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'VE BEEN TOLD THE REAR SHOCK MOUNT HAS RUSTED OUT ON THIS UNIBODY CONSTRUCTED VECHICLE. WHEN I DRIVE THE CAR, AND IF I HIT ANY SORT OF A BUMP IN THE ROAD, HUGE SOUND FROM THE BACK AS IF THE REAR END OF THE CAR IS GOING TO FALL OFF. I UNDERSTAND MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEM. COST TO FIX, IF POSSIBLE IS ABOUT $4000. CAR IS WORTH ABOUT THE SAME AMOUNT. I WAS TOLD BY AUTO BODY GUY THAT A RECALL ON THIS MAY EXIST OR THAT FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND MAY BE OFFERING UP A FIX.
PASSENGER REAR WHEEL WELL RUSTING THRU. WAS REPLACING A TIRE AND THE AUTO SHOP WOULD NOT REPLACE THE TIRE WITHOUT FIXING THE RUSTED THRU WHEEL WELL AS THEY WERE CONCERNED IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THAT THE WHEEL WELL COULD FALL APART AND THE SHOCK/STRUT COULD DETACH.
HEARD A LOUD THUMP FROM REAR RIGHT SIDE OF THE ESCORT WHILE DRIVING 35 MILES AN HOUR ON A CITY STREET. TOOK IT TO THE SHOP, THEY SAID THE RIGHT REAR STRUT WAS RUSTED THROUGH, IT IS UN FIXABLE AND TO LOOK FOR A NEW CAR. THEY ALSO SAID IT IS A COMMON THING TO HAPPEN TO THE 2005 FORD ESCAPE. NO RECALL, FORD DOES NOT CARE.
WHEEL WELL ROTTED OUT CAUSING SHOCK TO BREAK LOOSE AND CREATE UNSAFE VEHICLE. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET WHEN IT FINALLY LET GO AND SAW DEBRIS FALL ALL OVER ROAD AND HEARD A LOUD BANG FROM PASSENGER SIDE REAR OF CAR.
MY 2005 ESCAPE WAS PARKED ON 9/28/2015 WHEN I NOTICED A LARGE PIECE OF METAL RESTING ON TOP OF THE TIRE. LOOKING CLOSER, I NOTICED THE UNDERSIDE OF THE RIGHT REAR FENDER WELL HAS RUSTED OUT, YOU CAN SEE INTO THE INTERIOR STORAGE COMPARTMENT. THE RUST CRACK CONTINUES UP AND AROUND THE UPPER SHOCK MOUNT ALLOWING IT TO MOVE/FLEX. THE PIECE OF METAL THAT FELL OFF WAS UNDERCOATED ALONG WITH THE REST OF THE WHEEL WELL, HIDING THE RUST THAT FORMED UNDERNEATH. I WAS NOT AWARE THE CONDITION WAS SO BAD, BUT NOW I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION.
RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL RUSTED OUT SO BAD THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO THE REAR TIRE IS CLOSE TO SEPARATING FROM THE VEHICLE SUBFRAME. CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, HEARD A LOAD BANG IN THE BACK OF THE CAR ON THE RIGHT SIDE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE I NOTICED THAT THE INNER WHEEL WELL WAS RUSTED OUT AND THE SHOCK WAS NO LONGER CONNECTED TO THE VEHICLE. LOOKS LIKE THE FRAME MAY BE CRACKED UNDER THE ATTACH POINT OF THE UPPER STRUT MOUNT.
REAR RIGHT SHOCK MOUNT RUSTING THROUGH . K-FRAME ROTTED THROUGH RIGHT FRONT SIDE
RIGHT REAR SHOCK MOUNT COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT, BOUGHT CAR BRAND NEW, ONLY 60,000 MILES ON IT . COME TO FIND OUT ALL FORD ESCAPES THIS YEAR ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM BECAUSE THIS IS A SUSPENSION AND HANDLING ISSUE, CAR WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE AND KEEP IN LANE. THE PROBLEM HAS IT'S OWN FACEBOOK PAGE, 2004-2006 FORD ESCAPE. VERY POOR ENGINEERING DESIGN MOUNTING SHOCK TO SHEETMETAL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. HILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000.
