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2005 Ford Escape

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Ford Escape do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 996.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

1,211 reports with mileage · 183 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.

  • Suspension. Review the 459 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Structure. Review the 434 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 153 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

40 crash reports20 fire reports20 injury reports

Seat Belts complaints

8 reports
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Mileage unknown · Apr 4, 2022
Exterior LightingSeat BeltsSuspension

Front left tower rod is going thru the wheel well from rust. This can cause major damage to myself, occupants, and the lives of others outside of the vehicle. The front left seatbelt light continuously alarms as if it is not connected. Is it? The back lights are always out not sure to replacement repeatedly. I'd the seatbelt goo…

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Front left tower rod is going thru the wheel well from rust. This can cause major damage to myself, occupants, and the lives of others outside of the vehicle. The front left seatbelt light continuously alarms as if it is not connected. Is it? The back lights are always out not sure to replacement repeatedly. I'd the seatbelt good enough in an accident, I am not trying to find that it either. The lights are a ticket every time and are another hazard to other motorist. The main wheel rust was told to me upon a failed inspection. It is not fixed at this point just found out and looking for recalls but found many with the same exact hazard. The warning lights go off every minute and a half while driving in the dashboard. This has been since I purchased the vehicle last year. The same goes for replacing the back running light. I don't know if the auto place was aware of these problems, but I'm positive the were just trying to move the vehicle if the lot at this point. The repairs are more than half of the cost just for the wheel rust hazard

NHTSA ODI #11459584

82,958 miles · Jan 30, 2016
Seat BeltsUnknown Or Other

AIRBAG LIGHT IS YELLOW. WAS TOLD MY AIRBAGS WILL NOT INFLATE IN A ACCIDENT. THE UNIT THAT CONTROLS THE AIRBAGS ALSO CONTROLS THE LOCKS ON THE DOORS. THE DOORS NO LONGER LOCK ON TAKE OFF. DOESN'T WARN YOU THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER ISN'T SEAT BELTED IN. THE UNIT IS UNDER THE CONSOLE AND IS HARD TO REPLACE SO I WAS TOLD AND WO…

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AIRBAG LIGHT IS YELLOW. WAS TOLD MY AIRBAGS WILL NOT INFLATE IN A ACCIDENT. THE UNIT THAT CONTROLS THE AIRBAGS ALSO CONTROLS THE LOCKS ON THE DOORS. THE DOORS NO LONGER LOCK ON TAKE OFF. DOESN'T WARN YOU THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER ISN'T SEAT BELTED IN. THE UNIT IS UNDER THE CONSOLE AND IS HARD TO REPLACE SO I WAS TOLD AND WOULD COST ME OVER $500. WHICH I CAN'T AFFORD. I FEEL IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE COVERED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY. I WAS TOLD NOT ENOUGH OWNERS ARE HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THIS THEREFORE IT ISN'T A RECALL ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #10823217

97,500 miles · Feb 4, 2013
Air BagsEngineSeat Belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT MOVED THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE IGNITION CO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT MOVED THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER AND WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE IGNITION COIL, SPARK PLUG, AND THE POWER CONTROL MODULE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE PARTS WERE REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE PCM WAS REPLACED A SECOND TIME ALONG WITH THE BATTERY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,500. UPDATED 02/26/13*LJ ALSO, THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER CLEARED THE CODS FOR THE CONNECTION ON THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE

NHTSA ODI #10496310

96,680 miles · Jan 1, 2012
Power TrainSeat Belts

1. ON OR NEAR NOVEMBER 19, 2011, A SPRING FROM THE CLUTCH PEDAL BROKE. IT SEEMS TO BE ONE THAT RETURNS THE PEDAL TO ITS DEFAULT POSITION AS I HAVE TO LIFT UP ON IT FROM BENEATH WITH MY FOOT TO GET IT BACK TO ITS REGULAR HEIGHT. I'M CONCERNED THAT IT MAY CAUSE PREMATURE WEAR ON THE CLUTCH IF IT DOES NOT RETURN TO ITS STANDARD …

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1. ON OR NEAR NOVEMBER 19, 2011, A SPRING FROM THE CLUTCH PEDAL BROKE. IT SEEMS TO BE ONE THAT RETURNS THE PEDAL TO ITS DEFAULT POSITION AS I HAVE TO LIFT UP ON IT FROM BENEATH WITH MY FOOT TO GET IT BACK TO ITS REGULAR HEIGHT. I'M CONCERNED THAT IT MAY CAUSE PREMATURE WEAR ON THE CLUTCH IF IT DOES NOT RETURN TO ITS STANDARD REST POSITION. THE SPRING BROKE WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED BEFORE DRIVING. --------------------------------- 2. IN LATE 2011, I BEGAN TO NOTICE THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT BEGIN TO FRAY ON THE BOTTOM (LAP SIDE). THIS IS MY FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH A SEAT BELT WEARING OUT, AND I GENERALLY KEEP MY VEHICLES AT LEAST TEN YEARS (ALL PREVIOUSLY OWNED). I'VE HAD THIS ONE FOR ONLY 3 1/2 YEARS AND IT'S A TOTAL OF 6 YEARS OLD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10442032

