How reliable are facelifted, prev gen Ford Escape SUVs?

"r_g_r" (r_g_r)
08/23/2015 at 23:15 • Filed to: None

So, I’ve been kicking the idea of replacing my small DD 2010 Seat Ibiza Sport with a small SUV, something rugged that would allow me to do some mild offroading (ie, driving through the various pothholes, puddles and speed humps in my city), and I am particularly interested in a previous gen Ford Escape/Mercury Mariner/Mazda Tribute.

How dependable are these vehicles? Should I buy something newer/more boring like a CRV?

DISCUSSION (28)

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > r_g_r
08/23/2015 at 23:24

Not very.

http://www.carcomplaints.com/Ford/Escape/20…

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > r_g_r
08/23/2015 at 23:24

engines in the first gens (with a Duratec) are pretty good if you ask me. I’ve owned a first gen one for a month, but was around the previous owner when he owned it. The engine is a strong point, transmission a bit less so. also, rust. Fords rust pretty bad.

Shark-Attack > r_g_r
08/23/2015 at 23:27

Haha more boring he says...

Jests aside I had a Mazda tribute, it was actually pretty reliable, and I took it offroad a few times. Was also used for snow and whatnot, really not that bad. The main issue with it that I had is that it always feels like it’s going to roll over, and heavy winds will catch it and throw you around a bit, it can be very unnerving. Much worse than any other Truck, SUV, or CUV I’ve ever driven. Also just changing the spark plugs is a 6 hour job according the the shop manual for the lxv6. Overall I’d say test drive one, if you don’t mind the unuasly high center of gravity, go for it.

lone_liberal > r_g_r
08/23/2015 at 23:28

I have a 2006 Mercury Mariner with the 3.0l V6 and it’s been pretty solid. I’ve had to replace the brake rotors and a sensor related to the AWD system but that’s been it and it has just over 100k miles on it. It averages just over 18mpg around town and about 25mpg on the highway. The power is adequate. Nothing more, nothing less.

Tohru > r_g_r
08/23/2015 at 23:29

The Escape has bad rust issues in the rear wheel tubs. I know someone who has one. The body is perfect except for a hole in the RR wheel tub you can fit a soda can through.

Zipppy, Mazdurp builder, Probeski owner and former ricerboy > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
08/23/2015 at 23:30

I’d agree. owned one myself. transmission was starting to go out.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > lone_liberal
08/23/2015 at 23:32

Is that 3.0 the same Duratec used in the Sable?

Shark-Attack > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
08/23/2015 at 23:33

FWIW I owned the pre facelift but in 12 years of family ownership, we didn’t have any major problems.

mazda616 > r_g_r
08/23/2015 at 23:33

I see the Hybrid models with tons of miles all the time. The four-cylinders by and large have less issues and are easier to work on than the V6s. Several repairs (such as alternator replacement) are stupidly complex on the V6. We test drove a used one back in 2012 (was a one-owner 2012 at the time) and liked it alright but it felt a bit too “truckish” for my wife, whom it would've been for.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Shark-Attack
08/23/2015 at 23:34

But of course, these sites collect voluntary data. Even on the worst rated cars, not each individual one will suffer the same catastrophic failures. At least that’s what I tell myself when I browse for Allroads.

r_g_r > mazda616
08/23/2015 at 23:37

Thanks, this is good to know. I’ll look for a 4 cil then.

Amoore100 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
08/23/2015 at 23:37

Then again, an ‘08 Accord gets the same rating...

http://www.carcomplaints.com/Honda/Accord/2…

Scary__goongala! > r_g_r
08/23/2015 at 23:39

My mom has an 11’ Escape with the V6 and FWD. Think it has around 60k miles on it. I think the car is just fine for what it is. Sound system is meh. The only problem I can recall was recently the AC started to get kinda weak and that was from a bad fuse.

lone_liberal > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
08/23/2015 at 23:39

According to Wikipedia, it is. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Dura… It was the replacement for the 3.8.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Amoore100
08/23/2015 at 23:39

Correct: the more common the cars, the more likely you’ll find more reported problems. Also on the list is the ‘07 Camry and the ‘01 Civic (although that was the year of the so-called Honda Decline).

Shark-Attack > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
08/23/2015 at 23:40

I want an allroad so bad, but just can’t bring myself to pull the trigger with their reputation... damnit Audi!

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > lone_liberal
08/23/2015 at 23:41

Hah so the Escape is just like my wife’s Sable: hell of an engine but sensitive transmission.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Shark-Attack
08/23/2015 at 23:41

There are several oppos that actually own one and they pretty much confirm your fears, though they do love them.

lone_liberal > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
08/23/2015 at 23:43

I think that’s fairly accurate. I know I’ve been pretty proactive about keeping the trans serviced above and beyond what the manual says.

Shark-Attack > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
08/23/2015 at 23:49

I wish there was some sort of AWD wagon or sedan, OBD1, with a decently reliable transfer case, that’s also not a subaru. I don’t trust early 4matic, know nothing about x drive, and I haven’t heard great things about volvo awd

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > lone_liberal
08/23/2015 at 23:50

I’ve done the opposite: we know it hasn’t been serviced in years so we never have so we don’t ruin it. When we sell it I’ll tell the next owner, “Don’t even LOOK at the transmission! It senses fear.”

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Shark-Attack
08/23/2015 at 23:52

The Tercel wagon didn’t have an OBD1 but that’s my suggestion.

lone_liberal > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
08/23/2015 at 23:52

“Don’t even speak its name!”

Shark-Attack > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
08/23/2015 at 23:54

I always forget those had awd. Thanks for the recommendation, going to look into it.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > r_g_r
08/24/2015 at 00:31

Get it with the 4cyl and the manual transmission and it should be okay.

Amoore100 > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo
08/24/2015 at 01:12

Exactly, so it’s not the most precise measure of reliability...

JQJ213- Now With An Extra Cylinder! > r_g_r
08/24/2015 at 06:09

My moms friend owned a Hybrid version (in that green) and it was full of little issues at first. She dumped it when all the suddher gas mileage plummeted because the hybrid system wasnt working properly after a few years...

Wurrwulf > r_g_r
08/24/2015 at 20:04

Wife has an ‘05 Tribute V6 FWD with ~16x,xxx miles on it. Had to replace the A/C last year, and I’ve noticed that it has started consuming oil (~2 quarts in 5,000 miles), but other than those two things, we haven’t had any issues with it.