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.
Suspension, Structure, Jul 17, 2017
THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL HAS ROTTED OUT, LEAVING THE SHOCK HANGING FREELY ABOVE THE WHEEL, UNATTACHED. I FIRST BECAME AWARE OF THE ISSUE AS THE CAR WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET, WHERE I HEARD A LOUD BANG IN THE BACK RIGHT OF THE CAR, AND THE NOISE CONTINUED AS THE CAR WENT OVER BUMPS. IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE THE DAMAGE THE RUST WAS CAUSING TO THE AREA UNTIL THE SHOCK MOUNT CAME FREE, AS THE SEALANT USED IN THE WHEEL WELL HID THE DAMAGE-- APPROXIMATELY EVERY 3-6 MONTHS I EXAMINE THE CAR FOR RUST AND NOTICED NO EXTREME DAMAGE TO THIS AREA PREVIOUSLY.
Suspension, Structure, Jul 16, 2017
THE REAR PASSENGER STRUT WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT OF THE WHEEL WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS SENT TO A FORD DEALER TO INSTALL A "KIT" AND WELD THE STRUT BRACKET TO THE WHEEL WELL. I FOUND THE PROBLEM AFTER HEARING SIGNIFICANT CLUNKING NOISE IN THE BACK AS I DROVE.
Electrical system, Jul 12, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE ANTI-THEFT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL DEALER (CAPITAL FORD LOCATED AT 4222 OLEANDER DR WILMINGTON, NC 28403) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE UPDATED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
Structure, Jul 11, 2017
FRONT SUBFRAME ROTTING OUT. LARGE PIECES OF RUSTED METAL ARE DISENGAGING FROM THE SUBFRAME CROSS MEMBERAS CREATING LARGE HOLES AS WELL AS THE CROSSMEMBER K FRAME ENGINE CRADLE. TWO DIFFERENT REPAIR SHOPS HAVE STRESSED NOT DRIVING DUE TO THIS DETERIORATION. HAS ONLY 115000 MILES AND LIVE IN THE RUST STATES AS SPECIFIED IN THE 2004 RECALLS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM.
Suspension, Wheels, Jul 6, 2017
HEARD A BANGING IN THE TRUNK AREA ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, CHECKED IT OUT AND THE WHOLE WHEEL WELL WAS RUSTED OUT, THE SHOCK WAS BARLEY ON. I WAS ON A CITY STREET. TOOK IT TO WHERE I BOUGHT IT AND THEY GAVE ME AN ESTAMET OF $1,145.99. I AM WONDERING WHY THIS VIN IS NOT COVERED IN A RECALL.
Suspension, Wheels, Jun 28, 2017
DRIVERS SIDE REAR SUDDENLY BEGAN BANGING WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS. REAR STRUT MOUNT COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT SO THE STRUT IS LOOSE AND BANGING ON THE INSIDE OF THE TRUNK. VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THERE IS NO SURFACE RUST ON THE VEHICLE AND THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THIS WOULD TAKE PLACE. MANUFACTURER DID NOT ATTACH THE STRUT SECURELY - ONLY SURFACE MOUNTED ON THE INSIDE OF THE WHEEL WELL.
Visibility/wiper, Jun 24, 2017
THE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED INTO TINY SHARDS INTO A RADIUS OF 15 FEET FOR AN UNKNOWN REASON. NO CRACKS OR PROBLEMS. THE WINDOW WAS SHUT WITH NORMAL FORCE AND EXPLODED. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY.
Structure, Jun 19, 2017
LAST WEEK WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 ESCAPE MY RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL BASICALLY ROTTED OUT AND HAS MESSED UP THE SHOCK AND STRUT ASSEMBLY AND KNOCKED THE TIRE LOOSE CAUSING TO RUB AGAINST THE SHOCK AND SMOKE, AND ALL YOU COULD SMELL WAS BURNING RUBBER. . AS I AM READING ALL THE FORUMS OUT THERE IS SEE THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND POTENTLY DANGEROUS ISSUE. MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 115,200 MILES ON IT, NO WAY SHOULD THIS HAVE HAPPENED. I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED AND PURCHASED THE WARRANTY (HOPING THEY COVER REPAIRS), MY QUESTION IS WITH SO MANY COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME ISSUE WHY ISN'T FORD DOING A RECALL THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER PROBLEM. THIS IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE. I WILL BE CONTACTING A LAWYER TO SEE IF ANY LEGAL ACTION CAN BE TAKEN. VERY SAD FORD!!!!! I AM A SINGLE MOM OF 3 WORKING TWO JOBS AND IS NOW WITHOUT A CAR, HAVING TO RENT A CAR AT $300/WK...ON TOP OF OTHER BILLS AND BUYING GROCERIES, HMMM.. SO FORD YOU TELL ME IF THIS WAS ONE OF YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS HOW WOULD YOU FEEL IF YOU KNEW THEY HAD TO CHOOSE TO RENT A CAR TO GET TO AND FROM WORK AND KIDS TO SCHOOL OR BUYING GROCERIES?? ALL BECAUSE OF A KNOW DEFECT WITH YOUR PRODUCT!
