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2005 Ford Escape Hybrid

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Escape Hybrid years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid are substantially higher than the model-year median of 68.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

167 reports with mileage · 11 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Service Brakes. Review the 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Suspension. Review the 30 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

4 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

178 reports
130,000 miles · Jun 7, 2016
Service Brakes

BOTH FRONT BRAKE CALIPER FLEXIBLE BRAKE LINES FAILED AT THE SAME TIME. I WAS FORTUNATE THAT I WAS AT LOW SPEED, HOOKING UP MY TRAILER AT THE TIME. NO ACCIDENT OCCURRED. THE BRAKE FLUID DUMPED ON THE INSIDE OF BOTH FRONT TIRES.

NHTSA ODI #10872949

139,352 miles · Jun 4, 2016
Service Brakes

IN NORMAL DRIVING, WITH NO WARNING, "BRAKE" AND "ABS" WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATE ALONG WITH "SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM" DISPLAY. CONSIDERABLE EFFORT IS REQUIRED TO SLOW THE VEHICLE AND STOPPING DISTANCE IS 2-3 TIMES NORMAL. I ENDED UP IN A DITCH BECAUSE I COULD NOT STOP IN TIME.

NHTSA ODI #10872499

Mileage unknown · Apr 28, 2016
Service Brakes

BRAKE ABS BRAKE LIGHT ON AND BRAKES DO WORK RIGHT, I TOOK IT TO A DEALER AND THEY SAID SOME KIND OF PUMP IS BAD AND IT COST $5000 TO FIT IT. LOTS OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I THINK FORD SHOULD RECALL THOSE CARS FOR SAFETY. I DON'T THINK NO BRAKES SHOULD COST $5000 TO FIT. I M SCARE TO DRIVE IT.

NHTSA ODI #10862104

25,000 miles · Apr 4, 2016
Steering

I BOUGHT THE CAR IN APRIL OF 2008 AND EVER SINCE THE SECOND WEEK OF HAVING THE CAR THE POWER STEERING WOULD SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING. IT WOULD HAPPEN ON CITY STREETS AND ON THE FREEWAY. I INFORMED THE FORD DEALER (BOB WONDRIES IN ALHAMBRA, CA) NUMEROUS TIMES THAT THIS WAS A RECURRING CONDITION AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT NOTHI…

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I BOUGHT THE CAR IN APRIL OF 2008 AND EVER SINCE THE SECOND WEEK OF HAVING THE CAR THE POWER STEERING WOULD SHUT OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING. IT WOULD HAPPEN ON CITY STREETS AND ON THE FREEWAY. I INFORMED THE FORD DEALER (BOB WONDRIES IN ALHAMBRA, CA) NUMEROUS TIMES THAT THIS WAS A RECURRING CONDITION AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG. THIS WENT ON FOR 7 YEARS; I FILED THIS FORM WITH YOU BEFORE AND I ALSO CONTACTED FORD MOTOR CO. ABOUT THIS. ALL I EVER GOT AS A RESPONSE WAS MY POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE COMPLETELY FAILED AND I HAVE NO POWER STEERING.

NHTSA ODI #10853299

63,000 miles · Mar 31, 2016
Service Brakes

COMPUTER CONTROLLING THE BRAKES MALFUNCTION. I WAS ON A STATE HYWAY WHEN THE DASH LIGHT CAME ON TO WARN OF BRAKE FAILURE, AND A COUPLE OF SECONDS LATER I HAD NO BRAKES. I TURNED THE MOTOR OFF AND BACK ON, AND I HAD BRAKES. THIS HAPPENED OFF AND ON UNTIL I WAS ON LADSON ROAD GOING TO A FRIENDS HOUSE AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT WO…

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COMPUTER CONTROLLING THE BRAKES MALFUNCTION. I WAS ON A STATE HYWAY WHEN THE DASH LIGHT CAME ON TO WARN OF BRAKE FAILURE, AND A COUPLE OF SECONDS LATER I HAD NO BRAKES. I TURNED THE MOTOR OFF AND BACK ON, AND I HAD BRAKES. THIS HAPPENED OFF AND ON UNTIL I WAS ON LADSON ROAD GOING TO A FRIENDS HOUSE AND THE BRAKES WOULD NOT WORK AND I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK AND BE TOWED HOME. THIS SCARES ME AND I WILL NOT DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL IT IS FIXED. FORD SAYS IT WILL COST 5000.00 TO FIX IT. I HAVE TO GET MY SON TO CARRY EVERYWHERE. I AM 82 YEARS OLD AND NEED MY CAR !!!!....UPDATED 06/15/16 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10852751

