2005 Ford Escape
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Suspension is the leading concern among 1,584 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 8th highest complaint count among 26 Escape model years with reports.
Of the 2005 reports, 44 involved a crash and 20 involved a fire. 29 people were injured and 2 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Power train, automatic transmission, lever and linkage, floor shiftSep 29, 2015
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.
If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.
Campaign 15V606000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, front, wheel bearingJun 3, 2015
The Timken Company (Timken) is recalling certain aftermarket front wheel bearings, part number 510072, sold from January 22, 2015, to May 21, 2015, to be used as service parts on 2001-2012 Ford Escape, 2001-2011 Mazda Tribute, and 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles. The affected wheel bearings have incorrect dimensions of a 42mm bore, 76mm outer dimension, and 39mm width, instead of a 42mm bore, 78mm outer dimension and a 45mm width.
Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Timken has begun notifying distributors who will offer purchasers replacement wheel bearings, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2015. Owners may contact Timken customer service at 1-866-984-6536.
Campaign 15E045000 on NHTSA.gov
Hybrid propulsion systemSep 3, 2014
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 Ford Escape hybrid electric vehicles manufactured October 13, 2003, to June 20, 2008, and 2006-2008 Mercury Mariner hybrid electric vehicles manufactured June 10, 2005, to June 20, 2008. The coolant pump for the hybrid system may fail resulting in the hybrid electronics overheating.
If the hybrid electronics system overheats, it may shut down the powertrain, resulting in a stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the original Motor Electronics Coolant (MEC) Pump with an improved brushless pump, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on October 27, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S19.
Campaign 14V526000 on NHTSA.gov
Seats, front assembly, head restraintApr 7, 2006
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITHOUT SIDE AIR CURTAINS OR MOONROOFS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." DURING TESTING, THE FREE MOTION HEAD FORM REGISTERED A MEASUREMENT ABOVE THE PERMITTED LIMIT AT THE LEFT HAND A-PILLAR TRIM AREA.
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, PERSONAL INJURY TO OCCUPANTS MAY OCCUR.
DEALERS WILL MAKE MODIFICATIONS TO THE ENERGY ABSORBING MATERIAL LOCATED ABOVE THE HEADLINER IN THE AFFECTED AREA FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 19, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Campaign 06V111000 on NHTSA.gov
Latches/locks/linkages, doors, latchDec 20, 2004
CERTAIN 2004-2005 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND CERTAIN 2001-2003 SPORT UTIITY VEHICLE HAVING REAR LIFTGATE COMPONENTS SERVICED WITH 2004 EQUIVALENT COMPONENTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 206, 'DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS.' THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCHING SYSTEM DOES NOT MEET THE INERTIA LOAD REQUIREMENT IN ONE DIRECTION.
IF THE LIFTGATE IS LEFT UNLOCKED, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL THAT IT MAY OPEN DURING A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH RELEASE ROD, THE RELEASE ROD ATTACHMENT CLIP AND THE DOOR HANDLE RETURN SPRING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Campaign 04V602000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: electrical system
169 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 27, 2011
THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND WOULD NOT START. I RECEIVED WARNINGS ON THE DASH AND THE INFORMATION PANEL STATING TO SLOW TO A STOP AND SERVICE THE BRAKES. I WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE AFTER DISCONNECTING THE BATTERY AND EVERYTHING OPERATED NORMALLY. AFTER GETTING HOME AND RUNNING DIAGNOSTICS EVERYTHING CAME BACK NORMAL. LATER THAT DAY THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AGAIN WITH THE SAME WARNINGS AND IT WAS MORE AND MORE DIFFICULT TO GET THE VEHICLE WORKING AGAIN. