Page 24 of 28 · complaints 1,151–1,200 of 1,394

2005 Ford Escape complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2005 record →

Electrical System
Filed Jan 15, 201145,173 milesWI

WHILE DRIVING ON US HIGHWAY IN THE EVENING, 2005 FORD ESCAPE XLT SUDDENLY STARTED VIBRATING, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT LIT AND THEN ALL OTHER LIGHTS ON THE DASH FLASHED AS VEHICLE LOST POWER BUT WAS ABLE COAST TO A STOP ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THIS WAS A DANGEROUS SITUATION AS VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITHOUT ANY INDICATION TO THE VEHICLES FOLLOWING THIS VEHICLE THAT IT WAS GOING TO SUDDENLY DECREASE SPEED AND STOP. FORTUNATELY VEHICLE FOLLOWING WAS ABLE TO PASS SAFELY. VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND WAS TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. CODE P0353 WAS INDICATED AND TSB 10-18-10 WAS USED TO SERVICE VEHICLE. ALL 6 COPS WERE REPLACED ALONG WITH PCM. VEHICLE STILL DID NOT OPERATE PROPERLY AND ON INSPECTION BY TECH, CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS FOUND TO BE PLUGGED AND WAS REPLACED. PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, VEHICLE WAS OPERATING NORMALLY AND HAD APPROX. 45,000 MILES ON IT. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jan 14, 201197,000 milesOH

2005 FOR ESCAPE LIMITED EDITION WAS PASSING ANOTHER CAR ON A TWO LANE ROAD WHEN THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ONE. HAD TO ALMOST STOP GOING THE WRONG WAY ON A TWO LANE ROAD SO THE CARS GOING THE SAME DIRECTION AS ME COULD PAS SO I COULD GET BACK IN THE CORRECT LANE AND PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HAD THE CODES CHECKED AND TWO OF THE 6 COILS WERE SHOWING UP AS HAVING ISSUES. CODE WERE P0352 PO354 THERE IS A TSB FROM FORD TSB 10-18-10. I HAVE REPLACED THE COILS AND THE ISSUE STILL IS THROUGH THE CODES FOR THE COILS. ACCORDING THE TSB THERE COULD BE INTERFERENCE WITH THE PCM FROM THE COILS AND PLUGS. THE CONSEQUENCES OF THIS ISSUE IS THAT IF I HAD NOT BEEN OBSERVANT AND CAUGHT THIS BEFORE ANOTHER CAR COMING AT ME WAS CLOSER THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A HEAD ON COLLISION BECAUSE OF LOSS OF POWER FROM THIS SITUATION. I HAVE NOT REPLACED THE PCM OR HAD AN OSCILLOSCOPE TO CHECK THE PCM AT THIS POINT. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control › Cables
Filed Jan 12, 201177,378 milesMO

ACCELERATOR PEDAL FREEZING UP WHILE DRIVING OR A STOP SIGN/TRAFFIC LIGHT. ENGINE IS 2.3L, 4 CYLINDER WITH A 3-SPEED AUTOMATIC WITH OVERDRIVE, FRONT WHEEL DRIVE, CRUISE CONTROL, POWER STEERING AND A/C. THE TEMPERATURE WAS SIX DEGREES AND IT WAS SNOWING WITH FIVE INCHES ON THE GROUND. STARTED CAR AND THE PEDAL WOULD NOT MOVED, AFTER 15 MINUTES OF WARMING IT UP, IT BEGAN TO WORK, BUT KEPT STICKING. GOT TO A STOP SIGN AND WENT TO HIT PEDAL TO GO; NOTHING, I JUST COASTED INTO THE INTERSECTION WITH CARS APPROACHING BOTH WAYS. FINALLY, I LET GO AND WENT. IT DID THE SAME THING AT TWO LIGHTS ON THE WAY HOME. ON THE WAY HOME, WHICH IS 10 MILES FROM WORK, THE PEDAL KEPT FREEZING UP EVERY TIME I GAVE IT GAS. THE SPEED LIMIT WAS 65 MPH AND THE ROAD WAS CLEAR AT THE TIME. GOT HOME AND PULLED THE VEHICLE INTO THE GARAGE WHERE I KEEP IT WHEN NOT BEING USED AND TURNED THE HEAT ON AND STARTED TO WORK ON IT. I CLEANED THE SPEED CONTROL CABLE AND ACCELERATOR AT THE THROTTLE BODY CONNECTION POINT. DISCONNECTED BOTH AND CHECKED THE THROTTLE BODY AND HOOKED IT BACK UP. I PUT WD-40 ON THE CABLE AND IT STARTED TO WORK LIKE NEW. I PUT EVERYTHING BACK TOGETHER AND PULLED IT OUTSIDE TO GET COLD AGAIN. THE NEXT MORNING, I STARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE PEDAL WAS FROZEN AGAIN. THIS TIME IT WAS WORSE THAN BEFORE. AFTER 5 MINUTES IT STARTED TO WORK SOME, I PUT THE VEHICLE BACK IN THE GARAGE. I ARRIVED HOME THE NEXT MORNING, AND IT WOULD NOT WORK AT ALL. I CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD AND ALL WAS OK. THIS TIME I WENT

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System
Filed Jan 10, 201166,000 miles00

