Ford Escape BA/ZB (2001-2007)

Smooth, impressive and economical – Most be the most economical v6 vehicle I've ever had so far. I enjoyed this car very much, it was comfortable and high to ride, very easy to maneuver as it is very small in size and still roomy and practical inside. I think it is a great choice all the way. Fuel wasn't much more than I usually used for a 4 cylinder rav 4. Very impressed, would gladly buy another. Show details

Full of problems – Every 30ks engine light goes on can’t find what is wrong. Not a fuel economy car. Ford is using just his badge the real car is Mazda Tribute. Don’t buy this car. Show details

Great but thirsty – I bought my 2006 Ford Escape earlier this year and it has been a great car. The size inside and out is great and it hasn’t missed a beat. The only problem, which is a big problem in this current climate, is that it is terrible with fuel. I would be lucky to get 450km out of a tank!! Looking to buy a new car purely due to the lack of fuel economy.  Show details

Great Value for a cheap second hand 4wd – Purchased mine off an Ebay auction for $900 and it had obviously been sitting for a while, did most of the work myself (ex apprentice mechanic), and got her going again, small hiccups but she's all sorted now and running strong with just over 200,000kms on the clock. Word of advice if buying second hand, make sure it has been serviced… Read more

regularly and has had the spark plugs and coils replaced, mine was running like as sick dog till I did the coils and plugs, another benefit of that has been fuel economy which everyone with the 3.0 V6 complains about, also pays to replace all fluids and throw in some HD brake pads.

Also keep in mind these are the same as the Mazda Tribute so parts are interchangeable and cheap, plus many of the bits are Japanese.

So far I'm happy with mine, it's great for towing my motorbikes (has a 1600kg rated tow bar on mine), and good for going off-road on gravel tracks and I will keep maintaining it and driving it til the wheels fall off the thing!

Ano t her useless and costly vehicle to mai tain. Far from being a 4 wheel drive – One costlly unreliable SUV. Another dud frFprd. Fordneeds to come up with a cheap and reliable hybrid car. It is hard to ac ess the spark plugs at the rear ofthe engine the manifold hastocome off whichis an expensive affair. Fueleconomy is poor. Parts are expensive and hard to get. Avoid buying them escapes.  Show details

Would be a good car if it was reliable – My review after owning this vehicle (now sitting in some paddock somewhere after a lot of major components breaking) - 3.0L V6 has some balls too it. Nearly as much power as a 3.8L Commodore at 150Kw ;). Automatic gearbox holds it back heaps though. - As its a petrol SUV it chews through fuel (~12L/100km in town) - Lots of room in cabin … Read more

- Auto Gearbox is extremely clunky and unreliable. They break often. The transmission in mine needed replacement at ~165 000km and is the main reason its now sitting in that paddock.

- Can go nearly anywhere its height permits it to. Took mine 4WDing with a few mates which included a few hilux's and a 2WD rodeo. Wasnt a hardcore track but it wasnt something any old car could do either.

- Average ride quality, but fun to drive out on the rough.

- 4WD Lock doesnt actually lock the central diff (as it doesn't have one). A lock isnt really needed anyway as it detects wheel spin and sends power to the back tyres itself.

- A pain to keep plastic trim/panelling in good nick since there's so much of it on early models.

- Coolant system also known to be very unreliable. My water pump and thermostat caused problems several times, and again is one of the reasons why its in that paddock.

- Handy for camping trips and parties, as its big enough to store everything you need or to even set up a bed in. Kept away the loud music and drunk people, which is something I'll come to miss.

Great hire car... Not one issue. 1500km – Great small 4WD for the outback trip, the escape didn't miss a beat. Not one issue. Decent interior, felt of good enough quality, and so did the exterior. Enough room in the back, and a good drive, however not the most comfortable on gravel, maybe this had something to do with the tires. Would recommend.  Show details

Happy that I've Owned One – Thirsty on fuel, not very good on fuel consumption. I've got 2006 model 2.3L 4cyl XLT ZC I recommend you do a major service at 100,000 klm. Reliable vehicle, I had no minor or major issues. No regrets at all. Yes, I would buy one again, new 2017 model onwards.  Show details

Escape Problems – Don't touch it. Never driven in diff lock mode or offroad yet gone thorugh 2 gear boxes, 5 alternators and replaced the exhaust mainfold. Dealer's charge $5K+ for a new g/b, but have found out that if you take it a spealist they can repair it for $2200. Am about to buy a Rav4 to get away from this horror good acceleration unreliable, very thirsty Show details

