Car Trouble 2012 Ford Escape V6 Auto

[t&y]

Hello,

This little thing has been great, right up until this issue. As usual, I'm stuck at work and get a call..."Dad... the car is smoking and isn't running right."

Of course all the typical dad questions start rolling... long story short and out of options I have it towed to a dealership. I head up there and talk to the service manager and tell him "Do NOT do anything else to this thing until we can confirm we are dealing with a leak only (Radiator Overflow Bottle) and it isn't a blown head gasket, cracked radiator, etc... A day later I get a call with over $3000 in recommendations, no definite on why it overheated, and a bunch of recommendations. I had a nice conversation (actually was, guy got put in a bad spot) from the new service manager who had to take over for the original guy who left for no apparent reason the same day I talked to him. Anyway... they did a bunch of inspecting and diagnostics ($244 each individual category) and even patched a tire without authorization. Got rid of all the extra bullshit and paid the guy one diagnostic fee. I have no issue with him, like I said he got put in a bad spot and did the right thing.

Dealer recommended replacing radiator overflow (they wanted 960ish to do that), said they found a small leak coming from the thermostat housing (they wanted 450ish to do that), and recommend replacing the shift control assembly.

I took the car home on a trailer and replaced the radiator overflow for $70 and 20 minutes of work, and the thermostat for about $20 (got fancy and threw in a new seal too) and about another thirty minutes of replacing and refilling the colling system. Yes, you read that right, dealer wanted over 1400 to do something that cost me less than 100 in parts and under an hour of actual labor.

Drove the car for about three days without any issues, then the transmission starts acting up. High revving, hard shifting, seems to be stuck in a 3rd gear, started shifting violently into reverse (tires chirping), shifter stuck in park. My daughter told them when it was dropped off the first time about the shifter being stuck in park which is when they suggested the shift assembly replacement .

I took their initial recommendations then started researching everything I could online about this car and transmission problems. Weird thing is, there isn't a ton of info on a 2012 Escape, limited, with a V6. Everything reverts to a fiesta. So, I said fuck it and replaced the entire shift assembly in the car (OEM ford part sourced using VIN for $220 shipped), the Brake light switch (tail lights were not working and shifter was stuck in park) $50 bucks from NAPA, and a PCM relay, all based on the internet wisdom and dealer recommendations.

Followed the PCM reset procedures I could find, transmission initially shifted into gear (R, N, D) but not I get NOTHING.

I'M STUCK at this point and looking for advice. Hopefully someone on here has experience with these Escapes or can recommend a good shop in the I.E. that deals with these. I do not want to take it back to the dealership after all that bullshit they tried to pull for $3000+.

Thank you in advance...

 

[JDKRXW]

My 2c - and probably worth less; your Escape needs the trans scanned for codes. Sounds like the shift solenoids / valve body is jammed up.
What does the fluid look like? And what does the coolant look like? Does this escape have a trans cooler in the radiator that could be mixing fluid/coolant when the rad fails?

 

[TimeBandit]

There is a member here who owns a shop in the ie big red something like that?

Big red Brian??

 

[96motorhead]

It sounds like the shift linkage is not adjusted correctly. I'm guessing you only messed with the shift cable going from the shifter to the outside of the transmission?

I'm not sure what you have going on with the pcm but I would agree that having somebody pull codes would be useful after getting it drivable.

 

[monkeyswrench]

Unfortunately, you need to get a scanner on the thing and check out the live data. Are there currently any CEL's on? With it hooked up to a scanner, you'll be able to see what is doing what...like is the bcm "seeing" the shifter or is the tcm/ecu telling the transmission the right things.

Most think of a '12 as an "older" vehicle now. The thing has more computers than our high school computer lab. My friend had issues like this with his F150, a '14. It turned out his with had run over the key ( a different story all together) and the anti-theft module was throwing fits...and no codes.

 

[wzuber]

There is a member here who owns a shop in the ie big red something like that?

