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We are well into the hundreds of escapes and tributes sold. So far we have had 1 mazda with the stalling issue and 3 Escapes. All cases fixed the first time. We carry a high line japanese brand that has a car with some problems that are affecting a large percentage of buyers, unlike the tiny percentage of Escape/Trib buyers, but I dont see the flury of misinformation and half truths that I've seen posted on this board...
So everyone take a deep breath, stop getting all emotional and let's try to report actual facts so people with the problem can get it fixed quickly and painlessly. To continue to report the half truths will do nothing but hurt yourselves.
And we could go round and round on this some more.
But, I'll take you up on your suggestion of a deep breath.
Let the weekend begin.
When I get a car, I expect to have some problems (though stalling without warning is not one I really want). As long as they can be fixed and there aren't too many, I drive away happy. If the dealer tells me the problem can't be replicated, as seems to be the case with several of the posters, then I begin to worry. I know you can't blame a dealer for not being able to find an intermittent problem, but that still won't make me feel better about my car. If this is a single recurring problem, it's going to be up to Ford/Mazda to convince people they've found a solution. Otherwise you're going to have people leaving the service department not knowing if the stalling problem has been fixed or if it is just a matter of waiting until their intermittent problem occurs again.
As far as how common this problem is, Ford and Mazda are the only ones in a good position to judge this. Your dealership could be having much better or much worse luck than average. You may be in a much better position than the typical poster to judge the extent of the problem, but from a statistical point of view, the record of one Mazda and one Ford dealership with several hundred sales of the vehicles in questions leaves a lot of room for uncertainty. This is especially true if the "bad" ones show up more frequently in certain production runs rather than being distributed randomly or uniformly.
We have access to all of our mfg nationwide service related claim info...This allows us to know about vehicle problems in almost any statistic possible combinations and detail. All the way down to color of the vheicle...This covers every unit under warranty in the US.
Sometime, I will post how the internal process works with a dealer and the mfg when a problem pops up with an unknown fix..its very interesting and maybe help to understand why the fix takes so long and sometimes two or three tries.
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
I admit I shuddered when I told my brother to
buy a Tempo - normally we steer away from Fords
(no pun intended). His Tempo (1992) is still
running fine (though he's been thru 2 radiators!
...may have something to do with leaving it
parked outside) with over 90K miles and no major
problems... the Tribscape may be a problem..
I would like to buy a Trib, since it has the best
features, power and looks of any of the mini-SUVs out there. However, reading about all these issues, especially the stalling issue, makes me very wary. If the CRV had a V6, it would be in my driveway right NOW!!
As regards the Tribscape, well, it is mostly a Mazda design, but all LHD versions are assembled by Ford. (RHD versions, for Japan and presumably the UK, are built by Mazda in Japan.) Until someone comes up with some credible information that the Mazda-built vehicles are suffering the same problems, Ford will continue to get the blame, at least in fora like these.
Quote#1198
"1. 6 recalls in the first 6 months"
Can't wait for the latest copy of the Lemon-Aid on SUV's
The Escape/Tribute should be a doozy.
BTW, I had a 4x4 XLT V6 Escape. Got rid of it.
Also, nobody ever suggested any of the above problems would happen with EVERY Escape. It would be actually better if they did, then Ford could fix them.
The issue is that the problems effect a minority of Escapes, but too much for someone trying to avoid an unreliable vehicle.
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Mazda Tribute/ Ford Escape problems
1215 messages,Last post on Feb 04, 2002 at 08:29 AM
Msg#
[beginning of discussion][scroll up 20 messages] (1195 previous messages)
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#1196 of 1215 tbay by tincup47 Feb 01, 2002 (07:48 am)
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.
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#1197 of 1215 audia8q hysterical by suvshopper4 Feb 01, 2002 (08:26 am)
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.
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#1198 of 1215 Mass Hysteria by canadatwo Feb 01, 2002 (08:51 am)
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!
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#1199 of 1215 canadatwo by scape2 Feb 01, 2002 (09:14 am)
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?
