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

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.

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

No pump needed on the Escapes with the proper build dates.

If someone GAVE me an Escape, I would sell it and buy beer and salted nuts.Probably cashews.

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.

2012 and older Ford Escape's | Good Sam Community

mowermech
Explorer
Dec 11, 2013
amcconnell wrote:
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

Get a Jeep Wrangler 4X4 and you will have absolutely NO problems towing it. I prefer 2006 and earlier, but that's just me. They changed the body lines somewhat, and I don't like the looks of the newer ones. For best ride, you want one with coil springs.
bocanut50
Explorer
Dec 11, 2013
As a former Escape owner, I wish I had done my homework on Escapes, on this Forum. I never would have leased the Escape in the first place. I would have gone with a proven toad like a Honda, Toyota, Chevy product, etc.

The other point here is it doesn't matter what's in the Ford owners manual, they have 3 Technical Service Bulletin's on this vehicle. The last one says, "If you are going to tow four down we highly recommend you install the cooling pump". Buy the way, you have to buy it from FORD. That should tell you something!!!

JMHO YMMV
bocanut50
Explorer
Dec 11, 2013
Another point, if you buy an Escape, don't plan on a replacement trans any time soon. Ford has outsourced them, and they have NONE, anywhere. We were promised one 3 times, and that's when we threated them with a Lemon Law suit, that they settled with us!!
janstey58
Explorer
Dec 16, 2013
Cant say it enough, for the 2012 Escapes, build date is the key. Debate all you want, but that is the correct answer.
Silica
Explorer
Dec 22, 2013
In reply comment that ford escape "post 2012" are not towable is contrary to the manual which states they are towable all four down so long as the transmission fluid is lowered to lowest mark. In fact, I just completed a 10,000 mile tour with no apparent problems. I did however extend my extend my warranty just in case after reading all the forum comments.

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