Ford Escape Mazda Tribute Maintenance and Repair

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Comments

  • urdenurden Member Posts: 3
    here's a rundown of the problems i had with my XLT V6 4WD Escape:

    1. wiper recalled and fixed

    2. headliner (that carpet like thing on the ceiling) coming off at the tailgate and rear fixed-window area. service put a glue on it (3 separate times), then finally they had the entire headliner replaced (twice!) and now, it's still not fixed. so that totals 5 fiexs so far.

    3. tailgate rattle, still not fixed. service said they 'fixed' it 4 times already, but i can still hear the rattle. i may try the electric-tape fix.

    4. engine stalled once while turning on a corner. got scared, good thing no one was following me. haven't happened again but i'll try the PCM screwdriver test.

    5. mileage is only 15-16mpg. had the car sept of last year, only about 5600miles on it. but the mileage sucks! in one weekend trip last week, i got it going to 22mpg but that was mostly highway driving.

    do i have a lemon?
  • urdenurden Member Posts: 3
    o and one other thing, my driver side mirror (only the mirror) also vibrates while driving, and even when i just pump the bass of the stereo. service ordered a new mirror and got it replaced, but it vibrates still.

    lemon or not?
  • teoteo Member Posts: 2,508
    On your list the only thing that may qualify your car as a Lemon is the sudden engine stall problem. The rest are build quality 'minor' but pesky problems. However, trim/cosmetics issues will not make a solid case to win a lemon law suit.

    Only serious safety related problems that make the car undrivable or unsafe for regular use or operation.

    If the engine continues to stall without warning, yes only then you'll have an official lemon.
  • johnmeijohnmei Member Posts: 44
    I'm seriously considering buying a Tribute. What is your experience with miles per gallon (mpg) for city driving and highway driving?
  • turksteritisturksteritis Member Posts: 95
    I have 12000 km,s on my v-6 awd trib. I get an average of 26 Canadian mpg.(22.4 US) on the highway & in town is allmost 1/2 of that.
  • cttctt Member Posts: 1
    I have a 2001 Ford Escape with 2000 miles. While going down a hill, the vehicle stalled. I went to the dealership and they found a problem with the idle control motor sticking. They replaced the part and I have not had any problem since then. I hope this info. will help others with the stalling problem.
  • carolm3carolm3 Member Posts: 1
    We have a Tribute, delivered 12/00, 13,000 miles and up until today have loved it. Car died after going down a hill at 35-40 mph. Was able to restart and immediately called dealer. Was told to bring it in. All they did was file a complaint with Mazda headquarters. Didn't even look under the hood and said it has happened to a few other Tributes across the country. Glad I looked up this website and found other Tributes/Escapes have had same problem. Hope this doesn't turn out to be another "Firestone/Explorer" mess, but like other owners out there now I'm afraid to drive my car! Has anyone had success with the PCM solution mentioned on this message board?
  • tiredofmanualtiredofmanual Member Posts: 338
    Seeing as though 2001 was the first year for these vehicles, it makes sense that there will be some problems (though the engine stalling problem is a bit too scary). Are there any reports of problems with the 2002 models? I know that they have been in production for a month so there can't be much data on them, but I'm just checking since I'm looking at buying a 2002 Escape around November or December.

    Thanks
  • ver2us1ver2us1 Member Posts: 36
    I have only had my 2002 XLT for 7 days. The very first person I heard of that got theirs earlier was only 2 days before that. It's going to be a while for a fair assessment but so far so good! No rattles, creaks, groans, vibrations, nothing coming loose, tight even seams, engine purrs like a kitten. I do have evidence of the brake dust....guess they didn't change the brake pad supplier!
  • raabe42raabe42 Member Posts: 2
    I have been driving my 2001 Escape since October, In June my engine died on the Highway with 11,642 miles on in. Towed to a dealer. The engine started making valve train noises and then the oil light came on. Car was at a Ford dealer for 3.5 weeks waiting for a new engine. When I got the car back,
    It was leaking transmission oil from the Transmission cooler in the Radiator, Dealer replaced radiator, Then drove it to 13,000 miles in August and then the transmission went, It just started slipping. Towed again.

