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.
I HAVE A 2005 FORD ESCAPE TOOK IT TO A SHOP TODAY BECAUSE OF THE BANGING FROM THE SUSPENSION. WHEN THE MECHANIC PUT THE CAR ON THE LIFT HE SAW THAT THE ENTIRE WHEEL WELL AROUND THE SHOCK ABSORBER WAS RUSTED COMPLETELY OUT. THE EXTRA STRESS ON THE SHOCK ABSORBER CAUSED THE BOLT ON THE TOP TO BREAK OFF. THE STRESS ALSO CAUSED THE REAR BREAK LINE TO FRAY ALMOST TO THE POINT OF BREAKING COMPLETELY. THIS CAR IS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE. I AM JUST HAPPY THAT MY BREAK LINE DIDN'T BREAK WHILE I WAS ON THE ROAD. I DO NOT REALLY KNOW WHAT OPTIONS I HAVE WITH THE CAR SINCE IT IS THE ONLY CAR I OWN AND I HAVE NO OTHER WAY TO GET TO AND FROM WORK. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR AN UNRELATED REPAIR AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
THE RIGHT SIDE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL IS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE CAR IS MAKING A LOUD THUMPING SOUND WHEN GOING OVER SMALL BUMPS. IN DOING RESEARCH, IT SOUNDS LIKE THIS IS A SERIOUS CONCERN WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL. *TR
PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL (HIDDEN AREA ONLY) RUSTED OUT AT THE SHOCK MOUNT CAUSING THE SHOCK TO PUNCH INTO THE INTERIOR. EXPENSIVE REPAIR. SAD PART IS THAT THE REST OF THE VEHICLE IS IN VERY GOOD SHAPE, NEVER SUSPECTED SUCH A RUSTING ISSUE LIKE THAT. I SEE IT IS A COMMON FLAW OF THIS VEHICLE. POOR ENGINEERING OF A CRITICAL MOUNTING POINT. FORTUNATELY NO INJURIES IN THIS CASE, BUT COULD EASILY HAVE CAUSED PANIC RESULTING IN AN SERIOUS ACCIDENT. VERY SURPRISED THIS IS NOT A FORD RECALL ITEM WITH AN AVAILABLE MANUFACTURED REINFORCING PART.
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
ON SEVERAL OCASSIONS, VEHICLE SECURITY ALARM SOUNDED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE TRYING TO START ENGINE. ALARM HORN EVENTUALLY DEACTIVATED AFTER PUSHING KEY BUTTON DURING SEVERAL STARTING ATTEMPTS. DROVE VEHICLE OUT OF PARKING LOT SLOWING FOR STOP LIGHT AND VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. RESTARTED ENGINE AND GAUGES SWING MINIMUM TO MAXIMUM CONTINUALLY WITH AIR BAG LIGHT ON, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, THEFT LIGHT ON. GAUGES WORKED ALTERNATELY DURING MIN-MAX SWINGS, THEN STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY. DAY AFTER OCCURENCE, NEW BATTERY WAS COMPLETELY DRAINED AND WOULD NOT HOLD A CHARGE. WHEN TRYING TO CHARGE BATTERY, VECHICLE HAD CLICKING SOUND IN GAUGE CONSOLE. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO AUTO ELECTRICAL MECHANIC WHO TELLS ME IT IS A FAULTY DASH CONSOLE AND NOT THE VEHICLE COMPUTER AND DASH GAUGE CONSOLE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A NEW PART COST OF $700. REPLACING DASH GAUGE CONSOLE WITH A NEW ONE TO FIND IF THIS FIXES VEHICLE PROBLEMS. MAJOR CONSERN IF ENGINE SHUTTING DOWN WHILE DRIVING.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WINDOW HATCH BOLTS WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE BECAME EXTREMELY HOT, THE ENGINE STALLED, AND AN UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JOLTED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V256000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,418.
