I was driving home from work and my car died in the middle of the road, no warning!! I couldn't get it even off to the side. after having it towed to my mechanic I was informed that the computer, coils, and plugs need to be replaced. After accepting it was going to cost a few grand to get the car even running , I get slammed with it can take weeks or longer to get the computer to make my car run. I am getting ready to move out of state and cannot do so because I have no car. It kills me that ford, a brand I have always used, a company that many of my family members have worked for would not step up and help. I just want my car back. Is that so much to ask? I believe it is time that Ford steps up and accepts that these cars have a serious problem and figure a way to fix them properly before some car dies at a bad time/ place and gets someone killed. Guaranteed last Ford I will ever own!!!!

When driving, my car would create a high-pitched buzzing sound that fluctuated its pitch according to changes in gear. The car would then experience engine stall, particularly when slowing or accelerating after a stop. The theft, check engine, and ABS light would flash. The radio and headlights died. During this time a clicking noise could be heard. Within seconds, everything usually corrected itself. Occasionally the car would need to be restarted. Sometimes after these occurrences, the alarm would sound as soon as the key was removed from the ignition. The car would go months without this occurring and then the problem would return. This happened for two years.

I had taken this vehicle to two Ford dealerships and an auto repair shop. No one could seem to determine the true cause of the problems. I had the grounds cleaned, spark plugs replaced, spark plug wires replaced, and alternator replaced.

Eventually, at the suggestion of a friend, I took it to Midas. They diagnosed and corrected the problem. Apparently the person who owned the Escape before me had installed an after-warranty alarm system. I believe the brand was Code Alarm. The alarm system was not compatible with the Escape's computer and was causing severe malfunctions. I had it removed and have had no problems since.

Update from Feb 26, 2011: Nevermind. All problems have returned. Back to the shop.

INFO: SOME 2005-2008 ESCAPE AND MARINER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A CD4E AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE AND BUILT FORM 8/1/2004 THROUGH 2/15/2007 MAY EXHIBIT AN ENGINE STALL WHEN COMING TO A STOP OR WHEN ENGAGING THE TRANSMISSION INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE. THIS CONDITION MAY BE INTERMITTENT AND OFTEN OCCURS AFTER EXTENDED DRIVES. THER MAY BE NO DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES [DTCs] STORED. THIS MAY BE CAUSED BY INTERNAL WEAR IN THE TORQUE CONVERTER WHICH PREVENTS IT FROM UNLOCKING.

THEN TOLD US HOW MUCH IT WOULD COST! OMG, NOW I DO NOT HAVE A JOB, NO MONEY. NO DRIVING OUT OF MY SMALL TOWN! I HAVE TO BORROW MY DAD'S PICK-UP. NO MORE FORDS FOR ME!!!!!!!!! I HOPE THIS HELPS SOMEONE.

Was driving home from the cottage. The Escape stalled during driving. Pulled over and had to wait some time to start again. Noticed the pipes from the engine where glowing a red/orange colour. turned off the escape and called the motor leauge to come and tow. Finally go the Escape to the shop.. Mechanic thinks it a clogged catalatic convertor.... but nope its the ECU. Ok ... now try to get one.. nevermind !!!!! already tried to. the problem is Ford had a major issue with them and ones that are online cannot be legally sold anynmore and are to be returned to FORD !!!! or if some one sells it to you you cant get it programmed !!!! Your stuck buying it from Ford for over $1000.00 plus programming and labour costs...but wait there's more.. sensors will probally need to be changed depending on what the ECU took out. FORD will replace the ECU if your under the 80,000 Miles for free excluding taxes and labour. There are some website trying to sell them..but when you place the order they inform they are on back order and refund you the money. So looks like FORD has you by the Balls... my advice is if you own a Escape... and are under the 80,000 Miles.... Go and get it replaced NOW !!!!!!

For me its a major issue as this is our only vechile we have and is used regularly and now since FORD has a major back order for these we go without a vechile for at least a week or more... never mind the Bill that will follow... I know when this is done... I will deffently be thinking or trading this thing in.. its to bad that this has to go.. it has been no issues before but when it A computer problem and they are hard to get.. its got to go !!!

