2005 Ford Escape Hybrid complaints

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT ENCOUNTERED THE STEERING WHEEL. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BRUISES ON HER CHEST THAT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.

WE NOTICED A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, WE DISCOVERED THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND THE STRUT IS BARELY ATTACHED. THE RUST HOLES ARE SO LARGE, THAT INSULATION IS SHOWING, AND THE STRUT IS HITTING THE PLASTIC PIECE GOING INTO THE TRUNK SPACE. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED UNSAFE TO DRIVE BY A MECHANIC. WHILE RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE, I HAVE FOUND MULTIPLE ONLINE FORUMS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. IT IS ALWAYS THE SAME AREA (REAR PASSENGER SIDE) AND IS CAUSING SAFETY HAZARDS, SUCH AS RUPTURED TIRES AND UNSTABLE STEERING. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT FORD NEEDS TO RECALL!

PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL HOUSING ROT CREATING UNSAFE VEHICLE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN DEFECT IN THE ESCAPE HYBRID 2005; SEE WEBSITE: WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/ESCAPE/2005/BODY_PAINT/EXCESSIVE_WHEEL_WELL_RUST.SHTML SEVERAL PEOPLE INCLUDING MYSELF HAVE DOCUMENTATION REGARDING THE ISSUE. IT IS ONLY THE PASSENGER REAR WHEEL HOUSING, I HAVE RECEIPTS, PICTURES OF THE PARTS AND FROM THE FORD DEALER WHO DID THE REPAIRS. WHEN THE CAR WAS BROUGHT IN TO THE SHOP IT WAS DEEMED A DRIVING HAZARD. WE ARE LUCKY IT WAS NOTICED BEFORE A PERSONAL INJURY OCCURRED. REPAIRS WERE $2,000.00.

HEARD RATTLING SOUND OVER RIGHT REAR TIRE. UPON INSPECTION THE SHOCK MOUNT HAD COMPLETELY CRACKED DUE TO RUST, MAKING THE VEHICLE DANGEROUS TO OPERATE. WHEN I LOOKED IT UP ONLINE I SAW THAT MANY OTHERS REPORT THIS EXACT SAME DEFECT IN THE SAME LOCATION.

THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL/SHOCK MOUNT BECAME BADLY CORRODED, RESULTING IN THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER AND SUSPENSION BEING CONNECTED TO A THIN PIECE OF METAL, AND THE TOP OF THE SHOCK ABSORBER HITTING AGAINST A PLASTIC INTERIOR BODY PANEL. HAD THE THIN PIECE OF METAL CORRODED ENTIRELY, A SEVERE ACCIDENT PROBABLY WOULD HAVE RESULTED. VARIOUS ONLINE SITES REPORT THIS SAME PROBLEM ON THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL VEHICLE (2005 FORD ESCAPE), BUT NO RECALLS, AS THEY HAVE BEEN FOR OTHER FORD VEHICLES AND OTHER YEARS OF THE ESCAPE THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SEVERE PROBLEM.

I WAS DRIVING HOME ON A SATURDAY MORNING WITH MY LITTLE DAUGHTER IN THE BACK SEAT, WHEN I GOT THE SHOCK OF MY LIFE AS MY CAR, ALL OF A SUDDEN, STOPPED AND WENT DEAD. I WAS LUCKY TO HAVE NO TRAFFIC AND THAT I WAS GOING RELATIVELY SLOW, SO I GOT TO A COMPLETE HALT WITHOUT ANY PROBLEMS. I HAD TO WAIT UNTIL THE CAR COOLED DOWN AND THEN WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT TO DRIVE HOME, I WAS ONLY ONE BLOCK FROM MY HOUSE. I DID NOT DARE DRIVING IT UNTIL I GOT IT TO THE MECHANIC TWO DAYS LATER. THE FORD REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE MECS PUMP THE MOTOR ELECTRONICS COOLING SYSTEM PUMP REFILL AND RETEST FOR $304.54 IN PARTS PLUS $443.00 IN LABOR. ONLY THIS YEAR, IN MARCH 2015, DID I FIND OUT ABOUT THE SAFETY RECALL OF A PART. SINCE I DID NOT IMMEDIATELY RECOGNIZE THE PART QUESTION, I HAD TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT FOR AN INSPECTION. THE INSPECTION JUST HAPPENED THIS WEEK AND CONFIRMED MY CAR WAS NOW FINE. I ALSO FOUND OUT THAT I HAD ALREADY PAID FOR THE RECALLED PART MYSELF. I SENT A COMPLAINT LETTER TO FORD MOTOR COMPANY/BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR A REFUND THE SAME DAY I FILED THIS COMPLAINT WITH YOU.

THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL RUSTED THROUGH AND NOW THE SHOCK MOUNT RUSTED OFF.

VEHICLE DEVELOPED LOUD BANGING NOISE IN REAR OF VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT SEVERE CORROSION HAS OCCURRED IN THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL, SEPARATING THE TOP OF THE RIGHT REAR SHOCK ASSEMBLY FROM THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE, AFFECTING HANDLING OF THE CAR. AFTER SEARCHING THIS ISSUE ON THE WEB, IT WAS ALSO DISCOVERED THAT THIS CORROSION IS A WIDESPREAD AND ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS, AND A KNOWN ISSUE TO FORD MOTOR CORP. WHO HAS TO DATE DECLINED TO TAKE ANY ACTION TO RECTIFY THIS MAJOR STRUCTURAL AND SAFETY ISSUE.

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AFTER ABOUT 30 MIN ENGINE STALL AND RED TRIANGLE LIT UP ON DASH. MESSAGE ON LCD SAID TO STOP SAFELY NOW. PULLED OVER AND SHUT CAR OFF, RESTARTED A COUPLE OF MINUTES LATER.

WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY THE RED TRIANGLE CAME ON AND THE LCD READ HIGH TEMPERATURE WARNING. I STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE WASN'T HOT AND THERE WAS PLENTY OF COOLANT FOR THE RADIATOR IN THE RESERVOIR. STARTED VEHICLE AFTER 5 MIN AND DROVE HOME.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE CONTACT WOULD EXPERIENCE A SPORADIC LOSS OF BRAKE CONTROL. THE ABS AND THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER THE WARNING LIGHTS CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATED . THE MECHANIC THEN STATED THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT WOULD ALSO HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE BECAME EXTREMELY HOT, THE ENGINE STALLED, AND AN UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JOLTED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V256000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,418.

FIRST, SPORADIC LOSS OF BRAKE CONTROL; VERY BRIEF; THEN, ABS AND BRAKES LIGHTS CAME ON. DASH SAID "SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM." BROUGHT IT TO LOCAL DEALER, WHO SAID IT NEEDS A NEW MASTER CYLINDER & HCU. *TR

POWER STEERING SUDDENLY WITHOUT WARNING IS GONE. SO DIFFICULT TO STEER I COULD HAVE BEEN A WREAK IF I WAS GOING FASTER. THANKFULLY IT HAPPENED TURNING INTO A PARKING SPOT. VERY DANGEROUS! THIS HAPPENS ON FEBRUARY 27, 2015. *TR

DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WITH MY FAMILY, A CAR SWERVED INTO OUR LANE CUTTING US OFF. WE HIT THE BRAKES, THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE BRAKES ONLY WORKED WHEN WE SLAMMED ON THEM! HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED AS IT WAS NOT DRIVABLE. MECHANIC SAID IT NEEDED A NEW ABS CONTROL MODULE. ORDERED THAT PART TWICE. TOOK CAR TO CAR COMPUTER SPECIALIST - SAID CAR WAS COULD NOT BE REPROGRAMMED. BILL IS NOW OVER $2,000 AND IT HAS BEEN OVER 2 WEEKS. MECHANIC CALLED FORD (LOTS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS ISSUE). THEY SAID THEY COULD TRY TO REPROGRAM IT, BUT IT COULD TAKE UP TO 10 HOURS AND MAY NOT WORK. FORD SAID THE LAST PROBLEM THEY SAW LIKE THIS DIDN'T WORK AND THE OWNER HAD TO TRADE IN FOR A NEW CAR! NOT ONLY COULD THIS INCIDENT HAVE SERIOUSLY HARMED MY FAMILY, BUT NOW I'M OUT OF A CAR AND $2,000!

