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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 (!!)

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 6
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
79,797 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.

2005 Ford Escape engine problems

engine problem

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2005 Ford Escape Owner Comments (Page 1 of 4)

problem #68

Nov 112014

Escape 4WD 6-cyl

  • 75,000 miles

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

I was going to work entering interstate 80 near vallejo, ca when as I was about to merge onto the freeway the vehicle became gradually unresponsive. I had to pull to the right where the car stalled and would not restart after several attempts. I then proceeded to have the vehicle inspected and was informed that the catalytic converters were defective and needed to be replaced.

- Vallejo, CA, USA

problem #67

Feb 062015

Escape 4WD 6-cyl

  • 82,319 miles
I was coming back to home from work driving on highway at 55-60 mph and suddenly my car starts decelerating itself and I was forced to pull it over on the shoulder, I was lucky that not one hit me. I completely turned the engine off and then I tried to start again, it started making cranking sound but did not start completely, so I had to call the towing truck to tow the car to my home. It could have been worse, I am lucky to be alive, I am not sure how can the vehicle can stall in the middle of the driving. It was scary.

- Dublin, CA, USA

problem #66

Dec 172014

Escape

  • 80,000 miles
Was pulling away from a stop light and vehicle wouldn't go over 20 mph but no check engine light is on, it's not high idling or over heating. A week prior the check engine light was on and was told I had a mis fire on a cylinder and I replaced the spark plug and ignition coil and the engine light went off.

- Pittsburgh , PA, USA

problem #65

Aug 192014

Escape

  • miles

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

Complaint one: Excessive rusted passenger side rear wheel well and strut mount, strut mount broke away. Complaint two: Rusted engine cradle caused passenger side front half shaft to separate from center of the car causing the to stop moving foreword and loss of steering.

- Cazenovia, NY, USA

problem #64

Nov 012014

Escape 4WD 6-cyl

  • 100,000 miles
Have taken auto to two different mechanics have gotten a lot of different results. Have paid quite a bit still have problems with auto coasting then stalling & conking out all together. Would like to know if there has been recall on issue.. thank you

- Rockland, MA, USA

problem #63

Aug 102014

Escape 6-cyl

  • 107,000 miles
I've always been a staunch defender of the Ford brand...until now. The more research I did on the link between faulty factory-installed spark plugs and PCM failure, and Ford knowledge of this link from the get-go, the angrier I become. There is a tsb out on this "known" issue however the warranty period only extends up to 80,000 miles. Pretty convenient since the average failure marker is 98K miles. Also convenient that Ford waited until 99.99% of all affected drivers would be outside of their "warranty" period before graciously extending said "warranty". hogwash. I consider myself fortunate that my failure did not cause an accident (because you know, loss of all electrical control at 70 mph is not high on my bucket list). I brought it into my mechanic. Diagnostics was the # 3 coils was bad. It was replaced and retested. It showed that it was good but the next coil was bad and the engine light was still on. We took the car to Ford and was told that the PCM was bad and needs to be replaced 2,100 later still having issues. On the way home from the shop I noticed it was still hesitating slightly, but nothing like it was.no, it will not last forever but known issues such as these really chap my hide!!! this has soured me off Ford forever at this point. Disappointing, dangerous and downright deceptive. Why won't Ford do a recall on this? safety is an issue....

- Friendswood, TX, USA

problem #62

Sep 112013

Escape 6-cyl

  • 85,000 miles

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

My car went to shop for exhaust repair when the front Y pipe was removed my mechanic saw a large hole rusted through the frame(front engine cradle).frame was repaired by welding it. The rest of car frame appeared ok. Car only has 80K miles and is well maintained. This shouldn't have happened. Not there has been a recall on 2004 and earlier Ford Escapes for the same problem I feel the 2005 should be included in this recall as its obvious to me they have the same problems.

