This complaint is taken C/O linda bartko. Automatic transmission performs erratically, allowing the vehicle to roll. Gears fail to engage when shifted. Owner took the vehicle to two dealerships, and neither one could determine the cause. Consumer was in contact with the manufacturer, but no resolution was given. One dealership was shults at 412-828-2300.

- Springdale, PA, USA

My car has had 4 transmissions before 40,000 miles and now at 102,000 miles I'm having to put a new motor in. This car has had excellent care and maintence and no reason for this. I was driving the car down the highway and loud noice started so I stopped and had it towed Ford said it was the motor was no good know. This car had no problems with the motor till then.

- Stanberry, MO, USA

Consumer had to replace the transmission prematurely. Vehicle only had 60, 000 miles on it when the transmission failed.

- Victorville, CA, USA

While driving at any speed and whenever the gas pedal was depressed the vehicle revved, but did not accelerate. The consumer had this problem since buying the vehicle brand new. One transmission had been replaced by the dealer. The transmission hesitated and shifted harshly, there was a popping noise with the braking at all times, the plastic molding interior of the driver mirror was loose, there was a slow start when cold or damp weather is present, the vehicle would experience rough idle at the stop position, the cd player had been looked at three times, the cruise control was looked at three times and remained inoperative.

- Troy, MI, USA

At 36,150 miles (150 miles over warranty) the transmission on my 2000 Ford Escort failed completely. It would go forward on all gears, including park and reverse. Then, it would not go into 2nd without manual shifting of the automatic shifter. The dealership appears to be trying (note: Appears) to get factory participation, however, when I contacted Ford national customer service, they declined support as it was past warranty. Reading other ntsb complaints, this appears to be a common problem with Ford Escorts, they appear to be designed to last exactly through the warranty period and no longer. That's a terrible testimony for american automobile manufacturing.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

The transmission on my 2000 Ford Escort ZX2 has gone bad. I took it to a Ford dealership and they told me that they have experienced this problem before and that it can occur from 15,000 miles+. the problem is that the 2 bands that control the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th gears have broke. And it is going to cost me at least $1,000 to fix it.

- Cumberland, MD, USA

On June 21, 2003, I was operating the vehicle at approx. 30 mph. I attempted to speed up and found that the accelerator was no longer functioning. Due to the fact that the car failed to accelerate I was forced to coast to the side of the road, where a tow truck picked it up and towed it to the dealership. Approx. 6 months prior to this time I began noticing a "spasmodic hesitating motion" in the car whenever I attempted to accelerate from an idle position. I assumed that a tune-up was needed and took it to a Ford dealership for inspection. I was told that the hesitation could not be detected, nothing was wrong with the vehicle, and based on the make and model of the vehicle I was not required a tune-up until 100,000 miles had been reached. I continued to drive the vehicle and the problem persisted. For a while I even relented and decided that perhaps the problem was in my head. Finally, February 2003 I took the vehicle into another Ford dealership due to the problem and the mechanics re-calibrated the car's computer system under the belief that this would fix the problem. I was also advised that a routine inspection of the vehicle took place and everything was operating as normal, and in fact at that time the transmission fluid was even topped off. The "spasmodic hesitating motion" of the vehicle upon acceleration continued up until the above date when the transmission failed completely. At this time, the mechanic advisor at the dealership does not believe the hesitation of the car upon acceleration and the complete failure of the transmission are related.

- Oakland, CA, USA

The transmission in my 2000 Ford Escort ZX2 needed to rebuilt at approximately 40,000 miles and three months beyond the normal warranty. I spoke with Ford motor customer assistance and the dealership and was told that since the vehicle is out of warranty there is no obligation to repair the vehicle under any type of warranty. However, I feel since the vehicle had this major type of problem shortly after the warranty expired Ford should consider this and repair the vehicle. Ford's unwillingness to assist me leaves a very sour taste for me. I investigated the history of these vehicles before purchasing this unit and found that they had transmission trouble early in the first years of production. Now, I have experienced the problem first hand. Secondly, the other U.S. automobile manufacturers have longer power train warranties. This seems to indicate that Ford is unwilling to stand behind their power trains and we should expect this type of problem at 40,000 miles"?????".

- Cottage Grove, WI, USA

While driving, the transmission failed.

- Lafayette, LA, USA

At 30mph and without warning vehicle stalled out and died.. dealer notified.

- Atanta, GA, USA

While driving transmission slips/ vehicle moves slowly, and engine revs, but vehicle is barely moving. Transmission has been replaced three times.

- Wayne, NJ, USA

Slips going in and out of drive or reverse, when going to stop at all, it goes from drive to neutral all by itself., also slips a little bit while driving, not always. I fear that this is a very unsafe vehicle. I am afraid that if I'm driving along with my two year old son in the car and I go to stop for somthing running across the road, or what ever, that I wont be able to move because the transmission is stuck and this big huge semi runs into the back of my car, killing my son. Sorry, but I well that I should not have to take that extra risk. I have to deal with that thought in any oter vehicle, but it is like 100 times more with this one. Took it back to the dealer 3 different times for the same thing. Two out of the three times, they said nothing was wrong. The third time they got it to do what it was doing to me, but yet that was normal...so they say.

- New Richmond, WI, USA