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THE 12V BATTERY SEEMED TO BE LEAKING SO I INSPECTED AND CLEANED IT. THE NEXT DAY (MONDAY) I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE FORD DEALER AND EXPLAINED THE PROBLEMS INCLUDING THE LEAKING BATTERY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE 12 V BATTERY UNDER WARRANTY AND SAID MY PROBLEMS SHOULD BE FIXED BUT THEY WOULD CHECK FOR FAULT CODES. THE DEALER FOUND ADDITIONAL PROBLEMS WITH THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM BUT COULD NOT IMMEDIATELY DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE. THE CAR WAS LEFT FOR ANOTHER DAY AND EVENTUALLY I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS MOST LIKELY THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT (HCU) WITH WAS APPROXIMATELY A $4500 PART. I HAVE READ STORIES ONLINE THAT THIS IS A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL YEAR ESCAPE HYBRID AND FORD IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE BUT NOT DOING ANYTHING TO CORRECT IT OTHER THAN MAKING THE OWNERS BUY $4500 REPLACEMENT PARTS. *TT
Electrical system, Jul 22, 2011
THE PCM MODULE ON THE FORD ESCAPE DIES DURING OPERATION. WHILE DRIVING IN MID TRANSIT THE CAR DIED, AND WOULD NOT RESTART IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I HAVE HEARD OTHER STORIES OF PEOPLE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, AND HAVING THIS PROBLEM HAPPEN TO THEM GOING 60,70, AND EVEN 80 MPH. MINE WAS ONLY GOING ABOUT 30, AND NO CARS WERE BEHIND ME. THE MODULE HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE, AND COULD BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS IF DIED ON A BUSY HIGHWAY OR INTERSTATE. *TT
Electrical system, Jun 16, 2011
ON SEVERAL AT LEAST 12 OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 30-65 MPH THE CAR (2005 FORD ESCAPE) STUBBLES AND THE THEFT LIGHT APPEARS. IN ONE CASE WE WERE ABOUT TO PASS A VEHICLE ON A TWO LANE HIGHWAY AND HAD TO BRAKE AND SWERVE SUDDENLY TO AVOID A HEAD-ON COLLISION. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO FORD SEVERAL TIMES AND NO CODES WERE FOUND AND THEY HAVE STILL NOT ADDRESSED THE PROBLEM. I DID SOME RESEARCH WHICH APPEARS THAT THE PCM IS LIKELY DAMAGED DUE TO A RF ISSUE WITH THE INCORRECT SPARK PLUGS BEING INSTALLED ON THE EARLY MANUFACTURED 2005 FORD ESCAPES. UNFORTUNATELY FORD WILL NOT DOING ANYTHING UNTIL THE COMPUTER ACTUALLY IS DESTROYED, WHICH ALSO FRIES THE COILS (APPROX. $3,000). DEALERSHIPS WILL NOT DO ANYTHING FOR US AND THE CORPORATE OFFICE TOLD US THE SAME. WE NOW HAVE A LOW MILEAGE VEHICLE THAT CANNOT BE TRUSTED SAFELY THAT CANNOT BE FIXED WITHOUT SPENDING $3,000+ FOR A PROBLEM THAT FORD HAS KNOWN ABOUT FOR SEVERAL YEARS. *TR
Steering, Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, May 23, 2011
I AM A WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER AND WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 4.5 HOURS AWAY FROM HOME TO SHOOT A WEDDING I HAD PROBLEMS ABOUT 2 HOURS INTO MY TRIP. I WAS ON INTERSTATE 20 JUST OUTSIDE OF COLUMBIA, SC. I WAS IN THE LEFT HAND LANE BEHIND A SEMI TRUCK, THERE WAS ANOTHER SEMI TRUCK IN THE RIGHT LANE BESIDE ME AND BEHIND ME I HAD A LARGE VAN. I WAS GOING ABOUT 65-70 WHEN SUDDENLY, THE CAR LOST ALL POWER INCLUDING THE STEERING AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS BLINKED ON. I SOMEHOW REGAINED CONTROL OF THE CAR BY SHIFTING IN NEUTRAL AND RESTARTING. I HATE TO THINK WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED HAD I NOT BEEN ABLE TO REACT AS FAST AS I DID AS THE VAN BEHIND ME HAD TO SLAM ON HIS BREAKS TO KEEP FROM HITTING ME. ONCE THE SEMI TRUCK WAS CLEARED OF THE RIGHT LANE I GOT OVER AND TURNED ON MY FLASHERS. SINCE I HAD IT RUNNING I WAS TOO SCARED TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE. I GOT TO MY NEAREST EXIT AND PULLED OVER. I TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS WENT OFF EXCEPT THE ABS AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. I RESTARTED AND DROVE ABOUT A MILE TO A MECHANIC. THEY COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING WRONG BUT HEARD THE MISFIRE. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO CLASSIC FORD IN COLUMBIA, SC. I HAD TO RENT A CAR TO FINISH MY TRIP AS I COULDN'T LET DOWN A COUPLE ABOUT TO BE MARRIED. I JUST GOT THE ESTIMATE TO THE TUNE OF OVER $2700.00. IT'S THE PCM MODULE ALONG WITH COIL, SPARK PLUGS AND A FEW OTHER THINGS. I AM NOW DEBATING ABOUT WEATHER TO FIX IT OR NOT AS ALL THE REVIEWS I HAVE READ IT SEEMS LIKE PEOPLE CONTINUE TO HAVE PROBLEMS AFTER IT'S FIXED. IT SOUNDS LIKE FORD REALLY NEEDS TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO FIX THIS CHRONIC PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE DIES IN AN ACCIDENT.
