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
1,584 reports, newest first.
Steering, Nov 12, 2004
CONSUMER COMPLAINED THAT POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED WHILE DRIVING DOWN A MOUNTAIN AT 30-40 MPH. CONSUMER WAS WAITING FOR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE. *AK
Visibility, Nov 4, 2004
WHENEVER USING THE AIR CONDITIONER, USING DASH CONTROLLER TO DIRECT THE AIR OUT THE DASH VENTS, AIR ALSO COMES OUT THE DEFROSTER VENTS, CAUSING CONDENSATION TO FOG UP THE LOWER PART OF THE WINDSHIELD. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE SELLING DEALER, SOUTHWAY FORD IN SAN ANTONIO TX, AND RED MCCOMBS FORD IN SAN ANTONIO TX. BOTH DEALERS WERE ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE COMPLAINT, BUT OFFERED NO REPAIR. THEY BOTH CLAIM IT IS A "NORMAL OPERATION" I REQUESTED FROM BOTH DEALERSHIPS TO HAVE THE FORD REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE LOOK AT THE CAR. AS OF YET, NO ONE HAS CONTACTED ME. *AK
Visibility, Oct 25, 2004
WHILE DRIVING SUN ROOF EXPLODED. CONSUMER PULLED OVER. NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. *AK
Wheels, Oct 15, 2004, crash
BACK WHEELS WERE MISALIGNED MAKING TH EVEHICLE UNSTABLE. THE WHEELS ROCKED BACK AND FORTH. CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THEY COULD NOT REPAIR THE DEFECT UNTIL THEY RECEIVED NEW SPECIFICATIONS. ALSO, ACCELERATION WAS VERY HIGH. RPMS WENT UP 8,000 RPMS. HOWEVER, ON THIS VEHICLE THE RPM'S WENT TO 15,000 RPMS, WHICH WAS TO0 HIGH. *AK *NM
Parking brake, Sep 3, 2004, crash
9-1-04 MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE OF MY HOME WHERE I BEGAN TO BACK UP. THERE WAS AN OBSTRUCTION IN MY DRIVEWAY SO I PUT THE CAR INTO DRIVE AND PULLED 1/2 WAY INTO THE GARAGE TO CLEAR THE WAY. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK, OPENED MY DOOR, TOOK OFF MY SEATBELT AND GOT OUT OF MY CAR WALKING TOWARDS THE REAR. SUDDENLY THE CAR ACCELERATED IN REVERSE KNOCKING ME DOWN BECAUSE OF THE OPEN DOOR. I JUMPED INTO THE CAR (WHERE MY CHILDREN WERE IN THE BACK SEAT) TO PLACE THE CAR IN PARK-IT WAS IN PARK AND ROLLING FAST. I USED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE WITH THE HELP OF THE OPEN DOOR JAMMING ALONG SIDE THE GARAGE WALL. THE END RESULT WAS SHOULDER AND COLLAR BONE DAMAGE AS WELL AS SEVER BODY DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE OPEN DOOR. IF THE DOOR HAD NOT BEEN OPEN, MY CHILDREN WOULD HAVE ROLLED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND BEEN HIT HEAD ON. I AM POSITIVE SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THIS NEW CAR, YET THE GALPIN VAN NUYS FORD DEALERSHIP HAS REFUSED TO INSPECT IT FOR SAFETY. THEY INSISTED THAT I FIRST FILE A CLAIM WITH MY INSURANCE CARRIER, WHICH I DID AND STILL HAVE BEEN REFUSED THE SAFETY INSPECTION BY FORD AND THE DEALERSHIP LEVEL AND THE CORPORATE LEVEL. I WANT TO ENSURE I AM DRIVING A SAFE CAR AND THIS PROBLEM WILL NEVER HAPPEN AGAIN.*AK
Power train, Jul 12, 2004
INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SEEMS TO GO INTO NEUTRAL. ENGINE REVVED AND CLUNG, THEN GOES BACK INTO DRIVE. THIS FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE REVERSING. THE INDICATORS ON THE DASHBOARD KEPT FLASHING FROM N TO R, THE ENGINE REVVED BEFORE FINALLY SETTLING IN REVERSE. THE SECOND TIME THIS FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE REVERSING, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. DEALERSHIP PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST IN WHICH THE FAILURE CODE READ P01702. A FACTORY ENGINEER INDICATED THAT THEY WERE CURRENTLY INVESTIGATING THIS FAILURE, BUT NO REMEDY HAD BEEN FOUND.*AK
Service brakes, Air, Electrical system, Jun 21, 2004
BRAKES ARE MAKING NOISE INTERMITTINGLY. IT SOUNDS LIKE BLOWING IN A BOTTLE. WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE 3 TIMES IN THE FIRST MONTH OF OWNERSHIP. THEY KEEP GRINDING DOWN THE ROTORS AND IT'S NOT HELPING. APPARANTLY FORD CORP. IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND ARE TRYING TO FIND A CURE. THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO AT THIS POINT. ALSO, STEALTH SECURITY SYSTEM FAILED, AND THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIR. THIS ALSO HAPPENED IN FIRST MONTH OF OWNERSHIP.
Electrical system, Jun 2, 2004
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A COMPUTER PROBLEM. WHEN PUTTING VEHICLE IN REVERSE IT WENT FORWARD, AND WHEN PUTTING IT IN DRIVE IT DID NOTHING. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO REPAIR SHOP 3 TIMES, BUT MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. WHEN VEHICLE WAS PUT ON THE COMPUTER IT SHOWED NO ERROR MESSAGE, NOTHING WAS WRONG. CONSUMER TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF AND THEN TURNED IT BACK ON, AND IT WORKED FINE. CONSUMER SHOULD NOT HAVE TO DO THIS BECAUSE THIS WAS A NEW VEHICLE, 2005 MODEL. THEREFORE, CONSUMER FELT THAT THERE WAS A MALFUNCTIONED COMPUTER IN THE VEHICLE. *AK
Seats, Apr 26, 2004
FRONT DRIVERS SEAT LEANS AND IS POINTING TO LEFT. DEALER STATED THAT FORD PURPOSELY MADE THE FOAM ON THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT LESS DENSE THAN ON THE RIGHT SIDE FOR EASIER ACCESS AND EXIT OF THE VEHICLE. THIS STILL DOESN'T EXPLAIN WHY THE SEAT ALSO FEELS SLIGHTLY TWISTED OR POINTING THE LEFT. I WAS ALSO TOLD BY THE DEALER WHO CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO AT THIS TIME. MY CONCERN THAT I FEEL DISTRACTED WHILE DRIVING WHICH MAY LEAD TO A SAFETY ISSUE FOR MYSELF AND OTHERS. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS FOR A 2005 FORD XLT. THIS WEB SITE DOES NOT YET ALLOW YOU TO SELECT 2005 AS AN OPTION IN THE "YEAR" PULL DOWN MENU.*AK