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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 (!!)

9.5

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$2,050
Average Mileage:
101,900 miles
Total Complaints:
108 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. replace spark plugs, coils, cylinders and PCM (61 reports)
  2. replace PCM (30 reports)
  3. not sure (15 reports)
  4. replace pcu spark plugs and coils (1 reports)
  5. tone ring replacement (1 reports)
2005 Ford Escape electrical problems

electrical problem

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2005 Ford Escape Owner Comments (Page 6 of 6)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #8

Mar 172010

Escape V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,055 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The vehicle started skipping but only did it one day, so I brought it in and they found the rear wheel bearing was out but no other problems found. 2 days later, I couldn't start my vehicle and when it finally started it was completely skipping and wouldn't accelerate to much, the RPM's had to go really high in order for it to shift. Brought it back into the dealership (not the one I bought it at)and they had to car the ford hotline because when they put it on the computer it was saying there was no problems, so they called and they suggested they change all the coil packs, which they did but it didn't change anything so now there saying it will need a new computer in it but that I can't get a new computer until June 15th. Also the warranty that I bought with the vehicle does not cover any of this that is going on.

- corona98, Willow River, MN, US

problem #7

Feb 202010

Escape 3.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 109,000 miles

we had to have a new pcm put in last year on the way home from me having a kidney/ pancreas transplant. was an exciting time till we started home from indy and truck started acting up. It was cold, the heater wouldn't work and the car wouldn't go over 40 mph. replaced pcm cost us 800.00 to get it fixed. now 1 yr later told it is out again and it will cost me 2100.00 f*cking dollars to fix

i don't have meds cost to much. i've never drove anything but a ford but now i will never get another one and where i work i tell everyone i can not to get a ford. was told by 2 differant ford dealers that ford knows about the problem but they don't give a dam i am fighting this with alot of people and it is not finished they tell me a pcm only lasts a year that is wrong they are full of sh*t if i'm paying this every year they can have it back i'll buy a chevy

- Helen R., Corunna, IN, US

problem #6

Mar 052010

Escape XLT 3.0L 6 cyls

  • Automatic transmission
  • 63,000 miles

After taking a short trip with the car running just fine, after parking for a few hours, returned and the car would not start. Towed it to a shop only to find that all 6 coils malfunctioning.

Towed to a highly respected shop and the first issue was the coolant temp mod which was reading -20 degrees (we didn't fall below 32 all winter) and was pumping too much gas into the cylinders.

After further tests, come to find out, the plugs, coil and PCM (computer) were all shot. The computer crashed. The shop owner called Ford dealers explaining the problem only to be told the problem was ignition failure (no warranty) and not emission issues which would be covered under the emission warranty.

There are TSB's on the problem and Ford is fully aware of the issue and the substandard spark plugs that most likely caused the problem. The TSB's are 05-11-1 and TSB 09-2-6.

I replaced the computer (the software and the programming), the coils (6 x ~$100 each) and plugs with aftermarket products at a total cost of $2600. The car had 63,000 miles on it and it ran like a charm until this issue.

I strongly feel that Ford knows about the problem and they should be fixing the problem at no cost. A $2600 repair bill on a 5 year old car with 63,000 is outrageous.

Does anyone know of any class action suits being contemplated? What are the best ways to make complaints to Ford?

- Mike R., Seattle, WA, US

problem #5

Feb 272010

Escape XLT 3.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 50,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was on my way to Fla. car started missing. Thought I had gotten bad gas. Stopped for gas and shut off car. Upon starting car would hardly run.4,000$ later I picked up car . 500 miles later car shut off on the interstate. This dealership tells me I need a new engine. I was a loyal ford buyer(since 1986). but no more. I'm wondering if I should spend the money to fix this piece of junk?

