For several years now Ford has had problems with the '08 Escape transmission coolers leaking. The same defect trouble Mercury Mariner owners too. Either way, it can lead to serious transmission problems if not fixed.
Ford's leakers started, according to blueovalforums.com members, at the Kansas City plant for the model year and plagues vehicles with automatic transmissions built up to May 9, 2009. Ford can tell you if your vehicle is affected.
The Ford "fix it" program is called "customer satisfaction program 09B10" and notice letters were supposed to be sent to vehicle owners but federal safety investigators have long complained about the dismally low rate of repairs done in response to service campaigns and recalls and this one likely will be just as spotty.You can track down the specific service bulletin for this issue by clicking here for the federal safety investigators website at NHTSA. Then just put in the model year and make and model and you can see a list of all the service bulletins for that vehicle. Clue: there's a lot of them for the 08 Ford Escape.
So, if you've got a 2008 Ford Escape or Mercury Mariner, check with your local dealer to see if you need your transmission line fixed. But do it soon because the service bulletin program for free Ford repairs ran out at the end of August 2010. So now you'll spend big bucks to have your Ford dealer fix it, but if you dig around at blueovalforums (look for page 3 posted July 25, 2011 or just click here) you should be able to dig up a DIY fix/repair that'll cost you about $25.
This alert on the 25$ cooler leak fix was provided courtesy by my ever-mechanically-talented big brother, Larry, who knows more about engines than I certainly ever will! Tip of the hat and thanks!
Burdge Law Office
Helping consumers since 1978