Ford Escape

lovethosesuvs

Firstname, I definitely agree with you about the size of the gas tank. I have an Escape on order and that's about the only thing I don't like about it. But I guess it's better than having a behemoth of an SUV like an Expedition. I'll bet those folks live at the gas station.

odie6l

I was at the dealer I ordered my Escape at and they are coming in now with CONTINENTAL CONTITRAC SUV tires. Who in the world makes Continental tires? somebody told me that they are a division of COOPER tires. And is so are they any good?

Odie

tincup47

Is a large and well respected European Tire Manufacturer. If anything Cooper Tire would be part of them, but I don't think there is any relationship between them. Since the Ford Firestone break-up, expect to see more Continental Tires on Ford Products. To find out more about Contintental Tires and related companies.

http://www.continentaltire.com/links.cfm

gnomic

This isn't normal or acceptable. The car does not meet specs (MAX SPEED 107). This could also result in engine damage if its the engine. If it is a repeatable problem, the dealer can fix it. Period. Non-negotible and you should expect (demand) a loaner until it is fixed. If the dealer isn't amible, ask to speak immediately to the regional rep.

And bring a printout of this discussion to get his attention. BTW, let us know how this turns out. If the dealer isn't cooperative, put his name and your story up hear so the rest of us know to avoid him.

BAD PRESS can reach SO MANY people thanks to the net...

12chow

Since demand for the Escape is high in my area (Chicago suburbs), a local dealer has "bought" some Escapes from a Canadian dealer. Either by Canadian law, or because of crossing the border, the brand new SUV's have been titled to the Canadian Ford dealer, making them technically used. I checked the manufacturing date (May/2001) and it only has 47 miles. QUESTION: 1}Does anybody see any disadvantage with this legally used vehicle (i.e. price breaks) and 2} the SUV has the Firestone tires (HT, not AT), which he will not replace. Should I consider these unsafe tires like their AT counterparts?

k9cop1

I have a question. On my rear tailgate, there does not appear to be a keyhole for access to the rear/trunk. I have been using my remote & didn't notice this until I had to remove some wax residue off the rear cladding. Go figure!
Dave

drschmidt

I'm taking my XLT into the dealer on Monday for the exhaust smell that only happens for a second or two when starting the engine with the vent on. Can someone steer me in the right direction concerning the TSB that deals with this problem. I'd like to have something in writing when I go down there so they won't think I'm making this up. Thanks!!

jimmydelray

I have sent two messages to Ford with no reply as yet. Car still has the same problem and will not go over 80mph. I really like this vehicle. I hope they will fix it soon. I will certainly pass along your post. As it stands now I have an appointment with the Service Manager at Wayne Akers Ford which is where I bought the car. I will let you all know how this turns out. Like I said before I really think the car is one heck of a value as long as we can get the engine fixed!!!!!!!!

Thanks for your reply gnomic, I was beginning to think I owned the only 4 cylinder!!!!

JImmy

firstname

I'm admittedly off-road much less time than on-road in my Escape. My stock all-terrain 235/70R-16 tires are just fine with my 6cyl4x4, but I was wondering -- what if I installed a set of pavement-only tires? I'm sure I would get better gas mileage. Perhaps road noise may also get reduced. I wouldn't mind keeping an extra set of different tires to swap when the occasion calls for them.

Do people do this? Would the tires look okay? (I also admit I'm a sucker for style and appearance) Will handling improve or stay the same? Can I go UP a tire size, like 245/70R-16? What other issues are there?

robsao

I'll be picking up my Escape XLT 4X4 in Oct. I haven't dropped my order in yet but I am guaranteed delivery on the date I choose. I guess it is a benefit of being in the military overseas returning stateside. I decided last night to get mine fully loaded. I am currently in Japan and when I get back to the states I'll be picking her up in Washington then driving over to Idaho then on to Calif. I'll let you all know how she does on the big trip to include the many miles per gallon.
I am really satisfied now that I am reading everyones comments on the mini-suv. I figure all new vehicles run into some problems and all but I am confident that Ford will fix them as they happen. I also read in the new Car & Driver that the Escape was tied for first along with the the Tribute as the best Mini-SUV for the price range compared to 10 others. Any comments or suggestions let me know by posting here.

