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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:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
70,969 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 6 of 7)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #28

Dec 102010

Escape

  • miles

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

During cold weather conditions the gas pedal becomes stiff and at times difficult to depress.

- Lauderhill, FL, USA

problem #27

Dec 012010

Escape

  • 110,000 miles
When weather gets cold accelerator pedal gets stuck when trying to start vehicle and sticky when driving for a time after that.sometimes feels like it doesn't want to stop at stop signs or lights, like its still getting fuel. Dealer wanted to change out throttle body for an outrageous amount. From my research this is a wide spread problem.

- Mn, MN, USA

problem #26

Oct 102006

Escape

  • 15,000 miles
The gas pedal intermittently sticks which causes sudden and quick deceleration. It feels like a brick is underneath the pedal. No matter how hard I push down, the pedal doesn't budge. Then all of a sudden, the pedal will work again. It is a serious safety issue. I did some research on the internet and it looks like a lot of people have had this same issue with Ford cars. Some people have gotten into accidents because of it. I spoke with Ford's corporate office and they said they didn't consider it a safety issue. They took my name and some other basic information, then spent most of the time trying to get me off of the phone. I tried to explain that this is very similar to the sudden acceleration problem that Toyota was having, with the only two differences being the car decelerates as opposed to accelerates and that no one has been killed yet. Ford told me if I was concerned, I should get my car fixed and that they would not pay for it. These vehicles need to be recalled before someone gets seriously injured or killed.

- Sellersville, PA, USA

problem #25

Sep 012010

Escape 4-cyl

  • 83,005 miles

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

My gas pedal was sticking off and on a few days before Sept, 1, 2010. On Sept. 1, 2010 I was driving and the gas pedal cable went. I have never heard of gas pedal just breaking. I was on busy street and lost all power.

- Lockport, NY, USA

problem #24

Jun 022010

Escape

  • 43,000 miles
The gas pedal of my 2005 Ford Escape some times gets stack to the point where I can't accelerate no matter how much weight I put on it. It normally happens after it has been idle for many hours and goes away after driving for about 30 minutes. It was like that since I bought it two years ago and has been getting worst lately. I took it to local Ford dealer and they test drove and said there is nothing wrong with it. On 6/2/2010, I got stack in the middle of a busy intersection and nearly got hit from the rear and from both sides. It took me more than two minutes before I could accelerate again.

- Eagle Lake, MN, USA

problem #23

Nov 282009

Escape

  • miles
We had to have the throttle body replaced on our 2005 Ford Escape. Prior to replacement you could be driving and the gas pedal would freeze up and you would not be able to push it down. It would stick as if something was behind it, and nothing was. I was never in an accident, however when you pull out to merge into traffic and you can not accelerate because the pedal won't go down, it is amazing you are not in an accident. I found several people on-line with the same issue when I searched Ford Escape sticky pedal.

- Belleville, MI, USA

problem #22

Mar 192010

Escape

  • 92,217 miles

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

I live in Virginia and Friday morning got up and there was frost on the windshield. I got in the 2005 Ford Escape let it warm up for about 5 mins. Drove approx 1 & 1/2 miles stopped at a stop sign to turn out on a main road and pressed the gas pedal and the vehicle would not move. I let it roll backwards to a safe place and turned it off. I tried it many times for over 30 minutes and it finally worked. This happens more often in cold weather but usually after 5 mins. It will work. This time was different and more scary as I was attempting to pull out on to a main road.

- Ruther Glen, VA, USA

problem #21

Feb 112010

Escape

  • 84,000 miles
The accelerator keeps getting stuck on my 2005 Ford Escape. I start it off, back up, put it in drive, press on the accelerator, and the accelerator won't move. I have to press on the accelerator really hard and then the truck takes off really fast and I have to fight with the wheel to gain control. My sister was also driving it on a cold day and all of a sudden the accelerator got stuck, the truck would no longer move, it finally started rolling down a hill and she almost crashed into a tree. She too had to fight the wheel to gain control of the car.

- Lancaster, TX, USA

problem #20

Jan 062010

Escape 4-cyl

  • 50,000 miles
I own a 2005 Ford Escape 4cyl. My gas pedal started getting hard to push down and was becoming a safety issue. I brought it to framingham, mass Ford 1-6-10. It took until 1-22-10 for them to get a new throttle box to replace the defective one. Did this take so long to get the throttle box because Ford is experiencing numerous problems with this" if so, this should be a safety and recall issue the public should be aware of. Is Ford hiding this from public knowledge" I registered a safety product complaint with Ford motors today 2-10-10.

- Belmont, MA, USA

problem #19

Feb 042010

Escape

  • miles
I recently purchased a 2005 Ford Escape from my cousin. As I was purchasing the vehicle he did explain to me how the pedal would stick on cold days. Going into buying it from him I soon realized what he meant. He had taken it in to the Ford dealership to get it fixed. They sprayed a cleaner on the throttle body to remove residue. When I heard of the Toyota recall I called whoolwhine Ford Lincoln Mercury here in ms where I live to see if my vehicle was also one. I was told that this was not the first time he had heard this and to spray stuff in the throttle body until it wouldn't let me anymore. Well, I am very worried about this situation. As a mom with a small child, I worry about the majority of other people and families that my die from this malfunction. What it does is the pedal gets so hard to push until you can not get gas to the ignition to make the vehicle go. I have had this happen to me several times. I can even crank the Escape long before my journey and it still sticks. Well, yesterday was the worst day ever. I am a mom and a student in school. I had gotten to school and finished my class when it was time to leave. I got in the vehicle and started to leave oh boy the pedal worked. I got to the first intersection to where when it was my time to go the pedal was hard. I had to coast through it and pull over. Finally got it soft again and went to the closest place to get a bite to eat. Sat there for at least 5 min letting it run hoping it would fix the problem for that time. When I was leaving it was hard again and I had alot of vehicles behind me so I coasted to the nearest bank. It took 10 minutes for me, while I kept pushing on my gas pedal for nothing. It is so hard you cant make it go. So, in telling you this that is 3 times I could of had a crash. I take my daughter to school and some morning I pray all the way that I make it without anything harming her. It is bad when you end up coasting through an intersection.

