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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:
116,438 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 body / paint problems

body / paint problem

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2005 Ford Escape Owner Comments (Page 13 of 18)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #118

Apr 092014

Escape

  • 92,000 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 that while driving at unknown speeds, a loud noise was emitted from the rear passenger side of the vehicle. The contact mentioned that while the vehicle was having maintenance performed to repair a corrotion problem on the rear driver side door, the technician noticed that the right wheel well and shocks were corroded. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic. The technician diagnosed that due to the corrosion both the wheel well and shocksneeded to be replaced. The failure and current mileage was 92, 000.

- Trenton, MI, USA

problem #117

Jun 142014

Escape 6-cyl

  • 129,320 miles
I was driving on a city street when I started hearing loud banging noises from the rear of my Escape whenever I went over any type of bump. Once home, I looked around and discovered that the wheelhouse panel on the rear passenger side of my Escape was severely rusted and deteriorating. There were several large holes in the metal. The wheelhouse panels around the other three wheels look fine with minimal to no signs of rust. I took my Escape to a Ford dealership and was told the damage would cost me $2,350 to have them fix it, but that they could not get to work on it for about 2 weeks. I checked around on the internet and found that other people were having the same problem with their 2004 - 2006 Escapes. I called Ford and was told that no recall is underway to fix what, to me, is a problem due to something that Ford was doing wrong from 2004 to 2006, and that Ford should step up to fix free of charge. I've taken my Escape to several body shops to receive other estimates on the cost of the work. Several of those body shop experts said that there is no way that a nine year old auto should have as much rust and deterioration as mine has, further strengthening my belief that this due to a screw up by Ford. I've made arrangements with one of those body shops to have the work done this week for about $800, about a third less than Ford wanted me to pay to fix their screw up. Before this, I would have recommended a Ford to anyone. In addition to my Escape, I've also bought a Ford Explorer and a Ford escort for myself as well as a 2003 Ford Escape for my daughter. But, if Ford is the kind of company that will not take responsibility for its mistakes and will not take care of its customers, I will not buy another of their automobiles.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #116

Jun 192014

Escape 6-cyl

  • 132,507 miles
(case# [xxx]) (Ford Escape 2005 sub-frame defect) I wish to report an extremely unsafe condition that has occurred with my 2005 Ford Escape. The past several months, while driving the vehicle, I have noticed a loud metal-sounding banging noise whenever the car goes over even a slight bump/crack in the road. I have taken the vehicle into our local Ford dealership twice to have the problem checked out. First time, Ford replaced the links (?), which did not resolve the problem. The second time, I pointed out to service technician that the rear wheel well was rusted through. Service technician removed interior covering to further inspect damage, and discovered the shock absorber was sticking up into the vehicle. Service technician referred vehicle to their (Ford dealership) body shop, who's technician informed me that the sub-frame is rusted out and would cost at least $6000 to repair. I declined their repair offer, and brought the vehicle home. Upon further research (vehicle safety and recall websites), I was shocked to discover that many other owners of 2005 Ford Escapes are experiencing and reporting this same problem, and are frustrated and angry that a recall has not been issued by Ford. These vehicles are only nine years old, are now totally worthless, and are extremely unsafe to drive. I have been forced to find alternative transportation, which is a major inconvenience and expense for me. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Palos Hills, IL, USA

problem #115

Jun 132014

Escape

  • 42,247 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 at various speeds, a loud thumping noise was emitted from the rear of the vehicle. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the passenger side of the sub frame was corroded and separated from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the rear sub frame, the rear body side member assembly and the interior rear quarter panel would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 42,247.

- Palatine, IL, USA

problem #114

Jun 092014

Escape 6-cyl

  • 68,000 miles
Right rear wheel well completely rusted through, undermining strut support. All other wheel wells have minimal to normal rust with rust proofing material still in place. Body of vehicle has no rust at all and is in excellent condition. Vehicle has always been garaged and washed regularly.

- Madison, WI, USA

problem #113

Jun 102014

Escape 6-cyl

  • 65,000 miles
The front sub frame is rusting out, could break & cause vehicle to lose control. There is a recall to replace sub frame for 2001 thru 2004, my veh. Manufacture date is 12/2004, I called the dealer & Ford Motor Corp. They stated my car did not fall under the recall, I have the exact problem as the cars under the recall, they need to extend the year to cover there mistake. I ask Ford motor customer relations for assistance they said there was none.

- Verona, PA, USA

problem #112

May 262014

Escape

  • 125,000 miles

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

Excessive rust/corrosion in right rear wheel well. Shock absorber affected and pushing through wheel well into interior of car.

- Cleveland , OH, USA

problem #111

Jun 072014

Escape 4WD 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. While driving approximately 55 mph, the contact heard a loud constant banging sound near the rear of the vehicle. The contact pulled to the side of the road and noticed that the rear frame was completely rusted, which caused the passenger side strut to become detached. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000. Updated 12/01/14

- Sandusky, MI, USA

problem #110

May 222014

Escape

  • 203,000 miles
Rear passenger side wheel well rusted out completely. Shock went thru the body into the trunk of my car. Been told by multiple shops they wouldn't do anything because of liability reasons. Ford acts like they've never heard of this problem but if you google the issue 1000's of the same issue will show.