A WEEK AGO I BEGAN TO HAVE A RATTLING IN THE RIGHT REAR OF MY ESCAPE. AFTER TIGHTENING DOWN AND REMOVING ANYTHING FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE THAT COULD BE "THUNKING" , THE NOISE CONTINUED TO GET WORSE. I INVESTIGATED FURTHER AND DISCOVERED THAT THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL HAD COMPLETELY CORRODED AND THE SHOCK HAD BROKEN FREE WITH A LARGE CHUNK OF WHAT USED TO BE THE WHEEL WELL/FRAME. I BEGAN RESEARCHING FOR A RECALL NOTICE AND FOUND THAT FORD MINIVANS FROM 2004-2007 ALSO HAD WHEEL WELL RUST PROBLEMS THAT RESULTED IN A RECALL...BUT NOTHING FOR THE ESCAPE. MY MECHANIC SAID IT SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN UNTIL FIXED BECAUSE IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN. I FURTHER LOOKED AT COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER ESCAPE OWNERS (AT LEAST 50 POSTED ON LINE) AND HAVE LEARNED THAT THIS EXACT SAME RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL CORROSION ON THE 2005 MODEL IS COMMON, DANGEROUS AND EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR (MY ESTIMATES RANGE FROM $1000 BUT THE FRAME SHOP WILL NOT COMMIT UNTIL THEY BEGIN WORK ON IT- THEY DID STATE THAT THIS IS NOT A NEW PROBLEM ON FORDS - THEY HAVE REPAIRED OTHERS) . FORD SEEMS TO BE DISMISSIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE APPROACHED THEM, STATING THERE IS NO RECALL SO THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. IS ANYONE LOOKING INTO THIS?
EVERY MORNING THE CAR ALARM SUDDENLY GOES OFF UNTIL I PRESS KEY FOB. IT HAPPENS ROUTINELY FROM 5 TO 8 AM AND 8 TO 9 PM. ACCORDING TO THE INTERNET, THERE ARE MANY FORD ESCAPE OWNERS WHO HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. YOU CAN SEARCH IT BY "FORD ESCAPE ALARM GOES OFF". THIS IS REALLY ANNOYING NOT ONLY FOR OWNERS BUT ALSO FOR THEIR NEIGHBORS. ALTHOUGH THIS IS NOT CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE, THIS IS ABSOLUTELY MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT.
WHILE DRIVING, RECEIVED A "STOP SAFELY NOW" WARNING LIGHT AND THE ENGINE SHUTDOWN. SECOND TIME IN THREE WEEKS SUCH INCIDENT OCCURRED AND THIS IS AFTER SUPPOSED "SAFETY RECALL" WORK DONE ON THE VEHICLE A FEW MONTHS BACK. PREVIOUS TO THE RECALL, THE CAR ACTUALLY SHUTDOWN NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGH RATES OF SPEED ON MAJOR INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS. AFTER THE LIGHT COMES ON, THE GAS PEDAL IS NO LONGER RESPONSIVE AND YOU HAVE TO HOPE YOU CAN COAST OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. ONCE YOU STOP SAFELY AND TURN OFF THE CAR, AFTER WAITING 5-10 MINUTES, THE CAR USUALLY COMES BACK ON, WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE IT IS DUE TO SOME SORT OF OVERTEMP CONDITION.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND DID NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V526000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM) AND WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE REMEDY AND PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE TO COMPLETE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,912. UPDATED 11/19/15*LJ
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT STEERING PROPERLY AND PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUBFRAME FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE WELL WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,719....UPDATED 10-13-15 *BF UPDATED 3/28/16*JS *CN
THE SUB-FRAME RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING BOTH FRONT WHEELS TO TOE OUT AND ALSO TO CAMBER IN AT THE TOP. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ALSO TRIGGERED. THE STEERING NOW PULLS TO THE LEFT AND THERE IS TIRE SQUEEL EVEN ON GRADUAL RIGHT HAND TURNS. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM FOR THE FORD ESCAPE MODEL YEARS 2001-2004. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THIS SAME PROBLEM EXISTS FOR THIS MODEL YEAR 2005 FORD ESCAPE. I VERIFIED THAT MY VIN WAS NOT COVERED IN THE RECALL. I THEN CALLED FORD TO SEE IF THEY WOULD REMEDY THE PROBLEM AS IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT THIS WAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS IN THEIR OTHER RECALL - THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T HELP. THIS IS A LOW MILEAGE, WELL MAINTAINED VEHICLE SO IT SHOULD BE OBVIOUS THAT THE SUB-FRAME IS FAULTY.