WHILE VACATIONING IN MYRTLE BEACH, MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE RAN SLUGGISH AND WAS MISSING AFTER A HEAVY RAIN. HAD IT TOWED TO THE LOCAL DEALER WHERE THEY TOLD ME THAT THE CASING FOR THE PCM HAD LEAKED AND WATER HAD GOTTEN INTO THE PCM AND CAUSED THE MALFUNCTION. THIS PROBLEM ALSO CAUSED THE PLUGS AND COILS TO NEED REPLACING. PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE AND HAD TO WAIT TWO WEEKS FOR REPAIRS. RECEIVED A CALL FROM DEALER SAYING THAT IT WAS ALSO NECESSARY TO REPLACE THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD AND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. ANOTHER 3 DAYS AND THE TOTAL BILL FROM THE DEALER WAS $5,262.38. ALONG WITH A RENTAL CAR FOR 1.5 WEEKS AND TWO ADDITIONAL DAYS IN HOTEL MADE FOR AN EXPENSIVE HOLIDAY. CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE WHEN I RETURNED HOME AND THEY WERE NOT EVEN INTERESTED IN MY SITUATION. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER FORD, AND AM NOW DRIVING JAPANESE. *TR

Visibility › Sun/Moon Roof Assembly
Filed Jan 10, 201148,000 milesWA

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY THIS MORNING AND MY SUNROOF EXPLODED! THE SOUND IT MADE WAS A LOUD POW, AND SOME GLASS SHARDS FELL ONTO MY SEATS. THERE WERE NO LARGE TRUCKS AROUND OR SIGHT OF DEBRIS FLYING MY WAY. I HAVE TO WAIT A FEW DAYS FOR THE GLASS TO BE SHIPPED FROM FORD BEFORE I CAN HAVE IT INSTALLED, AND I HAVE TO PAY THE DEDUCTIBLE OF $500 THROUGH MY INSURANCE, AND THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT THIS WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN. I'VE SEEN MANY COMPLAINTS ONLINE OF THE SUNROOF EXPLODING IN FORDS, AND IT'S NOT LIKELY THAT A ROCK CAN CAUSE THIS KIND OF DAMAGE ON TOP OF A CAR. FORD SHOULD BE PROVIDING WARRANTIES FOR THIS TYPE OF DEFECT. *TR

Visibility
Filed Jan 3, 201137,000 milesMI

I WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 30 MPH AND WAS THE ONLY ONE ON THE ROAD. THE ROADS WERE COVERED WITH A LIGHT DUSTING OF FLUFFY SNOW, AND IT WAS CHILLY.. ABOUT 21 DEGREES. THE DEFROSTER HAD BEEN ON, BUT I HAD PHYSICALLY TURNED THE DEFROSTER OFF ABOUT 5 MINUTES BEFORE THE 'EXPLOSION'. I HEARD A HORRIBLE NOISE AND WAS COMPLETELY SHOCKED TO SEE THERE WAS VERY LITTLE OF MY REAR WINDOW LEFT. WHAT?!!?! HOW COULD SUCH THINGS HAPPEN? AND WHAT A MESS! THERE WAS GLASS EVERYWHERE, PAINT HAD BEEN CHIPPED, THE SHOCKS WERE HANGING OUT, THE WIPER AND MOTOR WERE AT AN AWKWARD ANGLE...THINGS WERE DANGLING EVERYWHERE. UNFORTUNATELY, IT WAS A SUNDAY AND NOTHING WAS OPEN TO HELP WITH THE REPAIR UNTIL MONDAY. SO FAR, MY INSURANCE COMPANY HAS BEEN SOMEWHAT HELPFUL, BUT I'VE STILL HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO GET MY VEHICLE REPAIRED. WHY DO I EVEN NEED TO PAY ANYTHING FOR SOMETHING I DID NOT CAUSE?? MY CALLS TO FORD HAVEN'T REALLY GOTTEN ME ANYWHERE YET, EXCEPT TO ONLY REITERATE THERE IS NO RECALL FOR SUCH ISSUES. I AGREE THAT WITH THIS MANY VOICED COMPLAINTS, FORD SHOULD AT LEAST ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS AN ISSUE. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Dec 30, 201075,000 milesCA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, THEN IT FINALLY STARTED. THE FAILURE BEGAN TWO MONTHS AGO. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE DEALER ALSO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH CONCLUDED THAT THE COIL FAILED AND THAT THE POWER CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED DUE TO THE COST. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 77,958. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear
Filed Dec 28, 201049,200 milesNY

BACK WINDSHIELD EXPLODING ON 2005 FORD ESCAPE. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Dec 27, 201090,000 milesNC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE JERKED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A FEW MONTHS LATER, THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT AN ENGINE COIL FAILED AND THE PCM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear
Filed Dec 27, 2010130,500 miles00

THE REAR WINDOW IN OUR 2005 FORD ESCAPE SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED AS I WAS DRIVING ALONG THE ROAD. THE TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 5 DEGREES CELSIUS AND IT WAS RAINING. I WAS USING THE WINDOW DEFOGGER AND THE REAR WIPER. THE EXPLOSION SOUNDED LIKE A SHOTGUN BLAST AND A LARGE AMOUNT OF GLASS FLEW INTO THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS ALSO GLASS ON THE REAR BUMPER. MY DAUGHTER AND TWO OF HER FRIENDS WERE IN THE BACK SEAT WHEN THIS HAPPENED, AND GLASS FLEW IN TOWARD THEM. I MAINTAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS QUITE STARTLED BY THE LOUD EXPLOSION! THE DRIVER'S SIDE HYDRAULIC LIFT WAS HANGING OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE LIFT WAS STILL ATTACHED TO A CHUNK OF GLASS AND IN PLACE IN THE FRAME OF THE WINDOW. MY GUESS IS THAT THE HYDRAULIC LIFT FAILED, EXERTED PRESSURE ON THE WINDOW, AND CAUSED THE EXPLOSION. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control › Accelerator Pedal
Filed Dec 22, 201050,000 milesOH

