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:
5 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
110,264 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.
I happened to notice rust through while checking my tires. It is located at the right (passenger side) rear wheelhouse panel where the strut assembly attaches to the body of the vehicle. The rust has disintegrated in the area leaving a barely attached wheel assembly with massive cracking and holes in the metal. It is the only area on the vehicle with rust. I was told it cannot be repaired and that I have less than 6 months of driving before it will break completely, thus disabling my vehicle or causing it to crash while being driven. I am afraid to drive it further, especially with my 3 year old son in the vehicle. I am disturbed with the amount of people who own this wonderful SUV from a fine company like Ford and the only thing stopping them from driving it is a single panel with such a severe defect. I am fully prepared to join or lead a class action lawsuit against Ford for this problem.
Cpsc: I1440372A. 2005 Ford Escape. Consumer stated the passenger rear wheel well rotting out caused the shock mounts to disintegrate. The consumer stated the price estimates to correct the defect ranged from $2000-7000.
- Seymour, IN, USA
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The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon inspection, it was found that the passenger's side rear shock mount became detached from the vehicle due to rust. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was confirmed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage and VIN was not available.
Rear wheel house/ strut mount totally rusted off. I work at a dealership and I have noticed a lot of Escapes with the same issue. We see approx 5 of these a year over the past 3 years. That isn't counting the ones we can't visually inspect die to the thick tar Ford sprayed on the wheel well to deaden sound and prevent corrosion.
The entire shock tower on the rear passenger side had rusted out. The shock has nothing to hold on to. I am told the vehicle is unsafe to drive. On line there are a number of complaints of the same problem with the 2005 Ford Escape. I think this widespread problem should be investigated immediately.
The right rear wheel well is severely rusted and shock is no longer attached. You can see the interior of vehicle from rear fender well. Frame is also beginning to crack in this area too. At this point the vehicle is not safe to drive. This seems to be a problem for many others with this same make and year. What does it take for Ford to realize this is a defect. Someone is going to get hurt or even a loss of life if nothing is done. Now I have a vehicle that was driven daily sitting in my driveway because it is unsafe to drive.
We were driving the car and noticed a banging noise in the right rear wheel. We took it to an auto body shop and they discovered that the metal in the wheel well is rotting away. The shock mount came loose and upon further review the entire wheel well is bad. The shop tells me they've seen many similar issues in the 04-06 Escapes. Ours is in bad shape and not worth the $5000 it would take to repair. There is very little surface rust anywhere else on the vehicle and the other wheel wells are in good shape. In looking around I've seen many similar complaints regarding the same issue with the right rear wheel well. Why hasn't there been a recall. It's criminal that these vehicles all have the same issue and instead of stepping up and doing the right thing, Ford ignores it and all of us owner's are out a lot of money through no fault of our own.
Vehicle was making a loud noise everytime you hit a bump. When investigated found that right back wheel well was rusted so bad that shock had come totally loose. Did investigation and found out that other owners have had the very same problem. Wondering if others have had this same problem in the exact same place why have these models not been recalled? definately a safety issue.
The vehicle is a 2005 Ford Escape. While driving the vehicle a loud clunking sound was heard coming from the rear passenger side. A rattling noise could then be heard with every slight bump in the road. Vehicle was taken to a garage where they found that the whole right rear passenger side wheel well was completely rusted through exposing the shocks and struts, the carpeting can also be seen through the hole, and water in the taillight compartment because of a hole there also - thus leaving the vehicle unsafe and undrivable. Took vehicle to an auto body shop and the estimate to fix the car was $3200. Called Ford motors who informed me that there is a recall for this exact same problem, but only for 2001-2004 models. Apparently from all of the complaints that can be found on the internet in regards to the 2005 models with the exact same problem, the 2005 models should be included in the recall. I will definitely not be buying another Ford motors vehicle anytime soon!
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the rear passenger's side rear wheel well was severely rusted. The vehicle was taken to a repair shop where it was diagnosed that the rear passenger's side wheel well would need to be replaced. The vehicle was scheduled for further inspection and repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
My wife had been complaining about a loud slapping coming from the right rear of the vehicle. I took it for a drive. I discovered that the passenger side rear wheel well is completely rusted out and the shock absorber was just bouncing loose creating a horrible noise and also noticed shock breaking thru the interior of the vehicle. Noticed on line that others have similar or exact problem. Years 2001 thru 2004 just recalled. What about 2005's. there's nothing else wrong with the vehicle and only 82,000 miles. Very disappointed and puts my family at risk and in a bind for a safe vehicle to drive.
Right rear shock mount came apart and damaged wheel well. Upon further inspection dealer said entire assembly had rusted apart from the inside out with no visible corrosion from the outside of vehicle. Ford Motor Company was contacted and offered no recourse or repair.
The right rear shock tower rusted through the wheel well into the rear compartment breaking a hole through the interior compartment. There is currently no parts in stock to repair this as we are told they are on nationwide backorder and this is a huge safety issue. The other rear shock area has a significant amount of rust also. Approximately 1 week later both break lines broke from severe corrosion while moving at approximately 10 mph (pulling in my driveway). I was fortunate this happened there and not on the highway as I could have been in a very serious accident along with my 3 year old son. These two things should not be happening with the age of this vehicle. The body should be holding up better than this. I just saw there was a recall for model years 2001-2004 for severe rust issues one resulting in a crash. The manufacturing date of my vehicle is 09/2004.
Driving along and a load bang sounded from right passenger rear. Shock housing rusted through and shock broke loose. The banging sound is very load inside the vehicle and sounds as if the rear passenger area is just going to fall apart! it is rusted through and it shouldn't be if it was undercoated properly. Ford should take responsibility and make the repairs! I carry my grandchildren in this vehicle and am not in a position to replace it!
While driving at 35 mph on uneven pavement, I noticed banging in the right rear area of the vehicle. All doors and hatch were secure and the jack wasnt loose. After a day or two of searching I took the Escape to a local auto repair shop I trust. They found the whole inner quarter wheel house snapped off the rail. The banging was the shock hitting inside the passenger cabin. He immediately took my keys and said the car is undrivable. Online if you google this same issue it is a common problem with the 2005 Escape model rusting please Ford do the right thing and recall and repair my 2005 Ford Escape.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Dewitt, MI, USA