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: power train
126 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Nov 21, 2011
DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY WHEN ENGINE FAILED, LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO GET RESTARTED & DRIVE INTO TOWN 10 MILES. ONLY ABLE TO DRIVE 40 MPH WHILE MOTOR SPUTTERED & TRIED TO DIE WHEN STOPPED AT LIGHT. TOWED TO AUTO REPAIR LOT & TOLD HAD 3 IGNITION COILS BAD. COMPUTER CHECK LATER REVEALED PCM BAD IN 3 SPOTS & WILL COST $700 TO REPAIR. OTHER MODELS HAVE HAD RECALLS & SO SHOULD THE 2005 FOR THE PCM. OWNERS SHOULD NOT BE FORCED TO HAVE SUCH EXPENSE, IF PART IS KNOWN TO FAIL.....NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FILED ON-LINE ABOUT 2005 FORD ESCAPES. WITH 2 MINOR CHILDREN, I CANNOT AFFORD TO LOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING, OR WILL HAVE A MAJOR TRAFFIC ACCIDENT. I WAS LUCKY IN THIS CASE & WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER FORD. IF FORD KNOWS OF THE PROBLEM, PLEASE HOLD THEM RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS!! IT WILL TAKE OVER A MONTH TO GET THE PCM REMANUFACTURED & RE-INSTALLED. WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DRIVE IN THE MEAN TIME? *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Nov 12, 2011
THIS 2005 ESCAPE FAILED WHEN DRIVING THROUGH THE MOUNTAINS IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. FORD HAS DOCUMENTED THAT SPARK PLUGS INSTALLED BY FORD AT THE FACTORY CAN CAUSE ALL COILS AND THE PCM TO FAIL AS THEY DID IN THIS CASE. THREE TSB'S HAVE BEEN GENERATED RELATED TO THIS PROBLEM. MY CAR WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY AT APPROXIMATELY 60000 MILES AND THE PLUGS WERE NOT CHECKED AND REPLACED AS REQUIRED IN THE FORD TSB'S. THIS WAS AN EXPENSIVE $2300 + REPAIR THAT FORD SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR. GOOD FAITH WAS NOT DEMONSTRATED IN SOLVING THIS PROBLEM AND FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR RESPONSIBILITY. *TR
Power train, Nov 8, 2011
THERE WAS A LEAK OF SOME FLUID NOTED IN MY DRIVEWAY, AND A REQUEST WAS MADE FOR THE DEALER TO INVESTIGATE DURING THE NEXT ROUTINE SERVICE. NO LEAK WAS FOUND. *TR AT 110,000 MILES, DURING ROUTINE SERVICE, A LEAK WAS NOTICED BY THE MECHANIC, BUT NO SOURCE WAS FOUND. SOME TIME AFTER THAT, A NOISE BEGAN TO DEVELOP IN THE FRONT END. AT 120,000 MILES, THE NOISE WAS SEVERE, AND AN INSPECTION DETERMINED THAT THE PTU WAS FAILING. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS OKAY TO DRIVE UNTIL THE PART ARRIVED. THE NOISE GOT WORSE WITHIN A FEW HUNDRED MILES, CHANGED TO A VIBRATION, AND THEN AN OCCASIONAL CLUNKING NOISE. I STOPPED DRIVING THE VEHICLE, AWAITING THE REPLACEMENT PART. I HAVE SINCE BECOME AWARE OF TSB 09-4-4 MAR 09 DRIVETRAIN - FLUID LEAK FROM PTU VENT. I FEEL THAT THIS MAY HAVE BEEN THE SOURCE OF THE REPORTED LEAK, AND THAT LOSS OF FLUID IN THE PTU LED TO THE FAILURE OF THE PTU, WHICH ONLY HOLDS 12 OUNCES OF FLUID. THIS LEAKAGE SHOULD HAVE BEEN DETECTED BY THE DEALER, AND THE LOSS OF MY PTU MIGHT HAVE BEEN PREVENTED. THESE PTUS FAIL PREMATURELY, AND ARE CONSISTENTLY ON BACK ORDER. MY DEALER HAD ANOTHER UNIT IN FOR THE SAME PTU REPLACEMENT WHEN I PICKED MINE UP AFTER THE REPAIR, AND ACKNOWLEDGES REPLACING MANY. FORD SHOULD COVER THE COST OF THE REPLACEMENT PTU, A SIMPLE MECHANICAL DEVICE THAT SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN THE CAR, CERTAINLY AS LONG AS OTHER DRIVELINE COMPONENTS LIKE THE REAR END, SEVERAL HUNDRED THOUSAND MILES.