Very Good car – Have had our escape since new 2004 Wife drives on dirt road everyday The only problem we have is replace tie rod ends and warped manifold (driving in water) and getting hit by Kangaroos We also have put camber adjusting bolts on to correct camber . Wife loves the car even with column shift. Tip when going up hills take out of overdrive Much… Read more

better for gearbox and motor Plenty of Grunt Plenty of ground Clearance Dont use internal accessory wiring for fridge Get higher resistance wire put in Easy takes about an hour

Perfect mum car – I call this beast my toy-wheel-drive. She's black, she looks fierce and she gets the attention at the family get togethers. I like sitting up high, the ride is smooth, the cabin is quiet until you hit the highway. If the roof racks are off it's more quiet. There's heaps of room for shopping bags, kids stuff, leg room in the back. She's… Read more

almost ten years old now and starting to age, sadly. There's only minor issues starting to show, the only major one was the alternator dying. It will be sad when it comes to trading her in but I'm going to replace her with the latest Escape model. I just hope the new 4 cylinders are as good.

The car feels safe and in a world of ever changing car bodies, the Escape seems to hold it's own.

I bought this car having seen the exact one in the car park at a kids play gym. It was love at first sight and I asked the mother who was piling up the kids and prams etc into it all about the car. Funny enough, just this year, I was approached by a female outside my kids school asking about the car. So as I said, it seems to be a timeless machine. I haven't seen too many on the second hand market which I've been told is good.

I've had a quote for trade in which was pretty lame but trading it at a Dealer is never a good choice.

I love my car and can't part with her yet, she's been with me since the birth of my first child and like a family pet, I'll keep her till she dies.

oh, end note: don't have it serviced at a Ford Dealer, my car was always running brilliantly until I had them do the 100k service, since then things have been 'odd' and they gave the car back to me with no coolant in it. reliabe, looks great, good fuel mileage, lots of room don't have it serviced at a Dealer!!

great car – had my brand new hot red escape for 3 weeks. goes well on highway & off road. everyone who sees it say it looks so good!!!! i compared all the small suvs on the market & for the 28k that i paid i have an absolute bargain! the only feature it has not got is the esc but having just returned from holiday, it handled beautifully on all types of roads price,looks, features, finish  Show details

I sadly drowned mine – I upgraded from an echo as i was mving to outback qld for work, so I bought my escape second hand three months ago with just over 105000kms on it, I drove from Vic to Qld, drove really well, and I loved it. A bit undecided about what gear to be in when the cruise control was on but over all really easy to drive, and to park, even in crazy NSW… Read more ·  1

with reverse angle parking!

But I drove through a patch of water over the road after some heavy rains in the way home from work and before I knew it the engine had stalled and that was that. A bit if water in the engine and she was a write off. With my insurance check I'm planning on replacing the escape with a jeep Cherokee. Cool blue interior light up on displays, reasonable fuel economy, high up driving seat. Susceptible to drowning :(

Very good. The only new car we have ever bought with minor faults – Had the escape xlt v6 for 10 years since new and it has been great to own with no major problems.it is really a highway vehicle not really a good 4wd.do not rely on your ford dealer for fair prices on service or parts get parts on line and try to service it yourself.checking on the net after the engine light came on at 55,000 kms it is a common… Read more

problem around the world especially in the usa where they have a lot more of them on the road.it is easily and cheaply fixed but not at the ford dealers who charge like wounded bulls.i bought an error code reader from amazon in the usa for $58.00 dollars and it hooks up to every type of motor car computer and tells you what the problem is. I fixed the problem for $178 and not as ford quoted $985.it was only a sensor for anti pollution egr valve. Reliable Very expensive to service if you rely on the ford dealers

Good – My husband and I have a 2003 XLS and recently sold it as he got a company car. We took this car on the beach on several occassions and it was fantastic. It was easy to drive around the city and not too big for day to day use. A great size for a small family. We lost alot of money on this car when we sold it, Fords dont hold their value well.… Read more

Probably a great car to pick up second hand! Great sized 4x4, great on the beach, easy to drive. decline in value quickly

Good – This is the best little /big car I have had in the past 20 years, considering we were used to having a new car every 6 months. While it is not the most powerful car I have ever had (it is just a 4 cyl car after all) it is a perfect fit for our needs. The dual airbags were a selling feature for me and I feel happy about driving my family around… Read more

in it. Having the option of switching from 2WD to 4WD means that it is unlikely that I will ever get stuck in the mud again. This car has a good image and we are pleased to be seen driving it around. Escape XLS: For a four cylinder car there is plenty of leg room for both the front and back seat passengers. It is economical on the fuel (600km per tank) and it is easy to clean out. The boot is plenty big enough for my family and we all like having electric windows. It is higher off the ground that other 4cyl cars but not so high that you need a ladder to get in. The back seat passengers have cup holders. There is no mirror in the drivers sunvisor. There are only two cup holders for the back seat passengers even though it seats three passengers