WHILE DRIVING AT 30MPH THE POWER STEERING FAILED MAKING THE VEHICLE EXTREMELY HARD TO STEER. AFTER ABOUT 2 MINUTES THE "PWR STEERING SERVICE" MESSAGE WAS DISPLAYED AND THE WRENCH LIGHT WAS LIT. AFTER GETTING THE VEHICLE TO A SAFE AREA I RESTARTED IT AND THERE STILL WAS NO POWER STEERING. I THEN LET THE VEHICLE SIT FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 HOURS, RESTARTED IT AGAIN AND POWER STEERING HAD RETURNED. *TR

I WAS STOPPED AT A DRIVE THRU LINE MY CAR MADE A NOISE I DON'T KNOW HOW TO DESCRIBE ACCURATELY WITH WORDS. I LOOKED DOWN AND MY ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT WERE ON AND THE BRAKE SERVICE NEEDED WAS ON THE DASH DISPLAY. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK AND TURNED THE CAR OFF THEN ON. ALL THE SAME WARNINGS WERE STILL THERE. I PULLED FORWARD SLOWLY AND WHEN BRAKING I STILL DIDN'T STOP IN A REASONABLE TIME AND ALMOST COMPLETELY MISSED THE DRIVE THRU WINDOW. NEEDLESS TO SAY A DRIVE HOME AT 10-15MPH STILL FELT LIKE I WAS IN DANGER OF HITTING SOMEONE BECAUSE I COULD NOT JUDGE STOPPING DISTANCE EVEN WITH MY FOOT APPLYING FULL PRESSURE ON THE BRAKES. FROM ALL THE INFORMATION I HAVE FOUND ON LINE THIS SEEMS A VERY APPARENT CASE OF SOMETHING FORD SHOULD BE MAKING A RECALL ISSUE OF HIGH IMPORTANCE. I AM HOPING MY REPORTING IT HERE MAY HELP IN PREVENTING SOMETHING VERY DANGEROUS FROM HAPPENING IN THE FUTURE. *TR

THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING FAILED TO FUNCTION ON START UP. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE POWER STEERING ACTIVATED. IF THIS HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. *TR

OVER A FEW DAYS I HEARD A BANGING SOUND IN THE CAR THAT I COULD NOT IDENTIFY. MY DAUGHTER LOOKED UNDER THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL AND NOTICED THE SHOCK WAS KNOCKING AGAINST THE RUSTED WHEEL WELL. THE NEXT DAY I WENT TO A FUNERAL AND THE SHOCK PIERCED THROUGH THE TRUNK. I CALLED MY BODY SHOP/MECHANIC AND TOLD HIM WHAT THE ISSUE WAS. HE SAID HE HAD ANOTHER FORD ESCAPE 2005 IN HIS SHOP WITH THE SAME EXACT ISSUE. HE SAID IT WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. FORD DIDN'T DO A RECALL ON THE 2005 MODELS EVEN THOUGH THEY RECALLED PRIOR YEARS. I HAD TRIED TO CONTACT RIZZA FORD ABOUT THE ISSUE BUT RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. IN SEARCHING THE INTERNET I REALIZED THERE ARE AT LEAST 300+ COMPLAINTS WRITTEN ABOUT THIS EXACT ISSUE AND FORD'S HANDLING OF IT. MY MECHANIC HAD TO PRACTICALLY REBUILD/WELD THE WHEEL WELL. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT FORD CAN BE ALLOWED TO GET AWAY WITH RIPPING SO MANY PEOPLE OFF, ESPECIALLY WITH IT BEING SUCH A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS WAS A VERY EXPENSIVE PROBLEM TO FIX AND I DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO GET A DIFFERENT CAR. AFTER THIS, I DON'T THINK I'LL EVER BUY A FORD AGAIN. WHY WOULD I GO WITH A COMPANY THAT CAN'T EVEN STAND BEHIND THEIR OWN PRODUCT AND HAS NO ISSUES PUTTING THEIR CUSTOMERS SAFETY AT RISK. *TR

