Ford Escape Mazda Tribute Maintenance and Repair

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Comments

  • varmitvarmit Member Posts: 1,125
    Astrosurf - Car sickness is typically caused by perceived motion in the peripheral view. For example, a passenger in the back seat might have their vision focused on a fixed point (like the person in front of them). However, the world passing by off to the side creates a an unsettling effect. Another common example is when a person tries reading in the car.
  • needcar911needcar911 Member Posts: 2
    I DRIVE A 2001 ESCAPE V6 XLT FOR WORK WITH ONLY 2500 MILES AND IT DIED WHILE I WAS ON THE FREEWAY DOING 60MPH. IT WAS VERY SCARY. SOMEONE COULD HAVE HIT ME FROM BEHIND. LUCKILY A NICE DRIVER HELPED ME PUSH MY CAR TO THE SHOULDER. THE ENGINE JUST DIED IN TRAFFIC WITH NO WARNING. THEN I TRIED STARTING IT AND THE ENGINE WOULD START BUT THEN DIED. FORD GOT A TOW TRUCK AND IS STILL AT THE DEALER BEING FIX (1 WEEK) STATING THEY NEED TO ORDER THE POWER TRAIN PART. I WOULD NEVER BUY THE ESCAPE. FOR THOSE OF YOU CONSIDERING IT, BE VERY CAUTIOUS.
  • astrosurfastrosurf Member Posts: 5
    Here is what happens;
    -When I drive the Escape and my wife is a passenger in the front, she gets sick.
    -When she drives and I am a passenger in the front, I get sick.
    -This only happens in the Escape.
    -Other passengers report feeling woozy also.
    -Every time a small bump is hit, it adds to the nausea.
    -Being good sailors, none of us has ever had a problem with motion sickness.
    -The effect is more dramatic after a dozen White Castle hamburgers (non-specific to the Escape, ha ha!!)

    Maybe I should check the tire pressure. Being the wife's drive, I can't get to it when convienient.
  • astrosurfastrosurf Member Posts: 5
    Ford, I know you read these messages. When will you make the No Boundries roof rack available. We waited all of the 2001 model year and never got a delivery on a Escape Sport. The pictures of the Escape I saw at the Detroit Motor show all had the rack. I want that rack!!! Mr. Ford, get me that rack or else I'll show you my distaste after I drive my puke-y yellow Escape to the White Castle. Seriously, has anyone gotten a Escape Sport this year?
  • astrosurfastrosurf Member Posts: 5
    Ford, I know you read these messages. When will you make the No Boundries roof rack available. We waited all of the 2001 model year and never got a delivery on a Escape Sport. The pictures of the Escape I saw at the Detroit Motor show all had the rack. I want that rack!!! Mr. Ford, get me that rack or else I'll show you my distaste after I drive my puke-y yellow Escape to the White Castle. Seriously, has anyone gotten a Escape Sport this year?
  • corey76corey76 Member Posts: 63
    I don't know, as I read through this topic, and I read through the Aztek topics I kinda think the consumer's with the Escape lost.

    I mean you guys talk about getting sick and Escapes dying, tons of Recalls. I've looked through the Aztek forum and they've been nothing but happy with their Tek's. Not only are they happy but they don't really talk about any problems except for the rear tailgate sticking.

    I don't know, I consider customer satisfaction more important than overall sales. What do you guys think??

    PS: Congrats you guys surpassed the Ford Explorer Woes topic in # of post!
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    Azztek owners saw the flaw and still bought the thing. Escape owners bought and then faced the flaws.
  • corey76corey76 Member Posts: 63
    Did you have a point to that statement??

    Other than stating the obvious??
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    you come to a problems forum and state that a non-problems forum rarely mentions problems. And so what is your point?
  • corey76corey76 Member Posts: 63
    The statement was addressed to scape2, it refers to what he stated earlier.

    #1144

    "if the media will report the intial problems with production of the Escape/Tribute have ended... Probably not.. The 02 Aztek is a considerable improvement over the last. Yet, the Escape has a stronge engine and looks less like a mini-van in my opinion. The consumer is ruler and so far the Escape/Tribute combination is numero-uno with consumers... "

    Maybe you should only respond to post that are addressed to you???
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    I wouldn't post in a forum at all.
    cheers
  • canadianclcanadiancl Member Posts: 1,078
    Let's all be friends :))
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    Let's all be friends :))

    I second that motion!

    tidester
    Host
    SUVs
  • gheimurgheimur Member Posts: 88
    Car was bought in APRIL 2001. Now has 12,500 miles on it . Experienced 1st problem with car last week. When driving the ABS and Brake Warning light would come on. It would go off when restarting the car and than come back on later. Brought it to the dealer where they replaced the ABS speed sensor. Should be ok. Otherwise no other problems experienced..
  • corey76corey76 Member Posts: 63
    I think that matb, did mean to offend.