    2.5 wweeks at the dealer to wait for a new transmsion and now Im at 14,000 miles, crossing my fingers when I drive, Too bad the Honda CR-V does not come with a V6. Still love the car, Not worried about crash test results, because your pretty safe riding in a flatbed tow truck!
  • newsuvernewsuver Member Posts: 1
    I bought my 2001 Escape in June, engine stalled two times since then. one time at intersections waiting for green light, the other time was during driving on local street. There were few times engine just slow down for a while for no apparent reason. Ford should really look into these problems more closely.
  • tx2gotx2go Member Posts: 1
    My V6 ES Tribute, auto transmission has 12,000 miles and is in the shop a 3rd time for engine failure. The engine died suddenly with a loss power steering. So far I've been very fortunate not to be on the highway when this has happened to me! This last time as soon as the engine light came on I drove it to the dealership. It's unacceptable for this to be happening to a new vehicle. The first time I was told that the fuel cap wasn't on, the second time Mazda replaced some loose wire that wasn't connecting to the computer, but this time it's in the shop for two days now. Mazda Customer Service has heard from me. Does Mazda consider these incidents many of us are experiencing to be acceptable performance?
  • ver2us1ver2us1 Member Posts: 36
    There have been some messages on other boards that the engine stalling problem is a bad PCM power relay. As a test to see if this is the problem have the service tech tap on the relay box with a screwdriver with the engine running. If it causes the engine to stall they should replace the components. This info was from a Ford service tech but is rare enough that it may be awhile before the fix gets around to all the dealerships.
  • bdolgovbdolgov Member Posts: 4
    Do you know, by chance, where this PCM power relay is located?
  • mikepromikepro Member Posts: 25
    It is under the hood in the power distribution box, and is very easily accessible. There is a diagram of the relays and fuses in this box in the owners manual.
  • tbhawntbhawn Member Posts: 2
    We purchased a Ford Escape 11/00, which we have overall been pleased with. Our problem is that the A/C will cut on/off without warning. Sometimes daily sometimes every 3rd day. We have had it in the dealership 4 times and they say they cannot duplicate the problem so they cannot fix it. Has anyone else had a similar problem and does anyone have any advise on what it could be or what to do next?
    Thanks in advance, t hawn
  • k9cop1k9cop1 Member Posts: 78
    On Tuesday 09/11/01, I had my Escape parked @the basement of the World Trade Center where I worked as a Port Authority Police Officer
    My car didn't have a lot of the problems posted here. But I recall fussing before & after I bought this car. Although my car is a total loss, it is hard to put into perspective this loss compared to those of my fellow officers & my partner Sirius.
    I will probably buy another Escape Or Tribute after this, but I will not fuss quite as much. It doesn't seem quite that important anymore.
    God Bless America
    Dave
  • murphy27murphy27 Member Posts: 31
    I heard there was a K9 lost - was that your partner? I have had German Shepherds for years and worked Schutzhund for a longtime. I am very sorry to hear about Sirius - is his picture up anywhere. Glad to hear you made it - that is a miracle.

    Murphy
  • bleorobleoro Member Posts: 1
    I was considering buying a Tribute/ Escape but with the safety issues exposed here now I can't wait to get a 2002 HONDA CRV.
  • scnamescname Member Posts: 296
    stand behind the line please.
  • lovethosesuvslovethosesuvs Member Posts: 95
    I'd love the CRV too. Till I drove it. Definitely not enough power, and it felt and looked CHEEP on the inside. I wasn't impressed.

