Thanks for the message! It's indeed great to have that sunroof. Really helps the air circulate without messing up my hair too badly (you know us girls!). And that sun feels really good.
The dealership said they waxed it, so I'm trusting them. Maybe I should do it again just for good measure. I bought some Armor-All and some Meguire's leather conditioner too.
Did yours come with an engine block heater? Mine did, but the manual doesn't say where the plug is. I've never had one before so I don't know how to use it. Help?
Also, in reading my owner's manual yesterday, it said that some come with a picnic table. Is this true? Does yours have one?
OK, I'll admit I stepped out of line with that post. Didn't mean it as an attack on you and I apoligize. I didn't mean to get you so upset, but to date the Liberty has not had ONE problem related to a recall or major failure, and you are telling people not to stand behind them because a different model 3 years ago with a different part had a problem. Im not trying to be a spokesperson, im not attacking you, im simply trying to set the record straight. I guess spending $25,000 makes me a little passionate
Im not an engineer but I have read, in a story that the Tranny that had the problems was only used between 95-99 and was never used in any Jeep vehicle again. Quote from the story:
"Dominick Infante, safety spokesman for DaimlerChrysler, which builds the Grand Cherokee, told the Times the company is cooperating. He said the vehicle has been redesigned, and all Jeep models since 1999 have a new type of transmission." Sorry I couldn't track down the part numbers in time for this post.
the liberty limited with g pkg does have the same selec-trac transfer case as the GC laredo. the GC does offer one (I guess) higher transfer case called the command-trac I believe offered on the v-8 models. but again this is not the tranny part just the 4wd part.
tonysracing Me too and I'll have to stick to the topic a little closer to the "Escape Page". My only excuse(which isn't really)is that individuals many negative comments about the Escape and so many positives about the Liberty.
I have personnaly owned GM cars since 1981 and prior to that in my many years of Drag Racing from 1956 to 1975 always raced Fords(Go Figure)? The "lady of the house" decided she wanted an SUV and hence our search to find the one we felt fit our budget and our driving needs. It turned out to be the Escape.
I apologize to you for my needless aggressive response.
I was thinking about getting a fully loaded XLT, but I was wondering if the running boards on the Escape help out or if they just get in the way of getting in and out of the SUV? Thanks.
I see that no one ever did answer your question about the crash test results for the Escape/Tribute. Please follow the following link for the information. The results from best to worse are, "Good", "Acceptable", "Marginal", "Poor". The Escape and Tribute both scored "marginal" in the IIHS 40mph offset crash test. We will add this link to the "Additional resources" box on the left hand column of this page: http://www.hwysafety.org/vehicle_ratings/ce/html/0105.htm
New owner of a last of 2001 production Escape XLT, Parchment Gold, leather, moonroof. The only thing I wanted but couldn't locate immediately was 4WD option. But in SE Texas they're not too easy to come by. I was torn between ordering one a few months ago or just trying my luck at the dealership(s) once returning from vacation. Rather than risk the vehicle coming in while I was away, I decided to to just grab one from a dealer's current stock. Since there are about 30+ Ford dealerships in the Houston area, I figured I wouldn't have too much of a problem. Between two (2) close dealerships there was about 30 Escapes to choose from. About half and half XLS' and XLT's. The Parchement Gold XLT was one of my choices but the leather and moonroof weren't, but Ford was offering an instant $ 500 rebate to Houston area folks d/t the recent flooding, even if you weren't directly affected by the flooding. This kind of paid for either the leather or moonroof in a round about way. I got the Escape through the fleet department and X-plan which essentially brought the price to dealer invoice. Cash price, was ~ $ 22,600 + the ever-present TT&L. I think I got a pretty fair deal overall. Overall, I'm very impressed with the vehicle, other than some minor fit 'n' finish items it's well thought out and put together. The 6-Disc indash CD was worth the option price as well. Eventhough the moonroof and leather seats were not specifically wanted, they're nice features as well. I'm planning to keep this mini-ute for at least 6 - 8 years, so I'm hoping it'll hold up.
Ken94530- We now have 8,000 trouble-free on our 2001 Escape. Took delivery in November 2000. This is a great mini-suv, Ford did a good job in design/build. Why we purchased the Escape:Excellent Ride/Handling, Good acceleration, interior roominess, (I'm sill amazed at the space between the front seats and the large console for a mini-suv) four-wheel drive, good fuel mileage, excellent brakes, and finally a very good value for the money.
lovethosesuvs: congrats on your new Escape. Ours remains solid,tight and rattle free.
Overall: This is a solid vehicle that is a good value for less than $26,000 loaded sticker price. I would like to have an upgraded eletronics option that would include outside temp reading, built in programable garage door opener, trip computer that show miles to empty,miles per gallon,etc. I would definately recommend this vehicle.
Thanks! I posted up a little about the detail (can't remember the post number, but if you haven't read it, check it out--I posted on Saturday).
I'm with you--the storage and interior space is great! Was very pleased with how it handled.
I just feel like I can do more in an SUV. I've bought a ladder and taken my bike to the shop--things that would be difficult to impossible to do with an average car.
Ironically enough, an Escort like mine really teed me off this morning on the way to work. I don't drive that fast, so I stay in the right lane and let people sandwich in as they come on to the expressway. This Escort was coming on and just NOT getting the picture--I was being nice and letting them in. We ended up slowing down to 35 MPH in a 65 MPH zone. I got REALLY frustrated and LEANED on the horn. Finally the car sped up and merged. I swear, people like that who don't get the picture cause accidents.
BTW, found out that the Escape has a GREAT horn! Not like those bip-bip horns on Toyotas.
We traded a Honda Accord in for our Escape and have never looked back. The interior space, the ability to fold the seats flat and haul items and certainly four-wheel drive this past winter are big benefits over a car. Good luck, I think you will be even more pleased after a few thousand miles. I feel the vast majority of Escape owners are very pleased with their purchase. Our next door neighbor bought one 2 months ago and loves it. A another friend purchased an XLT in February and has over 9,000 trouble-free miles. They traded a Grand Am Sport in and are very pleased with their Escape.
From everyone I spoke to who owns a Honda Accord, they just love it.. So a natural question is did you look at the Honda CRV? What factors led you to choose the Escape over the CRV?