l8r
rob

turtle1061

I just got my Escape back from firestone. They replaced all 4 tires. One of my front tires had tread separation. I am just curious if any else is having the same trouble.

kayakr

I do not have the 4-cyl engine - got the v-6. Am getting 21.7mpg city/hwy (mostly city). If I were you, I'd start talking to Ford about mediation if the problem is not fixed to your satisfaction IMMEDIATELY. Also, you might want to think about getting another Escape - with a 6-cyl engine. The gas mileage is really not that much worse than the 4's. Plus, the 6 has much more power, torque, and pick-up than the 4. The major automakers will finally make the situation right - only if you insist and do your homework. That car of yours is most definitely not right - they couldn't possibly sell any with that engine if it were. You need to continue to move past the dealer and even Ford, onto the mediator if you are not given satisfaction. Contact as may agencies as you can - Automakers don't like the bad press - stick to your guns and it'll come out OK...best wishes - RR

tincup47

Try another dealer if possible. As hard as Ford tries to make sure the Dealer Techs are trained in Diagnosis, some are better than others.

hckynut

Anyone seen any information, specs, prices or pictures of the 2002 Models. Also has anyone heard when they might be getting to dealers.
TIA.

hckynut

randyrhodes

My wife and I went for our Sunday walk over to the Ford dealer and looked at an Escape.It is a XLT,4wd,moon roof,leather,step bar for about 26,000. I could not find anything about a tilt wheel.

73
Randy

broph

I was wondering how the the 2wd(fwd) handles in snow.

Thanks

Tom

dpettyjo

I'm in Kuwait right now and ordered my 2001 XLT for an August delivery. I am picking mine up in Wash DC (Jerry's Ford - Alexandria) where I will be stationed.

I was able to order mine back in December and saved about $850.00 with the price increases that have occurred since I ordered.

DP

tronsr1

Yes, the XLT has a tilt wheel.It is operated by a small lever under the steering wheel column.I am 6'2 1/2" and I think or would like it to go higher than what they offer.But....I love the ride and handling and power of the V/6.

sasquatch_2000

I would imagine that some road only tires would improve gas mileage, ride quality, and handling.

Then again, so would buying a station wagon or minivan.

I think the 4X4 will still do fine with street tires in sand and snow, but they might bruise in rough conditions.

Hey, we had our Jetta on some rough fire roads down the Cape over Memorial Day weekend with Dunlop all seasons, and she did just fine until we ran out of ground clearance and had to back up a half a mile to a mile! That is front wheel drive, with street tires. If I had an Escape, I am sure I could have gone further before getting stuck. If I had a Liberty or Wrangler, or Trooper or Sportage, I doubt I'd get stuck at all.

You have to think about these things when purchasing. If you don't intend to go off road, maybe an SUV is not for you.

jeebert2

If you want to use the Ford X Plan, the easiest way is if you know a Ford employee, other than one at a dealership. I have a friend who works at Ford Credit and he got me an X Plan pin # in minutes. I got an XLT 4x4 with everything except side steps off the lot last week. They showed me the invoice, which listed A plan, and then added 4 %. They also added $210 Ford advertising fee. The total came to about $110 under the invoice price listed on Edmunds. It was a pleasant buying experience. I had previously walked away from several attempts at a Tribute and several at an Escape. They just didn't want to deal very much. The X Plan made it easy. Try to find a friend or friend of a friend that works for Ford. That way you don't have to join any organizations just to get qualified for the X Plan. I highly recommend an Escape. So far I love it.

lovethosesuvs

Yes, but did they charge you holdback on the base and on the options? I'm going x-plan as well and have ordered mine. They have tacked on $300 for advertising as well as the holdback charges, yet they tell me everyone pays the same on x-plan. Ford HQ was no help either. I'm thinking nobody knows the answer to my question.

randyrhodes

Thanks for the info on the tilt wheel. I am 6'2" and am having a hard time finding a SUV that I can be comfortable in. I have only sat in a Jeep Grand Cherokee so far. It seemed pretty nice but want to try an Escape.

