I'm new here and I have a few questions. I own a 2001 XLT Escape. For the past two years I have had a whining noise from what appears to be the transmission. It is not constant, it comes and goes. It is VERY noticable when it is present. I had it to two different Ford service departments and both have said there is nothing wrong. This past week I took the vehicle to the dealership to replace the seatbelts (recall), and to fix a problem with stalling and loosing brakes, steering etc, also a recall. I told the service department to check the transmission again. This time they said there was a strange noise, but the vehicle is out of warranty. The service manager also had the nerve to say we shouldn't have let the situation progress to the point it has, we should have been more demanding when we had the vehicle in! Needless to say, I'm Pi$$ed!! Is there a customer help desk or some place we can contact Ford Canada at to voice our outrage? While I'm thinking of it, I also had the vehicle in for the banging noise (stabilizer bar). They replaced one. Six months later, and two months out of warranty, the other one went. This time I was charged for the repairs. I should have fought it, but I had other issues occuring and that problem had to be put on the back burner. Other problems with the vehicle.... - Cap for the brake fluid reservoir was defective; - Fittings for brakes defective, off the lot NEW; - Computer was faulty, 4 months old; I currently own two fords and two GMC's....I truly like the Escape, but the combination of poor service from the dealer and overall poor performance/quality from the vehilce will push us from another Ford purchase. Again, any help with a contact # or address would be appreciated.

Sorry to hear about your problems. I have written to Ford before using a forum available on their internet site, but was not happy with the response. I received a defensive stock letter reply. My own dealer has been good at repairs and I suggest that you take it as high as you can go at the dealers. If you have spoken about the problem before and it is recorded on your check up sheets you should have some rights for it to be covered under warranty. Gary