IllustrationI NOTICED THE SMELL OF EXHAUST FUMES IN THE VEHICLE AND A FEW WEEKS LATER HEARD LOAD BANGING NOISE COMING FROM REAR CARGO AREA. I LOOK AND SAW THE REAR WHEEL WELL WAS RUSTED THREW INTO THE CARGO AREA AND THE REAR SHOCK MOUNTS WERE RUSTED OFF. *TR
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Escape years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
880–25K
7425–50K
11950–75K
23375–100K
488100–150K
209150K+
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
Structure complaints
434 reports2005 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SEVERE RUST ON PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL. *SMD THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE TOP OF THE SHOCK ABSORBER MOUNT WAS ALSO RUSTED. *JB
RIGHT REAR WHEEL HOUSE IS RUSTED SO BAD THE SHOCK IS ABOUT TO COME LOOSE AND CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL OR COULD RUB THE TIRE AND CAUSE IT TO RUPTURE. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY A MECHANIC THAT IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR
THE RIGHT REAR BODY PANEL IN THE WHEEL WELL COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING THE TOP OF THE SHOCK TO DETACH FROM THE BODY AND ALMOST PENETRATE INTO THE INSIDE OF THE PASSENGER CABIN. *TR
ORIGINAL OWNER OF A GARAGE KEPT, 2005 FORD ESCAPE WITH 105K MILES. I NOTICED A LOUD BANGING SOUND COMING FROM THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL WHICH WAS VERY LOUD INSIDE THE CAR. I HAD THE SERVICE TECH REPLACING THE TIRES ON MY OTHER FORD VEHICLE TAKE A LOOK AND HE SAID THE WHEEL WELL WAS RUSTING AWAY AND THE SHOCK MOUNT WAS FALLING …
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ORIGINAL OWNER OF A GARAGE KEPT, 2005 FORD ESCAPE WITH 105K MILES. I NOTICED A LOUD BANGING SOUND COMING FROM THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL WHICH WAS VERY LOUD INSIDE THE CAR. I HAD THE SERVICE TECH REPLACING THE TIRES ON MY OTHER FORD VEHICLE TAKE A LOOK AND HE SAID THE WHEEL WELL WAS RUSTING AWAY AND THE SHOCK MOUNT WAS FALLING AWAY FROM THE FRAME OF THE CAR. THIS IS A SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS HAZARD WHICH NEEDS TO BE FIXED ASAP. EVERY SERVICE TECH I SHOW SAYS THEY'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. THE UNDERCOATING WAS SPRAYED DIRECTLY ON TO THE VEHICLE AND NO OTHER METHOD OF PROTECTION IN THE WHEEL WELL WAS USED BY FORD ON THIS MAKE/MODEL. MY VEHICLE WAS TOP OF THE LINE, LOADED, WHEN PURCHASED. I'M CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY AND MYSELF. FORD NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM ASAP AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE POOR DESIGN. *TR
TOOK MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE TO MULTIPLE BODY SHOPS TO ACQUIRE QUOTES DUE TO BODY RUSTING AT BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT REAR WHEEL WELLS. ALL BODY SHOPS STATED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON FORD ESCAPES, AND THAT IT WASN'T WORTH FIXING DUE TO COST. THEY STATED IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE/CONCERN, AND I SHOULD RID MYSELF OF THE VEHICLE AS SOO…
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TOOK MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE TO MULTIPLE BODY SHOPS TO ACQUIRE QUOTES DUE TO BODY RUSTING AT BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT REAR WHEEL WELLS. ALL BODY SHOPS STATED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON FORD ESCAPES, AND THAT IT WASN'T WORTH FIXING DUE TO COST. THEY STATED IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE/CONCERN, AND I SHOULD RID MYSELF OF THE VEHICLE AS SOON AS FINANCIALLY POSSIBLE. I SEARCHED THIS AND FOUND 100S OF VEHICLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND CONCERN. I HAVE TWO VEHICLES MUCH OLDER THAN THIS, AND HAVE NO RUST ISSUES. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, A SUDDEN BANG WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR WHEEL HOUSING PANEL WAS PERFORATED DUE TO RUST AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOTIFI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, A SUDDEN BANG WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR WHEEL HOUSING PANEL WAS PERFORATED DUE TO RUST AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND BECAME WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR FENDER WELL RUSTED. THE VEH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND BECAME WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR FENDER WELL RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MECHANIC RECOMMENDED THAT THE VEHICLE NOT BE DRIVEN DUE TO A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000. UPDATED 05/28/14*LJ UPDATED 06/02/2014 *JS
WHILE DRIVING BEGIN TO EXPERIENCE A LOUD RATTLING SOUND, FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. BECAME VERY LOUD WITH THE MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE. SOUNDED AS IF SMALL PIECES HAD FALLEN OFF THE BACK TIRE. AS SOON AS I GOT HOME I LOOKED AND THERE WAS A LARGE RUSTED OUT TEAR IN THE WHEEL WELL, LOCATED RIGHT ABOVE THE MOUNT FOR THE SHOCK ABS…
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WHILE DRIVING BEGIN TO EXPERIENCE A LOUD RATTLING SOUND, FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. BECAME VERY LOUD WITH THE MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE. SOUNDED AS IF SMALL PIECES HAD FALLEN OFF THE BACK TIRE. AS SOON AS I GOT HOME I LOOKED AND THERE WAS A LARGE RUSTED OUT TEAR IN THE WHEEL WELL, LOCATED RIGHT ABOVE THE MOUNT FOR THE SHOCK ABSORBER. I DID CONTACT MY SERVICE ADVISOR AT VILLAGE FORD IN DEARBORN MICHIGAN. I TOOK THE VEHICLE UP TO BE CHECKED, HE SENT ME OVER TO THEIR BODY SHOP.. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS DEFINITELY A "SAFETY ISSUE" AND HE HAD SEEN THIS BEFORE ON OTHER FORD ESCAPES. THIS IS A FLAW IN THE BODY. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRAME WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILUR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRAME WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,124. UUPDATED 05/06/14 MA UPDATED 05/09/2014 *JS
Official recalls
415V606000 · 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
2DP12006 · 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.