- Mize, MS, USA

problem #18

Jun 012009

Escape 4WD

  • 18,000 miles

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

I have a 2005 Ford Escape (4WD), not the hybrid. I have approx. 63,000 mi on it now. Three times since I've owned it the car has suddenly started accelerating on it's own. The last time was approx. The date below, and that was the only time I was using the cruise control. One time I was in town and luckily there wasn't anyone close in front of me. So far braking, or pressing the accelerator has "reset" it, but now seeing this problem with the Toyota's I'm concerned. I E-mailed Ford about the problem, however I kind of got the brush-off, and they just said if I was concerned I should take it to my dealer and have it checked. I know a "check" would cost me a large amount of money for an intermittent problem for which they won't find the problem. I just wonder if you've heard of anyone else having this problem? it now worries me that if I were nearing a crosswalk, with pedestrians crossing and it happened, I might hit someone. Please advise. Thank you for your time.

- Highland, IL, USA

problem #17

Dec 202009

Escape 6-cyl

  • 169,000 miles
Ford Escape 2005 V6 2wd limited. The engine suddenly shuts off while driving. When this happens the theft light is flashing. This generates an error code. The condition is known to Ford. They say it is related to a possible issue with a spark plug causing interference with the communication between the chip in the ignition key and the receiving unit. I have had this happen 4 times in one 300 mile drive. After having the error code cleared the problem has not repeated. I believe if this were to happen on a busy freeway lives could be lost. Once the vehicle has confirmed the key is valid and the engine has started, the computer should not be allowed to disable the engine. Braking and steering control are affected when this happens.

- Lancaster, CA, USA

problem #16

Jan 242010

Escape

  • 35,000 miles
My 2005 Ford Escape's gas pedal is sticking. I will be sitting at an intersection, and suddenly when pressing the gas pedal it will not accelerate. It is as if there is a brick under the pedal and it's completely stuck. This has happened at numerous times when attempting to drive forward into an intersection or when pulling out into traffic, and has almost caused a severe accident. There have been numerous reports of this happening to Ford Escapes, so please investigate further before there are any additional injuries or deaths. There needs to be a recall.

- Leander, TX, USA

problem #15

Dec 062009

Escape

  • 55,000 miles
I have a 2005 Ford Escape and was having problems with the gas pedal sticking. When pressing on the accelerator pedal, it would not move. I took my vehicle to the dealer and they replaced the throttle body. This part has been replaced three times. [12/20/06, 10/8/08 and 12/6/09] the part is evidently defective and causes a safety issue. I shouldn't have to pay for it to get fixed every time. They need to issue a recall.

- Aberdeen, MD, USA

problem #14

Dec 092009

Escape

  • 75,000 miles
Accelerator pedal keeps getting stuck. While driving my son to school this morning I turned the corner pressed the accelerator it felt like a brick was under the pedal. Luckily I was able to just glide to the curb before getting struck by a bus. Scared the "bleep" out of both of us. It's not the first time it has happened, usually it happens in the winter after sitting overnite. Help what is the problem so I can get this fixed. This is very, very, very dangerous.

- Hamilton, NJ, USA

problem #13

Oct 302009

Escape

  • 60,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. While entering a parking space she lightly applied pressure to the accelerator pedal, and then the vehicle accelerated without intention. Brake application would not stop the vehicle as a consequence she crashed into cables of a wall. The vehicle was towed to a local repair facility. A mechanic concluded that should would have to pay up to $2000 in repairs. The model year was excluded from recall # 04V574000 (vehicle speed control:cables). The failure and current mileages were 60000.the vehicle identification number was unavailable.

- St Paul, MN, USA

problem #12

Jul 172009

Escape

  • 97,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. While driving approximately 10 mph on normal road conditions pressure was applied to the accelerator pedal; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The driver repeatedly applied pressure to the accelerator pedal for twenty minutes and was able to resume normal operation. The failure occurred in the morning vs throughout the day. The vehicle will be taken to an authorized dealer for diagnostic testing. The contact was concerned about the safety risk involved. The failure mileage was 97,000 and the beginning rental mileage was 99,386.

- Upland, CA, USA

problem #11

Feb 012009

Escape

  • 35,000 miles
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. While driving between 25-55 mph, the throttle will stick and the contact must wiggle the pedal to get it loose. The dealer stated that carbon builds up in the throttle body and causes it to stick. The contact believes that a crash could occur due to the high acceleration. The current and failure mileages were 35,000.

- Menomonee Falls, WI, USA

problem #10

Mar 162008

Escape

  • 25,000 miles
The accelerator sticks when revving the engine while letting out the clutch. After exerting an increasing amount of pedal pressure, it suddenly unsticks, and the engine overrevs. This results in a jack rabbit start. The Ford dealer said that only fix is to replace the throttle body assembly, which is not covered by the warranty. I believe this is a safety issue and is a good candidate for a recall.

- Federal Way, WA, USA

problem #9

Feb 142008

Escape

  • miles
2005 Ford Escape gas pedal sticking, to the point where I went to get in my car and drive and the pedal would not budge. Had throttle body replaced and exactly one year later it is doing the same thing. Tried wd-40 to no avail.

- Keystone Heights, FL, USA

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