I'm just curious, often people will base their purchasing decision on how satisified on their current vehicles, .. For example, I've always been extremely pleased with all of the Ford vehicles I've owned (except for 1), so when I when looking for a vehicle to buy I do look towards Ford first. However if they don't have the features and value that I want, or if I start having problems with Ford vehicles I most certainly will look elsewhere.
I have to admit that I really don't like the 'look' of the CRV. I've never driven one or have even seen the interior of a CRV.
There were several reasons, however, the biggest was the CRV is woefully underpowered compared with the V-6 powered Escape.( same goes for Toyota Rav4) I have owned only one previous Ford vehicle-a 1993 Ford Taurus SHO and this was a very good/reliable car. I looked long and hard at the fit and finish on the Escape and was impressed. I feel Ford has come a long way on build quality.
We liked our Accord( it NEVER had any mechanical problems) and looked at new models, but felt for the same cost,Escape offered alot more. This is the first suv we have owned and like sitting up high versus a car and especially four-wheel drive.After 8,000 miles if we had to do over again, we would still choose the Escape over all else!
I don't know if any of you fellow SUV owners or soon to be owners have ever driven a Pontiac with what is called "Heads-Up-Display". We ordered our 1995 Grand Prix GT in June of 1995 and received it sometime in August. We ordered this option and after driving with this for almost 6 years I am shocked that Ford Motors and also GM doesn't offer it on all their models.
For anyone not aware of what it does I will explain it.
It has a digital speed readout that is reflected onto you windshield so you can read your speed, see your turn signals, radio stations and numerous other things right as if they are on the road in front of you. It also adjusts so you can dim it down or put it into any position on the windshield where it is the most comfortable for you to view. After driving with this option I find myself looking for it in our second car and also the new cars we test drove.
IMHO all car manufactures are missing the boat by not making this an option on every vehicle that they sell. I am going to miss it when we sell the Grand Prix.
I went to the dealer today and test drove an Escape. Really liked it and want to get one. The problem is they did not have one I want and said they could not even locate one for me (and I live in KC where they are built!). What I would have to do is order one and wait 12 weeks for it to come in. Is this correct? I am in the process of talking to other dealers right now. I am looking for an XLT blue with side airbags. Is the 2002 any different then the 2001?
First the color: As posted, the current medium Wedgewood Blue color is not available on the 2002 model. There is a new "true blue" that I think is much brighter. So, if you have to have med. wedgewood blue you will have to buy a 2000.
The wait sounds a little long; I've heard 8-10 weeks, but I do not know for sure.
No difference in appearance of 2001 vs. 2002. Unless you're dead-set on the Wedgewood Blue, my opinion is wait for the 2002. This is best for resale and the fact that it would be in the second year of production, so any upgrades for the new model year would be included.
Also, order packages for 2002 are different and include a few things that used to be options. The cost of 2002 is about the same as a 2001. You could order 2002 under Ford X-plan and probably save a bundle.
I have a 2001 Ford Escape (was delivered to the dealership,custom made to my desire) in Nov. 2000. I have had few problems and was wondering if anyone else has. First of all, my coolant light kept coming on and no, it did not need any coolant, second, my lighter and 12v charger don't work and third, right now I don't have my Escape right now, due to the fact that it's at the dealership because the gear won't shift from park to drive. I love my escape, but was wondering if anyone else has had any problems?
I have the same problem with the coolant light. I've seen it mentioned a couple of times in the Tribute forum as well. Dealer says it needs a new sensor. That's my only problem. I hope.
Anyone had experience towing anything with their Escape? I'm interested in purchasing two jet skis with trailer and wondered if anyone has towed this combination or for that matter anything else. Any Feedback?
I took my ford escape to the dealership about two weeks about that and they got the problem fixed, but they told me the reason why the coolant light kept coming on was because there is a resoirvar tank which also has coolant in it and was not circulating the coolant and they apparently knew what they were talking about because they fixed the problem and have had several problems with the ford escapes. Steve, tell your dealership about this, maybe you have the same problem.
It went to the dealers some weeks ago and they said the sensor is bad. However, they have to replace the complete reservoir - a 3 hour job! I'm glad it's Fords' money. It goes in next Monday.
Just picked up my new Escape, XLT, white, moonroof, Mach Stereo; its loaded. Man, this is a nice vehicle at a very afforable price; I love this mini-ute. Ford really got it right!
I traded my 99 Olds Intrigue for this. My Intrigue was a real lemon with many "major problems". I can tell you after just one day that the fit, finish, and overall quality of the Ford is dramatically above the Olds.
Bought it under the X Plan; the dealer even threw in a year's oil changes and rotations for free. Even with all the problems of the Olds (new PS rack, new alternator, new door trim, etc.) the Olds dealer/GM never offered compensation for all the problems. From this Ford dealer I get this stuff up front ... that's customer service.
Now I see why Ford has been gaining on General Motors.
I have a 98 that had some problems - only one major one the rest were all minor but annoying none the less. but I do like the ride & handling of the intrigue.
Congrats on your new Escape!! I just picked mine up on Friday (got the Dark Highland Green, sounds similar to yours with options). I hope you enjoy yours as much as I am enjoying mine.
I agree with you--Ford did get it right. From the detailed list I put together of all the criteria that were important to me, the Escape came the closest. The Liberty was second; however, I couldn't get past DC's quality track record (let someone else take the risk if they have improved), and the fact that the mileage wasn't great, the spare tire was on the outside, the back hatch opened side-to-side, the back seats didn't fold flat, and you're very close to the windshield while in the front seats were negatives for me.
I have to say you got a heckuva deal with the oil changes and tire rotations thrown in. How did you manage that? I haven't heard of anybody getting that, especially with an Escape!
Last winter I decided to purchase either a 4WD or AWD SUV or Outback vehicle to traverse some steep hills and switchbacks in wet snow/icey roads of rural Maine.
Decided to investigate the Hyundai Santa Fe, Mazda Tribute/Ford Escape V-6, 2002 Ford Explorer, and the Subaru Outback Wagon with 2.5 4 cylinder engine, automatic transmission. These vehicles were selected because of decent reviews, price and value to some extent, capacity, handling, cruising at 65 to 80mph, quality and opinions offered by many on various net sites, and last in importance trailering or towing ability. I currently own a Toyota Avalon and an 18+ year old 4 x 4 3/4 ton pickup rusty which is hardly used but operable.
