Forum Discussion

bocanut50's avatar
bocanut50
Explorer
Dec 02, 2013

2012 and older Ford Escape's

This is a FYI if you own a Ford Escape. 2012 and older.

We had a 2011 Escape, Automatic. This applies to 2012 and older. 2013 and newer ARE NOT TOWABLE. They have a different transmission.

Our 5 months of hell.

We bought the Escape new in 2011. First trip out we lost the first transmission in NC at 1100 miles on the vehicle. All 4 down protocols were followed. Ford replaced the transmission within one week and provided a rental car. The repair dealership also provided also provided a Service Bulletin that the Selling dealership didn't,' even though they new ahead of time we were towing the car 4 down. That's when we found out about the transmission level. All other shifting rules and speeds were followed.

This year, also in NC, in July, the same thing happened. This time it took Ford 5 days to tell us they wouldn't have a transmission until Sept. We made a decision to Trailer the car back to PA and have it fixed here. So we waited until Sept, only to be told by FORD that it would be late in DEC. we MIGHT have a transmission. In late Oct, We told them that was unacceptable and we would be filing a Lemon Law Suit. Ford told us to wait the weekend and they would get back to us. Finally in Nov, Ford bought back the car and we are done with it.

Five months of hell. If your Escape works for you, GREAT, but you have been warned, due to supplier problems, there are NO Transmission's available. Escapes are a great vehicle to drive. Just not for RV Towing!!! YMMV
  • janstey58's avatar
    janstey58
    Explorer
    Dec 02, 2013
    Comments above not entirely true. Some 2012 Escapes are safely towable after completing the appropriate tech bulletin procedure for lowering tranny fluid, proper tow prep, and maintaining tow speeds under 65mph.

    Got this from Ford: Feb 2012 was the date they changed the transmissions they installed in the Ford Escapes built after that month. And those post 2/2012 built Escapes ARE non-towable. My 2012 Escape was made in 1/2012 and after I completed the recommended transmission fluid level decrease by the dealer, I have towed thousands of miles without an issue. The build date determines tow-ability on the 2012s.
  • bocanut50's avatar
    bocanut50
    Explorer
    Dec 02, 2013
    Do you have the Trans. Cooler Pump? Ford bought the rights for the Remco Pump for Escapes and now charges around $3500.00 plus labor. If I still had an Escape, I personally would not tow it without the pump. There has to be a reason Ford bought the rights from Remco.

    JMHO YMMV
  • mowermech's avatar
    mowermech
    Explorer
    Dec 02, 2013
    If someone GAVE me an Escape, I would sell it and buy beer and salted nuts.
    Probably cashews.
  • jcsb's avatar
    jcsb
    Explorer
    Dec 03, 2013
    janstey58

    there are a lot of people who will disagree with you about that. They have had their transmissions bun up multiple times. Fortunately for us, our car burned up in a house fire. I will never trust Ford on towing 4 down. Even after having a lube pump put on, transmissions have fried. Take a look at prior posts and you will see continuing issues.

    Apparently Ford did not learn from the Pinto.
  • jerseyjim's avatar
    jerseyjim
    Explorer
    Dec 03, 2013
    All that info....what you can/cannot do SHOULD be in the owners' manual. I know it's not the American thing to do...but reading it does help. Salesmen are interested in only ONE thing. Sell the car. Most likely there is no real training regarding ANY kind of special stuff...except for what is on the sales floor. Ands they, too could care less about "after the sale".
    In my case, my 2011 Ranger 4WD was not towable until I put in their (Ford only = $400) "Transfer Case Neutral Kit". Now I tow that pickup witn no problems.
    Ford seemingly has little interest in the 4-down towing thing....as evidenced by the very limited number of vehicles that can do it....however, GM, at least in 2011 has the most in the most price ranges.
    Once more...i have to say, if you're going to tow 4-down....BUY A VEHICLE THAT CAN DO IT with little or no modifications. At least in my world, buying a motorhome is not an impluse buy...but something thought about for quite a long time....and y'gotta figure out what is needed to make one happy. A "toad" definately can be part of the equation. So...one must RESEARCH.

    And what is this lowering the level of the transmission fluid? That mean you have to add the stuff back after reaching your destination? Add/lower/add/lower....holy smokes!
  • janstey58's avatar
    janstey58
    Explorer
    Dec 03, 2013
    Jerseyjim, lowering the tranny fluid is a one time operation for the life of the Toad.

    jscb apparently you didn't read my previous post about build dates. I just hate to see incorrect, blanket statements posted on these forums.

    I still love my "proper build date" 2012 Escape Toad!
  • amcconnell's avatar
    amcconnell
    Explorer
    Dec 09, 2013
    After reading all these posts about flat towing a Ford Escape..... (some negative and some positive) I'm really confused. I am about to buy a 2011 Ford Escape 2 wheel drive with 4 cylinder engine with the intent of flat towing it behind my RV. The Ford owner's manual and also the Motorhome.com posting both say it can be flat towed if I start the engine every 6 hours. How do I know who to believe? I cannot afford to buy a new vehicle for towing and am stretching to buy a used 2011 model... so, I have to get this right the first time. Hoping to get some good guidance here.....
    allan
  • jcsb's avatar
    jcsb
    Explorer
    Dec 11, 2013
    Had a 2011 Escape. Transmission fried on a return from Florida. Followed all the rules. had trans fluid lowered by dealer, went thru the gears and warmed up prior to towing. Stayed under 65, started and let run every couple of hours.

    FOrd replaced with a newer model transmission. Ford rep who visited the dealer who replaced the trans, told them, Ford Lied.

    Ford paid to have a lube pump installed later that year. but I did not have a warm and fuzzy feeling even after that.

    Due to a house fire, trans fried again with the entire front end. Now have a CRV.
  • the_armadillo's avatar
    the_armadillo
    Explorer
    Dec 11, 2013
    Allan

    If it were me, I would look for a different toad. When we were looking for a vehicle to flat tow, we rented several different vehicles so we could form our impression over a longer period than just a test drive. We found that we liked the Escape over the Jeep vehicles we tried due the ride comfort, visibility and road noise. So we went with a 2012 Ford Escape Hybrid which has a completely different drivetrain than the conventional Escape. The conventional Escape unfortunately has had a very checkered past with flat towing. Some have had very good luck while others have had complete misery which is not what you want to deal with while travelling. It seems that everytime Ford felt that they had it figured out, the transmission failures would continue. There were TSB's, Lube pumps, internal manufacturing mods, etc., but I believe there have been reports of failures with each of these changes and/or VIN ranges.

    As a second owner, Ford will not be there to cover a future transmision for you. As such, I would recommend looking at something different than a conventional Ford Escape. Our Escape Hybrid toad is great and does not suffer from the same transmission issues. We have had great luck with all of our Ford vehicles and will continue to purchase them in the future but they failed in their design and support of the conventional Escape for RV towing. You may want to look at a used Escape Hybrid, C-Max or possibly some of the Jeep models.

About RV Tips & Tricks

Looking for advice before your next adventure? Look no further.25,101 PostsLatest Activity: Jan 14, 2025