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE RED TRIANGLE CAME ON AND THE LCD READ HIGH TEMPERATURE WARNING. I STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE WASN'T HOT AND THERE WAS PLENTY OF COOLANT FOR THE RADIATOR IN THE RESERVOIR. STARTED VEHICLE AFTER 5 MIN AND DROVE HOME.
HAVE TRIED AND CALLED FORD DEALERS MECHANICS I FOUND OUT YESTERDAY TECH BULLETIN ISSUED PLUGS COILS NEW COMPUTER COST OVER 2700. DEFECTIVE ENGINE MOUNTS RATTLE FORD NEW IN 2005 COILS WOULD BURN OUT COMPUTER. NEVER ISSUED RECALL OR WARRANTY. CAR IS JUNK STILL PAYING CALLED FORD TOOK INFO. SAID SORRY NOTHING THEY CAN DO PAINT TERRIBLE RUST. I HV A PIECE OF POOP CAR WITH BALANCE NOT SAFE TO DRIVE ROUND IDLE STALLS DECELERATING JUMPING. GREAT. TY FORD GLAD U GET RICH OF US. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE ONLY OCCURRED ONCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE TRAVELING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE INNER REAR FENDER AND THE REAR SHOCKS DETERIORATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE RUSTED AND COULD FRACTURE AT ANY MOMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
WHILE DRIVING INTO WORK MY WIFE HEARD A LOUD BANG FROM THE REAR END. ONCE I INSPECTED IT, THE WHOLE PASSENGER REAR SHOCK MOUNT HAS RUSTED COMPLETELY OFF, SENDING THE TOP OF THE SHOCK THROUGH THE FENDER INSIDE COVER. INSPECTING THE DRIVERS SIDE, IT'S RUSTED ALL THE WAY AROUND THE SHOCK MOUNT, ONLY BEING HELD ON BY THE BOTTOM WELD. IT SEEMS LIKE THERE'S A REAL THICK MEMBRANE SMEARED UNDER FENDER WELL. OTHERWISE, THE VEHICLE IS IN REAL GOOD SHAPE. I CAN'T BELIEVE THE POOR ENGINEERING THAT WENT INTO THIS VEHICLE. OH YEAH, WE JUST PAID IT OFF IN MARCH THROUGH FORD MOTOR CREDIT. IT'LL COST MORE TO FIX THE PROBLEM THEN WHAT I COULD GET OUT OF IT. I CAN'T BELIEVE HOW A FORD DEALER COULD POSSIBLY NOT SEE THIS BEFORE IT WAS SOLD TO US. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THERE WAS AN UNUSUAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL RUSTED AND FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD GOING APPROX. 40 MPH, I HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM BY BACK PASSENGER SIDE TIRED. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO SEE WHAT CAUSED THE NOISE. UPON INSPECTION, I NOTICED THE WHEEL WELL THAT SUPPORTS THE BACK SHOCK WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE SHOCK HAD BROKE THROUGH THE RUSTED WHEEL WELL AND WAS PRESSED UP AGAINST THE INSIDE INTERIOR OF MY CAR. THE REST OF MY WHEEL WELLS ARE IN FINE CONDITION. WHEN I RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ONLINE, THERE ARE MANY, MANY CUSTOMERS THAT HAVE HAD THIS EXACT PROBLEM WITH 2005 FORD ESCAPES. IT IS ONLY THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. THIS NEEDS TO BE RESEARCHED AND CORRECTED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. *TR
I HAD BEEN HEARING A LARGE CLUNK ON MY PASSENGER SIDE IN THE BACK. AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT WAS MY SHOVEL HITTING. HOWEVER, I FINALLY REALLY TOOK A LOOK AT THE ENTIRE BACK AND WHEEL AND NOTICE IT COMPLETELY ROTTED UNDER AND EVEN BROKE THROUGH MY TRUNK. I TOOK IT TO 3 DIFFERENT SHOPS AND WAS TOLD IT WAS THE SUSPENSION/SHOCK THAT HAS RUSTED AND ROTTED AWAY. IT WASN'T SUPPOSE TO DO THAT. I HAVE A WELDER PRICING IT OUT BECAUSE BOTH OTHER GARAGES SAID THEY COULDN'T FIX. I FEEL COMPLETELY UNSAFE DRIVING THINKING THE CAR COULD GO FLAT OUT ANYTIME. THE CAR IS IN REALLY GOOD CONDITION OTHERWISE, AND FROM THE SOUND OF IT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AMONG 2004 AND 2005 ESCAPES. IF THIS KEEPS HAPPENING SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET HURT. AND IT SHOULD BE FORDS RESPONSIBILITY TO FIX. *TR
THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL/SHOCK MOUNT BECAME BADLY CORRODED, RESULTING IN THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER AND SUSPENSION BEING CONNECTED TO A THIN PIECE OF METAL, AND THE TOP OF THE SHOCK ABSORBER HITTING AGAINST A PLASTIC INTERIOR BODY PANEL. HAD THE THIN PIECE OF METAL CORRODED ENTIRELY, A SEVERE ACCIDENT PROBABLY WOULD HAVE RESULTED. VARIOUS ONLINE SITES REPORT THIS SAME PROBLEM ON THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL VEHICLE (2005 FORD ESCAPE), BUT NO RECALLS, AS THEY HAVE BEEN FOR OTHER FORD VEHICLES AND OTHER YEARS OF THE ESCAPE THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SEVERE PROBLEM.
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM SCHOOL WHEN I STARTED TO HEAR A LOUD CLUNCKING NOISE FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. I CAME TO FIND OUT THAT IT WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND THAT'S WHAT WAS MAKING ALL OF THAT NOISE. I HAVE ONLY HAD THIS CAR FOR 6 MONTHS AND I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT I AM GOING TO DO IF THIS IS A PROBLEM NO ONE CAN FIX! I'VE BEEN READING AND A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH THE 2003-2007 ESCAPES ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE! THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED!! *TR
FIRST, SPORADIC LOSS OF BRAKE CONTROL; VERY BRIEF; THEN, ABS AND BRAKES LIGHTS CAME ON. DASH SAID "SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM." BROUGHT IT TO LOCAL DEALER, WHO SAID IT NEEDS A NEW MASTER CYLINDER & HCU. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH OVER A POTHOLE, AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SHOCK WAS FRACTURED AND RUSTED. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,400.
HAVE FOUND THE RIGHT REAR STRUT MOUNT ALMOST RUSTED AWAY AND THE LEFT SIDE IS ON ITS WAY. I HEAR THERE IS A RECALL FOR 2001-2004 FOR THIS AND FROM ALL THE COMPLAINTS I SEE ON-LINE THIS SHOULD INCLUDE 2005-2006 AND UNLESS THEY DID SOMETHING TO ACTUALLY STOP THIS, EVEN LATER YEARS SHOULD BE INCLUDED. IF A PERSON HITS A CHUCK HOLE THIS COULD CAUSE A BAD ACCIDENT., I SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE CAN'T EVEN DRIVE THEIR VEHICLES. I HAVE OWNED MANY OLDER,VEHICLES INCLUDING A 1995 FORD TAURUS I TRADED IN ON THIS ESCAPE THAT DIDN'T HAVE THIS PROBLEM. *TR
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY IN THE FAST LANE AT 60MPH AND A CAR CUT ME SHORT AND BRAKE SO I APPLIED MY BRAKE MY WHEEL HAD YANKED TO THE LEFT AND I TRIED TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE WHEEL BY PULLING IT TO THE RIGHT BUT IT YANKED AGAIN TO THE LEFT CAUSING ME TO HIT INTO THE MEDIAN DUE TO THE IMPACT MY CAR TURNED OVER AND DRAGGED ACROSS THE OTHER 3 LANES AND TITLED BACK OVER. ALTHOUGH MY CAR IS TOTALED I SUSTAINED MINOR INJURY TO MY NECK AND LEFT SIDE. ALSO MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR
MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE'S PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND THE SHOCK BROKE THROUGH TO THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AS IT WAS BEING DRIVEN! THIS IS COMPLETELY DANGEROUS - WE COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY INJURED. I SEARCHED THIS ISSUE ON-LINE, AND IT IS EXTREMELY PREVALENT ON THESE VEHICLES. FORD NEEDS A RECALL ON THIS - IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE. WHEN I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALER, I WAS TOLD THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND DANGEROUS AND FORD REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I WENT TO A WELDING SHOP IN MY AREA, AND THE PROBLEM IS SO COMMON, THAT THEY EVEN HAVE A POSTER WITH PICTURES OF THE PROBLEM AND HOW THEY FIX IT. THIS IS SO DANGEROUS. FORD APPEARS NOT TO CARE ABOUT THIS ISSUE. PLEASE REVIEW IT. THANK YOU. *TR
THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL RUSTED OUT WHERE THE SHOCK ATTACHES. THE SHOCK ASSEMBLY IS NOW JUST LOOSE AND RATTLING. LOOKING ONLINE, MANY MANY PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE ON 2004, 2005, AND 2006 ESCAPES. THIS MAKES THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH OVER A BUMP, THERE WAS A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN GOING OVER A BUMP. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE TOP OF THE STEERING TOWER HAD SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STRUCK TOWER SEPARATED DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WELL WAS CORRODED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT A THUMPING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE STRUTS WERE EXPOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
WAS DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED (APPX 55MPH) IN 5 O'CLOCK TRAFFIC IN RALEIGH, NC ON US 1 AND THE VEHICLE LOST SPEED. ALL EMERGENCY LIGHTS CAME ON. FORCED TO PULL THE VEHICLE OFF ONTO THE SHOULDER AND WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED. THE VEHICLE SPUTTERED AND TOTALLY CUT OFF. ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT IT KEPT CUTTING OFF. I WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND WAS STRANDED ON THE HIGHWAY. AFTER A CALL TO A FAMILY MEMBER AND TO AAA, THE CAR WAS TOWED HOME 3 HOURS LATER. THE NEXT DAY, THE CAR WAS TOWED TO CROSSROADS FORD IN CARY, NC. THEY DETERMINED THAT THE PCM, SPARK PLUGS AND IGNITION COILS ALL FAILED AT ONCE AND CHARGED ME $2700. ERROR CODES P0351, P0354 AND P0353 APPEARED ON THE DIAGNOSTICS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED THE NEXT DAY. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE SINCE THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY UNDERGOES A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE WITH LOSS OF POWER AND ACCELERATION AND COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. *TR
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY I HIT A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD AND HEARD A LOUD CLUNK FROM THE RIGHT REAR AREA. I WASN'T SURE WHAT IT WAS AND WAS WITHIN 5 MILES OF HOME. THE REST OF THE TRIP HOME EVERY TIME I CAME TO A SMALL BUMP'S THE CLUNK WAS GETTING WORSE. I LOOKED IN THE RIGHT REAR FENDER WELL AND NOTICED THE WHOLE AREA AROUND THE RIGHT REAR SHOCK IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. *TR