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#1200 of 1215 canada 2 again by winbro Feb 01, 2002 (09:35 am)
you got it all right except for one thing
FIX THE ESCAPE, FORD
FIX THE TRIBUTE, FORD
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#1201 of 1215 Acronym for Ford by canadiancl Feb 01, 2002 (01:01 pm)
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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#1202 of 1215 suvshopper by audia8q Feb 01, 2002 (02:04 pm)
Where do you get the idea that sweeping something under the rug would benefit me?? I get paid for service work...I should be thrilled about service problems. So your theory doesnt work. It isnt hurting sales either the Escape/Trib is the best selling small SUV int he world.
We are well into the hundreds of escapes and tributes sold. So far we have had 1 mazda with the stalling issue and 3 Escapes. All cases fixed the first time. We carry a high line japanese brand that has a car with some problems that are affecting a large percentage of buyers, unlike the tiny percentage of Escape/Trib buyers, but I dont see the flury of misinformation and half truths that I've seen posted on this board...
So everyone take a deep breath, stop getting all emotional and let's try to report actual facts so people with the problem can get it fixed quickly and painlessly. To continue to report the half truths will do nothing but hurt yourselves.
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#1203 of 1215 audia8q by suvshopper4 Feb 01, 2002 (02:26 pm)
I have an answer for your initial question, above.
And we could go round and round on this some more.
But, I'll take you up on your suggestion of a deep breath.
Let the weekend begin.
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#1204 of 1215 But remember to breathe out though, as Faith Hill would say by canadiancl Feb 01, 2002 (06:08 pm)
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#1205 of 1215 question for audia8q by kkcymru Feb 01, 2002 (07:18 pm)
Just out of curiosity, on those 4 stalling problems was it all the same problem or was it different problems causing the stalling? Is it safe to assume Ford tracks all these fixes.
When I get a car, I expect to have some problems (though stalling without warning is not one I really want). As long as they can be fixed and there aren't too many, I drive away happy. If the dealer tells me the problem can't be replicated, as seems to be the case with several of the posters, then I begin to worry. I know you can't blame a dealer for not being able to find an intermittent problem, but that still won't make me feel better about my car. If this is a single recurring problem, it's going to be up to Ford/Mazda to convince people they've found a solution. Otherwise you're going to have people leaving the service department not knowing if the stalling problem has been fixed or if it is just a matter of waiting until their intermittent problem occurs again.
As far as how common this problem is, Ford and Mazda are the only ones in a good position to judge this. Your dealership could be having much better or much worse luck than average. You may be in a much better position than the typical poster to judge the extent of the problem, but from a statistical point of view, the record of one Mazda and one Ford dealership with several hundred sales of the vehicles in questions
Steve
Host
SUVs, Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories Message Boards
The benefit is very short stopping distances.
Over 50 feet shorter 60-0 than the Liberty.
stalled out 3 times which was finally
fixed on the 3rd time. There is a big
problem with the Mazda's unless they fix it.
I knew of 2 other people it happened to.
I would take this problem seriously.
My Tribute is nearing the one year mark and has less than 6000 miles on it. It has been into the shop going on 11 times. The first time was for a retaining clip in the dash that had been damaged on assembly and was making very loud squeaking noises. After taking the entire dash apart (steering column, air bags, gauges, everything, the dealer was able to fix the problem. Since then there have been so many rattles and squeaks, I am about ready to loose my mind. The latest is a sound coming from the back hatch which sounds like two pieces of metal striking each other. Now mind you, I have not had MAJOR issues like others have had with stalling, etc, but maybe those of use who have Tributes with higher mileage can give me an idea of how their vehicles are faring in this respect and if I should bail from this now. The sad thing is that after saving for awhile and waiting forever to take delivery of this vehicle which I really do love, it is just a major disappointment. Anyway, any feedback would be much appreciated. Thanks much!