WAS DRIVING ALONG CITY STREET WHEN I WENT OVER A SMALL BUMP, HEARD A LOUD THUD! THE WHEEL WELL ON BACK PASSENGER SIDE WAS RUSTED AWAY WHERE THE STRUT CONNECTS. OR WHERE IT WAS ONCE CONNECTED... 155,673 MILES, THIS IS MY ONLY VEHICLE AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE MY FAMILY IN.
RIGHT REAR SHOCK/STRUT RUSTED OFF THE VEHICLE AND IS NOT ATTACHED ANYMORE
WHILE I WAS DRIVING I NOTICED A BANGING NOISE IN THE REAR OF MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE THAT WAS GETTING LOUDER, WHEN I LOOKED AT BOTH SIDES I NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER REAR WELL WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. I TOOK MY ESCAPE TO THE CAR REPAIR SHOP AND WAS QUOTED $1000 FOR THE REPAIR AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. I STARTED DOING SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2004 AND 2005 FORD ESCAPE THAT THEY DIDN'T PROPERLY SEAL ONE SIDE OF THE CAR, AND THAT THEY HAD ONLY RECALLED THE 2004. I HAD CONTRACTED THE FORD MOTOR CO. AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE NO RECORD OF ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE 2005 FORD ESCAPE HAVING THIS PROBLEM, I THEN INFORMED THEM THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM AND SHE SAID THAT THEY HAVE NO RECORDS. I FEEL THEY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS REPAIR SINCE IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM THEY HAD WITH THE 2004 FORD ESCAPE. MY CAR ONLY HAS ONLY 93,000 MILES WHEN THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED. THIS SUV IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AND YOU ARE UNABLE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE WHEN THIS PROBLEM OCCURS.
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.
WHY IS IT THAT NHTSA IS IGNORING ALL THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE FORD ESCAPE VEHICLES FROM 2003 TO 2007 IN REGARDS TO THE RIGHT REAR FENDER WELL AND SHOCK MOUNTS THAT ARE RUSTING OUT IN WHICH THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE WHERE AS THE SHOCK COULD HIT THE INNER WHEEL OF THE RIGHT REAR TIRE? NO RECALLS FROM FORD OR NHTSA ON THIS ISSUE, BUT YOU CAN CLEARLY SEE FROM THE ATTACHED VIDEO THAT THERE IS A MAJOR CONCERN FOR SAFETY OF THESE VEHICLES ON THE RIGHT REAR SIDE. HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=9_OZK8IGK5S REPAIRS ARE COSTING THE CONSUMERS ON THESE VEHICLES NEARLY $2000.00 DOLLARS OR MORE AT THE AUTO BODY REPAIR SHOP. HOW CAN FORD DO THIS ON THESE VEHICLES AND CURRENT MODELS. I HAVE A 2011 FORD ESCAPE AND IT IS STARTING TO RUST OUT IN THE SAME PLACE. WHY?????????????????? MAKE FORD RECALL THESE VEHICLE AND PAY FOR THESE REPAIRS. INSTEAD OF THE CONSUMER HAVING TO GET RAKED OVER THE COALS FROM THE AUTO BODY SHOPS OR YOUR LOCAL FORD DEALER.