Electrical system, May 14, 2011
2005 FORD ESCAPE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE CAR CUT OUT, CAUSING A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE GARAGE TO BE REPAIRED. THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST SAID IT WAS THE COILS. THE COILS WERE REPAIRED AND THE CAR CONTINUED TO MISFIRE. IT WAS LATER KNOWN THAT THE COMPUTER WAS FRIED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. AFTER SOME INTERNET RESEARCH, IT APPEARS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE FORD ESCAPE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, May 12, 2011
EMAIL FROM THE OFFICE OF CONGRESSMAN REID RIBBLE ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT, RE PROBLEMS WITH HER 2005 FORD ESCAPE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. *JB
Electrical system, May 8, 2011
WE WERE DRIVING FROM PA TO GA FOR A WEDDING IN MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE. I HAVE 65,000 MILES ON MY ESCAPE. THE ENTIRE CAR LOST ALL POWER...NO POWER STEERING, GAS, ABS, ETC. ALL OF THE WARNING LIGHTS IN THE CAR CAME ON AND WE LOST EVERYTHING GOING 75 ON A HIGHWAY IN N.C. WE WERE ABLE TO GET TO A SERVICE STATION WHO THEN REPLACED 2 COILS AND 2 SPARK PLUGS. THEN THEY REALIZED THAT THE ENTIRE COMPUTER WAS DEAD, THE "PCM". FORD SAID THEY WERE ON BACKORDER SO IT WOULD BE ABOUT A WEEK, AS THEY "MOVED US TO THE FRONT OF THE LINE". WE HAD TO RENT A CAR FOR A WEEK WHILE WE WAITED FOR THE PART...FINISHING OUR TRIP TO GA FOR THE WEDDING, THEN BACK UP TO PA THE NEXT DAY (OUR HOME). WE HAD TO GO BACK TO N.C. IN THE RENTAL CAR (ANOTHER 114 HOURS ROUND TRIP) TO EXCHANGE CARS BACK WHEN MINE WAS FINALLY FIXED. THE FORD DEALER REPLACED THE PCM BUT AT THE SAME TIME SAID THAT THERE WAS ANOTHER COIL BAD...ANOTHER $350 ON TOP OF THE $750 I ALREADY PAID (PLUS $400 FOR THE RENTAL CAR). AFTER LOOKING ONLINE, I HAVE REALIZED THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE...AND TO EXPECT THE COILS AND COMPUTER TO GO OUT AGAIN, EVEN AFTER REPLACING THEM. APPARENTLY THE 2005 ESCAPE WAS MADE WITH A FAULTY COIL PACK, AND THEY KNOW ABOUT IT. WHEN CALLING FORD, THEY JUST SAY, "SORRY ABOUT THAT, THERE ISN'T ANYTHING WE CAN DO". THERE ARE 6 COILS IN THE ESCAPE...I HAVE NOW HAD 3 REPLACED...WHEN THE OTHERS GO OUT, IT IS EXPECTED THAT THE PCM WILL ALSO GO OUT. I AM NOW AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR, AS I DO NOT TRUST IT...I NEVER KNOW WHEN I MAY LOSE POWER. WE WERE "LUCKY" THAT SOMETHING WORSE DID NOT HAPPEN, AS MY SON WAS ALSO IN THE CAR WITH US. *TR
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Apr 14, 2011
E.C.M. WENT OUT, AND IN MY RESEARCH TO FIND A REMANUFACTURED BRAIN I DISCOVERED ALOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PART. I ALSO FOUND OUT THAT THE PART FOR MY CAR IS NOT AVAILABLE AS REMANUFACTURED. MY CAR IS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE SPORT. THE COST FOR THIS PART IS VERY EXPENSIVE... *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Apr 3, 2011
WHILE DRIVING OUR 2005 FORD ESCAPE, WE WERE ON THE HIGHWAY, IN THE ACCELERATION LANE, TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 45 MILES AN HOUR ACCELERATING UP TO 55, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUTTERED, AND THEN DIED, THE CHECK ENGINE, OVERDRIVE, ABS, AND AIRBAG LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE CONSOLE. I HAD TO HIT THE HAZARD LIGHTS AND PUT THE VEHICLE INTO NEUTRAL NARROWLY AVOIDING BEING HIT BY A TRACTOR TRAILER TRUCK. I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER. I ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND WHILE IT RESTARTED IT WAS MISFIRING AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO MOVE UNDER ITS OWN POWER. WE WERE ON THE SIDE OF A HIGHWAY WITH OUR 4 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IN THE CAR DURING MORNING RUSH HOUR. THANKFULLY WE WERE NOT HIT AND KILLED BY THIS FORD ENGINE FAILURE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Mar 2, 2011
THE PROBLEM IS WHEN DRIVING 2005 FORD ESCAPE THE ENGINE CUTS OUT. WHEN DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 5 AT 60 MPH THE ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF AND THEN START BACK UP. THE THEFT LIGHT LIGHTS UP WHEN THIS HAPPENS. ALSO, AT ANY SPEEDS THE ENGINE WILL CUT OUT. EXAMPLE IS WHEN AT STOP SIGN AT INTERSECTION OR CROSS STREET, WHILE IN DRIVE AND PROCEEDING ACROSS INTERSECTION THE CARS ENGINE AND ALL ELECTRICAL WILL TURN OFF. I WILL THEN HAVE TO SHIFT CAR INTO NEUTRAL AND RESTART CAR AND THEN SHIFT INTO DRIVE AND PROCEED ACROSS INTERSECTION HOPEFULLY WITHOUT GETTING HIT FROM OTHER CARS. THIS HAS HAPPENED WITH A CAR FULL OF GRANDCHILDREN ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CARS ENGINE CUT OUT HAPPENS AT GREATER OCCURRENCES WHEN DRIVING UP INCLINES.
