service manager tell you what the problem was specifically.
Thanks
Dave

gofrank152

Ok, how does the window lock feature work on your escape?

On mine, if I lock the windows, the kids can't play with their windows. But, the driver controls of the passenger windows also do not function. Its at the dealer now and the service guy says its supposed to be that way. I remember checking the owners manual and didn't get the feeling that was right.

I have never owned a car where the window lock keeps the driver from being able to control all the windows.....i always thought the purpose was to lock out passenger controls only.

Chris

needcar911

WELL AFTER A WEEK AND HALF, THE ESCAPE HAS BEEN FIXED. (I THINK.) THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE AND GAVE ME A NEW SET OF KEYS. HOPEFULLY EVERYTHING IS OK. CROSSING MY FINGERS.

msdfyed

Has anyone else besides k9cop and needcar911 had problems with a dying engine? This is something that deeply concerns me as I drive in heavy traffic on the turnpike about 90% of the time im in my car! I would like to know if myabe i should drive in the slow lane from now on!

moonmullen

I am currently researching my options for my next new vehicle. This will be a family car and I would really like a SUV and find I may only be able to afford the Escape or Tribute. I've done much research on both and am starting to lean toward the Tribute. I've read many situations on Edmunds about the Escape dieing on the road. Is anyone experiencing this on the Tribute? Anyone able to get a manufacturer or dealer rebate from Ford or Mazda?

winbro

I have heard thos complaining of the same thing on thre trib. they are virtually the same car underneath the sheetmetal so this s/b expected.

but dont limit yourself to those 2 models. lots of new suv's are coming out in that price range including the jeep liberty, saturn vue, and re-designed nissan xterra.

gofrank150

well, i had the dying engine deal happen the other day....at about 35 mph, going down hill...just shifted into neutral and restarted. i wont bother taking it in...i know they wont find anything....

chris

msdfyed

were all these dying engine cars produced befor a certain date---mine was delivered off the line 5/01 maybe the older ones are the ones with problems?

My question from before---has anyone experiance the ceiling material coming unglued?

swtsportcr

I have had a tribute for about a month with 5,000 miles on it. The Coolant sensor went out. While at the Dealer 2 more people came in with the same problem just letting y'all know. Madza was quick about fixing it but they decided to open a 626's door into the side of my vehicle so now they can fix that too. But overall I love the handling and the power of the tribute... Does anyone know where you can buy the aftermaket supercharger for the tribute?? I know they make one

Thanks
D.G.

amaranth143

Hi everyone, I've been hemming and hawwing forever about buying this vehicle. It seems to make a lot of sense for me.....I've wanted a smaller SUV for a long time and have been waiting patiently for Ford to wake up and make one. We've had Fords and only Fords over the past 15 years -- it seemed like an obvious step for me to purchase a Ford when I was finally ready to enter the dreaded SUV market. Although I do believe knowledge is power.....I read this board and get weak in the knees! I'm sure if I picked any other brand of car I could find a very similar page with pros and cons on it. On Saturday I was at my dealer (who is sick of me asking when they are going to have good financing on these - its cheaper in the long run to buy an Explorer with the great deals they offer to them) - they had an XLT with moonroof and leather for 25,800! I was hoping I'd find one for about 23,000. Seems impossible. I'd really like the moonroof but apparently you cant get them without the leather package (is this true???). I'm not an 'off-road' kind of gal, I just need this to get up and down the mountain I live on in the winter.....although at this price it would be cheaper for me to stay home for 5 bad snow days a year!!! I do like the roomy interior - my mom's 2001 Exploder (pun INTENDED) seems smaller in the front.......Anyway, I would appreciate any thoughts.

lovethosesuvs

Join the EAA for $40/year, if your company is not a Ford Partner, and go X-plan. That'll get you closer to your price. Or, order a 2002 on X-plan and you'll still get a great deal.

Go to http://www.fordpartner.com and http://www.eaa.org.

