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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 (!!)

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
51,518 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 engine problems

engine problem

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2005 Ford Escape Owner Comments

problem #18

Dec 072016

Escape

  • 190,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. While driving 30 mph, the accelerator pedal became stuck in the depressed position without warning. As a result, the vehicle drastically reduced speed and failed to accelerate. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 190,000.

- Issaquah, WA, USA

problem #17

Dec 072014

Escape

  • 175,000 miles
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.

- Edmond, OK, USA

problem #16

Sep 012012

Escape

  • 45,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. While reversing out of the driveway, the vehicle hesitated when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The accelerator pedal had to be depressed multiple times in order for the vehicle to resume normal operation. There were no warning indicators illuminated and the failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000.

- Porthuron, MI, USA

problem #15

Oct 102005

Escape 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 0 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 that while driving 20 mph the accelerator pedal became stuck. The contact mentioned that the failure would occur during cold weather. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who was unable to duplicate the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included on any recalls. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 0 and the current mileage was 100,000...updated 12/06/12 the consumer stated the accelerator pedal would stick when the engine was cold and in cold weather. Updated 12/06/12

- Johns Creek, GA, USA

problem #14

Dec 112010

Escape 4-cyl

  • 50,000 miles
The accelerator on my 2005 Escapes gets stuck while driving on the highway, and on city streets. I was turning left onto a 45mph main street when the pedal jammed and I got stuck in the middle of the road. I could not push it down. Fortunately, the oncoming traffic was far enough away that it slowed down before causing an accident. The same sticking problem has happened while driving down the interstate. I press the accelerator to keep with the flow of traffic, but it sometimes feels like it's locked in position and will not move. This is causing dangerous scenarios. By doing research, it appears the Ford Escapes have been having a similar problem since 2001.

- Brunswick, OH, USA

problem #13

Jan 182010

Escape

  • 83,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. Since the vehicle was purchased he noticed that the vehicle would not accelerate normally. The pedal was difficult to engage which also made it difficult to accelerate, he thought it was due to the cold weather until he experienced the failure while he was in traffic. Several times the accelerator pedal became hard to engage and forced him to pump the pedal in order for the vehicle to accelerate in traffic. The dealers estimated cost to diagnose and repair the failure was $800. The vehicle will be repaired. The failure mileage was 82,500 and the current mileage was 83,300.

- Lutz, FL, USA

problem #12

Jan 082008

Escape

  • 45,000 miles

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

The gas pedal sticks when its cold out, first I thought there was water frozen after my feet was wet from the snow. Second I thought the heat from the heater dried out the movement of the gas pedal. So I sprayed WD40 on it didn't help, next thought it was the cable out in the engine, I sprayed the cable and linkage didn't help. Finally it warmed up and the sticking of the gas pedal went away (2008) now in 2009 the same thing after the car warms up its ok, not sure if something is binding or what.

- Altoona, PA, USA

problem #11

Nov 162009

Escape

  • 55,236 miles
Gas pedal appears to get stuck on occasion. I thought the car mat was stuck under it, but the mat is secured to the floor. I have to push the very top of the pedal to get it to accelerate. Thought it might have been me until I read other people were having the same problem.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #10

Nov 262009

Escape

  • 104,000 miles
Accelerator gets stuck. Was okay until about 100,000 miles and then without warning, could not press the accelerator. Was in an intersection and almost got hit. Couldn't even press it if I "stomped" on it.

- Kenansville, NC, USA

problem #9

Oct 302009

Escape

  • miles
1. the past three winters my vehicle has grown worse with the gas pedal sticking in the cold / rainy months. 2. it occurs during the cold / rainy months 3. I have not taken it to a dealership. Based on the research I have conducted I am showing quite a deal of many people who own the 2005 Ford Escape are having this identical issue -- this is a huge safety concern and I feel if not recalled someone is going to become seriously injured if not die from this. I am having my vehicle looked at for in the past two days alone I have almost had five accidents as the gas pedal sticks during the first 20 minutes or so of warming up.

