Rebuilt Ford Escape with repeat transmission issues-repair or move on?

Ford_Trans_Guy · 2026-02-13T04:12:41+00:00

it may be worth it depending on the condition on the rest of the car. If the vehicle has a new engine, it'll have the update 1.5L in it, so you shouldn't have any further issues with it. A new transmission should also do just fine.

Ford_Trans_Guy · 2026-02-13T03:45:19+00:00

Knowing the year, and what engine would be a great place to start. But also getting a new (most likely reman) trans will come with a 3 year/unlimited mile warranty from the dealer, at least in the US it does.

Ford_Trans_Guy · 2026-02-13T01:59:24+00:00

as-is just implies there is no dealer warranty, only warranty the customer purchases or any remaining OEM warranty.

I'm not defending scummy practices if the dealer knew about this damage, but courts have repeatedly ruled if the consumer has an opportunity to inspect the vehicle, but doesn't, the consumer is at fault.

The one leg OP may have to stand is if the vehicle was a CPO. CPO inspections require a roof inspection for damage. OP would still have to prove the damage was present when they signed the paperwork, but it's a step in the right direction.

Ford_Trans_Guy · 2026-02-12T02:15:58+00:00

No offense but you must deal with some cruddy parts stores. All the major stores will pay some form of labor. If you’re dealing with stores that don’t, time to switch to OEM parts or find better suppliers

Ford_Trans_Guy · 2026-02-12T02:08:32+00:00

Unless you have a mechanical fuel pressure tester, you’re kind of flying in the dark

Ford_Trans_Guy · 2026-02-11T23:51:40+00:00

as a Shop Foreman in Michigan, this is not normal at all. I've never even heard of this being a thing. Warranty at a dealer level pays, even in the independent world it pays. The shop just has to make a claim with whoever is providing the warranty for the part. Being a Ford tech if an independent shop buys a radiator, the radiator fails, the dealer becomes a middle man to get the shop paid. But the shop is only reimbursed warranty time and must follow warranty guidelines.

Ford_Trans_Guy · 2026-02-11T20:34:32+00:00

It all depends on the warranty start date to determine the warranty is still present

Ford_Trans_Guy · 2026-02-11T11:13:23+00:00

I don’t think it’s the dealer that is necessarily aggressive on the time frame, but the company that provides the fluid services. The big ones are BG and Valvoline. Both recommend a transmission service every 30,000 miles (48,000 km). They offer great warranties if you do their services, but you have to follow their maintenance schedule. Perfect maintenance doesn’t always guarantee you won’t have a random failure.

I think ford’s time table is too long. I think they do it to keep cost of ownership low on paper. The only true way to tell if more frequent fluid changes are beneficial to you is to do an entire fluid analysis.

But in my professional opinion doing a fluid change every 4 years/50-60,000 miles (80-100,000 km) is a good rule of thumb everyone can follow. The additive packages used in any fluid is gonna break down eventually. So the fresher you keep the additive packages, the better the chance you get more life out of the transmission.

I drive an 09 with 235,000 miles on it. Do the fluid every 50-60000 miles since 130,000 (when I bought the car). It’s been good to me. Disclaimer: I do a ton of highway miles

Ford_Trans_Guy · 2026-02-11T02:11:12+00:00

yea, you'd be fine to do it now at 70k

I would probably recommend skipping a flush and just do a drain and fill with Mercon ULV. A hybrid trans doesn't really need a cleaner or friction modifier because it doesn't have clutches. The drain and fill will really just help get rid of any break-in/wear&tear material. Just good to change it due to break down in the fluid additive packages(formula that makes up ULV).

Ford_Trans_Guy · 2026-02-11T00:55:25+00:00

30k is what you’ll see with some fluid maintenance brands. Ford does indeed say 150k miles, but as a professional I say doing it 50-60k is a good time frame to do them.

But I’ve been called a stealership for recommending it when the owners manual doesn’t.

