RUST FRAME ON WHEEL WELLS AND OTHER FRAME ISSUES ...
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 →
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INNER FENDER WELL ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE HAD RUSTED AND FRACTURED. THE FAILURE CAUSED THE AXLE TO BE UNSTABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHOCK MOUNTING BRACKET DETACHED FROM THE INNER FENDER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.
LAST MONDAY MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE CARGO AREA ITEMS STARTED BUMPING SEVERELY WHEN GOING OVER ROAD IMPERFECTIONS. BY FRIDAY THE SUSPENSION WAS SHIFTING WHEN DRIVING OVER SAME IMPERFECTIONS. I GOT OUT AND LOOKED AT THE BACK END AND FOUND THAT THE RIGHT REAR SHOCK MOUNT HAS RUSTED COMPLETED THROUGH THE WHEEL WELL. I ONLY HAVE 114,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND LIKE SO MANY OF THE OTHER COMPLAINTS THE MECHANIC I HAD LOOK AT IT SAID THAT SHOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED AND SURELY THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON IT. WHEN I CHECKED THE INTERNET, NO RECALL. I'M VERY NERVOUS DRIVING, BUT HAVE NO OTHER OPTIONS AT THIS POINT.
THE SHOCK MODULE ON THE RIGHT REAR PASSANGER SIDE HAS DETERIORATED AND HAS BECOME DISLODGED FROM THE WHEEL WELL. THIS HAS MADE THE SUV UNDRIVABLE. THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON A NEWLY PAVED ROAD, GOING OVER A GENTLE HILL. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE OVER THE HILL, THERE WAS A LOUD CLANK AND THE VEHICLE SERVED SLIGHTLY (THANKFULLY NO ONCOMING TRAFFIC WAS PRESENT). UPON DRIVING HOME THERE IS AN EVIDENT CLANKING HEARD IN THE REAR AND THE SUV CAN BE FELT TO SWERVE SLIGHTLY FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. THIS OCCURRENCE HAS ONLY HAPPENED TO THE RIGHT WHEEL WELL AND IS NOT EVIDENT IN ANY OTHER WHEEL WELL. IF ROAD SALT OR WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE TO BLAME, EQUAL DISTRIBUTION AT ALL 4 WHEEL WELLS WOULD BE EVIDENT, BUT THE OTHER 3 ARE FINE WITH NO RUST OR DETERIORATION PRESENT. SEARCHES ON THE INTERNET HAVE SEEN THOUSANDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS, ALONG WITH PICTURES AND THE DAMAGE ALL APPEARS TO BE THE SAME - AND ALSO APPLIES TO MODEL YEARS 2004, 2005, AND 2006.
WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT WARNING, THE POWER STEERING COMPLETELY FAILS. ONCE STOPPED AND THE CAR IS RESTARTED, THE POWER STEERING WILL WORK OK UNTIL IT FAILS AGAIN AT AN UNKNOWN TIME. THE CAR IS NEARLY ALWAYS IN MOTION BUT HAS FAILED UPON STARTUP WHILE IN PARK. FREQUENCY IS RANDOM OVER THE LAST SIX OR MORE YEARS. THE LAST TWO TIMES WAS TODAY. TURNING CAR OFF AND ON USUALLY RESETS THE FUNCTION BACK TO OPERATING.
TRAVEL NORTH ON SOUTHFIELD SERVICE DRIVE THE TRUCK SPEED UP I GOT IT TO STOP BEFORE HITTING A TRUCK A HEAD OF ME. THE LIGHT CHANGE CROSSING GRAND RIVER MAKING A RIGHT ON TO FENKELL THE TRUCK SPEED UP AGAIN UNDER ABLE TO STOP. I HIT A TRUCK IN THE REAR I WAS HOSPITALITY OVER NIGHT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT HEARD AN UNUSUAL NOISE NEAR THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED OUT. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,475.
VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED MAKING A BANGING SOUND SO I TOOK VEHICLE INTO OUR MECHANIC. APPARENTLY THE PASSENGER SIDE SUSPENSION WAS NOT PROPERLY SEALED AND THE SHEET METAL IN THE WHEEL WELL HAS DETERIORATED TO THE POINT IN WHICH THE SHOCK TOWER HAS DISCONNECTED FROM THE VEHICLE FRAME. I WAS REFEREED TO A AUTO WELDING SHOP BY MY MECHANIC AND WAS SURPRISED TO SEE THAT THERE WERE TWO OF THE SAME VEHICLES AT THE FACILITY HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM RESOLVED. THE MECHANIC AT THIS WELDING SHOP SAYS THAT HE IS REPAIRING PERSONALLY 3 FORD ESCAPES PER WEEK FOR THE EXACT ISSUE AND HE WAS ABLE TO SHOW ME THE TWO THAT HE HAD JUST REPAIRED OVER THE PAST TWO DAYS. I AM NOW MORE SHOCKED TO SEE THAT THERE ARE OVER 500 COMPLAINTS WITH THIS EXACT SAME COMPLAINT JUST AT THIS NHTSA.GOV SIGHT AND THAT THERE ARE LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF OTHER IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS POSTED ON THE INTERNET. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY UNSAFE SAFETY ISSUE. THE FACT IS THAT THE LOUD BANGING NOISE IS ENOUGH TO CAUSE MOST OWNERS TO PAUSE AND TO LOOK INTO THE MATTER AND THUS TYPICALLY THIS ISSUE DOES NOT RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. HOWEVER, SAFETY ISSUES AND RECALLS SHOULD NOT ONLY INVOLVE ACCIDENTS OR CASUALTIES. THIS IS A VERY REAL PROBLEM IMPACTING EVERY SINGLE 2005 FORD ESCAPE AND COSTING CONSUMERS HUNDREDS AND THOUSANDS IN REPAIRS THAT FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE.
THE RIGHT REAR SHOCK MOUNT DISCONNECTED FROM THE BODY BECAUSE OF RUST...EARLY YEARS WERE RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY STARTED HEARING A LOUD SOUND AND THE CAR BECAME BUMPY AND BOUNCY. PULLED OFF THE FREEWAY, BUT COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. TOOK TO A GARAGE AND TOLD RIGHT REAR INNER SHOCK MOUNT AND FENDER PANEL HAD ROTTED. FORD HAD A REPLACEMENT PART FOR THIS CONDITION, BUT DID NOT HAVE A RECALL. LABOR COST DUE TO WELDING WAS $1300.00, TOTAL COST 1,966.00. HOW COULD FORD HAVE A REPLACEMENT PART, BUT NOT A RECALL? TRIED 3 GARAGES ONLY 1 (WHO HAD A WELDER) WOULD CONSIDER THE JOB. CAR COULD NOT BE DRIVEN...CONDITION WORSENED QUICKLY AND HAD TO DRIVE 10 MPH TO GET ESTIMATES WITH BLINKERS ON...HOPING NO ONE WOULD HIT US. SCARY! HAD TO REPLACE INNER SHOCK MOUNT AND FENDER PANEL, INSTALL , WELD, AND SEAL. ALSO NEEDED NEW REAR SHOCKS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WAS RUSTED AND THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS UNUSUAL, BUT DECLINED TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 206,194.
THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL HAS RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH; LEAVING THE STRUT BOUNCING FREELY. THE CAR CAN NOT BE DRIVEN AT THIS TIME. AT THE TIME IT BROKE, IT ALMOST BOUNCED ME INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL AS IT HAPPENS TO ALL 2004-2006 ESCAPES. ....UPDATED 07/11/16 *BF
ENTIRE RIGHT WHEEL WELL OF THE VEHICLE IS RUSTING AWAY. THE SHOCK ABSORBER IS MOUNTED TO THIS SHEET METAL, SO IT IS NO LONGER EFFECTIVE, MAKING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE VEHICLES AND FORD WILL DO NOTHING TO COMPENSATE ME. CURRENTLY HEARING A LOUD THUMPING AT EVERY BUMP, DUE TO THE SHOCK BECOMING DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE.