I WAS DRIVING ALONG THE HIGHWAY ON MY WAY TO WORK AND HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THAT I HEARD A RATTLING NOISE IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE QUARTER PANE ON EVERY SUBSEQUENT BUMP. WHEN I WAS ABLE TO PROPERLY EXAMINE IT I REALIZED THAT THE METAL THAT CONNECTS THE SHOCK TOWER TO THE WHEEL WELL HAD ALMOST COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY. IN AUGUST OF 2012, WITH 154,523 MILES ON THE CAR, I REPLACED THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS. THERE WAS NO INDICATION AT THAT TIME OF THIS PROBLEM DEVELOPING. THE METAL ON THE VEHICLE SEEMS TO HAVE AN ISSUE BECAUSE IT IS RUSTING IN OTHER AREAS AS WELL, SUCH AS THE FUEL FILLER NECK, THE BOTTOMS OF THE REAR DOORS, THE BOTTOM OF THE REAR LIFT GATE, THE OUTER EDGES OF THE REAR WHEEL OPENINGS, AND AT THE BASE OF THE SIDE VIEW MIRROR.
WE NOTICED A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, WE DISCOVERED THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND THE STRUT IS BARELY ATTACHED. THE RUST HOLES ARE SO LARGE, THAT INSULATION IS SHOWING, AND THE STRUT IS HITTING THE PLASTIC PIECE GOING INTO THE TRUNK SPACE. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED UNSAFE TO DRIVE BY A MECHANIC. WHILE RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE, I HAVE FOUND MULTIPLE ONLINE FORUMS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. IT IS ALWAYS THE SAME AREA (REAR PASSENGER SIDE) AND IS CAUSING SAFETY HAZARDS, SUCH AS RUPTURED TIRES AND UNSTABLE STEERING. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT FORD NEEDS TO RECALL!
FORD ESCAPE 2005 PASSENGER REAR TIRE WHEEL WELL RUSTED AWAY WHERE THE SHOCK ABSORBER MOUNT BOLTS ONTO FRAME AND NOW THE SHOCK ABSORBER MOUNT HAS NOTHING TO BOLT ONTO ANYMORE. SHOCK ABSORBER MOUNT IS NOT ATTACHED TO FRAME ANYMORE AND NOW HITS THE FRAME OF THE SUV MAKE VERY LOUD KNOCKING SOUNDS.
WHEN TRAVELING AT 40MPH, A THUMPING NOISE COULD BE HEARD IN THE REAR OF 2005 FORD ESCAPE. UPON VISUAL INSPECTION, THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED, EXPOSING THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. THE MOUNT OF THE SHOCK SUSPENSION IS CORRODED SO BADLY THAT THE SHOCK IS NOWHERE ATTACHED TO THE BODY AND IS WHAT CAUSES THE THUMPING SOUND AS IT PUSHES UP INTO THE CAR INTERIOR. NO OTHER WHEEL WELLS ON THE CAR HAVE ANYWHERE NEAR THAT LEVEL OF CORROSION.
MID DAY, MILD WEATHER IN THE 70'S, POWER STEERING WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING, ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT AS I WAS IN A TURN, IT'S REALLY HARD TO TURN THIS VEHICLE. WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL FOR THIS SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE?
WHEN DRIVING ON BUMPY ROADS I STARTED HEARING A LOUD RATTLE FROM PASSENGER REAR AREA. I COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING LOOSE IN THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE THAT WOULD MAKE THAT SOUND. I LOOKED UP INSIDE THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL AND SAW THAT THE UPPER PORTION OF WHERE THE SHOCK BOLTS TO THE BODY IS RUSTED OUT ALL THE WAY AROUND THE SHOCK CONNECTION AREA. I SEE THERE ARE MANY OTHER FORD OWNERS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. COME ON FORD, WE CAN'T ALL AFFORD TO SCRAP A VEHICLE EVERY TEN YEARS. THERE IS A DESIGN PROBLEM HERE AND FORD SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING THEIR SHORTCOMINGS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE WOULD SWAY SLIGHTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHOCK TOWER ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH TO THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.
THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL IS RUSTED THROUGH SO BADLY THAT THE SHOCK MOUNT IS BANGING IN THE INTERIOR PANEL AND IS ABOUT TO BREAK LOSE FROM THE FRAME. WHEN I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE A MONTH AGO IT STILL HAD THE ORIGINAL UNDERCOATING ON IT, IT WAS RUSTING FROM BEHIND THE UNDERCOAT. I NOW HAVE TO PAY MY MECHANIC TO FIX THIS SAFETY HAZARD BECAUSE FORD, KNOWING THAT THIS PROBLEM EXISTS AND IS EXTENSIVE, WILL NOT RECALL THE VEHICLE TO FIX THERE POOR DESIGN.
DRIVING TO WORK ON AUG 3, 2015, I HEARD LOUD RATTLING AND CLANKING FROM THE REAR OF MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THINKING THAT IT WAS MY TOOLS ON THE BACK, I REMOVE THEM THE TOOLS, BUT THE RATTLING PERSISTED. I WALKED AROUND AND DID A VISUAL INSPECTION, AND SAW NOTHING WRONG WITH THE DRIVER SIDE SUSPENSION OR WHEEL WELL AREA. THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL, HOWEVER, HAD A LARGE HOLE WHERE THE SHOCK MOUNT SHOULD HAVE BEEN ATTACHED TO THE BODY. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEMATIC AREA FOR MANY OWNERS OF MY YEAR MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE AND I FIND IT INTERESTING THAT FORD WILL VERBALLY ADMIT THAT THIS IS AN ISSUE, THOUGH WILL NOT EXPLAIN IN WRITING WHY NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AND MAKE THEIR VEHICLES SAFE TO BE DRIVEN. FORD WILL BE NOTIFIED BY WAY OF THEIR INTERNAL COMPLAINT FORMS OF THIS ISSUE.
RIGHT REAR SHOCK TOWER MOUNT IS COMPLETED RUSTED AWAY CAUSING THE SHOCK TO TRAVEL UP INTO THE WHEEL WELL
REAR WHEEL WELLS RUSTED AWAY ALLOWING STRUTS TO MOVE. VERY UNSTABLE! AFRAID OF AN ACCIDENT
SUB-FRAME RUST PROBLEM. THERE WAS A RECALL ON 2001 TO 2004 FORD ESCAPE FOR THIS PROBLEM. FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS RECALLED ESCAPE CROSSOVERS FROM MODEL YEARS 2001-2004 IN STATES THAT USE A LOT OF ROAD SALT. IN AFFECTED VEHICLES, PART OF THE CAR COULD SUFFER DAMAGE FROM RUST AND EVEN LOSE STEERING CONTROL.
RIGHT REAR SHOCK ABSORBER PUNCHED THROUGH HORRIBLY RUSTED WHEEL WELL INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. I DIDN'T HIT ANYTHING. IT JUST RUSTED THROUGH AND TOTALLY FAILED. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.
I HEARD A LOAD BANGING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF MY TRUCK. AFTER STOPPING TO LOOK AT IT MY PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL AND STRUT WERE COMPLETELY CRUMBLED AND MY STRUT WAS NO LONGER ATTACHED. I KNOW MY VEHICLE IS 10 YEARS OLD, BUT THE MECHANIC I TOOK IT TO SAID HE HAS NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THAT EVER ON A CAR THAT OLD. HE HAS BEEN A MECHANIC FOR 40 YEARS. AFTER RESEARCHING A LITTLE IT SEEMS THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. ALL ON THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL. THESE COMPLAINTS RANGE FROM DIFFERENT STATES AND EVEN OTHER COUNTRIES. TO ME IF MANY MANY OF THE SAME VEHICLE IS HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM THEN IT SOUNDS LIKE A DEFECT IN THE PARTS. I JUST THANK GOD I WASN'T GOING AT A HIGH SPEED AND HIT A POT HOLE OR SOMETHING. SOMETHING SHOULD REALLY BE DONE ABOUT THIS.