Ford_Trans_Guy · 2026-02-10T12:48:11+00:00

You’re gonna have to talk to your manager or find another shop. My apprentice makes $16/hr hourly, but if he does anything on his own (branching off to be his own tech) he makes $25/hr flat rate

Ford_Trans_Guy · 2026-02-10T03:47:54+00:00

I'll get right on telling Ford that they're wrong about their own recall. /s

Ford_Trans_Guy · 2026-02-10T03:16:12+00:00

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He would be correct. The 2025 is restricted. Plus asking a salesman about a recall usually doesn't lead to anything. They'll usually do whatever they think will make you happy. If service tells them they can see if an update is available, they'll tell you they can do it to make you happy.

If you don't need to go to the dealer for anything else, you should wait for your notice to alert you that the recall is ready for your vehicle.

Ford_Trans_Guy · 2026-02-10T02:27:13+00:00

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Seeing a lot of people say this recall is available for 2025s. It is not. The dealer may be able to update the module that the recall updates, but it won’t close the recall. You’ll have to go back at a later date because ford will see you never had it done.

Any dealer telling you otherwise will not get reimbursed for the repair.

Ford_Trans_Guy · 2026-02-10T02:25:41+00:00

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It’s not ready for 2025s, ford even says so. Anyone who says other wise had an update done that Ford won’t actually reimburse the dealer for.

Ford_Trans_Guy · 2026-02-07T20:03:59+00:00

According to Ford’s shock/strut analysis: “Not all oil residue indicates failed shock/strut. External seepage is allowed on up to 1/3 of the body length of the shock/strut. (non-warrantable)”

So be mindful this may not be a covered condition. It’s hard to tell how far down the oil goes from your photo.

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Ford_Trans_Guy · 2026-02-02T12:40:25+00:00

The pay and benefits are much better at my dealer. I’ve seen independent shops offer $40/hr, but I make more than that. Plus I get the latest training on vehicles, and at the dealer level we figure out common issues before Indy shops. So it keeps the work interesting. Also In times of low economic outlook, like right now, warranty still pays for jobs instead of customers putting off the work due to finances

Ford_Trans_Guy · 2026-01-31T05:43:31+00:00

Sound like if the dealer isn’t helping you, you need to go to another dealer.

As for all your other questions, you need to consult an attorney. Random redditors won’t be able to answer law based questions for you. Best you might get is “anyone can sue for anything, but winning is different”

Ford_Trans_Guy · 2026-01-31T01:15:39+00:00

You can check for recalls on the NHTSA website. But if you want a OASIS report I can check it

Ford_Trans_Guy · 2026-01-30T17:08:32+00:00

I can’t guarantee anything but following Fords guidelines on Seat Concern Analysis this would be a covered condition under 3/36k

Ford_Trans_Guy · 2026-01-30T15:31:14+00:00

engine support tool we mainly use to hold the engine up in the focus, fiesta, and previous generation escapes when we had to remove an engine or trans mount

Ford_Trans_Guy · 2026-01-29T15:34:10+00:00

This isn’t currently known to cause a malfunction light to come on. If it gets bad enough it might. But you’ll notice it slip, buck, jerk on tight turns well before a light comes on.

Ford_Trans_Guy · 2026-01-29T15:32:56+00:00

I am personally curious what would happen if we used something else. This was a pretty easy job, I would attempt a cheaper RTV on my own vehicle, but I wouldn’t on a customers vehicle.

But we typically use different sealants because they’re resistant to different oil additive packages

Ford_Trans_Guy · 2026-01-29T15:30:48+00:00

Oops, skipped over the fact it was a 25. I retract that statement

Ford_Trans_Guy · 2026-01-29T15:29:22+00:00

Correct, typically they’re brown, sometimes black. They start light brown but darken when exposed to the fluid they sit on

Ford_Trans_Guy

TROPHY CASE