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Ford Escape Hybrid Owners: Problems & Solutions
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On your lament about living in a "steeply hilly area" I just want to point out that ANY vehicle you get will suffer in the MPG arena under those circumstances. The fact that you have a hybrid is the BEST POSSIBLE SOLUTION for that problem, because when you want better MPG under difficult circumstances, starting out with the highest MPG capability is the primary concern.
On your lament about "not staying in electric mode enough" well that is just the current state of the technology. The only cars which do better are full electric vehicles, which are not available in the USA right now, unless you can find someone trying to dump their RAV4-EV.
On your lament about not getting "three grade school kids across the backseat comfortably" I think you might be allowing the kids too much complaint room. I have a 2004 Honda Civic, with a backseat smaller than the Escape hybrid, and I have had two adults and one child in that backseat comfortably for a 200 mile drive, so if you have kids who are complaining about a ride to school, it's the problem of the kids being too picky, NOT the Escape's back seat.
You sound like a good candidate for a Highlander Hybrid. Take your FEH to a Toyota dealer and trade up to a HiHy.
Basically the vehicle has been in the shop on a biweekly basis since Labor Day.
Does anyone else experience the gas engine switching on when sitting in traffic or the line at the bank?
I am also hoping to run an IPod though the DEI Fm Modulator. It looks like Ill need a 3/32 mono jack to a 1/8 stereo adapter, does that seem right? Did you have any success with this so far?
Just picked up our new 2006 Escape yesterday. While going thru the manual and looking at the window sticker, I noticed that the vehicle came with an engine block heater. (Standard eqpt. in some states, such as Wyoming) While looking over the vehicle, I could find no sign of a plug in cord. Anybody got a clue as to where this thing is hiding?
Other than the missing cord, everything else is good. Really like the car. Can't really comment on milage yet, as it only has 330 miles on it.
Later.
For comparison, my 2003 CR-V gets about 26 at 80 MPH and at 65 will get around 28. I've occaisionally gotten 31 MPG at 65, but that is at high altitude.
Of course, in town I get only about 21-22. So if one is driving in suburbia, the FEH is a better idea.
If you live in a relatively cold area (below 45-50 degrees) think about buying something else. I'm from MA. My Acura Integra averaged 37 mpg at normal operating speeds. My previous full size Ford and Chevy vans did almost as well as the Hybrid with the in town mileage. I'm usually one of the slowest drivers on the road, always trying to get the mileage up.
I have seen stuff like this on the Hybrid Highlander Forum. It apparently has to do with getting and keeping the catalytic converter hot enough to run the pollution controls. If the converter isn't hot it won't clean the emissions.
This is my first vehicle with a nav system. Is this normal or is there a problem?
a) to make a statement
b) for the tax credit and other perks
c) because they’re environmentally friendly
d) to save money at the pump
e) to be the first to own new technology
Please submit a few sentences to support your response no later than Friday, January 27, 2006. Be sure to include your Forums username. Thanks! (wclarke@edmunds.com)
I am getting about 34 mpg, with about 80% Highway miles. This is what I had hoped for.
tree in OKC.
High motor temp. Hmmm, wonder if this was the electric motor or the ICE.
The funny thing is my rental vehicle is starting to look good to me. LOL! It's a Chevy HHR. As much as I don't like Chevy's.....this is seeming pretty nice for half the price of my Escape Hybrid
I have had the transmission replaced, I have had water pumps relaced, I have the front brakes replaced, I have had them look for the cause of a squealing when turning left and sometimes when I'm traveling straight ahead, I'll get the squeal noise. They couldn't find a problem. My truck surges ahead when I'm going down hill.....almost rear ended the car in front of me recently, and the truck surged through an intersection as well. The truck is a menace and I'm in the process of lemon lawing it. I do have to admit that both the dealership has been most helpful, and even suggested that I call a lemon law attorney.