THE ELECTRONIC COOLANT PUMP THAT COOLS THE HYBRID BATTERY IS FAULTY WE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR TWO YEARS AND THE CAR CONTINUALLY BREAKS DOWN ON TRIPS. WE HAVE SPENT OVER 1500 FIXING IT. THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS PRODUCT AND FORD REFUSES TO HONOR BECAUSE THE LIGHT IS NOT ON CURRENTLY. AS SOON AS MY SON DRIVES SOMEWHERE THE LIGHT GOES ON AND THE CAR COMES TO A STOP. HE CURRENTLY IS IN GRAD SCHOOL IN DENVER AND WE ARE GETTING COMPLETE RUN AROUND FROM FORD. *TR

EARLY SEPT 2014 - BEGAN TO EXPERIENCE INTERMITTENT ISSUES OF "LIMP HOME" MODE. ORIGINALLY, ISSUE BEGAN WITH SMALL "SURGES" IN ACCELERATION THAT I BELIEVED WERE SIMPLY RELATED TO THE HYBRID ENGINE KICKING INTO GEAR. THEN EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE BUT RANDOM "LIMP HOME MODE" EVENTS, PARTICULARLY WHEN STOPPING AT LIGHTS OR ACCELERATING (LIGHT-MOD PRESSURE) FROM A FULL STOP. CAR WOULD FLASH "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" AND NOT GO ABOVE 20MPH AND SOMETIMES NOT THAT. WOULD PULL OFF IF ABLE, OTHERWISE, WOULD HAVE TO STOP WITH FLASHERS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, TURN OFF THE ENGINE, WAIT A MINUTE, AND THEN RESTART (REBOOTING CAR). THIS WOULD CLEAR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND CAR WOULD RESUME NORMAL OPERATION - OF NOTE: CODES WOULD NOT STAY IN THE HISTORY OF THE COMPUTER. AFTER SEVERAL OCCURRENCES, MANAGED TO "LIMP HOME" TO A MECHANIC WHILE THE LIGHT WAS ON AND PULL CODES BETWEEN 2009-2012 AND WAS ADVISED TO HAVE THE COMPUTER REPROGRAMMED BY FORD SERVICE. CAR BEGAN LIMPING HOME DURING FULL TRAFFIC AND FULL ACCELERATION (NOT STOPPED OR SLOWING), CAUSING A MASSIVE SAFETY CONCERN. NOTED MULTIPLE INVESTIGATIVE MENTIONS ON INTERNET REGARDING 2005-2012 ETB ISSUES, BUT ALSO NOTED THIS WAS THEN ONLY "REPLACED" FOR 2009-2012. APPARENTLY, ANYTHING OLDER THAN 09 IS A LOST CAUSE. 10/23/14 - HAVE CAR IN FORD SERVICE AND RECALL (14S19) HAS BEEN NOTED REGARDING MOTOR ELECTRONICS COOLANT PUMP CAUSING "A FAILURE MODE EFFECTS MANAGEMENT STRATEGY THAT CAN RESULT IN A SUDDEN PARTIAL OR FULL LOSS OF MOTIVE POWER" TO P

WHILE DRIVING - AT ANY SPEED - A RATTLING SOUND STARTED FROM THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR. RATTLE GOT LOUDER OVER TIME AND BECAME A LOUD BANGING SOUND EVERY TIME WE HIT EVEN THE SLIGHTEST IMPERFECTION IN THE ROAD. UPON INSPECTION THE ENTIRE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL IS RUSTED THROUGH; THE ONLY THING HOLDING IN THE SHOCK ON THAT SIDE IS LIGHT PADDING / INSULATION. MECHANIC INDICATED CAR WAS NOT SAFE FOR DRIVING, AS WE COULD FACE A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. WE HAVE FOUND A BODY SHOP WHO QUOTED US AT $1200 FOR THE REPAIR. I CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY WHO SAID THERE IS NO RECALL ON THIS, DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE SAME ISSUE WAS RECALLED ON FORD ESCAPE HYBRIDS FROM 2001-2004. WE WILL BE HOLDING ON TO ALL RECEIPTS, WITH THE HOPE THAT FORD WILL DO THE RIGHT THING AND ISSUE A RECALL / REIMBURSEMENT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD BANGING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL AND SHOCK TOWER WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.

