NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Ford Escape. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH MY FAMILY, A CAR SWERVED INTO OUR LANE CUTTING US OFF. WE HIT THE BRAKES, THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE BRAKES ONLY WORKED WHEN WE SLAMMED ON THEM! HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED AS IT WAS NOT DRIVABLE. MECHANIC SAID IT NEEDED A NEW ABS CONTROL MODULE. ORDERED THAT PART TWICE. TOOK CAR TO CAR COMPUTER SPECIALIST - SAID CAR WAS COULD NOT BE REPROGRAMMED. BILL IS NOW OVER $2,000 AND IT HAS BEEN OVER 2 WEEKS. MECHANIC CALLED FORD (LOTS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS ISSUE). THEY SAID THEY COULD TRY TO REPROGRAM IT, BUT IT COULD TAKE UP TO 10 HOURS AND MAY NOT WORK. FORD SAID THE LAST PROBLEM THEY SAW LIKE THIS DIDN'T WORK AND THE OWNER HAD TO TRADE IN FOR A NEW CAR! NOT ONLY COULD THIS INCIDENT HAVE SERIOUSLY HARMED MY FAMILY, BUT NOW I'M OUT OF A CAR AND $2,000!
HAD REAR SHOCKS REPLACED ON MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE AND WAS TOLD THAT MOUNTS FOR THE SHOCKS ARE RUSTED OUT. THE SHOCKS ARE DETACHED FROM THE FRAME DUE TO POOR DESIGN BY FORD. THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AS THE SHOCK BOUNCES INTO THE REAR INTERIOR WHEN MOVING. THERE IS A RECALL FROM 2001 - 2004 ESCAPES BUT NOT 2005! FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM! *TR
PASSENGER REAR TOP STRUT/SHOCK MOUNT RUSTED OUT. MAKES VEHICLE KIND OF USELESS. BEEN TOLD THIS SEEMS TO B A COMMON PROBLEM.
ONGOING PROBLEM WITH COILS. I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND SMOKE STARTED TO BILLOW OUT OF THE FRONT HOOD. I THEN PULLED OVER AND CALL THE BERKELEY TOWNSHIP POLICE AND THEY ARRIVED WITH THE PINEWALD FIRE COMPANY. MY HUSBAND AND SON ARRIVED AT SCENE AND WE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO OUR HOME. THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE MELTED THE COILS. WHEN MY SON EXAMINED THE CAR THE UPPER INTAKE MANIFOLD EXPLODED IN HIS FACE. I HAVE CONTACTED THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY AND THEY REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. ALSO, WE NOTED THAT THERE WHERE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ONLINE REGARDING THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. *TR
THE RIGHT REAR SHOCK PLUNGED THROUGH THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL (RUSTED AWAY) AND RATTLES AT LOW SPEEDS. STEERING PULLS TO LEFT AND SHAKES.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH, THE CAR STARTED SPUTTERING AS IF IT WERE RUNNING OUT OF GAS. I WAS NEAR A GAS STATION AND AS I WAS PULLING IN, THE ENGINE JUST STOPPED AND THE POWER STEERING WENT DEAD. THE CAR THEN WOULDN'T RESTART. I CALLED AAA AND THEY COULDN'T START IT, SO I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY EXAMINED THE CAR AND LATER THAT DAY TOLD ME THE COILS OVERHEATED AND FRIED THE PCM. NOW IT NEEDS NEW COILS ON 2 CYLINDERS, POSSIBLY MORE, AND A NEW PCM WITH REPROGRAMMING. COST QUOTED WAS $3520. THE SERVICE TECH THAT LOOKED AT THE CAR SAID HE HASN'T SEEN THIS BEFORE, NOR HEARD OF THIS. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM ONLINE, I DON'T BELIEVE HIM. I WONDER HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVEN'T REPORTED THIS BECAUSE THEY WERE MADE TO THINK THEIR PROBLEM WAS A VERY RARE OCCURRENCE. *TR
DRIVING LESS THAN 30MPH-HIT A MANHOLE COVER AND HEARD VERY LOUD BANG IN BACK OF CAR. DISCOVERED INSIDE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED. SHOCK BARELY HOLDING ON. STILL WAITING ON ESTIMATE TO FIX. BASED ON THE OTHER OVER 100 COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME NATURE, NOT GOING TO BOTHER CALLING FORD. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL WAS CORRODED AND DETERIORATED. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE SHOCK MOUNT FRACTURED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE CAUSED THE SHOCK MOUNT TO PUNCTURE THE TRUNK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE EACH TIME THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER A BUMP DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN PERFORMED AN ALIGNMENT AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE SHOCK ABSORBER DETACHED AND FRACTURED THROUGH THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE TRUNK. THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY INFORMED THAT THE REAR OF THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,230.
THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL HAS RUSTED OUT. THE STRUT IS NO LONGER ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE. WHEN DRIVING THERE IS A KNOCKING SOUND. WHEN INVESTIGATED AT THE REPAIR SHOP, THIS WAS THE DIAGNOSIS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
ABS AND BRAKE LAMP ON. NO ANTILOCK BRAKES BEARLY STOPS.
VEHICLES GAS PEDAL GETS STUCK UP AND CANNOT BE DEPRESSED AT ALL WHILE CAR IS ON AND I AM DRIVING. IT HAPPENED THIS WEEK SEVERAL TIMES ON VERY COLD DAYS. WHILE DRIVING OR WHILE STOPPED AT LIGHT AND TRYING TO GO I CANNOT DEPRESSED THE PEDAL, EVEN WHEN PUSHING HARD. EVENTUALLY IT DEPRESSED FOR ME AFTER SEVERAL TRIES. VEHICLE GAS PEDAL HAS ALSO GOTTEN STUCK DOWN TWICE PREVIOUSLY WITH CAR ACCELERATING UNCONTROLLABLY, WHICH HAPPENED FOR ALMOST A MINUTE THEN IT POPPED UP - RESULTED IN NEAR COLLISION { THANK GOODNESS ITS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION]. I HAVE READ IN MANY ON-LINE DISCUSSION BOARDS OF MANY OTHER INDIVIDUALS HAVING THEIR GAS PEDAL ON FORD ESCAPES STICK UP OR DOWN ALSO. *TR
THE VEHICLE'S REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL RUSTED OUT COMPLETELY. THIS ALLOWED THE REAR SHOCK TO BECOME DANGEROUSLY LOOSE AND PRODUCED A LOUD BANGING NOISE. HAD THE SHOCK COME LOOSE THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A SUBSTANTIAL LOSS OF STEERING. CAR IS NOW UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR
WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SHOCK PUNCTURED THROUGH A COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT REAR WHEEL WELL ON MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CAR IS UNDRIVABLE AND THE AUTO REPAIR/BODY SHOP QUOTED ME $3,000.00 TO REPAIR THIS. I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY STATED THAT ONLY THE 2001-2004 MODELS ARE COVERED UNDER A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. . *TR
THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR SHOCK TOWER COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY MAKING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE.THE REST OF THE VEHICLE IS SPOTLESS AND WE KEEP IT VERY CLEAN.THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *TR
WE NOTICED A NOISE COMING FROM THE BACK RIGHT REAR SIDE OF OUR FORD ESCAPE ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU WOULD GO OVER SMALL BUMPS IN THE ROAD. A QUICK LOOK UNDERNEATH, WE NOTICED A LOT OF RUST. WE CALLED THE FORD DEALERSHIP TO GET IT IN TO BE CHECKED OUT AND UPON US DESCRIBING THE PROBLEM, THEY SAID IT IS MOST LIKELY THE RIGHT REAR SHOCK MOUNT. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER, WE RECEIVED A CALL AND FOUND OUT THAT IS THE PROBLEM ALONG WITH AN ESTIMATE TO REPAIR IT (15 HOURS AND $1,200.00 APPROX.). THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM THAT THEY SEE IN ESCAPES FROM YEARS 2005-07. WE REACHED OUT TO FORD BECAUSE THIS IS NOT ONLY A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE BUT THE VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS OUR STATE INSPECTION. WE WERE TOLD THAT THERE IS NO RECALL AT THIS TIME NOR WOULD THEY HELP ASSIST WITH ANY OF THE REPAIRS, AT THIS TIME. THEY TOLD US TO HOLD ON TO OUR RECEIPT AND IF THERE IS A RECALL, THAT THEY WOULD REIMBURSE US. VERY DISAPPOINTED. *TR
