Ford Escape 2004 - Review
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Ford Escape 2004 - Review
Hi, Im close to making a decision on whether to purchase a FE/04 but would like to get feedback from anyone who already owns one. I have already come across several negative reviews about the model from other sites but Im still keen on an Escape if these glitches isnt going to cost me alot to repair. Any major headaches you have with the 04 model? Thanks in advance.
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Thanks guys for the feedback. We are on attachment in Asia/Singapore and I understand from the dealers here they wont be bringing the 05 model since few would take it off road... more a luxury/lifestyle item. Can you believe the Ford Escape in Singapore cost USD50K!! no kidding. and it's the more affordable of all other SUVs they have here. company paying so Im not complaining but pricing is ridiculous. anyway, thanks again for the feedback.
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[QUOTE=Whoa Nelly]... I understand from the dealers here they wont be bringing the 05 model since few would take it off road... more a luxury/lifestyle item. [QUOTE]
I don't understant that sentance, are you saying that the '05 is more off-road capable than the earlier models?
I don't understant that sentance, are you saying that the '05 is more off-road capable than the earlier models?
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Sorry, I wasnt very clear. The dealer said there's very few demand for SUVs in Singapore and for a number of reasons. It's a small city-state here, no rough terrain or four seasons where you'd need an SUV. Most people here still prefers to drive a sedan. That's why they bring in few SUVs here unless there is a strong demand (it is however growing) to bring more in. Hope this clarifies.
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review
I;ve only had my 04 escape limited for a week but compared to my 98 Gr. Cherokee i'm amazed at the useable space inside, the cornering ability, does not feel like an SUV, rather a performance car. Now, if i can just get a little more torgue to the ground with voiding the warranty i'd be happy, i find the v-6/tranny combo gets very busy on even small upgrades downshifting/upshifting.
i guess its not fair to compare it to a V-8 jeep but at twice the miles/gallon i can live with the shiffting nusiance
Roger in Toronto
i guess its not fair to compare it to a V-8 jeep but at twice the miles/gallon i can live with the shiffting nusiance
Roger in Toronto
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Escape 2001 experience
We have had several problems with our escape.
Three recalls for wiper assembly (they broke the windshield during recall repair),
PCM reprogram and seat belt replacement (locked solid and had to cut off belt and go for second replacement.
Several episodes of throttle linkage sticking and repair. Annoying.
We religously change oils and fluids. At 80K our transmission failed.
I am avoiding all Ford vehicles in the future.
I also have owned two vans, 1997 and 2004. Nothing but problems with the 1997, so you think I would have learned before going with the 2004 earlier this year....Oh well.
Maybe the extended warranties are worth it.....
Three recalls for wiper assembly (they broke the windshield during recall repair),
PCM reprogram and seat belt replacement (locked solid and had to cut off belt and go for second replacement.
Several episodes of throttle linkage sticking and repair. Annoying.
We religously change oils and fluids. At 80K our transmission failed.
I am avoiding all Ford vehicles in the future.
I also have owned two vans, 1997 and 2004. Nothing but problems with the 1997, so you think I would have learned before going with the 2004 earlier this year....Oh well.
Maybe the extended warranties are worth it.....
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warranty
At 2600 bucks the extended warranty sounds expensive, that is until you have to replace the tranny at $3,000 bucks, go for the extended warranty.
Especially if the add an aftermarket exhaust, chip as one will tend to put your foot in it a little more, i;m told the 04 tranny has been improved but i still here about failures.
Especially if the add an aftermarket exhaust, chip as one will tend to put your foot in it a little more, i;m told the 04 tranny has been improved but i still here about failures.
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From: Massachusetts
My wife drives an 04 4X4 everyday and I drive it when we have the kids with us and it worked very well last winter with all the snow we had just south of Boston. No problems yet the only thing that bugs me is all the brake dust on the front wheels.
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Ext warranty
We finally got our Escape back from the shop.
It cost $3500 for a total rebuild of the trans, with the T converter and solenoid bad. The vehicle runs better than new now and I do have a 5 yr/50K mile warranty.
Ford should address this issue of bad batch of trannies.
It cost $3500 for a total rebuild of the trans, with the T converter and solenoid bad. The vehicle runs better than new now and I do have a 5 yr/50K mile warranty.
Ford should address this issue of bad batch of trannies.
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From: New Joisey
My wife has an '04 XLT and loves it. She's got 40K on it and had no problems besides all four wheel bearings that went bad at the same time. The brake dust is a problem but she panics a little with the brakes. Other than that, no problems to report. I don't even mind driving it.
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04 update
Have added the magna flow exhaust system to my 04 Limited & you can really feel the added power, i find that now i've settled down to driving it less aggresively, an improvement in gas mileage too, i was getting around 17 miles/gallon, now approx. 20-22 average.
It seems to me the tranny does alot less hunting on hilly roads too, this could be attributed to the advertised torgue increase of the magna flow system
It seems to me the tranny does alot less hunting on hilly roads too, this could be attributed to the advertised torgue increase of the magna flow system