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 driver's side door will not close/latch. Latch can be manually moved, but does not engage when shutting door. Currently using bungee cords to keep door closed as I have children and no other vehicle. Vehicle was parked, door was opened from inside to allow passenger to exit, but when they attempted to shut the door, it would not latch closed. No prior problems with the door and no prior warnings/lights. Since door won't close, the door ajar dash light is illuminated and I have to turn my interior lights to off so that they don't remain on while I'm driving
My Ford Escape has handled poorly for the past several weeks; a few days ago my daughter (following me in her own car) told me that the right front tire looked crooked. I took it to my mechanic this morning who told (and showed) me that the subframe was completely rusted out and that the car was not safe to drive. He seemed surprised to learn that I had not received a recall notice for this problem.
Front subframe failed while driving - slow vehicle speed. The passenger side lower control arm remained attached to the subframe, but the failed subframe allows the control arm to swing dragging the vehicle to the side.
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.
Rust and corrosion on the wheel well caused the shock mount to come apart. Now it is loose and very dangerous. Ford must be held responsible for terrible design.
- Carpenterville, IL, USA
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The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic for service. The mechanic noticed that the entire undercarriage and crossmember were corroded. The contact called heller Ford (700 w main St, el paso, il 61738, (309) 527-6050) and was informed that the VIN was not included in a recall. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 195,772. Manufacturer was made aware of the failure. Manufacturer stated that they would not be able to assist because VIN was not included in recall.
As I was driving there was a really loud clunking on the rear. I figured it was potentially a broken shock. In the passenger rear wheel well where the shock bolts to the frame was copletely rusted out. When I was hitting bumps it wasnt even attached to the frame. There was no way of repair. I am so greatful I was safe. And didnt get into an accident. One wrong bump. And the whole shock wouldve went through the trunk and could have caused a very serious accident.
The body of the car is generally solid. I noticed a hard clunking sound coming from the right rear wheel well and figured it was bad shocks. When I inspected the vehicle, I noticed a very large rust hole surrounding the shock tower where it meets the wheel well. The rust was on both sides of the shock. Eventually, if I hit a bad bump, the shock will most likely fail and go up into the trunk, essentially leaving the vehicle totaled. This failure seems to be reported commonly for this specific year (2005) Escapes. It is very dangerous with it being so close to the crucial shock tower, and is extremely expensive if even possible due to the severity to repair. This absolutely seems like something Ford should be aware of this massive flaw and offer customers some kind of solution to this problem.
I bought this Ford Escape for my daughter with only at 116,000 miles on it had it home for two weeks since like the inner fender well and frame fell apart on the passenger rear wheel completely rotted out.
2005 Escape, under 100,000 miles completely rusting out on the undercarriage to the point of a safety issue and now un-drivable. Disconnection of pieces and parts where the only way to keep them together is with a hanger. Was told the hanger worked better than anything the service department could do. Right passenger wheel well completely rusted out, huge hole now where you can see completely into car. Shocks bang and rub against the wheel cover in the car. Jack could not even stay attached due to the rust. Due to this issue, brakes failed while pulling out of a parking spot. To know Ford has known about this problem (recall of 2002-2004 for same issue) and my daughter has been driving this car at college and two hours back and forth sickens me. Was told this happened all the time to these cases by Ford repair shop. Also told it wasn't worth fixing. The safety of all driving this vehicle is at a major risk.
Cross over on passenger side rusted in half, the exact same thing that waste called on the 2001-2004, my wife was driving with two of my grandchildren with her when it broke, this is very dangerous and serious situation, I feel Ford should fix my vehicle, it was manufactured IN2004, I will take it to court if necessary, innocent people could get killed, it is the exact same recall as the year before and was manufactured in that year of the recall my Escape has no other rust on it anywhere, I have pics to prove it, my wife was just getting ready to turn into a driveway from a city street
On the drivers side in the fender wells and on the area around where you put gas in it falling completely apart at a very rapid speed, the fender on the area of the gas cap is falling apart lost part of the this while driving to work
Began hearing terrible noise from rear passenger wheel well. Investigation revealed the entire wheel well and frame were rusted out. After replacing the wheel well and shock mount tower, still experiencing problems due to frame being rusted out. No longer able to drive the vehicle for safety reasons and it is headed to the scrap yard.
Heard a loud scratching noise from rear of car. Upon inspection, entire rear passenger wheel well is rusted out and strut has been pushed through into rear seat area. Immediately went to Ford dealer and service manager told me it was unsafe to drive and costly to fix. He advised me to call Ford, and they listened to my complaint and issued me a case number. Since then, I have heard nothing. I am stuck with a car that runs like a top, loaded with features, new tires and is worth absolutely nothing. The dealer told me had seen the same problem on other 2005 Escapes and they are cost prohibitive to repair. I have learned that there is a recall for the 2000-2004 models but not 2005. Dealer told me if I continued to drive it, eventually the wheel will be sucked all the way into the back seat-trunk area and I could be killed on the highway.
The Escape started making a squeaking noise for about 3 days while driving it on city streets and on the highway and then it started making a loud clunking noise and was banging like something broke loose. We thought the shocks broke. Upon closer inspection we noticed that the frame at the right rear wheel well had completely rusted out and the shock had came off because there was nothing for it to attach to. We have the car parked because it is too dangerous to drive. It only has approximately 80,000 miles. Our daughter had just purchased it in May 2017 from a local car dealer. I have researched but there was no recall on this and there very many complaints about the same issues with different year Escapes.
The right rear "wheelhouse panel" rusted out around the shock absorber upper mounting bracket causing the shock absorber to become detached and non-functional while the vehicle was in motion, making a turn. This caused ride and handling concerns which affected vehicle safety. I have discovered that this is a very common problem with this vehicle and expensive to repair, ~ $1,500.
Last year I noticed the rust around doors and wheels, im retired & a disabled 77 yr old man so I drive it once a week. Over the summer I notice it handling funny, had it serviced and inspected. I was on route 30 a mile from my house it started shaking & making a horrible noise, the steering wheel was vibrating, I barely managed getting wheels to turn it off the hwy, I thought to myself, this [xxx] thing feels like it's gonna fall apart, home was 1/4 mile, noise & vibrating continued, struggled turning wheel into my driveway, parked it, got out and front passenger side wheel is tilted way out. My son jacked it up and said my lower control arm is completely rusted out or thru and broken off and it is all rusted bad underneath & said it's scrape. Parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
First problem was rear passenger tirewell rotted and shock broke through. Had this this replaced by auto body shop. Now driving car on city street heard a thud and car stopped. Tow truck driver told me it was the sub frame that had rusted causing the wheel to fall off. He has seen this many times. Common problems with this his car. On way to local mechanic to see quote to fix.
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
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Shullsburg, WI, USA