BRAKE ABS BRAKE LIGHT ON AND BRAKES DO WORK RIGHT, I TOOK IT TO A DEALER AND THEY SAID SOME KIND OF PUMP IS BAD AND IT COST $5000 TO FIT IT. LOTS OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I THINK FORD SHOULD RECALL THOSE CARS FOR SAFETY. I DON'T THINK NO BRAKES SHOULD COST $5000 TO FIT. I M SCARE TO DRIVE IT.
THIS CAR HAS 80000MILES ON IT AND IS TOTALLY RUSTED OUT IN THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL AND SHOCK TOWER. I HAVE BEEN QUOTED 5000 TO FIX THE CAR TO MEET SAFETY STANDARDS. I CAN SEE THE TIRE ALL THE WAY THRU THE METAL.
WE NOTICED A RATTLING/BANGING NOISE COMING FROM THE RIGHT REAR OF VEHICLE, MY WIFE RODE IN THE REAR SEAT AND COULD FEEL THE SHOCK MOUNT HITTING AGAINST THE BACK OF THE INTERIOR TRIM PANEL. LOOKING INTO THE WHEEL WELL, WE COULD SEE WHERE THE WHEEL HOUSING HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT, REVEALING THE INTERIOR. THE UPPER SHOCK MOUNT CAN BE WIGGLED BY HAND. TODAY 12/31/2014, I WENT TO SEE MY "FRIENDS" AT OUR LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP, THE SERVICE WRITER SAID I WAS IN "LUCK" AS HE REMEMBERED RESEARCHING THE SAME ISSUE FOR ANOTHER CUSTOMER. HE FOUND A DIAGRAM WITH THE REPLACEMENT PANEL & WHEEL HOUSE, PART# 7L82-7827886-A, WITH A LIST PRICE OF $150, THEN WE WENT TO TALK TO ANOTHER "FRIEND" IN PARTS, HE SAID THAT THE PRICE HAD RECENTLY INCREASED AND NOW LISTED AT $700. THEY OFFERED TO HAVE ME TALK TO ANOTHER "FRIEND" IN SALES, BUT I INFORMED THEM MY WIFE REFUSED TO BUY ANOTHER FORD, AND IF WE WERE TO BUY A NEW VEHICLE IT WOULD BE A TOYOTA. WITH THAT SAID, MY "FRIENDS" SUGGESTED TO UNLOAD (TRADE) IT AT A TOYOTA DEALER. THEY ALSO INFORMED ME OUR 2005 FORD ESCAPE WAS "UNSAFE" TO DRIVE. I WENT TO OUR LOCAL BODY SHOP TO GET HIS RECOMMENDATION. HE SAID, THEY HAD JUST DONE ONE, IN 10/2014 FOR JUST UNDER $900 AND HE GOT THE PART FROM MY "FRIENDS" AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR $120. IN APPARENT DISBELIEF HE CALLED OUR "FRIENDS" AND THEY CONFIRMED THE PRICE INCREASE. WE SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND MANY 7L82-7827886-A FOR $20-$180, AFTER ORDERING FROM SEVERAL DIFFERENT VENDORS, EACH VENDOR CANCELLED THE ORDERS FOR VARIOUS REASONS; UNAVAILABLE, PART NUMBER CHANGE AND IS MORE EXPENSIVE, DUE TO THE SIZE AND FRAGILE NATURE WE ARE UNABLE TO SHIP, NOT AVAILABLE,ETC. WHAT IS FORD'S OBJECTIVE WITH THIS PRICE INCREASE ? ? ? THERE WAS CLEARLY A DEFECT IN MANUFACTURING, CRAFTSMANSHIP, AND/OR MATERIALS, THAT CREATED THIS SEVERE DEFECT IN SAFETY OF THE 2005 FORD ESCAPE ! ! ! *JS