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, WE HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD AND ALMOST IMMEDIATELY THERE WAS A LOUD BANGING NOISE. UPON INSPECTION, I FOUND THAT THE REAR RIGHT WHEEL WELL WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. THE SHOCK STRUT IS NOW LOOSE AND BANGING AGAINST THE CAR'S FRAME, THE TIRE AND THE INTERIOR OF THE REAR CARGO AREA. I'VE BEEN RESEARCHING THIS ONLINE AND NOTICE THAT THIS IS A RATHER COMMON PROBLEM WITH OTHER FORD ESCAPES IN THE MIDWEST. IT IS ALWAYS THE SAME COMPLAINT, RUSTED OUT WHEEL WELL ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. SOMEONE NEED TO INVESTIGATE FORD BECAUSE THIS IS TOO COMMON AN ISSUE AND IS CLEARLY A DESIGN FLAW. REPAIR FOR THIS ISSUE CAN RUN UP TO $2,000. *TR
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, WHENEVER WE WOULD HIT A BUMP OF ANY KIND THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR OF THE CAR MADE A HORRIBLE RATTLING/BANGING NOISE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD AND SHOWED ME WHERE THE PART THAT CONNECTED THE SHOCK TO THE WHEEL WELL HAD PRETTY MUCH RUSTED AWAY AND WAS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE. THE SERVICE WRITERS AND THE BODY MAN ALL SAID THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL. THEY CONJECTURED THAT SINCE WE GET SNOW IN PITTSBURGH THE ROADS ARE SALTED. SINCE THE ROADS ARE SLANTED TO THE RIGHT TO HELP DRAINAGE, THAT SIDE IS BATHED IN SALT WATER. HOWEVER I AM ALSO DEVELOPING RUST ON THE OUTSIDE EDGE OF THE BODY PANEL ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE. WHY THEN IS THIS NOT HAPPENING TO OTHER MODEL YEARS? SINCE IT IS NOT DRIVABLE I HAVE HAD TO SCHEDULE THE REPAIRS. AT THE TIME OF THE REPAIRS I AM GOING TO HAVE THE CAR COMPLETELY GONE OVER BY THE DEALERS MECHANICS AND BODY MAN TO VALIDATE THE CONDITION AND DOCUMENT ANY FURTHER REQUIRED REPAIRS. THIS IS A TOTAL ENGINEERING SCREWUP BY FORD AND THEY SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO RECALL ALL OF THIS MODEL AND YEAR AND EITHER REPAIR THEM AT NO COST TO THE OWNER OR REIMBURSE THE OWNERS WHO ALREADY HAD TO HAVE THE REPAIRS DONE. DO PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE ACTION IS TAKEN? IS NO ONE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS IN TODAY'S SOCIETY? *TR
I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND MY CAR WOULD NOT SWITCH GEARS, THE CAR STALLED AND CAUSED ME TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE BACK OF MY CAR AND THE FRONT. I HAD NOT HAD THE CAR FOR A YEAR.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BEGAN BURNING AND AN UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
I WAS DRIVING AT 30 MPH WHEN THE SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON. TWO MINUTES LATER VEHICLE LOST ACCELERATION POWER, SEEMED TO STALL. HAD TO COAST TO SIDE OF THE ROAD QUICKLY TO GET OUT OF WAY. THE SERVICE LIGHT IS NO LONGER ON AND VEHICLE SEEMS TO BE DRIVING OK. WAS TOLD IT WAS A STICKY THROTTLE BODY. *TR
I WAS DRIVING AND BEGAN TO HEAR A LOUD NOISE I STOPPED AND LOOKED, THE FENDER WELL HAD FALLEN HALF WAY OFF. IT WAS RUSTED ALL THE WAY THROUGH. I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK AND STILL CANNOT USE MY CAR BECAUSE I CANT AFFORD TO REPLACE THIS PART. SHOULDN'T FORD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS IT IS A FLAW IN THE BODY. *TR
