What to look for when buying a used Ford Escape
2006 Ford Escape |
Ford Escape is a mid-size car-based comfortable and functional SUV. Ford Escape was developed in association with Mazda; Mazda Tribute is built on the same platform and shares many components with the Escape. Ford Escape was the America's best-selling small SUV for a few years. A hybrid version is available from 2005. Inside, the Escape is comfortable and roomy, but conservatively-styled and some materials are not of the top quality. Thanks to up-right styling, the visibility is very good. Controls are simple and easy to use. The rear seat offers plenty of space. If you need more cargo room, the rear seat folds down flat, although you need to remove the headrests.
On the road, the Escape drives very comfortably, more like a car than a truck, however, engine and wind noise are noticeable, especially at highway speeds. The Escape's reliability has been spotty.
2006 Ford Escape interior, click for larger view |
2006 Ford Escape |
The 3.0-liter V6 Duratec 30 engine |
Powertrain: The Escape is available as a front- or four-wheel drive. Powertrain choices include a 4-cylinder or V6 engine and a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive. The 4-cylinder 2.0-liter 16-valve DOHC 127-hp Ford Zetec was the base engine on early models. From 2005, it was replaced by the 153-hp 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine. The optional 200-hp 3.0L DOHC V6 Duratec offers more power, but at the expense of fuel-economy. Either engine is fairly reliable if maintained properly. The 4-cylinder 2.0-liter engine has a timing belt that requires to be replaced at recommended intervals. Both the 2.3-liter 4-cylinder and the 3.0-liter V6 engines have a maintenance-free timing chain.
Fuel Economy: The FWD 2007 4-cylinder automatic Escape's EPA-estimated combined mileage is
21 mpg (20/24 mpg city/highway). It's in tune with other competitors. However if you opt for AWD, the mileage drops to 18/23 mpg (20 mpg combined) in a 4-cylinder version. Strangely, the 2007 AWD V6 automatic Escape is also rated at 18/23 mpg.
Mechanical:
Antilock brakes (ABS) are optional; standard from 2006. The Escape has disc brakes in front and drums in the back. All four disc brakes were available on late V6 4WD models.
The Escape's optional all-wheel-drive system helps in inclement weather but don't expect it to handle an off-road trail.
In the NHTSA frontal crash tests, the 2001-2004 Ford Escape received five stars for the driver and four stars for the front passenger. The 2004-2007 model got four stars for both the driver and the front passenger.
Pros: Great size, visibility, comfortable spacious interior, car-like handling, strong V6, rear seat folds flat, affordable price.
Cons: Spotty reliability, outdated interior design, interior materials quality, noisy ride.
Overall:
Spacious and versatile, the Escape is not too expensive and not as bulky as larger SUVs.
However, don't expect the Escape to be trouble-free. Only the 2005 Escape is rated 'above average' for reliability by Consumer Reports. Both, the 4-cylinder and the V6 are good, but minor engine issues are not uncommon. There is a fair amount of complaints about the automatic transmission too. Transfer case problems are also reported. Engine oil and transmission fluid leaks are fairly common.
Similar vehicles:
 Used Subaru Forester 2003-2008 » |
 Used Toyota Highlander2001-2007 » |
What to look for when buying a used Escape
Ford Escape was often used by car rental companies; checking the history records using the VIN number will help to find out if a second-hand vehicle was used as a rental or had other issues in the past. Read more: how to check used car history.
Watch for oil leaks or burnt oil smell under the hood. Lack of power on acceleration could be caused by clogged catalytic converters; they are very expensive to replace. An automatic transmission is one particular area that needs to be tested thoroughly during the test drive. Read more: how to check the transmission. Make sure to test the hand brake and the rear wiper. If it's a 4WD model, see if the 4WD mode works. Watch for noisy tires due to uneven wear. Read what to look for when buying a used car.
After buying a car, visit your local Ford dealer to check if all recalls and engine computer software updates have been performed. Read our step-by-step used car buying guide for more information.
Maintenance:
Keep the oil and transmission fluid topped up, as leaks are not uncommon. Regular oil changes will help keeping your engine in a top shape longer. An automatic transmission fluid also needs to be changed in recommended interval, as it deteriorates over time. Check your tire pressure regularly, as unequal tire pressure causes increased wear of the 4WD system components. If you need to replace an ignition coil because of misfiring, have all the spark plugs changed as well; this may help to keep the ignition coils from failing. If your Escape stalls unexpectedly, visit your dealer, there is an engine computer software update available to address this problem. Servicing the throttle body once in a while can help to avoid some idle issues. If your Check Engine light is on, have it diagnosed before the problem gets worse. Checking your vehicle in a repair shop at least once a year will help to keep it safe.
More on maintenance:
 10 simple tips how to keepyour car running longer » |
 Easy car maintenance checklist with photos » |
2003 Ford Escape specifications
| Dimensions: | |
| Overall length: Overall width: Overall height: Wheelbase: Ground clearance: Track front/rear: |
173.0
(4394 mm) 70.1 (1781 mm) 69.1 (1755 mm) 103.1 (2619 mm) 7.8 (198 mm) 61.2/61.0 (1554 / 1549 mm) |
| Cargo capacity: | |
| (rear seat up / rear seat down) |
33.1 / 69.2 cu ft (937 / 1960 liters) |
| Base Curb Weight: | |
| 2WD 4-cyl. Manual: 4WD 4-cyl. Manual: 2WD V6 Automatic: 4WD V6 Automatic: |
3019 lbs (1369 kg) 3175 lbs (1440 kg) 3181 lbs (1443 kg) 3346 lbs (1518 kg) |
| Maximum Towing Capacity: | |
| 4-cyl Manual: V6 Automatic: V6 with Towing Pkg.: |
1000 lbs (454 kg) 2000 lbs (907 kg) 3500 lbs (1588 kg) |
| Engines: | |
| 4-cyl. Zetec engine: V6 Duratec engine: |
16 valves 2.0L DOHC I-4 iron block, aluminum head 127 hp @ 5400 rpm, 135 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm 24 valves 3.0L DOHC V-6 aluminum block and heads 201 hp @ 5900 rpm, 196 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm. |
| EPA Fuel Economy (US mpg, L/100 km): | |
| 2WD 4-cyl Manual: 4WD 4-cyl Manual: 2WD V6 Automatic: 4WD V6 Automatic: |
city: 23mpg (10.2 L/100 km) hwy: 28mpg (8.4 L/100 km) city: 22mpg (10.7 L/100 km) hwy: 25mpg (9.4 L/100 km) city: 19mpg (12.4 L/100 km) hwy: 25mpg (9.4 L/100 km) city: 18mpg (13.1 L/100 km) hwy: 23mpg (10.2 L/100 km) |
| Recommended Fuel: |
87 octane (minimum) |
| Fuel Tank Capacity: | |
| 4-cyl engine: V6 engine: |
15 US gal. (57 liters) 16 US gal (61 liters) |
| Oil capacity with filter: | |
| 4-cyl engine: V6 engine: |
4.5 quart (4.3 liters) 5.5 quart (5.2 liters) |