95,000 miles · Feb 2, 2016
SuspensionUnknown Or OtherWheels

VEHICLE HAS 95,000 MILES ON IT AND THE ENTIRE BACK PASSENGER REAR WELL IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT, SO MUCH SO THAT THE SHOCK IS PUSHING UP INTO THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE REST OF THE WHEEL WELLS ARE FINE AND SHOW VERY LITTLE WEAR AND THE VEHICLE RUNS JUST FINE. WHEN DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THIS ISSUE, IT APPEARS THAT A MULTIT…

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VEHICLE HAS 95,000 MILES ON IT AND THE ENTIRE BACK PASSENGER REAR WELL IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT, SO MUCH SO THAT THE SHOCK IS PUSHING UP INTO THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE REST OF THE WHEEL WELLS ARE FINE AND SHOW VERY LITTLE WEAR AND THE VEHICLE RUNS JUST FINE. WHEN DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THIS ISSUE, IT APPEARS THAT A MULTITUDE OF PEOPLE ARE ENCOUNTERING THIS VERY SAME ISSUE WITH JUST THAT SAME SPECIFIC SPOT. MY FEAR IS THAT THIS MAKES THIS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE IN THE EVENT I HIT A LARGE BUMP OR POT HOLE.

NHTSA ODI #10823658

62,987 miles · Jan 7, 2016
Service Brakes

ON LADSON, SC ROAD MY BRAKE LIGHT WARNING CAME ON AND I HAD NO BRAKES. THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES BEFORE, BUT I PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF THEN TURNED BACK ON AND BRAKES WORKED. THIS TIME ON LADSON ROAD, I COULD NOT GET THE BRAKES TO WORK, AND I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK TO TAKE THE CAR HOME. I CANNOT DRIVE TH…

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ON LADSON, SC ROAD MY BRAKE LIGHT WARNING CAME ON AND I HAD NO BRAKES. THIS HAPPENED THREE TIMES BEFORE, BUT I PULLED OFF THE ROAD AND TURNED THE ENGINE OFF THEN TURNED BACK ON AND BRAKES WORKED. THIS TIME ON LADSON ROAD, I COULD NOT GET THE BRAKES TO WORK, AND I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK TO TAKE THE CAR HOME. I CANNOT DRIVE THE CAR, AND FEEL STRANDED AT HOME. I AM AN 82 YEAR OLD WIDOW. I HAVE TO GET MY SON TO TAKE ME WHERE I NEED TO GO. HE HAS TO GET OFF WORK TO DO THIS. I NEED MY CAR. PLEASE HELP. ACCORDING TO THE FORD COMPANY IT COSTS $5000.00 TO FIX. I DO NOT HAVE $5000.00. I LIVE ON A FIXED INCOME.

NHTSA ODI #10818699

200,000 miles · Sep 16, 2015
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE SPEED SUDDENLY DECELERATED BEFORE THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, BUT CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE. DURING THE INCIDENT, THE MASTER VEHICLE ELECTRICAL HAZARD WARNING AND THE ENGINE ELECTRIC COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSORS I…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE SPEED SUDDENLY DECELERATED BEFORE THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED, BUT CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE THE FAILURE. DURING THE INCIDENT, THE MASTER VEHICLE ELECTRICAL HAZARD WARNING AND THE ENGINE ELECTRIC COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSORS ILLUMINATED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

NHTSA ODI #10764063

172,912 miles · Sep 14, 2015
Hybrid Propulsion SystemService Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND DID NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V526000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM) AND WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE REMEDY AND PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE TO COMPLETE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTUR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED AND DID NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V526000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM) AND WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHEN THE REMEDY AND PART WOULD BECOME AVAILABLE TO COMPLETE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,912. UPDATED 11/19/15*LJ

NHTSA ODI #10763515

127,000 miles · Sep 3, 2015
Engine

WHILE DRIVING, RECEIVED A "STOP SAFELY NOW" WARNING LIGHT AND THE ENGINE SHUTDOWN. SECOND TIME IN THREE WEEKS SUCH INCIDENT OCCURRED AND THIS IS AFTER SUPPOSED "SAFETY RECALL" WORK DONE ON THE VEHICLE A FEW MONTHS BACK. PREVIOUS TO THE RECALL, THE CAR ACTUALLY SHUTDOWN NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGH RATES OF SPEED ON M…