Electrical system, Feb 10, 2011
I HAVE HAD RECENT PROBLEMS WITH A ROUGH RUNNING ENGINE ON MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE. HAD THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED AS A FAULTY PCM COMPUTER. REPAIR SHOP TRIED TO GET THE COMPUTER REBUILT, BUT COULD GET NO HELP. FORD INFORMED US THAT COMPUTERS ARE ON BACKORDER FOR 2 TO 3 MONTHS. FORD RELEASED A BULLETIN DESCRIBING THE NEED TO REPLACE ALL SPARK PLUGS AND IGNITION COILS TO PREVENT PCM DAMAGE. IT SEEMS TO ME FORD HAS ADMITTED TO THIS PROBLEM, YET OFFERS NO HELP. MANY OTHER OWNERS HAVE STARTED TO SEE THE SAME PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE OCCURRING IN MANY MORE 2005 MODELS, RESULTING IN MANY VERY COSTLY REPAIRS. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Feb 8, 2011
IN DECEMBER 2010, MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE LIMITED STARTING MISFIRING AT 79,000 MILES AND THE SERVICE EMISSIONS SYSTEM MESSAGE CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY COULDN'T GET THE LIGHT TO COME BACK ON OR ANY ERROR CODES TO APPEAR. THE NEXT DAY, THE MISFIRING HAPPENED AGAIN AND THE FORD DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSED IT AS A BAD PRC COMPUTER. FORD REPLACED THE MAIN COMPUTER, UNDER WARRANTY, AT ABOUT 79,900 MILES. THE MISFIRE WENT AWAY FOR ABOUT 3 WEEKS AND THEN RECURRED AT 82,000 MILES. THIS TIME, THE CAR DRAMATICALLY LOST POWER, WILL NOT PROPERLY SHIFT INTO GEAR, SHAKES WHEN IDLING AND MAXES OUT AT ABOUT 30 MPH ON ANY HILL. THE SERVICE EMISSIONS MESSAGE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ARE CONSTANTLY ON. I TOOK IT TO THE SAME FORD DEALERSHIP AND THEY STATED THE COIL PACKS ARE ALL MISFIRING AND CAUSING THE MAIN COMPUTER TO FRY. THEY STATED THAT ALL 6 COILS NEED REPLACED AT A COST OF $900, AND THE MAIN COMPUTER ALSO NEEDS REPLACED AGAIN. THE COMPUTER REPLACEMENT WILL BE FREE, BECAUSE IT WAS JUST REPLACED 3 WEEKS AGO WHEN THE PART WAS STILL COVERED UNDER AN 80,000 MILE WARRANTY. THE REGULAR COST TO REPLACE THE COMPUTER WOULD HAVE BEEN AROUND $950. *TR
Electrical system, Feb 4, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 45 TO 50 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED TO HESITATE AND THEN IT STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE COMPUTER DUE TO THE COMPUTER SINCE IT BURNED OUT AND THE IGNITION KEYS WERE ALSO REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COST OF $1000. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE WARRANTY WAS NOT VALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000. UPDATED 04/07/11*LJ THE MECHANIC STATED THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE LOW VOLTAGE SPARK PLUGS WERE THE ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED. UPDATED 04/25/11
Electrical system, Feb 4, 2011
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE COMPUTER SHUT DOWN CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE COMPUTER BURNED ITSELF OUT AND SHOULD BE REPLACED. THE REPAIR WILL INCLUDE REPLACING THE COMPUTER, SIX COIL PACKS AND SIX SPARK PLUGS AT A COST TO THE CONTACT OF $2000. THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR WARRANTIES FOR THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
Electrical system, Feb 1, 2011
1ST TIME(2008)53,972 MILES, STILL UNDER WARRANTY, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, WAS RUNNING ROUGH TOOK IN DIAGNOSED AS FAULTY COIL, REPLACED COIL & SPARK PLUG FOR $741.00 2ND TIME CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, RUNNING ROUGH, MISSING, PARKED CAR FOR LITTLE BIT THEN CAR STARTED UP & RAN FINE, TOOK INTO SERVICE & THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG BUT SUGGESTED WE REPLACE ALL COILS & SPARK PLUGS THIS TIME FOR $1500.00 W, CHARGED US $70.00 WE CHOSE TO HAVE OUR MECHANIC CHECK IT @$40.00 & HE COULDN'T GET ANY READINGS REGARDING