Looking at used Escapes
 

I mainly live in the SuperDuty forum but would like to tap the knowledge of this one. Going to be look at 100k mi escapes in the 2003-2006 year range. Anything to look for in problems or design changes. Assuming it'll be a V6. Also looking for real world highway mpg.

Thanks!!

Up until about 250k miles we were getting in the 22-24 mpg range. It has dropped slightly to the 20-21 now (285k miles).

They really don't have a lot of issues. The iac (cheap fix) & alternator (not so cheap) can go bad as well as the coils but nothing major. Generally reliable vehicles. There was a recall for sticking throttle because the cable where it attaches to the butterfly can get stuck on the engine cover. Ford/Mazda will fix it but I just took he cover off when it finally happened to me (220k miles).

Thanks for the reply!

My 2005 has been trouble-free for almost 200K miles. The only thing I have had to replace outside of normal maintenance items is the valve cover gasket.

Our '07 Mariner has been generally reliable since we got it 5 years ago. It's up to 120K miles now.

Had to replace the transmission (CD4E) last fall.
Moonroof broke last fall also. Haven't fixed it yet.
ABS tone ring replaced.
Rust bubbles around rear wheel well

Other than that, it's been a pretty good little SUV. Routine stuff like brakes, tires, battery, light bulbs, etc.

Shopping for the same thing for the girlfriend right now since her 07 focus got totalled. Check the rear wheel wells for rust, the shock tower is held in place only by the sheet metal in the well, and they rust out fast.

Some of the early 2005 had issues with the ECU and clogs up the cats. My Mom has a mid year 2005 and no issues.

alternator
 

Whats up with the alternators on these. The wifes '07 Escape alt. puked at about 140,000, while my '99 ranger(154,000), still has original alt. I wasn't figuring on replacing this part for another couple of years on the Escape. The Ranger? Who knows???:-X22

I have 193,000 original alt. The issue is where there located it takes like 3 hours to change and they are on the back side of the engine where they get lots of heat.In 2009 the alt is in the front of engine looks like they'll drop right out if needed.

92K on our '05...zero problems.

Has anyone ever put a front mount hitch on a 2003 Ford Escape? Looking to do so to put my rod/cooler rack on the front on my truck. Any suggestions where to find one? Internet search was gotten me no where.

[QUOT E=bmuhlbach;14556074]I have 193,000 original alt. The issue is where there located it takes like 3 hours to change and they are on the back side of the engine where they get lots of heat.In 2009 the alt is in the front of engine looks like they'll drop right out if needed.[/QUOTE]
my old 2008 the alternator is in the front as I have changed alternator in a 2006 talk about a PITA my fingers are sore for weeks I think I still have cuts That haven't healed

Thank you good info to know 2008 are in front aswell.

Wife has a 2005 Limited V6 that we have had since new. Generally a pretty trouble free vehicle. The front brakes go whonkey every 25K miles or so with the rotors going out of round. The only other thing we have had to do is replace the leaking rear shocks and recommended maintenance as required. She now has 116K on it. That isn't a bad record. It is an amazing car in the snow with the AWD. I have a few nits to pick about design issues, placement of seat heater switches, uncomfortable seat designs on every seat except the driver's seat, and the car is noisy to ride in with lots of wind and tire noise especially in the back seat, and lack of features one expects in a top of the line model (Limited) like a compass and outside temp. I understand most if not all of these have been rectified in later models. She loves the visibility. Over its lifespan the car has been used mostly on the freeway for commuting and she has consistently averaged 21-22 MPG.

All things considered, I'd give the car an excellent rating on reliability, an excellent rating on driveability, an excellent rating on visibility, a very good rating on economy, a very good rating on safety, and a less than satisfactory rating on comfort. I am impressed that the sunroof and power windows still work flawlessly, something my much more expensive BMW wasn't able to accomplish with a lot fewer miles on it.

Going to look at a 2001 with 150k on Friday. Hoping to get it for less that $2k depending on condition. I'll take the pointers here but anymore would be great! Thanks for the help so far.

Here is what I'm looking at

http://buffalo.craigslist.org/cto/4629823630.html