My wife and I drove each "test" vehicle at least twice in different weather conditions. Here are our biased opinions.
My wife thought the 2002 Ford Explorer had no real styling as compared to the Santa Fe at the other end of the spectrum, for example. The Explorer she thought looks like a box. She thought it lacked power and its mass above 70mph makes the engine work to maintain that speed or a greater speed. We also thought the interior was okay but nothing special and that the coin holder was basically unusable while driving. Fit and finish seemed good; however the vehicle handled like a big lumbering oaf. We decided it was too large for us, got fairly poor gas mileage, lacked styling inside and out and probably would have difficulty getting out of its own way in an emergency handling situation and had Ford "reliability" or lack thereof. Lastly, the Explorer XLT (2001 version in this instance)is a 4WD vehicle not an AWD vehicle and the Subaru Outback Wagon beats ALL in the snow. NO CONTEST. Last winter I test drove the 2001 Outback in an empty mall parking lot which was basically sheet ice and hard packed wet snow. I COULD NOT GET THE OUTBACK TO GO INTO AN UNCONTROLLED SPIN NO MATTER HOW I TRIED TO ABUSE THIS VEHICLE. I MEAN IT! TALK ABOUT GIVING A PERSON CONFIDENCE!
We then drove the 4WD Mazda Tribute V6 and Ford Escape V6. We both were impressed with the power. It is a lively vehicle to say the least. However it is NOT an AWD but a 4WD vehicle and will not perform as well as an Outback in the snow. It emits a fair amount of engine and road noise. As all SUV it does not give us the feeling of safety or confidence in an emergency handing situation with the center of gravity significantly high. Perhaps a great view of the road in a SUV but I don't want to flip if I have to perform an emergency swerve. In additon to the powerplant another strong point is the Tribute's/Escape's 3500 lb. towing capacity compared to the Subaru's 2000 pound capacity. Gas mileage fairly decent, interior straightforward and plain vanilla. The Tribute's/Escape's doors seems to lack any heft and felt rather "tinny" which probably added to the road noise.
The Santa Fe AWD in our view wins the exterior and interior design award. We drove 2 different AWD Santa Fes. We were very impressed. The ride was excellent and was similar to the ride we experience in our Toyota Avalon. The fit and finish were excellent. For an SUV there was a minimum of lateral swaying. The engine could use more power and it supposedly doesn't tow over 1500 pounds in the AWD model. It is VERY WELL EQUIPPED. However, the down side is that there was a noticeable smell similar to something burning when we existed one of the 2 vehicles. The salesperson tried to blow it off but we found similar comments re the Santa Fe on the net. Further we decided against it because of few dealers and limited dealer support, very limited numbers of Santa Fes for the marketplace and in many cases a premium of $1000 added to the MSRP. NO THANK YOU. I AM NOT A FOOL. However, I do believe that Hyundai is a real comer in the global quality marketplace.
All in all, the Subaru Outback looks and feels like a quality vehicle. It rides and handles superbly. The interior is tasteful and appealing, bordering on plush, 2 tone dash with complimentary tan/creme colors and nice tan fabric seats. Fit and finish are excellent thoroughout. The specs are great. The OUTBACK is 14 inches longer (& more stable) than the Tribute/Escape and 10 inches longer than the Santa Fe. The 2002 Ford Explorer is only 2" longer than the Outback, hard to believe. The Outback has 4 wheel disc brakes and the Tribute/Escape do not. Pickup and accleration are certainly decent. The Subaru Outback can cruise better and handle the road better and has a better top end than the other vehicles in this comparison plus it gets far superior gas mileage and is the clear winner in snow/ice conditions. Thus we chose the 2002 Subaru Outback, tried and true 2.5H 4 cylinder engine, auto transmission, All weather package (including heated seats), comfortable rear seats, a nice heavy duty cupped rubber mat for the rear cargo area. I feel I am getting the same vehicle for around $23k that would cost over 30k if I ordered the leather seats and 6 cylinder engine. In my mind, a great vehicle and even better value.
Perhaps this evaluation will help a few folks decide.
As stated wedgewood blue is NOT available in 2002. True Blue is a much DARKER color of blue. (Think of Navy Blue).. looks almost balck in the shade.
If you get a 2002 XLT you will bet a power drivers seat standard, which was not available in 2001 with cloth interior. Also, you will get keyless entry via a keypad on the door. Privacy glass is also standard, so if you don't want that and want an XLT you need to get a 2001. All in all, I'd wait for the 2002.
Not slamming the Outback or you here, but wanted to make a few comments on your review. First off, you make a statement that the Escape is not AWD, but the Subaru is and will therefor perform better in the snow. I don't think this statement is true.
Do you know the difference between the two systems? There is a forum topic here that explains it pretty well. Judging one vehicle better in snow than another because it has 4wd vs. AWD is just not valid. The Escape has a 4wd system that will automatically apply torque to wheels with traction. This system is always "on" waiting for a wheel to slip, and adjusts power accordingly. You can also put the system in a mode where it will continuously distribute power between the front and rear wheels. On many 4wd vehicles, you have to actively engage the 4wd system, rather than have it automatically engage. I think these systems are at a disadvantage in handling unexpected slippery conditions, because you may not have your 4wd engaged. With the Escape, you are always ready.
Secondly, you seem to imply that the Subuaru is much more stable than the Escape because it is so much longer and not as high. The Subaru has a 104" wheel base (more important to handling than length) compared to the Escapes 103". The subaru is 63" tall compared to 67" for the Escape. The wheelbases are almost the same, and the height is not that much different, so you can't just say that one is more stable than the other. Car and Driver measured the Escape as .72g on their skidpad test which is pretty respectable for an SUV. Not sure what the Subaru got, but it probably does have a lower center of gravity, mostly due to the flat 4 engine keeping the weight down low. The Subaru is 14" longer than the Escape, however (187" vs 173"). Think you get a lot more cargo room for the extra space? Escape gives you 33/63 cuft with the rear seats up/flat. Subaru gives you 34/68. Hmmm... not much difference. Escape actually has more passenger compartment room at 99 cuft vs 96 for the Subaru.