Update from Nov 19, 2009: Called and Spoke with Ford Motor Company of Canada, LimitedCustomer Relationship Centre. They are aware of the issue but dont do anything unless you have service records from a Ford Dealer. and are under warranty. I called around and found a replacement ECU from a Ford Dealer.. for 795.00 plus core charge of 138.00 but will be refunded after I bring back the old one. Still have to program the unit. And then its mandatory that a oil and filter change be done because gas gets into the oil ?. I am wating back from the shop to see what else may be wrong ! keeping my fingers crossed now.. will provide updates soon. F.Y.I Found another website to search for ECU's www.autoecms.com for around 450.00cdn$ but remeber that you probally wont get any support if this dosent work.. plus the programming is extra ! $50.00 to $200.00 depending who is willing !

On or about June 15,2004, I took possession of a 2005 Ford Escape bearing Vin# 1FMYU941X5KA57070 in accordance with a lease agreement which provided a total price of $29,795.42, of which $25,658.48 would be financed with Ford Motor Credit Company, P. O. Box 105704 Atlanta Georgia 30348. This financing arrangement calls for a payment schedule of 38 payments of $340.72, commencing on 7/23/2004.

Sometime toward the end of 2005 I began experiencing serious problems with the vehicle. The vehicle would stall while driving in highway traffic and then it would take quite a while before the car would start again. The prospect of having the vehicle short-out on a heavy thoroughfare is unacceptable and dangerous to myself, my passengers, and to other motorists on the road. I have tried to have this condition corrected at least four times, only to have the problem recur after each repair attempt. I brought the vehicle to at least three Ford dealers in the New York area in an effort to rectify this situation but as of this date the vehicle is still not in proper working order.

The most recent problem occurred on September 19, 2006 and again the problem was not rectified nor did I receive the necessary cooperation from the dealer to fix the problem. On September 27, 2006, the vehicle was returned to me. At that time, I checked to see if the car alarm and the remote start feature were operative and found that they were not operating.

I then called Ford’s customer relations to address the fact that my vehicle was not fully operative and I spoke with a gentleman named Mike who advised me that this matter was "above his level." I requested that I be connected with a Ford employee with the authority to address my problems and was placed on hold. Subsequently, Mike returned to the phone and advised me that as of the previous Monday, a "Zone Manager" had inputted notes on the system that indicated that Ford had attempted to resolve this issue with me but that I had refused any offers of compromise and, as such, the matter would now be handled pursuant to the Lemon Law. I informed Mike that this statement was inaccurate and requested the name of the Zone Manager who had marked my file thusly but Mike would not provide me with any more information.

Frustrated by attempts to resolve this matter with customer relations, I called Country Ford and spoke with Diane who admitted that she was aware of my vehicle’s problems and that I should speak with Paul Kelly, the service manager for Country Ford. I then left a message on Mr. Kelly’s answering system requesting that he call me.

On September 28, 2006, I spoke with Mr. Kelly and he stated that he would be speaking directly to the owner of Country Ford to see if an agreement can be reached whereby they would either repair the vehicle or provide some sort of alternate arrangement. Mr. Kelly he stated that he understood my safety concerns and would attempt to rectify the matter.

On October 5, 2006, I brought the vehicle to Country Ford to allow them to inspect it again. Bill Howard the used car manger, inspected the vehicle and told me that he would confer with Mr. Kelly and let me know whether they could whether they could come up with a compromise on my lease that would account for the vehicle’s dangerous defects. Despite several more phone calls to Country Ford, to date, my vehicle has not been fully repaired. Nor has Ford offered to rescind my lease or offer me any sort of reasonable replacement vehicle.

This entire process has left me feeling frustrated and upset. Ford and Country Ford have been entirely unaccommodating in attempting to resolve this matter. I have made several good faith attempts to get the vehicle fixed or compromise and resolve the matter and it is clear by its behavior that Ford has no intention of cooperating in this matter. As such, I have no recourse but exercise my rights under New York’s Lemon Law and demand that ______(replacement/money damages/etc.)

Thank you for your time. If anyone has a similar problem please let me know I would love to get a class action lawsuit started.