Vehicle speed control, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 17, 2017
GAS PEDAL GETTING STUCK/NOT WORKING OFF AND ON FOR LAST YEAR; GASKET WAS REPLACED, NOW RECENTLY STICKING AGAIN. TODAY, WAS ON ARTERIAL WHEN PEDAL STUCK, LUCKILY NO TRAFFIC AS FOR SEVERAL MINUTES VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. GOT PEDAL UNSTUCK AFTER SEVERAL TRIES AND LIFTING WITH TOE, SO WAS ABLE TO GET HOME. CAR IN SHOP NOW. DANGEROUS!
Structure, Jun 16, 2017
RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT, DETACHING THE SHOCK WHERE IT ATTACHES AT THE TOP. ENTIRE INNER WHEEL WELL NEEDS REPLACEMENT TO REPAIR.
Steering, Jun 13, 2017
POWER STEERING COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING OR MAKING TURNS. NO DIAGNOSTIC CODES APPEAR WHEN YOU TRY TO FIND THE PROBLEM. IF YOU TURN OFF THE CAR POWER STEERING RETURNS BUT IT GOES OUT AGAIN SHORTLY DOWN THE ROAD.
Service brakes, Jun 13, 2017
BRAKE LIGHT BEEPS AND THE BRAKES SUDDENLY GO OUT SO THAT YOU CAN BARELY STOP THE CAR.
Structure, Jun 2, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A BANGING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO HAD PREVIOUSLY INSTALLED SHOCK ABSORBERS. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE PANELS SURROUNDING THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL HAD RUSTED AND LOOSENED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO RAPID FORD (1510 S POKEGAMA AVE, GRAND RAPIDS, MN 55744) WHERE THE DIAGNOSIS WAS CONFIRMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ALSO CONFIRMED THE DIAGNOSIS AND PROVIDED A REPAIR ESTIMATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
Steering, May 28, 2017
POWER STEERING FAILURE WHILE PARKED ON CITY STREET.
Structure, May 24, 2017
WHEEL WELLS ON MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE ARE FAILING. HAD AT $1,200 EXPENSE TO REPLACE THE REAR SHOCK UNIT BECAUSE IT RUSTED OUT. I AM GOING TO HAVE TO JUNK THE VEHICLE SOON BECAUSE OF ALL THE RUST DAMAGE.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Fuel/propulsion system, May 17, 2017
WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPS, ENGINE SHUTS DOWN. IF I START IT AGAIN IT TURNS ON JUST FINE BUT EVERYTIME I STOP AT A LIGHT OR AT TRAFFIC, THE ENGINE STALLS. WENT TO THE FORD DEALER AND THEY CANT TELL WHAT IS HAPPENING BECAUSE THERE IS NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON. THEY CHECKED IT AND EVERYTHING WAS FINE, BATTERY, OILS. THEY SAY THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR BUT THE DEADLINE FOR THIS WAS ON JANUARY 2015. NOW FORD WONT REPAIR MY VEHICLE BECAUSE IT HAS MORE THAN 10 YEARS OLD (IT HAS LESS THAN 116,000 MILES).
Service brakes, May 2, 2017
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, I HEAR AN ALARM FOR "SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM", AND LOSE ALL POWER TO MY BRAKES. PEDAL IS DEPRESSED TO THE FLOOR WITH MINIMAL ABILITY TO STOP.