59,850 miles · Aug 4, 2011
Seat Belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT UNLATCH WHICH PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM EXITING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO CUT THE SEAT BELT IN ORDER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BELT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WOULD NOT UNLATCH WHICH PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM EXITING THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT HAD TO CUT THE SEAT BELT IN ORDER TO EXIT THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BELT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,850 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10417028

60,000 miles · May 11, 2011
Seat Belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY FOR THE SEAT BELT AT A COST OF $500. THE DEALER ADVSIED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR REPAIRS WERE NO IN STOCK AND WERE ORDERED. THE MA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT BELT FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THEY WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE RETRACTOR ASSEMBLY FOR THE SEAT BELT AT A COST OF $500. THE DEALER ADVSIED THAT THE PARTS NEEDED FOR REPAIRS WERE NO IN STOCK AND WERE ORDERED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 06/13/11 *BF UPDATED 06/16/11

NHTSA ODI #10399975

57,315 miles · Mar 11, 2009
Seat Belts

REAR CENTER SEAT BELT RETRACTOR SEIZES IN FULLY RETRACTED POSITION, PRECLUDING CENTER SEAT PASSENGER FROM SECURING SEATBELT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10261507

36,500 miles · Jan 9, 2008
Seat Belts

STARTING APPROX. DECEMBER 20, 2007 THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT BEGAN TO "STICK". WHEN THE DRIVER TRIES TO UNBUCKLE THE SEATBELT IT WILL NOT UNBUCKLE AFTER THE FIRST, SECOND OR SOMETIMES THIRD ATTEMPT. THIS COULD BE A POTENTIAL THREAT TO THE DRIVER IN THE EVENT THE DRIVER MUST UNBUCKLE QUICKLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10214365

Official recalls

4

15V606000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl); Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift

Sep 29, 2015

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.

Consequence: If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.

Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.

Consequence: If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.

14V526000 · Hybrid Propulsion System

Sep 3, 2014

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 Ford Escape hybrid electric vehicles manufactured October 13, 2003, to June 20, 2008, and 2006-2008 Mercury Mariner hybrid electric vehicles manufactured June 10, 2005, to June 20, 2008. The coolant pump for the hybrid system may fail resulting in the hybrid electronics overheating.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the hybrid electronics system overheats, it may shut down the powertrain, resulting in a stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the original Motor Electronics Coolant (MEC) Pump with an improved brushless pump, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on October 27, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S19.

06V111000 · Seats:front Assembly:head Restraint

Apr 7, 2006

CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITHOUT SIDE AIR CURTAINS OR MOONROOFS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." DURING TESTING, THE FREE MOTION HEAD FORM REGISTERED A MEASUREMENT ABOVE THE PERMITTED LIMIT AT THE LEFT HAND A-PILLAR TRIM AREA.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, PERSONAL INJURY TO OCCUPANTS MAY OCCUR.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MAKE MODIFICATIONS TO THE ENERGY ABSORBING MATERIAL LOCATED ABOVE THE HEADLINER IN THE AFFECTED AREA FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 19, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

04V602000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

Dec 20, 2004

CERTAIN 2004-2005 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND CERTAIN 2001-2003 SPORT UTIITY VEHICLE HAVING REAR LIFTGATE COMPONENTS SERVICED WITH 2004 EQUIVALENT COMPONENTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 206, 'DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS.' THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCHING SYSTEM DOES NOT MEET THE INERTIA LOAD REQUIREMENT IN ONE DIRECTION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE LIFTGATE IS LEFT UNLOCKED, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL THAT IT MAY OPEN DURING A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH RELEASE ROD, THE RELEASE ROD ATTACHMENT CLIP AND THE DOOR HANDLE RETURN SPRING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.

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

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.

AQ10001 · Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit

Opened Nov 18, 2010 · Closed Dec 28, 2015

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other

On November 18, 2010, NHTSA's Recall Management Division (RMD) opened an audit query (AQ10-001) to investigate recall remedy completion by rental car companies on safety recall campaigns.It was expected to provide the agency an indication of how completely and how quickly rental car fleets perform necessary recall-related remedies on the vehicles owned and then rented/leased for use on the roadways.RMD queried three (3) major motor vehicle manufacturers (Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors) and requested data regarding completion figures for fifteen (15) discreet safety recalls.Analysis of this data demonstrated that rental car recalls completion was neither complete nor consistent.The rental car companies representing the largest market share in the industry were then queried as to their respective policies for the rental, lease, and sale of vehicles with open recalls.The data and responses from the manufacturers and the rental car companies can be found in the document repository by accessing the ?Associated Documents link above.In December 2015, Congress enacted the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act.One section of the Act prohibits rental car companies from renting, leasing, or selling motor vehicles subject to open safety recalls.With the passage of the FAST Act and its prohibition, there is no continuing need for the agency to investigate rental car recall completions.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The agency reserves the right to open any future investigations, including audits of individual recalls, or groups of recalls, or rental car companies, to examine more closely safety recalls performance and completion issues in this area.

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