DRIVING DOWN STREET AND RAN OVER ROUGH SPOT IN PAVEMENT AND HEARD A THUMP FROM THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. NEXT DAY DROVE OVER RAILROAD TRACKS AND THERE WAS A LOUD BANGING NOISE. I CHECKED UNDER VEHICLE AT RIGHT REAR WHEEL OPENING (PASSENGER SIDE) TO FIND MOST OF THE WHEEL WELL RUSTED AND GONE FROM THE SHOCK MOUNT LOCATION TO THE REAR MOST PART OF THE WHEEL WELL. THE BUCKET OR BRACKET THAT MOUNTS THE TOP OF THE SHOCK ABSORBER TO THE WHEEL WELL AND CHASSIS IS JUST FLOATING IN MID AIR. WHEN I LOOK THROUGH THE SIDE COMPARTMENT IN THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE I CAN SEE THE TOP OF THE TIRE AND THE PAVEMENT AND SHOCK ABSORBER. *TR
ACCORDING TO YOUR LIST OF RECALLS THERE IS A COMPLIANCE RECALL FOR THE ROOF THE MY ESCAPE AND A DOOR LATCH . I CALLED FORD AND THEY STATE IT'S NOT ON MY CAR EVEN THOUGH IT IS LISTED, I HAVE A DOOR AJAR LIGHT THAT'S STAYS ON AND DOESN'T ALLOW ME TO LOCK MY CAR BECAUSE THE ALARM GOES OFF. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE ARE ESCAPES WITH THE PROPER VIN NUMBER WITH THAT RECALL. THEY TOOK MY INFORMATION AND TOLD ME IF I PAY FOR IT TO BE REPAIRED AND THERE IS A RECALL AT SOME POINT THAT I WOULD BE REIMBURSED. COULDN'T IT BE POSSIBLE THAT THE PART WAS INSTALLED THAT'S IS FAULTY? I JUST WANTED TO VENT AND LET YOUR SITE KNOWN OF THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, A LOUD BANGING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL WAS RUSTED AND CORRODED, CAUSING THE SHOCK MOUNT TO MAKE CONTACT WITH THE SUBFRAME. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000.
POWER STEERING SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING IS GONE. SO DIFFICULT TO STEER I COULD HAVE BEEN A WREAK IF I WAS GOING FASTER. THANKFULLY IT HAPPENED TURNING INTO A PARKING SPOT. VERY DANGEROUS! THIS HAPPENS ON FEBRUARY 27, 2015. *TR
WHILE DRIVING AT 30MPH THE POWER STEERING FAILED MAKING THE VEHICLE EXTREMELY HARD TO STEER. AFTER ABOUT 2 MINUTES THE "PWR STEERING SERVICE" MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED AND THE WRENCH LIGHT WAS LIT. AFTER GETTING THE VEHICLE TO A SAFE AREA I RESTARTED IT AND THERE STILL WAS NO POWER STEERING. I THEN LET THE VEHICLE SIT FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 HOURS, RESTARTED IT AGAIN AND POWER STEERING HAD RETURNED. *TR
I WAS STOPPED AT A DRIVE THRU LINE MY CAR MADE A NOISE I DON'T KNOW HOW TO DESCRIBE ACCURATELY WITH WORDS. I LOOKED DOWN AND MY ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT WERE ON AND THE BRAKE SERVICE NEEDED WAS ON THE DASH DISPLAY. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TURNED THE CAR OFF THEN ON. ALL THE SAME WARNINGS WERE STILL THERE. I PULLED FORWARD SLOWLY AND WHEN BRAKING I STILL DIDN'T STOP IN A REASONABLE TIME AND ALMOST COMPLETELY MISSED THE DRIVE THRU WINDOW. NEEDLESS TO SAY A DRIVE HOME AT 10-15MPH STILL FELT LIKE I WAS IN DANGER OF HITTING SOMEONE BECAUSE I COULD NOT JUDGE STOPPING DISTANCE EVEN WITH MY FOOT APPLYING FULL PRESSURE ON THE BRAKES. FROM ALL THE INFORMATION I HAVE FOUND ON LINE THIS SEEMS A VERY APPARENT CASE OF SOMETHING FORD SHOULD BE MAKING A RECALL ISSUE OF HIGH IMPORTANCE. I AM HOPING MY REPORTING IT HERE MAY HELP IN PREVENTING SOMETHING VERY DANGEROUS FROM HAPPENING IN THE FUTURE. *TR
THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILED TO FUNCTION ON START UP. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE POWER STEERING ACTIVATED. IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PCM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.