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Oct 30, 2011
DRIVING ALONG INTERSTATE ENGINE SUDDENLY LOST POWER, WOULD NOT GO ABOVE 20MPH, NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. TOOK TO REPAIR SHOP AND FIRST CATALYTIC CONVERTER COMPLETELY CLOGGED, NUMBER 2 CONVERTER PARTIALLY CLOGGED. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 84,000 MILES. WARRANTY EXPIRED AT 80,000 MILES FOR EXHAUST. REPAIR SHOP THIS HAPPENS A LOT FOR THESE VEHICLES. *TR
Power train, Oct 10, 2011
I HAVE @75000 MILES ON MY FORD ESCAPE HYBRID 4WD. I STARTED HEARING A NOISE AND STRONG VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL AT 50 MPH AND A NOISE AS I SLOW DOWN. I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP I HAVE ALWAYS TAKEN MY CAR TO AND THEY EVENTUALLY DIAGNOSED IT AS BEING THE TRANSFER CASE. ON SEPT 15, 2011, THE DEALERSHIP SAID AT THAT TIME TO REPLACE THE TRANSFER CASE WOULD BE @$1500-1600. THE DEALERSHIP ALSO SAID IT WAS BACK ORDERED UNTIL OCT 10, 2011. THEY SAID IT OBVIOUSLY WAS A PROBLEM WITH MANY ESCAPES SINCE IT WAS BACK ORDERED AT FORD. I HAVE ASKED FORD TO PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSFER CASE AND THEY HAVE REFUSED. I WENT ON LINE AND THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED TO OTHER OWNERS OF THE ESCAPE, NOT JUST 2005. ONE OWNER SAID IT HAPPENED AT 60,000 MI. I FEEL IT IS A FLAW AND THAT THEY SHOULD PAY TO REPLACE IT. *KB
Power train, Sep 27, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS A PCM FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,741 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,743.
Steering, Suspension, Power train, Aug 31, 2011
LOUD SQUEAKY NOISE FROM RIGHT FRONT END. TOOK TO MECHANIC. THEY SAY BOTH FRONT GREASE BOOTS ARE CRACKED WHICH ALLOWS DIRT, DUST, ETC. TO GET IN AND UP AROUND THE BALL JOINTS AND TIE ROD ASSEMBLIES. THE RIGHT FRONT BALL JOINT HAD GONE BAD DUE TO THIS BOOT CRACK SO WE HAD TO REPLACE IT. THEY RECOMMEND REPLACING BOTH TIE RODS, BOOTS AND BALL JOINTS, BUT WE COULD ONLY AFFORD TO REPLACE THE BALL JOINT THAT WAS BAD AT THIS TIME BECAUSE WE JUST SPENT $3350 PUTTING A NEW TRANSMISSION IN THE CAR. THIS VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 50,000 MILES ON IT. UNBELIEVABLE!!!! WHAT IS FORD BUILDING THESE CARS WITH??? I SUSPECT THE CHEAPEST PARTS THEY CAN GET REGARDLESS OF THEIR QUALITY SO THEY CAN MAKE MORE MONEY. IN THE MEANTIME THE AVERAGE WORKING FAMILY HAS TO PAY TWICE FOR A VEHICLE'S PARTS THAT SHOULD NOT GO BAD SO QUICKLY. *TR
Power train, Aug 11, 2011
COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING. WHILE DRIVING IS NORMAL TRAFFIC AT 35 MILES PER HOUR THE CAR STARTED LURCHING, JUMPING AND MAKING ALL KINDS OF AWFUL METALLIC GRINDING SOUNDS. VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD OR IN REVERSE. I TRIED AGAIN A FEW MINUTES LATER AND WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE IN JUMPS AND JERKS AROUND A CORNER TO GET IT OFF OF A MAIN STREET. TRANSMISSION REPAIR GUY SAID IT IS A COMPLETE FAILURE. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE BROKEN PARTS. THIS VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 50,000 MILES ON IT. WE STILL OWE $10,000 ON IT AND ARE NOW TOLD THAT IT WILL COST $3350.00 FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION. OF COURSE FORD ISN'T WILLING TO HELP WITH THIS COST EVEN THOUGH IT IS OBVIOUS TO ANYONE RESEARCHING IT THAT FORD IS AWARE OF THE FAULTY TRANSMISSIONS THEY ARE USING. BY THE WAY THIS VEHICLE WAS MAINTAINED WITH REGULARLY SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE AND I HAVE THE RECORDS TO PROVE IT. *TR
Power train, Jul 2, 2011