    I have had my Escape now for 2 months and love it! It is fun to drive and doesn't hesitate when I ask more of it. The interior space is amazing, and has lots of nooks and crannies for storage. I also went X-plan so got a terrific price.
  • heckster4heckster4 Member Posts: 5
    I want to buy side airbags on a 2002 ES. The brochure said it can come alone as an option. The dealer disagreed and said it comes with a tow package. Also has anyone heard of any low financing by Mazda similar to Ford. Lastly, what is the x plan? Please reply soon. Thanks
  • proudpapaproudpapa Member Posts: 2
    I have had to leave mine in the shop twice now. 1st time -had cracked intake manifold (very rough idle at about 1500 miles) - took 3 days to fix. Then last week (6,500 miles) engine light came on. Problem diagnosed was that the gasoline-rollover valve was bad and the gas tank had to be replaced. They said this was the 3rd one (in Las Vegas). Any one else had these problems ?
  • k9cop1k9cop1 Member Posts: 78
    Sirius was an explosive detector dog assigned with me to the WTC. He's a 90 lb British yellow lab 4 1/2 yrs old. No pics on the web yet. My daughter will handle that.
    I picked up an 02'silver XLT monday. Kinda wierd buying the same car 4 monthes later.
  • ricomo2ricomo2 Member Posts: 1
    i am considering buying one of these. is there really much of a difference? have the problems on the '01 models been worked out for the '02 models? should i look at a different mini-suv? please advise...thanks!
  • 1jimv11jimv1 Member Posts: 108
    Expect to be very pleased with either one, but test drive them to see the slight differences you may prefer. Read the postings and you will find that the first year problems have been corrected. Mazda won't catch up to demand until the third quarter of 2002 so prices are still high. With the economy down you might be able to bargain getting a Tribute on S Plan, but locate a willing dealer first. Escape is much more plentiful and you can buy them now on X Plan at 1% below invoice. There are five times as many Ford dealers as Mazda dealers so it will be generally easier to get good service on Escapes. When you look at other SUVs carefully you will probably discover why Escape/Tribute is the best overall value. They are both made in America in the same plant.
  • cindy33cindy33 Member Posts: 2
    I have a 2001 Tribute which I purchsed in December, 2000. It has 16,000 miles on it. Recently, it stalled while I was traveling down a four lane very busy highway. If I had not been in the right lane, I may have had a serious accident, because the steering was locked and the brakes were barely functioning. I have been told that you can put the car in neutral and get it to start again, but who thinks about that while driving in major traffic. I took the car into the dealership and the service manager said, "oh yea, I know what that is." He replaced two parts having to do with the oil, but I don't remember what it was. About 2 weeks later, my car would not crank in the mornings. It would take four or five times for the car to crank. I took it back to the shop, but they couldn't find anything wrong with it. Then, a week later the engine light came on. So, now my car is sitting at the shop, and they don't know what is wrong with it.I haven't had time to read all the postings, but has anyone else had these problems? I know of two other people here in Alabama with the same problems.
  • sable9sable9 Member Posts: 1
    How do I find out more info regarding the X-Plan and S-Plan? Is anyone eligible for them?
  • jhandy7jhandy7 Member Posts: 1
    When I first saw the Tribute I wanted to buy it but a test drive cooled me way down. It drove like a stagecoach with hardly any suspension. I then drove the Escape and it rode fine. I am thinking of buying a Tribute and immediately switching the coil springs, shocks,sway bars & bushings from an escape. Can anyone tell me if I need to do anything else to match the ride of the Escape. I'm an old geezer and my rear-end can't take the bruising from the Tribute.
  • cindy33cindy33 Member Posts: 2
    I picked my Tribute up from the dealership service department this afternoon. The problem was the Fuel line relay. It was defective. The service man could tap on it and the car would stall. He said that he talked to Mazda's headquarters about this problem today. Hopefully, there will be a recall so that no one will have an accident if their car stalls. But, if your car stalls, immediately take it in and ask them to replace that relay. He also replaced the ECC relay.
  • beefermanbeeferman Member Posts: 1
    Any new news on the stalling issues with the Tributes? I talked to a service manager at a dealer and he said until they can replicate the problem on site, they won't be able to fix it, not knowing what is causing it. But they are well aware of the problem.
  • ruck23ruck23 Member Posts: 1
    We have a 2001 Mazda Tribute LX V-6 4WD. We bought it on 1/30/01 and the engine started dying on 7/24/01. It has done it three times, most recently last week. It is at the dealer now. The service dept told me that the Mazda engineers know about the problem with the Tributes and Escapes and they don't know what is wrong yet. The problem is that we are afraid to drive the Tribute. My husband almost crashed last week when the car stalled going down a hill. Why has there not been a safety recall? How can we get the media involved to push this issue? The many owners who have this problem need to work together. I have contacted an attorney.
  • auburnbluauburnblu Member Posts: 18
    These are available to employees of businesses that qualify as suppliers of Ford or Mazda. The X-plan is for Ford. The S-plan is for Mazda.
  • 1jimv11jimv1 Member Posts: 108
    These are also available to anyone who joins a Ford partner organization such as EAA by paying $40 and becoming a member. Ford was a manufacturer of commercial aircraft and has always promoted private US aircraft clubs like EAA. This is a Win-Win situation for Ford and you. See eaa.org on the net and read many other posts on these plans and follow through because it is the easiest and lowest cost way to buy (and for dealers to sell) a Ford or Mazda vehicle. If you qualify through an employee of Ford or Mazda corporation there are even better Plans for you! Investigate!
  • auburnbluauburnblu Member Posts: 18
    Just checked out the EAA website, great way to get X-Plan pricing if you're not already eligible. Wonder if there is any type of opportunity like this to get GM Supplier pricing?
  • achin1achin1 Member Posts: 3
    I have a 2001 Tribute EX that I purchased in August 2001. I have about 2800 miles on it and it stalled yesterday while I was going down-hill at about 30 mph. I called the dealership this morning and they said that they know of the problem (he has a large list of Tributes with the same problem) and that they have spoken to the "tech guys" at Mazda. They expect to have a "fix" in a month and will send a letter to all Tribute owners to let them know what to do. He said not even to bother bringing the car in because they don't know what to do. I then called the Mazda USA customer support and asked them what they knew and they said that they didn't know anything. The dealers would know before them because the dealers talk directly to the tech guys. Is my dealer giving me the run around or have you guys heard this too? Also, is anyone considering using the Lemon Law to get your money back?
  • ver2us1ver2us1 Member Posts: 36
    Have the service tech check out the PCM relay, if you tap on it with the end of a screwdriver while the engine is running and it stalls, that is your problem! A Ford tech found this fix and has replaced the relay on 12 vehicles so far with no further problems since.
  • ver2us1ver2us1 Member Posts: 36
    If Ford doesn't know what you are talking about, refer to the part as an EEC relay (electronic engine control) as they may use that term instead of the PCM (powertrain control module).
  • zorglubzorglub Member Posts: 79
    Hi,

    I'm considering a new Escape 4x4 XLT. However, before making the plunge, I would like to know what is the status on the stalling problem. Does anybody know whether it has been diagnosed and taken care of? Also, can anybody recommend a good dealer (read cheap) in the San Francisco Bay Area (east bay if possible)?

