08 3L AWD Transmission Cooler

[theropod]

Greetings,

We have an '08 Escape AWD with CD4E tranny. Build date 5/07 with 45,208.2 miles. All servicing has been done by Ford dealers within schedule, has never towed anything or had rough treatment. This has all be documented with receipts in hand.

The transmission cooler is leaking and is a well know issue with these SUV's. There is a TSB (technical service bulletin) NHTSA Number: 10024826 for these issued 09-9-4 built on or before 5/9/08. See HERE for a PDF of the TSB.

A web search returns several pages of complaints as these nearly always fail after primary warranty expires. See HERE for a web forum topic on this issue, which is one of many.

We have premium extended warranty but this problem is supposedly not covered as it it not an internal part of the tranny. However this is a part integral with the AC condenser which is covered by this extended warranty.

HERE is a YouTube video of the issue.

The point of this posting is to warn others to have their vehicle checked and have this documented. I am writing my senator and congressional representatives as well as State Attorney General to have a formal recall issued by FoMoCo. There have been cases where this issue has lead to unsafe operating conditions and placed lives in danger. I invite any other owners of these SUV's to document the issue and contact appropriate parties.

I have been a loyal Ford owner my entire life and if this issue is not resolved justly I will never own another. I will update this posting after the repairs are made detailing the outcome. I am to bring the SUV to my local deal this afternoon for confirmation of the issue. Yes, I'm upset and feel that this known defect is being ignored by FoMoCo at the expense of the consumer both financially and in their health and safety. Also the loss of transmission fluid being dumped into the environment is an emissions issue.

Thanks for reading,
RS

[Davescort97]

Welcome to the Forum!

Thank you for your excellent description of the problem with the automatic transmission cooler on your 08 Escape. I have always had a problem with technical service bulletins (you pay for the repair) vs. recalls. If a vehicle has a known defect and it is a widespread problem across most of the units they have produced the defect should be fixed my the manufacturer at no cost to the consumer. Hopefully, your post will alert lot other owners before the problem gets to the point of trashing out the tranny. Good work!

[theropod]

Originally Posted by Davescort97

Welcome to the Forum!

Thank you for your excellent description of the problem with the automatic transmission cooler on your 08 Escape. I have always had a problem with technical service bulletins (you pay for the repair) vs. recalls. If a vehicle has a known defect and it is a widespread problem across most of the units they have produced the defect should be fixed my the manufacturer at no cost to the consumer. Hopefully, your post will alert lot other owners before the problem gets to the point of trashing out the tranny. Good work!

Hi Dave,

Thanks for the welcome. I've been a member (noob) for a year or so now. I'm not a gear head so I can't contribute all that much to this forum. There are some really good mechanical minds here and I appreciate their contributions. My main motivation for posting this was to inform other Escape owners of this issue so that they might take action PRIOR to it becoming a $1200 hit to the pocket book!

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Update,

Well, even a blind hog finds an acorn now n again!

The dealer where we bought the Escape supposedly could even look at the rig for 2 weeks. Not just a look to see if this was the problem or something else so they could get the part in. I found this to be a brush-off and I'd love to name names but I don't need no lawyers sending me nasty letters. I mentioned the TSB and he, the service manager, said he never heard of this issue and almost called me a liar. Not good and I hung up one PO'ed old man. Even if I buy another Ford it will NOT be from them folks.

I called another Ford dealer near me and he took my VIN and phone number with a promise to call me back. Havin' my feathers a little wet already I took that with a grain of salt and expected to never hear from him again. 15 minutes later he calls back and says bring it in next Tuesday (1-19-10), pay the $100 deductible, and we'll get 'er fixed. Should take about 2 hours. He says the AC condenser unit is covered and he'll run it through under that. When it comes time for another new rig you can bet good money on who gets my business. I'm gonna ask if they can remove the decal from the dealer where I bought the SUV and apply one of theirs. I bet they can and will.

For the first time in my life that extended warranty paid off on something, and both the wife and I are a lot less stressed. I may stay a Ford man after all, but FoMoCO should still issue a recall for folks that didn't buy this extended warranty. It ain't their fault this part was badly made.

Take care all,

RS

[foxdoggy]

I had the same problem in March 2010, My dealer said it was a common problem and fixed as a recall, so I wouldn't have to pay the $100 deductible. I am in Canada, I am not sure if that makes a difference or not but this is my first Ford and I am extremely pleased with quality and service.