- Saint Louis , MO, USA

problem #8

Oct 042008

Escape

  • 72,760 miles

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

On 9-9-08 I was in a front end collision, approximately 40mph, airbag did deploy, however the powder that came out with the airbag made my face and eyes burn. My 2005 Ford Escape 4cyl. Sustained minimal damage ($5000). It took 3 weeks to fix, which was no big deal. Yesterday, 10-4-08, while driving home from work, my Escape was running fine until I turned and started to accelerate to get up to speed (40mph), my Escape took the pedal from my foot and locked it to the floor, I have been asked by several people if I accidentally hit the cruise, and all I reply with is "it doesn't have cruise!" as my car started to speed up I tried to stop, my brakes would only kick back out at me and since I was just in a wreck I was a little scared. I turned into a parking lot and drove in circles until I could figure out how to stop it. I tried my ebrake but it didn't work, I tried pulling the pedal up, no good, I tried punching the pedal with my foot, no good. I didn't want to do any damage to the tranny so I didn't take it out of gear, finally I decided to try shutting it off, it shut off and is running fine now. I am certain that this is a huge problem mainly because I have read all of the postings for this car and found that many people are having problems in this area. You can be certain that if this happens again and there isn't anything done to fix it, I will get rid of it and stop buying Ford all together. I am very disappointed that no real action has been taken with so many of these complaints.

- Newton, IA, USA

problem #7

Sep 272008

Escape 4-cyl

  • 70,000 miles
2005 Ford Escape, 4cyl, AWD. Bought it new and have 70,000 miles on it. Gas pedal keeps sticking. Took it back to the dealer tedd britt Ford three times (which handles all of my service). They can not find the problem.

- Manassas, VA, USA

problem #6

Dec 182006

Escape 4WD 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Gas pedal sticks when foot is lifted off pedal then it is pressed again. At times, the pedal sticks so bad that the car revves high and lunges forward.

- Clendenin, WV, USA

problem #5

Aug 042005

Escape 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 20 miles
I have a 4 cylinder and my gas pedal is always getting stuck in a position and I have to tap it hard to unstick it. This has been happening since I've bought the truck - at first, I thought it was my shoes, or my imagination, but when I finally let my husband drive my Escape, he understood what I meant. Is there a recall for this because I have to tap hard to unstick the pedal and it is a safety issue.

- Dingmans Ferry, PA, USA

problem #4

Apr 272006

Escape 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 18,000 miles
Have read on your site numerous complaints with the Ford 2005 Escape engine and the problem that it speeds up during braking. I have also experienced this problem. However the problem is the driver !! if you are large person or have large feet. During braking the brake pedal goes lower than the gas pedal and your shoe toe catches the gas pedal and accelerates the engine, this has happened numerous times. The gas pedal has very little resistance and you are not aware that your shoe is pushing it down. It appears also that the pedals are closer together than normal. I have other vehicles and have had many cars and this is the first I have experienced this dangerous condition.

- Timonium, MD, USA

problem #3

Mar 242005

Escape 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 10,500 miles
Vehicle accelerated constantly. In order to stop the vehicle consumer applied the brakes very hard, but the engine continued to rev at high rpms.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #2

Dec 092004

Escape 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving 20 mph vehicle accelerated uncontrollably. Driver was not able to maintain control of the vehicle, and it collided with a utility pole. Vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection, but mechanic could not duplicate the problem. However, the problem recurred. The consumer stated that 2002-2004 a recall was sent out for accelerator problems. The consumers vehicle is a 2005 manufactured in April 2004 therefore not included in the recall.

- Rye, NY, USA

problem #1

Nov 222004

Escape

  • Automatic transmission
  • 8,800 miles
While pulling into a driveway vehicle surged forward. As a result, consumer's vehicle rear ended another vehicle. No injuries reported.

- Fairfield, PA, USA

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