- Cooperstown, PA, USA

problem #61

Aug 152013

Escape

  • 51,000 miles
The engine began misfiring and the check engine light was illuminated. Upon inspection at the Ford dealer they determined that all 6 coils and the powertrain control module had failed. The cost to repair was $2750. Ford is aware that many of these vehicles are having this problem but will not assist the owners in any way.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #60

Aug 012013

Escape

  • 79,000 miles
I have had problems with my Ford Escape for a few months. Generally when at a stop my engine would rev really high. After this went on for awhile now when applying the brake or at a stop the idling goes so low I'm afraid it's going to stall. I have had a mechanic test it and put it on an analyzer but the analyzer doesn't show a problem. I finally had the throttle motor replaced but it is still idling too low at times. This problem is intermittent and seems to be no rhyme or reason when it will start doing it. I'm at a loss on how to fix it but it's pretty unsafe to be driving at times.

- Glen Allen, VA, USA

problem #59

Jul 212012

Escape

  • 130,000 miles
While driving at approximately 40 mph, the car shook and died. I pulled into the turn lane and some helpful people assisted me in pushing my car to the nearest parking lot. I had my car towed to the mechanic that told me that I needed to have my engine coils and plugs replaced and that Ford had put out a bulletin explaining this problem. After they fixed that, I learned that I also had to have the computer replaced because the engine coils and plugs caused a problem with the computer. I decided to search the internet to see if anyone else was having the same problem. I found many websites and forums explaining the very same problem occurring in other 2005 Ford Escapes. It seems that if this many people are having the same exact problem (enough for Ford to put out a bulletin explaining how to fix it), then Ford should take steps to rectify the situation. From the information I have found, there is a manufacturing defect that does not show up until well after the warranty is no longer good. This is a problem that is occurring to many people who have the exact same car and Ford should do more than explain how to fix it. A recall is necessary because the problem is the caused by faulty manufacturing.

- Oviedo, FL, USA

problem #58

May 312011

Escape 6-cyl

  • 97,600 miles

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

I was on my way to work in the morning on a busy highway. Just got into the passing lane and the whole thing died right there in the passing lane. Thank god no one was very close to me and that there was a policeman coming down the mountain and saw me. He pulled behind me to block the lane. This was a very unsafe situation. If someone would have been close in back of me, they would have ass-ended me or would have had to quickly get in another lane or oncoming traffic. I had to have the vehicle towed to the garage. Replaced the spark plugs, all 6 coils and the computer was fried. After a bit of research online, I saw that there are many complaints about this unsafe issue with the 2005 Escape. Some suddenly stopping on the interstate. From what I have read, it is due to the spark plugs Ford installed in the 2005 Escape. Not understanding why there is no recall. This is a very unsafe situation, that Ford can stop by putting out a recall. Would they rather have a law suite when someone loses their life due to their negligence that can be prevented. This was a quite an expensive bill that I had to pay which could have been prevented if Ford would have issued a recall. I will think twice before buying another Ford.

- Drums, PA, USA

problem #57

Apr 282012

Escape

  • 90,000 miles
I was headed home from work and got on the free way I noticed when I would accelerate my car would start shaking. I called my mechanic and he said to try and make it home when my car died twice but luckily I was able to get it started again to make it home. I got a diagnostics done on it to find out that the computer had burnt out along with 4 of the 6 coils.

- Antioch, CA, USA

problem #56

Aug 102010

Escape

  • 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact was driving 35-40 mph when the vehicle stalled. The check engine light illuminated prior to the failure. The vehicle restarted after the failure and was taken to the dealer. The dealer advised the contact that the number four spark plug failed to fire. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 140,000 and the current mileage was 170,000.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #55

Feb 252012

Escape 6-cyl

  • 100,839 miles
Our 2005 Ford Escape has been meticulously maintained at the dealer where it was purchased. This can be verified by checking the service records at dale jarrett Ford, indian trail, nc. On 2/25/12, the vehicle was diagnosed as having an oil leak between the main engine block and the crankshaft cradle. The seal between these two foundational structural parts of the engine is a simple applied bead of silicone sealant, rather than a fixed gasket. Because of the location of the leak, we were told that the most cost effective repair is to completely replace the engine, rather than incur the labor charges of totally disassembling the engine to repair this seal. The projected cost for this repair is $4,000 to $5,000. We feel this is a premature and catastrophic failure of a design component of the vehicle's engine. Ford Motor Company, by direct communication, has offered no assistance in the repair of this problem, per their company policy. Our contention is that this is a defect in design and workmanship on the part of Ford Motor Company and warrants a recall for vehicles found to have this problem.