I HAD MY DAUGHTER'S CAR IN THE SHOP AND NOTICED THAT THE INTERIOR OF THE WHEEL WELL ON PASSENGER SIDE REAR WAS ROTTING AWAY. THIS AFFECTS THE SUSPENSION DRAMATICALLY. IT APPEARS THAT IT WILL EVENTUALLY DETERIORATE TO THE POINT THAT WHERE SHOCK ABSORBER MOUNTS WILL EVENTUALLY FAIL AND COULD HAVE DISASTROUS RESULTS. THIS DEGRADATION IS VERY SIMILAR TO FORD'S RECALL #13-S-01 ON SELECT MINI VANS AND WHERE THE REAR WHEEL WELLS ARE ROTTING AWAY. IN MY MIND THIS ISSUE POSES JUST AS SERIOUS A THREAT. UPON SEEING MY DAUGHTER'S CAR I'VE HAD OCCASION TO LOOK AT SIMILAR AGE ESCAPES AND MANY HAVE THIS CONDITION ON THEM AS WELL.
ON TWO OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING THE CAR HAS STALLED. DURING STOPS AT RED LIGHTS-IF I DO NOT HOLD BRAKE AND HIT GAS SIMULTANEOUSLY THE CAR STALLS. IT HAS CUT OFF TWICE WHEN I FAILED TO DO THIS. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING IT LOSES GAS WHILE PRESSING GAS FOR SEVERAL SECONDS THEN SPEEDS UP HASTILY WHERE I WOULD RUN INTO ANOTHER CAR IF I DON'T QUICKLY SLAM BRAKES. HAPPENED END OF JULY AND IN AUGUST 2015. ALSO, HAD OIL CHANGE AT FORD DEALER AND THEY REPORTED NOTHING WRONG.
WHILE DRIVING IN LIVONIA, MICHIGAN OUT OF NO WHERE MY SUN VISOR BURST, GETTING GLASS ON ME, BUT MORE IMPORTANT IT BURST ON THE SEAT WHERE MY TODDLER DAUGHTER USUALLY SIT . THERE WAS NO ONE AROUND AND NO TRUCK WHERE AN OBJECT COULD HAVE DROPPED SOMETHING ON MY CAR, I HAD TO TAKE THE CAR TO AVIS FORD IN SOUTHFIELD, MICHIGAN. THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE THE CAR DOWN THE STREET TO AVIS BODY SHOP. I FILED AN CLAIM WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY, AND IT IS BEING FIXED NOW. I WANT FORD TO BE NOTIFIED ABOUT THIS. BECAUSE FROM WHAT I HEAR, THIS IS ONE OF MANY INSTANCES THAT HAS HAPPENED WITH A SUNROOF ON AN 2005 FORD ESCAPE AND OTHER FORD CARS. THIS IS DANGEROUS! MY WIFE HAS JUST HAD MAJOR SURGERY. AND THERE WERE MANY RUNS FOR HER THAT I COULD NOT MAKE BECAUSE OF THIS. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. THANK YOU. AND BE BLESSED. [XXX]
WHILE DRIVING I HIT A POTHOLE AND THE REAR SHOCK TOWER BROKE AWAY FROM THE CAR DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST.AFTER DOING RESERCH ON THIS I HAVE FOUND THAT ISN'T AN UNCOMMON THING WITH THIS YEAR AND MAKE AND MODEL OF CAR BUT NOTHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT IT. NO RECALLS NOTHING AND OF COURSE ITS NOT AN EASY OR CHEAP FIX AND MY INSURANCE AT LEAST WILL NOT COVER IT CAUSE IT WAS MECHANICAL AND DIDNT HAPPEN IN AN ACCIDENT. SO NOW I WILL HAVE A CAR I CAN'T FIX BUT STILL HAVE TO PAY FORAND CANT DRIVE. I WOULD LOVE TO POST THE PICTURES OF THE DAMAGE BUT I'M UNABLE TO DO SO CAUSE I WOULD LOVE FOR YOU TO SEE THE DANGER THIS IS CAUSING.