    I'm trying to be nice and I was addressing scape2, but that guy was pretty rude you have to admit. Also, it didn't seem like he even read what scape2 said.
    Oh well just my .02 cents I'll shut up now.
  • canadianclcanadiancl Member Posts: 1,078
    Well, you did call him "not too bright". I didn't think that was appropriate.
  • scape2scape2 Member Posts: 4,123
    What didn't you like about my post 1144? I simply wondered if the press would report on the rcalls ending on the Escape. The recalls were with Initial production, one reason why I waited to buy an Escape...
    I felt the Aztek for 2002 was a vast improvement over the previous year. Heck, sales were terrible and it was obvious noone was buying these things.. Consumer does rule. The magazines and reviewers can blab all they want.. Fact is sales are what count.... and make $$$$
  • jmlagascajmlagasca Member Posts: 37
    Wow... I haven't posted here in a while... but I just came across this bit of information. Seems like the NHTSA has finally received the magic number (100) of stalling complaints and has decided to investigate into this problem with our Escapes and Tributes. Check out this link:


    http://www.auto.com/targetnews/articles/Automotive/01_25_2002.reutr-story-N25208501.html


    As far as my Tribute and I. I've had him for a little over a year and 17000 miles and other than a somewhat rocky start with the fuel smell my only complaints with the SUV is the paint scratching with frequent trips to the slopes and the poor gas mileage during this time of year. No stalls and no smell!


    Good Luck, Jeff

  • corey76corey76 Member Posts: 63
    All I'm saying is the consumer really the winner here. I mean the consumers in my mind are the losers. So many recalls and problems with the Escape, I just don't feel that they won anything. Granted the Escape sold very well in it's 1st year and in concept is a very good SUV.

    I guess that's what bothers me, in these times we shouldn't have to deal with these kind of problems. I almost feel that ford screwed all those good people putting their trust in them.

    It's just not right, is all. I mean don't vehicles get tested for years and engineers are supposed to be smarter now, so what happened!
  • scape2scape2 Member Posts: 4,123
    please check your link...
  • steverstever Guest Posts: 52,454
    Try this link (drill down past the exploding Mercedes batteries and the GM mid-size SUV faulty brake lights).

    Steve
    Host
    SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
  • bmengottobmengotto Member Posts: 16
    My wife and I were looking at these vehicles before we bought our semi-used 2001 Honda CRV SE. I visited the site about engine stalls, and all sorts of other problems. We also looked into the Sante Fe, but noticed they had some issues as well. In the end, I decided (we, sorry) to go with Honda. The older Honda may not look as nice as all the new vehicles, but it will be reliable, and we are happy we didn't have to buy from a dealer.

    For those who bought Fords/Tributes, I hope the company does something to fix all the problems. I don't think they can handle much more bad press. Also, they are releasing a hybid (GAS/ELECT) Escape next year. What in the hell are they thinking?!

    B
  • jodigreenjodigreen Member Posts: 3
    Hi guys! I know I've read so many bad things about the Escape/Tribute, but I still can't help but want to buy one. I have loved the Escape since the first time I saw it. I'm hoping that all of the problems have been solved. Do you think I'm crazy to buy one?????
  • scape2scape2 Member Posts: 4,123
    If you people would do your homework you will see that the problems with the Escape/Tribute were during initial production. Visit the NHSTA site for yoruself, please. Visit other chat rooms other than Edmunds and talk with other Escape/Tribute owners.
    Hoonda isn't as reliable and golden as you may think. Visit www.safetyalerts.com, there are many Honda recalls... The 2002 Escape has NONE, nothing, nada, zero, I don't know how else to say it no recalls! Even the 2001 Escape recalls are limited to certain build dates folks, initial build dates. The 2002 CRV has one recall... oH no every CRV is now unreliable! Sorry for my sarcasim. I get tired of all this data being twisted and turned against the Escape/Tribute.
  • scnamescname Member Posts: 296
    While the recalls are all from 2001, low quality is still built into 1000 parts in Escape/Tribute.
    You can expect all kinds of break downs down the road. If you follow the Yahoo boards, you know there are dozens of blown engines, failed transmissions, cracked steering pump, broken belt idler arm, brake fluid leak, 4X4 coupler , O2 sensor, ujoint........all sorts of problem.

