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 (!!)
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 4
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
113,513 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.
It was two days after I got the car, I was driving home from manassas to fairfax, all of a sudden the engine light came on the truck started to sputter and I lost acceleration in my truck. I was on 495 at night and the dash board stated that the car would shut down so that the engine would not over heat. I had to call a tow truck to pep boys in annandale, va and they fixed the problem. But, I still have acceleration problems after it was fixed. I will take it back to pepboys to find out if it is the same problem.
While driving the car completely went dead. Everything turned off. Had to drift to side of the road. Technician told me it was a PCM problem and needs to replace, coils, plugs and PCM.
This is being resubmitted, since I believe the reevaluation of the 09 and newer Ford Escapes is the same problem that has been occurring with the earlier year Ford Escapes, but has not received review. A defective PCM which causes complete auto shutdown, burning out the coils, etc. Has documented complaints all over the internet in car complaint and buying sites for this vehicle. The PCM is defective on the Escape and when it stops functioning all power is lost, and this occurs without warning leaving one without brakes, power steering, etc. This has been a known problem with Ford and yet Ford refuses to correct the problem and the bill is in the neighborhood of $2500-3000 to be shouldered by the customer. Malfunction, however, has more ominous sequelae than monetary cost, in that it may cost lives from crashes. Ford should recall these vehicles to repair the causation, but obviously Ford needs pressure from the public and in particular the NHTSA !
I have a random incident with my Ford Escape 2005, where at times when on cruise control, the engine will accelerate unexpectedly. After many years of driving, and attempting to file a complaint about the issue with Ford but refused as it wasn't reproducible when allotted, I think this issue occurs because the cruise control has self adjusted itself when towing a trailer. But after detaching the trailer and taking the truck for a long hilly ride, the engine computer may think it's still towing a trailer and strongly accelerate the engine when going uphill with the cruise control on. This is only based on what I have experience, and include no computer log examination. Not the best thing to happen if a police car is around, and being a safe driver. I'm not too concerned about this issue, as I self manage the issue. (tend to self manage a lot of things these days.) this vehicle has served me quite well, except for a loud knock on the front drive axle on this AWD - likely a bad bearing that they didn't fix when they fixed it initially. Shrugs.
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 also, the air bag light illuminated. The dealer cleared the cods for the connection on the drivers side seat belt buckle
- Chicago, IL, USA
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After 5 years of maintaining my vehicle, only one owner, I made my last payment on car, the number 4 cylinder no longer working, never been in a accident, so now I have a SUV that looks good but will cost about (5000.00) based on Ford estimate. I will never purchase a vehicle from Ford again, when I took the SUV to Ford the sales person told me I just need to get rid of the car its time for another, they will give me $500 for my SUV I told him my mother has 1989 Buick and still running with no major problems. So that not true. SUV in garage, I had to buy a Camry, I must say I love my Camry. Will never ever get another Ford... so upset.
Our 2005 Ford Escape has a surging problem.when stopped at a light, every once in a while the engine will suddenly speed up.to keep it from moving forward you have to press hard on the brake pedal.a Ford dealership wanted $85 to diagnose the problem.this is unacceptable for a safety problem.
The contact owns 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 40 mph, the vehicle hesitated then stalled. The contact mentioned that the check engine lamp illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the coils and computer were defective. As a result, the coils, computer, and the catalytic converter needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 131,000. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 40 mph, the vehicle stalled. The contact took the vehicle to a mechanic for a diagnostic test. The test results showed a defect in the engine causing the cylinders to misfire. The mechanic noticed a cylinder was cracked and replaced the damaged cylinder. The repair did not remedy the misfiring. The dealer performed another diagnostic test. The second test results showed that all of the cylinders were misfiring and the computer had malfunctioned. The contact had replaced the coils several times before taking the vehicle to a mechanic. The failure mileage was 30,000. The current mileage was 124,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated the accelerator pedal was stuck to the floor while the vehicle on and while driving at low speeds. The failure was experienced numerous times. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 12V353000 (vehicle speed control: Cables) (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 95,000. The current mileage was 98,000.
My car's gas pedal felt like it became stuck, almost feeling like the car was in neutral even though it was in drive. I was on a hill. Then suddenly it sped off fast with a jolt. Our mechanic said it needs a new throttle. After doing research on my car's make & model, it appears that this has been an ongoing concern. It's very dangerous.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was towed to a dealer for diagnosis. The contact was informed that the power control module, the connecting coils, and spark plugs would all need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified but offered no assistance. The failure and current mileage was 88,000.