Also, you make the point that the Subaru has 4 wheel disc brakes, and the Escape has a rear drum brake. But, the Escape can stop from 70 mph in only 170 feet. This is performance similar to sports cars such as the Corvette and Mustang, and better than almost any other SUV (or Subaru). Who cares about drums?
After months of watching this board and reading I ordered an Escape on May 25, 2001. Having previously bought a newly designed Ford in the first year of production I thought it wise to wait and see how they actually came off the line.
I picked it up on Monday 10+ weeks after ordering and have to say it was worth the wait. Everything is as expected and to me is far above the standards previously experienced with Ford. The last time I bought a brand new Ford was in 1994 and there have been huge steps in quality improvement over the past 7 years. Of course there were issues at the beginning, but Microsoft gets the same cursing when they release a new product and how successful have they been?
Thanks to everyone for keeping me informed on the goings on with the Ford Escape over the past several months.....
We ordered an XLS A-Plan V6. A bit smaller than her Blazer but handles much better. About 700 miles on it with no issues. We now have the largest and smallest Ford SUVs. Mine's an Ex Diesel. There are no blind spots and the Ford Blue Oval dealers seem to have their act together. I've been treated better at Ford than when I owned a BMW or Cadillac. Engineers I know at Ford (one of my customers) said not to buy the Escape because they were not able to test its quality (done by Mazda). We'll see. With only 700 miles it's hard to judge. My Excursion has 45,000 miles and have had no issues except a headlamp switch recall...
We looked at the Toyota Rav4 (another one of my customers), but they were about $3,000 more with a 4 banger ( Couldn't do it).
Has anybody seen anyplace on the internet that has the exact new color of Satin Silver for the 2002 Escape? Or does anybody have a similar color (from any automaker) to match it to on the Edmunds site??? Thank you in advance for your help.
Here is a list of the problems with my Intrigue. It was a 99 GLS, loaded, with an MSRP of 27K.
1. Intermediate Shaft replaced at 10K. It took three trips to the dealer to fix. At 34K the problem was coming back. This was a consistent problem with 98 & 99 models.
2. New Alternator at 20K after lights flickering developed. This was also a common problem, even affecting the Aurora.
3. Leaking Coolant at 10K due to improperly tightened hose.
4. Rear Passenger door trim came off, replaced at 30K.
5. Brakes make a lot of noise in the rear. Even though there was a TSB the dealer would not fix it.
6. The right door would not open until the fourth of fifth press of the key. Dealer could not duplicate.
7. The vehicle was white, and the bumpers, mirrors, and door handles had yellowed. There was a TSB on this. Solution, repaint the parts.
Winbro, I must say that I enjoyed the design, the motor, the looks; it just was not reliable. GM really has some strides to go. I can see why they have lost so much market-share.
jroth33. Have you seen the color in the big patch book at your Ford Dealer? We ordered a 2002 about 3 weeks ago with the Satin Silver. I really don't know where you can find it on the net. From my recollection of seeing the Liberty Siver(or whatever they call it)the Satin Silver seems to have more metallic in it and maybe is just a shade lighter silver. I was glad our dealer had the BIG Swatch colors book and not the little bitty one.
I too would like to see one Online and I would really like to see ours roll in in another 4-6 weeks.
I have access to both Jeep and Ford's employee discount plans and have priced the Liberty and Escape with similar equipment. The differential is under $500.
Any comments as to which would be a better investment (I usually sell my vehicles within a year with extremely low miles to minimize costs of ownership)?
Wow... selling a vehicle after one year seems like the best way to maximize the cost of ownership. The depreciation hit is so great that first year, plus all the tax, title, and other fees every year. Just about any car is a lousy investment on these terms.
Anyways, I don't have much of an idea which vehicle will hold its resale value to most. There may be some 2001 Escapes coming onto the market now, you can see what they are selling for, (not asking for). Since the Escape will have been out an extra year, there may be a larger used supply available in a year so that might reduce the resale value a bit? From my experiience Jeep vehicles tend to have lower resale values than Ford trucks.
Vezini, congrats on your new XLT. I agree alot for the money/good value.
Dsgnwrkscg, I agree on good build quality. Our Escape now has over 8,000 miles and no squeaks or rattles-no problems at all. I looked very closly at the gaps between the seams, the door alignments, and rear hatch alignment before buying.( Purchased off the lot) They were uniform and and had no varience. This is a tight, well constructed vehicle.
sorry to go off topic on the intrigue but I too had a lot of problems but I still have the intrigue cause it rides nice, handles nice etc..
my problems: 1 air vent fell out 2 material on door panel puckered - new door panel installed 3 new torque converter installed to stop the jerking in 3-4th gear 4 12 disc cd changer broke - repaired 5 power window motor burned out 6 service engine light came on (at 150 miles on the car - they relaced some sender unit) 7 2 fuses burned out 8 I too notice that the doors dont open right away with the remote. thought nothing of it until you just said something.
and there are other small items as well. I must say the dealer was terrific and when appropriate I got a loaner car (1 week for the transfer case).
like you, I went the SUV route and just got a new liberty 2 days ago - love it so far. best of luck with the escape
I can't answer your question on what the resale value a year from now will be on either vehicle as that would be purely speculation. I can tell you from the experiences of selling many, many of my own cars privately thru my own advertising. I've found that just a little before the car is out of warranty(be it 36 months or 36,000)is the most cost effective and easiest way to keep ownership costs to a minimum. I keep my cars looking like new thru this time period and and since we rent cars for long mileage trips these cars always fall into the "low mileage" category for resale purposes.
With the 2002 Escape I've ordered I haven't decided yet if I am going for a 3 year Lease or buy it. I like the Leasing as with the Closed Leases(as most now are)I still have the option of purchasing the car and if the residual value is placed relatively low at the beginning of the lease and the Escape in fact does hold it's value well, I stand to make a profit by selling it myself.
Not sure of my delivery date it yet. Dealer has the "build date", but not estimated "ETA" yet.
We ordered one about 3 weeks ago and have not gotten a delivery date yet. Was just wondering if anyone else here has ordered one. If so how long ago did you order it and do you know when it will be delivered?
