I was curious to see what fails first on the Escapes regarding wear and tear items. I have a neighbor that delivers pizza on the weekends and her mom uses it to drive to work 5 days a week---50 miles each way. Currently at 41,984 miles. Only thing purchased so far is tires and rf headlight.

 

Thought someone would like to know, the transmission went south @45,832 miles. Had no warning, vehicle began to slow at highway speed, engine stalled so she pulled over. Re-started vehicle, put in drive and heard that bone shattering-mechanical throw-up sound, the vehicle moved about ten feet, and the transmission finally gave up, bled to death right there on the side of the road. Escape in shop now, and yes she bought the extended warranty. Will follow up later with details.

 

Well been busy and forgot to post. The Escape is back on the road, transmission replaced under extended warranty. From what she told me the transmission fluid driveshaft shattered, clogged everything, sent the 1-2 and 3-4 solenoids into a frenzy and grenaded the transmission. She did have to pay $378.77 for the repair but that's chump change for a new transmission. The new transmission is good for the remainder of her warranty...100,000 miles.

 

I like the colorful descriptions of your transmission trauma. Too bad it bit the dust but how often did you check the trans fluid level? When does the owner's manual tell you to change the trans fluid and filter?

 

 

Yep, I had to spring for a transmission just last week. I bought my Escape two years ago for my field service job,due to the fact that it was a Ford and a truck. It had 105,000 miles on it without any major problems, then one day, accellerating from a dead stop, it made a Da Da Da Da Da.... sound . I was told by my Ford dealer that piston #1 had failed. The rebuild would cost $1800 and would only give me a 12,000 mile warranty. The new transmission would give a 3 year, or 36,000 mile warranty (It ran me $2,466 for a new transmission). OUCH.

To answer your question regarding changing the fluid; I changed the fluid TWICE in that span of time (thinking that I would prolong my transmission's life). YEAH, RIGHT!