I HAD MY CAR INSPECTED TODAY AND HAD THEM LOOK AT AN ISSUE OF A BANGING SOUND I WAS HEARING IN THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE AREA. THE MECHANIC FOUND EXTENSIVE RUST AND ROT IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL AND THE STRUT WAS ALMOST READY TO COME OFF. THE MECHANIC COMMENTED HE HAS SEEN THIS ISSUE SEVERAL TIMES WITH THIS MODEL. I SEE THAT FORD RECALLED 2001 TO 2005 MODEL YEARS, BUT NOT THE 2005. FROM DOING RESEARCH THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FROM 2005 OWNERS. I KEEP MY CAR WASHED AND ALWAYS MAKE SURE TO WASH SALT OFF IN THE WINTER. MY MECHANIC RECOMMENDED THAT I NOT DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE IT WAS UNSAFE BECAUSE THE STRUT WAS READY TO COME OFF AND COULD CAUSE THE TIRE TO BEND OUTWARD. HOW CAN FORD NOT RECALL THIS YEAR WITH ALL THE OBVIOUS COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THIS ISSUE? MY DAUGHTER DRIVES THIS CAR AND IMAGINE HER GOING 65 ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE TIRE BENDS! AN INVESTIGATION NEEDS TO BE CONDUCTED FOR THIS MODEL YEAR SINCE THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING ISSUES WITH RUST AND ROT IN THE WHEEL WELLS WITH PREVIOUS MODEL YEARS. THE ISSUE WAS NEVER CORRECTED A,NO CONTINUED PAST MODEL YEAR 2004. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V526000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.
BEAUTIFUL, WELL-MAINTAINED 05 FORD ESCAPE - RARE 5 SPEED MANUAL, 4 CYL, AWD. ALWAYS GARAGED AND CLEANED. OPENED PLASTIC BIN IN REAR COMPARTMENT, PASSENGER SIDE, TO STORE TOOLS. NOTICED SMALL CRACKS AND DAYLIGHT IN WHEEL WELL. JUST BELOW AND BEHIND SHOCK MOUNT. APPLIED LIGHT PRESSURE. ENTIRE SECTION PUSHED THROUGH. COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY. HELD IN PLACE ONLY BY RUBBERIZED UNDERCOATING. 119K. BASED ON ALL THESE COMPLAINTS, SAME LOCATION, SAME EVENT, I CONSIDER MYSELF LUCKY IT DIDN'T FAIL WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I'M GOING TO SHOW THE DEALER TOMORROW. CURIOUS WHAT HIS REACTION WILL BE. MY GUESS IS SYMPATHY BUT NOTHING TO DO ABOUT IT WITHOUT FORD SUPPORTING THE DEALER. *TR
RATTLING, BANGING, RIGHT REAR SHOCK MOUNT IS RUSTED LOOSE, COMPLETELY CORRODED AWAY FROM WHEEL HOUSE. *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE SHOCKS WERE CORRODED THROUGH TO THE WHEEL WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
I WAS TRAVELING AT 60 MPH ON A HIGHWAY INTERCHANGE. I HYDROPLANED, LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE, AND HIT A GUARD RAIL WITH THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE HEAD ON. MY VEHICLE BOUNCED OFF THE GUARD RAIL, TRAVELED BACKWARDS, AND HIT THE GUARDRAIL ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR. THE CAR SPUN 90 DEGREES AND CAME TO A REST WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE AGAINST THE GUARD RAIL, OPPOSING HIGHWAY TRAFFIC FLOW. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, DESPITE A 60-MPH COLLISION. THE SUSPENSION, WHEEL, AND SHOCK FELL OFF IN THE COLLISION. *TR
