I Kept a Key

My parents and I recently said goodbye to our 2001 Ford Escape after a relatively catastrophic transmission failure. It gave us 92,000 mostly trouble-free miles, and even though it was “just a nine-year-old SUV,” I do miss it just a bit.

We collectively decided to avoid a transmission repair after discovering the cost of a new (not remanufactured) trans would be $4,200. On a vehicle valued at $4,500, it’s tough to justify the expense. Well, it’s cheaper than a new car… but there’s an underlying issue. The early Escape was very much a “parts bin” car. Basic platform from the Mazda 626, Duratec V6 from the Taurus, and the CD4E automatic from the… Contour.

Doing some basic math, a transmission designed to drag around a 2,800-lb. car will not do well when presented with 3,500 pounds and more horsepower from a larger motor. Failure is common among early Escapes if not meticulously cared for. My parents, as much as they do care for their vehicles, were not the most diligent at having the transmission fluid flushed, which ultimately led to the demise of all forward gears.

One of my dealership friends offered to take the Escape to a wholesaler, since Mom and Dad had already decided on a new car (2011 Outback) and needed it gone. We had three sets of keys for the Escape, and I confess now – I kept one set. Coincidentally, it’s the set I used when the Escape …

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