PASSENGER SIDE REAR FENDER COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING TOTAL DETACHMENT OF SHOCK ABSORBER MOUNT TOWER ORIGINALLY PART OF BODY/FRAME.
THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL AND SHOCK MOUNT IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. WHEN I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED, I DROVE IT AND HEARD A SLIGHT CLUNKING SOMEWHERE IN THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. I THOUGHT MAYBE THE SHOCKS WERE BAD. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE IT, HOPING TO REPLACE THE SHOCKS. RECENTLY THE NOISE BECAME VERY LOUD AND DISTURBING. I LOOKED AT THE SHOCK AREA AND DISCOVERED THE WHOLE AREA ON THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL AND SHOCK MOUNT ARE RUSTED THROUGH AND BREAKING APART. THE LEFT SIDE IS FINE. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT THIS WAY AND BELIEVE IT IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION. I LOOKED UP THE PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND A MULTITUDE OF THE SAME PROBLEM WITH OTHER OWNERS OF 2005 FORD ESCAPES. TO MY KNOWLEDGE, FORD WILL ONLY FIX 2001-2004 ESCAPES, BUT NOT 2005. WHY NOT? IT CLEARLY IS A DEFECT IN MATERIAL AND WORKMANSHIP. IT HAS RUSTED PREMATURELY AND CAUSES A HAZARDOUS SAFETY SITUATION. IF THIS WAS AN ISOLATED INCIDENT, I WOULD UNDERSTAND. BUT FROM WHAT I HAVE LEARNED, IT HAS HAPPENED TO ALL 2005 FORD ESCAPES. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME RUSTED CAUSING THE CONTROL ARM AND THE BALL JOINT TO DETACH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL HAS RUSTED THROUGH COMPROMISING THE CONNECTION TO THE STRUT. *TR
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING, USUALLY RESTARTS BUT HAVE HAD IT TOWED. CAR HAS BEEN BACK TO DEALER 11 TIMES IN 12 MONTHS FOR SAME PROBLEM. NO RHYME OR REASON CAN BE CITY OR HIGHWAY. IT IS USUALLY PRECEDED BY INTERIOR LIGHT AND OR DOOR ADJAR LIGHT COMING ON , AFTER STALL HAPPENS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. DEALER HAS REPLACED COUNTLESS FUEL AND EMMISION PARTS INCLUDING ECM AND COILS, FUEL PUMP ETC. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE DAY OF PURCHASE, THIS CAR IS UNSAFE AND APPEARS FORD DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. VEHICLE LAST LEFT US SIT IN FLORIDA, AFTER 2 WEEKS AND $3200 IN REPAIRS ON 12/21/2015 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND INTERIOR LIGHT CAME BACK ON 2/2/2016
I HAD TO HAVE TONE RINGS REPLACED ON ABS SYSTEM ON DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS SIDE FRONT WHEELS. HAD THE WORK DONE AT FORD DEALERSHIP 2 MONTHS AGO. YESTERDAY I WAS PULLING OUT ON TO MAIN ROAD AND LOST ALL BRAKES. *JS
I WAS COMING BACK TO HOME FROM WORK DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT 55-60 MPH AND SUDDENLY MY CAR STARTS DECELERATING ITSELF AND I WAS FORCED TO PULL IT OVER ON THE SHOULDER, I WAS LUCKY THAT NOT ONE HIT ME. I COMPLETELY TURNED THE ENGINE OFF AND THEN I TRIED TO START AGAIN, IT STARTED MAKING CRANKING SOUND BUT DID NOT START COMPLETELY, SO I HAD TO CALL THE TOWING TRUCK TO TOW THE CAR TO MY HOME. IT COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE, I AM LUCKY TO BE ALIVE, I AM NOT SURE HOW CAN THE VEHICLE CAN STALL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE DRIVING. IT WAS SCARY. *TR
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026