AS SOON AS I HIT ABOUT 60 MPH, BETWEEN 2-3 RPM, MY CAR BEGINS TO STALL AND FEELS LIKE THE GAS PEDAL IS GRINDING AND WON'T LET ME GO ANY FASTER WITHOUT VIBRATING THE ENTIRE VEHICLE. I INITIALLY THOUGHT IT WAS THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPING SO I TOOK IT IN TO A TRANSMISSION AUTO SHOP WHERE THE FOUND ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. WHICH IS VERY ODD FOR AN AUTO SHOP TO NOT FIND ANYTHING. ABOUT 1 WEEK AFTER THIS PROBLEM, THE SERVICE EMISSION LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK THE DAY THE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR COMPLETELY STOPPED ON THE HIGHWAY, IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. THANKFULLY I WAS CLOSE TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER. I GOT TO THE SIDE AND PUT MY CAR INTO PARK, TURNED THE ENGINE OFF, AND WAITED A COUPLE OF MINUTES TO ALLOW MY HEART RATE TO COME BACK DOWN TO A NORMAL PACE. I TURNED THE KEY AND THE ENGINE TURNED BACK ON. I DROVE IT INTO AN AUTO SHOP TO SEE WHAT THE ISSUE WAS, AND THE READER SHOWED CYLINDER 2 MISFIRE. THE FIRST POSSIBLE FIX WAS TO REPLACE THE COIL ON PLUG, WHICH IS WHAT I DID. I GOT HOME TODAY AND AM STILL EXPERIENCING THIS SCARY FEELING OF MY CAR NOT BEING ABLE TO EXCEL ABOVE 60. I READ MANY REVIEWS THIS EVENING AND SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED VERY SIMILAR ISSUES. THIS IS NOT SAFE AND PEOPLE ARE AT SERIOUS RISK OR GETTING INJURED AND/OR IN AN ACCIDENT. THE AVERAGE COST TO FIX THE ISSUE - REPORTED BY MANY USERS ON HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/ESCAPE/2005/ELECTRICAL/COMPUTER_PCM_FAILURE.SHTML, IS $2000. WHEN YOU HAVE A 2005 CAR OF ANY KIND, $2000 SEEMS VERY HIGH TO FIX WHEN THE CAR IS 10 YEARS OLD. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE FURTHER AS THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE THAT FORD HAS YET TO RECALL THIS ISSUE. *TR
I'VE RECENTLY STARTED NOTICING A LOT OF CREAKING AND POPPING IN THE STRUCTURE / SUSPENSION OF MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE. I TOOK A FLASHLIGHT AND CRAWLED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE TO INSPECT, AND IMMEDIATELY NOTICED A LARGE AMOUNT OF RUST/ROT IN MY FRONT SUBFRAME OF MY VEHICLE. I SEE FORD HAS A RECALL FOR 2001 TO 2004 MODELS, BUT THIS NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED TO COVER ALL YEARS OF THIS CHASSIS DESIGN, AS MY 2005 SHOWS SIGNIFICANT ROT. THE RECALL SHOULD ALSO COVER REAR WHEEL WELL RUST/ROT (INCLUDING SHOCK MOUNTS), AS THIS AREA IS ALSO HEAVILY RUSTED. DEFINITE DESIGN FLAWS AND POOR QUALITY OF MATERIALS USED ON THE FRAME/SUBFRAME. A 2005 SHOULD NOT BE RUSTING OUT THIS BAD, EVEN IN THE "SALT BELT". NOTHING HAS BROKEN FROM RUST YET, HOWEVER JUDGING BY THE RATE OF DECAY, IT'S NOT GOING TO LAST MUCH LONGER. FORD SHOULD EXPAND THIS RECALL IMMEDIATELY. *TR
THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WILL NOT GO DOWN/FORWARD AT FIRST (ONCE LASTED ABOUT 45 MINUTES) ON COLD MORNINGS. WHY HASN'T THIS YEAR/MAKE/MODEL BEEN RECALLED LIKE 2006? I'VE BEEN LATE FOR WORK SEVERAL TIMES BECAUSE OF THIS. I LOVE THE CAR OTHERWISE.
