Ford Escape Problems

Due to modern security systems you will need to take the car to your Ford dealer and have them program the new key for you, as it is coded to your car's ECU. You cannot do this at home as dealerships have this software.

Ford's Escape is 4524mm in length. Other dimensions include 1713mm in height, 1838mm in width, and 1667kg.

This isn't a Hollywood movie where you can use a secret handshake to break into a car, then hotwire it by twisting a couple of wires. You will need to call a locksmith or get the car transported to a dealership, where they can open the car, then sell you reprogrammed keys coded to your specific vehicle.

Both the 1.5L and 2L Ford Escapes are rated to tow up to 750kg of unbraked trailer, or 1500kg braked. The only Escape I'd try to tow with would be the 2L diesel, which boats 400Nm of torque. Still, the Escape isn't really a good choice for towing a boat as even many small boat and trailer combos will weigh over 1500kg (combined), which is over the Escape's maximum potential tow rating.

It is actually quite hard to buy a "bad" car these days, but quite easy to buy a "bad car for purpose". Ford's Escape is one of several light SUVs on the market that would suit many suburban Aussie families to a tee. That is to say, doing a little light four-wheel-driving, taking the kids camping, or eating up thousands of kilometres on a road trip. If you're wanting a tar-burning performance machines, or something to tackle the local black diamond-rated 4x4 course, buy something else.

Ford Escapes will last a long time if they are serviced regularly and driven sympathetically. The most common fault listed for the Escape is ignition coils breaking down over time, leading to a miss or hesitation under acceleration. This is a simple problem to fix and not limited to this particular model or manufacturer, so I'd consider the Ford Escape to be reliable - so long as you look after them by servicing them regularly!

Ford manufacture their Escape SUV in Spain, China, Russia and the USA. The Ford Escape, called the Kuga in Europe, actually started off in 2000 as part of a partnership between Mazda and Ford, going on to become a sales hit for both manufacturers. The new-generation Escape is expected to be on-sale in 2020.

The broad delineation between all wheel drive and 4x4 or four wheel drive is whether the car has a low-range function. Typically, 4x4 vehicles will have a low-range mode for serious off-road driving (especially in mud, sand or challenging terrain), while all wheel drive cars and SUVs like the Ford Everest do not offer this mode. Ford Escapes can be purchased in all wheel drive or front wheel drive, so double-check the Escape you're looking at buying is an all wheel drive not a front wheel drive. There are no rear wheel drive Ford Escape models.

Ford's mid-sized SUV, the Escape, is available as both an all wheel drive and a front wheel drive across its three trim levels (Trend, Titanium, and Ambiente). There is no rear wheel drive model and many don't consider the Escape's all wheel drive to be true 4x4 as there is no low-range option for the transmission, which is traditionally what separated 4x4s from all wheel drives.

All of them would be good choices, but I would prefer the Mazda CX-5 or the Kia Sportage. Either would be fine.