[64Corvair]

Hello All,

I'm new to Escape City (very cool info here), my name is Jamie and I live just outside Hamilton, Ontario. I thought I'd share a bit of an issue I'm dealing with my new 2010 Escape. This is my first Ford product.

It now has 1,500 kms...my wife drives it daily and noticed a noise coming from the rear end between 1st and 2nd gear. I took it for a drive last week and noticed it right away, you can not only hear it but you can feel it in the pedals.

After visiting your site I see I'm not alone....many folks have this same problem with the "hoot" noise happening taking off from a stop.

It's been at the Dealership where I purchased it since Monday...they just called me this morning to let me know it's going to be ready this afternoon. They've changed the transaxle chain. When I brought the problem to their attention they didn't even have to take it for a drive..they had a service bulletin indicating this is a problem with the 2010.

Although I appriecate the quick fix I'm really not happy about the dealership letting me drive off the lot knowing this may be a problem. A little disappointing....but I guess unless it's a safety issue or a recall they don't have to to anything?

A mechanic friend of mine gave me a little bad news this morning saying he thinks as soon as that chain has a little wear on it, it's going to strech a little and I'm right back to the same problem. I hope not because it will be right back at the Dealer until this problem is gone or I'm in a different vehicle.

I'll post an update after a weekend of driving up north...hopefully ithe noise problem is solved!

 

[wptski]

The sound is a annoyance but causes no damage. Somebody found a article bragging about this new super silent drive chain in the 6F35, so much for that! Only time will tell if the sound comes back. Seeing how some people heard it right away, it's not something that may return with a little time.

I wouldn't let them into my transaxle just to fix a minor annoyance that causes no harm.

 

[64Corvair]

You're right about not causing any damage...but having a brand new vehicle making a noticable noise that shouldn't be there is very difficult for me to ignore.

I'm heading out to the dealership shortly to pick up my 2010 and have a chat with the service manager. My wife and I really like our Escape...hopefully this is the end of the noise.

Thanks for the reply.

Jamie.

 

[sinister mob]

My 2010 has the hoot. As far as I have read, the issue is just a noise and poses no threat to the transmission. The TSB for it lists to replace the drive chain. Previously the 2009 TSB (09-12-11) listed a new module calibration to reduce the noise.

I don't like the hoot either but I also don't want my transmission torn apart to install a new chain. If it doesn't affect the longevity of the transmission, then to me it is fine as is.

 

[wptski]

You're right about not causing any damage...but having a brand new vehicle making a noticable noise that shouldn't be there is very difficult for me to ignore.

I'm heading out to the dealership shortly to pick up my 2010 and have a chat with the service manager. My wife and I really like our Escape...hopefully this is the end of the noise.

Thanks for the reply.

Jamie.

If your that picky, make them do the repair.

I'll add one suggestion for since I've heard of two owners that had the job done and both ended up with the same problem! Their steering wheel was out of alignment after the job. You might want add a note about that when it gets written up.

 

[megascape]

I wouldn't say he's being picky. He just paid for a new vehicle, and it should be dealt with and run like a new vehicle.

 

[wptski]

I wouldn't say he's being picky. He just paid for a new vehicle, and it should be dealt with and run like a new vehicle.

It's very minor none damaging annoyance that takes 4-5 hours to repair depending on which vehicle one has. If it bothers anyone that much to go through a somewhat major repair, have at it! Personally, I wouldn't take the chance so long as I have a choice. It's too bad that it makes the sound though. All new vehicles should be perfect with no problems at all but that hardly ever happens.

I had the 4WD module upgrade which didn't help, of course. Some claim that it fixed the problem or reduced the noise.

 

[megascape]

What is the 4WD module upgrade? I'm doing a lot of mods and haven't heard of this. I'm real interested.
Thanks,
Phil

 

[wptski]

What is the 4WD module upgrade? I'm doing a lot of mods and haven't heard of this. I'm real interested.
Thanks,
Phil

It was what the orginal TSB on the "hooting" sound did to correct the problem which they thought was only with 4WD Escapes. I monitor rear wheel torque with a ScanGuage II. It appears that they increased the percentage of torque by a bit that you get leaving from every stop.

 

[megascape]

Cool, do you think it's worth purchasing if I use my ride regularly off-road?

 

[wptski]

Cool, do you think it's worth purchasing if I use my ride regularly off-road?

I first got interested in the 4WD operation or actually trying to figure out when it kicked in. I first used a scope on the 4WD module output. I had my console apart for a month or so. I got the SG-II and proved that the coding was setup base on 100% torque which can't be. The author/genius of most SG-II Ford SG-II coding for Hybrids agreed that that he'd made a mistake. I further adjusted the values to match my scope.