STARTED OFF FROM A LIGHT AND THE CAR HESITATED CONCERNED GAVE IT GAS AND IT STUTTERED,I ROLLED TO A STOP AND HAD IT TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP.EVIDENTLY THE POWERTRAIN COMPUTER MODULE IS BAD SEVERAL COMPLAINTS THAT FORD PUT THE WRONG SPARK PLUGS IN THIS ESCAPE WHICH AFTER TIME RUINS THE PCM.SERIOUSLY WHY HASN'T A RECALL BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM? HAD I BEEN TRAVELING FASTER WOULD HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT AS I WAS IN MORNING TRAFFIC.NOW LOOKING AT A $1000 IN REPAIR BILLS.FORD NEEDS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR
I HEARD A LOUD BANGING NOISE COMING FROM THE RIGHT REAR AREA OF MY CAR. UPON INSPECTING UNDERNEATH, WAS DISMAYED TO SEE THE BODY OF THE CAR BY THE TIRE CRUMBLING WITH RUST. APPARENTLY THE BANGING IS FROM THE SHOCK ABSORBER HAVING BROKEN THRU THE WHEEL WELL, AND IS NOW HITTING THE BACK HATCH AREA. ALSO, DURING AN OIL CHANGE, THE SERVICE COMPANY REMOVED A BRACKET THAT HOLDS MY EXHAUST IN PLACE. UPON INSPECTING THAT BRACKET THAT WAS JUST HANGING THERE AND RATTLING, SAW A CHUNK OF CAR ATTACHED TO THE BRACKET. THEY SAID THAT IT LOOKED LIKE THE UNDERNEATH OF MY CARE HAD NOT BEEN SPRAYED WITH RUSTPROOFING WHEN MANUFACTURED. I STILL OWE MONEY ON THIS CAR, AND CANNOT AFFORD TO EXCHANGE CHARGE OR GET REPAIRED. HAVE HAD FORD CARS MOST OF MY LIFE, AND I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED THAT FORD IS NOT ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE WITH THE 2005 MODELS. THIS IS MY ONLY CAR, SO I DON'T HAVE MUCH CHOICE BUT TO DRIVE IT, EVEN THOUGH IT IS NOT SAFE. LUCKILY, I ONLY HAVE A SHORT DISTANCE TO TRAVEL TO WORK. FORD NEEDS TO STEP UP AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS POOR DESIGN. *JS
WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE, I HEARD A LOUD THUMPING NOISE IN THE BACK. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION, I SAW THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL WAS RUSTED THROUGH THE BODY OF THE STORAGE AREA. IT APPEARS THE SHOCK IS IN DANGER OF COMING LOOSE. *TR
WAS PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP LIGHT AND VEHICLE WOULDN'T GO OVER 20 MPH BUT NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, IT'S NOT HIGH IDLING OR OVER HEATING. A WEEK PRIOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AND WAS TOLD I HAD A MIS FIRE ON A CYLINDER AND I REPLACED THE SPARK PLUG AND IGNITION COIL AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF. *TR
BACK RIGHT PASSENGER WHEEL WELL RUSTED THROUGH. SHOCK IS HOLDING ON BY A THREAD. MAKES LOUD BANGING NOISE WHEN ANY BUMP IS HIT. I WAS TOLD VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BY LOCAL MECHANIC. *TR
WHILE DRIVING A LOUD THUD WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, WHILE DRIVING A CONTINUED BANGING WAS HEARD, UPON INSPECTION WE NOTICED THE INNER WHEELHOUSING OR INNER FENDER HAD A LARGE DIAMETER HOLE WHERE THE SHOCK MOUNTED TO IT, THE HOLE IS LARGE ROUGHLY 10 INCHES ACROSS AND UPON SEARCHING I HAVE NOTICED THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND ROAD SALT COMBINED TO CAUSE THIS, NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE BUT NO ACTION FROM ANYONE ON THIS ISSUE, IT SEEMS A POSSIBLE LOSS OF CONTROL WHILE LOADED COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. *TR
MY PROBLEM IS THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SHOCK MOUNT BROKEN OFF AND HAS BEEN PUSHED UP INTO THE REAR HATCH WHEEL WELL INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
HEARD THUMPING NOISE ON PASSENGER SIDE REAR. TOOK IT TO CHECK IT OUT AND WHEEL WELL COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STIFF AND DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.