    Most Toyota, Honda owners can expect theirs last 150k miles with very little repairs while Ford owners can usually expect a new transmission , new air conditioner, at 90k miles or less.
  • tidestertidester Member Posts: 10,059
    If you people would do your homework ...

    Part of the homework is discussing issues with classmates and experienced individuals then trying to separate rant from reality.

    tidester
    Host
    SUVs
  • canadatwocanadatwo Member Posts: 198
    re: NHSTA site

    what about the 100+ stalling reports?

    is that an initial production problem?
  • pieracpierac Member Posts: 43
    Hello,
    I'm a prospective Mazda MPV buyer. Since I'm looking at the 2002 MPV that shares the same engine as the tribute. I thought I would gather all the information I could. I know there were a few issues with the introductory model tribute but do you think everything has been worked out? I would like to hear from Wpooh and Techy1. What was the problem the dealer reported to you about your engine failure? Any input would be greatly appreciated. Please let me know if I should have any concerns. Thank You.
  • canadianclcanadiancl Member Posts: 1,078
    I've never owned a Ford, but I have many friends who have. The common experience is that Ford never seems able or willing to "work out" problems encountered with their vehicles. So called initial production problems often will still exist at the end of the model run.
  • scape2scape2 Member Posts: 4,123
    Its this type of stigma that goes nowhere with me. I am part of the Yahoo Escape club along with Escape central and 2 others.. Yes, I admit there are some people with problems, You say "dozens" of engines, 4x4 couplings, pumps..?? "and you can expect your Escape to break down"???? or not last 90K?? How can you make these assumptions? Do you know anything about the 3.0 Duratec engine? or how its built? or how long its been around in Europe? There are plenty of Honda and Toyota folks out on the net that are not too happy with their vehicles. Get out and look at other forums, some right here at Edmunds also.... By the way, my mother has a 93 Escort with 162K, I had 3 Fords that went 110K, 83K, and 135K with NO PROBLEMS, my mother/father in law have a 95 Taurus with 92K, Neighbor has a 97 Explorer with 72K, I can go on and on....
  • scnamescname Member Posts: 296
    Just compare the Taurus board and Accord board. Taurus problem posts outnumber Accord's 100 to 1. I joined Escape/Tribute clubs on Yahoo since early 2000 beore the cars came out. Wanted to buy one then but horror stories kept pouring in so I waited for Ford to work out the early bugs. Its probably better now but Honda came out with the new CRV. That's what I bot.
  • bmengottobmengotto Member Posts: 16
    I work for a large Bank in the US. I majored in Japanese (as well as criminal justice). Here are some facts:

    1) Mazda. This company asked for help from Japanese Banks, but were refuse.
    2) Mazda. This company asked for help from Japanese Auto Companies and was refused.

    Why?

    1) There are too many auto makers in Japan.
    2) They didn't have enough clought to survive.

    Solution:

    1) Sell 51% of the company to a foreign company so as to stay alive(FORD).

    Reason:

    In Japan (Nippon) if you own a dealership, then you can ONLY sell the cars that you represent. In America you can sell, on the same lot, chevy's, fords, and honda. However, in Nippon you can only sell HONDA. You like that? Ya, you only sell one brand. FORD is the number one American brand sold in Japan...Hmm..Why is that? Is it because Ford owns 51% (or more) of Mazda? Ya, yes it is.

    Toyota, Nissan, Honda wanted Mazda to DIE, but FORD bailed them out.

    My conclusion is just this:

    A failing Japanese company, a failing American company. Do you really want to purchase a vehicle from a company that is laying people and factories off? If so, then God Bless you, if not, then Amen.

