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, May 18, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE ROLLS BACKWARD WHEN PARKED ON AN INCLINE AND WITHOUT THE BRAKE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONE YEAR AGO AT 30,000 MILES, BUT HAS RECENTLY RECURRED AT 39,000 MILES. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY UNDERGONE REGULARLY SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 39,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000. UPDATED 6/18/09 *CN UPDATED 06/22/09.*JB
Power train, Apr 16, 2009
2005 FORD ESCAPE GAS PEDAL STICKS - DEALER ADVISING NO ISSUES, I HAVE SEEN HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS. WHAT IS GOING TO BE DONE AS THIS COULD CAUSE A SAFETY ISSUES. *TR
Power train, Apr 14, 2009
I HAVE PREVIOUSLY SENT IN A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION OF MY 2005 ESCAPE I PURCHASED FROM THREE OAKS FORD IN 8-2005. THE DANGER INVOLVED IN THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTING HARD IS BEING HIT FROM THE REAR. WHEN IT SHIFTS FROM REVERSE TO DRIVE IT JERKS EXTREMELY HARD AND DOESN'T ENGAGE ENOUGH TO CONTINUE FORWARD. I HAVE HAD THREE DIFFERENT TIMES THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED AND I WAS NEARLY HIT ALL THREE TIMES. MY ORIGINAL COMPLAINT NUMBER IS 10265230, FILED 04-13-09. *TR
Power train, Apr 14, 2009
FROM THE TIME I PURCHASED MY 2005 ESCAPE ON 8/31/05 THE TRANSMISSION MAKES A LOUD THUNKING NOISE AND JERKS WHEN SHIFTING FROM PARK TO DRIVE OR REVERSE. REPAIRS AS FOLLOWS: 08-22-07 REPLACED SHAFT AND JOINT ASSEMBLY. 03-03-08 REPLACED TORQUE. FOUND FLUID LEAK FROM AROUND THE FRONT PUMP, RESEALED IT. REPLACED BROKEN OSS SENSOR. TEST DROVE STATED TRANS OPERATIONAL NORMAL. 6-27-08 REPLACED TRANS TONE RING THAT WAS OUT OF ROUND. 8-11-08, REPLACED VALVE COVER SET DUE TO TICKING SOUND. WORK DONE AT MIDAS AUTO SERVICE, NOT FORD DEALER. THIS WAS DONE DUE TO A TECHNICAL BULLETIN THEY RECEIVED THAT WAS ORIGINALLY SENT OUT 2-20-06. WHICH I NEVER PERSONALLY RECEIVED. I DIDN'T KNOW THE PROBLEM EXISTED UNTIL THEY TOLD ME. ON 8-22-07 REPLACED SHAFT AND JOINT ASSEMBLY. ROAD TEST CONFIRMED REPAIR. 9-9-09 TSB REMOVED P-SIDE VALVE COVER , LOOSEN CAM SHAFT BOLTS ,RETORQUE TO SPEC. FOUND A LOOSE EXHAUST MANIFOLD TORQUE TO SPEC. AS OF 4-14-09 THE HARD SHIFT PROBLEM STILL REMAINS. *TR
Power train, Mar 5, 2009
TRANSMISSION. 2005 MY ESCAPE WITH ONLY 66,000 MILES. THE TRANSMISSION'S DIRECT CYLINDER BROKE AND IT COST $1600 TO REPAIR. *TR
Power train, Feb 26, 2009
NO MAJOR EVENTS LEAD UP TO THE INCIDENT. THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. IT WAS DISCOVERED AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE PLANETARY GEAR WAS DESTROYED, AND IS ATTRIBUTED TO CAUSING ALL OTHER ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED ON A FLATBED TRUCK, AND NOW, THEY ARE GOING TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. OLD PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. *TR
Power train, Feb 6, 2009
LETTER ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE HIS 2005 FORD ESCAPE WHICH HAS 45,200 MILES AND IN NEED OF A TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. *NJ
Power train, Oct 22, 2008
I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND IT SHUT OFF FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I BARELY MADE IT TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AS TO NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS OR SIGNS OF TROUBLE WITH MY AUTOMOBILE PRIOR TO THIS DAY. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME THAT THE PCM AND 5 OF 6 IGNITION COILS FAILED. BUT THE SPARK PLUGS WERE FINE. I REPLACE THE IGNITION COILS AND SPARK PLUGS. THE CAR STILL WILL NOT START THEY ARE ADAMANT THAT I REPLACE THE PCM. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ON THE COMPUTER AND SPOKE TO A FEW DIFFERENT LOCAL MECHANICS. IT SEEMS THAT MY AUTOMOBILE IS NOT THE ONLY THAT HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM. ONE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT FORD ACTUALLY USES A DIFFERENT IGNITION COIL PART NUMBER NOW. I LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT FORD SHOULD STEP UP AND HAVE A RECALL FOR FAULTY PARTS. THEY CONTINUALLY TELL ME THAT IT IS NORMAL FOR THE PCM TO FAIL AT TIMES. HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE. SO THAT THEY CAN CONTINUE TO MAKE MONEY. *TR