- Charlotte, NC, USA

problem #54

Apr 172012

Escape

  • 82,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the check engine light would illuminate sporadically. The dealer diagnosed that the spark plugs and PCM module failed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but denied any assistance with repair to the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 82,000.

- Stanton, VA, USA

problem #53

Apr 092012

Escape

  • 120,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. While driving approximately 5 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and diagnosed by an independent mechanic. The mechanic informed the contact that the ECM, six coil packs and spark plugs would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

- Midland, NC, USA

problem #52

Mar 252012

Escape 6-cyl

  • 64,000 miles
My cars computer (PCM) and four out of six coils burnt out due to faulty plugs I'm told. I was on the interstate when my cars engine just cut off and had to try and roll away from traffic without power steering. Ford has known about this problem and hasn't made a recall yet. It is costing me over 2000 dollars to get fixed and I've been reading that it has happened to other people multiple times. I could have been seriously injured.

- Saint Petersburg, FL, USA

problem #51

Mar 052012

Escape

  • 220,000 miles
Driving along at 50-55mph on busy road at rush hour. 2005 Escape was running smoothly and all of a sudden there was a rumbling vibration and then it completely lost power and stopped. Fortunately, I was driving in the right lane and was approaching a traffic light. Managed to turn right at the intersection to get out of heavy flow of traffic. Was able to start the car again but the rumbling continued and the car had no pick up. Took vehicle to my mechanic. Machine indicated a and C coils were bad. Replaced a and C coils, problem still. Mechanic said it might be the computer but said take car to Ford dealer for diagnostic check to be sure. Took car to a Ford service dept. For diagnostic. Was told that the problem was in the a and C coils and plugs. When I said I already had those replaced, he immediately said "then those parts must be bad and/or the wires are bad and they would have to trace all wires to find bad ones and replace them". the estimated cost for the repair $1100. I asked if the problem could be the computer. Service rep said, "oh, no computer is not the problem". paid $100 for diagnostic check. Took car back to my mechanic, he traced all the wires and did not find a single bad wire. According to my mechanic, the only other thing it could be, based on the way the car is acting, is the computer. I priced a computer. It costs about $495. So the quote from the dealership now makes more sense considering that the cost of the computer is about half of the $1100 they said it would cost to trace wires and replace plugs and coils. So based on the Ford service dept diagnosis, conversation and quote, Ford knows this is a problem with the 2005 Ford Escapes. My daughter and I could have been severely injured or killed because the car stopped suddenly while we were moving at 50 mph. This is a manufacture/assembly defect that should be recalled.

- High Point, NC, USA

problem #50

Mar 112011

Escape 4WD 6-cyl

  • 130,000 miles
March 2011. I was driving down the highway and my vehicle acted like a hiccup or misfire. I thought it was a fluke, but it happened again a few miles later then all of the sudden, it started chugging really bad and eventually died. It was after midnight on a very low traveled area and I had my two year old in the car with me. Luckily it started back up and I was able to drive a few more miles (thank god) to a hotel for the night. If this would have happened 45 minutes earlier. I would have been an hour to the nearest town! not a great feeling with a toddler in the car, an unfamiliar road, and after business hours. Come to find out it was the coil packs at first, so we replaced two of them like the mechanic suggested. Then they called and said that didn't fix the problem and we now needed a new computer. Not knowing any different, we replaced the computer. Just last Friday the same exact thing happened to me. So this would be six coil packs and two computers in a year. Not happy! we do not have the money to keep making repairs like this. Not a huge Ford fan at this point...and very sick to my stomach to read soooo many complaints about similar situations from others all across the country. There are a lot of hard working people out there who can't afford to have vehicle malfunctions like we're having. Someone is going to get killed if they haven't already with this uncertain problem occurring! please do something!

- Fullerton, NE, USA

problem #49

Mar 182012

Escape

  • miles
2nd spark plug failure.

- Covington, KY, USA

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