OUR DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HER 2005 FORD ESCAPE. SHE HAD JUST GOTTEN ON THE TURNPIKE - AS SHE WAS DRIVING THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING AND THE CAR STARTED SLOWING DOWN - THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AND THE CAR DIED. SHE LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO GET TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY AND WAS NOT HURT. IT WAS ABOUT 99 DEGREES OUTSIDE AT 2:00 IN THE AFTERNOON. WE HAD TO HAVE A TOW TRUCK TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A CAR REPAIR SHOP. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SPARK PLUGS AND COIL HAD BURNED UP AND IT WOULD BE $2,200 TO REPAIR THE CAR. AFTER LOOKING ONLINE, THIS IS S COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2005 FORD ESCAPES. THERE ARE NO RECALLS. FORD HAS SAID TO KEEP THE RECEIPT IN CASE THERE ARE RECALLS IN THE FUTURE. THAT IS LITTLE RELIEF FROM THE FACT THAT WE ARE OUT $2200 NOW AND DON'T FEEL SAFE HAVING OUR DAUGHTER DRIVING THIS VEHICLE ANY LONGER. SHE HAS HAD REGULAR MAINTENANCE ON HER CAR. ONE OTHER PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE IS THAT THE LEATHER INTERIOR HAS STARTED COMING OFF THE SIDE DOOR PANELS - IT'S LIKE THE ADHESIVE HAS JUST WORN OUT. WE HAVE TRIED TO FIX THIS BUT IT LOOKS BAD AND NO ONE WILL GUARANTEE A REPAIR ON IT BECAUSE THEY SAY IT'S A MANUFACTURING ERROR AND IT IS A DIFFICULT REPAIR. THIS 2005 FORD ESCAPE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A LEMON!! WE HAVE ALWAYS DRIVEN FORDS WITH NO PROBLEMS - VERY DISAPPOINTING.
I WAS WASHING MY FORD ESCAPE WHEN I NOTICED THERE WAS RUST ON ALL OF THE DOORS ON THE INSIDE I JUST BOUGHT ITAND CHECKED THE CARFAX IT SAID THERE WAS NO RUST AND IT LOOKED LIKED A NEW CAR UNTIL ABOUT THREE WEEK OF HAVEING IT AND NOW I'M FOUNDING RUST ON THE ALL OF THEE DOORS AND ON ONE OF THE WHEEL WELL I CHECKED ONLINE BY GOING TO GOOGLE.COM AND PUTTING IN 2005 FORD ESCAPE RUST AND FOUND A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVEING PROBLEMS WITH RUST SOME OF THEM EVEN SAY THEY CAN SEE THE INSIDE OF THERE ESCAPE AND FORD WILL NOT RECALL IT AND IT COST A LOT TO FIX. SOME COST MORE THEN THE VALUE OF THERE ESCAPE
WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID I HEARD A DRAGGING SOUND IN THE RIGHT REAR OF THE VEHICLE. I STOPPED THE VEHICLE TO DISCOVER A PIECE OF THE INNER WHEELHOUSE SUSPENSION MOUNT HAD SEPARATED AND WAS RUBBING ON THE RIGHT REAR TIRE. THIS IS A CORROSION PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN REPORTED MANY TIMES TO NHTSA AND NO ENFORCEMENT ACTION TO DATE HAS BEEN MADE TO HAVE FORD RECALL THESE UNSAFE VEHICLES FOR CORRECTIVE ACTION. I GUESS SOMEONE WILL HAVE TO DIE WHEN THE RIGHT REAR SUSPENSION SEPARATES FROM THE VEHICLE BEFORE NHTSA DECIDES TO ACT.
WHILE DRIVING LAST WEEK I HEARD A "RATTLING" I HAD NOT HEARD PREVIOUSLY.I PULLED OVER AND INSPECTED MY WHEELS AND DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL ABOVE THE TOP OF THE TIRE HAD RUSTED OUT.CLOSER INSPECTION REVEALED THAT THE STRUT MOUNT HAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE STRUT HAD "SPEARED" THRU THE INTERIOR PLASTIC SIDEWALL, THUS RENDERING THE VEHICLE INOPERABLE.I SHUDDER TO THINK WHAT MIGHT HAVE HAPPENED HAD I HAD MY CHILD IN THE CAR AND WE WERE TRAVELLING ON THE HIGHWAY.UPON RESEARCHING ON YOU TUBE HOW TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM,I WAS ASTOUNDED TO FIND OUT THAT THE MOST COMMON PROBLEM RELATED TO 2005-06 FORD ESCAPES,WAS VERY SPECIFIC IN STATING THAT THE REAR-PASSENGER WHEEL WELL WAS RUSTING AND CORRODING ON THESE PARTICULAR VEHICLES,SOMETIMES RESULTING IN THE STRUT TO BECOME DISENGAGED.THIS SOUNDS LIKE A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE,BUT FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONS TOLD ME "SORRY,BUT THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY CAN DO FOR ME.AS A SINGLE DAD,MILITARY VETERAN,AND LOW-INCOME EARNER,I AM LOOKING FOR HELP FOR MYSELF AND FELLOW FORD ESCAPE OWNERS BECAUSE THIS SOUNDS LIKE SHODDY CAR CONSTRUCTION FROM THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY.PLEASE HELP ME BECAUSE I CAN'T WORK AT THE MOMENT UNTIL THIS VEHICLE IS REPAIRED,AND I CAN'T AFFORD THE REPAIR BILL UNTIL I GET BACK TO WORK,I AM DISHEARTENED AND UPSET ABOUT THIS WHOLE ORDEAL.PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE PARKED, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW BECAME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE GLASS DID NOT SHATTER, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO UTILIZE THE WINDOW AS IT BECAME DETACHED FROM THE HINGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.
RUSTED OUT SHOCK TOWER. PASSENGER REAR PANEL ALL RUSTED OUT AND LARGE HOLE. TOOK IT TO DEALER WHO SAID IT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND WOULD HAVE TO GO TO A BODY SHOP. AS I LOOKED ONLINE, I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS HAS BEEN A HUGE PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR AND AM SURPRISED THAT THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL. CONTACTED FORD WHO SAID THEY CAN DO NOTHING FOR ME.
IN JULY OF 2015 I BROUGHT MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE OF VERY LOUD NOISE IN THE REAR WHILE DRIVING. NOISE WAS THE SAME WHETHER ON A STREET OR THE HIGHWAY. THE MECHANIC FOUND THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. I HAVE A FRIEND WITH THE VERY SAME MAKE, MODEL, YEAR AND IS NOW GOING THROUGH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. THERE ARE OTHER AREAS OF RUST ON THE BODY THAT SEEMS TO ME TO BE COMING ON PREMATURELY. I SEE THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE, BUT ONLY UP TO MODEL YEAR 2004. PLEASE....THE 2005'S HAVE THE VERY SAME ISSUE!
HEARD RATTLING SOUND OVER RIGHT REAR TIRE. UPON INSPECTION THE SHOCK MOUNT HAD COMPLETELY CRACKED DUE TO RUST, MAKING THE VEHICLE DANGEROUS TO OPERATE. WHEN I LOOKED IT UP ONLINE I SAW THAT MANY OTHERS REPORT THIS EXACT SAME DEFECT IN THE SAME LOCATION.
PASSENGER REAR SHOCK TOWER BROKE AWAY FROM THE BODY OF CAR, DUE TO RUST.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PCM AND ALL SIX COILS BURNED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000. MA 10/15/2015 UPDATED 11/08/2017*CN
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026