THE ACCELERATOR ON MY 2005 ESCAPES GETS STUCK WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, AND ON CITY STREETS. I WAS TURNING LEFT ONTO A 45MPH MAIN STREET WHEN THE PEDAL JAMMED AND I GOT STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I COULD NOT PUSH IT DOWN. FORTUNATELY, THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC WAS FAR ENOUGH AWAY THAT IT SLOWED DOWN BEFORE CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE SAME STICKING PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE. I PRESS THE ACCELERATOR TO KEEP WITH THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC, BUT IT SOMETIMES FEELS LIKE IT'S LOCKED IN POSITION AND WILL NOT MOVE. THIS IS CAUSING DANGEROUS SCENARIOS. BY DOING RESEARCH, IT APPEARS THE FORD ESCAPES HAVE BEEN HAVING A SIMILAR PROBLEM SINCE 2001. *TR

Visibility
Filed Dec 20, 201062,000 milesIL

I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, TRAFFIC WAS CRAWLING, IT WAS SNOWING. ALL OF A SUDDEN MY REAR WINDOW EXPLODED. SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT. MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING, SO I TURNED TO LOOK OUT THE BACK TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED, AND LOW AND BEHOLD, MY REAR WINDOW WAS SHATTERED (MOSTLY ON THE INSIDE OF THE CAR) AND ALL OTHER NON-GLASS PARTS WERE HANGING IN MIDAIR. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE HAD EVER HAD ANYTHING LIKE THIS HAPPEN, AND WE GOT OFF AT THE NEXT EXIT TO LOOK FOR BULLETS, SNOWBALLS, ETC, AND FOUND NOTHING. JUST ABOUT 5 MINUTES PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING, I HAD TURNED ON THE REAR DEFROSTER. SCARED THE CRAP OUT OF BOTH OF US. WILL FIND OUT WHAT THE REPAIR COSTS ARE TOMORROW AT THE DEALER. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Dec 16, 201020,000 milesTX

THE ACCELERATOR ON MY FORD ESCAPE STICKS IN THE UP POSITION WHEN IT GETS COOL OUT. IT HAPPENS INTERMITTENTLY AFTER YOU BRAKE AND THEN GO TO ACCELERATE. VERY SCARY ON THE FREEWAY. PUSH THE ACCELERATOR AND IT DOES NOT GO DOWN, NO ACCELERATION. YOU HAVE TO KEEP LIFTING YOUR FOOT AND PUSHING (HARD) THO GET IT TO ACCELERATE WE HAVE TRIED SPRAYING IT WITH LUBRICANT AND USING GRAPHITE, NEITHER HAS HELPED. THIS STARTED WHEN IT WAS ABOUT 3 YRS OLD AND HAS GOTTEN WORSE. IT IS NOW 5 YRS OLD AND HAS BECOME A DANGEROUS PROBLEM. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Dec 10, 2010FL

DURING COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS THE GAS PEDAL BECOMES STIFF AND AT TIMES DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS. *TR

Visibility
Filed Dec 10, 2010100,500 milesCO

I HAVE A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. I STARTED MY CAR ABOUT 10 MINUTES BEFORE I HAD TO LEAVE FOR CLASS, AND PUT ON THE FRONT AND REAR DEFROST. WHEN I GOT IN MY CAR AND STARTED DRIVING, THE REAR WINDOW IMPLODED INTO THOUSANDS OF PIECES. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Dec 3, 2010110,000 milesMN

WHEN WEATHER GETS COLD ACCELERATOR PEDAL GETS STUCK WHEN TRYING TO START VEHICLE AND STICKY WHEN DRIVING FOR A TIME AFTER THAT.SOMETIMES FEELS LIKE IT DOESN'T WANT TO STOP AT STOP SIGNS OR LIGHTS, LIKE ITS STILL GETTING FUEL. DEALER WANTED TO CHANGE OUT THROTTLE BODY FOR AN OUTRAGEOUS AMOUNT. FROM MY RESEARCH THIS IS A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM. *TR

Unknown or Other
Filed Dec 2, 201081,300 milesPA

WHILE THE 2005 FORD ESCAPE WAS BEING DRIVEN ON A FOUR-LANE ROAD, THE GAS PEDAL STOPPED WORKING. THE CAR WAS GOING DOWNHILL AND THE DRIVER STEERED IT INTO A PARKING LOT. THERE, ON CLOSER INSPECTION UNDER THE DASHBOARD, IT WAS EVIDENT THAT THE THROTTLE CABLE HAD FAILED WHERE IT CONNECTS TO THE TOP OF THE ARTICULATING ARM OF THE GAS-PEDAL: DEPRESSING THE PEDAL DID NOT PULL THE CABLE; THE CABLE END PROTRUDED THROUGH A LITTLE TUBE AT THE TOP OF THE ARM, BUT WAS NOT ATTACHED TO THE ARTICULATING ARM. THE ARM MOVED FREELY WITHOUT ENGAGING THE CABLE. THIS FAILURE HAD RESULTED IN SUDDEN AND COMPLETE INABILITY TO ACCELERATE -- NO THROTTLE. UNDER CERTAIN DRIVING CONDITIONS (E.G. MERGING ONTO A HIGHWAY OR CROSSING A BUSY INTERSECTION WHERE CROSS-TRAFFIC IS NOT REQUIRED TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN OR A RED LIGHT) THIS SYSTEM FAILURE HAS A HIGH CHANCE OF RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH. IN THE PARKING LOT, THE OWNER ATTACHED A PAIR OF NEEDLE-NOSE VISE-GRIP PLIERS TO THE END OF THE CABLE AT THE TOP OF THE ARTICULATING ARM OF THE GAS PEDAL, AS A TEMPORARY FIX, AND DROVE THE CAR TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP ABOUT A MILE AWAY. AFTER INSPECTING THE CAR, THE FORD DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT ASCRIBED THE FAILURE TO "THROTTLE BODY BINDING" AND ADVISED COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF THROTTLE BODY ASSEMBLY AND CABLE.

