What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2005 Ford Escape

Typical pattern

3.1% of complaints about the 2005 Ford Escape came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2005 vehicle — around the middle of the 245 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 9.6 yr in service. The most-reported system is suspension (457 complaints), typically at 10.1 yr or about 122,000 miles.

Complaints
2,012
Median age at failure
9.6 yr
Median mileage
109,000 n=1736
Crash / fire / tow
4.8% of reports
Safety recalls
5

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Suspension
457 reports · 122,000 mi
10.1 yr
2.4%
Structure
436 reports · 120,000 mi
10.0 yr
1.8%
Electrical system
151 reports · 104,000 mi
8.2 yr
5.3%
Speed control
149 reports · 86,000 mi
7.3 yr
4.7%
Engine
130 reports · 113,000 mi
9.8 yr
6.9%
Power train
116 reports · 92,000 mi
7.8 yr
2.6%
Wheels
98 reports · 122,000 mi
9.7 yr
3.1%
Engine cooling
91 reports · 89,362 mi
6.5 yr
9.9%
Other
74 reports · 107,000 mi
11.7 yr
4.1%
Steering
49 reports · 115,000 mi
10.8 yr
8.2%
Service brakes
40 reports · 110,000 mi
9.8 yr
7.5%
Visibility
34 reports · 62,000 mi
5.3 yr
5.9%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

15V606000 2015-09-29
Power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:floor shift

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.

If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the v

15E045000 2015-06-03
Suspension:front:wheel bearing

The Timken Company (Timken) is recalling certain aftermarket front wheel bearings, part number 510072, sold from January 22, 2015, to May 21, 2015, to be used as service parts on 2001-2012 Ford Escape, 2001-2011 Mazda Tribute, and 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles. The affected wheel bearings have incorrect dimensions of a 42mm bore, 76mm outer dimension, and 39mm width, instead of a 42mm bore, 78mm outer dimension and a 45mm width.

Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

14V526000 2014-09-03
Hybrid propulsion system

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 Ford Escape hybrid electric vehicles manufactured October 13, 2003, to June 20, 2008, and 2006-2008 Mercury Mariner hybrid electric vehicles manufactured June 10, 2005, to June 20, 2008. The coolant pump for the hybrid system may fail resulting in the hybrid electronics overheating.

If the hybrid electronics system overheats, it may shut down the powertrain, resulting in a stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a crash.

06V111000 2006-04-07
Seats:front assembly:head restraint

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITHOUT SIDE AIR CURTAINS OR MOONROOFS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." DURING TESTING, THE FREE MOTION HEAD FORM REGISTERED A MEASUREMENT ABOVE THE PERMITTED LIMIT AT THE LEFT HAND A-PILLAR TRIM AREA.

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, PERSONAL INJURY TO OCCUPANTS MAY OCCUR.

04V602000 2004-12-20
Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

CERTAIN 2004-2005 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND CERTAIN 2001-2003 SPORT UTIITY VEHICLE HAVING REAR LIFTGATE COMPONENTS SERVICED WITH 2004 EQUIVALENT COMPONENTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 206, 'DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS.' THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCHING SYSTEM DOES NOT MEET THE INERTIA LOAD REQUIREMENT IN ONE DIRECTION.

IF THE LIFTGATE IS LEFT UNLOCKED, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL THAT IT MAY OPEN DURING A CRASH.

In owners’ own words

Visibility mileage not reported 1 mo in service
WHILE DRIVING SUN ROOF EXPLODED. CONSUMER PULLED OVER. NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. *AK
Visibility 2,728 mi 0 mo in service
WHENEVER USING THE AIR CONDITIONER, USING DASH CONTROLLER TO DIRECT THE AIR OUT THE DASH VENTS, AIR ALSO COMES OUT THE DEFROSTER VENTS, CAUSING CONDENSATION TO FOG UP THE LOWER PART OF THE WINDSHIELD. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE SELLING DEALER, SOUTHWAY FORD IN SAN ANTONIO TX, AND RED MCCOMBS FORD IN SAN ANTONIO TX. BOTH DEALERS WERE ABLE TO REPRODUCE THE COMPLAINT, BUT OFFERED NO REPAIR. THEY BOTH CLAIM IT IS A "NORMAL OPERATION" I REQUESTED FROM BOTH DEALERSHIPS TO HAVE THE FORD REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE LOOK AT THE CAR. AS OF YET, NO ONE HAS CONTACTED ME. *AK
Visibility 6,900 mi 9 mo in service
DRIVING 2005 FORD ESCAPE ON 4 LANE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH. OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE AROUND 85 DEG. AIR CONDITIONER WAS RUNNING. REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR WINDOW SHATTERED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. NO ROCK OR OTHER PROJECTILE FOUND INSIDE THE VEHICLE. NO EXTERIOR DAMAGE ON DOOR OR SURROUNDING AREA. HAD NOTICED "SQUEAKING" NOISE FROM THAT GENERAL AREA FOR QUITE SOME TIME BEFORE WINDOW SHATTERED. NO PASSENGERS IN REAR SEATS, BUT WOULD HAVE BEEN INJURIES IF PASSENGERS PRESENT. POLICE REPORT WAS MADE. UNABLE TO DETERMINE CAUSE.
Steering 700 mi 2 mo in service
CONSUMER COMPLAINED THAT POWER STEERING ASSIST FAILED WHILE DRIVING DOWN A MOUNTAIN AT 30-40 MPH. CONSUMER WAS WAITING FOR ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE. *AK

Other Escape model years

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