Transmission Failure problems of the 2001 Ford Escape

The contact owns a 2001 Ford Escape. While parked, the vehicle failed to move when the gear stick was shifted from park to drive. The failure occurred constantly. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. In addition, the contact mentioned that the check engine light illuminated. It was detected that oil was leaking onto the exhaust manifold. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 267,000.

The automatic transmission on my 2001 Ford Escape v6 XLT suddenly downshifted into second gear while driving on the freeway at 65 mph. I exited at the first available exit, and drove the vehicle back home in second gear. Prior to the failure, the transmission exhibited no signs or symptoms of anything being wrong with it. At present, second gear is the only gear that still works in the transmission. It now sits inoperable in my driveway because I don't have the $3000-$4000 required to get it fixed. After much internet research, I've found that transmission failures in this vehicle and later years of the same model are quite common, with several people experiencing multiple transmission failures on the same vehicle. A common consensus, is that the failures are due to a four cylinder transmission being installed in a higher torque and horsepower v6 model. Ford must be forced to recall these vehicles and fix the transmission problems once and for all. It's really unfair that the consumer is required to pay huge sums of money to repair shops to get problems fixed that shouldn't be happening in the first place. I've written to Ford, and visited the dealership that sold me the vehicle and both are unsympathetic.

My over drive light came on suddenly and continually flashed during a ten minute drive home. The rpm needle spiked straight up a few times during the drive and it seemed like I "lost power". Dean sellers Ford diagnosed an internal transmission failure requiring a whole new transmission for $3600. I have never used a service other than lapeer Ford and dean sellers. I bought the Escape (2001 XLT 4 wh) from lapeer Ford with 16,000 miles on it. The car never showed signs of this failure previous to yesterday. Dealerships. Searching the internet, I found that there was one transmission recall but when I put in my VIN it was free of recalls. Dean sellers charged me $89 to diagnose the car. I got another quote at american transmission in troy. They towed my car in. Ford test drove my car and electronically checked it. Previous repairs all done at lapeer Ford and dean sellers Ford: new tire at 16,000 miles; new ignition at 25,000; check engine light at 33,000; plug tire at 40,000; new windshield at 43,000; 4 new tires at 44,000 due to numerous flats (lapeer gave me 3 free); front brakes and wheel bearings at 55,000; tire nail at 60,000; new blades at 61,000; belt recall and tie rod and master cylinder at 69,000; crank case oil leak and rear brakes at 74,000; front brakes at 76,000; washer pump and multi-function switch and fuel filter at 78,000; rear wiper at 85,000; abs light module, front brake pads, rotor pads right front abs sensor at 86,000; air filter and battery cleaned at 89,000; license plate bulb and both front sway bar links at 90,000; front lights kept flashing, replaced daylight running lights control assembly at 93,000 and now at 94,000 the transmission. No one at dean sellers today told me that I might not make it home! but immediately upon leaving the dealership the transmission stalled especially during turns.

Vehicle is 2001 Ford Escape XLT 4x4. Full transmission failure and stall in overdrive on interstate with no advanced warning. Vehicle has under 70,000 miles. No wreck involved only by miracle. Cost of transmission is over $4,000. Happened to fast and with under 100,000 miles has got to be a defect.

(1) [2nd failure] no warning. (2) transmission failure could have resulted in crash. (3) transmission replacement.

Transmission failure resulting in unsafe operating conditions. Vehicle developed intermittent shudder during accelerations along with intermittent loss and slipping of forward gears. Hazardous conditions when merging with traffic or under normal driving conditions since condition was unpredictable and vehicle did not respond to driver's input. Appeared to happen mostly in cold weather conditions. Failure also resulted in non compliance with fmvss regulations since shift lever did not correspond accurately to operator's intended vehicle driving mode (I. E no forward motion when shift selector was in drive position). Multiple technical service bulletins exist for this cd4e auto transaxle relating to this failure mode in Ford system and also on NHTSA website, so condition is known and is widespread on many vehicles. Created very hazardous driving situations before catastrophic failure resulting in inoperative vehicle.

Myself and a friend, deane griggs, have had the transmission fail in our 2001 Ford Escape, suddenly and without warning, at approximately 60,000 miles.

Engine surge - Ford Escape 2001 - transmission failed at 54,000miles. In relation to intermit problems with the transmission, the vehicles (often when placed in park setting) engine would surge causing that tachometer to race to about 5 to 6 thousand revolutions per minute. On December, 8, 2004 while in a parking lot and attempting to park the vehicle with the transmission set in d, the vehicle engine surged is the same manor as described above, and caused the driver to hold the brake with full force in order to keep the vehicle from hitting a parked car. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (freedom Ford, hampton va) when they replaced the transmission. They were not able to reproduce the engine surge.

Transmission failed at 83,000 while driving on a highway at speed of 60mph. Was told by dealer this was a lack of maintenance and would cost approximately $3,800 to fix. Took to local mechanic who replaced trans. For $3,000. While taking apart old trans found that an internal component fell apart causing the entire transmission to fail. Said this was a defect in the transmission and not fault of 'lack of maintenance'. Have contacted Ford since and they refuse to reimburse for expenses.

Overdrive on/off light flashing coincidentally with the illumination of the check engine light after driving on the highway at 60 mph for 5 to 10 miles. While off the highway the transmission shuttered while accelerating from a stop. Driver took truck to dealer and was told an internal bushing on the transmission failed. Dealer said the transmission needs to be replaced at a cost $3,000. Vehicle is 3. 5 years old with 63,000 miles.

Transmission failure- while driving my od light started flashing. When I started car after 8 hours, could drive approx. 100 yards. Transmission fluid pump failed without explanation, causing troque converter to fail, causing burnout of low gear. Vehicile is inoperative. Needs trans. Rebuild or replacement $3,000. - $3,500. Service dept at dealer can't offer an explanation for pump failure. Vehicle has 60000 miles. To soon for this kind of problem!.

While driving 30 mph transmission failed, and vehicle popped out of gear. Dealership was notified, but did not resolve the problem.

2001 Ford Escape 33063 miles VIN 1fmyu03141ka13914 could have resulted in crash. (1) no warning (2) transmission failure (3) transmission was rebuilt by dealer under warranty.

Premature transmission fluid failure causing a shuddder in the transmission as the gears shift from 3rd to overdrive.

Automatic transmission failed. Prior to this incident , while driving at 40/60 mph, vehicle failed to accelerate for approximately 2-3 seconds when accelerator pedal was depressed. Manufacturer was aware of this issue.