Dealer says he should have the "ETA" date for us on Monday(Aug.13)but I am not holding my breath on that one. I would appreciate it if anyone with any info on this subject would be kind enough to share it with me.
I too have just ordered a 2002 last weekend. Is anyone else petrified of all of the engine stalling that is posted on NHTSA.org site? I am hoping I made the right decision to get the 2002.....
The fully loaded Escape that arrived in Mid April has 5200 miles on it. Changed the oil at 3000 miles. Zero (0) problems to date, engine runs great and no engine fluid seepage or usage. My 1996 Taurus with 105k on it also has zero leaks(Dry as the Sahara). Impressive. I have never owned a Honda but from what I see the quality is Honda Like . My wife loves the car. I see plenty of Jeep Liberties on the lots....
Not petrified at all.. I agree it would be nice to know more of the story such as which engine, which tranny, build date etc.. I've owned many Fords through the years and not one has ever left me stranded on the road or had any problems running..
All that being said, I looked at the site and it appears that the same person issued the same complaint several times..
In the search of the TSBs, I saw one where the automatic tranny that would not shift down out of 3rd.. The drivabily symptom was 'power loss'. If the ground speed is too slow while your in 3rd, this would cause very low RPMs and probably intefere with the power steering and braking.. My guess is it could even result stalling the engine..
Make: FORD TRUCK Model: ESCAPE Year: 2001
Service Bulletin Number: 14838 Bulletin Sequence Number: 193 Date of Bulletin: 04/01
NHTSA Item Number: SB619324 Component: POWER TRAIN:TRANSMISSION:AUTOMATIC:CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM) Summary: SOME VEHICLES WITH CD4E TRANSMISSIONS BUILT 7/1/2000 THRU 12/20/200 MAY EXHIBIT INTERMITTENT LOSS OF BOTH FIRST AND SECOND GEAR, (REPORTED AS A LOSS OF POWER) TCIL LAMP FLASH, MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP MAY ILLUMINATE, WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0758 (SHIFT SOLENOID) OR P0740 (TCC SOLENOID). *TT
and now over 8200 trouble-free miles on XLT delivered in November 2000. There were 110,000 2001 Escapes built and probably going to be close to 200,000 2002's.(and this doesn't include the Trib) After intial recalls, no problems. This is a good vehicle and is going to continue to grow in popularity. I read somewhere that Ford is expecting to eventually sell as many as 300,000. I believe that is the factory's capacity. Anyway, the Escape is a winner for alot of reasons.
Glad I bought my escape 9,500 trouble free miles purchased in late March 2001. Heading to Colorado later this month and doing some lite offroading since I have to agree that it offroad ability are limited but heck the onroad ride and gas mileage more than makes up for this deficiency. Oh well love the escape and glad I traded my xterra for one the no frills of the xterra got old fast although the commercials are neat to watch but heck when was the last time i surfed down a sand dune, lol.....
Anyone have any problems with the Escape? I have a 4cylinder manual and it surges, hesitates and idles very rough. Started about a month after I bought it. No one from 3 different Ford dealerships seems to be able to detect it. Just myself and my old mechanic.
The escape is great for off-roading....if you consider off roading the gravel lot at the sweet corn stand. Look, the 4hi in the Escape is probably fine for getting you going in the snow when you are leaving the mall parking lot. It is not intended to be used on any real trail. The Escape doesn't even have an axle. It's a 4 wheel independent suspension. The same suspension mind you, as on a camry, civic, corolla, etc. In other words, it's a car. The interior haas acres of plastic, fit and finish are marginal at best, and this thing has been plagued by endless recalls...Ford's rush to cash in on the success of the mid size Xterra SUV no doubt. Have you seen the auto show pics of the Escape with the roof rack???? I mean, can you say ripoff??? What is this thing anyway? It's car that rides a little higher than normal is what it is - if the steering wheel doesn't come off first. But hey, you bought it and if you're happy then great!
fyi, the Explorer and hummer have 4wheel independant suspension as well. I agree though that I wouldn't want to go bashing the Escape suspension components off rocks..
Although the Escape had its share of recalls when it first came out, it would appear that those were addressed.. I think highly of Ford for keeping its customers informed and issuing the recall (which did not affect ALL Escapes), rather than just sweeping it under the rug.
I agree, the Escape is not designed for the rubicon hard core off-road trails. For fireroads, off-road paths to your favorite fishing spot, remote camping areas, the Escape will do just fine..
How many folks here have actually taken any vehicle (car,truck,suv) on a 'real trail' by your definition? Me neither.. Thats what motorcycles are for..
Comments
The dealership said they waxed it, so I'm trusting them. Maybe I should do it again just for good measure. I bought some Armor-All and some Meguire's leather conditioner too.
Did yours come with an engine block heater? Mine did, but the manual doesn't say where the plug is. I've never had one before so I don't know how to use it. Help?
Also, in reading my owner's manual yesterday, it said that some come with a picnic table. Is this true? Does yours have one?
Thanks--
Im not an engineer but I have read, in a story that the Tranny that had the problems was only used between 95-99 and was never used in any Jeep vehicle again. Quote from the story:
"Dominick Infante, safety spokesman for DaimlerChrysler, which builds the Grand Cherokee, told the Times the company is cooperating. He said the vehicle has been redesigned, and all Jeep models since 1999 have a new type of transmission."
Sorry I couldn't track down the part numbers in time for this post.
Tony
Me too and I'll have to stick to the topic a little closer to the "Escape Page".
My only excuse(which isn't really)is that individuals many negative comments about the Escape and so many positives about the Liberty.
I have personnaly owned GM cars since 1981 and prior to that in my many years of Drag Racing from 1956 to 1975 always raced Fords(Go Figure)?
The "lady of the house" decided she wanted an SUV and hence our search to find the one we felt fit our budget and our driving needs. It turned out to be the Escape.
I apologize to you for my needless aggressive response.
http://www.hwysafety.org/vehicle_ratings/ce/html/0105.htm
Here is how the Escape and Tribute stacks up against other small SUVs that the IIHS has tested:
http://www.hwysafety.org/vehicle_ratings/ce/html/summary_smsuv.htm
Intrusion and driver injury measurements. FYI, "HIC" stands for "Head Injury Criterion"; the lower the number, the less better:
http://www.hwysafety.org/vehicle_ratings/ce/html/grey_smsuv.htm
Drew
Host
Vans, SUVs, and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
Enjoy the ride!