Structure, Apr 27, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. DUE TO AGGRESSIVE BRAKING, THE STEERING BECAME OFF-CENTERED AT A NINETY DEGREE ANGLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. A 2005 SUBFRAME WAS ORDERED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE, BUT IT DID NOT FIT AND HAD TO BE CHANGED OUT FOR A 2004 SUBFRAME. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 102,000.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Apr 25, 2017
TODAY WHILE DRIVING MY 05 FORD ESCAPE I WAS MAKING A RIGHT HAND TURN WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN I LOST ALL POWER, MY BRAKES LOCKED UP, POWER STEERING WAS GONE, CAUSING ME TO ALMOST WRECK INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY MOVE TO THE SIDE OF THE BUSY MAIN ROAD AND STOP THE VEHICLE. NO WARNING LIGHT CAME ON, NOTHING INFORMING ME OF AN ISSUE. IT WAS VERY SCARY FOR ME & COULD HAVE BEEN A LOT WORSE IF I HADN'T OF BEEN ABLE TO GET CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.
Suspension, Structure, Wheels, Apr 19, 2017
I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, TURNED AT THE CORNER, HIT A SMALL BUMP AND HEARD A LOUD BANGING SOUND LIKE THE REAR GATE DOOR WAS NOT CLOSED, STOPPED AT THE CORNER PUT IT IN PARK, GOT OUT AND OPENED THE REAR GATE AND RECLOSED IT, GOT BACK INTO MY VEHICLE, TURNED LEFT HIT ANOTHER SMALL BUMP, AND HEARD THE LOUD BANGING NOISE AGAIN, STOPPED AT THE 4 WAY CORNER STORE, PARKED AND GOT OUT AND WALKED AROUND MY VEHICLE TO INSPECT IT, AND NOTICED THE RUST ON THE PASSENGER REAR SIDE, SOME OF IT HAD FALLEN OFF AND I COULD SEE THE STYROFOAM ON THE INSIDE OF THE PASSENGER REAR TIRE WELD.I CALLED THE DEALER WHERE I AM PURCHASING THE VEHICLE AND THEY SAID I COULD TAKE IT TO THEIR GUY TO LOOK AT IT, TOOK IT TO HIM AND HE SAID THAT I HAD A REAL PROBLEM AND THAT IT NEEDED TO BE WELDED, WENT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID I COULD TAKE IT TO THEIR GUY TO FIX, BUT THEY DID NOT KNOW WHEN THEY COULD GET ME IN FOR AN APPOINTMENT. I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC, AND HE STILL HAS IT, TRYING TO LOCATE THE REAR END OF ANOTHER FORD ESCAPE TO FIX IT.
Steering, Apr 14, 2017
THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING ASSIST SUDDENLY STOPPED FUNCTIONING ,
Suspension, Apr 14, 2017
PASSENGER REAR TOP STRUT/SHOCK MOUNT RUSTED OUT. MAKES VEHICLE KIND OF USELESS. BEEN TOLD THIS SEEMS TO B A COMMON PROBLEM.
Power train, Structure, Apr 2, 2017
WHILE LOOKING AT YOUR WEB SITE, I NOTICE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY 2005 ESCAPE 3.0L, I DIDN'T GET A RECALL NOTICE FROM THE DEALER AND ITS 2017 AND I'M THE SECOND OWNER,AND NOW I FIND OUT THAT MY PASSAGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL IS RUSTED OUT BY LOOKING AT ALL THE WHEEL WELLS, CAUSE I HEARD A HARD BUMP SOUND COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE CAR WHILE DRIVING IT ON THE STREETS. NOW I NOTICE THAT THERE IS A SHIFT LEVEL RECALL ON THE SAME ESCAPE!!. WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE RECALL NOTICES!!!. THIS IS THE ONLY CAR THAT I HAVE TO DRIVE TO GET AROUND IN- GREAT CAR OTHER THEN THAT.
Service brakes, Apr 1, 2017, crash
WHEN BRAKE PEDAL IS APPLIED WITH CONSTANT PRESSURE, BRAKES WOULD ENGAGE THEN FAIL TO ENGAGE FOR SHORT SECONDS, THEN ENGAGE AGAIN, SYMPTOMS ARE INTERMITTENT. SOME TIMES IT WOULD TRIGGER A BRAKE RELATED DTC. TECHNICIAN DETERMINED IT WAS A FAILED HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND WAS TOLD IT WAS COMMON AND OCCURRED ON A NUMBER OF THE SAME MODEL VEHICLES FROM 2005 TO 2012.
Suspension, Structure, Mar 30, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH OVER A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD BANGING NOISE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. IN ADDITION, THE SHOCK ABSORBER BECAME DISCONNECTED FROM THE FRAME OF THE WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.