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.
Crack sub frame on right front! extreme deterioration almost causing accident and became unsafe to drive! recalls on 2001-2004 for same problem why not 2005? extremely dangerous malfunction! definitely go import if this is what Ford quality and support has become!
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the rear wheel well was completely rusted and the shock mount had separated from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the shock mount failure. The mechanic stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive and could not be repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 115,000.
07/13/2019. I own a 2005 Ford Escape, manufacturing date 04/04. Today I was driving home I noticed a very loud whistling noise, difficulty steering and especially when attempting to turn. Luckily made it to my driveway and my husband looked at the vehicle and said both front tires were leaning inward so he looked underneath to find my subframe is all but rusted into on the passenger side. I know this was a problem for Escapes 2001-2004 obviously Ford did not get this situation fixed for their 2005 models. Ford I want my SUV fixed!!. you knew there was a problem with previous years now do the responsible thing and fix it.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the subframe fractured while turning the vehicle into a parking lot. The vehicle immediately stopped and one of the tires became detached. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home. Mike castrucci Ford Lincoln of alexandria (7400 alexandria pike, alexandria, ky 41001, (859) 448-9400) and the manufacturer were contacted and stated that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 163,000.
Takata recall the 01 thru 04 were recalled for same problem the front subframe rusted in to causing the right front wheel to wonder all over if drove any more would have cause a serious wreck I was driving vehicle when I noticed that it felt like the front wheel was coming off luckily I was only a couple miles from home the day before I took my grandson to charleston wv to meet his mom if it would have broken on I 77 at 70 plus miles an hr could have been tragic it being the same issue with early models and Ford sent a bar to try N fix it a joke just learn this on internet
Began hearing terrible noise from rear passenger wheel well. Investigation revealed the entire wheel well and frame were rusted out. After replacing the wheel well and shock mount tower, still experiencing problems due to frame being rusted out. No longer able to drive the vehicle for safety reasons and it is headed to the scrap yard.
I was checking to see if my Ford possibly had a recall with the issue I am having and it appears that there are many complaints of the same issue I am having. My rear passenger wheel well also has rusted out causing the shock to come loose and it is no longer attached and while driving is moving around in what sounds like my trunk. I honestly cannot believe that with all these same issues I am reading this is not a recall this is a safety issue.
The Escape started making a squeaking noise for about 3 days while driving it on city streets and on the highway and then it started making a loud clunking noise and was banging like something broke loose. We thought the shocks broke. Upon closer inspection we noticed that the frame at the right rear wheel well had completely rusted out and the shock had came off because there was nothing for it to attach to. We have the car parked because it is too dangerous to drive. It only has approximately 80,000 miles. Our daughter had just purchased it in May 2017 from a local car dealer. I have researched but there was no recall on this and there very many complaints about the same issues with different year Escapes.
The right rear "wheelhouse panel" rusted out around the shock absorber upper mounting bracket causing the shock absorber to become detached and non-functional while the vehicle was in motion, making a turn. This caused ride and handling concerns which affected vehicle safety. I have discovered that this is a very common problem with this vehicle and expensive to repair, ~ $1,500.
Right rear strut mount severely rusted and unsafe to drive. Shock absorber could come thru rusted mount on rear passenger side. Making all kinds of noice when driving. I talked to body shop said Ford Escapes are renown for walker sitting and rusting out these rear right mounts. The body shop said tfstvford has known about this serious unsafe defect.
The drivers side wheel well completely rusted out, large hole in body, shock went right threw the body of the car. This happened extremely fast, I just put new tires and brakes on the car. This defect is extremely unsafe and poised a safety concern for me and my children. The car can't be sold or traded in and now headed to the junkyard
Rear frame rusted through as well as passenger side shock tower, rusted so bad can see through to outside in 2 spots which allows exhaust fumes into interior of vehicle, could cause exphixiation to occupants as well as loss of control due to rear of vehicle giving way and breaking in two on a roadway, damage wasn't visible until it totally busted through while driving! Ford should recall due to safety as the 2004 was.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that there was an abnormal noise heard near the area of the rear passenger side wheel well. The contact stated that there was rust in that area, which was affecting the shocks. The dealer was not contacted. An independent mechanic inspected the vehicle, but could not determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. While driving 35 mph, the lower ball joint fractured due to excessive corrosion. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The manufacturer and dealer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 109,000.
Hit a pothole and my shock/strut punched thru the rusted wheel well and detached otaelf...it is np longer safe to drive and ive only had the car for 2 months. And here the 2001-2004 Escapes have been recalled for just this reason? why not the 2005 when the whole body design is the same... I had a 2001 Escape before this that was rusting on the outside wheel wells and beginning to rust inside as well... due to this I dont believe I will be buying Ford anymore... I was in the car with my kids when this happened! and now im stuck with a giant piece of metal sitting in my parking spot as no one will take on the job and if they do it would be a min of $2000 or more!
Of course I have the exact same problem as most Ford Escape owners have with the passenger rear wheel well rusting completely out. This is a known manufacturing defect that only effects the right rear wheel well of these vehicles and there are thousands of unaddressed owner complaints. Ford still will not do a recall nor will they do anything for their thousands of affected customers. I do hope there is a class action suit I can join because Ford just will not do the right thing for their customers. I just had my car in for regular maintenance and I was supposed to be going out-of-state to visit my dying father with my kids but now I can't even go due to this unexpected defect which Ford will not take responsibility for which has left me with a vehicle I cant drive that I'm still paying for. I can't even trade it in because of this issue! thanks Ford! I will make sure to tell everyone I can about Ford's indifference towards its customers and I will never buy Ford anything ever again!
Passenger-side rear wheel well rusted through, shock tower is banging against inner frame, chunks of rust dislodging and scraping against tire. This is occurring while driving. I pushed the chunk back and it seems to be staying off the tire for now. Ford auto repair shop quoted $5000 to repair. My daily commute to work is across two major cities via a high-traffic major highway. Potential to be a serious and dangerous condition since it affects not only suspension but could cause tire to blow out while driving, as well as puncturing through to the interior of the vehicle and exposing people in the car to exhaust and frigid weather (Minnesota) in the winter. This rusting through the wheel well is a chronic problem with Ford - they recalled this make and model up through 2004 for this same issue.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Piketon, OH, USA