# Ford escape rolls forward when in reverse

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/ford-escape-rolls-forward-when-in-reverse/43415>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** escape, ford\
**Created:** [January 29, 2010, 4:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ford-escape-rolls-forward-when-in-reverse/43415 "2010-01-29T16:31:49Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 6\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![adamkinney](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/439d5e/32.png) [@adamkinney](https://community.cartalk.com/u/adamkinney)\
**Post date:** [January 29, 2010, 4:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ford-escape-rolls-forward-when-in-reverse/43415/1 "2010-01-29T16:31:49Z")

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I have a 2001 Ford Escape, I not sure when this started, cause i have never paid attention. But recently my wife noticed that when parked on an incline and shifting into reverse to backup. the car rolls forward until the accelerator is applied. Is my transmission having problems?

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**Author:** ![ken\_green](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/ken_green/32/816_2.png) [@ken\_green](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ken_green)\
**Post date:** [January 29, 2010, 5:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ford-escape-rolls-forward-when-in-reverse/43415/2 "2010-01-29T17:21:07Z")

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It also rolls backward when in drive, IF the incline is greater than the idle speed and converter clutch effort. In which case you push slightly on the gas to incease idle speed and remain stationary without brakes.

Same in reverse.

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**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\
**Post date:** [January 29, 2010, 5:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ford-escape-rolls-forward-when-in-reverse/43415/3 "2010-01-29T17:50:43Z")

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Ken has that right unless something about what it does has recently changed from the past. The thing about an automatic transmission is that - unless you’re up in drive at cruising speed and the torque converter clutch has locked up - the link between the engine & transmission is basically a link created by fluid pressure. Its not mechanical. So there is “slip” between the engine & transmission as part of how it works.

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**Author:** ![transman618](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/transman618/32/24_2.png) [@transman618](https://community.cartalk.com/u/transman618)\
**Post date:** [January 29, 2010, 7:08pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ford-escape-rolls-forward-when-in-reverse/43415/4 "2010-01-29T19:08:12Z")

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Yep. It sounds like its acting normal.

transman

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**Author:** ![adamkinney](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/439d5e/32.png) [@adamkinney](https://community.cartalk.com/u/adamkinney)\
**Post date:** [January 29, 2010, 7:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ford-escape-rolls-forward-when-in-reverse/43415/5 "2010-01-29T19:29:55Z")

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Thanks Guys, I think I also have a mas airsensor goin gout cause the idol is low a rough, so I am thinking that may be causing the low RPM issue. I appreciate the help!

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**Author:** ![tardis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f0a364/32.png) [@tardis](https://community.cartalk.com/u/tardis)\
**Post date:** [January 29, 2010, 7:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/ford-escape-rolls-forward-when-in-reverse/43415/6 "2010-01-29T19:42:52Z")

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If it’s just a problem at idle, then it is more likely to be the IAC (or Idle Air Bypass Valve as Ford calls it), than the MAF.