HI I HAVE A 2005 FORD ESCAPE & UP INTO ABOUT AND YEAR I STARTED HAD HAVING ENGINE FAILURE, MY VEHICLE WOULD START & STOP, TO SUM THIS UP, IM AFFAID TO DRIVE WHEN THIS ACCURES PRAYING THAT KNOW 1 RUNS INTO THE BACK OF ME...IVE TOOKEN IT TO THE AUTO PLACE TO GET A READING & IVE REPLACED EVERYTHING THAT IT READ IGNITION COILS (TWICE), FUEL FILTERS, TUNE A/C COMPRESSOR, WOULDNT COME ON ETC....I CAN GO ON & ON..& IM STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS & FINALLY IVE DECIDED TO GOOGLE THESE ACCURANCES, TO FIND THAT THERE'S OTHER VIC..THAT HAS OCCURRED THESES SAME INCIDENTS....THIS IS A SERIOUS MATTER, THAT FORD NEEDS TO ADDRESS / RESOLVED BEFORE SOMEONE DOESN'T MAKE IT. VIC. JUST SHUTTING DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC....& IT ALSO ACCURES WHILE STATIONARY & WHILE TURNING, THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE OCT. OF 2015 & IN BETWEEN REPLACEING PARTS IT STALLED FOR A WHILE OF THE KILLING & NOW IT HAS STARTED BACK UP FULL FORCE ABOUT A WEEK AGO. 6/13/2016 & TODAY IS THE 6/21/2016
AFTER DRIVING EVEN SHORT DISTANCES, THE VEHICLE IS REAL REAL HOT.HAD NEW BRAKES PUT ON AND THEY STILL SQUEEL
THE ENTIRE RIGHT SIDE SHOCK MOUNT AND WHEEL WELL TOTALLY RUSTED AND HANGING ON BY A THREAD. MY 18 YEAR OLD SON COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED HAD WE NOT DISCOVERED IT. I HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF THESE COMPLAINTS WHICH IS HOW WE DISCOVERED THAT THIS WAS THE SAME NOISE WE WERE HEARING AND DECIDED TO LOOK AT RIGHT SIDE BACK DOOR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL. WE CAN LITERALLY MOVE IT UP AND DOWN. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET KILLED FROM THIS BECAUSE THE WHEEL CAN FALL OFF!!!! THANK GOODNESS WE HEARD THE NOISE WHILE DRIVING AND INVESTIGATED IT.
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
RIGHT REAR SHOCK TOWER MOUNT IS COMPLETED RUSTED AWAY CAUSING THE SHOCK TO TRAVEL UP INTO THE WHEEL WELL
RUST AROUND QUARTER PANEL BACK END, RUST THROUGH PASSENGER WHEEL WELL AREA. TO THE PUT THE IT IS RUSTING AND EVENTUALLY THE WHEEL WELL WILL NO LONGER WHOLE THE STRUT IN. WHICH PUTS ME AT RISK OF GETTING SERIOUSLY HURT. THIS SUV IS LOCATED IN A SOUTHERN STATE NO REASON FOR IT TO RUST LIKE THAT. I'VE SEEN AND OWNED OLDER VEHICLES THAT DIDN'T RUST .BAD METAL OR RUST PROTECTION. TO GET FIXED I'M LOOKING AT 1000.00 TO 4000.00 WHO HAS THAT TO PAY FOR SOMETHING LIKE THAT WHEN FORD KNOWS THERE IS A ISSUE AND HASN'T FIXED IT YET.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SHOCK MOUNT BRACKET RUSTED AND DISLODGED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.
MY FORD ESCAPE LIMITED HAS A RANDOM PROBLEM WITH THE SHIFT LEVER BUTTON NOT ENGAGING FROM A PARKED POSITION. IT'S NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO MAKE THE BUTTON PUSH IN TO SELECT A GEAR (R, N, D). ALSO, THE IGNITION SWITCH WILL NOT RELEASE THE KEY AFTER VEHICLE HAS STARTED AND I'VE ARRIVED AT DESTINATION, PUT THE VEHICLE IN "PARK." I HAVE TO STRUGGLE FOR SEVERAL MINUTES TO GET IT TO FINALLY RELEASE THE KEY. OTHERWISE, I HAVE HAD TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE WITH THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. IT'S BEEN LIKE THIS FOR THE PAST YEAR OR SO (ESPECIALLY ON COOL/COLD MORNINGS). STEREO SYSTEM HAS A MIND OF ITS OWN. PRESS ANY BUTTON AND IT WILL GO INTO "LOAD A CD" MODE. WHY?????
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SPUTTER, HESITATE, AND SHUT OFF. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SYSTEM WAS FAULTY. THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL FLOW INDICATOR AND SENSORS WERE ALL REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
THE REAR PASSENGER-SIDE SHOCK MOUNT (WHERE IT MOUNTS TO THE UNIBODY) HAS RUSTED COMPLETELY AWAY. THE TOP OF THE SHOCK IS NO LONGER ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE.
REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL IS RUSTED THRU TO THE INTERIOR. SHOCK ABSORBER IS ABOUT TO SEPARATE FROM THE BODY. UNSAFE TO DRIVE. QUOTED $2,200 TO REPAIR.
THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL RUSTED OUT CAUSING THE STRUT TO BREAK THROUGH THE TRUNK OF THE CAR . IT ALSO HAVE BAD RUST ON THE OTHER SIDE WHEEL WELL. THIS HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HWY. UPON TAKING IT TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP WAS TOLD THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE.
2005 FORD ESCAPE 4X4 V6 PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL HOUSE RUSTED SIGNIFICANTLY ENOUGH TO CAUSE REAR WHEEL SHOCK CONNECTED TO WHEEL HOUSE TO FORCEFULLY SEPARATE AND BEGIN COLLIDING WITH THE INSIDE PLASTIC MOULDING IN THE TRUNK OF THE CAR. DAMAGE WAS INITIALLY FOUND WHILE IN MOTION, NOTICED BY A RATTLING NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION AND REMOVAL OF THE PLASTIC TRUNK HOUSING, THE ENTIRE TOP OF THE WHEEL WELL WAS VERY CLEARLY RUSTED. THE SHOCK WAS STILL CONNECTED TO A PIECE OF THE WHEEL HOUSE. THE REAR PASSENGER SHOCK HAD FORCEFULLY DISCONNECTED THE PIECE OF THE WHEEL HOUSE IT WAS ATTACHED TO BECAUSE OF THE OVERWHELMING AROUND OF RUST. AUTO-BODY SHOP QUOTED A $2,000 REPAIR (FOR A CAR BOUGHT FOR #3,600) TO ORDER A NEW WHEELHOUSE AND INSTALL IT. PROFESSIONAL AUTO BODY SHOP TEAMS QUOTED THAT THE ISSUE WASN'T SOMETHING YOU COULD PATCH OR LIGHTLY REPAIR, AND THE SHOCK WOULD NEED TO BE REATTACHED TO THE BODY OF THE CAR TO BE DRIVEN SAFELY. FORD WAS CONTACTED TWICE AND REPLIED WITH THEIR APOLOGIES THAT THE CUSTOMER WAS EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE, KNOWINGLY AWARE THAT THE 2001-2004 MODELS OF THIS VEHICLE WERE RECALLED FOR THE EXACT SAME ISSUE AND THAT HUNDREDS OF OTHER CUSTOMERS HAVE SEEN THIS ISSUE AROUND 120,000 MILES. THE ISSUE SEEMS TO ALWAYS BE ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WITH NO SIGNIFICANT RUST OR DAMAGE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE.
THE SHOCK MOUNT ON THE RIGHT REAR RUSTED OUT DETACHING THE SHOCK FROM THE BODY AND PIERCING THROUGH THE UPPER PLASTIC COVER IN THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING AT SLOW SPEEDS WHEN THIS HAPPENED. FORD SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ON THIS BECAUSE HAD IT BROKE AND SEPARATED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS THE VEHICLE COULD HAVE LOST CONTROL! SECOND, FORD DOES NOT HAVE THE REPLACEMENT PARTS AVAILABLE EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE A LOT OF 2005 ESCAPES ON THE ROAD. ALSO AUTO BODYSHOPS ARE UNWILLING TO DO ANY MODIFICATIONS OR WIELDING DUE TO THE LIABILITY OF THE LOCATION AND IMPORTANCE OF THAT PIECE. SO THE VEHICLE IS UN REPAIRABLE AT THIS TIME!
REAR WHEEL WELLS RUSTING OUT AS WELL AS REAR SEAT WELLS UNDER DOORS RUSTING OFF IN HUGE CHUNKS,CRUISE,CD PLAYER DOESNT WORK,RADIO SHORTS OUT ON VOLUME CONTROL GOES LOUDER INSTEAD OF LOWER VOLUME,ALSO FRONT AXLE HAD TO BE REPLACED AT JOE LAKE TIRE DO THEY USE TIMKEN PRODUCTS?