REAR PASSENGER WHEEL HOUSE AND STRUT ASSEMBLY FASTENING BRACKET EXHIBIT SEVERE CORROSION AND POSSIBLE DETACHMENT FROM VEHICLE BODY. SUCH AN INCIDENT IS LIKELY TO RESULT IN A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL AT CRUISING SPEED. PREVIOUS REPAIRS PERFORMED BY PRIOR OWNER. BODY SHOP CONSULTED AND REPLACEMENT OF AFFECTED PARTS IS NOT ECONOMICALLY FEASIBLE. *TR

RIGHT REAR WELL CORRODED EXTENSIVELY. 4 INCH HOLE EXPOSING HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY IN TRUNK TO WATER, SALT, SNOW. DEALER STATES THAT VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE DUE TO RISK OF COLLAPSE OF STRUTS AND RISK OF EXPLOSION/FIRE FROM HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY EXPOSURE. QUOTES MORE THAN $4000 TO REPAIR THIS VEHICLE WITH ONLY 59,510 MILES. REAR BUMPER AND REAR SUSPENSION BOTH COMPROMISED. REAR BUMPER HAS NO SUPPORT ON RIGHT SIDE RISKING PASSENGER INJURY IN ACCIDENT. REAR SHOCK STRUT COLLAPSING. REQUEST INVESTIGATION AND RECALL ACTION. *TR

WHEN THE VEHICLE IS WARMED UP AND DECELERATING BELOW 40MPH THEY GASOLINE ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF AS THE REGENERATIVE BRAKING CHARGES THE HYBRID HIGH VOLTAGE BATTERY. ON A RARE OCCASION DURING THIS BRAKING, THE GASOLINE ENGINE WILL TURN BACK ON GIVING A BRIEF SURGE WHICH REQUIRES PRESSING THE BRAKE HARDER. IT HAS DONE THIS SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE. *TR

DRIVING AT LOW SPEED WHEN POWER STEERING SHUT OFF. THIS HAS OCCURRED 1-2/MONTH SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM THE DEALER IN 2008. WHEN I HAVE TAKEN IT IN TO THE DEALER AND TOLD THEM IT WAS STILL OCCURRING THEY ALWAYS SAID THERE WAS NO CODE SO BASICALLY NO PROBLEM. POWER STEERING FAILURE HAPPENED RANDOMLY AT VARIOUS SPEEDS; WHEN IT HAPPENED AT FREEWAY SPEED WAS THE WORST. FINALLY TOOK IT TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY FOUND A CODE INDICATING IT IS THE ELECTRIC ASSISTED POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE. WHY ARE THE 2005-2007 FEHS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL? *TR