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Nov 30, 201028,000 milesNY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LOSING POWER. SHE THEN HEARD A CLICKING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE FASTER THAN 10-15 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 28,000. UPDATED 03/16/11 *BF UPDATED 03/21/11

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Nov 24, 201089,362 milesMO

TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, 2005 ESCAPE WITH UNDER 90,000 MILES BEGAN MISSING AND CUTTING OUT. WAS ABLE TO LIMP IN TO FORD DEALER (SAM SCISM FORD) WHERE DIAGNOSIS INDICATED # 2 # 6 MISFIRES WITH FURTHER DIAGNOSIS INDICATING NO SIGNAL TO COIL. DEALER DETERMINED NEED TO REPLACE PCM AND DID SO AT OVER $1100. LESS THAN 30 DAYS LATER, SIMILAR SYMPTOMS AND DIFFERENT DEALER DIAGNOSED #6 COIL PROBLEMS. REPLACED COILA AT $240. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Nov 18, 201015,000 milesPA

THE GAS PEDAL INTERMITTENTLY STICKS WHICH CAUSES SUDDEN AND QUICK DECELERATION. IT FEELS LIKE A BRICK IS UNDERNEATH THE PEDAL. NO MATTER HOW HARD I PUSH DOWN, THE PEDAL DOESN'T BUDGE. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE PEDAL WILL WORK AGAIN. IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND IT LOOKS LIKE A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS SAME ISSUE WITH FORD CARS. SOME PEOPLE HAVE GOTTEN INTO ACCIDENTS BECAUSE OF IT. I SPOKE WITH FORD'S CORPORATE OFFICE AND THEY SAID THEY DIDN'T CONSIDER IT A SAFETY ISSUE. THEY TOOK MY NAME AND SOME OTHER BASIC INFORMATION, THEN SPENT MOST OF THE TIME TRYING TO GET ME OFF OF THE PHONE. I TRIED TO EXPLAIN THAT THIS IS VERY SIMILAR TO THE SUDDEN ACCELERATION PROBLEM THAT TOYOTA WAS HAVING, WITH THE ONLY TWO DIFFERENCES BEING THE CAR DECELERATES AS OPPOSED TO ACCELERATES AND THAT NO ONE HAS BEEN KILLED YET. FORD TOLD ME IF I WAS CONCERNED, I SHOULD GET MY CAR FIXED AND THAT THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR IT. THESE VEHICLES NEED TO BE RECALLED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED.

Electrical System
Filed Nov 16, 2010101,000 milesNV

SMART JUNCTION BOX FAILURE. PART# 5L8Z15604GA THIS PART CONTROLS MANY OF THE ELECTRONIC ELEMENTS OF THE VEHICLE; DIRECTIONAL SIGNALS, HAZARD LIGHTS INSTRUMENT PANEL, HORN, LOCKS, WINDOWS, SECURITY SYSTEM. VARIOUS ELECTRICAL ELEMENTS FAIL INTERMITTENTLY BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECTIVE PART. THE PART IS ON BACK-ORDER AND CONTINUES TO BE PUSHED TO A LATER DATE. AS OF 11/16, THE PART IS ON BACK-ORDER UNTIL JAN 17, 2011. I HAVE SEEN OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE, AND SEE THAT THE PART HAS BEEN ON BACK-ORDER SINCE (AT LEAST) AUGUST 2010. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY A HIGH DEMAND FOR THIS PART, OR IT IS BEING REDESIGNED AND FORD IS TRYING TO AVOID A RECALL. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Hoses, Lines/Piping, and Fittings
Filed Nov 2, 201099,894 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE BRAKING FROM 65 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOORBOARD ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT ADDED BRAKE FLUID TO THE VEHICLE AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE HE DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AT THE BRAKE LINES AND MASTER CYLINDER. THE DEALER STATED THAT A BRAKE LINE WAS HITTING AGAINST THE POWER STEERING CAUSING THE BRAKE LINE TO FRACTURE. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE BRAKE LINE. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED THEREFORE THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,894. UPDATED 01/13/11*LJ UPDATED 04/04/11

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Oct 28, 2010105,000 milesMO

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT DOWN; THERE WERE NO POWER BRAKES OR STEERING. SHE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT IT CONTINUED TO STALL ON HER WAY HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER CONTROL MODULE WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 105,000.

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Oct 28, 201036,000 milesMI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO FUEL THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE WOULD ACCEPT THE FUEL BUT THE PUMP WOULD TURN OFF ALTHOUGH THE TANK WAS NOT FULL. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VENT LINE WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE; THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THAT TIME. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER AGAIN WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED AGAIN. THE FAILURE PROGRESSED AFTER THE LAST REPAIR. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO TOOK A COMPLAINT AND ADVISED HIM THAT SOMEONE WOULD CALL HIM BACK. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 36,000. UPDATED 01/13/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT. UPDATED 04/19/11

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Oct 27, 2010104,362 milesAR

IGNITION SPARK PLUG COILS (6) SHORTED OUT; SHORTING OUT THE COMPUTER AS TOLD BY THE FORD TECH TO THE OWNER OF THE VECHICLE. THE FORD TECHNICIAN TOLD THE VECHICLE OWNER TO KEEP THE RECEIPTS BECAUSE THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL.

