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:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 1
Average Mileage:
128,517 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.
Rust through on right rear wheel well and shock tower. Car only has 100,089 miles. Has been kept clean and was bought from carmax IN2013 in excellent condition. All repairs, maintenance performed by professionals since bought. Research shows this to be a common problem with this model. (in addition to the door open/alarm problem others and I experience) this is a safety issue that could result in serious injury or death as it involves the rear shock possibly dislodging and rear end collapsing. Please look into this and make Ford fix this problem! many owners bought these vehicles used and we cannot afford to fix these( if they can be fixed at all) much less buy a new vehicle.
My Escape keeps making a horrible rubbing/humming sound when turning right only, my rear passenger door does not lock and my alarm is constantly going off, and finally my frame on the rear passenger side is rusting and literally crumbling apart. My passenger air bag light does not function properly either. I just purchased this vehicle in may of this year from a car dealership.
Was driving less than 15mph when suddenly I lost all control of steering on the front passenger side. When I was able to get help after sitting on the side of the road for 16 hours, I was informed that one of the three wheel bearings had snapped. I did a little research and found the recall for the passenger side wheel assembly and bearings. I entered my VIN number and it didn't say whether or not it would be fixed. I take pride in my vehicles and keep the maintenance up to date, therefore I can say they this happened due to faulty parts and feel like I should be able to have it fixed.
- Athens, GA, USA
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Crack sub frame on right front! extreme deterioration almost causing accident and became unsafe to drive! recalls on 2001-2004 for same problem why not 2005? extremely dangerous malfunction! definitely go import if this is what Ford quality and support has become!
Takata recall the 01 thru 04 were recalled for same problem the front subframe rusted in to causing the right front wheel to wonder all over if drove any more would have cause a serious wreck I was driving vehicle when I noticed that it felt like the front wheel was coming off luckily I was only a couple miles from home the day before I took my grandson to charleston wv to meet his mom if it would have broken on I 77 at 70 plus miles an hr could have been tragic it being the same issue with early models and Ford sent a bar to try N fix it a joke just learn this on internet
The drivers side wheel well completely rusted out, large hole in body, shock went right threw the body of the car. This happened extremely fast, I just put new tires and brakes on the car. This defect is extremely unsafe and poised a safety concern for me and my children. The car can't be sold or traded in and now headed to the junkyard
Hit a pothole and my shock/strut punched thru the rusted wheel well and detached otaelf...it is np longer safe to drive and ive only had the car for 2 months. And here the 2001-2004 Escapes have been recalled for just this reason? why not the 2005 when the whole body design is the same... I had a 2001 Escape before this that was rusting on the outside wheel wells and beginning to rust inside as well... due to this I dont believe I will be buying Ford anymore... I was in the car with my kids when this happened! and now im stuck with a giant piece of metal sitting in my parking spot as no one will take on the job and if they do it would be a min of $2000 or more!
I was driving home when I noticed a loud bumping noise... my back passenger wheel well is completely rusted away, which has affected my shock mounting bracket. Every little bump causes it to shake and about a week ago the bracket actually went through the plastic and there is a hole inside the back of the vehicle. I see so many identical complaints and its very disappointing that Ford has done nothing to resolve this issue. I know that the Ford Escape 2001- 2004 were recalled for this exact issue and its disconcerting that they are ignoring the same problem for the 2005-2008 Escape. How many more thousands of complaints is it going to take for them to at least investigate this unsafe, reoccurring issue?! hopefully, something will be done soon before someone gets seriously injured.
Driving down the road and truck starting making a loud knocking noise in the back. When we got home, we looked underneath and found major rusting in passenger wheel well. Shock completely rusted free and bouncing up to hit the plastic inside the vehicle. Took it to body shop mechanic and upon inspection, he showed us that the frame itself is rusted through and vehicle cannot legally be fixed and is technically not even safe to drive. Less than 133,000 miles and bought used 2 years ago, we are very frustrated with the quality of this vehicle. Searched online and found that this is a common problem with this truck and should have be recalled. They recalled years 2001-2004 for the same issues, but did not include the 2005. Shame on Ford Motor Company for such poor workmanship! please help!!!
I am trying to find out what is wrong and if there are any recalls..my SUV has a vibration when I excel rate and let off it which shakes the wheel.I had it checked and they can't find anything..what is this problem, I have just bought the car in Dec 17..ty
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact noticed that the subframe was rusted, causing both front tires to lean. The contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the tires. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it diagnosed that the subframe needed to be replaced. The contact called van bortel Ford at 585-586-4415 and was referred to the manufacturer. The manufacturer stated that there was no recall for the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 150,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. While driving 55 mph, the front passenger wheel protruded outward without warning. The contact was able to safely pull the vehicle off the road. The vehicle was not towed. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact reached out to an independent mechanic who went to the scene and diagnosed that the lower control arm failed due to corrosion of the front subframe. The lower control arm needed to be replaced, which caused the wheel to wobble. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V165000 (structure). The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The contact was referred to NHTSA. The failure mileage was 163,000.
Heard a banging in the trunk area on the passenger side, checked it out and the whole wheel well was rusted out, the shock was barley on. I was on a city street. Took it to where I bought it and they gave me an estamet of $1,145.99. I am wondering why this VIN is not covered in a recall.
I was pulling out of my driveway, turned at the corner, hit a small bump and heard a loud banging sound like the rear gate door was not closed, stopped at the corner put it in park, got out and opened the rear gate and reclosed it, got back into my vehicle, turned left hit another small bump, and heard the loud banging noise again, stopped at the 4 way corner store, parked and got out and walked around my vehicle to inspect it, and noticed the rust on the passenger rear side, some of it had fallen off and I could see the styrofoam on the inside of the passenger rear tire weld.I called the dealer where I am purchasing the vehicle and they said I could take it to their guy to look at it, took it to him and he said that I had a real problem and that it needed to be welded, went back to the dealer and they said I could take it to their guy to fix, but they did not know when they could get me in for an appointment. I took it to another mechanic, and he still has it, trying to locate the rear end of another Ford Escape to fix it.
Noticed undercoating peeling off in wheel well(rear passenger side). Pulled off and also found a 3in. Circle of metal loose. Have seen other(300+) reports of this rust problem on this web page. I am original owner and vehicle has always been garaged when not in use and has less than 70K miles. There are no handling or noise issues yet.
We started to hear a very loud banging coming from the back passenger side when we drove over even the smallest bump. The rear passenger side wheel well is completely rusted though (you can see the interior) and the wheel could fall off at anytime. The car is not safe to drive with out a very expensive repair. After looking online I found that this is a very common occurrence and that 2001-2004 Escapes were recalled for the same issue.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Akron, OH, USA