I AM AN OWNER OF A 2005 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WITHIN THE PAST WEEK, THE RIGHT REAR FENDER WALL COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. WHEN I DROVE MY CAR, IT SOUNDED LIKE A SERIES OF SMALL BOMBS WERE GOING OFF IN THE BACK ANYTIME I HIT A HOLE. WHEN I TOOK THE CAR INTO GET FIXED, IT COST $1064.62. FORD WILL NOT REIMBURSE ME FOR A PENNY OF THIS. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE FACING THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM. THERE IS A FACEBOOK PAGE DEDICATED TO IT: HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/PAGES/2005-FORD-ESCAPE-2004-2006/397923900236108 THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR FORD BUT BASICALLY THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. IT IS UP TO THE NHTSA TO DEMAND A RECALL OF THIS AND TO GET IT FIXED. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. WHAT IF MY CAR WOULD HAVE COLLAPSED AS I WAS DRIVING IT? SO MANY PEOPLE COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED OR KILLED. I HAVE PICTURES/RECEIPTS TO PROVE EVERYTHING I SAID ABOVE. *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS, WE HEARD A HOLLOW THUMPING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER-SIDE WHEEL WELL WHENEVER WE WENT OVER A SMALL BUMP. AFTER EXTERNALLY INSPECTING THE WHEEL WELL, WE DISCOVERED THAT IT WAS EXTREMELY RUSTED, AND APPEARED TO BE IN DANGER OF COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATING. MEDIUM-SIZED PIECES WERE FLAKING OFF WITH ONLY A SLIGHT TUG. AN IDENTICAL ISSUE CAUSED THE RECALL OF FORD ESCAPE MODELS FROM THE YEARS 2001-2004, BUT FORD REPRESENTATIVES TO WHICH I HAVE SPOKEN HAVE INDICATED THAT THEY ARE NOT CONSIDERING A RECALL FOR THE 2005 MODEL YEAR. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION, AND COULD CAUSE CRASHES IF SHOCK OR AXLE SUPPORTS FAIL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THIS IS CLEARLY A DESIGN FLAW, SINCE THIS MODEL IS LESS THAN 10 YEARS OLD WITH ONLY 111,000 MILES. OTHERS HAVE INDICATED THAT FORD IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, BUT REFUSES TO ADDRESS THE SAFETY CONCERNS. *TR

THE BRAKES FAILED ON THE CAR. AT FIRST IT LOCKED AND THEN THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I DIDN'T HIT THEM AGAIN AND COASTED TO A STOP FINALLY PUTTING ON THE PARKING BRAKE. THEN I HAD THE CAR TOWED. THIS HAPPENED AGAIN ABOUT FIVE WEEKS LATER AND THIS TIME IT WAS EXACTLY THE SAME BUT, I HIT THE BRAKES A THIRD TIME AND THE CAR STOPPED. AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT, THE MECHANIC TRIED TO RECREATE THE PROBLEM AND COULD NOT. THIS SAME THING HAPPENED A FEW YEARS AGO AND WE REPLACED -- AT GREAT EXPENSE -- THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT. I THINK THIS IS A DEFECT IN THIS CAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE SERVICE CENTER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE, THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000. UPDATED 09-04-14 *BF

CAR WAS PARKED AND TURNED OFF LEFT SITTING FOR 2 HOURS. GOT BACK, TURNED VEHICLE ON, BACKED UP FROM PARKING STALL AND POWER STEERING LOCKED. IT BECAME HARD TO TURN OR CONTROL THE STEERING. TRIED TURNING OFF CAR AND RESTARTING, BUT THAT DID NOT RESET OR RELEASE THE POWER STEERING. NO WARNING SOUND OR LIGHTS CAME ON. DROVE CAR HOME WITH EMERGENCY LIGHTS AND ON THE SHOULDER FOR ABOUT 3 MILES. PARKED CAR AND LEFT SITTING FOR 5 HOURS HOPING IT WOULD RESET. BEFORE TURNING THE IGNITION, I TURNED ON AC, THEN TURN ON THE CAR. THAT DID NOTHING. NOW THE WRENCH LIGHT CAME ON AND "POWER STEERING SERVICE" WARNING CAME ON. ISN'T THE WARNING DONE BEFORE AN INCIDENT CAN HAPPEN? HAD A MECHANIC PLACE A MACHINE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAR, BUT NO LUCK. PLEASE HELP IN FIXING THE ISSUE. THERE SHOULD BE AN INVESTIGATION FOR DEFECT ON ELECTRICAL WARNING. *JS

WHILE DRIVING, THE BRAKING POWER WAS LOST AND THE ABS AND BRAKE INDICATORS APPEARED. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF THE PAST MONTH. FORTUNATELY I HAVE NOT BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY, BUT THERE HAVE BEEN SOME NEAR MISSES...ACCIDENTS NARROWLY AVERTED. THIS BLOG (HTTP://BLOG.YAGELSKI.COM/2010/01/MY-FORD-ESCAPE-HYBRID-BRAKE-REPAIR.HTML) BY KEN YAGELSKI DETAILS HIS SIMILAR SAGA, AND HE ENDED UP PAYING OVER $7,000 IN REPAIR COSTS. I CANNOT AFFORD THAT KIND OF BILL, AND I DON'T FEEL I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY IT WHEN IT IS A KNOWN DESIGN FLAW. PLEASE HELP! *JS