Electrical System
Filed Oct 21, 201082,400 milesIL

I AM WRITING IN CONCERNS TO A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS FAILED TO ADDRESS. I AM AN OWNER OF A 2005 FORD ESCAPE WHICH I PURCHASED NEW IN NOVEMBER OF 2004. I HAVE BEEN WAITING TWO MONTHS TO HAVE A FAULTY ELECTRICAL PART, THE SMART JUNCTION BOX, REPLACED. SINCE AUGUST 23RD MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN UNSAFE TO OPERATE WITHOUT THIS PART AS MY TURN SIGNALS, HEAD LIGHTS, AND HAZARD LIGHTS ARE INOPERABLE, AS WELL AS POWER WINDOWS, INTERIOR AND DASH LIGHTS, POWER LOCKS, RADIO AND CLOCK DISPLAY AND MY ABILITY TO UNLATCH THE REAR DOOR. AFTER RESEARCHING THE INFORMATION MYSELF I WAS FORCED TO WAIT ANOTHER WEEK TO BE SCHEDULED TO HAVE MY VEHICLE SCHEDULED FOR REPAIR. ON SEPT. 7TH THE FORD MECHANIC CONFIRMED THE PART I TOLD HIM I NEEDED WAS CORRECT AND SAID PART WAS ON BACK ORDER AND SHOULD BE AVAILABLE IN TWO WEEKS. ON SEPT.21ST, I CALLED TO ASK IF THE PART WAS AVAILABLE. IT WAS THEN THAT THE MECHANIC SAID THAT HE NEGLECTED TO MENTION THE PART WOULD NOT BE ORDERED UNLESS I PAID IN ADVANCE. I PAID FOR THE PART ON SEPT23. ON SEPT. 29TH THE GENERAL MANAGER AT WORDEN-MARTIN CALLED TO SAY THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO. I ASKED IF IT WERE POSSIBLE TO HAVE A USED PART PUT IN TEMPORARILY WHILE I WAIT. I RECEIVED A REPLY THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $350 TO HAVE THAT PART PUT IN WITH NO GUARANTEE THAT THE PART WOULD FUNCTION PROPERLY AND NO COMPENSATION IF THE REPLACEMENT PART WERE TO FAIL. NOT WANTING TO THROW AWAY $350 FOR A FAULTY PART, I FELT I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO WAIT ANOTHER WEE

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Oct 20, 201085,000 milesNY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE COMPLETELY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE ONE OF THE SIX COIL PACKS WAS REPLACED IN THE ENGINE. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES. A TOTAL OF EIGHT ENGINE COIL PACKS HAD BEEN REPLACED ON THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE MAIN COMPUTER AND ONE SPARK PLUG WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERN OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

Power Train
Filed Oct 14, 201082,000 milesCA

I OWN A 2005 FORD ESCAPE AND HAVE NUMEROUS ISSUES SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN NOVEMBER 2004. THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED AND ONE COIL PACK. THROUGHOUT THE TIME I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE THE THEFT LIGHT COMES ON AND TRIED TO SHUT THE VEHICLE DOWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING (40+MPH). IT CLEARED FOR A LITTLE WHILE AFTER THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED, THEN IT RETURNED. FORD CHANGED ONE IGNITION COIL AND SAID THAT IF WE CHANGED THE SPARK PLUGS IT WOULD PROBABLY FIX THE THEFT SHUT DOWN PROBLEM. WELL WE CHANGED THE SPARK PLUGS AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TRYING TO SHUT DOWN THE VEHICLE WHILE I WAS DRIVING(40+MPH). NOW THE VEHICLE WILL NOT START AT ALL. THERE IS JUICE FROM THE BATTERY, ALL THE LIGHTS AND RADIO COME ON, BUT THE CAR REFUSES TO TURN OVER. WE HAVE CHECKED EVERYTHING POSSIBLE, INCLUDING: THE BATTERY, FUSES, AND HAVING IT TESTED BY A CERTIFIED MECHANIC. THE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM OR FORD PATS II SYSTEM SEEMS TO BE DEFECTIVE WHICH ALSO BE CONNECTED TO THE PCM. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE 2005 FORD ESCAPE PATS II SYSTEM AND PCM. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN FORCED. THE 2005 FORD ESCAPE WERE INITIALLY RELEASED WITH THE WRONG SPARK PLUGS WHICH CAUSES DAMAGE AND THEY DID NOT RECALL THE SPARK PLUGS. WITH THESE VERY EVIDENT MANUFACTURER DEFECTS, AND TSBS THAT HAVE BEEN DISTRIBUTED THROUGH FORD - THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL AND ITEMS REPAIRED. CONSUMERS SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY TO FIX THE PROBLEMS THAT FORD CAUSED AND WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR

Electrical SystemFire
Filed Sep 16, 201039,150 milesMO

MY WIFE WAS GOING TO THE BANK IN OUR 2005 FORD ESCAPE WITH 39150 MILES. SHE HEARD A NOISE AND STOPPED TO SEE IF SHE HAD A FLAT. EVERYTHING SEEMED OK SO SHE CONTINUED ON. BEFORE GOING ONE BLOCK THE DASH WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON SO SHE DROVE AROUND THE BLOCK AND PARKED THE CAR IN THE GARAGE. UPON EXITING SHE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD AREA. WHILE SHE WAS TRYING TO CALL ME AT WORK, MORE SMOKE BEGAN POURING OUT, SHE HEARD A POP AND FLAMES AND SMOKE BEGAN COMING OUT. A NEIGHBOR SAW WHAT WAS GOING ON AND CALLED 911. THANKFULLY THE PROMPT RESPONSE OF THE FIRE DEPT. LIMITED THE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND THE HOME ONLY SUFFERED SMOKE DAMAGE. WE ARE CURRENTLY LIVING IN A MOTEL WHILE THE HOUSE GETS CLEANED. THE ESCAPE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. UPDATED 11/03/10*JB *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Sep 2, 201083,005 milesNY

MY GAS PEDAL WAS STICKING OFF AND ON A FEW DAYS BEFORE SEPT, 1, 2010. ON SEPT. 1, 2010 I WAS DRIVING AND THE GAS PEDAL CABLE WENT. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF GAS PEDAL JUST BREAKING. I WAS ON BUSY STREET AND LOST ALL POWER. *TR

