There are 38 owner-reported air bags & restraints complaints for the 2005 Ford Escapein NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
MY ESCAPE KEEPS MAKING A HORRIBLE RUBBING/HUMMING SOUND WHEN TURNING RIGHT ONLY, MY REAR PASSENGER DOOR DOES NOT LOCK AND MY ALARM IS CONSTANTLY GOING OFF, AND FINALLY MY FRAME ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE IS RUSTING AND LITERALLY CRUMBLING APART. MY PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY EITHER. I JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN MAY OF THIS YEAR FROM A CAR DEALERSHIP.
THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED SPONTANEOUSLY WHILE I WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP. I WAS AT A STOP SIGN, NOT MOVING. I WAS IN A NEIGHBORHOOD AND HAD BEEN DRIVING SLOWLY, ABOUT 10-15 MPH BEFORE COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE AIR CONDITIONING WAS NOT ON. THE CAR WAS NOT OVERHEATING. THE AIRBAG JUST DEPLOYED. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, OR BEEN HIT BY ANYTHING.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND TURNING THE VEHICLE, THE THROTTLE BECAME STUCK AND THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND STRUCK THE CONTACT ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE FACE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED ADDITIONAL INJURIES TO THE NECK AND BACK THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. VILLAGE FORD (23535 MICHIGAN AVENUE, DEARBORN, MICHIGAN 48124, (313) 565-3900) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT ENCOUNTERED THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISES ON HER CHEST THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.
WITH CAR NOT! RUNNING I INSERTED KEY IN IGNITION AND IMMEDIATELY THE AIR BAG CANISTER EXPLODED AND FILLED THE CABIN WITH A THICK POWDER, COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING. MY WIFE HAD JUST GOT HOME FROM WORK. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED ON OUR BUSY HIGHWAY THE RESULTS COULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, SHE FELL ASLEEP BEHIND THE WHEEL AND CRASHED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL WITH MAJOR INJURIES TO HER LUNGS, CHIN, ARMS, AND LOWER BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
AIRBAG LIGHT IS YELLOW. WAS TOLD MY AIRBAGS WILL NOT INFLATE IN A ACCIDENT. THE UNIT THAT CONTROLS THE AIRBAGS ALSO CONTROLS THE LOCKS ON THE DOORS. THE DOORS NO LONGER LOCK ON TAKE OFF. DOESN'T WARN YOU THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER ISN'T SEAT BELTED IN. THE UNIT IS UNDER THE CONSOLE AND IS HARD TO REPLACE SO I WAS TOLD AND WOULD COST ME OVER $500. WHICH I CAN'T AFFORD. I FEEL IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE COVERED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY. I WAS TOLD NOT ENOUGH OWNERS ARE HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THIS THEREFORE IT ISN'T A RECALL ISSUE.
I WAS IN ACCIDENT WHERE I HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE IN WHICH WHEN TRIED TO BREAK THEY DID NOT WORK. NO SKID MARKS WHERE THERE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN . TOTALED MY TRUCK FORD SUV XLT (SPORT) AND THE DRIVER OF OTHER CAR . PASSENGER AIRBAG NEVER WENT OFF. I HAD CONCUSSION AND BURNS 2ND DEGREE ON BOTH ARMS . STILL HAVE SCARS. OTHER VEHICLE AT LIGHT STOPPED AND WHEN I TRIED TO STOP IT WAS LIKE GAS PEDAL WAS STUCK AND BREAK DID NOT WORK SO PULLED UP EMERGENCY BREAK. I NEVER GOT ANY NOTICE ON RECALLS ON MY 2005 UNTIL NOW. WHICH COULD HAVE KILLED SOMEONE. THE POLICE REPORT STATED NO SKID MARKS. *TR
I WRECKED INTO A MAILBOX THEN A TRASHCAN THEN SEVERAL SMALL TREES BEFORE HITTING A BIG TREE AND BOUNCING THREE FEET BACK.. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY , THE FRONT END OF MY VEHICLE IS TOTALED OUT COMPLETELY. REPAIR CANNOT BE DONE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT MOVED THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE IGNITION COIL, SPARK PLUG, AND THE POWER CONTROL MODULE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE PARTS WERE REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE PCM WAS REPLACED A SECOND TIME ALONG WITH THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,500. UPDATED 02/26/13*LJ ALSO, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER CLEARED THE CODS FOR THE CONNECTION ON THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE
