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...
Forum Discussion
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.
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.