Happy hunting!

stever

"Auto Mechanics - Ever been ripped off?"

estelle2

Our new Ford Escape, 6 cyl., has a scary problem. Sporadically, when least expected
it surges/ accelerates. It has happened at least ten times, to four different drivers, me, my husband,
daughter & son. The worst part is it happens when either in lst or reverse, easing in or
out of a parking space. It flew across the street when backing out of the drive, it flew
nearly into another car in a parking lot another time, all with no warning. The engine
also revs upon turning on the key sometimes in cold start. I went to another owners website
and saw that I am not alone with this problem. I took it to the dealer today with 1340 miles
on it. I received a call later in the day saying the computor could not find a problem and
to pick it up. We are now afraid to drive this car. Audi had this problem with one of their
models, with at least one fatality. This car will drive normally for up to two weeks and then
out of the blue, it will perform this surge. Where do I go from here, any suggestions?

burnie68

Sounds a little like the problem Audi was having in the late 80's. Ended up being the drivers were just hitting the gas when they thought they were hitting the brake.

yinyang2

Has anyone had any luck getting a Tribute on the x-plan? If so, how does it compare to the dealer's invoice? Are dealers honoring the x-plan on the Tribute?

Thanks

estelle2

---Four different people had this experience while driving this SUV.
When easing the car out of the garage, my foot is on the accelerator, not the brake.
This is our seventh Ford vehicle and the pedal configuration is the same as the Sable, which we still own, which is sitting beside the new Escape. The Sable Wagon has the 6 Cyl engine too..
I also drive my daughter's 97 Explorer and it accelerates normally when pulling out forward and backing up.( Incidently, she refuses to drive my Escape after her experience with it.)
My Husband has driven everything from Heavy Equipment to Tractor Trailers and he
has also experienced the surging accelerator while parking.
RE: Dying Engines.
We had this happen with the Sable. Our problem was the computer card that controls the engine/ignition. Failure was caused by poor placement of the card by Ford engineers.
In California, the state made Ford recall the cars with this problem Because Ford had
placed this hardware too close to either the Radiator or Engine and the heat caused
it to fail. The one thing about this problem is the car may start up again if you let it
cool down and give you a chance to get it to a repair shop. We are hoping that
Ford will issue a general recall for this problem and reimburse us for the cost of
repairs as they have to Ca. drivers.

gofrank150

i have had no problems with the headliner coming loose (not yet anyway).

mine was delivered mid-march, if that helps you with the timing of the dying engine problem.

now if someone could please answer my question about the window lock function....i would really, really appreciate it.

Chris

participant

On Tribute, driver locks out the window controls and the driver then can't control them either. It works for me, prevents me from forgetfully moving the windows and suprising the dog.

murphy27

I purchased an Escape XLT in April 2001. I reached approximately 1500 miles on it and today when I was going about 35 mph, the engine went dead. I was in traffic. I put my hazards on and put in the car in park. I tried to start it and it started. Now I am afraid to keep driving this car. Any suggestions.

rockwalk

Ordered my Tribute last Nov, picked it up July 13. Definitely a pain. Drove it home and it died. This was due to the ignition switch connector not plugged in completely. This is the most likely problem in the other postings. The coil on top of each spark plug either works or doesn't. There isn't any halfsy crap.

The Window lockout feature when turned on allows the driver to control the driver window. All other passengers are prevented from operating their switch. Don't let the dealerships blow you off.

The recommended oil weight is 5w-20. However in the owners manual it states that 10w-30 is an acceptable alternative. I would still opt for the lighter weight oil as it helps on start up.

There were many old posts regarding the seats being uncomfortable. I think the leather seats are noticeably better than the cloth for comfort.

kingdude

rockwall;

Where did you find that information in the Tributes' owners manual? I couldn't find in the care and maintainence section or the capacities section. Please share!

Thanks, Ty

aldehyde

You can get an Escape with cloth and a moonroof. Try this site: www.forddirect.com. You can search your local dealers' inventories and see what features are available on each. Good luck!

-EC

stormn

Does anyone have an Escape with doorlocks that engage automatically when the car is shifted out of Park and into Reverse or Drive? I had been told by a Ford salesman that all Ford products with Remote Keyless entry have these automatic doorlocks ... now my dealer service people (after two of trying to fix the problem) and my salesman say that the Escape does not come with this feature.

estelle2

--Isn't it sad that some of us are sitting here minus $24,000, with a SUV that we are
afraid to drive. I am also in same position, but with a different dangerous problem.
The Ford computer cannot detect the sudden acceleration problem I have with my Escape, as it only happens sporadictly and won't perform for their computer.
Now I've tossed the ball back into my Salesman's court to try to set-up a factory rep.
meeting, and he has yet to return my 2 phone calls.
Hmmm.......I think he may have blown
me off. My hair is getting redder as each day passes.
According to Murphy's Law (no pun intended) on my way to the dealership to have a face
to face with someone in charge, the engine may die, or accelerate, who the heck knows.
.......... wish me luck.

