Transmission Failure problems of the 2009 Ford Escape

I purchased a 2009 Ford Escape in June of 2009. In February of 2010, I had issues with the transmission "slipping" and "jerking" while in transmission. I took the vehicle into the dealership, and was informed my transmission had failed, and they had informed me they had installed a brand new transmission. September 8th, 2010 my vehicle was experiencing the same symptoms with the brand new transmission that was replaced in March, at less than 30,000 miles currently on my odometer. Took the vehicle to the dealership September 10th and they informed me on September 12th, that it is indeed transmission failure, and the transmission will more than likely need to be replaced. I am upset that this vehicle continues to have transmission concerns.

While being towed behind my motor home the transmission began smoking. When I stopped there was so much smoke coming from the vehicle I thought it was on fire and grabbed my fire extinguisher. I had the car hauled to the nearest dealer where a remanufactured transmission was installed at 8260 odometer miles. The second transmission failure occurred while being towed at 10834 odometer miles and after being towed approximately 1000 miles after the first failure. The dealer installed another remanufactured transmission. Each repair took 2-3 weeks to complete. Although Ford maintains that the Escape can be towed with all four wheels on the ground there are numerous catastrophic failures reported on the internet under "Ford Escape transmission problems + towing" which leads one to believe the vehicle can not be towed without great risk. This failure is not only an inconvenience but it is a financial problem for the consumer and a safety problem. Depending upon where the failure occurs it might be very dangerous or impossible to pull over and wait for a tow truck. Also, at some point the vehicle could conceivably catch fire which would present an even greater potential problem. There is at least one report of a fire on the NHTSA website. The transmission used in the Escape is a 6f35 transmission which is also used in the Mercury mariner, Ford fusion and mazada tribute. So these vehicles may have the same problem if they are towed all four wheels down.

Purchased 2009 Ford Escape fwd v6 auto trans as a vehicle to be towed behind our motor home. We were assured it was towable (Ford owners manual & dinghy towing guides published annually with auto mfr's input). We have blown 2 transmissions in past 4 months, and have more than followed Ford's guidelines. I have read of several other rvers who have experienced up to 4 transmission failures - some reported being flagged down by other motorists because smoke was coming from the car while being towed. The wiring harness on ours has been melted both times trans failure occurred. Ford refuses to acknowledge their mistake relative towability. Ford has abused us (stranded for 2+weeks now with no idea when repairs will be completed) by their customer service policies. On the first trans failure they just told the dealer to replace the transmission - took 10 days. This time they are dragging their feet on ordering transmission replacement, and offering us no financial assistance for our inconvenience and out of pocket costs (rental car, etc).

2009 Ford Escape XLT v6. Transmission failure. Merging into interstate traffic. Speedometer read 60mph yet no rpms. Could have proven fatal. Vehicle was serviced for 1 recall regarding this problem. Transmission failed anyhow. Alot of other 2009 Escapes with the same problem.