REAR PASSENGER SIDE WAS MAKING LOUD NOISE WHEN DRIVING OVER ANY TYPE OF BUMPS, HOLES, THOUGHT IT WAS THE SHOCKS BUT IT WAS THE SHOCK TOWER WAS RUSTED OUT AND NEEDS REPAIRED. $1400 TO REPAIR, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THE FORD ESCAPES AND THERE IS NO RECALL AT THIS TIME. *TR
THE ELECTRONIC COOLANT PUMP THAT COOLS THE HYBRID BATTERY IS FAULTY WE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR TWO YEARS AND THE CAR CONTINUALLY BREAKS DOWN ON TRIPS. WE HAVE SPENT OVER 1500 FIXING IT. THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS PRODUCT AND FORD REFUSES TO HONOR BECAUSE THE LIGHT IS NOT ON CURRENTLY. AS SOON AS MY SON DRIVES SOMEWHERE THE LIGHT GOES ON AND THE CAR COMES TO A STOP. HE CURRENTLY IS IN GRAD SCHOOL IN DENVER AND WE ARE GETTING COMPLETE RUN AROUND FROM FORD. *TR
MY VEHICLE HAS SEVERE CORROSION IN THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL HOUSE. THE CORROSION HAS ALLOWED THE LEFT REAR SHOCK ABSORBER TO FAIL TO EFFECTIVELY DAMPEN THE SUSPENSION MOVEMENT (ITS PURPOSE). THE PROBLEM IS VERY PREVALENT ON FORD ESCAPES, MERCURY MARINERS, AND MAZDA TRIBUTES. FOR NHTSA TO DETERMINE IF THIS IS TRULY A SAFETY ISSUE, YOUR WILL NEED TO SECURE A 01 - 06 ESCAPE, REMOVE ONE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER (WORSE CASE FOR THE FAILURE OF MY VEHICLE) AND DRIVE THE VEHICLE ON A ROUGH ROAD. PLEASE HANG ON TIGHT WHEN DOING SO. THE FAILURE OF THE BODY AROUND THE MOUNTING POINT OF A CRITICAL COMPONENT OF A SUSPENSION SYSTEM PUTS THE GENERAL POPULATION AT RISK AS THEY SHARE THE ROADS WITH THE ESCAPE/MARINER/TRIBUTE DRIVERS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT RESULTS IN FAILURE OF STATE SAFETY INSPECTIONS AND CANNOT BE IGNORED BY THE GOVERNMENT AGENCY WHICH IS CHARGED WITH PREVENTING MANUFACTURER SAFETY DEFECTS FROM ENDANGERING PEOPLE ON PUBLIC ROADS. THIS DEFECT IS VERY WELL DOCUMENT ON THE INTERNET .REMEMBER...TO PROTECT AND SERVE! ME AND OTHERS ON THE ROAD....NOT FORD MOTOR COMPANY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PCM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
THE ENTIRE PASSENGER REAR WHEEL WELL IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT & IS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE; POSSIBLE STEERING CONTROL. 2001-2004 FORD ESCAPES IN THE "SALT BELT" STATES WERE RECALLED FOR THE EXACT SAME REASON. *TR
LIKE I SEE MANY OTHER TIMES. 2005 FORD ESCAPE, REAR PASSENGER SUSPENSION IS RUSTED AND ALMOST DETACHED. THIS VEHICLE WAS GARAGE KEPT AND WELL MAINTAINED. *TR