    Regards
    B
  • blackcat725blackcat725 Member Posts: 1
    I have a 2002 Excape XLT with about 2500 miles on it. I've owned it since September. When it was three weeks old it just stopped on me while running one day. I took it in and after a week they proclaimed that they had "fixed some wiring on the fuel pump". Then it happened again in late November. I didn't do anything at the time, I admit I didn't have the time. Now it happened again yesterday. Basically, the car just shuts off. I pull over, I restart it, (actually yesterday I didn't even pull over, I put it in Neutral, restarted it, and went on my way) and I'm on my way. Today I decided to do some research and this is my first stop and I see I am not alone. But I don't know if my problem is the same since I don't seem to lose steering or anything like that. On the whole, I'm very happy with my Escape, but this is just really worrying me now. I just made an appointment with my dealer and mentioned that they better start doing some research on this problem as I will be bringing my research. I've got a week to get all the info I can. I don't want a new car, I just want mine fixed!! I had a heck of a time getting one equipped just the way I wanted and shoot, I just bought coordinating rugs for the back seat! :)
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    1st: Ford owns 31.4% of Mazda.
    2nd: Define "too many". It seems that the Koreans are doing just fine gobbling up market share just like VW did in the late 90s. There is always room for an innovator.
    3rd: Nissan trimmed fat. Did you go out and tell all your friends not to buy your dream vehicle?
    4th: Where can I get clought? hehehe - Sounds like good stuff.

    Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Suzuki, Isuzu and Fuji all would like to live in a competition free world. What's your point?
  • zorglubzorglub Member Posts: 79
    bmengotto: I know a buddy who works for a large bank and he's a teller... I speak French, does it make me the Mr. know-it-all on French car manufacturers?

    Seriously, that post is full of holes.
  • scape2scape2 Member Posts: 4,123
    ailing. But to completly write them off is ingnorant. Remember when GM had all those bad years? layoffs? Remember Nissan when it was billions of dollars in debt? Ford does need to restructure. Ford will survive. Layoffs are also happening across the board at ALL vehicle plants. Get out on the net and do some searching.
    Honda is on its own by the way and if prime for a buyout in the coming years. Honda doesn't have the resources that Toyota has, nor the manufacturing infrastructure or capitol.
  • audia8qaudia8q Member Posts: 3,138
    100+ complaints on a high volume product like the escape/tribute is nothing....

    I can't think of a problem that has been blown out or whack as much as this stalling problem. It's almost become a joke....not the actual problem but the hysteria that has been created by these boards and others.. As a dealer of many brands I have seen many many mechanical issues on new cars and this one is minor and essentially a non-issue that has been turned into near fictional hysteria. Thanks to false information that is posted over and over. Sooner or later people believe their own bs...haha
  • jetmommyjetmommy Member Posts: 6
    I think the people who plunked down $24,000+ have every right to be concerned about the issue's Ford/Mazda is having with their SUV. It seems that you have never experienced the thrill of stalling while your vehicle is going 45+, with children in the car! I got my money back from Mazda but still take an interest in this subject because my mother still owns a Tribute. Its insensitive comments like yours that give car dealerships/salesmen a bad reputation!
  • suvshopper4suvshopper4 Member Posts: 1,110
    You go, jetmommy!
  • maltbmaltb Member Posts: 3,572
    Slow down; I don't think Rich was discounting the severity of any individual problem. I think he was addressing the mass hysteria of the folks who 1)don't have a Triscape or 2)have never had the stalling problem.

    His point was that it has not been some overwhelming problem at his dealer.
  • scape2scape2 Member Posts: 4,123
    owners of the Escapes/Tributes to shutdown these few who blow problems into mass hysteria. Granted stalling at 45 is no fun, but you don't loose total control of the vehicle either. These few are making it sound like every Escape/Tribute is going to stall, breakdown, have transmission problems, have engine problems or whatever they want to drum up next.. If you take the time and visit other chat rooms/Escape Tributes sites around the net you will get more of a feel that these are good vehicles. As I have said over and over, Ford/Mazda did of INITIAL production problems. If you visit the NHSTA site you will see they were early in production and limited to build lots/dates. And you will see there have been NO MORE recalls on the Tribute/Escape..
  • audia8qaudia8q Member Posts: 3,138
    Thank you...glad to see you could see through the hysteria to see my point. Having both Mazda and Ford franchises qualifies me, much more than most, to speak with actual information and real world experiences of hundreds of Escape/Tribute's. Like ANY service related problem with a new car, especially one that take a few tries to fix really causes second thoughts about the product. But with a new product the engineers just can't seem to duplicate "real world" testing and when initial gremlins pop up it takes them a few tries to figure out how to fix it. The engineers come up with a fix, they transmit it to the dealers who try it and it works....problem gone..if not try plan B. if that dosnt work try plan C.
    But as problems go, this is just isnt nearly as an issue in the real world as it is here on this board. But I'll be glad to let the hysterical types rave on. Remember, some people dont let the facts get in the way of their opinions.
  • kkcymrukkcymru Member Posts: 48
    100+ complaints is enough to trigger an investigation, so it's clearly not a common occurrence. How many stalling complaints does the typical car with similar sales have ... obviously fewer than 100 since most aren't facing an investigation.

