CarComplaints.com Notes: With solid trends of engine failure — $4,500 to fix at 85,000 miles avg — AND transmission failure — $3,000 to fix at 75,000 miles avg — we can't recommend the 2006 Ford Escape to anyone except your worst enemy.
I am writing so that somebody else will know what went wrong if the same thing happened to him or her; and because I couldn't believe the repair price.
What happened: I was on my way home from work, sitting in traffic because there was already an accident on the highway. First, my ABS light came on. I thought, "Damnit, there's another broken ABS tone ring" since that already broke twice since I bought the car 35k miles ago. Secondly, the radio went off. Thirdly, all of my electronics turned off, including the entire dash, gauges, and windshield wipers as of course it was pouring rain at the time. The car was still running though, but I could feel the car responding intermittently to the gas pedal. Finally, the car turned off. I was able to pull over to the side of the road. I called roadside assistance for a tow. While waiting for them, I tried to turn my car back on. Miraculously it turned on as if nothing had happened. I drove about 2 miles down the highway and the same exact pattern happened again. ABS light, electronics, etc.I pulled off the side of an exit ramp and this time I had to wait for a tow truck. As I was sitting my car, waiting for the tow truck, I did research on my phone and found out that it was probably the alternator. Apparently this is a very difficult job to do so I had the tow truck take me to the nearest Ford dealership.
Diagnosis: A broken alternator.
Repair Price: $785!!!!!!!!!!!!! This seems absolutely outrageous. I expected about $500, but $785?! The price from Ford for the part alone was $342 and the rest was the labor, and of course "Full Inspection" of about $120 that I didn't need. I understand that you have to diagnose the problem, but if I tell you exactly what's wrong, can't you simply test that? If I'm right and I saved a bunch of time, I shouldn't be charged $120.
Warranty: The guy explained to me that if they installed another alternator from somewhere else that they would not honor the warranty. So I asked what the warranty details were: 12,000 miles only! Are you kidding? The most expensive alternator at Autozone is $150 with all fees included, and they want to charge me $200 more for a sh*tty 12,000 mile warranty. What an absolute joke. I will not be bringing any major repairs to a dealer any time soon. I am searching for an honest mechanic in my area.
The alternator went out without any indication from the idiot lights WTF.......Oh well here goes another $200 or so to fix this..Although not to mad cuz this is the 2nd thing that failed in 112000 miles not to bad if u ask me... oh by the way... the first fail was a wheel speed sensor..
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I am writing so that somebody else will know what went wrong if the same thing happened to him or her; and because I couldn't believe the repair price.
What happened: I was on my way home from work, sitting in traffic because there was already an accident on the highway. First, my ABS light came on. I thought, "Damnit, there's another broken ABS tone ring" since that already broke twice since I bought the car 35k miles ago. Secondly, the radio went off. Thirdly, all of my electronics turned off, including the entire dash, gauges, and windshield wipers as of course it was pouring rain at the time. The car was still running though, but I could feel the car responding intermittently to the gas pedal. Finally, the car turned off. I was able to pull over to the side of the road. I called roadside assistance for a tow. While waiting for them, I tried to turn my car back on. Miraculously it turned on as if nothing had happened. I drove about 2 miles down the highway and the same exact pattern happened again. ABS light, electronics, etc.I pulled off the side of an exit ramp and this time I had to wait for a tow truck. As I was sitting my car, waiting for the tow truck, I did research on my phone and found out that it was probably the alternator. Apparently this is a very difficult job to do so I had the tow truck take me to the nearest Ford dealership.
Diagnosis: A broken alternator.
Repair Price: $785!!!!!!!!!!!!! This seems absolutely outrageous. I expected about $500, but $785?! The price from Ford for the part alone was $342 and the rest was the labor, and of course "Full Inspection" of about $120 that I didn't need. I understand that you have to diagnose the problem, but if I tell you exactly what's wrong, can't you simply test that? If I'm right and I saved a bunch of time, I shouldn't be charged $120.
Warranty: The guy explained to me that if they installed another alternator from somewhere else that they would not honor the warranty. So I asked what the warranty details were: 12,000 miles only! Are you kidding? The most expensive alternator at Autozone is $150 with all fees included, and they want to charge me $200 more for a sh*tty 12,000 mile warranty. What an absolute joke. I will not be bringing any major repairs to a dealer any time soon. I am searching for an honest mechanic in my area.
- Dan C., Wallingford, CT, US