THIS COMPLAINT IS FOR A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AS ABOUT 45MPH, SUDDENLY THE CAR TURNED OFF, I IMMEDIATELY PUT IT ON NEUTRAL AND TUNED THE KEY AND IT STARTED UP AGAIN. ABOUT 10 SECONDS LATER IT DID THE SAME THING. I PARKED THE CAR, TURNED IT OFF AND ON AND IT STARTED MISFIRING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON. THE VERY NEXT MORNING I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR A CHECK UP TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC IN WHICH I WAS TOLD THAT THE COILS AND SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE PARTS WERE ORDERED AND INSTALLED BUT STILL THE MISFIRE WAS PRESENT. THE INVESTIGATION CONTINUED AND AFTER THE SYSTEM WIRING DIAGRAM FIG. 43: 3.0L ENGINE PERFORMANCE CIRCUIT PAGE 5 OF 5 FOR 2005 FORD ESCAPE, COIL ON PLUG 3 ( C ) WIRE CONNECTION TO PCM SLOT 24 CDE NOT RESPONDING. THIS VEHICLE HAS HAD ONLY ONE OWNER AND A VERY SYSTEMATIC MAINTENANCE THROUGHOUT IT?S LIFE SO FAR. ONLINE I HAVE FOUND SEVERAL COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME EXACT THING AND ALL ADVISED THAT THE PCM WAS NON-FUNCTIONING. FORD HAS HAD ISSUES WITH THESE PARTS IN THE PAST BUT NO RECALL HAS BEEN MADE. PCM SHOULD BE REPLACED BY FORD. *TR
Power train, Jun 28, 2011
LETTER FROM SENATOR CASEY ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE CONCERNS ABOUT HER 2005 FORD ESCAPE *TGW THE CONSUMER BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE. WHEN SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HER MECHANIC, HE HOOKED IT UP TO THE COMPUTER AND IT GAVE HIM A READING THAT THE CYLINDER WAS NOT FIRING, BUT HE THOUGHT THERE WAS MORE INVOLVED. AFTER FURTHER EXAMINATION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THE PCM WAS DAMAGED. THE PCM WAS SENT TO ANOTHER ESTABLISHMENT FOR REPAIR. THE TECHNICIAN AT THE ESTABLISHMENT INFORMED THE CONSUMERS MECHANIC THAT FORD RECOMMENDED THAT ALL SIX COILS AND SIX SPARK PLUGS BE REPLACED. THE PCM WAS RETURNED TO THE CONSUMERS MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED AT THE DEALERSHIP, BUT THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO GET AN APPOINTMENT RIGHT AWAY. THE MECHANIC CALLED THE CONSUMER AND INFORMED HER, THAT INSTEAD OF THE ORIGINAL CIRCUIT B MISFIRING, CIRCUIT C WAS MISFIRING. THE PCM HAD TO BE SENT BACK TO BE REBUILT AGAIN. ALL OF THE COILS AND SPARK PLUGS HAD TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPROGRAMMED AGAIN, CIRCUITS C,D AND E WERE MISFIRING. THE COILS AND SPARK PLUGS HAD TO BE REPLACED FOR A THIRD TIME. THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM IS DUE TO FAULTY ENGINEERING. THE PCM WAS PLACED BEHIND THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHERE A LOT OF HEAT WAS GENERATED FROM THE ENGINE AND IT INTERFERED WITH THE FREQUENCY OF THE PCM. *JB
Power train, May 31, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 70 MPH WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR, CAUSING THE OVER-DRIVE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. THIS FAILURE HAPPENED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STILL IN DRIVE MODE. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVED OFF THE ROADWAY AND AS THE CONTACT MOVED THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF GEAR AND THE ENGINE RPMS INCREASED EXCESSIVELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THEY COULD NOT REPAIR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE CONTACTS HOME AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, May 20, 2011
EMAIL FROM SENATOR ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE CONCERNS WITH HER 2005 FORD ESCAPE AUTOMOBILE (DESIGN OF THE POWERTRAIN CONTROL MODULE COMPUTER). *KB THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING, ALL THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED. WHEN SHE ARRIVED AT THE REPAIR SHOP, THE MECHANIC PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTICS TEST WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT A CYLINDER WAS NOT FIRING. AFTER FURTHER EXAMINATION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THE POWER CONTROL MODULE WAS DAMAGED. *JB
Power train, May 18, 2011
TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED IN 2005 FORD ESCAPE (V6, 4WD) XLT. NO ISSUES PRIOR TO ONE DAY DRIVING VEHICLE AND IT SPUTTERED AND SLOWED TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED JUST FINE. BUT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PUT INTO DRIVE, IT ONLY WENT FOR ABOUT 10 FEET BEFORE IT SLOWED TO A COMPLETE STOP AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED ON A FLAT BED TO REPAIR SHOP WHERE OWNER WAS INFORMED SHE MUST REPLACE TRANSMISSION TOTALING $2477.00. VEHICLE HAS LESS ABOUT 92,000 MILES ON IT WITH ONLY ONE OWNER. CAR WAS PURCHASED SEPTEMBER 2004 FROM FORD DEALER. 3 YEAR WARRANTY IS OBVIOUSLY NO LONGER VALID AND DEALER OFFERED NO ADVICE AS TO WHAT COULD BE DONE ABOUT IT. *TR
Power train, Equipment, Feb 27, 2011
DRIVING WHEN STOPPED TRIED TO PUT VEHICLE IN DRIVE AND WOULD NOT GO. THE FAILURE IS THE TRANSMISSION, HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE FOR A LITTLER OVER A YEAR AND HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR AT LEAST 9 MONTHS. REBUILT FORD TRANNY STILL CANNOT GET IT RIGHT. 1ST TIME WOULD NOT DO INTO DRIVE 2ND TIME DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AND WENT INTO HIGH RPM'S AND WOULDN'T SHIFT GEARS. 3RD TIME STOPPED WENT PUT VEHICLE INTO DRIVE WOULD NOT ENGAGE. 4TH TIME WOULD NOT ENGAGE TO REVERSE. 5TH TIME WOULD NOT ENGAGE INTO ANY GEAR. *TR
Power train, Nov 30, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LOSING POWER. SHE THEN HEARD A CLICKING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE FASTER THAN 10-15 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 28,000. UPDATED 03/16/11 *BF UPDATED 03/21/11
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
Power train, Aug 5, 2010
2005 FORD ESCAPE BIN [XXX]. BROKE CLUTCH PEDAL SPRING. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Power train, Jul 29, 2010
2005 FORD ESCAPE.4X4. I BACKED OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE BOGGED DOWN, AS IF OUT OF GAS. I SHIFTED OUT OF DRIVE, PUT IT BACK IN DRIVE AND DROVE OFF. I KEPT HEARING A KNOCKING NOISE. I DROVE TO MY NEXT LOCATION AND THE NOISE PERSISTED. I TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SITE AND WHEN THEY PULLED THE PLUG FROM THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL THERE WAS NO DRAINING AND A PART OF A TOOTH FROM A GEAR CAME OUT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TELL ME IT IS BECAUSE I REPLACED THE TWO TIRES THEY KEPT TELLING ME TO CHANGE AND NOT ALL FOUR. THEY ALSO INFORMED ME OF BLACK FLUIDS IN THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. IT'S GOING TO CAST ME APPROXIMATELY $2700.00 TO GET ALL OF THIS DONE, INCLUDING THE PURCHASE OF THE TWO TIRES NEEDED TO MAKE THE FOUR TIRE CHANGE. THE LOCATION WHERE I HAD THE TIRES INSTALLED TELL ME THAT A TWO TIRE CHANGE IS NORMAL. THE DEALERSHIP ITSELF WANTED TO DO THE SAME THING. THIS IS MESSED UP. *TR
Power train, Feb 25, 2010
I HAVE A 2005 FORD ESCAPE V6 WITH JUST OVER 87,000 MILES ON IT. THE VEHICLE BEGAN GIVING ME TROUBLE BACK AT CHRISTMAS, BUT I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE UNTIL A COUPLE WEEKS AGO WHEN THE WHOLE THING SHUDDERED TO A STOP ON THE HIGHWAY ON THE WAY TO WORK. I WAS DOING 55 AND THE CAR DROPPED TO ALMOST 0. I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT IS THE PCM WHICH WAS FRIED BECAUSE THE SPARK PLUGS CAUSED RF INTERFERENCE THAT FRIED THE GROUND ON IT AND RUINED THE PCM. THIS IS A $2300 OR MORE REPAIR TO AN OTHERWISE PERFECT VEHICLE. IF I HADN'T BEEN IN THE RIGHTHAND LANE AT THE TIME OF THE POWER DROP I COULD HAVE BEEN IN A REAL MESS. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS ONLINE AND THERE ARE LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME THING GOING ON ALL OVER THE WORLD. THERE IS ONE COMPLAINT FROM GHANA. THE TSB THAT CAME OUT SAYS THE ORIGINAL SPARKPLUGS CAUSE THE PROBLEM AND RUIN ALL THE COIL PACKS AND THE PCM. I THINK THIS WOULD MAKE IT FORD'S RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX THE PROBLEM ON ALL THESE VEHICLES SINCE IT WAS THEIR ORIGINAL CONFIGURATION THAT RUINED THE SYSTEM. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED WHEN MY WIFE WAS TAKING OUR SON SOMEWHERE AND SHE WASN'T ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD I AM QUITE SURE THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A CRASH. *TR