The [non-permissible content removed] of it all is if that I'm finally getting 25 miles to the gallon.....better on the highway if I can keep the emergency flashing wrench off, and the hazard electrical warning light off, and if I can keep the engine from overheating.......
My rental was the Kia Sorrento.....nice little truck...I'm keepingit in mind. Also my dealership sells the Kia. And they have paid for all my rentals and have tried.
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OMG! We need to talk! My truck has surged like that too. Usually it happens when I'm coming to a stop at an intersection (I've learned to stay back from the car in front of me since it has almost pushed me far enough to hit a car if I'm less than 10 feet away). I was going to bring it in - but it's been in the shop so much that I didn't think to mention it this time.
For me, the squeel noise was bad wheel bearings - you might want to have them look into that.
The dealership told me to pick up my truck tonight - but they were honest and said they aren't sure that they fixed it. They replaced the pump again - but they don't think that is the true problem.
Took it to the dealer and they said nothing was wrong and it must be powerlines or trees causing the problems. Only thing is... this happens all the time anywhere I go. And it only started to get this bad in the past month.
I think the system is just flawed.
The surging is scary isn't it? Took mine to the shop and lo and behold, it didn't surge on them. I asked them to prove it to me by taking a test drive with me. Then they admited that they don't know what is wrong.
Be that as it may, I'm now in arbitration, so hopefully I won't have to deal with it much longer.
What kind of rental did you have?....LOLOLOLOL
My current rental this time around is a Buick Lucerne (it was a choice of that or a Pontiac Grand Prix). Not too bad for a rental but I would NEVER buy one. And boy does it guzzle the gas! I've had to fill it up twice this week and at $47.xx a pop, it's making me think of going out and getting a Honda Civic Hybrid (which hubby just bought last week for himself).
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/
In my opinion, having a 2006 is worth the extra money.
If you are not set on the hybrid, I might suggest the Ford Freestyle. I chose it over the FEH this past Feburary when I shopped. Great car, but of course MPG is not as good (around 19 city / 26 highway).
I'm seriously considering buying a 2006 FEH 2WD but am worried about AC use in the summer here in Phoenix, AZ.
Does anyone have any experience using one of these vehicles in our summers? Temps will be over 110 for most of the summer and over 100 all summer. Avg mileage? Maintenance issues? Anything else?
If you are not set on the hybrid, I might suggest the Ford Freestyle. I chose it over the FEH this past Feburary when I shopped. Great car, but of course MPG is not as good (around 19 city / 26 highway)."
It was down to 2 choices....the Freestyle and the Sport Trac. After test driving both, I went with the 2007 Sport Trac. I realize the fuel consumption is going to be an issue (it's the complete opposite of my FEH) - but it will give us the opportunity to sell my DH's truck (used to haul around his toys). I really liked the concept of the Freestyle - but the execution seemed to be missing something. It had no power and the everything felt so cheap IMO. I really wanted to like it - but compared to the Sport Trac, I just couldn't do it. The Sport Trac seemed so much more solid and refined (very quiet!!). If worse comes to worse and the fuel economy drives me nuts, I'll just trade it in on a Prius and take the hit - it will still be less of a hit than my 2005 FEH with 18,500 miles.
I didn't consider the Sport Trac, which is based on the Explorer SUV platform. I wanted better MPG, and I actually like the FS (including the power output). I suspect the Sport Trac will only be about 3-4 MPG worse in town and maybe 6 or so worse on the road. Not too shabby for an SUV.
Enjoy your wheels!
My only issue is my boat. i see that FEH is only rated at 1,000 lb of towing capacity. My boat is a small Bayliner, but weighs 2,500 lbs with the trailer.
What happens if i tow the boat ? The lake is only 10 miles from my house.
Thanks, paul
Don't do it. That is 2.5 times the maximum. You will wear out the CVT, plus it will be a dog. The engine/cvt setup just wasn't built for towing. Why didn't you get the Toyota Hybrid Highlander if you wanted towing? Or the ICE Escape V6?