Terrible – Is quite a functional car, but simply not worth the price Handling is excellent, plenty of space internally unattractive externally, low fuel usage, hard to accelerate

Good – Great vehicle to drive Good value for money Can park under carparks with roof racks on Big functional rear storage area Escape XLT: Nicely appointed roomy interior,great exterior finish,smooth driving expierence brake rotors have deep grooves at 3000km ( only driven on tar ) cruise control intermittentlt turns off motor hesitates at low speed when accelerating

Excellent – I have a 2004 Escape Limited, and its been a terrific vehicle. I bought it in August 2004, and it hasn't caused me any issues or problems - have never needed to make a call on the warranty. Its definitely a well built quality all-rounder. Its got simple to use controls (ie..you dont have to be a brain surgeon or electronic engineer to work it out… Read more

..), which are in easy reach of the driver and front passenger. The gear stalk mounted on the steering column isn't so bad once you get used to it - and it actually saves space from the centre consol. Note that Ford changed this to a Floor shift in mid 2006.

Its also got lots of space in the back, and the rear seats fold right down to provide an even more space.

I recommend to anyone who needs an all round vehicle. Is both 2WD (in normal driving) and 4WD which can be engaged manually via the dash switch (LOCK), or automatically by the computer management system if it detects a loss in traction. This conserves fuel and tyres - since AWD are known to be VERY hard on tyres.

Its a very versatile all-round vehicle, good for going to work each day in the city, and terrific for taking the family for a country drive or to the snow. Its also surprisingly very good at towing my boat (4.7metres) - the V6 is a gem. I have three concerns:

1. Its slightly thirsty on the fuel - however this can be managed by being gentle on the throttle.

2. The ride is a bit firm, however it is a SUV - so dont expect rolls-royce softness. It does lean towards feeling like a 4WD vehicle.

3. Cabin noise - its slightly noisier than a normal sedan, but I think thats to be expected considering the frontal profile and the state of some of our roads.

Good – We have had our V6 3.0 from new; now 55000km.Used mostly as a town car with some longer trips. Never had a problem. Not hard on tyres not too bad on fuel around town. Seems to like the 10% methanol (or ethanol)blend. Very comfortable seats & women love the storage spaces for their handbags. Very pleasant to drive both in city or country. Like the… Read more

auto selector being on the steering column + the cruise control is tops. Front axle tends to make a (low level)running noise. Very thirsty when towing anything heavier than a small trailer. Would not recommend anything more than a small pop top.

Good – I have owned my Escape for a little over 2 yrs. Bought it pre owned when it was a 18 months old and saved a heap on new cost. We have taken it off road plenty of times and have never got into any trouble. Saying that,it's not the sort of 4wd to take on thick bushy tracks with overhanging tree branches etc. that will scrath it.So i have decided… Read more

after spending hours buffing out small scratches to stick to beaches and open tracks. We have had great fun exploring bush and beach and will be looking forward to many more camping and 4wd trips soon. smooth v6 engine. heaps of grunt. easy to park. great on the beach. good visability. very comfortable, especially on long drives. huge centre console storage bin.towing capacity uses alot of fuel around town.handbrake position awkward(centre consol storage lid gets in the way.)Hunts between gears when travelling at 60kph. Cruise control could work a little better on hills etc.

Liked it so much we replaced it with another one – We thoroughly enjoyed our 2006 Escape which we bought new. Floor shift auto unlike the earlier column shift models, nice suede interior, quite economical to run. Very, very comfortable and the ability to remove the back seats gives a huge load area if you need it. We took it camping a few times and it handled mild off-road well, also carried 2… Read more ·  1

bikes in the back. It never missed a beat and the only criticism was the 2.3L four cylinder engine lacked power. It's enough for normal driving, just don't expect huge amounts of grunt. We sold it to buy a new 2011 Escape, were just a little disappointed with the trade-in considering the vehicle was unmarked, clean as. Reliable, good looking. MP3 CD player. Disappointed at trade-in time; original tyres wore quickly.

Good – This is a great little 4WD. I wouldnt call it a soft roader as it can tackle some steep and rocky stuff. Its comfortable inside with lots of space and lots of area to store your gear, be it in the rear or the storage compartments located throughout. Its more composed on the roug stuff than the Suzuki Vitara which i have also driven. It also has… Read more

lots of safety gear, so nomatter what happens you should arrive safe. Very impressed by what this little 4WD can do. Escape XLT: Good for city touring and yet will take you fishing, camping or hiking in the mountains. Very comfortable inside. Isnt a petrol hog. Looks good.