REPLACING COILS,- 3RD TIME CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AUTO MISFIRING, RUNNING ROUGH, ENGINE QUIT WHILE DRIVING AT 50MPH, WAS ABLE TO COAST CAR OFF OF HIGHWAY & PARK IT ON SIDE OF ROAD. CALLED OUR MECHANIC & HE CAME OVER AND DIAGNOSED CAR AS FAULTY PCM $200.00 HAD CAR TOWED AT OUR EXPENSE BACK TO FORD WHERE THEIR TECHS CONFIRMED IT WAS A FAULTY PCM & NOT FAULTY COILS AFTER MANY CALLS WITH FORD, FORD AGREED TO REPLACE PCM CAUSE THEY SAID IT WAS INDEED UNDER WARRANTY WHICH I AT FIRST WAS TOLD IT WASN'T COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *LN
Electrical system, Jan 15, 2011
WHILE DRIVING ON US HIGHWAY IN THE EVENING, 2005 FORD ESCAPE XLT SUDDENLY STARTED VIBRATING, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT LIT AND THEN ALL OTHER LIGHTS ON THE DASH FLASHED AS VEHICLE LOST POWER BUT WAS ABLE COAST TO A STOP ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THIS WAS A DANGEROUS SITUATION AS VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITHOUT ANY INDICATION TO THE VEHICLES FOLLOWING THIS VEHICLE THAT IT WAS GOING TO SUDDENLY DECREASE SPEED AND STOP. FORTUNATELY VEHICLE FOLLOWING WAS ABLE TO PASS SAFELY. VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. CODE P0353 WAS INDICATED AND TSB 10-18-10 WAS USED TO SERVICE VEHICLE. ALL 6 COPS WERE REPLACED ALONG WITH PCM. VEHICLE STILL DID NOT OPERATE PROPERLY AND ON INSPECTION BY TECH, CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS FOUND TO BE PLUGGED AND WAS REPLACED. PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, VEHICLE WAS OPERATING NORMALLY AND HAD APPROX. 45,000 MILES ON IT. *TR
Electrical system, Jan 14, 2011
2005 FOR ESCAPE LIMITED EDITION WAS PASSING ANOTHER CAR ON A TWO LANE ROAD WHEN THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ONE. HAD TO ALMOST STOP GOING THE WRONG WAY ON A TWO LANE ROAD SO THE CARS GOING THE SAME DIRECTION AS ME COULD PAS SO I COULD GET BACK IN THE CORRECT LANE AND PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HAD THE CODES CHECKED AND TWO OF THE 6 COILS WERE SHOWING UP AS HAVING ISSUES. CODE WERE P0352 PO354 THERE IS A TSB FROM FORD TSB 10-18-10. I HAVE REPLACED THE COILS AND THE ISSUE STILL IS THROUGH THE CODES FOR THE COILS. ACCORDING THE TSB THERE COULD BE INTERFERENCE WITH THE PCM FROM THE COILS AND PLUGS. THE CONSEQUENCES OF THIS ISSUE IS THAT IF I HAD NOT BEEN OBSERVANT AND CAUGHT THIS BEFORE ANOTHER CAR COMING AT ME WAS CLOSER THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A HEAD ON COLLISION BECAUSE OF LOSS OF POWER FROM THIS SITUATION. I HAVE NOT REPLACED THE PCM OR HAD AN OSCILLOSCOPE TO CHECK THE PCM AT THIS POINT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Dec 22, 2010
ON 3/17/2009, AFTER WASHING THE VEHICLE AT A CAR WASH, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. THE VEHICLE LATER STOPPED RUNNING AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY HAD IT FOR 3 DAYS AND SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. WE WERE CHARGED WITHOUT PRIOR NOTIFICATION. ON 9/01/2010, THE FUEL FILTER WAS REPLACED AT THE SAME DEALERSHIP. ON THE WAY HOME, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. IT STOPPED RUNNING IN TRAFFIC AND WE WERE ALMOST HIT. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER ON 9/07/2010 TO BE LOOKED AT AT THE ADVICE OF FORD. THEY FOUND A FAULTY WATER PUMP, REPLACED IT AND A FILTER, AND WE WERE TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. ON 9/09/2010, THE VEHICLE ONCE AGAIN OVERHEATED, STRANDING US AGAIN. IT WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER, WHERE THEY RESET THE COMPUTER AND AGAIN TOLD US IT WAS FIXED. ON 11/23/2010, IT WAS RAINING AND AGAIN THE VEHICLE STALLED, BUT WE WERE ABLE TO RETURN HOME. ON 12/17/2010, THE REPAIR ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON, AND WE HAVEN'T DRIVEN IT SINCE.