Power train, Dec 17, 2009
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE AND THEN JERK FORWARD VIOLENTLY. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS FLUSHED AND DRAINED. HOWEVER, THE ISSUE WAS NOT REMEDIED. SHE WAS THEN TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SHE HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER TO-DATE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED TO-DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 71,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000. UPDATED 01/29/10 *BF UPADTED 01/29/10.*JB
Power train, Dec 1, 2009
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHEN DRIVING IN COLDER WEATHER CONDITIONS, THE VEHICLE WILL DOWN-SHIFT. HE HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WAS 72,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Power train, Aug 13, 2009
TAKING OFF AT A LIGHT, MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE JERKED BACK AND STARTING MAKING A GRINDING SOUND. MY ESCAPE DOES HAVE A LOT OF MILES ON IT (94,000) TO BE EXACT. IT WAS NO LONGER DRIVABLE, WHEN PUT IN DRIVE OR REVERSE IT WOULD THRUST MY CAR BACKWARD AND FORWARD PROFUSELY. INEVITABLY, I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A SHOP THEY CONCLUDED THAT MY TORQUE CONVERTER HAD BLOWN UP AND ALL THE PIECES FROM THE CONVERTER WERE SUCKED INTO THE FILTER CAUSING MY TRANS TO LOCK UP, THEREFORE COSTING ME $2200 TO FIX. I UNDERSTAND THAT IT HAS A LOT OF MILES ON IT HOWEVER, I WAS GOOGLING TRYING TO LOOK FOR SOME HELP AS I AM 19 YEARS OLD AND DON'T HAVE THAT KIND OF MONEY AND I CAME ACROSS A WEBSITE WITH OVER 200 ENTRIES FROM DIFFERENT PEOPLE ABOUT THEIR TRANSMISSIONS IN THEIR FORD ESCAPES. YOU ALL NEED TO LOOK INTO THIS BECAUSE A TRANSMISSION IS NOT CHEAP AND I NEED A RELIABLE CAR. *TR
Power train, Jul 14, 2009
WHILE ON FREEWAY FORD 2005 ESCAPE WITH 49,000 MILES HAD SUDDEN AND COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. CAR LOST POWER AND WAS A SAFETY ISSUE GETTING IT OUT OF FAST MOVING TRAFFIC AND ONTO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. CAR NEEDED A COMPLETE TRANSMISSION REBUILD. *TR
Power train, Jul 13, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. WHEN THE FAILURE FIRST OCCURRED, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE WHILE IDLING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. A MONTH LATER, WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE RPMS INCREASED, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT MOVE FORWARD. SHE PUSHED THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT THE OVERRIDE LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. SHE RESTARTED THE ENGINE AND DROVE FOR A BLOCK, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE ANY FURTHER. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS COMPLETELY BLACK. THE MECHANIC FURTHER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT THE PRIMARY CAUSE OF THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, IT ENDED UP BEING AFFECTED. THROUGH RESEARCH, THE CONTACT FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FOR THIS SAME FAILURE. SHE BELIEVES THAT A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000. UPDATED 08/14/09. *LJ UPDATED 08/17/09
Power train, Jun 8, 2009
RECENTLY TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE. MENTIONED TRANSMISSION SHUDDER AT 55MPH OR WHEN OVER DRIVE TOOK OVER. THEY FLUSHED THE TRANSMISSION AND UPDATED THE PCM AND SAID IT WAS FIXED. A WEEK LATER THE FORD ESCAPE IS SHIFTING HARD AND SHUDDERING INTO OVER DRIVE GEAR AT 45MPH. NOW THEY WANT TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION FOR $3800. I SEE WHERE MANY OWNERS ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THIS TRANSMISSION. *TR