The only thing I wanted but couldn't locate immediately was 4WD option. But in SE Texas
they're not too easy to come by.
I was torn between ordering one a few months ago or just trying my luck at the dealership(s)
once returning from vacation. Rather than risk the vehicle coming in while I was away, I
decided to to just grab one from a dealer's current stock. Since there are about 30+ Ford
dealerships in the Houston area, I figured I wouldn't have too much of a problem. Between
two (2) close dealerships there was about 30 Escapes to choose from. About half and
half XLS' and XLT's. The Parchement Gold XLT was one of my choices but the leather and
moonroof weren't, but Ford was offering an instant $ 500 rebate to Houston area folks d/t
the recent flooding, even if you weren't directly affected by the flooding. This kind of
paid for either the leather or moonroof in a round about way. I got the Escape through the
fleet department and X-plan which essentially brought the price to dealer invoice. Cash price,
was ~ $ 22,600 + the ever-present TT&L. I think I got a pretty fair deal overall.
Overall, I'm very impressed with the vehicle, other than some minor fit 'n' finish items it's
well thought out and put together. The 6-Disc indash CD was worth the option price as
well. Eventhough the moonroof and leather seats were not specifically wanted, they're
nice features as well. I'm planning to keep this mini-ute for at least 6 - 8 years, so
I'm hoping it'll hold up.
Why we purchased the Escape:Excellent Ride/Handling, Good acceleration, interior roominess, (I'm sill amazed at the space between the front seats and the large console for a mini-suv) four-wheel drive, good fuel mileage, excellent brakes, and finally a very good value for the money.
lovethosesuvs: congrats on your new Escape. Ours remains solid,tight and rattle free.
Overall: This is a solid vehicle that is a good value for less than $26,000 loaded sticker price. I would like to have an upgraded eletronics option that would include outside temp reading, built in programable garage door opener, trip computer that show miles to empty,miles per gallon,etc. I would definately recommend this vehicle.
I'm with you--the storage and interior space is great! Was very pleased with how it handled.
I just feel like I can do more in an SUV. I've bought a ladder and taken my bike to the shop--things that would be difficult to impossible to do with an average car.
Ironically enough, an Escort like mine really teed me off this morning on the way to work. I don't drive that fast, so I stay in the right lane and let people sandwich in as they come on to the expressway. This Escort was coming on and just NOT getting the picture--I was being nice and letting them in. We ended up slowing down to 35 MPH in a 65 MPH zone. I got REALLY frustrated and LEANED on the horn. Finally the car sped up and merged. I swear, people like that who don't get the picture cause accidents.
BTW, found out that the Escape has a GREAT horn! Not like those bip-bip horns on Toyotas.
I'm just curious, often people will base their purchasing decision on how satisified on their current vehicles, .. For example, I've always been extremely pleased with all of the Ford vehicles I've owned (except for 1), so when I when looking for a vehicle to buy I do look towards Ford first. However if they don't have the features and value that I want, or if I start having problems with Ford vehicles I most certainly will look elsewhere.
I have to admit that I really don't like the 'look' of the CRV. I've never driven one or have even seen the interior of a CRV.
We liked our Accord( it NEVER had any mechanical problems) and looked at new models, but felt for the same cost,Escape offered alot more. This is the first suv we have owned and like sitting up high versus a car and especially four-wheel drive.After 8,000 miles if we had to do over again, we would still choose the Escape over all else!
For anyone not aware of what it does I will explain it.
It has a digital speed readout that is reflected onto you windshield so you can read your speed, see your turn signals, radio stations and numerous other things right as if they are on the road in front of you. It also adjusts so you can dim it down or put it into any position on the windshield where it is the most comfortable for you to view.
After driving with this option I find myself looking for it in our second car and also the new cars we test drove.
IMHO all car manufactures are missing the boat by not making this an option on every vehicle that they sell. I am going to miss it when we sell the Grand Prix.
The wait sounds a little long; I've heard 8-10 weeks, but I do not know for sure.
No difference in appearance of 2001 vs. 2002. Unless you're dead-set on the Wedgewood Blue, my opinion is wait for the 2002. This is best for resale and the fact that it would be in the second year of production, so any upgrades for the new model year would be included.
Also, order packages for 2002 are different and include a few things that used to be options. The cost of 2002 is about the same as a 2001. You could order 2002 under Ford X-plan and probably save a bundle.
I have had few problems and was wondering if anyone else has. First of all, my coolant light kept coming on and no, it did not need any coolant, second, my lighter and 12v charger don't work and third, right now I don't have my Escape right now, due to the fact that it's at the dealership because the gear won't shift from park to drive. I love my escape, but was wondering if anyone else has had any problems?
Steve.
Steve.
Just picked up my new Escape, XLT, white, moonroof, Mach Stereo; its loaded. Man, this is a nice vehicle at a very afforable price; I love this mini-ute. Ford really got it right!
I traded my 99 Olds Intrigue for this. My Intrigue was a real lemon with many "major problems". I can tell you after just one day that the fit, finish, and overall quality of the Ford is dramatically above the Olds.
Bought it under the X Plan; the dealer even threw in a year's oil changes and rotations for free. Even with all the problems of the Olds (new PS rack, new alternator, new door trim, etc.) the Olds dealer/GM never offered compensation for all the problems. From this Ford dealer I get this stuff up front ... that's customer service.
Now I see why Ford has been gaining on General Motors.
Vezini (Ford Convert)
I agree with you--Ford did get it right. From the detailed list I put together of all the criteria that were important to me, the Escape came the closest. The Liberty was second; however, I couldn't get past DC's quality track record (let someone else take the risk if they have improved), and the fact that the mileage wasn't great, the spare tire was on the outside, the back hatch opened side-to-side, the back seats didn't fold flat, and you're very close to the windshield while in the front seats were negatives for me.
I have to say you got a heckuva deal with the oil changes and tire rotations thrown in. How did you manage that? I haven't heard of anybody getting that, especially with an Escape!