WHILE COMING UP TO A STOP SIGN I STARTED TO PRESS MY BRAKE AND WHILE COMING TO A STOP THE BRAKES STOPPED WORKING ALLOWING MY VEHICLE TO LUNGE FORWARD A FEW FEET WITHOUT ANY BRAKES BEFORE THE BRAKES KICKED BACK IN BRINGING MY CAR TO A STOP. ALSO WHILE IDLING AROUND A PARKING LOT MY ABS STARTED ENGAGING CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO START JERKING FORWARD, I WASN'T EVEN TOUCHING THE BRAKES. *TR

FORD ESCAPE HYBRID: THE CAR WAS DRIVEN ON THE FREEWAY AT 68 MILES PER HOUR SPEED, WITH THREE PASSENGERS, AND SUDDENLY A "CLICK SOUND" BEEN HEARD AND THE STEERING WAS "LOCKED". WHEN THE STEERING GOT LOCKED (UN-MOVABLE), THE BREAKS WERE HARD TO PUSH, AND APPLIED. BUT LUCKILY EMERGENCY LIGHTS BEEN PUT ON, AND THE VEHICLE BREAKS WERE PRESS HARD, AND THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE EMERGENCY LANE ON THE FREEWAY. AFTER THAT, THE STEERING WAS LOCKED DOWN AND NEVER MOVED. TOOK THE CAR TO MECHANIC AND THEY REFERRED TO FORD, SINCE THEY HAVE RE-CALL ON THE SIMILAR ISSUE. FORD DECLINED ANY RECALL, AND QUOTED FOR $3200 TO FIX THE CAR. THIS PART IS NOT AVAILABLE FROM ANY OTHER MANUFACTURE BESIDES FORD ITSELF. THE FAILURE COULD HAVE CAUSED A DEADLY ACCIDENT, TAKING EVERYONE LIVES WHO WERE SITTING IN THE CAR AS WELL AS OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE WATER PUMP FOR THE HYBRID BATTERY FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 75,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

UPON START-UP BRAKE WARNING LIGHT ON AND "SERVICE BRAKES SYSTEM" MESSAGE. BRAKE NEEDED TO BE PUSHED VERY HARD TO HAVE ANY EFFECT. CODES C1473 AND C1525 COME UP. VERY EXPENSIVE COMPUTER COMPONENT REPLACEMENTS NEEDED. *TR

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH OVER A BUMP, A LOUD CLANKING NOISE EMITTED FROM OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL WELL INNER LINER WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED VIOLENTLY AND MADE A LOUD NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED AND THE SHOCK ABSORBER WAS NO LONGER ATTACHED AND THE WHEEL WELL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 139,000.

RIGHT REAR SHOCK BECAME DETACHED FROM UNDERBODY OF CAR CREATING HAZARDOUS CONDITION DUE TO ADVANCED RUST THROUGH.

DRIVING HIT A SMALL BUMP THEN STARTED TO HEAR A BANGING IN BACK PASSENGER WHEEL. PULL OVER TO LOOK THE HOLE SHOCK TOWER WAS RUSTED OUT. *JS

WHEEL HOUSE ROTTED OUT SHOCK/SPRING BROKE THRU WHEEL HOUSE HITTING ON HYBRID BATTERY. *JS

RIGHT REAR SHOCK ABSORBER MOUNT BROKE AWAY FROM FENDER WELL DUE TO EXTENSIVE RUST IN SURROUNDING AREA. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT NO PARTICULAR SPEED, THERE WAS A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE IN THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHOCK SEPARATED FROM THE WHEEL WELL. THE WHEEL WELL NEEDS TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL HAS RUSTED THROUGH AND IT SOUNDS LIKE A BOMB GOING OFF WHEN YOU DRIVE OVER A MANHOLE COVER. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS TYPICAL ON THIS TYPE OF CAR. ONLY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, NEVER ON THE DRIVER SIDE. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY DAUGHTER HOME AND PULLING TO A STOP SIGN THE BRAKE AND ABS LIGHT AS WELL AS THE SERVICE NOTIFICATION SHOWED UP AND IT BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO BRAKE. AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP I WAS INFORMED THAT THE HCU AND CONTROL MODULE ASSEMBLY WERE DEFECTIVE. *TR