Electrical system, Nov 16, 2010
SMART JUNCTION BOX FAILURE. PART# 5L8Z15604GA THIS PART CONTROLS MANY OF THE ELECTRONIC ELEMENTS OF THE VEHICLE; DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS, HAZARD LIGHTS INSTRUMENT PANEL, HORN, LOCKS, WINDOWS, SECURITY SYSTEM. VARIOUS ELECTRICAL ELEMENTS FAIL INTERMITTENTLY BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECTIVE PART. THE PART IS ON BACK-ORDER AND CONTINUES TO BE PUSHED TO A LATER DATE. AS OF 11/16, THE PART IS ON BACK-ORDER UNTIL JAN 17, 2011. I HAVE SEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE, AND SEE THAT THE PART HAS BEEN ON BACK-ORDER SINCE (AT LEAST) AUGUST 2010. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A HIGH DEMAND FOR THIS PART, OR IT IS BEING REDESIGNED AND FORD IS TRYING TO AVOID A RECALL. *TR
Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Visibility, Latches/locks/linkages, Interior lighting, Oct 21, 2010
I AM WRITING IN CONCERNS TO A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS FAILED TO ADDRESS. I AM AN OWNER OF A 2005 FORD ESCAPE WHICH I PURCHASED NEW IN NOVEMBER OF 2004. I HAVE BEEN WAITING TWO MONTHS TO HAVE A FAULTY ELECTRICAL PART, THE SMART JUNCTION BOX, REPLACED. SINCE AUGUST 23RD MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN UNSAFE TO OPERATE WITHOUT THIS PART AS MY TURN SIGNALS, HEAD LIGHTS, AND HAZARD LIGHTS ARE INOPERABLE, AS WELL AS POWER WINDOWS, INTERIOR AND DASH LIGHTS, POWER LOCKS, RADIO AND CLOCK DISPLAY AND MY ABILITY TO UNLATCH THE REAR DOOR. AFTER RESEARCHING THE INFORMATION MYSELF I WAS FORCED TO WAIT ANOTHER WEEK TO BE SCHEDULED TO HAVE MY VEHICLE SCHEDULED FOR REPAIR. ON SEPT. 7TH THE FORD MECHANIC CONFIRMED THE PART I TOLD HIM I NEEDED WAS CORRECT AND SAID PART WAS ON BACK ORDER AND SHOULD BE AVAILABLE IN TWO WEEKS. ON SEPT.21ST, I CALLED TO ASK IF THE PART WAS AVAILABLE. IT WAS THEN THAT THE MECHANIC SAID THAT HE NEGLECTED TO MENTION THE PART WOULD NOT BE ORDERED UNLESS I PAID IN ADVANCE. I PAID FOR THE PART ON SEPT23. ON SEPT. 29TH THE GENERAL MANAGER AT WORDEN-MARTIN CALLED TO SAY THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO. I ASKED IF IT WERE POSSIBLE TO HAVE A USED PART PUT IN TEMPORARILY WHILE I WAIT. I RECEIVED A REPLY THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $350 TO HAVE THAT PART PUT IN WITH NO GUARANTEE THAT THE PART WOULD FUNCTION PROPERLY AND NO COMPENSATION IF THE REPLACEMENT PART WERE TO FAIL. NOT WANTING TO THROW AWAY $350 FOR A FAULTY PART, I FELT I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO WAIT ANOTHER WEEK FOR THE PART TO ARRIVE. AFTER WAITING TWO WEEKS I NEVER RECEIVED A CALL, SO I CALLED THE DEALER TO INQUIRE ON THE PART. I WAS TOLD THE PART MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL OCT. 25TH. I CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY'S CUSTOMER SERVICE WHO TOLD ME IT WAS THEIR DISTRIBUTOR AND NOT FORD'S RESPONSIBILITY AND THE PART SHOULD BE AVAILABLE BE AVAILABLE OCT. 15TH BECAUSE THE PART, ORDERED BY MANY, WAS BEING REDESIGNED. ON OCT. 19TH I CALLED AGAIN AND WAS TOLD THE PART MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL NOVEMBER. *TR
Power train, Electrical system, Oct 14, 2010