Decided to investigate the Hyundai Santa Fe, Mazda Tribute/Ford Escape V-6, 2002 Ford Explorer, and the Subaru Outback Wagon with 2.5 4 cylinder engine, automatic transmission. These vehicles were selected because of decent reviews, price and value to some extent, capacity, handling, cruising at 65 to 80mph, quality and opinions offered by many on various net sites, and last in importance trailering or towing ability. I currently own a Toyota Avalon and an 18+ year old 4 x 4 3/4 ton pickup rusty which is hardly used but operable.
My wife and I drove each "test" vehicle at least twice in different weather conditions. Here are our biased opinions.
My wife thought the 2002 Ford Explorer had no real styling as compared to the Santa Fe at the other end of the spectrum, for example. The Explorer she thought looks like a box. She thought it lacked power and its mass above 70mph makes the engine work to maintain that speed or a greater speed. We also thought the interior was okay but nothing special and that the coin holder was basically unusable while driving. Fit and finish seemed good; however the vehicle handled like a big lumbering oaf. We decided it was too large for us, got fairly poor gas mileage, lacked styling inside and out and probably would have difficulty getting out of its own way in an emergency handling situation and had Ford "reliability" or lack thereof. Lastly, the Explorer XLT (2001 version in this instance)is a 4WD vehicle not an AWD vehicle and the Subaru Outback Wagon beats ALL in the snow. NO CONTEST. Last winter I test drove the 2001 Outback in an empty mall parking lot which was basically sheet ice and hard packed wet snow. I COULD NOT GET THE OUTBACK TO GO INTO AN UNCONTROLLED SPIN NO MATTER HOW I TRIED TO ABUSE THIS VEHICLE. I MEAN IT! TALK ABOUT GIVING A PERSON CONFIDENCE!
We then drove the 4WD Mazda Tribute V6 and Ford Escape V6. We both were impressed with the power. It is a lively vehicle to say the least. However it is NOT an AWD but a 4WD vehicle and will not perform as well as an Outback in the snow. It emits a fair amount of engine and road noise. As all SUV it does not give us the feeling of safety or confidence in an emergency handing situation with the center of gravity significantly high. Perhaps a great view of the road in a SUV but I don't want to flip if I have to perform an emergency swerve. In additon to the powerplant another strong point is the Tribute's/Escape's 3500 lb. towing capacity compared to the Subaru's 2000 pound capacity. Gas mileage fairly decent, interior straightforward and plain vanilla. The Tribute's/Escape's doors seems to lack any heft and felt rather "tinny" which probably added to the road noise.
The Santa Fe AWD in our view wins the exterior and interior design award. We drove 2 different AWD Santa Fes. We were very impressed. The ride was excellent and was similar to the ride we experience in our Toyota Avalon. The fit and finish were excellent. For an SUV there was a minimum of lateral swaying. The engine could use more power and it supposedly doesn't tow over 1500 pounds in the AWD model. It is VERY WELL EQUIPPED. However, the down side is that there was a noticeable smell similar to something burning when we existed one of the 2 vehicles. The salesperson tried to blow it off but we found similar comments re the Santa Fe on the net. Further we decided against it because of few dealers and limited dealer support, very limited numbers of Santa Fes for the marketplace and in many cases a premium of $1000 added to the MSRP. NO THANK YOU. I AM NOT A FOOL. However, I do believe that Hyundai is a real comer in the global quality marketplace.
All in all, the Subaru Outback looks and feels like a quality vehicle. It rides and handles superbly. The interior is tasteful and appealing, bordering on plush, 2 tone dash with complimentary tan/creme colors and nice tan fabric seats. Fit and finish are excellent thoroughout. The specs are great. The OUTBACK is 14 inches longer (& more stable) than the Tribute/Escape and 10 inches longer than the Santa Fe. The 2002 Ford Explorer is only 2" longer than the Outback, hard to believe. The Outback has 4 wheel disc brakes and the Tribute/Escape do not. Pickup and accleration are certainly decent. The Subaru Outback can cruise better and handle the road better and has a better top end than the other vehicles in this comparison plus it gets far superior gas mileage and is the clear winner in snow/ice conditions. Thus we chose the 2002 Subaru Outback, tried and true 2.5H 4 cylinder engine, auto transmission, All weather package (including heated seats), comfortable rear seats, a nice heavy duty cupped rubber mat for the rear cargo area. I feel I am getting the same vehicle for around $23k that would cost over 30k if I ordered the leather seats and 6 cylinder engine. In my mind, a great vehicle and even better value.
Perhaps this evaluation will help a few folks decide.
If you get a 2002 XLT you will bet a power drivers seat standard, which was not available in 2001 with cloth interior. Also, you will get keyless entry via a keypad on the door. Privacy glass is also standard, so if you don't want that and want an XLT you need to get a 2001. All in all, I'd wait for the 2002.
Do you know the difference between the two systems? There is a forum topic here that explains it pretty well. Judging one vehicle better in snow than another because it has 4wd vs. AWD is just not valid. The Escape has a 4wd system that will automatically apply torque to wheels with traction. This system is always "on" waiting for a wheel to slip, and adjusts power accordingly. You can also put the system in a mode where it will continuously distribute power between the front and rear wheels. On many 4wd vehicles, you have to actively engage the 4wd system, rather than have it automatically engage. I think these systems are at a disadvantage in handling unexpected slippery conditions, because you may not have your 4wd engaged. With the Escape, you are always ready.
Secondly, you seem to imply that the Subuaru is much more stable than the Escape because it is so much longer and not as high. The Subaru has a 104" wheel base (more important to handling than length) compared to the Escapes 103". The subaru is 63" tall compared to 67" for the Escape. The wheelbases are almost the same, and the height is not that much different, so you can't just say that one is more stable than the other. Car and Driver measured the Escape as .72g on their skidpad test which is pretty respectable for an SUV. Not sure what the Subaru got, but it probably does have a lower center of gravity, mostly due to the flat 4 engine keeping the weight down low. The Subaru is 14" longer than the Escape, however (187" vs 173"). Think you get a lot more cargo room for the extra space? Escape gives you 33/63 cuft with the rear seats up/flat. Subaru gives you 34/68. Hmmm... not much difference. Escape actually has more passenger compartment room at 99 cuft vs 96 for the Subaru.