All this was done because I believed that 4WD was only engaged when needed which isn't true! Every time you leave a stop you have 20-30% rear wheel torque. If the system detects front wheel slippage, rear wheel torque is increased. So far, I've never seen more than about 33%. I'll find out this winter if it goes any higher. In theory, I should see 50%.

I have seen one odd thing though. On a long entrance ramp to a Xway while coasting, the 4WD kicked in a few percent for some reason.

I don't think that it's something that you need to know though.

 

[megascape]

Wow, thats interesting..Thanks very much for info. i have such a hard time understanding the new system..as you can probably tell If you think about it please post your winter outcome..

 

[64Corvair]

Hello All,

Thanks for all the feedback...here's where I stand now.

I got my Escape back last Friday...looking at the work order they used 6.5 labour hours to replace the drive chain....TSB 09-25-03, failed part number 9L8Z 7G2. Total cost of the work done was over $1500, covered under warranty of course.

When I picked it up I took it out for a test drive with the service manager...all good. The noise was gone!

We drove up to Barrie for a little snow tubing over the weekend (about a 4 hour round trip) on the way home...guess what? It's back again! It's not as loud, but it's the same noise happening at the same time...first gear.

I called the service manager yesterday and explained the noise is back. I'm waiting to hear back today...he had to make a call to "Uncle Henry" to figure out our next step. He did mention when he drives any 2010 into the service bay for customers he always hears the same noise. He thinks most folks just don't pick up on it?

The bottom line for me is I completely understand the noise has no effect on the performance of the vehicle and no harm is being done, but as a few folks have replied to my post..this is a brand new vehicle...I don't want to hear ANYTHING that shouldn't be there. Once I heard it ....I listen for it...too picky? Maybe...but that's me.

For anyone that's interested I'll post again after I hear from the Dealer.

Thanks,

Jamie

 

[timothyjay2004]

I've had problems with my 2009 Mariner transmission. I've had it to 2 dealerships and have had it escalated far up just to be told by a Ford guy in Florida that my transmission falls within "spec" and that they will not do anything with it until it fails...

So be prepared to hear the "spec" word .. it seems to be that ford has been increasing their specifications lately for the new 6 speeds since there are several "issues" with them.

My transmission will make a buckleing/clunk sound when going from drive to reverse or reverse to drive, when 4WD is activated by the car .. but it's not consistent. It will also hesitate to shift up in gears 1-3 at times, resulting in the mariner to leap forward so to speak, once it finally shifts. It will also have a hard time deciding what gear to put the transmission in when downshifting. It will flip flop gears on the way down, as in go up down up down.. It's annoying. I've gotten used to it.. But had suggested that it was most likely a computer issue.. They again dismissed it and said it was within "spec" .. I gave up. :shrug:

 

[Al_Syracuse]

My brand new 2011 Escape has the "infamous" hoot noise also. I have difficulty believing Ford when they say this is a normal thing for the 4WD transmission. I have owned seven other vehicles with either 4WD or AWD, and none, not a single one, had anything like this noise.

To tell a new car owner that his car is suppose to make strange noises is unbelievable! I have been a loyal Ford customer for many, many years, but this will probably be my LAST Ford.

 

[Domain]

Can anyone elaborate on the hoot? What exactly I should be listening for?

So far, mechanically I've been fine, but maybe I've been missing something. To this point, all I've had are weird, weird paint issues.

 

[FordService]

Hi Al_Syracuse,

My name is Cory from Ford Customer Service. I would like to document the concerns you've been experiencing with your 2011 Escape and see if there is anything I can do to assist you. I appreciate your loyalty to Ford and can understand you being upset with having your brand new vehicle making a strange noise. Please send me your VIN in a private message so I can look into this further for you.

Cory

 

[dmitch063]

recently purchased 2010 mariner, has the same " hooting" noise but can live with it. allthough when buying new vehicle, should not have strange noises coming from drivetrain. if noise gets worse i will take it in to have checked out. do not wish to have transaxle opened up to have chain replaced.

 

[tang]

the hoot, to my knowledge, is 4wd related and can be adjusted via a TSB if you ask your dealership

 

[wptski]

the hoot, to my knowledge, is 4wd related and can be adjusted via a TSB if you ask your dealership

Originally, yes but the fix didn't work and the TSB was updated to include the I4, V6, FWD and 4WD. Pulling the fuse on the 4WD Module stops the noise. I wonder why since it's not a 4WD only problem anymore??