jimmydelray

It took 2 dealerships and 4 trips and an Email to Ford to finally get my Escape 4 cylinder working properly....it is now going well past 90mph with no hesitation what so ever!!! What was it you ask??? Here's the scenerio....first there was no problem according Gainesville Ford in Florida....they test drove it and nothing was wrong.....this was a complete lie!!!! We than got it home to Wayne Ackers Ford in Lakeworth Florida and they said they couldn't test it because they couldn't drive at 80mph it wasn't legal.......took it in again and they replaced or did something to the brakes???? Wonder if Ford check to see what they pay for!!!! Finally wrote Ford and took it in again to Wayne Ackers and said it just wasn't right...this time they said they would call the Ford Hot Line. Now why didn't they do this the first time???? Of course they also got a call from Ford because of my Email. I firmly believe I still would be fighting if I hadn't sent the Email to Ford...I thank Ford for that!!!! Anyway, I love the Escape and the great gas mileage of the 4 cylinder....no I don't usually drive 80 but I do want the vehicle to meet specifications....oh what was the solution you ask??? The computer module of course!!!! Had to be reprogrammed.....

Thanks for listening and hope this may help someone else,
Jimmy

hckynut

I don't know all of the specifics of the Advertising Costs and the Holdback Costs. I do know that I have been given a price without the X Plan that is over $900 less than the TMV(True Market Value)listed for the Escape I built on the Edmunds web site. I also know that this price is about $400 over invoice costs.
What this means to me is that I can save this $400 plus the other roughly 1% of the dealer cost. To me this comes out to close to $700 and nowhere in this town will you find any comparable SUV for even close to this price.
I personally don't care to know the exact figures of what Ford or the dealer is actually charging me. As long as I know that I cannot and could not find this vehicle or one remotely close to it for what I will be paying for it when I order my 2002 version when the Price Lists are available.
Does anyone know if they are now available??

hckynut

tincup47

The A-plan price the X-plan is based off of includes advertising,transportation,dealer prep and Company admin fees. So the X-plan price of 104% of A-plan will have those fees already factored in. The dealer may not charge any documentation preperation fees. The may charge for dealer installed extras, extended warrantys or items that add value provided the items are itemized on the buyers order.

sasquatch_2000

Damn computers!

I really don't like computers in cars, ever since I heard the police will be able to disable a car remotely. Too Big Brotherish for me.

I would love an old GTO or Mustang Fastback.

currey

Way to stick with it, glad to see you finally got everything worked out.

quagmire

Chow, my local dealer (Spokane, WA) also purchased a Canadian Escape. It was a great vehicle, fully loaded XLT 4x4, but I couldn't get the price I wanted. One disadvantage of buying a "used" Canadian Escape is in the form of financing. New car financing rates are lower than used.

I did buy a new (non-Canadian) Escape (loaded XLT 4x4) on June 1. I love it, and it came with the Firestone Wilderness HT tires, which are not subject to recall, like the AT's. Although I haven't seen data regarding the tire's safety, given Ford's very cautious approach to Firestone tires in general, I'm inclined to believe the HT's are fine if they are not under recall.

randyrhodes

My local Ford dealer in Connecticut has Escapes with Continental tires.

gheimur

Does anyone else have the gas guage problems or had them corrected . The problem is that after driving a few miles the guage drops to 7/8 and than continues to drop with no granularity,

odie6l

I was told by my local dealer that I ordered at that my Escape will built next week, so expect it to arrive at the dealer in 1-3 weeks following build.

Woo-Hoo

Odie

ejhpop

I just got my 2001 XLT Escape and found only the driver's window worked. After much frustration I discovered the window lockout switch was on. In all of my other cars this switch kept the passengers from operating the power windows but the driver could operate all 4 windows. On the Escape even the driver is locked out. Is this working properly or do I have a defective switch?

ke4yyd

Every auto I have owned since the 1950's has had poorly calibrated fuel gauges. Most errors I have noted in the past led me to believe there was more fuel in the tank than there actually is. The Escape tells me I have less fuel than I actually have. If there is an error in the gauge I would rather have it this way. You will get used to the gauge.