I OWN A 2005 FORD ESCAPE AND HAVE NUMEROUS ISSUES SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN NOVEMBER 2004. THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED AND ONE COIL PACK. THROUGHOUT THE TIME I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE THE THEFT LIGHT COMES ON AND TRIED TO SHUT THE VEHICLE DOWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING (40+MPH). IT CLEARED FOR A LITTLE WHILE AFTER THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED, THEN IT RETURNED. FORD CHANGED ONE IGNITION COIL AND SAID THAT IF WE CHANGED THE SPARK PLUGS IT WOULD PROBABLY FIX THE THEFT SHUT DOWN PROBLEM. WELL WE CHANGED THE SPARK PLUGS AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TRYING TO SHUT DOWN THE VEHICLE WHILE I WAS DRIVING(40+MPH). NOW THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START AT ALL. THERE IS JUICE FROM THE BATTERY, ALL THE LIGHTS AND RADIO COME ON, BUT THE CAR REFUSES TO TURN OVER. WE HAVE CHECKED EVERYTHING POSSIBLE, INCLUDING: THE BATTERY, FUSES, AND HAVING IT TESTED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC. THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM OR FORD PATS II SYSTEM SEEMS TO BE DEFECTIVE WHICH ALSO BE CONNECTED TO THE PCM. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE 2005 FORD ESCAPE PATS II SYSTEM AND PCM. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN FORCED. THE 2005 FORD ESCAPE WERE INITIALLY RELEASED WITH THE WRONG SPARK PLUGS WHICH CAUSES DAMAGE AND THEY DID NOT RECALL THE SPARK PLUGS. WITH THESE VERY EVIDENT MANUFACTURER DEFECTS, AND TSBS THAT HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED THROUGH FORD - THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL AND ITEMS REPAIRED. CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY TO FIX THE PROBLEMS THAT FORD CAUSED AND WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR. MY VEHICLE IS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE XLT V6 3.0L PURCHASED AT UKIAH FORD LINCOLN MERCURY IN UKIAH, CALIFORNIA. *TR
Electrical system, Sep 16, 2010, fire
MY WIFE WAS GOING TO THE BANK IN OUR 2005 FORD ESCAPE WITH 39150 MILES. SHE HEARD A NOISE AND STOPPED TO SEE IF SHE HAD A FLAT. EVERYTHING SEEMED OK SO SHE CONTINUED ON. BEFORE GOING ONE BLOCK THE DASH WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON SO SHE DROVE AROUND THE BLOCK AND PARKED THE CAR IN THE GARAGE. UPON EXITING SHE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD AREA. WHILE SHE WAS TRYING TO CALL ME AT WORK, MORE SMOKE BEGAN POURING OUT, SHE HEARD A POP AND FLAMES AND SMOKE BEGAN COMING OUT. A NEIGHBOR SAW WHAT WAS GOING ON AND CALLED 911. THANKFULLY THE PROMPT RESPONSE OF THE FIRE DEPT. LIMITED THE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND THE HOME ONLY SUFFERED SMOKE DAMAGE. WE ARE CURRENTLY LIVING IN A MOTEL WHILE THE HOUSE GETS CLEANED. THE ESCAPE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. UPDATED 11/03/10*JB *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, May 12, 2010
WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF BY ITSELF. IF IT WERE NOT 5:30 IN THE MORNING I MAY HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT OR BEEN KILLED. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT, BUT THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IT RAN VERY HARD. IT THEN GAVE ME A SERVICE EMISSIONS WARNING. THE MECHANIC STATES THAT ALL 6 SPARK PLUGS AND 6 COILS NEED REPLACED AND THAT THE COMPUTER SYSTEM WAS FRIED (SMV).FURTHERMORE, HE STATED THAT IT WAS AN ERROR IN MANUFACTURING IN REGARDS TO THE SPARK PLUG INSTALLATION. I NOW FIND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2005 FORD ESCAPES BUT NO RECALLS OR NOTICES HAVE BEEN MADE. *TR
Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 4, 2010