THE "WRENCH" LIGHT AND "ENGINE" LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. THE INFORMATION SYSTEM FLASHED "SERVICE NOW" AND "SERVICE EMISSION SYSTEM." THE CAR SUDDENLY SEEMED TO BOG DOWN AND SLOWED TO AROUND 15 MPH. FROM THERE IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE BEYOND 30 MPH. THE ACCELERATOR WAS UNRESPONSIVE AND SEEMED MUSHY. ONCE AT 30 MPH THE CAR WOULD HESITATE AND JERK. IT ALSO STALLED WHEN SLOWING. THESE ARE THE SAME EXACT SYMPTOMS THAT OTHER ESCAPE OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED AND WHICH FORD HAS RECOGNIZED AS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT UNDER CUSTOMER SATISFACTION # 13N03 FOR ESCAPE MODELS 2009-2012. THE FORD DEALER SAYS THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE BODY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. HOWEVER, AS OF THIS WRITING FORD IS NOT COVERING THE REPAIR FOR EARLIER MODELS EVEN THOUGH THEY HAVE THE SAME ENGINE, SAME SYMPTOMS, SAME REPAIR NECESSARY. COME ON FORD, DO THE RIGHT THING! *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE AND THE "SERVICE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON THEN ABOUT 10 SECONDS LATER THE "STOP SAFELY" LIGHT CAME ON AND MY VEHICLE SHUTDOWN AND WOULD NOT RESTART. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE NEAREST FORD DEALERSHIP AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM THAT HAD TO BE RESET (SHUTDOWN WAS TO PROTECT THE HYBRID BATTERY). ONCE FORD FIXED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TO GET CAR TO START AGAIN, THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER HAD FULLY DETACHED FROM THE WHEEL HOUSE AND WAS BASICALLY A DANGLING PIECE. FORD COULD OFFER NO HELP "THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE EQUIPMENT OR CAPABILITY TO FIX" AND SAID I HAD TO GO TO A AUTO BODY SHOP TO HAVE THE PIECE WELDED BACK TO THE FRAME. TURNS OUT THERE IS NOTHING THERE TO WELD, THE ENTIRE CONNECTION HAS ROTTED OUT AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. FROM WHAT I CAN FIND ONLINE THIS IS A RECURRING ISSUE ON 2005 FORD ESCAPES AND FORD REFUSES TO DEAL WITH IT. CARS WITH THESE ISSUES ARE EXTREMELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. LUCKILY I WAS NOT INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHEN THIS HAPPENED BUT I WAS ONLY DRIVING 35MPH ON A SIDE STREET, IMAGINE WHAT COULD'VE HAPPENED IF I WAS TRAVELING AT 70MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE PIECE JUST FELL OUT. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY DIFFICULT FIX THAT FORD OWNERS SHOULD NOT HAVE THE BURDEN OF DEALING WITH FINANCIALLY ON A CAR THAT IS LESS THAT 10 YEARS OLD. MY CAR IS VERY WELL MAINTAINED AND HAS A LOT OF LIFE LEFT IN IT, BUT NOW THIS FIX IS GOING TO COST CLOSE TO $2500. THIS SHOULD BE FURTHER INVESTIGATED

BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT HATCH WINDOW HINGES BROKE LEAVING THE WINDOW HANGING. BOLTS OXIDIZED THROUGH PRODUCING THIS FAILURE. THIS COULD HAVE HAPPENED EVEN IF THERE WAS NO ATTEMPT TO OPEN THE LIFT GATE WINDOW. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING, THE WINDOW COULD HAVE POSSIBLY BROKEN COMPLETELY OFF AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO VEHICLES AND/OR PERSONS THAT WERE FOLLOWING. THE LIFTGATE WINDOW HINGE PART # IS 420A68. *TR