ON 10/18/12 I WAS INVOLVED IN A MOTOR VEHICLE ACCIDENT WITH MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE. MY VEHICLE SLAMMED INTO AN EMBANKMENT, CRUSHING THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, AND THERE WAS A LARGE CRACK NEAR THE LUGGAGE RACK EXTENDING THE LENGTH OF THE VEHICLE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE AT SOME POINTS I COULD VISUALLY SEE INTO THE CRACK AND INTO THE VEHICLE INTERIOR. DRIVERS SIDE OF VEHICLE HIT HEAD ON INTO TREE AT 55MPH, BUT AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. BOTH HEADLIGHTS POPPED OUT, HOOD CRINKLED, AND THERE WAS EXTENSIVE FRONT END DAMAGE. REAR WINDOW ON DRIVERS SIDE BROKEN. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *TR
OUR FORD ESCAPE 2005'S AIRBAG LIGHT IS FLASHING ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY AND THEY INFORMED US THAT THE AIRBAGS ARE NOW DISABLED, DUE TO THIS PROBLEM, AND THAT THE PART ALONE WILL COST US $1400.00, PLUS THE COST OF THE SERVICE. AFTER RECEIVING THIS INFORMATION, WE SEARCHED THE WEB AND FOUND THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS JUST LIKE THIS ABOUT FORD ESCAPES, RANGING FROM THE YEARS 2003-2006. WE BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY FORD AS SUCH, BUT THEY DO NOT AGREE. I EMAILED THEM ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THEY TOLD US THAT YOU ARE THE AGENCY THAT GOVERNS ALL SUCH CONCERNS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT UNLATCH WHICH PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM EXITING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO CUT THE SEAT BELT IN ORDER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BELT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,850 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY FOR THE SEAT BELT AT A COST OF $500. THE DEALER ADVSIED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR REPAIRS WERE NO IN STOCK AND WERE ORDERED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 06/13/11 *BF UPDATED 06/16/11
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 35-40 MPH, BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT AN IMPACT OR CRASH OCCURRING. THE CONTACT SUFFERED MINOR BURNS ON HER WRIST. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER AND A CLAIM WAS FILED WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 40,000. UPDATED 06/17/09 *BF UPDATED 06/17/09.*JB
REAR CENTER SEAT BELT RETRACTOR SEIZES IN FULLY RETRACTED POSITION, PRECLUDING CENTER SEAT PASSENGER FROM SECURING SEATBELT. *TR
MY DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN A CRASH WITH MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE. SHE WENT OFF THE ROAD DUE TO A DEER RUNNING OUT IN FRONT OF HER AND WENT INTO A DITCH AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS FRONT END DAMAGE AND PASSENGER FRONT SIDE DAMAGE WHEN VEHICLE COLLIDED WITH A TREE. *TR
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2005 FORD ESCAPE. SHE FAILED TO YIELD AND HIT A 2006 DODGE CHARGER, THAT WAS GOING CLOSE TO 45 MPH, IN THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SMASHING IN BOTH OF HIS DOORS. THE FRONT OF HER CAR IS DAMAGED ENOUGH TO BREAK OFF THE ENGINE MOUNT, FRONT BUMPER IS GONE, WINDSHIELD WIPER FLUID RESERVOIR WAS ACTUALLY ON THE PAVEMENT. ALL OF THIS AND THE AIRBAGS WERE NOT DEPLOYED. THE SHOP THAT THE CAR IS BEING REPAIRED AT SAYS THAT THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE BEEN DEPLOYED IN THIS TYPE OF ACCIDENT. HAD THIS BEEN AT A SLIGHTLY HIGHER SPEED WE WOULD BE LOOKING AT A DEATH, NOT AN INJURY. *TR
I WAS INVOLVED IN A MINOR CAR ACCIDENT WHEN MY AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND CAUSED 2ND DEGREE BURNS TO BOTH OF MY TOP FOREARMS, I ALSO FRACTURED MY RIGHT WRIST THAT SEPARATED THE CARTILAGE IN MY WRIST AND REQUIRED SURGERY. I AM A HEALTHY, ACTIVE 42 YEAR OLD WOMAN NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. I BELIEVE THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY CORRECTLY AND MAY EVEN NEED TO BE RECALLED TO MAKE SURE IT WAS INSTALLED EFFICIENTLY. THE BURNS SUSTAINED TO MY ARMS ARE NOT CONSISTENT WITH TYPICAL BURNS FROM AIRBAGS THAT I HAVE RESEARCHED. THE BAG ITSELF DID NOT COME OUT STRAIGHT, NOR EVEN HIT MY CHEST, IT CAME OUT OF THE TOP OF THE STEERING WHEEL. I WANT TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING TO OTHERS. *TR
STARTING APPROX. DECEMBER 20, 2007 THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT BEGAN TO "STICK". WHEN THE DRIVER TRIES TO UNBUCKLE THE SEATBELT IT WILL NOT UNBUCKLE AFTER THE FIRST, SECOND OR SOMETIMES THIRD ATTEMPT. THIS COULD BE A POTENTIAL THREAT TO THE DRIVER IN THE EVENT THE DRIVER MUST UNBUCKLE QUICKLY. *TR
Showing 1–20 of 38 complaints
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 25, 2026