Ford Escape, Mariner, Mazda Tribute defective transmission cooler

Carquestions investigates transmission fluid leaks on a 2008 Ford Escape / Mariner, Mazda Tribute and discovers what would best be described as a "defect in materials or workmanship" or in other words a manufacturing defect.
This defect is most likely to occur close to or after the 3 year warranty has run out. Ford's 5 year extended powertrain warranty won't cover it and the cost to repair it can be $400 to $800 since the air conditioning will need to be evacuated and recharged since the transmission cooler (the part that has been found to be defective and leak) is combined with the AC condensor.

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• Ford
• Escape
• Transmission
• fluid
• leak
• defect
• consumers
• report
• leaking
• oil
• warranty
• Mazda
• tribute
• service
• bulletin
• air
• conditioning
• problem
• dripping
• car
• questions
• carquestions.ca
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• leno
• kilmer

[meandmyevo]

I've worked on a lot of these new escapes/tributes and about 9/10 have leaking brake lines at all 4 wheels. Two of them only had about 20k miles on them! How long till that gets addressed?

[carquestions]

@meandmyevo Where is the leak exactly? - What do you think the problem is? a defective line, part, seal?

[MissJayLauren]

I have a 2008 ford Focus that this time is leaking transmission fluid due to the ac condenser/transmission cooler being faulty, took it to a ford dealer and of course they will not cover it under the powertrain warranty. This needs tobe fixed in all fords, im sure the escape and the focus have the same ac part

[carquestions]

@MissJayLauren If not the same part it is likely the same supplier or design

[meandmyevo]

@carquestions There is a fitting in the rubber brake line that offers a solid place to attach it the the body of the vehicle. The rubber hose is from there pulled at a hard angle sometimes and causes extremely premature wear and tearing of the rubber hose at the point where it meets the fitting. I'll take a video next time I get one in.

I'd say just a design flaw that puts stress on a part not designed to handle it.

[aningloriusjude]

@impactsangle i know right my s10 leaks engine oil tranny fluid and rear diff fluid the check engine light comes on every once in awhile. all with 140000 miles

[booksyn]

Wow even after all this I still like the Ford Escape, but I'm super hesitant with these because of their sucky transmissions! It seems like ford has always had this problem. thanks for uploading this video. I just might have to stick with my trusty Nissan, Toyota, Honda options

[jagfug]

@Northernsledr I think it's an American macho thing. Like, if I were to say my "truck", referring to my 2005 Mazda Tribute, the rednecks where I live (upstate NY), would laugh at me and say "You call that a truck?" - See? They're smaller than Chevy Blazers, and other SUV's. Mid size SUV I think is what they're called - Really though, legally? A sign says "no trucks, buses, or trailers allowed", they don't mean these vehicles. These are really not considered trucks here. Not even close!

[impactsangle]

thats why you should buy an f-150, and Fords quality is one of the best, better then gm atleast

[GrayWulf316]

@carquestions i went out and looked after i hit you with the 1st post and yes it looks like the passenger light it crying and under the hood oil on passenger side front it's leaking for sure didn't think that would make the tranny slip on hills every so often but i guess it can

[carquestions]

@GrayWulf316 Make sure you are reading the dipstick correctly (hot running for 20 minutes) and on dead level ground - It could be the same issue - have a close look in front of the radiator