    Face it, most people who have a problem don't report it to the NHTSA hotline. Most people don't even know that it exists. They complain to the dealer, the manufacturer's rep, maybe even try to get satisfaction through a state's lemon laws, but unless they read a board like this they probably don't know there is a place at the NHTSA to complain. These reported problems are just the tip of the iceberg - at least until a problem gets major media coverage and people realize they are not the only ones suffering.

    As far as the owners who post how they have had no problems, I don't think that's too surprising to anyone. If it was a problem that everyone had Ford would have figured it out and fixed it long ago. Clearly it's a problem that only affects a small percentage of owners (but not a small a percentage as some on this board are implying).

    Even a small probability of getting a car with this problem is going to be enough to make a lot of people reconsider, especially if there isn't a clearly a fix. I'm not a Ford or Mazda hater, and I don't think Ford would try a cover-up, especially given their problems in recent years. It's just that seem to be facing the toughest kind of fault to isolate - a low frequency intermittent one. If it is a "single mode of failure", rather than several with the same symptoms, Ford will probably diagnose it and come up with a fix before too long, but until they do, don't expect the "mass hysteria" to go away.
  • tbaytbay Member Posts: 22
    .....maybe you're just hoping this doesn't turn into another Ford quality fiasco. Please read http://www.bonforums.com/mustang_safety/

    .....doosn't inspire much confidence does it...I've bought Ford before but never again!
  • tincup47tincup47 Member Posts: 1,508
    BON is hardly an unbiased forum since one of the founders left. Robert Lane IMO is one step away from Weekly World News in his journalistic integrity. His stories are full of holes and filled with half truths.
  • suvshopper4suvshopper4 Member Posts: 1,110
    audia8q: "Having both Mazda and Ford franchises qualifies me, much more than most, to speak with actual information and real world experiences of hundreds of Escape/Tribute's."
    -Also gives you plenty of incentive to sweep problems under the carpet, doesn't it?

    "The engineers come up with a fix, they transmit it to the dealers who try it and it works....problem gone..if not try plan B. if that dosnt work try plan C. "
    -So, is there a fix yet?

    Like kkcymru wrote, the "only" 100+ complaints to NHTSA are probably just the tip of the iceberg, with 90% submerged.

    "But I'll be glad to let the hysterical types rave on. Remember, some people dont let the facts get in the way of their opinions."
    -And some people don't let the facts get in the way of their own profit.
  • canadatwocanadatwo Member Posts: 198
    Reason enough not to buy the Escape.

    Lets see:
    1. 6 recalls in the first 6 months.
    2. Fuel smell issue
    3. Stalling nightmare
    4. Failing differentials
    5. Oil light going on for "no reason"
    6. Engine light going on for "no reason"
    7. Failing transmissions
    8. Failing motors (2 in my neck of the woods alone)
    9. Failing steering assemblies
    10. Creeks & rattles
    11. Heavy brake dust (from soft pads)
    12. Air bags failing to go off in frontal collisions
    13. what else did I forget?

    you be the judge.

    FIX THE ESCAPE, FORD!
    FIX THE TRIBUTE, MAZDA!
  • scape2scape2 Member Posts: 4,123
    you are one of the persons that are pushing this "mass hysterai". Now you have listed problems yet you don't list links backing up your allegations that EVERY Tribute/Escape is going to have these problems... you are going by what you are reading only here at Edmunds. You are bias against Ford/Mazda. You keep beating these issues over and over again yet you don't provide any proof. Once again the recalls, do you tell people that they were in intial production? Do you tell people to go look for themselves on the NHSTA site to see the recalls are limited to certain build dates and lots? Of course not, you don't want people to know this information..... Do you tell people there are NO recalls for the Escape 02 model?
  • winbrowinbro Member Posts: 235
    you got it all right except for one thing

    FIX THE ESCAPE, FORD
    FIX THE TRIBUTE, FORD
  • canadianclcanadiancl Member Posts: 1,078
    Fix Or Repair Daily.

    I first heard this term in the early '70's. So don't hold out too much hope that Ford will fix the Tricape any time soon.
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