murphy27

I had my 2001 Escape XLT with 1500 plus miles taken to the dealer on a flatbed tow truck (Ford paid); two days later, they said they could not find anything to indicate why the engine died suddenly at around 35 mph - it is as if one had turned of the ignition. I was going to have it towed back to my house but with great fear I drove it home; now it also accelerates when I turn it on. I am interested in pursuing legal action against Ford. If anyone else is or has any useful feedback, you can reach me at sunshine4rm@hotmail.com. I am sick. $24,000 and I have an SUB as Estelle above said, that I am afraid to drive.

winbro

when you but a triscape, you better brush up on the lemon laws of your state.

odie6l

I have no problems to report with my Escape that is now a week old and has 300 miles on it. In fact I've had it to just about 100mph and it didn't even studder. Have already had the back filled with a antique dresser and alot of contents and it seemed like the space in the rear would swallow anything I put in there. My wife and I couldn't be happier. Too bad others are not posting letting people know that they are not having any problems.

Odie

whitetek

I didn't buy an Escape(thank GOD!), but don't most new car manuals suggest that you don't go much over 50-55mph for the 500 miles or so? You may not have any problems with your Escape now, but opening it up to almost 100mph before 300 miles on it is asking for trouble.

tribby

It sounds like many have experienced this. As previously requested, can everyone experiencing this please post a message as to the delivery date of your vehicle and maybe we can start to track down a pattern. Maybe also the area of the country you are in, in case it is possibly weather related, and also if it is a Trib or Escape (even though they are basically the same vehicle) and trim level. If we can start to identify a pattern, maybe we can get more action from the dealers, and FORD.
THANKS!

k9cop1

Hi! I have an XLT/4WD Escape purchased on 4/20/01. The car stalled @ 3500 miles & 4100 miles. Same conditions, going about 35-40 mphs & restarting on the "fly" (throw in neutral & start). No problems lately.
Dave

teo

Is not enough mileage for a problem to show up. Besides taking a new car to speeds in excess of 100 MPH is not only down right dangerous but childish and immature.

SUV's are trucks not Ferraris...remember that.

lovethosesuvs

Hey, I'm a pretty "slow" (translate: go at the speed limit or less than 5 miles above) driver, but if Odie wants to go fast once and it's open road with no one around, I say go for it! If it's bad for the engine right off, then maybe wait a little, but geez, everyone goes a little too fast once in a blue moon. Give the guy a break.

murphy27

Tribby -
My Escape had its engine dying at 1795 miles (I was incorrect about the 1500); it was purchased on 4/14/01; it is an XLT manufactured 3/0/01 (I will check in the a.m. for the exact date); I live in Miami, FL
I have written a follow-up letter, on advice of an attorney, re the first two days Ford had it this week and copied Ford and the NHTSB as well putting them on notice of a dangerous condition. If you call need a place to put data, we can set up a hotmail e-mail account or an egroup on yahoo.

Murphy

odie6l

I had to go up to about 100 mph was I had to get past a line of trucks that would not let me over to get off at my exit that was comming up, and I wasn't going to put on my brakes and wait for the convoy to pass with other cars on my rear. Plus it was at 3am on a wide open long stretch of Highway.

Delivery Date of Mine was 7-10-01 and I'm in the N.E region.

Odie

bjasap

has anyone else noticed that the front wheels produce alot of brake dust? if so what could be the cause. i wash mine every week and always have to scrub the wheels to remove the excessive dust

other than that i love my tribute

ruteger

Traditionally, there have been two areas that auto manufacturers scrimp on when designing a vehicle: brakes and seats. They use the cheapest possible materials in these two areas to save money.

Being as Ford has gone to extremes to build the Tribute/Escape as cheaply as they possibly could to 'value price' it (read: make more money), I am rather confident in saying that the reason there is so much brake dust is because Ford is using the absolute softest (cheapest) brake pads they can. They produce a lot of dust and wear out quickly, but no one notices until months after the vehicle is purchased.

Unusually rapid brake pad wear is something that is not covered under warranty (the customer thinks it's normal), the dealership's service department makes money on frequent pad replacement, so it's quite cost effective all around (except for the customer) for a manufacturer to do this.