Power train, Aug 31, 2008
MINE DID EXACT THING AS LIST IN ODI ID NUMBER:10227495- BUT DIFFERENT FOR FORD ESCAPE. MINE IS NOT HEV. ON APRIL 26,2008 I WAS ON MY WAY TO A LACROSSE GAME AT W.G. HIGH SCHOOL,CAMILLUS,NY ,I WAS ON INTERSTATE 690 ,WHEN MY CAR DID WHAT THE DESCRIPTION SAID,CAR CAME TO COMPLETE HALT AT TRAFFIC LIGHT,ALL POWER WENT IN VEHICLE,LET CAR SIT FOR A MINUTE TO RESTART,IT DID AND WHEN HOME AFTER GAME. THAT MONDAY VEHICLE DID SAME THING FOR A SECOND TIME,THIS TIME,DIDN'T RESTART,CAR WAS TOWED TO NEARBY FIRESTONE STORE,GOT FIXED AND WAS TOLD ABOUT A RECALL. CALL DEALER-THEY DIDN'T NOTHING AFTER HAVING IT TWO DAY. CAR ACTED UP ON THURS. SAT I MADE APPT TO AAMCO TO SEE IF THEY CAN FIX IT,THEY DID ,FOUND OUT AFTER 1HR AND 30 MINUTES AT WORK THAT IT WAS FAULTY TRANSMISSION,COSTING ME 2600. FORD DIDN'T SEND ME ANY CARD ABOUT VEHICLE BECAUSE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM WAS BOUGHT OUT. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, May 12, 2008
ENGINE GOES DEAD (WILL NOT IDLE) WHEN IN GEAR (DRIVE OR REVERSE)... NO ACCIDENT YET, BUT AM AFRAID I WILL GET "REARENDED" WHEN IT GOES DEAD IN TRAFFIC... *TR
Power train, Dec 11, 2007
I BOUGHT MY FORD ESCAPE 2005, WHEN I BOUGHT IT SOMETHING DIDN'T FEEL RIGHT. I TOOK IT FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE, THE MAINTENANCE PEOPLE NEVER SAID THAT THERE WAS ANYTHING WRONG . LAST WEEK MY TRANSMISSION BLEW UP, ALL OF A SUDDEN. THE VEHICLE HAD 52,000 MILES, AND I HAVE TO PAY SEVERAL THOUSANDS DOLLARS OUT OF MY POCKET BECAUSE ITS ONLY COVERED TO 36,000 TO MILES. TALKING WITH THE MECHANIC HE TOLD ME THAT HE HAS RECEIVED SEVERAL FORD ESCAPES WITH TRANSMISSIONS PROBLEMS, WE BOTH THINK THAT THEY HAVE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS. *TR
Power train, May 17, 2007
PROBLEM: SHIFTER GETS STUCK IN PARK AND WOULD NOT T RELEASE WHEN BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. DATES BROUGHT IN FOR SERVICE: 04/11/07 MILEAGE 28972, AND REPLACED STOP SWITCH. ON 04/19/07 WITH MILEAGE 29102 REPLACED SHIFTER ASSEMBLY. ON 05/16/07 WITH MILEAGE 29653 DID NOT FIX IT. *AK
Power train, May 17, 2007
LOUD HIGH PITCHED CYCLICAL SQUEALING NOISE COMING FROM AXLE WHEN TRAVELING 1-40 MPH USUALLY AFTER DRIVING FOR OVER 30 MINUTES. BROUGHT VEHICLE FOR SERVICE ON 03/24/05 WITH 4201 MILEAGE AND MECHANIC DID NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. HOWEVER, REMOVED TIRES AND INSPECTED ALL BRAKES. ON 10/13/05 WITH 10119 MILEAGE AGAIN MECHANIC DID NOT FIND ANYTHING. HOWEVER, REMOVED TIRES AND INSPECTED ALL BRAKES. 04/13/06 WITH 16081 MILEAGE INSPECTED VEHICLE AND DID NOT FIND ANYTHING. REMOVED TIRES AND INSPECTED ALL BRAKES. ON 03/23/07 WITH 28565 MILEAGE INSPECTED VEHICLE AND HEARD NOISE FROM FRONT SOFT FRAME, RETORQUED ALL BOLTS. *AK
Power train, Nov 25, 2006
THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN IN TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE SHIFTED REPEATEDLY INTO OTHER GEARS WHILE IN THE DRIVE POSITION. *JB
Power train, Aug 14, 2006
2005 FORD ESCAPE XLT SPORT HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *KB *NM
Power train, Jul 21, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION FAILED, THROWING THE VEHICLE OUT OF GEAR. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OR CHANGE GEARS. IT WAS PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND THEN TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION PUMP SHAFT WAS BROKEN, AND THE GEAR SURFACE WAS COMPLETELY WORN. THE INDIVIDUAL PARTS WERE REPLACED.
