2005 Ford Escape Transmission

On Thursday the 22nd of October I brought my 2005 Escape to Burt Ford Parker Service department believing my transmission had failed. The vehicle is no longer in warranty but I purchased the vehicle at your dealership an extended service plan with you so I trusted this was a good solution. I was told that day that my transmission needed to be replaced and the cost would be upwards of $4,000.00. To make matters worse, this is the second Ford I’ve purchased from Burt that has needed the automatic transmission replaced when the vehicle was less than 5 years old. My 2001 Ford Focus had its transmission go out when the vehicle was only 3 years old – well at least that one was in warranty!

Obviously I was distraught but I little choice but to agree to the repair and rent a car from Enterprise. My family and I only have one vehicle. I was told they were ordering the transmission that day and that my vehicle would likely be complete on Tuesday the 27th. I didn’t hear from anyone. On Wednesday the 28th I called in the afternoon since I hadn’t heard anything. I was told the transmission had still not arrived. I was extremely upset as the rental car is costing me about $50.00 per day. The gentleman I spoke with was very helpful and agreed to cover the cost of the rental car from that day (Wednesday October 28th) until my car was done since I was given incorrect information. I was told they would call upon receipt of the transmission.

I didn’t hear anything and called again Friday the 30th, still no transmission. Yesterday, I got a call from the gentleman who helped me out originally. He apologized and was very gracious and agreed they would take care of the cost of the rental since Wednesday since this delay was not my fault. He also told me that the delay appears to be due to a shortage of transmissions for my Escape because they are in such high demand. There was no ETA on when we’ll get the transmission. He then went so far as to suggest that I get a different, cheaper rental car since the one I have is so costly. (That’s a COMPLETE inconvenience to me and it’s not going to happen, I expect that you will fulfill the promise to pay for the rental for the since the 27th as promised and it will cover the vehicle I’m CURRENTLY renting.)

I just got a call back and it looks like the transmission just shipped TODAY. You hope to get it Thursday. At this point, you still have my vehicle, the rental is racking up costs (that you’re going to pay), and I’m still paying my $400.00 car payment next week. I owe about $9,000.00 on this vehicle, just put $500.00 tires on it and I’m about to put another $4,000.00 into it for a transmission that should have lasted much longer. Now I’m COMPLETELY upside-down in this vehicle and companies like Ford wonder why people don’t buy American?!

Please know that the people running your service department are very nice and helpful but they don’t have the power to make me feel any better. I am extremely unhappy and can guarantee that I have no desire in getting into another Ford EVER AGAIN. To be honest, I don’t have a ton of suggestions or a list of demands for what you can do for me at this point. I want a car that works and that lasts longer than a few years. I want someone to tell me how I am supposed to feel okay about owing $10k on a vehicle I can’t have ANY confidence in.

I’m bitter and unhappy with the situation, I really wish I would have taken my vehicle around for other repair quotes but even then I would still be upset with Ford in general. I know you personally aren’t to blame but I hope you can appreciate why hard working Americans like myself would have a compete lack of faith in your product and such upsetting experiences dealing with your service. What can we do here? How can I get some satisfaction? Will you give me a trade in that at least covers what I owe or am I just another American destined to refuse to purchase one of your products? Who else do I need to email?