I own a Ford Escape 2005 four door 4WD that has been every 2-3 years in the shop for coils and computer damage. Ford has a problem with these cars and the problem is that last Friday I was driving on a main road when all of a sudden my car just died while I am driving in a 50 mile zoned road. Luckily, I was able to quickly maneuver the vehicle to a safe spot. I was informed that it will cost $2700 to replace the computer that was shorted out due to the coils going bad - I had the coils changed two times since 2007 Ford knows about this problem Ford srb 09.2.6 and tsb 09-2-6 ignition coil problem that so many others are having with this car - the car stalls always when driving 50 or more on a main road or highway and it is very dangerous to all of a sudden lose power on a highway at high speeds and not being able to even move the steering wheel to glide your car safely to the side of the road due to the steering locking up because the car dies totally. The computer codes that show up are P0351 -P0354 and some other ones that I didn't write down when I was talking to the thompsons mechanic. I cant believe that this year and model wasn't recalled - according to thompsons, there is a back order for the computer module for this car, two weeks minimum due to so many Escapes 2005 needing this same computer because it was shorted out prematurely and unsafely. It never happens when you drive less than 50 so this is strange and very dangerous.I would like Ford to repay us the damages and costs that us customers, have dished out recurring every 2-3 years. Coils should not have to be replaced that many times nor should the plugs and absolutely not the computer. Please look into this and make Ford do a recall and retroactive since they already have so many complaints about this same problem but they don't want to or refuse to do a mass recall.
After luckily just exiting interstate 70, but entering highway 40 my vehicle completely died with all electrical functions inoperative (obviously including power brakes, steering, etc). This occurred on an upgrade with a city bus directly behind me which was forced to swerve into the adjacent lane. Auto would not restart and it was towed to a neighboring Ford dealership. There was absolutely no warning of a check engine light etc. At the dealership I was informed that an "electrical engine module" had burned out which also completely fried all the engine coils. (a complete electrical tune-up, etc. Had been performed about a year earlier). I was also informed that the diagnosis was possible because of a Ford internal memo indicating what could happen if the module malfunctioned. The good news is that I had just exited an interstate, but this could have been disastrous and it seems that Ford was aware of the possibility of this problem. The cost now to fix the problem is $2600 and I have no assurance that this couldn't happen again with more severe squealed.
I was driving to work on us 41 South when my 2005 Ford Escape just started to buck and would not accelerate, I was going approximately 45 mph and the car just shut off. I could not steer or start it again and was almost hit by an 18 wheel vehicle and killed. I immediately put my flashers on and kept retrying to start the car to get it off the road. This could have killed me and others this morning! this is a Ford Motor Company mechanical issue and they knew about this problem with this model vehicle and choose to not recall it!! how many people have died from this problem that we are not aware of"?" I took the car and had it checked out and they said that Ford issued a bulletin on this exact issue and how to fix it! only now, its going to cost me, the consumer $2000 or more to fix!! I am so upset from it, I am almost paid off on this vehicle and I feel that this issue should be looked into by the attorney general and by the transportation department of safety!
Prior to the incident in question the car had a few days of abnormal behavior including hesitation and rough idle. The incident occurred on christmas eve while I was driving down a two lane highway. While traveling 50 mph the car lost power and although I was terribly scared, I managed to get off the highway safely. I was told that the computer failed (PCM) which is very expensive to fix hence the reason it has been almost a year. I am a retired widow raising my 12 year old granddaughter feeling stuck between a rock and a hard place; not able to afford the repairs and unable to do things without a car. I see that many many others have had this same issue, please help Ford face their neglect with regard to this issue. Thank you
On way home, car shut off while going 35 mph. Coils started to smoke. Towed to nearest dealer and was told all coils, plugs and powertrain module needs to be replaced at $2500. Researched legitimate websites and found many owners with same problem that had fixed more than once at $2500. Was told by dealer that NHTSA only recalls for safety & emissions. This is clearly a safety issue, especially if going a high speed on interstate and car shuts off without warning. Thankfully my kids were not in car.
I was trying down the highway doing about 55 mph all the lights came on the car, I was able to get to the side of the road. I stopped the car for about 5 minutes was able to restart and drive another 1/2 mile and it happened again. Got the car towed to a mechanic, who placed engine on code machine and states my engine coils were bad. Replaced all of my engine coils and the car is still riding like a dump trunk. Took do a Ford dealership who charged me $160 to put on machine and told me it was my engine coils, I have replaced all the coils. I am just at my witts end. I will not ever buy a Ford again. As a side note, I put a transmission in this truck about 2 years ago and the dealer who fixed my car, didn't even give me a rental to drive. Its a new and used car dealership and they couldn't even give me one of their cars to drive. Are you serious?
My daughter was driving our 2005 Ford Escape on the highway at 55 mph when it completely cut off on her. Luckily she was able to get to the side of the highway without incident. She got the car back on and made it home, however, it was jerking and misfiring all the way home. We took it to a mechanic who said it needed spark plugs and 2 coils to the tune of $700. When we went to pick it up we were told that the computer was shot and that we had to take it to the Ford dealership. The Ford place is replacing all 6 coils and the computer for $2300. Apparently there is a known problem with Ford installing the wrong spark plugs in these models at the factory causing the coils and the computer to go out. I don't understand why Ford has not recalled this problem. Going down a highway at 55 mph and you car cuts off is a safety issue in my eyes!!
I was driving home from work and the car stalls out of nowhere. Then the check engine, oil, and ABS warning lights all lit up. After about 20 min I tried starting up the car again and it started up and slowly made it home. The following day it happen again! luckily no one was behind me, otherwise I would have been rear ended. Immediately looked online describing the issue to see if I could find out what could be causing this, and come to find out an overwhelming amount of people have experienced the same thing! this is a safety hazard and had I been on a major highway the result could have drastically different. It is appalling that this has been a know issue and Ford has done nothing to remedy the safety of it's customers.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Annandale, VA, USA