Thanks again....paul
Anyone else have this problem? Thanks, paul
When the brakes went out, I found the problem for surging at a stop light. I almost hit the car in front of me 2 different times. I had to stand on the brake pedal with both feet to keep it from moving long after I came to a complete stop. The problem I am having with the "wire harness jumper" may indeed be a key to the surging issue. We will see. :sick:
I think he traded in his tow vehicle.
Has anyone else had similar problems? I am told the top portion of the brake pedal movement is the electrical component, and that is what has failed. The bottom half of the pedal travel is the hydraulic system. Has anyone seen a service bulletin that addresses this issue? :sick:
This does happen, the system shuts down in order not to damage the vehicle.
You may have a problem with the pump that regulates coolant. Very important as coolant flows not only around the engine but cools the hybrid electric system.
It is a common problem, and the feds have issued a technical service bulletin about the problem. #05-04-10.
The technicians will run a TSB check on the vehicle.
Without knowing more, this could be your problem.
Your dealer wouldn't be able to sell hybrids unless they have a trained-in-hybrids tech on duty.
The dealer is telling me there's nothing they can do about it except wait until the part is available (they claim the part is too new, so the manufacturer is not even making it yet so it could be months from now), and they have never seen an Escape Hybrid with this problem.
Has anyone else experienced this smart junction box / door lock problem? I'm very frustrated and wondering how to handle this issue.
Thanks!
Keep taking it in and invoke the Lemon Law. See if that does not shake the part loose. They can remove one from a vehicle on the lot or give you the new vehicle. That is ridiculous. I have read posts on here from every manufacturer where folks are made to wait weeks and months for parts on new cars. That should not happen. Give them what for.
That is not going to do any good. The lemon law is invoked when a vehicle has the same part break three times, or is out of service for 30 total days in the first year.
The part is on order, so it would not do any good for lemon law purposes to keep taking the car in. The part would have to break two more times.
As for taking a part out of a new car, that would probably invoke some kind of laws requiring that the other Escape be sold as used (because parts were replaced). But in any case, this is not standard practice in the industry. You modify a car only in preparation for delivery to a customer, and that covers only needed modifications (add A/C, change out the wheels, etc).
Put it another way. Would you like to buy an Escape that had a replacement part instead of the factory part?
Well, I'm not disagreeing with you, but you really should direct your thoughts to your state legislator. I was speaking of the laws as they exist in CA.
However, one could check with an attorney who specializes in lemon law, maybe there are exceptions or something.
I agree it is bad business.
"If it was my Hybrid PU it would be sitting on their lot with the clock ticking toward getting a new PU or my money back."
I guess you didn't understand my post. If the car isn't out of service, it isn't counting towards the lemon law. Loss of the use of the remote opening the driver's side does not disable the vehicle.
You can't just park it on their lot - they would have it towed away, because there is no reason for it to be there. Again, not necessarily good business, but most dealers don't have that much customer parking, and the spaces are marked for use while people are visiting the dealership, not to leave the vehicle for an extended period. The "clock" would not be ticking towards anything except paying to get the FEH out of an impound lot, assuming it went that far...
You are probably correct there. It is just so disgusting this lack of parts issue. At least with a Toyota and Honda they can say they are coming from Japan. How long should it take from Detroit to where ever? If they are in the process of building that vehicle they must have a few extras. Or does Ford just let the car go and have the customer do the QC? I have only bought one new Ford. A 1984 Bronco and it was never in the shop while I owned it.
As far as parking on the lot. If the situation had deteriorated that far the vehicle would have lemons painted on it and parked on the street in front of the dealer with derogatory remarks all over it. The truth is I have not had that kind of dealer problem since I bought a new 1978 Honda Accord. In fairness to that dealer he was the Honda motorcycle dealer and Honda dumped the car business on him. I have never had a problem with a GM dealer with the last 5 new trucks I have owned.