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:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
115,791 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 a 2005 Ford Escape. While driving at 35 mph, the contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. In addition, the contact stated that the rear of the vehicle failed to stay in position and veered left or right. The engine warning light illuminated intermittently. The contact noticed that there was corrosion around the rear passenger shocks and wheel house area. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 158,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. While driving at various speeds, there was a loud abnormal noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact observed that the rear passenger side tire well was rusted and there was a hole that led from the outside of the vehicle to the inside. The failure recurred continuously. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the entire frame was rusted and the rear passenger side of was severely rusted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000. Updated 11/04/15 updated 11/30/2017
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated the rear wheel well was rusted, exposing the electrical wiring of the vehicle. In addition, the entire frame underneath the vehicle was rusted and caused a rattling noise when the vehicle was driven at any speed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that rear passenger side shock tower was rusted entirely, causing wiring damage. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 83,000.
Entire body is rusted. Huge gaping hole now present on top of right rear wheel. Whatever is left of the shocks is connected to nothing. A quick search turns up thousands of complaints and surprisingly no recall for this dangerous safety issue. The rust has now spread all over the body. This car now rides on air. It's a serious hazard and unfortunately according to Ford I have to swallow the loss. Unless they get the GM ignition treatment in ten years from now. I wonder if I'll ever get compensation as there's no way I'm paying thousands upon thousands of dollars to rebuild this vehicle, so it's off to the junkyard I guess. It's scandalous that they can get away with selling a faulty, hazardous vehicle without being made to take responsibility and repair the flaws
- Lakewood, NJ, USA
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The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. While driving approximately 25 mph, there was an abnormal rattling sound coming from the rear passenger side of the vehicle. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to an auto shop, which stated that the rear passenger side wheel well was rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was experiencing the same failure as listed in NHTSA campaign number: 14V165000 (structure); however, the year, make, and model was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 166,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was discovered that the rear passenger side inner wheel well and the strut housing were extremely corroded. The mechanic stated that the vehicle was unsafe to operate. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 92,000.
While driving, I noticed that my steering wheel was not aligned. I didn't notice it was like this until I was already driving down the road. When I stopped, I checked my tires and thought that they looked slightly off. It seemed as if the passenger side tire was pointed slightly outward. The car sat in my driveway for the next couple of days and it appeared to have gotten worse. I took my car out for a test drive and noticed that each time I turned the wheel, the tires screeched. I took the car to a shop and after giving it an evaluation, they said that the control rod was rusted and starting to break. After some research online, it looked like there was a recall on 2001-2004 Ford Escapes for the same issue that I was having.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. While driving at various speeds, a loud banging noise emitted from the rear of the vehicle. After inspecting the vehicle, it was discovered that the passenger side rear wheel well was rusted and corroded, causing the shock mount to make contact with the subframe. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 33,000.
I was driving down a side street and hit a small bump and heard a loud banging noise on the right rear of my vehicle. I then thought maybe I had not shut the back door or back hatch properly. I stopped the vehicle and opened and shut both and resumed driving to work. I continued to hear the banging noise as I drove and was very concerned. Upon arriving at work I asked a co-worker to take a look at it for me. It was then that he pointed out to me the right rear upper shock mount was only hanging on by a small piece of rusted metal and my entire wheel well had rotted away and I could see the interior of my vehicle. We looked at the rest of the wheels and there was no rust at all on any other wheel well. I feel very un-safe to drive this vehicle, as I have children and I also am required to drive clients around for work. I researched this problem and was baffled at the amount of complaints. I was also baffled by the fact that it seems to happen primarily to 2005 and it is always the right rear wheel well that is affected. I went to an auto body shop and as soon as I told them the make/model and year of my vehicle, they stated "let me guess...right rear upper shock mount" and it will cost $1200 to fix. I am extremely upset that there was no recall or notification on this as I just purchased this vehicle 3 years ago and am still paying on it. The sad fact is that I am unable to cover the cost of the repair and do not know what I am going to do for travel for work and my children. I now am paying on a vehicle that is just sitting in my driveway. Had I known or was told of this recurring issue, I would have purchased a different vehicle, but then again why would Ford do that because it would be them losing money; instead it is the customers that are at a lose.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact noticed that the rear passenger side of the wheel well was fractured and exposed the shock. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 97,000.
The rear wheel wells are so rusted out that there is nothing to hold the shock and shock absorber in place. The area you put fuel in the vehicle is also rusted out. When will Ford start backing up their products"?"
The right rear fender wheel well has rusted through also affecting the shock mount creating a loud banging in the cabin. My local Ford dealer has never seen this and did not want to attempt the repair because of the cost. They also referred me to a reputable body shop in town and he also never saw this before. He suggested this website to file a complaint. I have now researched this and see a lot of other people have experienced this too. Has Ford done anything to fix this problem?
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.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. While driving at an unknown speed, the contact noticed a noise coming from the rear passenger side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer who diagnosed that the rear wheel well needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the part not being available. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who confirmed that the rear wheel well needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the noises recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that both rear wheel wells needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 135,000.
The vehicle began making a cluncking noise coming from the rear end. After inspection, I found nothing wrong. Continuing with the clunck noise, I had to remove the jack to eliminate that as the source. The noise continued. I removed the rear panel and found the entire rear wheel well rusted so badly I could see straight through to the tire. It looked like, at any moment, the entire rear passenger side could disintegrate and cause havoc on the other components such as the suspension and newer tires. It cost me nearly $700 to have the wheel well replaced.
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).
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!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Columbus , OH, USA