Not to beat a dead horse, but....

I have my 2001 Escape XLT (V6 auto trans) in to the dealer today, and have asked them to look at the transmission. It seems sluggish to me when going from 1st to 2nd and from 2nd to 3rd. I have read many of the other Escape trans posts on this forum, but I don't have either the O/D light issues or the noise issues that plague many with the trans problems. (It's at the dealer because I have the ESP extended warranty which is still in effect.)

I work with two other Escape owners who have had trans problems with their 2001's. So, I don't know if I'm just paranoid, knowing about the frequency of Escape transmission issues or if I'm right to be concerned about the seeming slow gear shift. My mileage is 55K.

Might it be just a need for trans fluid change, or does it sound like something more sinister? I'd appreciate any help or advice, especially what to ask (i.e. "did you check X?" if the dealership calls and says they can't find anything wrong.....)

Many thanks.

 

I am assuming that you have already at some time had the "computer reflash" that is supposed to help the 2001s shift better. The CD4E transmission should have its fluid flushed at least every 30,000 mi. if you are not doing any trailer towing, (more often than that if you are pulling often). You must be sure that they use old fashion "Mercon/Dextron lll" fluid and not the new Mercon V synthetic.. The CD4E is made to use the older fluid and the torque converter can get fussy if you use the newer fluid.. I hope this information is helpful to you.. don't let the service department try to talk you into using the newer fluid. You can read lots of threads here and at "Escape Central" that deal with the correct fluid issue.. Mojave

 

My daily driver is a 98 Contour V6 with the CD4E transmission and 90000 miles, it has started to make a whining noise around 2000RPM, and has always shifted kind of hard from 1st to 2nd. The Contour forums that I've looked at list the same problems as here. I was hoping to eventually trade up to an Escape, but now I'm not so sure.

 

I think Ford plans to upgrade the automatic trannie in the 2006 model. I don't know how long it will be before they go to the 3.5 engine, but if they upgrade the CD4E to something new, it would still be a sweet combination with the smooth little 3.0 V6. I will be watching the ads to see what they do for 06, and I would recommend anyone to buy one if they upgraded that trannie.

 

The wife wants a Tribbie so I'm waiting to see. Would really like to get away from the CD4E since she does alot of in-town driving. I haven't seen ANYTHING about a tranny or engine upgrade for 2006 other than someone saying they had a dream about it. One would think they'd go to another tranny with an extra gear to catch up with the competition. Granted it might be a new/unproven tranny but the track record of the CD4E hasn't been great. I've seen rumors that it will be 2007 or 2008 before any major mods occur.

 

I am assuming that the new 6 speed automatic that comes in the new 500 2WD model must not fit the Escape or it would already be the next improvement. Already the same 3.0 V6 yes??

 

Yes, the Duratec 3.0 is in the 500. Interesting that the Ford website shows the 500 has a 6 speed auto AND a CVT. The 6 speed is in the FWD and the CVT is in the AWD.

 

We are considering a 2005 Escape with the V6. Are the transmission in this model year any better than the earlier one or can I expect the same level of problems? Does anyone have information on the extent of these problems or am I just hearing in this thread from a few people who have had problems and are speaking out?
Except for the transmission have Escapes been poor, good or great vehicles?
Thanks for the information.

 

Do a search on the internet for CD4E and you'll find people talking about 1994 Mazdas through 2005 Mazdas/Fords. If the torque converter burns out then in you're in for a $3k repair at the dealership. It's a sporadic problem but try telling that to someone who's had one drop. I can also find threads on non-Ford/Mazda products with problems too since every vehicle has weak links. For the Escape/Tribute, the tranny is the weakest link.

I put 85k miles on mine w/o problems before it was totaled in an accident. Did I worry? Nope, since I bought another Escape and the spouse may very well get a Tribute in the next year. I would suggest changing out the tranny fluid every 30k miles with regular Mercon (no other version of Mercon per the manual). The trannies that have dropped usually have burnt fluid. If you drive with a real heavy foot in-town constantly and like to burn the tires frequently, then you might one another vehicle.

 

gdw3138.. I would buy the Escape with the new larger 4 cyl. but until they put a stronger auto trannie I still fear that the V6 is too much for it. The problem is a constant topic in the forums. I wish that my new Xterra got bannaboats gas mileage. Although I like my larger truck baised SUV, I might as well have bought an Explorer. The Nissan drives well but is thirsty.. The 3.3 non supercharged engine got me 17 on the first tank, 16.5 on the 2nd and 15.8 on the 3rd. It seems to be going the wrong direction. It does weigh almost 4,000 lbs and I have now discovered that to pull all that weight it comes with a 4.88 rear gear ratio..that is a LOW gearing... I am glad that being retired I don't have to use it as a daily commiuter. Bananaboat's little 4 cyl Escape is looking pretty good right now. Mojave

 

I hope and pray the CD4E is scrapped some day soon. I'm hoping to avoid tranny problems by adding an aftermarket tranny cooler to the mix.

 

Two coolers or just something larger than the factory cooler? I think it will be around at least through the 2006 model so that would give it a life of 12 years beginning in 1994.

 

Yeah I'm hoping to have two of them. Today I'll see if there's an actual place for it somewhere. Perhaps I'll zip tie it in place or drill holes. I dunno.
It's the B&M Supercooler thats rated for like 16k GVW or something like that. So I think it can adequately cool the CD4E....or at least I hope it can.

 

HELP!!!!!
We can't seem to get the trans fixed on vehicle... we have it in the shop more than on the road...
It will run well for 2 weeks to a month then its back in the shop..
The O/D light comes on; yesterday after picking it up again from the shop my husband was driving home on the highway when all of a sudden going 65 mph the vehicle wouldn't go any faster then 20 mph not to almost getting rearend by the car behind him...
PLEASE---We are all out of money and options...
Does anyone have any idea of what might be going on or what we maybe able to suggest to the repair shop....
Thank you all for any help.....

 

Azhugarian,
Well that is no doubt, frustrating and down right scary. You might just want to start a brand new thread on this, if not this one is fine too. I've never had any transmission problems so I don't know if I can help much. It may take someone who experienced this to help out with this one.

More information would possibility be helpful

1. Was this a Ford dealership, transmission shop, or just a general repair shop that you took it to?
2. How many miles do you have on it?
3. Do you know if there are any outstanding recalls on your Escape? I seem to remember a recall about the torque converter locking up on that years model, but I don't know the specifics of that, nor could I find a recall on that.
4. So now will it only get up to 20mph?
5. Have you had it checked to see if there are any trouble codes that have come up. Most auto stores, AutoZone and O Reilly's in my part of the country will hook up a device that will see if there are any codes stored in the cars computer? They do this for free by the way.
6. What did the shop that has repaired it do? If it's to technical for you to understand just put down what's was written on the work order, and parts replaced This information may be the most important one you could supply!!!

Sorry I just have never had to deal with transmission problems. Just remember it's a holiday weekend, so responses may be a bit slow. What it does appear though that the problem hasn't been diagnosed correctly, or another part is causing something else to fail.


Scott