This issue sucks. It has already been reported numerous times so finding a "temporary fix" wasn't that difficult. Ford knows about this issue and fixed it on later year models. Like so many companies these days, they only care about the customers they want to get in the future. Existing patrons be damned. I won't buy another Ford because of this. They choose not to fix the problems with the vehicle.
I took Escape into a Ford shop in early July b/c the "Service Engine Soon" symbol and the "Check Fuel Inlet" message was on. They ran a diagnostic test on it, said I needed a new fuel inlet, but they had to order the part. I took the Escape back the following Saturday so that they could replace the part. (BTW- Each time, they forgot to call me to let me know I could pick up the Escape.) Lo and Behold- The same symbol and message come back on a few days later. I call the Ford shop back up, and they said "bring it on in, and we'll check it for you". The symbol and message go off on that Friday, so I didn't take it in.
About 2-3 weeks later, the "Service Engine Soon" symbol lights up, the "Check Fuel Fill Inlet" comes on along with "Low Tire Pressure" symbol and message- all within minutes of each other. So, I take Escape back in this past Saturday morning, and let the Ford shop know that the messages and symbols are lighting back up. They said "We'll look at it for you again- something is definitely going on". Late Saturday afternoon, I call them (since they haven't called me), and they tell me that they "can't get any codes to show", this will take detailed work"- "longer than expected". I tell them I need my car for work. They said- hey, "drop it by Monday, and we'll put you in a rental- this will take a few days".
When I call them Monday, a different manager tells me that there is nothing on my ticket, and that they didn't even look at my Escape on Saturday- that they didn't do diagnostics on it!!!!!!! Wow- nothing like a manager lying to me- Wow- same problem over and over again, and no one seems to know how to fix it, but to charge me and lie about it!
i believe rain is being blown in past the fuel door. all last summer the check engine light would come on periodically . only after rain storms blew through. my guess is that the rain is being blown past the fuel door contaminating the fuel! runs rough then also !!
Fuel Check Inlet light went on. I brought in the car to dealership to be fixed.. They first tried to say it was not covered because I must have been hit. Since I wasn't hit and there was no outside damage they said they would fix it. I waited for the part and the engine light went on. I was told it was related. Got the car back and 2 days later the check fuel light came back on!!! Back to the dealer..:( !!!!!!!!!
- Melanie T.,
Bayonne, NJ, US
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The "Fuel Fill Inlet" alert came on once I put gas in my vehicle after not being driven for 2 weeks. I followed the instructions in the owner's manual to insert the funnel into gas tank. This did nothing to change the alert even after the next time I fueled up. Eventually the check engine light came on. I took it to an advanced auto to have the diagnostics run and the guy reset the light. The "Fuel Fill Inlet" alert went away....for a few weeks.
"Fuel Fill Inlet" alert came back on (after being off for a few weeks) and eventually the check engine light came on. Tried the funnel trick again, to no avail.
Update from Nov 7, 2011: The "Fuel Fill Inlet" alert came on once I put gas in my vehicle after not being driven for 2 weeks. I followed the instructions in the owner's manual to insert the funnel into gas tank. This did nothing to change the alert even after the next time I fueled up. Eventually the check engine light came on, the last time this happened, I took it to an advanced auto to have the diagnostics run and the guy reset the light. I have decided to take it to the dealership to get whatever it is fixed. More updates to follow.
Engine light came on, had it reset and problem still occurs. Fuel inlet door and spring appear free of debris and working properly. Vehicle is only 2 years old, so would not think it is part deterioration.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
Like everyone else with a Ford, I feel let down and disappointed that this is a known problem and Ford won't do anything about it.
- Lyle C., Santa Cruz, CA, US