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Aug 5, 201049,700 milesPR

2005 FORD ESCAPE BIN [XXX]. BROKE CLUTCH PEDAL SPRING. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

SteeringCrash
Filed Aug 4, 201059,000 milesFL

WHEN ENTERING A HIGHWAY WE HIT A DEEP GROOVE IN THE ROAD AND THEN PROCEEDED ONTO THE HIGHWAY. WITHIN 10 SECONDS THE CAR WHEELS AND STEERING WHEEL WENT OUT OF CONTROL. THE CAR WEAVED AND BOBBED FOR ABOUT 200 FEET UNCONTROLLABLE. I WAS TOLD THE STEERING RACK AND TIE ROD SNAPPED. WE HIT SOMEONE WHILE OUR CAR SPUN AROUND INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC AND WE FLEW INTO THE GUARD RAIL AT SUCH FORCE THE CAR LIFTED AND GOT LODGED ON THE GUARD RAIL. THIS PROBABLY SAVED OUR LIVES BECAUSE AT THAT POINT WE HAD DONE A 180 AND WERE FACING ONCOMING TRAFFIC. CAN NOT GET AN HELP FROM FORD. *TR

Power Train › Automatic Transmission
Filed Jul 29, 20102,519 milesMD

2005 FORD ESCAPE.4X4. I BACKED OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE AND ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE BOGGED DOWN, AS IF OUT OF GAS. I SHIFTED OUT OF DRIVE, PUT IT BACK IN DRIVE AND DROVE OFF. I KEPT HEARING A KNOCKING NOISE. I DROVE TO MY NEXT LOCATION AND THE NOISE PERSISTED. I TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SITE AND WHEN THEY PULLED THE PLUG FROM THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL THERE WAS NO DRAINING AND A PART OF A TOOTH FROM A GEAR CAME OUT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TELL ME IT IS BECAUSE I REPLACED THE TWO TIRES THEY KEPT TELLING ME TO CHANGE AND NOT ALL FOUR. THEY ALSO INFORMED ME OF BLACK FLUIDS IN THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES. IT'S GOING TO CAST ME APPROXIMATELY $2700.00 TO GET ALL OF THIS DONE, INCLUDING THE PURCHASE OF THE TWO TIRES NEEDED TO MAKE THE FOUR TIRE CHANGE. THE LOCATION WHERE I HAD THE TIRES INSTALLED TELL ME THAT A TWO TIRE CHANGE IS NORMAL. THE DEALERSHIP ITSELF WANTED TO DO THE SAME THING. THIS IS MESSED UP. *TR

Suspension
Filed Jul 12, 2010KY

I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON THE TONE RING THAT IS LOCATED ON THE FRONT AXLE OF THE FORD ESCAPES AND THAT IS WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO MY VEHICLE THE ABS AND 4 WHEEL DRIVE GOES OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THE FORD FORUM. COM IS WHERE ITS LOCATED AND I FEEL IT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED IN AT. THE WORRIES AND COMPLAINTS ABOUT HOWE SOME PEOPLE BOUGHT IT BRAND NEW AND ALREADY HAD TO REPLACE THE PIECE. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jun 18, 2010102,585 milesOH

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 65 MPH, THE EMISSION CONTROL WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE FROM THE ROADWAY WITHOUT INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED THE IGNITION COILS, SPARK PLUGS AND POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES ARE 102,585.

Fuel System, Other
Filed Jun 5, 201043,000 milesMN

THE GAS PEDAL OF MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE SOME TIMES GETS STACK TO THE POINT WHERE I CAN'T ACCELERATE NO MATTER HOW MUCH WEIGHT I PUT ON IT. IT NORMALLY HAPPENS AFTER IT HAS BEEN IDLE FOR MANY HOURS AND GOES AWAY AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES. IT WAS LIKE THAT SINCE I BOUGHT IT TWO YEARS AGO AND HAS BEEN GETTING WORST LATELY. I TOOK IT TO LOCAL FORD DEALER AND THEY TEST DROVE AND SAID THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT. ON 6/2/2010, I GOT STACK IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY INTERSECTION AND NEARLY GOT HIT FROM THE REAR AND FROM BOTH SIDES. IT TOOK ME MORE THAN TWO MINUTES BEFORE I COULD ACCELERATE AGAIN. *TR

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Jun 1, 2010MI

WE HAD TO HAVE THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED ON OUR 2005 FORD ESCAPE. PRIOR TO REPLACEMENT YOU COULD BE DRIVING AND THE GAS PEDAL WOULD FREEZE UP AND YOU WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO PUSH IT DOWN. IT WOULD STICK AS IF SOMETHING WAS BEHIND IT, AND NOTHING WAS. I WAS NEVER IN AN ACCIDENT, HOWEVER WHEN YOU PULL OUT TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC AND YOU CAN NOT ACCELERATE BECAUSE THE PEDAL WON'T GO DOWN, IT IS AMAZING YOU ARE NOT IN AN ACCIDENT. I FOUND SEVERAL PEOPLE ON-LINE WITH THE SAME ISSUE WHEN I SEARCHED FORD ESCAPE STICKY PEDAL. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed May 26, 201079,000 milesRI

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE. THE CONTACT DROVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE; YET, THERE WERE NO VISIBLE FAILURES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT A COIL IN THE ENGINE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED BY THE DEALER WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 79,000.

