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:
4 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
111,019 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.
The contact owns 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle would exhibit an abnormal noise when driving over a road bump. The vehicle was taken to an independent dealer, who stated that the rear passenger side shock mount was covered with rust. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 122,000. Updated 3/24/15
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 40 mph over a road bump, there was a loud noise heard from the vehicle. The contact discovered that the rear passenger side shock tower was fractured and the tire separated from the wheel well due to severe corrosion. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 111,000.
I have a 2005 Ford Escape. Noticed a rattling and banging sound thought I had a broken shock or strut. After better inspection noticed that the rear passenger side wheel well has corroded so bad that the strut/shock mount was no longer attached to the SUV and is banging on the inner plastic. Not safe to drive, very costly to fix. Needs to be a recall !!!
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
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As I sit here and read all these reports on Ford Escape passenger side rear wheel well issues, I wonder how long or what is it going to take for Ford to realize this is a major safety problem which needs taken care of.
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.
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.
I recently noticed a thumping noise coming from the rear when traveling down the road, I had my mechanic look into it and they noticed extreme corrosion on the rear passenger side wheel well. My mechanic indicated that he had never seen extreme corrosion of this magnitude on a vehicle of this age. The other 3 wheel wells are in good shape, but the rear passenger side one is rusted out. The shock mount is corroded and is unable to adequately support my shock. They advised that I take it into a collision shop which I did. The collision shop took pictures and quoted me a price on the repairs, I was told that they have recently seen this same issue with the Ford Escape from there customer base. I also researched and found that Ford has issued recalls on the 2001-2004 Ford Escapes for a rust issue stemming from the front of the vehicle. There is a recent trend of consumer complaints that have spiked over the past year in regards to the same issue in the same spot for 2005 Ford Escapes.
My son noticed that sound insulation in the right rear wheel well was gone and the wheel well was severly rusted to the point the upper shock mount was close to separating from the body. I checked with a the body shop of a local Ford dealer who said he has seen and repaired a ton of 2005 Escapes. He hasn't seen this specific problem with other model years (e.g. 2001 - 2004. Didn't ask about 2006 or 2007 model years). The Ford body shop person said the sound insulation/undercoating held in moisture and that is why the area is so badly rusted. The body shop of a Ford dealer bowling green, oh said the repair would be $1,200 - $1,400 and will take three days. I called a Ford dealer on the West side of cleveland who confirmed the amount and length of time.
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).
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.
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.
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.
While driving on main road hit some uneven road repairs and started to hear a metal on metal sound. I thought it was the rear passenger door so stopped to check but it was locked. Drove home and noise seemed to get progressively worse. I started to check shocks and tires and saw a crack in the right rear wheel well through the rust proofing.I moved it away from the fender and saw a hole into the side of my car by the top of the shock. I took it to a body shop and was told this is an issue with Ford Escape and the repair is expensive. I will be contacting a dealer for help and parts if they are available.
I was driving my vehicle down a rural road at about 35 mph and hit a pot hole in the road. Upon inspection after the incident, my husband noticed the rear strut mount for the shock on the passenger side had become detached. There was some rust present in that wheel well around the strut housing. The supporting metal cracked the entire way around the strut housing, detaching it from the rest of the vehicle. The opposite wheel well and strut mount are in perfect condition with the factory undercoating still in tact. There is no undercoating present on the passenger side in the same area. We were told by a mechanic and auto body specialist that the car is unsafe to drive and is only cosmetically repairable, not structurally repairable.
I happened to notice rust through while checking my tires. It is located at the right (passenger side) rear wheelhouse panel where the strut assembly attaches to the body of the vehicle. The rust has disintegrated in the area leaving a barely attached wheel assembly with massive cracking and holes in the metal. It is the only area on the vehicle with rust. I was told it cannot be repaired and that I have less than 6 months of driving before it will break completely, thus disabling my vehicle or causing it to crash while being driven. I am afraid to drive it further, especially with my 3 year old son in the vehicle. I am disturbed with the amount of people who own this wonderful SUV from a fine company like Ford and the only thing stopping them from driving it is a single panel with such a severe defect. I am fully prepared to join or lead a class action lawsuit against Ford for this problem.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Cogan Staten, PA, USA