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.
While driving heard a loud knotting in the right rear of the vehicle, going over minor bumps. Looked under the right rear wheel well found top of shock rusting loose from where it was attached. If this breaks loose completely it could cause the vehicle to bounce and sweve radically causing driver to lose control.
My 2005 Ford Escape rear passenger side wheel well cracked. The shock absorber is hardly attached and is a safety issue. If it falls off it could cause an accident.
Heard a thudding from rear end. Looked underneath as nothing loose in the vehicle. The passenger side rear wheel well is very rusted. No support for shocks. There was an undercoating with debris under it. Took out a lot of sludge/rust/debris from under that coating. Body shop says $5000 to fix it properly, and the other side is starting to rust as well (driver rear wheel well).
Have heard this noise like a window or door rattling for awhile and couldn't find the problem. Finally looked at it really good one day and found the right wheel well and shock were completely rusted out and just sitting there. Unsafe to drive so we took it home and parked it. This car was bought for my grandaughter and her baby to be a safe car for her and now we have to park it and figure out what to do because we still owe on this vehicle and can't afford to pay it off or get another one right now
- Shenandoah Junction, WV, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
Heard loud noise from rear of vehicle especially at low speeds. Removed inside panel to find that rear passenger wheel well rusted through causing shock mount to tear through frame and was no longer attached to frame. Consulted with Ford, no recall for this model year, ,,but for previous year and following year?!! took vehicle to body shop for repairs. Vehicle for kids and deemed unsafe or dangerous for them. Ford...I buy a lot of vehicles from you...you need to make this right for us!
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.
Purchased June 2005 as a used vehicle w/ 18,000 miles. Always garage kept. Noticed a popping noise from the passage rear. Investigated and found the inner wheel well. Area were the shock bolt's to has almost completely rusted out. Read of other people having same issues on the internet. Car is unsafe to drive until repaired. Will consult a body shop on repairs. Ford needs to man up and offer a fix for this issue!
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. While driving 30 mph, the vehicle made a rattling noise from the rear passenger side. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the wheel well rusted and caused the shocks to become inoperable. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.
I have a 2005 Ford Escape and the passenger side rear wheel well has rusted out to the point that where the shock is mounted has broken free of the inner fender well causing handling problems with the vehicle. I am concerned that this may cause an accident. I really think an area of this great importance should not ever rust out let alone in just 10 years. I feel this is an engineering problem on Ford Motor Companies part. I did some research and found that this seems to be a common problem on this model. Were do I go next and I can see this being a costly repair as well. Help!!!
While driving into work my wife heard a loud bang from the rear end. Once I inspected it, the whole passenger rear shock mount has rusted completely off, sending the top of the shock through the fender inside cover. Inspecting the drivers side, it's rusted all the way around the shock mount, only being held on by the bottom weld. It seems like there's a real thick membrane smeared under fender well. Otherwise, the vehicle is in real good shape. I can't believe the poor engineering that went into this vehicle. Oh yeah, we just paid it off in March through Ford motor credit. It'll cost more to fix the problem then what I could get out of it. I can't believe how a Ford dealer could possibly not see this before it was sold to us.
One day I noticed that some of the undercoating in the rear right when was gone, upon further inspection I noticed that there was hole in the wheel well. After researching online, I learned that this is a common problem. Although my problem is not as serious as some of the stories I read, I still feel that it is safety issue and an accident waiting to happen. As time goes by the rust will continue to grow and I'm afraid of the consequences. I called Ford to voice my concern, but they said that they are not doing anything to repair the problem. Just like everyone, I want people to be aware of the issue and hopefully Ford will realized that this is a safety issue.
We started to notice a "clunky" noise coming from the right rear wheel hub. Upon inspection, the right rear wheel hub is over 50% rusted out. The left rear wheel hub is intact. We can not drive vehicle fearing a structural failure will result in an accident or injury. After researching this issue on the internet, it seems to be a common problem for this model, and other Ford models.
I have a 2005 Ford Escape took it to a shop today because of the banging from the suspension. When the mechanic put the car on the lift he saw that the entire wheel well around the shock absorber was rusted completely out. The extra stress on the shock absorber caused the bolt on the top to break off. The stress also caused the rear break line to fray almost to the point of breaking completely. This car is no longer safe to drive. I am just happy that my break line didn't break while I was on the road. I do not really know what options I have with the car since it is the only car I own and I have no other way to get to and from work.
I had been hearing a large clunk on my passenger side in the back. At first I thought it was my shovel hitting. However, I finally really took a look at the entire back and wheel and notice it completely rotted under and even broke through my trunk. I took it to 3 different shops and was told it was the suspension/shock that has rusted and rotted away. It wasn't suppose to do that. I have a welder pricing it out because both other garages said they couldn't fix. I feel completely unsafe driving thinking the car could go flat out anytime. The car is in really good condition otherwise, and from the sound of it this is a common problem among 2004 and 2005 Escapes. If this keeps happening someone is going to get hurt. And it should be Ford responsibility to fix.
While driving down the road going approx. 40 mph, I heard a loud noise from by back passenger side tired. I immediately pulled over to see what caused the noise. Upon inspection, I noticed the wheel well that supports the back shock was completely rusted. The shock had broke through the rusted wheel well and was pressed up against the inside interior of my car. The rest of my wheel wells are in fine condition. When I researched this problem online, there are many, many customers that have had this exact problem with 2005 Ford Escapes. It is only the rear passenger side. This needs to be researched and corrected before someone gets hurt.
I was driving and began to hear a loud noise I stopped and looked, the fender well had fallen half way off. It was rusted all the way through. I had to call a tow truck and still cannot use my car because I cant afford to replace this part. Shouldn't Ford be responsible for this it is a flaw in the body.
I was driving home from school when I started to hear a loud cluncking noise from the rear passenger side. I came to find out that it was completely rusted out and that's what was making all of that noise. I have only had this car for 6 months and I have no idea what I am going to do if this is a problem no one can fix! I've been reading and a lot of people with the 2003-2007 Escapes are having the same issue! this needs to be fixed!!
The right rear wheel well and shock mount is completely rusted out. When I bought the vehicle used, I drove it and heard a slight clunking somewhere in the rear end of the vehicle. I thought maybe the shocks were bad. I continued to drive it, hoping to replace the shocks. Recently the noise became very loud and disturbing. I looked at the shock area and discovered the whole area on the right rear wheel well and shock mount are rusted through and breaking apart. The left side is fine. I am afraid to drive it this way and believe it is an unsafe condition. I looked up the problem on the internet and found a multitude of the same problem with other owners of 2005 Ford Escapes. To my knowledge, Ford will only fix 2001-2004 Escapes, but not 2005. Why not? it clearly is a defect in material and workmanship. It has rusted prematurely and causes a hazardous safety situation. If this was an isolated incident, I would understand. But from what I have learned, it has happened to all 2005 Ford Escapes.
Have found the right rear strut mount almost rusted away and the left side is on its way. I hear there is a recall for 2001-2004 for this and from all the complaints I see on-line this should include 2005-2006 and unless they did something to actually stop this, even later years should be included. If a person hits a chuck hole this could cause a bad accident., I see a lot of people can't even drive their vehicles. I have owned many older, vehicles including a 1995 Ford Taurus I traded in on this Escape that didn't have this problem.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Cedar Rapids, IA, USA