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Jul 11, 2006
NEW 2005 FORD ESCAPE HAS NUMEROUS ISSUES THAT ARE NOT BEING ADDRESSED BY MULTIPLE DEALER SHOPS: - INTERMITTENT STALLING, SIMILAR TO PROBLEM CAUSING RECALL OF 2001 - 2003 ESCAPES. CAR WILL SUDDENLY LOSE POWER, RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER STERRING AND BRAKES. DEALER CANNOT REPRODUCE, SO WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. - GASOLINE SMELL AND LOUD KNOCKING FROM ENGINE IN HOT TEMPERATURES. - EXTREMELY LOW GAS MILEAGE, ALMOST 50% BELOW ADVERTISED MILEAGE. THESE COMPLAINTS APPEAR IN OTHER REPORTS AS WELL, SO THIS IS NOT ISOLATED. FORD IS DOING ITS BEST NOT TO ADDRESS ANY OF THESE ISSUES AND TELLING PEOPLE TO JUST DEAL WITH IT. *NM
Power train, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, May 23, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT AT LOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE STOPPED FORWARD MOTION WHEN THE CONTACT APPLIED BRAKE PRESSURE. ALSO, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MAKES A CLUNKING NOISE WHILE SHIFTING GEARS. ADDITIONALLY, THE KEY IS DIFFICULT TO TURN IN THE IGNITION. IN SPITE OF THE ONGOING PROBLEMS, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY THE DEALER.
Power train, Mar 6, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKED WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE OFF THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. THEY DEALER WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 03/28/06. *JB
Power train, Sep 28, 2005
PURCHASED NEW FORD ESCAPE JANUARY, 2005. TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED AND FAILED AUGUST, 2005 WITH ONLY 6091 MILES ON THE ODOMETER AND IN BUSY INTERSECTION. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO DREW FORD DEALER...TRANSMISSION OVERHAULED. TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED ON SEPTEMBER, 2005 WITH 6710 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. AT THIS TIME WE WERE TRAVELING 70 MPH ON FREEWAY WITH CONSIDERABLE TRAFFIC TO NEGOTIATE TO THE ROADSIDE. CAR TOWED AGAIN TO DEALER. TRANSMISSION OVERHAULED AGAIN AFTER MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION WITH NEW ONE. WERE TOLD BY DREW FORD THAT IT WAS A DIFFERENT PART THAT FAILED THE SECOND TIME AND THAT IT WAS A RESULT OF FAULTY ASSEMBLY BY THE MANUFACTURER. WE HAVE SERIOUS CONCERNS ABOUT GETTING BEHIND THE WHEEL OF THIS VEHICLE AND TREPIDATION THAT OUR SAFETY MAY BE JEOPARDIZED IF THIS HAPPENS AGAIN. *NM
Power train, Mar 25, 2005, crash
WHILE PUMPING GAS AND PARKING IN FIRST GEAR VEHICLE ROLLED OUT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. AS A RESULT, VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. *AK
Power train, Feb 14, 2005
VEHICLE HAS GRINDING NOISE WHILE DRIVING IN LOW SPEEDS AND REVERSE. SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE.*AK
Power train, Jan 27, 2005
THE VEHICLE'S 4-WHEEL DRIVE SENSOR FAILED. *NM THE CONSUMER BELIEVES THE VEHICLE 4-WHEEL DRIVE IS SELECTIVE AND NOT DOING THE JOB IT WAS TOUTED TO DO. *NM
Power train, Jan 25, 2005
TRANSMISSION FAILED. FORTUNATELY IT FAILED BEFORE THE TRAFFIC LIGHT TURNED GREEN RELEASING THE TRAFFIC HEADED TOWARD THE VEHICLE. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IN WHATEVER GEAR IT WAS IN HOME. THE VEHICLE CEASED GOING INTO GEAR AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE VEHICLE WAS 15 DAYS OLD AND HAD 1326 MOSTLY HIGHWAY MILES ON IT WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE DEALERSHIP HAS INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS THE CLUTCH IN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. PARTS WERE ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. CAR HAS BEEN IN DEALERSHIP FOR 16 DAYS. VEHICLE STILL AWAITING PARTS FOR REPAIR. *NM
Power train, Jan 3, 2005
CAR SEIZED TO RUN ON STREET. TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 170 MILES. *AK