- Michael M., Bear, DE, US

problem #4

Jan 252010

Escape Limited 3.3L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 97,241 miles

After replacing $1800.00 worth of catalytic converters (not including labor) the pcm was found to be burnt. In the process of this happening it damaged all six coil packs and fried my fuel pump and ignition coil. All services completed by a Ford dealer with no help from Ford in the funds department. $4200.00 dollars total wrapped in to this American made piece of crap. I have never had to to dump this much cash into a vehicle. Ford knows the coils and PCM's installed in these cars are poorly manufactured and wont make it past 100,000 mile mark. I have had no luck at accomplishing anything through Ford Customer service and don't plan on ever buying another Ford vehicle in my life time. These vehicles should be torched and never recycled into a used car lot. I have no confidence in this vehicle or ford motor company. Built Ford Tough ya right. Also a co-worker had the same problem two weeks after mine on her Ford Escape.

- brantc, Strattanviile, PA, US

problem #3

Feb 102010

Escape XLT 3.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 106,000 miles

Symptoms; Check engine light, no spark on cylinders 2 and 4 so running on four cylinders only. Private mechanic checked car and suspected damaged PCM so we took car to ford dealer for diagnostic and to be certain. Ford dealer wants to charge 1200.00 to replace plugs and four coils that came up as code faults and said that still may not fix problem and PCM computer could be damaged. So refused service without a guaranteed fix and price.

Further research and meeting with a ford tune up technician I discovered the following; Ford has been having a problem with 05 Escapes and 05 Mariners requiring multiple coils and PCM failure. They has issued a Technical Service Bulletin which advises that original sparkplugs identified without a date code and multiple diagnostic codes are indication of coil damage due to the defective plugs. The coil damage is not evidenced by their ability to deliver a spark but rather loss of RF protection due to misfiring dmaging such. In turn the coils loss of RF protection dmages the computer PCM module. The bulletin advised replacment of all six plugs, coils and the PCM with new ford part numbers. They are covering the problem under warranty according to the TSB which includes 85K miles for the PCM as its a smog part and federally required to be warranted that long ( see new car warranty and emmisions warranty ) Problem is they are not issuing a recall at this time and cars that are beyond the warranty periods are not covered even though it is a latent defect. We're screwed and the Goverment needs to force a recall. They used bad factory installed parts and the cars are failing.

Further, it is not certain if the new part number replacement parts are any better. When I went to www.fordparts.com and entered my VIN number I got a list of the replacement parts suitable for this vehicle. After clicking on view for each item ( plugs, coils and PCM) there was a footnote that these parts are on Recall. This the Ford site folks and they are saying the parts are on recall..the new parts and the original parts. SO IF THE PARTS ARE ON RECALL WHY ARENT THE CARS? People have been spending thousands of dollars to fix this problem only to have it reappear soon after repairs at the dealers. The dealers arent volunterring the TSB info and not following the guidelines and doing a complete repair.

The ford tuneup tech I spoke with said he called the factory rep after having alot of cars have repeat problems and additional coils fail. He said the Ford representative advised him about the TSB and told me that indeed everything needs to be replaced or youll damage the new PCM and coils. The TSB apperars on the dealers print out when they run the diagnostics but they dont mention it unless you call them on it.

We cant afford this right now so were having to fix the car with aftermarket parts and try and get a working used PCM somewhere so we can trade in the car..last ford for us. Its also of interest if you go to the official ford parts site and watch the videos of why you should only use ford/ motorcraft parts they state that they have patented technology that the aftermarket parts dont which includes RF suppression technology, special magnetic metals and exclusive windings unique to their coils and patented spark plug designs. They say without such and by using others parts you could have RF interference and damge the computers in the car. So they are admitting that their own parts arent any better and they know how they should have performed. (Watch the Videos) This should be a class action lawsuit if I ever saw one...

Anyone have advise about how I should proceed without cleaning out my wallet?

- Rick F., Northridge, CA, US

problem #2

Feb 132010

Escape

  • Automatic transmission
  • 93,000 miles

The car has 93k miles only 5 years old..I feel that ford should be responsible for this problem

- vchiacu, Trumbull, CT, US

problem #1

Feb 042010

Escape

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

the computer has quit on my 2005 ford escape and it's going to cost alot

- Debbie G., Ridgeway, MO, US

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