- Milan, MI, USA

problem #109

May 222013

Escape

  • 80,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the rear passenger side wheel well was extremely rusted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000 and the current mileage was 100,000.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #108

May 062014

Escape

  • 48,850 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 the rear passenger side wheel well and the quarter panel was completely corroded. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the wheel well and the quarter panel needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and current mileage was 48,850.

- Parma, OH, USA

problem #107

May 212013

Escape

  • miles
The first notice was that the whole base cover was rotting then once that was worn through you were able to see that the frame that connects the shock, tire and wheel well was so corroded its breaking by pieces. To date 5/29/2014 the shock with pipe attached had to be taken off. No answers to recall or being fixed by Ford this prices to fix or locate parts are expensive and most of the repair shops say it is going to happen again. I financed this vehicle and was not told of the defect and by reporting a complaint regarding the car dealership I was advised to let the finance company know of the incident because the dealership didn't want to do anything to take the car back now I'm stuck owning for something that is a road hazard that I have to drive because I can not get another vehicle. Ford has always been my car of chose but this is crazy and how come they are not made to take these vehicles and do something about these life of death problems. I sent pictures to Ford's website and fb page and still no response as I see their are several others that have the same issues what are we the consumer suppose to do you all say take a mechanic they would not have seen these problems because of the masking. For those that cant afford to keep purchasing waiting or driving these vehicles waiting on the time when its an accident death or crash we have to put in these complaints.

- Detroit, MI, USA

problem #106

Oct 012013

Escape

  • 90,000 miles
The right rear passenger wheel well is totally defective and unseen corrosion can weaken or destroy the shock absorber tower. Drivers are not aware of any issues until the shock breaks free of the wheel well and jams into the body. This issue occurs because AWD SUVS have the right rear wheel that always spins in snow and ice, which in turn over sprays the right rear well with corrosive material.

- Westwood, MA, USA

problem #105

May 012014

Escape

  • 177,000 miles
While driving down to the bay on a fishing trip I kept hearing something banging in the back of my 2005 Escape. I stopped and found that the right rear fenderwell had rusted an nd the shock mount was loose from the rest of the body which caused it to hit against the inside plastic. This should be repaired by Ford as the rest of the vehicle is in excellent condition. I will never buy another Ford if they can't recall this major safety hazard.

- Augusta, WV, USA

problem #104

Apr 072014

Escape 6-cyl

  • 84,000 miles
While driving over rail road tracks a loud thud was heard in the right rear wheel well. The first assumption was the tire blew, but upon inspection the tire was fine. The vehicle was driven for a few more days and the thud would continue to be heard getting worse and worse, especially when hitting bumps. The vehicle was taken to a Goodyear auto service center where I was informed that the right rear wheel well was severely rusted and the upper shock mount had separated from the body. The thumping we heard was the chunk of metal and shock mount that was separated from the body but still attached to the top of the shock hitting the rest of the wheel well that was still there. The service tech told me that he was very surprised that this area of the car was rusted so badly and it appeared that it wasn't undercoated properly to prevent the rust. The service tech informed me he couldn't fix it and recommended a welding shop (friess welding). The welding shop was able to cut out the rusted wheel well (they referred to it as a fender well, I don't know if there is a difference in the name), repair the upper shock mount, put on a new shock (the old shock was bent to badly from when it separated from the car), and properly undercoat it. They informed me that this was common on 05 and 06 Ford Escapes and they had repaired quite a few for the same thing. They also informed me that Ford recently had a recall for 01-04 Ford Escapes for a similar issue only on the front of the car. They thought that Ford should do a recall on 05-06 for the back. I don't know if this will help to have a recall done but what the welding shop was telling me seems to be true after doing some research on the internet. I will keep all of my receipts and the pictures that I took and hope a recall is eventually done. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Tallmadge, OH, USA

problem #103

Apr 222014

Escape 6-cyl

  • miles
The right rear passenger wheelhouse panel is totally corroded. The 'panel' holding the rear right suspension cracked, nothing holding the suspension. I have seen numerous complaints in the website. This should be treated as a manufacturer's defect as it is the same problem in which the Ford Windstar was recalled for.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #102

May 062014

Escape

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph, a loud noise emitted from the rear end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who stated that the rear passenger's side wheel outer liner well was completely corroded and caused the strut to protrude. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.

- Ontario, NY, USA

problem #101

May 012014

Escape

  • 129,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph, a loud banging noise was heard from the rear passenger side of the vehicle. The contact discovered that the panel that attached the rear passenger side shock absorber was rusted and became separated from the frame of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed the defect as a rusted frame but no repairs were performed. The manufacturer was notified but no solution was offered. The failure mileage was 129,000.

- Bay City, MI, USA

problem #100

May 022014

Escape 6-cyl

  • 100,500 miles
The rear passenger side wheel well on my 2005 Ford Escape has completely rusted through, freeing the shock mount. Vehicle has just over 100000 miles and is not able to be driven in its current condition.

- Shelby, OH, USA

problem #99

May 012014

Escape 6-cyl

  • 165,000 miles
Rear passenger side wheelhouse rusted out breaking the rear shock mount causing steering issues. This is a known problem with Ford for this model year. The wheelhouse is simple sheet metal that rusted out, the shock mount has no reinforcement and is simply attached to a cup in the wheel well. When it gave free the vehicle swerved to the right.

- Fairport , NY, USA

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