← New search

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 →

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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

149 reports
Clear category filter
86,000 miles · Dec 23, 2014
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

AFTER TOTALING A 2004 ESCAPE, I PURCHASED ANOTHER 2005 ESCAPE BECAUSE I LOVED IT. WELL NOT SO MUCH ANYMORE. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE FROM A DEALERSHIP IN SEPTEMBER 2012. ONLY THREE SHORT MONTHS LATER I STARTED HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM I AM READING IN ALL COMPLAINTS. I TRIED TO PUSH ON THE GAS AND NOTHING. IT WAS MISFIRING BAD. …

Read full complaint

AFTER TOTALING A 2004 ESCAPE, I PURCHASED ANOTHER 2005 ESCAPE BECAUSE I LOVED IT. WELL NOT SO MUCH ANYMORE. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE FROM A DEALERSHIP IN SEPTEMBER 2012. ONLY THREE SHORT MONTHS LATER I STARTED HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM I AM READING IN ALL COMPLAINTS. I TRIED TO PUSH ON THE GAS AND NOTHING. IT WAS MISFIRING BAD. I THEN TOOK IT TOO A SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME COILS 1, 3, AND 5 WERE OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP WANTED CLOSE TOO $2,000 TO REPAIR IT. I WAS FURIOUS BECAUSE I HAD BOUGHT MY 2004 FROM THE SAME DEALERSHIP AND MY FAMILY ALONE HAD PURCHASED A TOTAL OF 6 VEHICLES FROM THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS A LOYAL CUSTOMER AND WAS NOT GOING TO PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED. SO THEY SPLIT THE COST OF $1000 WITH ME. NOW IT IS ACTING UP AGAIN AND I'VE REPLACED THE FUEL FILTER AND THE THERMOSTAT BC THAT'S WHAT THE COMPUTER SAID ONLY FOR IT TO STILL NOT BE RUNNING. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER, COLLEGE STUDENT, AND SERVER AND IT'S 2 DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS SO I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED! FIX THE PROBLEM FORD!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10668090

175,000 miles · Dec 9, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STIFF AND DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 175,000.

NHTSA ODI #10663109

Mileage unknown · Nov 17, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control

GAS PEDAL IS "FROZEN" LIKE WILL NOT ACCELERATE AND WILL NOT GO DOWN WHEN PUSHED ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10658631

120,000 miles · Nov 16, 2014
Fuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

GAS PEDAL STICKS, ESPECIALLY IN COLD WEATHER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10655293

120,000 miles · Sep 30, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control

GAS PEDAL GETS STUCK AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD OR IT HESITATES AND MOVES VERY SLOW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10640151

45,000 miles · Sep 9, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAD TO BE DEPRESSED MULTIPLE TIMES IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE REVERSING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE HESITATED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL HAD TO BE DEPRESSED MULTIPLE TIMES IN ORDER FOR THE VEHICLE TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

NHTSA ODI #10631869

43,000 miles · Jul 25, 2014
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TREE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF T…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A TREE. A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES REPORTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 43,000.

NHTSA ODI #10616370

78,000 miles · Jun 23, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control

I PULLED INTO 45 MPH TRAFFIC AND THE THROTTLE SEEMED TO BE STUCK OPEN AND DID NOT SLOW WHEN MY FOOT WAS REMOVED FROM THE ACCELERATOR. I PRESSED UP AND DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR WITH MY LEFT FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND WAS ABLE TO SLOW AND PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHEN TRYING TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN MOTION AGAIN, THE ACCELERATOR COUL…

Read full complaint

I PULLED INTO 45 MPH TRAFFIC AND THE THROTTLE SEEMED TO BE STUCK OPEN AND DID NOT SLOW WHEN MY FOOT WAS REMOVED FROM THE ACCELERATOR. I PRESSED UP AND DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR WITH MY LEFT FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND WAS ABLE TO SLOW AND PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. WHEN TRYING TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN MOTION AGAIN, THE ACCELERATOR COULD NOT BE BUDGED. I WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND HE CLEANED THE THROTTLE BODY. I HAVE BEEN PROBLEM FREE FOR 4-5 MONTHS BUT AM NOTICING A STICKING PROBLEM AGAIN. I HAVE SEEN ONLINE THAT THIS IS A PREVALENT PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. I CALLED FORD BUT THEIR CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAM WHICH HELPS WITH THE REPLACEMENT OF THE THROTTLE BODY IS CURRENTLY ONLY FOR MODEL YEARS 2009-2012. THIS IS DANGEROUS, CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IS GREATLY AFFECTED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10605242

120,000 miles · Jun 17, 2014
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

PROGRAM 13N03 THROTTLE BODY ISSUES GAS PEDAL LOCKS UP, JOLTS FORWARD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10598784

96,000 miles · Apr 20, 2014
Vehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT APPX 70 MPH I HEARD A BEEP AND AT THE SAME TIME THE DASH INDICATED A WRENCH, AND MESSAGE TO STOP SAFELY NOW, AND THE CAR WOULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE. PULLED OVER AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF, WAITED A FEW MINUTES THEN RESTARTED THE ENGINE. THE MESSAGE WAS NO LONGER ON THE DASH AND THE CAR DROVE NO…

Read full complaint

WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT APPX 70 MPH I HEARD A BEEP AND AT THE SAME TIME THE DASH INDICATED A WRENCH, AND MESSAGE TO STOP SAFELY NOW, AND THE CAR WOULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE. PULLED OVER AND SHUT THE ENGINE OFF, WAITED A FEW MINUTES THEN RESTARTED THE ENGINE. THE MESSAGE WAS NO LONGER ON THE DASH AND THE CAR DROVE NORMALLY FOR A FEW MINUTES THEN HAPPENED AGAIN. THIS WENT ON SEVERAL TIMES UNTIL I COULD GET TO A PLACE WHERE I FELT SAFE TO STOP. BROUGHT THE CAR IN AND THEY REPLACED THE HYBRID COOLING PUMP. NOW, 1 YR LATER THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING AGAIN. WAS DRIVING APPX 50 MPH AND SAME BEEP, MESSAGE AND CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THIS TIME I WAS CLOSE ENOUGH TO HOME TO BE ABLE TO RESTART AND GET HOME SAFELY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10583828

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.

Go deeper into Ford Escape problems