David

hckynut

odie6l. I'm assuming you talking about a 2001 Escape. I was told here in town that the assembly lines in K.C. to be shut down to change over to the 2002 as of June 1, 2001. Did I misunderstand them or are you getting the 2002 Model?

hckynut

hckynut

ejhpop. We currently have a 1995 Pontiac GT with every option that came on that year's model. The Driver's door also has the window lockout switch you mention and, Yes it does keep the driver locked out also.

hckynut

sasquatch_2000

"... found only the driver's window worked. After much frustration I discovered the window lockout switch was on. In all of my other cars this switch kept the passengers from operating the power windows but the driver could operate all 4 windows. On the Escape even the driver is locked out. Is this working properly or do I have a defective switch?"

I don't like power windows/locks, and now remember why. What happens if you put the car into the water? Does everybody drown? I'll take the cranks, please!

gheimur

Yes ,The Lockout is normal. Also with the lockout on, besides not being able to control the passenger windows the auto/down feature for the drivers window is disabled. This set up for me is not a big deal.

1jimv1

See http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/fordescapeclub Msgs 2795 thru 2798 and Photos for details. This sleeps two adults inside on a standard double-size Coleman airbed and provides dual his/her personal storage. Works with all models of Escape/Tribute and requires minimal or no vehicle modification.

newtosuvs

I just bought my Escape XLT V6 4x2 Automatic a week ago, so far with 1200 miles in it everything seems to be ok. Unfortunately the dealer was out of owner's manuals and I don't know much about mechanic details, therefore I got questions about the overdrive on the automatic transmission, when do I turn it on? when I'm driving on streets or on the freeway?, if the overdrive is on, does it affects the mileage I get?, I noticed when you turn on the vehicle, overdrive is on, should it be on all the time?, it is the first time I got a vehicle with overdrive, so I don't know how to use it more efficiently, thanks in advance to anybody that can give me some advice.

odie6l

Yes, it's a 2001. I ordered on 5/10/01..

Odie

ke4yyd

The overdrive is on when you start the vehicle because Ford believes that most drivers do not know how to manually operate the overdrive properly and they feel the transmision computer will do a good drive. If you have to ask the question about when to turn it off, you would probably be better off leaving it on except for a few exceptions. If you find that the vehicle shifts in and out of overdrive frequntly climbing steep hills or towing a trailer then manually turn it off. You will also get better engine braking when going down hill with the overdrive off.

kmirowsky

The rear door or hatch on my escape groans and creaks very loudly whenever the frame flexes or I go over a bump. The dealership has been unable to isolate the problem (even after keeping it for over a week and sending it to a body shop). I think there is a problem with the latching mechanism or the striker. There has been no abatement whatsoever in the noise no matter what they do to it (but then I don't have much confidence in my dealership). All three times I've gotten my car back from them there has been grease all over the carpets and dash and this time the rear panel inside the door is loose and has broken clips. Does anyone else have this noisy rear door problem and/or have any suggestions as to what I can do to resolve this issue?

sasquatch_2000

...have you tried to hit everything with WD40?

kmirowsky

Thanks for the suggestion Sasquatch_2000. The age old cure-all would probably be of some help, however, I spoke to my dealership again this morning and they finally called a Ford engineer and asked him about the problem.
For anyone else out there with this same problem -it turns out there is indeed a defect in the latch. There are two pieces that rub together and reverberate the noise throughout the ENTIRE frame! The latch has to be redone according to new specs which are faxed to the dealer from Ford. Good luck to fellow sufferers. I hope this finally does the trick. I am otherwise extremely happy with my new Escape!

randyrhodes

Does anyone know if the 2002 Escape will come with lumbar support?

ke4yyd

Probably will since the 2001 has it.

firstname

Visually from the outside, without peeking inside at the dashboard, how can I tell if a 2001 Escape XLT V6 is 4x4 or 4x2? And what of the 2002 models?

randyrhodes

Thanks, I didn't know the 2001 had it.
73
Randy

ke4yyd

No rear end and drive shaft for the 4x2.

drew37

Does anyone know what changes there will be in the 2002 Escape, and when they will be arriving at dealers? Thanks.