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:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
79,514 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. Consumer writes in regards to rusted subframe. The consumer stated the passenger side strut tower was also rusted. The manufacturer was notified and denied any responsibility for the failure.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. While driving approximately 5 mph, a whistling noise and a burning odor emitted through the vents of the vehicle. The contact coasted to the side of the road and noticed that the inner wheel well on the rear passenger side was corroded. The contact immediately called the manufacturer and was informed that the vehicle was not included in a recall, and did not offer further assistance. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 177,250.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. While driving 50 mph, the contact noticed a very loud noise as if glass were breaking. The contact pulled the vehicle off the road and turned off the engine. The contact walked to the rear of the vehicle and noticed that the tower was disconnected from the well of the wheel. The contact drove the vehicle home and then to an independent auto mechanic. The technician would not touch the vehicle due to the danger of the failure. It was unknown if a dealer was contacted. The manufacturer informed the contact that she should not believe everything posted on the internet and stated that the vehicle was old. The failure mileage was 158,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. While driving 35 mph over a small bump in the road, the vehicle made a loud banging noise. The contact noticed that the passenger side wheel well was severely rusted. In addition, the shock absorber became disconnected from the frame of the well. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000. The VIN was not available.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while having the vehicle exhaust serviced at an independent mechanic, the mechanic would not lift the vehicle to do the exhaust servicing stating that the frame was rusted and there was a chance the frame would fracture. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacture was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 99,000. Updated 01/05/2017
- Loveland, OH, USA
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The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. While driving over a hump in the road, the contact heard a loud banging noise. The contact performed a test drive and discovered that the rear passenger wheel well had a rusted hole underneath the vehicle and the shock absorber was detached from the original mount. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 70,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. While driving approximately 30 mph, the contact stated that the vehicle was not steering properly and pulled to the right. The front passenger side subframe fractured. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that the subframe fractured. The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 116,000.
Right rear shock tower is rusted all the way through, while the left side looks brand new.a mechanic said he has fixed at least 20 of these.the price for the fix quoted to me was between $800 and $1000.this should be a recall.we the Escape but this just is not fair.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. While driving approximately 20 mph, there was an unusual noise coming from the rear of the vehicle without warning. The failure recurred on several occasions. The contact discovered that the rear passenger wheel well rusted and fractured. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the rear passenger wheel well fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 108,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the rear passenger shock fractured without any warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who indicated that the failure was not rust related but rather that there was a manufacturer defect with the drive train. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 14V165000 (structure). The VIN was not available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was not available.
I've recently started noticing a lot of creaking and popping in the structure / suspension of my 2005 Ford Escape. I took a flashlight and crawled underneath the vehicle to inspect, and immediately noticed a large amount of rust/rot in my front subframe of my vehicle. I see Ford has a recall for 2001 to 2004 models, but this needs to be expanded to cover all years of this chassis design, as my 2005 shows significant rot. The recall should also cover rear wheel well rust/rot (including shock mounts), as this area is also heavily rusted. Definite design flaws and poor quality of materials used on the frame/subframe. A 2005 should not be rusting out this bad, even in the "salt belt". nothing has broken from rust yet, however judging by the rate of decay, it's not going to last much longer. Ford should expand this recall immediately.
There started to be a banging noise in right rear area of vehicle. After inspection, I found that the right rear shock had separated its mount from the wheel well due to excessive rust.
Cpsc: I1470151A. 2005 Ford Escape. Consumer stated the vehicle has completely rusted through the right rear wheel well and the shock fell off. The other wheel well was rusted and appeared to be falling off, as well.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the rear passenger wheel weld rusted through the frame. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 73,600.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle made a clunking noise. After inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed that the rear passenger side wheel well and struts were severely corroded and fractured. The manufacturer advised the contact that the failure could be corrected by replacing the rear panel. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 158,000.
2005 Ford Escape. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle wheel well and shock housing deteriorated. The consumer stated over the past few years, he had to replace many parts associated with the undercarriage. On April 19, 2014, while exiting the highway, a loud bang was heard from the rear of the vehicle and the vehicle shifted to the right. Upon inspection of the vehicle, he noticed the right-rear passenger wheel well and shock housing had deteriorated. The consumer dropped the vehicle off at the local Ford dealer. The next day, the dealer informed the consumer, the vehicle should be scrapped. After doing some online research, the consumer discovered it was a common problem with his model.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the rear passenger shock mount was entirely rusted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 117,564.
My car went to shop for exhaust repair when the front Y pipe was removed my mechanic saw a large hole rusted through the frame(front engine cradle).frame was repaired by welding it. The rest of car frame appeared ok. Car only has 80K miles and is well maintained. This shouldn't have happened. Not there has been a recall on 2004 and earlier Ford Escapes for the same problem I feel the 2005 should be included in this recall as its obvious to me they have the same problems.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the rear passenger side shock absorber became detached. Upon inspection, it was found that the frame was perforated due to rust. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not available. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was not available.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Pepin, WI, USA