THE REAR WINDOW OF MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE XLS JUST EXPLODED TODAY AROUND 2:30 P.M. I HAD ARRIVED ABOUT 2:15 P.M.AT MCDONALDS RESTAURANT. I WAS SITTING WITH A FRIEND WHEN AN EMPLOYEE CAME INTO LOBBY LOOKING FOR THE OWNER OF THE GRAY FORD ESCAPE IN THEIR PARKING LOT. I SAID, "YES IT IS MY CAR." EMPLOYEE THEN CAME AND TOLD ME THAT THE "REAR WINDOW OF MY CAR WAS BROKEN ALL OVER THE PARKING LOT. I WENT AND SAW WHAT HAPPENED. I HAVE NOT OPENED THE REAR GATE OR WINDOW IN OVER A WEEK. ALL I DID WAS PARK IT AND IN 15 MINUTES OF BEING INSIDE OF MCDONALDS THE WINDSHIELD EXPLODED. I HAVE READ WHERE OTHER PEOPLE WITH ESCAPES & MARINERS HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM FOR YEAR. YEARS OLDER THAN MY 2005 AND AS NEW AS 2014 & 2015. IS THEIR A RECALL THAT FORD IS FIXING THIS PROBLEM, AS THEY OBVIOUSLY HAVE KNOWN ABOUT IT FOR YEARS. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHO I CONTACT TO BE REIMBURSED FOR MY EXPENSE OF REPLACING IT. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
THIS CAR HAS 80000MILES ON IT AND IS TOTALLY RUSTED OUT IN THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL AND SHOCK TOWER. I HAVE BEEN QUOTED 5000 TO FIX THE CAR TO MEET SAFETY STANDARDS. I CAN SEE THE TIRE ALL THE WAY THRU THE METAL.
RUSTED OUT WHEEL WELL EFFECTING THE SHOCK ABSORBER TOP MOUNT COULD BREAK FREE WHILE DRIVING. I HEARD A NEW RATTLE INVESTIGATED AND FOUND MY WHOLE WHEEL WELL ABOVE THE TOP SHOCK MOUNT IS RUSTED OUT. GOT PRICES FROM FOUR FORD DEALERS RANGING FROM 900.00 TO 4000.00 TO REPAIR IT ALL OF THE DEALERS WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND HERD OF MANY OTHER EXAMPLES. I AM WONDERING WAY THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL?
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR SHOCK TOWER HAD SEVERE CORROSION, WHICH CAUSED THE REAR SHOCKS TO FRACTURE AND SEPARATE FROM THE SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE REAR HATCH WINDOW SUPPORT WAS SEVERELY CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE PASSENGER RIDING IN THE REAR SEAT NOTICED A HOLE IN THE BACK SIDE OF THE DRIVER SEAT. A PIECE OF METAL, APPROXIMATELY EIGHT INCHES LONG, WAS PROTRUDING FROM THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED TO BE EVALUATED AT THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
WHILE I WAS DRIVING I NOTICED A BANGING NOISE IN THE REAR OF MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE THAT WAS GETTING LOUDER, WHEN I LOOKED AT BOTH SIDES I NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER REAR WELL WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. I TOOK MY ESCAPE TO THE CAR REPAIR SHOP AND WAS QUOTED $1000 FOR THE REPAIR AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. I STARTED DOING SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2004 AND 2005 FORD ESCAPE THAT THEY DIDN'T PROPERLY SEAL ONE SIDE OF THE CAR, AND THAT THEY HAD ONLY RECALLED THE 2004. I HAD CONTRACTED THE FORD MOTOR CO. AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE NO RECORD OF ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE 2005 FORD ESCAPE HAVING THIS PROBLEM, I THEN INFORMED THEM THAT THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM AND SHE SAID THAT THEY HAVE NO RECORDS. I FEEL THEY SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS REPAIR SINCE IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM THEY HAD WITH THE 2004 FORD ESCAPE. MY CAR ONLY HAS ONLY 93,000 MILES WHEN THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED. THIS SUV IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AND YOU ARE UNABLE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE WHEN THIS PROBLEM OCCURS.