Structure
Filed May 25, 201070,000 milesNJ

SUNROOF SHATTERED IN OUR 2005 FORD ESCAPE FOR NO REASON. LUCKILY WE WERE NOT DRIVING AT THE TIME. FORD WOULD NOT COVER THE DEFECT. WHEN CHECKING ON LINE THERE SEEMS TO BE ALOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS INCLUDING TIMES WHEN THE GLASS BROKE WHILE DRIVING. ORDERED NEW GLASS FOR SUNROOF AT MY OWN EXPENSE. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed May 12, 2010PA

2005 FORD ESCAPE XLT V6. SINCE PURCHASING VEHICLE IN 2005 WE HAVE HAD PROBLEM REFUELING. VEHICLE TAKES FUEL SLOWLY WITH FREQUENT SHUTOFFS PRIOR TO FULL. THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN TO THE POINT NOW THAT IT SHOOT THE FUEL BACK OUT OF THE NECK ALMOST IMMEDIATELY WHEN YOU TURN ON THE PUMP, EVEN AS SLOW AS YOU CAN RUN THE PUMP. IN THE PAST WHEN I HAVE TALKED TO THE DEALER THEY HAVE TOLD ME SLOW FILLING IS NORMAL FOR THESE CARS. IT HAS REACHED THE POINT WHERE IT WILL CAUSE A FIRE AND PROBABLY INJURY IF NOT A FATALITY. WHAT CAN I DO IF THE DEALER WON'T OR CAN'T FIX IT? *TR

Electrical System
Filed May 12, 2010118,000 milesOH

WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF BY ITSELF. IF IT WERE NOT 5:30 IN THE MORNING I MAY HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT OR BEEN KILLED. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT, BUT THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IT RAN VERY HARD. IT THEN GAVE ME A SERVICE EMISSIONS WARNING. THE MECHANIC STATES THAT ALL 6 SPARK PLUGS AND 6 COILS NEED REPLACED AND THAT THE COMPUTER SYSTEM WAS FRIED (SMV).FURTHERMORE, HE STATED THAT IT WAS AN ERROR IN MANUFACTURING IN REGARDS TO THE SPARK PLUG INSTALLATION. I NOW FIND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2005 FORD ESCAPES BUT NO RECALLS OR NOTICES HAVE BEEN MADE. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Apr 25, 2010104,000 milesNY

2005 FORD ESCAPE V-6 4WD STUTTERS AND STALLS WHEN IT SLOWS TO A STOP. AT THIS TIME, ABLE TO RESTART AGAIN. VEHICLE HAS 105,000 MILES ON IT. RECENT PROBLEM, APPEARS TO BE WORSE IN COLD WEATHER. *TR

Suspension › Front
Filed Apr 24, 201032,390 milesIA

HAS BEEN A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. THERE WAS A GREAT DEAL OF VIBRATION ON THE FLOORBOARD OF THE CAR. TOOK IT TO REPAIR SHOP AND FOUND I NEEDED A NEW WHEEL BEARING ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WHEEL. THE CAR ONLY HAS 32,393 MILES ON IT EVEN THOUGH IT'S A 2005. I BOUGHT IT NEW AND HAVEN'T DRIVEN IT HARD. WARRANTY, OF COURSE, RAN OUT 2 YEARS AGO. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Apr 12, 201076,000 milesGA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION IN THE MORNING ON A COLD START, AND WHEN ACCELERATING THERE WAS A DELAY IN THE RESPONSE TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE WAS WATER IN THE THROTTLE BODY WHICH COULD CAUSE SPEED CONTROL FAILURE SUCH AS A STUCK THROTTLE. THE THROTTLE WAS REPLACED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE IDENTICAL FAILURE OCCURRED ON A SEPARATE OCCASION. THE CONTACT HAD CONCERN OF A POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD INVOLVING A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER UNDER ACCELERATION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 12,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,000. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A COMPLAINT PREVIOUSLY FILED WITH THE IDENTICAL FAILURES.

Unknown or Other
Filed Apr 2, 201098,460 milesKS

MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ACCELERATOR STICKING. IT USED TO ONLY STICK IN COLD WEATHER RIGHT WHEN I STARTED THE CAR, BUT NOW IT DOES IT REGARDLESS OF TEMPERATURE, AND EVEN WHILE DRIVING. I WENT FROM HAVING THIS PROBLEM MAYBE ONCE EVERY THREE MONTHS (APPROX 3 YEARS AGO WAS THE FIRST OCCURRENCE), TO IT HAPPENING ALMOST EVERY TIME I DRIVE THE CAR. WHEN IT STICKS, I CANNOT ACCELERATE AT ALL. I WILL USE BOTH FEET TO TRY AND DEPRESS THE GAS, BUT IT IS LIKE PUSHING AGAINST A WALL. SOMETIMES SIMPLY RESTARTING THE CAR FIXES IT, BUT I WAS STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION YESTERDAY WHEN IT FROZE UP HALF-WAY THROUGH THE TURN. I HAD TO BE PUSHED TO THE SHOULDER. LUCKILY THERE WAS NOT TOO MUCH ONCOMING TRAFFIC THAT WOULD HAVE RISKED AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE LOOKED THIS UP ONLINE, AND MANY OTHER ESCAPE OWNERS DISCUSS THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM. I CALLED THE FORD DEALERSHIP, AND THEY SAID THAT THIS IS NOT A RECALL, BUT IT VERY MUCH SHOULD BE. I AM TAKING IT IN TO BE LOOKED AT, AND HOPEFULLY THEY CAN FIX IT, BUT THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT IF SO MANY OTHER OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. FORD DOES NOT WANT THE SAME REPUTATION AS TOYOTA RIGHT NOW, AND THEY SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT PROACTIVELY. THE ESCAPE IS A MID-SIZE SUV THAT MANY FAMILIES OWN. BY THE TIME A MOTHER AND HER TWO CHILDREN ARE KILLED SIMPLY TURNING ACROSS A STREET, IT WILL BE TOO LATE.