I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE WHEN I STARTED HEARING A BANGING NOISE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR OF MY VEHICLE. AFTER A FEW DAYS THE BANGING GOT LOUDER AND MY ESCAPE SEEMED TO BE HITTING HARD IN THE BACK LIKE MY SHOCK WASN'T WORKING. WHICH MY HUSBAND HAD CHANGED THEM ABOUT 3 OR 4 MONTHS PRIOR SO I THOUGHT THAT WAS ODD. AFTER DRIVING HER TODAY AND THE BANGING GETTING WORSE I HAD MY HUSBAND LOOK AT MY BACK FENDER WALL. WHEN WE DID WE SEEN IT COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. I CAN TOUCH THE INSIDE OF MY CAR. BUT THE WORST PART OF THIS IS THAT IS WHAT HOLDS MY SHOCK IN PLACE AND IT IS ALL GONE. I CAME INSIDE FRUSTRATED AND DECIDED I WOULD SEE IF THERE ARE PARTS TO FIX IT BEFORE MY SHOCK DECIDES IT IS GOING TO GO FOR A FREE RIDE AND DESTROY EVERYTHING UNDER THERE. TO MY SURPRISE I HAVE NOT FOUND A FIX NOR A RECALL BUT I DID FIND NUMEROUS PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND NO ONE SEEMS TO CARE. I AM VERY SURPRISED THAT NO ONE HAS MADE FORD RECALL THE ESCAPES AND FIX THIS ISSUE. CAN YOU IMAGINE IF I WAS ON THE FREEWAY GOING 70 MPH WHEN THIS BROKE AND THE DAMAGE IT COULD DO TO NOT ONLY MY ESCAPE BUT MY FAMILY, MYSELF, AND OTHER DRIVERS IF I LOST CONTROL OF IT BECAUSE MY SHOCK IS NO LONGER ATTACHED TO MY SUV? I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN FORD AND EVERYONE ELSE THAT IS IN CHARGE OF RECALLING VEHICLES. THEY HAVE PUT MY FAMILY, ME, AND ALL THE OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD IN DANGER AND NO ONE SEEMS TO CARE. MAYBE I SHOULD BUY A TOYOTA BECAUSE AT LEAST THEY RECALL THEIR VEHICLES AND FIX THEM WHEN THEY HAVE AN ISSUE. FORD DOES NOT SEEM TO CARE ABOUT ANYONE'S SAFETY. *TR
SEVERE RUST RIGHT REAR SHOCK TOWER UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR
THE VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING A CLUNCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END. AFTER INSPECTION, I FOUND NOTHING WRONG. CONTINUING WITH THE CLUNCK NOISE, I HAD TO REMOVE THE JACK TO ELIMINATE THAT AS THE SOURCE. THE NOISE CONTINUED. I REMOVED THE REAR PANEL AND FOUND THE ENTIRE REAR WHEEL WELL RUSTED SO BADLY I COULD SEE STRAIGHT THROUGH TO THE TIRE. IT LOOKED LIKE, AT ANY MOMENT, THE ENTIRE REAR PASSENGER SIDE COULD DISINTEGRATE AND CAUSE HAVOC ON THE OTHER COMPONENTS SUCH AS THE SUSPENSION AND NEWER TIRES. IT COST ME NEARLY $700 TO HAVE THE WHEEL WELL REPLACED.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026