I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID APRIL 1, 2010, WEST BOUND ON I-90 IN MASSACHUSETTS BETWEEN STURBRIDGE AND CHICOPEE WHEN THE FIRST INCIDENT HAPPENED. THE "CONTROL MODULE" DISPLAYED A "STOP SAFELY NOW" MESSAGE AND THEN PROCEEDED TO SHUT DOWN THE VEHICLE. I WAS FORCED, WITHOUT POWER, TO TRAVERSE 3 LANES OF HIGH SPEED, HIGH VOLUME TRAFFIC, TO THE SHOULDER. I WAS FRIGHTENED FOR MY LIFE AT THE TIME. SINCE THE FIRST OCCURRENCE, THE SAME "STOP SAFELY NOW" MESSAGE AND VEHICLE SHUT-DOWN REPEATED SEVERAL MORE TIMES, BEFORE I TOOK IT IN TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT - SUNNYSIDE FORD, IN HOLDEN MA. THEY HAVE HAD IT NOW SINCE APRIL 14TH 2010 AND ARE UNABLE TO REPAIR. AFTER FIRST REPLACING A MOTOR ELECTRONICS (MEC) PUMP, THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN WORSE - INDEED, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT DRIVE AT ALL BEFORE RECEIVING THE "STOP SAFELY NOW" AND VEHICLE SHUTDOWN MESSAGE. MY INDEPENDENT ONLINE RESEARCH HAS PROVIDED MUCH INFORMATION FROM OWNERS OF THE SAME FORD ESCAPE HYBRID, WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME OR CLOSE TO THE SAME SET OF PROBLEMS. ON APRIL 30TH 2010, I WROTE A LETTER TO SUNNYSIDE FORD'S SERVICE MANAGER, OUTLINING MY FINDINGS AND ASKING FOR A FORD CERTIFIED HYBRID ENGINEER TO INTERVENE IN MY VEHICLE'S REPAIR. THERE HAVE BEEN MANY, NOW INCLUDING MYSELF, WHO FEEL THE UNDERLYING PROBLEM IS A DESIGN ISSUE. I HAVE ONLY 23,250 MILES ON IT, WAY TOO EARLY FOR THE CAR TO BE HAVING MECHANICAL FAILURE DUE TO USAGE ALONE. ITS THE FACT THAT WHEN THE PROBLEM ARISES, THAT THE CONTROL MODULE (PCM) SHUTS DOWN THE VEHICLE THAT MAKES THIS A SAFETY ISSUE. ITS JUST A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE IS IN OR CAUSES A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, IF IT HAS NOT ALREADY HAPPENED. THE FORD ESCAPE HYBRID SHOULD UNDERGO A FORD RECALL AND RE-DESIGN ON THE ENTIRE ELECTRONICS OVERLAY, TO PERMANENTLY FIX THE ISSUE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Mar 30, 2010, fire
VEHICLE FIRE ON 2005 FORD ESCAPE (VIN [XXX]) ON 3/23/2010, I NOTICED THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY (WHEN DRIVING) BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH. (LIKE A SPARK PLUG HAD FAILED). WE IMMEDIATELY PULLED INTO A GAS STATION AND INSPECTED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT (FOR BROKEN BELTS AND THE LIKE) NO OBVIOUS ISSUE WAS OBSERVED. WHEN I STARTED THE VEHICLE AGAIN, I NOTICED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. IMMEDIATELY I DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME AND CONTACTED A SERVICE GARAGE. I WAS ON MY WAY TO TAKE THE VEHICLE INTO SERVICE WHEN I NOTICED AN ELECTRICAL SMELL. I PULLED INTO THE NEXT GAS STATION, OPENED THE HOOD, AND NOTICED A SMALL FIRE LOCATED AT THE #1 CYLINDER COIL PACK. I USED THE GAS STATION FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. CAR WAS TOWED THE REST OF THE WAY TO THE GARAGE. CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN NO MORE THAN 10 MILES AFTER FIRST SIGN OF FAILURE. FIRE WAS SMALL ENOUGH TO NOT INVOLVE POLICE OR FIRE DEPARTMENTS, SO NO FIRE OR POLICE REPORT IS AVAILABLE. NO ONE WAS INJURED AND NO PROPERTY DAMAGE OCCURRED OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. GARAGE SAID THAT IF I HAD LIMITED THE DAMAGE BY EXTINGUISHING THE FIRE WHEN I DID. GARAGE REPLACED COIL PACK, WIRE PIGTAIL (MELTED), AND INTAKE MANIFOLD (ALSO MELTED BY FIRE). OLD PARTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. CAR WAS REPAIRED BUT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AFTER 50 MILES. CARE WAS IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF AND WILL BE TOWED BACK TO GARAGE. FAILURE CODE IS P0351. (SAME COIL THAT WAS REPLACED IS SHOWING BAD AGAIN) CAR HAD APPROX 117,000 MILES ON IT WHEN FIRE TOOK PLACE. NO OTHER MAJOR SERVICE EVENTS IN ITS LIFETIME. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR