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CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2005 Escape has problems where the engine shuts down while driving. Ford finally issued a September 2014 recall. Time will tell if the recall fix really solves the problem.

However the 2005 Escape also has a defect where the PCM (Power Control Module) fries at around 100k miles. Ford extended the PCM warranty to 80,000 miles, but only after most owners were past the mileage limit. Now owners are on the hook for the average repair cost of over $2,000 (!!)

1.5

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
115,721 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2005 Ford Escape drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2005 Ford Escape Owner Comments (Page 1 of 4)

problem #79

Nov 012023

Escape

  • 105,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. Upon starting of the vehicle, the contact placed the vehicle into drive(D); however, the vehicle failed to accelerate upon the depression of the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that prior to the failure, the check engine warning light illuminated and remained illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact stated while driving at highway speeds, the vehicle independently downshifted and the vehicle failed to accelerate above 30 MPH. The vehicle was shaking, and the vehicle failed to accelerate upon the depression of the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where and the contact was informed that the transmission torque converter was defective and needed to be replaced. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.

- Evansville, IN, USA

problem #78

May 052023

Escape

  • miles
Stalled out while driving down hwy. At 70 mph. Cars swirved and I almost got hit from behind due to my vehicle just cutting out. No warning lights came on it just shut off battery light n engine light then came on after vehicle lost power and I had to get off road without causing an accident which almost occurred due to the speed and area I was driving at time vehicle cut out I still have not figured out why it just cut out. Very dangerous all around.

- Duluth, MN, USA

problem #77

Oct 272022

Escape

  • miles
Drove vehicle to drop off dog at sitters, started vehicle began to make u-turn and vehicle stalled. Attempted to restart, cranks but won't run. Recently purchased from used car dealer, new battery was installed, no trouble up to this point. Began checking usual problems, fuel delivery, crank pos.sensor, cam pos sensor, have no spark. Upon further research this appears to be faulty coils, spark plugs and pcm from factory but no recall has been employed. Possibility of collision during u-turn very likely. Loss of power to all systems could cause extreme risk to life at higher speeds. Ford Motor Company is aware of this problem, with the high number of similar problems in the NHTSA data base it is impossible for them not to know. The NHTSA should force Ford to fix this. If you make a product that can be dangerous if faulty, you are responsible to the public to do the right thing. I think that if the governmental agency responsible for traffic safety won't do their job then a class action lawsuit should be started. I bet I could find a good lawyer in the SF Bay area.

- Salida, CA, USA

problem #76

Jun 242021

Escape

  • 123,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH and accelerating, there was a roaring sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle started accelerating at an uncontrollable speed. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the roadway and turn the vehicle off. The vehicle was not diagnosed however, the dealer stated that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the vehicle was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000.

- Carlisle, PA, USA

problem #75

Sep 092021

Escape

  • 198,684 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the overdrive warning light was illuminated. The contact parked on the side of the road. The contact stated she depressed the overdrive button. The vehicle was towed to independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the transmission needed to be repaired. The vehicle was towed to her son's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V606000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 198,684. The VIN was not available.

- Shingletown, CA, USA

problem #74

Aug 302021

Escape

  • miles
The power steering will repeatedly and unexpectedly go out when driving often when hitting a slight bump or making a turn. This never leads to a code triggered but absolutely could lead to injury or death and has been reported in so many Hybrid Ford Escapes.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #73

Aug 112011

Escape

  • 111,599 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was driving about 25 mph. Car just stopped on a limited access highway. Diagnosed with failed transmission. Transmission was replaced8/31/2011. I see a recall for rebuilt transmission for this year vehicle which leads me to believe there have been many original transmission failures but I am unable to find such a recall.

- Londonderry, NH, USA

problem #72

Jan 012021

Escape

  • 180,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 20 mph, the vehicle made an abnormal sound while attempting to upshift however, the vehicle failed to shift gears. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer young Ford ogden (3450 wall ave, ogden, ut 84401, (801) 629-5500) where it was diagnosed with needing the transmission to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 15V606000 (power train) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA to file a complaint. The failure mileage was approximately 180,000.

- Layton, UT, USA

problem #71

Sep 182019

Escape

  • 146,000 miles
The electric power steering system failed in the middle of an intersection and almost caused an accident involving other vehicles.

- Mesa, AZ, USA

problem #70

Aug 012019

Escape

  • 140,000 miles
When slowing down vehicle to stop for a car ahead of you, stopping at stop sign, or slowing down to make a turn, vehicle engine will stop leaving driver in a serious and compromising position, vehicle has to be placed in neutral or park to restart and occupant must shift into drive quickly and accelerate quickly so engine will not kill, once the vehicle warms up it will kill right away, I'm afraid this is going to happen and be in an intersection and hit or hit from behind, vehicle has been well maintained and transmission fluids are exactly the level they should be

- Oshkosh, WI, USA

problem #69

Nov 222018

Escape

  • 170,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Driving 65 mph on the interstate my 05 Escape began to skip, stall & died, anti theft light came on. I drive for 20 miles slow with it skipping and stalling. When I left off on gas it would continue to run until I made it to safe place. Attempted to drive for repair on state hwy it stalled and went dead. Ford dealership reprog keys- repaired drive off, barely off the lot and it quit again. Now I see this is a manufactures issue with 05 Escapes after an online search. New Ford diagnosis- new plugs & coil pack, intake gasket. 170,000 miles. My alarm randomly goes off too which could be related to electrical issues. Ford motor is liable if someone's vehicle stalls and is killed due to this problem they know about but have not corrected or recalled.

- Vestavia, AL, USA

problem #68

Aug 172018

Escape

  • 107,000 miles
See report

- Kathleen, GA, USA

problem #67

Oct 162018

Escape

  • 112,000 miles
Gear shift lever stuck in park- vehicle starts runs fine can not get out of park. Had been difficult several times but got it working after several episodes off and on now stuck in off street parking at senior center. Appt made forepair 10-17 skillman fordgreenwood in good car everything else dependable

- Greenwood, IN, USA

problem #66

Aug 302018

Escape

  • miles
While going onto a freeway onramp at approximately 45 miles per hour, the vehicle suddenly lost all power, all lights came on, the ability to steer and brake was affected by total power loss. The vehicle did not display any issues leading up to this but nearly resulted in an accident by the inability to control the vehicle and get it off to the side of the road. After being towed, the auto shop diagnosed a P0354, P0351, P0355, P0352 ignition coils, and PCM failure. My research shows there are multiple claims of this occurring and it is definitely a safety issue.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #65

Aug 152018

Escape

  • 211,000 miles
One day I was driving home on the interstate and the O/D off light started flashing & it acted like it didn't want to change gears at all. I stopped got gas and light stayed on. Then as I started driving again it went away. After parking at home overnight I attempted to go reverse & it acted like it was in neutral. After some back and forth with the shifter it let me go in into reverse only when I revving up and then it started having issues in shifting out of park. In searching this issue there are many people experiencing this issue, end has caused a few accidents.

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #64

Jan 052018

Escape

  • 130,047 miles
Engine oil leak can not be traced. Serviced by Ford since 2004 when I bought the vehicle brand new. Only serviced by a Ford dealer service department. I was told because of the mileage, 130,047, and age the engine needs replaced. Dye test conducted by Ford service and no leaks were found after driving 500 miles and returning to the Ford service department to check for leaks as advised by Ford service department. Leaving the vehicle overnight, Ford service mechanic indicates after sitting overnight it smokes excessively on cold startup. I have replicated the cold startup procedure everyday in cold weather observing the tail pipe exhaust as my wife starts the engine since January 2018. There has never been a sign of smoke or excessive smoke from the engine tail pipe exhaust.

- Newport News, VA, USA

problem #63

Jan 012004

Escape

  • miles
Tranmission will not pull the over drive flashes off\on

- Louisville4, KY, USA

problem #62

Apr 012017

Escape

  • 179,000 miles
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.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #61

Dec 242016

Escape 4WD 6-cyl

  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. While driving approximately 25 mph, the engine, steering, and brakes failed without warning. The vehicle was restarted and driven to the dealer where it was diagnosed that all six emission coils failed and fractured the PCM. The six emission coils, power train control module, and spark plugs were replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000...updated 02/09/17

- Schwenksville, PA, USA

problem #60

Dec 062016

Escape

  • 130,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. While driving approximately 45 mph, the instrument panel illuminated and the engine abruptly shut down. The gear shifter was placed in the neutral position and the vehicle was coasted over to the side of the road. The vehicle was restarted and driven home. The vehicle was hooked up to a handheld diagnostic machine and displayed, "bad PCM and bad coils". the manufacturer was notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

- Muskogee, OK, USA

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