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WHILE DRIVING, RECEIVED A "STOP SAFELY NOW" WARNING LIGHT AND THE ENGINE SHUTDOWN. SECOND TIME IN THREE WEEKS SUCH INCIDENT OCCURRED AND THIS IS AFTER SUPPOSED "SAFETY RECALL" WORK DONE ON THE VEHICLE A FEW MONTHS BACK. PREVIOUS TO THE RECALL, THE CAR ACTUALLY SHUTDOWN NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGH RATES OF SPEED ON MAJOR INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS. AFTER THE LIGHT COMES ON, THE GAS PEDAL IS NO LONGER RESPONSIVE AND YOU HAVE TO HOPE YOU CAN COAST OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. ONCE YOU STOP SAFELY AND TURN OFF THE CAR, AFTER WAITING 5-10 MINUTES, THE CAR USUALLY COMES BACK ON, WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE IT IS DUE TO SOME SORT OF OVERTEMP CONDITION.

NHTSA ODI #10761414

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

DP22005 · Pedestrian Alert Sounds

Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Aug 7, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:propulsion System

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

DP12006 · Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction

Opened Oct 2, 2012 · Closed Feb 21, 2013

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine

In a letter dated August 30, 2012, The North Carolina Consumers Council (NCCC) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged electronic throttle body failures resulting in engine stall or surge while driving in model year (MY) 2005 through 2012 Ford Escape vehicles. On October 2, 2012 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Defect Petition DP12-006 to evaluate whether to grant or deny the petition. The petition is hereby granted on certain model years. The NCCC letter cites two complaints of stall while driving in MY 2009 Ford Escape vehicles that were diagnosed as failed throttle bodies with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P2111, Throttle Body Stuck Open, and P2112, Throttle Body Stuck Closed. The petitioner indicates that the owners of both vehicles reported experiencing repeated incidents of stalling and engine surging. According to Ford, Escape non-hybrid vehicles are equipped with Electronic Throttle Body (ETB) assemblies beginning with MY 2009. Vehicles manufactured between June 22, 2009 and October 15, 2009 may contain contaminated printed circuit boards (PCB) with plating variations. Plating variations could lead to a lack of continuity in the throttle position sensor circuit where P2111 and/or other DTCs would be generated and stored. Ford and its electronic throttle body supplier, Delphi, modified the PCB manufacturing process and issued a technical service bulletin (TSB) 09-23-5. Vehicles produced after October 15, 2009 incorporated ETBs manufactured with a PCB process that resolved this condition. ODI's analysis identified a total of 123 unique reports indicating allegations of reduced motive power or vehicle stall. Depending on the condition of throttle control system malfunction, a driver may experience varying levels of reduced engine performance associated with three limp home modes. In two limp modes, reduced engine performance may maintain vehicle speeds above 20mph while the third is a limited limp home mode with engine speeds limited to approximately 900 RPM. Allegations of stall appear to be related to the limited limp home mode. Vehicles are not likely to unexpectedly stall as a result of this condition, but drivers may characterize the reduced functionality as a stall, even though their vehicle may still has motive capability. Allegations of vehicle surge appear to be related to limp home mode operation. Complaints alleging surge are most likely related to engine RPM fluctuations at low vehicle speeds or idle as the control system engages to prevent engine stall. In limited limp mode, rough-idle conditions may exist while the control system attempts to modulate engine RPMs once the vehicle reaches a reduced speed to maintain approximately 900 RPM. Separately, ODI received 59 complaints alleging incidents of engine stall while driving in model year (MY) 2010-2011 Ford Fusion vehicles. Approximately 60 percent (36) of the incidents occurred at speeds of 40 miles per hour or more. Eighty percent of complaints (47) were received beginning March 2012 and 14 complaints reported that the throttle body was replaced or DTCs associated with limp home modes. Additionally, Ford issued TSB 10-21-6 addressing DTCs associated with idle speed drops and limited limp home mode. The petition is granted on certain model years.Preliminary Evaluation PE13-003 has been opened to assess the scope, frequency and potential safety consequences associated with the alleged defect.See full copy of the closing resume for this defect petition for list of the VOQs associated with the defect petition analysis.