Also, you make the point that the Subaru has 4 wheel disc brakes, and the Escape has a rear drum brake. But, the Escape can stop from 70 mph in only 170 feet. This is performance similar to sports cars such as the Corvette and Mustang, and better than almost any other SUV (or Subaru). Who cares about drums?
Well, those are my facts/opinions, YMMV.
I picked it up on Monday 10+ weeks after ordering and have to say it was worth the wait. Everything is as expected and to me is far above the standards previously experienced with Ford. The last time I bought a brand new Ford was in 1994 and there have been huge steps in quality improvement over the past 7 years. Of course there were issues at the beginning, but Microsoft gets the same cursing when they release a new product and how successful have they been?
Thanks to everyone for keeping me informed on the goings on with the Ford Escape over the past several months.....
We looked at the Toyota Rav4 (another one of my customers), but they were about $3,000 more with a 4 banger ( Couldn't do it).
Good Luck with your shopping and driving.
Here is a list of the problems with my Intrigue. It was a 99 GLS, loaded, with an MSRP of 27K.
1. Intermediate Shaft replaced at 10K. It took three trips to the dealer to fix. At 34K the problem was coming back. This was a consistent problem with 98 & 99 models.
2. New Alternator at 20K after lights flickering developed. This was also a common problem, even affecting the Aurora.
3. Leaking Coolant at 10K due to improperly tightened hose.
4. Rear Passenger door trim came off, replaced at 30K.
5. Brakes make a lot of noise in the rear. Even though there was a TSB the dealer would not fix it.
6. The right door would not open until the fourth of fifth press of the key. Dealer could not duplicate.
7. The vehicle was white, and the bumpers, mirrors, and door handles had yellowed. There was a TSB on this. Solution, repaint the parts.
Winbro, I must say that I enjoyed the design, the motor, the looks; it just was not reliable. GM really has some strides to go. I can see why they have lost so much market-share.
Vezini, ... "a happy Ford owner"!
I too would like to see one Online and I would really like to see ours roll in in another 4-6 weeks.
Any comments as to which would be a better investment (I usually sell my vehicles within a year with extremely low miles to minimize costs of ownership)?
Anyways, I don't have much of an idea which vehicle will hold its resale value to most. There may be some 2001 Escapes coming onto the market now, you can see what they are selling for, (not asking for). Since the Escape will have been out an extra year, there may be a larger used supply available in a year so that might reduce the resale value a bit? From my experiience Jeep vehicles tend to have lower resale values than Ford trucks.
Dsgnwrkscg, I agree on good build quality. Our Escape now has over 8,000 miles and no squeaks or rattles-no problems at all. I looked very closly at the gaps between the seams, the door alignments, and rear hatch alignment before buying.( Purchased off the lot) They were uniform and and had no varience. This is a tight, well constructed vehicle.
my problems:
1 air vent fell out
2 material on door panel puckered - new door panel installed
3 new torque converter installed to stop the jerking in 3-4th gear
4 12 disc cd changer broke - repaired
5 power window motor burned out
6 service engine light came on (at 150 miles on the car - they relaced some sender unit)
7 2 fuses burned out
8 I too notice that the doors dont open right away with the remote. thought nothing of it until you just said something.
and there are other small items as well.
I must say the dealer was terrific and when appropriate I got a loaner car (1 week for the transfer case).
like you, I went the SUV route and just got a new liberty 2 days ago - love it so far. best of luck with the escape
I've found that just a little before the car is out of warranty(be it 36 months or 36,000)is the most cost effective and easiest way to keep ownership costs to a minimum. I keep my cars looking like new thru this time period and and since we rent cars for long mileage trips these cars always fall into the "low mileage" category for resale purposes.
With the 2002 Escape I've ordered I haven't decided yet if I am going for a 3 year Lease or buy it. I like the Leasing as with the Closed Leases(as most now are)I still have the option of purchasing the car and if the residual value is placed relatively low at the beginning of the lease and the Escape in fact does hold it's value well, I stand to make a profit by selling it myself.
Not sure of my delivery date it yet. Dealer has the "build date", but not estimated "ETA" yet.
Dealer says he should have the "ETA" date for us on Monday(Aug.13)but I am not holding my breath on that one. I would appreciate it if anyone with any info on this subject would be kind enough to share it with me.
I've owned many Fords through the years and not one has ever left me stranded on the road or had any problems running..
All that being said, I looked at the site and it appears that the same person issued the same complaint several times..
In the search of the TSBs, I saw one where the automatic tranny that would not shift down out of 3rd.. The drivabily symptom was 'power loss'. If the ground speed is too slow while your in 3rd, this would cause very low RPMs and probably intefere with the power steering and braking.. My guess is it could even result stalling the engine..
Make: FORD TRUCK Model: ESCAPE Year: 2001
Service Bulletin Number: 14838 Bulletin Sequence Number: 193 Date of Bulletin: 04/01
NHTSA Item Number: SB619324
Component: POWER TRAIN:TRANSMISSION:AUTOMATIC:CONTROL MODULE (TCM, PCM)
Summary:
SOME VEHICLES WITH CD4E TRANSMISSIONS BUILT 7/1/2000 THRU 12/20/200 MAY EXHIBIT INTERMITTENT LOSS OF BOTH FIRST AND SECOND GEAR, (REPORTED AS A LOSS OF POWER) TCIL LAMP FLASH, MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP MAY ILLUMINATE, WITH DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODE P0758 (SHIFT SOLENOID) OR P0740 (TCC SOLENOID). *TT
idles very rough. Started about a month after I bought it. No one from 3 different Ford dealerships seems to be able to detect it. Just myself and my old mechanic.
Although the Escape had its share of recalls when it first came out, it would appear that those were addressed.. I think highly of Ford for keeping its customers informed and issuing the recall (which did not affect ALL Escapes), rather than just sweeping it under the rug.
I agree, the Escape is not designed for the rubicon hard core off-road trails. For fireroads, off-road paths to your favorite fishing spot, remote camping areas, the Escape will do just fine..
How many folks here have actually taken any vehicle (car,truck,suv) on a 'real trail' by your definition? Me neither.. Thats what motorcycles are for..