Big red Brian??

He's in Norco if we're talking of the same person. He's also a drag boat racer.
@BigRedBryan13

 

[t&y]

Thanks for the info. I'll try to get my hands on a scanner and for from there.

 

[TimeBandit]

Thanks for the info. I'll try to get my hands on a scanner and for from there.

Maybe?

Autel MaxiPRO MP808TS - Borrow My Scan Tool

When it comes to ultra-portability, MaxiPRO MP808TS is your perfect companion. Featuring a fast quad-core processor, MP808TS offers maximum convenience and swift diagnosis. The intuitive user interface makes using the device effortless through a 7-inch LCD touch screen that displays at 1024 x...

www.borrowmyscantool.com

Or a "mobile mechanic" ?

Or download the forscan program on a laptop and buy the $60 cable to use it then you own it forever.

OBDLink EX FORScan OBD Adapter https://a.co/d/iBlI0oa

 

[t&y]

Well... Transmission is shot. I ended up calling Domestic Diesel and "son of a bitch".... they work on gassers too. I wish I would have known that earlier. Long story short, they replaced the only remaining possible exterior part on this related to the issues (shifter cable) and it improved slightly... but in the end, the TRANSMISSION IS SHOT.

Got it home, changed the transmission fluid as a hail marry attempt, got about an 1/8 of mile from home and then it got real weird. Barely limped it home with all kinds of bad noises, high revving, and hard shifting.

In the end... Transmission replacement through Domestic was just under 6k. I'm not going that route.

If anyone is interested in a very cheap 2012 Ford Escape let me know. Aside from the transmission, this car is a solid 8.5 on a 10 scale and pretty fun to drive around. That V6 is solid and gets this little thing to 60 pretty quick. The cost of the rebuilt transmissio was 3k alone, labor of course puts it out of my willing to pay scale. If someone has the time or talent to do this, you'd still be ahead in value with a good looking and clean car. In the last three years I've replaced the AC, front struts, brakes, all tires, tail light bulbs. Most of that was right after purchase. We drove it coast to coast without issue and non stop all day around town. It is high milage (guessing 230k ish) but extremely clean... like shockingly clean. Planning on donating it as a tax right off if nobody wants it.

 

[TimeBandit]

It sounds like you got your money's worth out of it.

thanks for posting"the rest of the story"

 

[boatpi]

He gave it a great try for a few dollars and some of your time you have to be congratulated for the effort. You have to consider posting online all the bullshit recommendations the dealer tried screwing you out of and how much it cost you to fix it. And the little time that was involved to Repair. I hate Theives.

 

[wzuber]

He gave it a great try for a few dollars and some of your time you have to be congratulated for the effort. You had to consider posting online all the bullshit recommendations to do are tried screwing you out of and how much it cost you to fix it more than that the time that was involved, Repair. I hate Theives.

What????

 

[caribbean20]

Holy shit, and I’m not trying to be an ass here, but 230k miles?? You wrung the shit outta that there Ferd. Good job

BTW, my daughter has an Escape too. She loves it.

 

[jetboatperformance]

Been a Certified Master Tech for most of my adult life and Mechanical damage inspector since 86' with 50k plus forensic inspections .These cars are intentionally made less and less "user friendly" to the point where not much is owner serviceable , case in point just looked a Honda Passport this morning that has a minor issue but is getting a new Transaxle (6k). I love Jet Boat work because I work on stuff I cut my teeth on and we build big $$ HP stuff ! . I will no longer buy a vehicle that doesnt have a comprehensive warranty and I will continue to lease my vehicles (vs buying) and flip them before they cost me

 

[CLdrinker]

You can buy a whole other used escape for 6-7k all day with half the miles.

Throw it in the gutter and buy another.

 

[Orange Juice]

I bet it would turn heads if you did an AWD LS swap.

 

[TX Laramie]

Maybe look at donating to charity for tax write off and free tow-away pick up?