Our Escape stalled for the first time last week, and I'm planning to take it to the dealer because they told me that they are fixing them by upgrading the engine computer program (ECU, ECC, something like that). They've only had two or three of them come in with the stalling problem so I was wondering if that's how they fixed your Tribute too? They seemed pretty confident that it would work, and they are not replacing any of the other parts (IAC, etc.) because they had been unsuccessful in doing so with the others. Anyone else have any advice? Except for you gromoe. I just wanted to tell you that we too have a 96 Civic EX which has been to the shop several times for small (but expensive) problems and recalls. $400+ to replace the window track in the driver's door that just decided to break one snowy day does not fit into my definition of high quality. You see, Honda's have problems too. I think you should also know that your Civic (and most other Japanese cars) was built in the USA where, according to you, quality and reliability do not exist. I don't want to start a "which one do you think is better" war here. I just thought everyone should see the other side of the story too.
We stalled going down a hill like everyone else with about 832 miles on the odo. I'm glad you reminded me to report it to the NHTSA because I went to do it one day at work, but didn't have the VIN # on me. Since then, I have forgot to do it because the dealer said they could fix it with an engine computer program update. I'll report it tonight. I don't really see it as a huge problem like, but I would like to see it fixed right. It is still a probelem after all.
Thanks!
If you haven't already, I think you need to look at this a different way. This board represents a very small percentage of Escape/Tribute owners. Think about it, over a quarter of a million Escapes/Tributes were sold so far, and how many of them are posting on this board? 100-200 maybe? Take into consideration that a few of those have never even driven one let alone own one (they are just Ford haters who have nothing better to do with their time) and the percentage continues to shrink. How many of them are like me? I had read about the stalling problem before I bought the Escape, but didn't really start posting or really looking for it until it happened. My point is, people usually don't come to these boards to say something nice. They are here to research something odd that has happened to them, or they are trying to make the vehicle sound really bad so car shoppers like you will stay away and then join in their anger for no reason. The Escape/Tribute twins really are great automobiles and should not be removed from your shopping list because of other people's problems. If you do buy one, and do happen to experience one of the problems that you have read about, you don't have to take it back to the selling dealer for service. You can take it to ANY Ford, Lincoln/Mercury, Mazda, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, Aston Martin dealer in the world for service. You're not going to find any small SUV that doesn't have problems. The designs are all too new and have not been through every real world scenario yet, and there's only so much the engineers can test before the first one is sold. I'm not trying to get you to buy one of these (even though it does kind of sound that way) for I am not a salesman or a Ford employee, I just want you to see that you will be taking a chance with any brand, so choose the one you like the most. I read somewhere on this board, and in others that CR-V's and Liberty's are stalling too. Neither is recall free either. I hope this helped.
I just got done reviewing the Lemon Laws in our state (PA) and they are pretty much like every one elses! There is some protection there, but the dealer still needs 3 chances to fix. Have you asked your dealer (or maybe another dealer) about any potential fix that has arisen?
Carseeker - Actually, there is a "problems" page in the CR-V owners area, but it isn't very active. In the past few years, other CR-V problems threads have been started, but they've all expired from lack of participation. This doesn't mean that CR-Vs do not have problems, but they seem to have a lower percentage of problems than the Escape/Tribute.
My Madza is a 2001. The first time they replaced the idling moter or computer chip. They said that
it was fixed. The second time they said that
they could'nt replicate it. The third time is they
had to reprogram the whole main computer. I also
met 2 other people who had the same stalling problem. I was unhappy with Ford/Mazda with the way they handled the problem with the way that they can't do anything until they can replicate it. They admitted to me that there was a problem
with Mazda's stalling out but they didn't seem to
know how to fix it. I resent having to put my life on the line while they were telling me to
keep driving it and see if it happens again.
I was also worried about the passengers in my car.
I also had to worry about being hit while my car
stalled out. It happened at 8000 miles and I have
13000 on it now. It hasn't happened in 5 months
but I also have to worry about it happening again.
This is a real problem.
and does a vehicle not have residual vacuum that can stop a vehicle?
Just questions...