    Thanks,
  • wcmarshwcmarsh Member Posts: 3
    Howdy,

    I rented an 4WD Escape a few weeks ago (I'm thinking of buying a Tribute soon) and had a problem. When driving in 4x4 mode, the rear end acted like the differential was locked up. Tight turns (like parking) caused the rear end to tighten up.

    My guess is that this was a faulty part (read: rental abuse), but has anyone else had this problem show up? I just can't believe it was designed this way.
  • drew_drew_ Member Posts: 3,382
    That's probably because you're not supposed to be using the "4WD lock" mode on dry pavement precisely because it causes binding. By leaving it in that mode, you will damage the system. That "lock" mode is supposed to be only for slippery conditions. Otherwise, the system is usually FWD until slippage is detected and power is automatically sent to the rear wheels.


    Drew
    Host
    Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
  • wcmarshwcmarsh Member Posts: 3
    In that case, it sounds like Ford/Mazda designed the drive train with one fewer differential than what is needed for true 4WD.

    As an engineer, I could not imagine the case where I would design something for the comercial market that could so easily cause damage to the vehicle just because a control was in the wrong position...
  • drew_drew_ Member Posts: 3,382
    FWIW, the Escape/Tribute's system does not have an open centre differential, so it was never designed for full-time AWD usage on dry pavement. As mentioned, it is front wheel drive until slippage occurs, at which point power is transfered to the rear wheels. As soon as traction is restored, it reverts back to FWD-mode again.

    If you do want a vehicle with a permanent AWD system, that is, power to all four wheels at all times, check out the Subaru Forester or the Jeep Liberty with SelectTrac, for example. You will find their respective discussion topics in the SUV topics list as well.

    Happy hunting!

    Drew
    Host
    Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
  • scnamescname Member Posts: 296
    Talk about rental abuse. wc: are you really an engineer?
  • wcmarshwcmarsh Member Posts: 3
    Drew,

    Thanks for the info on the 4WD system. I'm still more than likely to buy a Tribute...

    Yep, I'm an electronic engineer. I do mostly systems design now, coordinating all phases (mechanical, electronics, software, maintenance, etc) of the design process.
  • linker7linker7 Member Posts: 1
    I too was having problems with my 2001 escape stalling. It was taken to the dealer 3 times and each time was told they couldn't find anything. This week I took them copies of letters from this website of fixes and guess what, they found the problem. After running a diagnostic they found a loss of ECC signal due to a bad EEC relay - they replaced the relay and so far so good!

    Pretty bad when the consumer has to research a fix on their vehicle!
  • jefgovjefgov Member Posts: 9
    My 12K warranty period is looming - any suggestions as to what to look for before my final trip to the dealership under a complete warranty?

    I assume some of you have been through this and might have some things that you had to (or wanted to) get fixed while it's still free.

    Please give me the benefit of your well-earned earned wisdom. Thanks.
  • tim274tim274 Member Posts: 3
    My Tribute has the stalling problem (and a few other oddities). Multiple week-long stays at the dealer to no avail. No solution at all until I filed for arbitration (interestingly national Mazda advised me to do so when I called them after the dealer gave up). Suddenly Mazda sprung into action and brought in the regional specialist who replaced a pile of parts and the entire transmission. They had the car for 3 days. I never did get a good explanation for what the problem was. I told them I had read other reports of stalling on the web and was concerned there was a defect. The tech explained to me that each stalling problem he had looked at was different and not due to any one certain identifiable issue, but that he had better diagnostics than the dealer and was confident he had solved the problem. NOT... problem occurred again within hours of leaving the dealer.

    Result... got my letter from the arbitration board today. Mazda's getting this one back, with a nice stamp on the title marked Lemon.
  • imcoleimcole Member Posts: 3
    I'm close to a deal on a 2002 XLT 4X4 Escape, all options less side bags. MSRP 25500. I'm dealing at 1% over invoice which is aobut 6.5% below MSRP. Anyone below invoice or 100 over? So called "invoice"...
  • canadianclcanadiancl Member Posts: 1,078
    Chaulk one up for the good guys. Are you getting the full purchase price back?
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