BOUGHT MY 05 XLT ESCAPE LAST MAY 2015 AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT STARTED TO SHUDDER STALL WHILE IDLING AND JUST COMPLETELY DIE WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY! GOT THE CODES READ AND IT SAID I HAD A MISFIRE ON CYLINDER 2, SO I PUT NEW COILS AND SPARK PLUGS IN IT BUT IT'S STILL NOT WORKING! STILL DOING A MISFIRE AND IT'S RUNNING BAD WHEN IT DECIDES TO CRANK UP! NOW IT'S NOT EVEN DRIVABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE COILS AND THE SPARK PLUGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 152,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. AFTER COMING TO A STOP, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
CAR RUNNING ROUGH, CAR SLOWED AND THEN WOULD NOT DRIVE. TOWED, TOLD IT NEEDS NEW PCM, CYLINDERS, COILS, AND SPARK PLUGS. CAR HAS LESS THAN 80,000 MILES. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR AND THE PCM WAS CHANGED IN LATER MODELS. FORD CREATED A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT AND DOES NOT SEEM TO CARE.
THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE HAS RUSTED AND THE SUSPENSION BROKE FREE WHILE IT WAS BEING DRIVEN. FORD HAS RECALLED UP THE MODEL YEAR OF 2004 BECAUSE OF FRAME RUST THROUGH IN THE NORTHERN STATES . IN SPEAKING WITH THE REPAIR SHOP HE SAID HE HAS SEEN A NUMBER OF THESE PROBLEMS. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS TOLD MY CAR HAS NO KNOWN ISSUES.
I HAD FINANCE A 2005 FORD ESCAPE XLT AFTER HAD THE VEHICLE FOR TWO MONTH I NOTICE A STRANGE SOUNDS FOR THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE I TRACK AND FOUND OUT THAT THE REAR. UNDERNEATH THE CAR PANEL WHERE THE SHOCKWAS AT IS RUSTED ALL THROUGH. THE THE FRONT TIRE IS WEAR AND THE VEHICLE IS DRIVING BAD SHOCKS STRUCT AND WHEEL ELIGNMENT WAS ALL EFFECT WITH THE RUST PANAL FROM SHOCKS...
109,000 MILES ON MY CAR, HAD A SLIGHT RUMBLING SOUND IN TRUNK AREA, SOUND RECENTLY GOT MUCH LOUDER. BROUGHT IT IN FOR AN ANNUAL NYS INSPECTION AND CAR WOULD NOT PASS DUE TO RIGHT WHEEL HULL RUST. LARGE HOLE IN WHEEL WELL, WAS ADVISED TO NOT DRIVE THE CAR AND CONTACT A BODY SHOP. QUOTED $600-$800 FOR THE REPAIR. UPON RESEARCH IT APPEARS THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THIS MODEL CAR. 2001-2004 ESCAPES WERE RECALLED FOR THE SAME REASON BUT NOT THE 2005.
IN JULY OF 2015 I BROUGHT MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE OF VERY LOUD NOISE IN THE REAR WHILE DRIVING. NOISE WAS THE SAME WHETHER ON A STREET OR THE HIGHWAY. THE MECHANIC FOUND THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. I HAVE A FRIEND WITH THE VERY SAME MAKE, MODEL, YEAR AND IS NOW GOING THROUGH THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. THERE ARE OTHER AREAS OF RUST ON THE BODY THAT SEEMS TO ME TO BE COMING ON PREMATURELY. I SEE THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE, BUT ONLY UP TO MODEL YEAR 2004. PLEASE....THE 2005'S HAVE THE VERY SAME ISSUE!
THE REAR RIGHT WHEEL WELL IS RUSTED AND THE SHOCK FELL OFF. IT IS DANGEROUS AND SCARY. THE MATRRIAL USED IN BUILDING IT IS VERY POOR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRAME RAIL THAT THE SHOCK ABSORBERS WERE BOLTED TO WAS RUSTED SIGNIFICANTLY AS WELL AS THE INTERIOR FENDERS. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED, BUT NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,076.
REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL RUSTING OUT AROUND SHOCK ATTACHMENT. JUST DISCOVERED THIS TODAY BUT THROUGH ONLINE RESEARCH IT APPEARS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE A KNOW ISSUE TO THE MANUFACTURER - THEY HAD A RUST RECALL FOR 2001 - 2004 MODELS
VEHICLE JERKING 4WD LIGHT KEEPS BLINKING, POWER LOCK LIGHT POPS ON CAR ACT LIKE IT WANTS TO SHUT OFF
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SHUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING, USUALLY RESTARTS BUT HAVE HAD IT TOWED. CAR HAS BEEN BACK TO DEALER 11 TIMES IN 12 MONTHS FOR SAME PROBLEM. NO RHYME OR REASON CAN BE CITY OR HIGHWAY. IT IS USUALLY PRECEDED BY INTERIOR LIGHT AND OR DOOR ADJAR LIGHT COMING ON , AFTER STALL HAPPENS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. DEALER HAS REPLACED COUNTLESS FUEL AND EMMISION PARTS INCLUDING ECM AND COILS, FUEL PUMP ETC. THIS HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE DAY OF PURCHASE, THIS CAR IS UNSAFE AND APPEARS FORD DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT. VEHICLE LAST LEFT US SIT IN FLORIDA, AFTER 2 WEEKS AND $3200 IN REPAIRS ON 12/21/2015 THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND INTERIOR LIGHT CAME BACK ON 2/2/2016
AIRBAG LIGHT IS YELLOW. WAS TOLD MY AIRBAGS WILL NOT INFLATE IN A ACCIDENT. THE UNIT THAT CONTROLS THE AIRBAGS ALSO CONTROLS THE LOCKS ON THE DOORS. THE DOORS NO LONGER LOCK ON TAKE OFF. DOESN'T WARN YOU THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER ISN'T SEAT BELTED IN. THE UNIT IS UNDER THE CONSOLE AND IS HARD TO REPLACE SO I WAS TOLD AND WOULD COST ME OVER $500. WHICH I CAN'T AFFORD. I FEEL IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE COVERED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY. I WAS TOLD NOT ENOUGH OWNERS ARE HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THIS THEREFORE IT ISN'T A RECALL ISSUE.
REAR WHEEL WELL RUST OUT. WE PURCHASED THIS CAR NEW AT AL PACKERS WHITE MARSH FORD 11-13-04 WE ALSO OPTED FOR THE COMPLETE ZIEBART PACKAGE. THE END OF DEC.15 MY WIFE SAID THUMPING NOISE FROM REAR HEARD WHEN GOING OVER A BUMP IN ROAD. I CHECKED ALL AROUND AND UNDER CAR, FOUND NOTHING. ON JAN.22ND 2016 WHEN SHE GOT HOME FROM WORK SHE SAID GET YOUR COAT YOU NEED TO SEE THIS. WHEN I GOT TO THE CAR I COULD NOT BELIEVE WHAT I SAW. MOST OF THE ZIEBART UNDER COATING WAS GONE FROM THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL AND THERE WAS A HUGE HOLE THAT RAN FROM THE BACK OF THE WHEEL WELL FORWARDS THROUGH AND PAST THE SHOCK TOWER MOUNT.THEN THE BLIZZARD OF 2016 HAPPENED. I GOT ON THE NET AND FOUND OUT WE ARE NOT THE ONLY PEOPLE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO. I CALLED FORD USA HEADQUARTERS ON JAN.26 AND 27TH. I WAS TOLD THERE ARE NO SERVICE BULLITENS OR RECALLS ON MY VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. I WAS GIVEN A CASE NUMBER, AND TOLD TAKE THE CAR BACK TO A FORD DEALER SO A CERTIFIED FORD PERSON COULD GO OVER THE CAR AND DOCUMENT THE PROBLEM AND GIVE ME AN ESTIMATE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THEN IF I GET THE REPAIRS DONE KEEP MY RECEIPTS, AND IF AND WHEN IT BECOMES A RECALL I MIGHT GET PARTIAL OR FULL REFUND. THANKS FOR CALLING FORD HAVE A NICE DAY. AFTER THIS I TOOK THE CAR TO OUR LOCAL MECHANIC. HE SAID HE DIDN'T DO THAT WORK HE SENT ME TO A LOCAL BODY SHOP THAT TOLD ME IT WAS A MAJOR JOB THEY SAID THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS. FILE A COMPLAINT AND GO BACK TO FORD. MOST OF ALL PARK IT DO NOT DRIVE THE CAR IT IS NOT SAFE. THE CAR WIND
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE EMITTED A LOUD SNAPPING NOISE, WHILE DRIVING AT 60 MPH. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER STRUTS CORRODED CAUSING THE REAR PASSENGER SHOCKS TO FRACTURE, SEPARATING FROM THE WHEEL WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.
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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 →