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.
Rear frame rusted through as well as passenger side shock tower, rusted so bad can see through to outside in 2 spots which allows exhaust fumes into interior of vehicle, could cause exphixiation to occupants as well as loss of control due to rear of vehicle giving way and breaking in two on a roadway, damage wasn't visible until it totally busted through while driving! Ford should recall due to safety as the 2004 was.
Takata recall. The vehicle was in motion and the back of the frame/body metal snapped, when drove through a neighborhood street with severely bad pot holes. Rust on car was average for age and was still drive able. But haven't driven in months because scared of safety risk. I feel like the frame shouldn't be having problems for a car that is only 13/14 years old. The corrosion of the metal on the car is very excessive. This is my second Ford Escape in 3 years and they all have had body issues with fast metal corrosion. The photo attached are photos taken today after months of sitting in the parking lot.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that there was an abnormal noise heard near the area of the rear passenger side wheel well. The contact stated that there was rust in that area, which was affecting the shocks. The dealer was not contacted. An independent mechanic inspected the vehicle, but could not determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.
Of course I have the exact same problem as most Ford Escape owners have with the passenger rear wheel well rusting completely out. This is a known manufacturing defect that only effects the right rear wheel well of these vehicles and there are thousands of unaddressed owner complaints. Ford still will not do a recall nor will they do anything for their thousands of affected customers. I do hope there is a class action suit I can join because Ford just will not do the right thing for their customers. I just had my car in for regular maintenance and I was supposed to be going out-of-state to visit my dying father with my kids but now I can't even go due to this unexpected defect which Ford will not take responsibility for which has left me with a vehicle I cant drive that I'm still paying for. I can't even trade it in because of this issue! thanks Ford! I will make sure to tell everyone I can about Ford's indifference towards its customers and I will never buy Ford anything ever again!
Passenger-side rear wheel well rusted through, shock tower is banging against inner frame, chunks of rust dislodging and scraping against tire. This is occurring while driving. I pushed the chunk back and it seems to be staying off the tire for now. Ford auto repair shop quoted $5000 to repair. My daily commute to work is across two major cities via a high-traffic major highway. Potential to be a serious and dangerous condition since it affects not only suspension but could cause tire to blow out while driving, as well as puncturing through to the interior of the vehicle and exposing people in the car to exhaust and frigid weather (Minnesota) in the winter. This rusting through the wheel well is a chronic problem with Ford - they recalled this make and model up through 2004 for this same issue.
- Golden Valley, MN, USA
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Driving on a secondary road and heard a bad rubbing noice and steering went loose, pulled over and saw that my passenger side front tire was pushed in to the wheel well. I looked under the vehicle and saw the subframe was broke and the cv axle was ripped out of the motor on the front passenger side. I called Ford because of all the other complaints I saw for this same issue on 2005 models, and because of the recall for the 01 to 04 Ford Escapes for this same issue, I was told that there was no recalls for my car. I explained that I know this, but I saw hundreds of complaints for 05S having this same issue and that it's not normal or safe to be driving along and have the subframe just brake like this. My car only has 113K miles. I was told to bring it a Ford dealership and have it looked at, they will call Ford with there findings. I had to flat bed it to the dealership and they looked at it. The mechanic called Ford and told them that the subframe was broke, they said there's no recalls for the car! obviously!!! we already went over this! so now I'm in the boat I first was, Ford telling me that there's no recall on my car!!!
(recommending this complaint be deleted; same vehicle as 11110799) TL- the contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle had been riding rough in the rear. The vehicle was not diagnosed by a dealer. An independent mechanic at a repair facility diagnosed that the shock tower had extensive rust, corrosion and the right rear shock fractured so the shock tower needed to be replaced. The manufacturer indicated that there was no recall campaign to provide a remedy, did not suggest that the vehicle be taken to a dealer. The contact was uncertain if the vehicle may be repaired by the independent mechanic or a dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 114,000. Dyd
Vehicles subframe rusted and broke at passengers front control arm while driving on a secondary roadway in a city during normal conditions. Car is a 2005 with only 55000 miles. Virtually no rust anywhere else on body. I found the exact problem at the identical location on 2002-2004 under a recall and believe that the 2005 should be included as well
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.
Rusted out passenger side rear wheel well. I do* live in the rust belt. Was driving on residential street and heard a loud noise from the affected area when going over a bump. The noises increased during driving for the next 2 days. I finally got under there to look at it and found the shock tower mount had nearly separated from the rest of the wheel well, and the entire wheel well is completed rotted and deteriorating. The vehicle is unsafe to drive in this condition.
After hitting a bump in the road loud noises started coming from the rear passenger wheel area. After getting home I discovered that the rear passenger wheel well was completely rusted out and the shock absorber is no longer attached to the vehicle body. I have found multiple issues identical to this in an online search. This is a known issue with the 2005 Escape and should be covered under a safety recall. There are existing recalls on 2001-2005 Ford Escapes for rust issues.
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!!!
Hear a loud bang while driving. I found extensive corrosion on the rear passenger wheel well. I checked the other wheel wells and the other three are fine, no issues. This car is a little older, but there should not be an issue like this. This is a garage kept vehicle and is not out in the elements all the time.
Purchased vehicle in April 2017 2 months later heard a banging noise from rear passenger side upon further investigation discovered the wheel well rusted out and the shock had came through. I continued driving it because I couldn't afford to fix it and it was my only car now there is no wheel well left and had to remove the shock.
Back wheel right wheelwell around shock rusted out, son drove home from school said back wheel making noise, upon further inspection took off back panel right side, found wheelwell rusted outby shock and can see daylight wheel was making noise when he drove home, had brake man look at found debris from panel in wheel where brakes are. Fixed and cleaned, checked brakes, put back together. Wheelwell rusted out. Want Ford to do something. Also had car 1 yr bought from columbiana Ford went back told dealer they should have told us about this issue my son could have been hurt or me.
2005 Ford Escape. Heard bump followed by noise while driving. Checked car, found passenger side rear wheel well broken, upper attachment plate for shock absorber now in vehicle interior. Appears that wheel well rusted out from the inside: Hidden from outside by undercoating in wheel well and hidden from inside by vehicle interior panels. 04 and earlier models recalled for same problem. Why no recall on 05 and newer? many hundreds of complaints online for this problem.
Was driving at 40 miles an hour hit slight bump in road.sounded like whole back end falling off with loud bang. Stopped got out checked back end on right rear subframe holding strutt tower had seperated from frame causing shock and housing to come up inside of car. This complaint has been brought to Ford attention. An they refuse to do anything about it. They should be made to fix this as many people are being forced to get rid of a good vehicle that would still be drivable if this was repaired. We shouldn;T be forced to get rid of a good car because they don;T want to make it right. I am filing this complaint like many others have I hope you just don't file it away. They honored this problem in 2001-2004 but then after that ended recalls for it this is not right.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Monroe, MI, USA