Engine and Engine Cooling › EngineFire
Filed Mar 31, 2010147,000 milesGA

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 8 MPH. SUDDENLY, THE VEHICLE SWAYED ACROSS THE ROAD WITHOUT ASSISTANCE; AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO GAIN CONTROL WHEN PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESUME TRAVEL NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE VEHICLE REQUIRED A NEW WATER PUMP AND A TIMING CHAIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 147,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 148,089.

Engine and Engine CoolingFire
Filed Mar 30, 2010117,000 milesTX

VEHICLE FIRE ON 2005 FORD ESCAPE (VIN [XXX]) ON 3/23/2010, I NOTICED THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY (WHEN DRIVING) BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH. (LIKE A SPARK PLUG HAD FAILED). WE IMMEDIATELY PULLED INTO A GAS STATION AND INSPECTED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT (FOR BROKEN BELTS AND THE LIKE) NO OBVIOUS ISSUE WAS OBSERVED. WHEN I STARTED THE VEHICLE AGAIN, I NOTICED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. IMMEDIATELY I DROVE THE VEHICLE HOME AND CONTACTED A SERVICE GARAGE. I WAS ON MY WAY TO TAKE THE VEHICLE INTO SERVICE WHEN I NOTICED AN ELECTRICAL SMELL. I PULLED INTO THE NEXT GAS STATION, OPENED THE HOOD, AND NOTICED A SMALL FIRE LOCATED AT THE #1 CYLINDER COIL PACK. I USED THE GAS STATION FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. CAR WAS TOWED THE REST OF THE WAY TO THE GARAGE. CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN NO MORE THAN 10 MILES AFTER FIRST SIGN OF FAILURE. FIRE WAS SMALL ENOUGH TO NOT INVOLVE POLICE OR FIRE DEPARTMENTS, SO NO FIRE OR POLICE REPORT IS AVAILABLE. NO ONE WAS INJURED AND NO PROPERTY DAMAGE OCCURRED OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. GARAGE SAID THAT IF I HAD LIMITED THE DAMAGE BY EXTINGUISHING THE FIRE WHEN I DID. GARAGE REPLACED COIL PACK, WIRE PIGTAIL (MELTED), AND INTAKE MANIFOLD (ALSO MELTED BY FIRE). OLD PARTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. CAR WAS REPAIRED BUT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AFTER 50 MILES. CARE WAS IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF AND WILL BE TOWED BACK TO GARAGE. FAILURE CODE IS P0351. (SAME COIL THAT WAS REPLACED IS SHOWING BAD AGAIN) CAR HAD APPROX 117,000 MILES ON IT WHEN FIRE TOOK PLACE. NO OTHER MAJOR S

Electrical System
Filed Mar 24, 201063,000 milesWA

CAR WAS DRIVING FINE, PARKED FOR SEVERAL HOURS AND THEN IT WOULD NOT START. TOWED TO A SHOP AND ALL COILS WERE OUT. AFTER MORE DIAGNOSIS, THE SPARK PLUGS, THE COILS (POCS) AND THE POWERTRAIN COMPUTER MODULE HAD TO BE REPLACED FOR A TOTAL COST OF $2600 ON A 5 YEAR OLD CAR WITH 63,000 MILES ON IT. MOST LIKELY THE SPARK PLUG RF CAUSED THE PCM TO CRASH. HAD TO REPLACE THE PLUGS, COILS AND PCM INCLUDING SOFTWARE AND PROGRAMMING. I HAVE READ ON SEVERAL COMPLAINT BLOGS THAT FORD KNOWS OF THE PROBLEMS (DEFECTIVE PLUGS) AND HAS ISSUED 2 TSB, 05111 AND 0926. PROBLEM SHOULD BE UNDER THE EMISSION WARRANTY, BUT FORD SAYS IT IS A IGNITION PROBLEM. I THINK IT IS FORD'S PROBLEM AND THEY SHOULD BE COMPELLED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. I HAVE READ NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ON BLOGS FOR THIS PROBLEM WHERE THE CAR JUST STOPS REGARDLESS IF YOU ARE ON THE FREEWAY OR IN YOUR DRIVEWAY.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Mar 21, 201092,217 milesVA

I LIVE IN VIRGINIA AND FRIDAY MORNING GOT UP AND THERE WAS FROST ON THE WINDSHIELD. I GOT IN THE 2005 FORD ESCAPE LET IT WARM UP FOR ABOUT 5 MINS. DROVE APPROX 1 & 1/2 MILES STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN TO TURN OUT ON A MAIN ROAD AND PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. I LET IT ROLL BACKWARDS TO A SAFE PLACE AND TURNED IT OFF. I TRIED IT MANY TIMES FOR OVER 30 MINUTES AND IT FINALLY WORKED. THIS HAPPENS MORE OFTEN IN COLD WEATHER BUT USUALLY AFTER 5 MINS. IT WILL WORK. THIS TIME WAS DIFFERENT AND MORE SCARY AS I WAS ATTEMPTING TO PULL OUT ON TO A MAIN ROAD. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Mar 8, 201040,000 milesCA

FORD ESCAPE 2005 4 CYLINDER, MANUAL TRANSMISSION, BOUGHT NEW. AT ABOUT 40,000 MILES ACCELERATOR PEDAL STICKS AND WILL NOT DEPRESS UNLESS PUSHING IT SEVERAL TIMES. LASTED ABOUT A MONTH AND WENT AWAY. NOW AT 74,000 MILES IT HAS COME BACK. HAS HAPPENED ABOUT 4 TIMES IN THE LAST WEEK. WHILE SHIFTING PEDAL WILL STICK. *TR

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2005 Ford Escape → · Every Escape year → · How the figures are calculated →