Ford Escape And A Destroyed Engine
Your Ford Escape questions answered By Vince Ciulla.
Sep 27, 2008
Some advice for Ford owners, and an opinion relating to the legal implications of the engine flush that has been causing issues for drivers of the Ford Escape.
Question: 2001 Ford Escape Engine Flush
I searched for info and found your posts warning about the engine flush racket being perpetrated by auto dealerships. So, I just wanted to thank you for giving me a solid educated idea as to why the engine of my 2001 Ford Escape (46,000 miles) which has been properly serviced since purchased new in 2001, would suddenly start pinging and knocking and then stall at highway speed... all following a strongly urged engine flush several days earlier by a local Ford dealership's service department.
Now am paying for a whole new engine. The car's engine stalled at high speed, power steering stiffened, brakes may have even been stiffening, and luckily my wife was able to get to the side of the road before a horrific accident might have occurred. Do you in general think pursuing legal action against the dealer is a practical thing for me to pursue? This is a dangerous practice if indeed it caused the scary situation that my wife and I were suddenly placed in.
Answer:
Yours is just one on the many tragic letters I get each week about the results of an engine or transmission flush. Legal action is certainly a viable option to recover damages caused by a Dealership flush service. But you will need hard documentation from the facility doing the repairs and clear statements stating the damage was a direct result of the engine flush. You will also need documentation that the vehicle was serviced regularly, particularly oil and filter changes, to show that the engine did not need an engine flush and that it was, indeed, well maintained. If you do not have the original invoices you can, in many cases, get copies from the shop that did the work. The matter can be pursued through either small claims court or, preferably, in a civil court with a jury.
You will need an attorney who has experience with these kinds of cases and an expert witness or witnesses that will testify as to the condition of the engine before and after the damage occurred. The process of recovery will be a long one; the last case I testified in took about three years before the Dealership finally settled out of court. In almost all jurisdictions court costs, attorneys fees, witnesses, affidavits and any other expenses can be recovered along with the award of damages.
Recently I have been approached by a Law Firm in Missouri to consult in a proposed class action lawsuit against a transmission flush system. In too many cases a $69.99 transmission or engine service turns into many thousands of dollars in repairs.
Just to reiterate, a flush service is not required or recommended by any auto manufacturer in the world. In fact General Motors, Ford, Chrysler and many imports recommend AGAINST flush services of any kind. If a flush service is done within the new car warranty period it will void the manufacturers warranty and you will be left with a new car with a blown engine or transmission. If a shop tells you it is recommended by the manufacturer don't walk, run away because he is outright lying to you.
The best way to maintain your engine or transmissions internal health is to change the engine oil and filter every 3,000 miles and have the transmission serviced, new fluid and filter, every 30,000 miles. By doing this you will keep the inside of your engine and transmission as clean as the day it was built.
That’s all for this week. Feel free to browse the archives for past topics and other resources. And, as always, if you are stuck and need an immediate answer you can always call Vince on the phone.
