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.
The rear passenger-side shock mount (where it mounts to the unibody) has rusted completely away. The top of the shock is no longer attached to the vehicle.
The passenger side rear wheel well rusted out causing the strut to break through the trunk of the car. It also have bad rust on the other side wheel well. This happened while I was driving on the hwy. Upon taking it to an auto body shop was told the vehicle was unsafe to drive.
2005 Ford Escape 4X4 V6 passenger side rear wheel house rusted significantly enough to cause rear wheel shock connected to wheel house to forcefully separate and begin colliding with the inside plastic moulding in the trunk of the car. Damage was initially found while in motion, noticed by a rattling noise in the rear of the vehicle. Upon further inspection and removal of the plastic trunk housing, the entire top of the wheel well was very clearly rusted. The shock was still connected to a piece of the wheel house. The rear passenger shock had forcefully disconnected the piece of the wheel house it was attached to because of the overwhelming around of rust. Auto-body shop quoted a $2,000 repair (for a car bought for #3,600) to order a new wheelhouse and install it. Professional auto body shop teams quoted that the issue wasn't something you could patch or lightly repair, and the shock would need to be reattached to the body of the car to be driven safely. Ford was contacted twice and replied with their apologies that the customer was experiencing this issue, knowingly aware that the 2001-2004 models of this vehicle were recalled for the exact same issue and that hundreds of other customers have seen this issue around 120,000 miles. The issue seems to always be on the rear passenger side with no significant rust or damage on the drivers side.
The shock mount on the right rear rusted out detaching the shock from the body and piercing through the upper plastic cover in the interior of the vehicle. The vehicle was moving at slow speeds when this happened. Ford should have been a recall on this because had it broke and separated at highway speeds the vehicle could have lost control! second, Ford does not have the replacement parts available even though there are a lot of 2005 Escapes on the road. Also auto bodyshops are unwilling to do any modifications or wielding due to the liability of the location and importance of that piece. So the vehicle is un repairable at this time!
- Lake Elmo, MN, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
This car has 80000miles on it and is totally rusted out in the rear passenger wheel well and shock tower. I have been quoted 5000 to fix the car to meet safety standards. I can see the tire all the way thru the metal.
Rusted out wheel well effecting the shock absorber top mount could break free while driving. I heard a new rattle investigated and found my whole wheel well above the top shock mount is rusted out. Got prices from four Ford dealers ranging from $900 to $4000 to repair it all of the dealers were aware of the problem and herd of many other examples. I am wondering way there hasn't been a recall?
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. While driving 35 mph, there was an abnormal noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The dealer diagnosed that the rear shock tower had severe corrosion, which caused the rear shocks to fracture and separate from the subframe of the vehicle. The contact also stated that the rear hatch window support was severely corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
While I was driving I noticed a banging noise in the rear of my 2005 Ford Escape that was getting louder, when I looked at both sides I noticed that the passenger rear well was completely rusted out. I took my Escape to the car repair shop and was quoted $1000 for the repair and was told that this is a common problem with this vehicle. I started doing some research and found out that this is a very common problem with 2004 and 2005 Ford Escape that they didn't properly seal one side of the car, and that they had only recalled the 2004. I had contracted the Ford Motor Co. And they told me that they have no record of any problems with the 2005 Ford Escape having this problem, I then informed them that there are a lot of people who have reported this problem and she said that they have no records. I feel they should be responsible for this repair since it is the same problem they had with the 2004 Ford Escape. My car only has only 93,000 miles when this problem occurred. This SUV is not safe to drive and you are unable to drive this vehicle when this problem occurs.
I had finance a 2005 Ford Escape XLT after had the vehicle for two month I notice a strange sounds for the back of the vehicle I track and found out that the rear. Underneath the car panel where the shockwas at is rusted all through. The the front tire is wear and the vehicle is driving bad shocks struct and wheel elignment was all effect with the rust panal from shocks...
In July of 2015 I brought my 2005 Ford Escape to the dealer because of very loud noise in the rear while driving. Noise was the same whether on a street or the highway. The mechanic found the passenger side rear wheel well was completely rusted out. I have a friend with the very same make, model, year and is now going through the exact same issue. There are other areas of rust on the body that seems to me to be coming on prematurely. I see there is a recall for this issue, but only up to model year 2004. Please....the 2005's have the very same issue!
Rear passenger wheel well rusting out around shock attachment. Just discovered this today but through online research it appears to be a very common problem and should be a know issue to the manufacturer - they had a rust recall for 2001 - 2004 models
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the rear of the vehicle emitted a loud snapping noise, while driving at 60 mph. The contact discovered that the rear passenger struts corroded causing the rear passenger shocks to fracture, separating from the wheel well. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 180,000.
Loud banging coming from right rear of vehicle driving down city street. Brought vehicle in for repair and was told the right rear passenger shock tower was completely rusted through the vehicle body to the point of entering the vehicle interior. I am told that the rear axle can tear away from the vehicle resulting in accident and possible injury or death.
Right rear shock mount completely rusted out, bought car brand new, only 60,000 miles on it. Come to find out all Ford Escapes this year are having the same issue. This is a serious problem because this is a suspension and handling issue, car was very difficult to drive and keep in lane. The problem has it's own facebook page, 2004-2006 Ford Escape. Very poor engineering design mounting shock to sheetmetal.
My son was complaining that the back end of the car began rattling and "jumping" while driving in the city in Nov of 2015. We had it checked out in Dec and was told and shown how unsafe the car was to drive, due to the entire right rear wheel well and strut was completely rusted away. The only thing that was holding the wheel to the car was the plastic molding of the trunk area which was also melting away from the heat.I could not believe a car could disintegrate and deteriorate so badly. In good conscious the auto repair owner would not allow us to drive the car anymore. Nor would I want to. Plus, the cost to fix it was not worth the price of the car, and he couldnt fix it. He told me to list it on craigs list to sell the car in parts. The rest of the car is in great condition, after I spent $6000, to buy the car in Aug of 2014, then another $2000 for 4 new tires, brake lines, and oil leaks!! who knows what else would have come up. I just glad my son did not get hurt driving home from college 21/2 hrs on the highway. I wish I knew about this exact common problem of 1000 other peoples complaints. Ford needs to be accountable of the particular problem of faulty material. I do not know how many people have gotten hurt, and how many more need to get hurt before something is done,
The passenger rear wheel well and shock tower is completely rusted away and the body is coming away from the frame and the shock tower is loose from the frame. This is a common problem with the Escape and should be addressed by Ford before someone is killed or injuried.
I've been told the rear shock mount has rusted out on this unibody constructed vechicle. When I drive the car, and if I hit any sort of a bump in the road, huge sound from the back as if the rear end of the car is going to fall off. I understand many others have had similar problem. Cost to fix, if possible is about $4000. Car is worth about the same amount. I was told by auto body guy that a recall on this may exist or that Ford is aware of the problem and may be offering up a fix.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, an abnormal noise emitted from the vehicle without warning. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the rear passenger wheel well had separated from the body of vehicle and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 99,000.
Heard a noise near rear wheel house. Upon inspection it was discovered that the wheel house on the passenger rear was completely rusted to the point that the shock was just barely hanging on. The repair would cost more than the vehicle is worth. Lots of complaints on same issue that Ford refuses to address or correct. Should be compensation and/or a recall. Also looks like the same thing is happening to the other side. Nice job Ford!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Columbus, OH, USA