Page 7 of 28 · complaints 301–350 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 →

Structure › Body
Filed Jan 26, 2016121,150 milesMA

THE REAR RIGHT WHEEL WELL IS SEVERELY RUSTED. THE SHOCK MOUNT IS DETACHED FROM THE BODY AND FRAME. THE SHOCK IS LOOSE AND FELL OFF. THERE IS NO WAY TO WELD THE MOUNT TO THE FRAME. THE REPAIR WILL COST THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS AND TEH VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE

Structure › Body
Filed Jan 16, 2016188,120 milesWI

LOUD BANGING COMING FROM RIGHT REAR OF VEHICLE DRIVING DOWN CITY STREET. BROUGHT VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR AND WAS TOLD THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER SHOCK TOWER WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH THE VEHICLE BODY TO THE POINT OF ENTERING THE VEHICLE INTERIOR. I AM TOLD THAT THE REAR AXLE CAN TEAR AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN ACCIDENT AND POSSIBLE INJURY OR DEATH.

Structure › Body
Filed Jan 13, 201659,000 milesNY

RIGHT REAR SHOCK MOUNT COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT, BOUGHT CAR BRAND NEW, ONLY 60,000 MILES ON IT . COME TO FIND OUT ALL FORD ESCAPES THIS YEAR ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM BECAUSE THIS IS A SUSPENSION AND HANDLING ISSUE, CAR WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO DRIVE AND KEEP IN LANE. THE PROBLEM HAS IT'S OWN FACEBOOK PAGE, 2004-2006 FORD ESCAPE. VERY POOR ENGINEERING DESIGN MOUNTING SHOCK TO SHEETMETAL.

Electronic Stability Control (esc)
Filed Jan 6, 2016127,144 milesKY

WAS DRIVING MY CAR TO WORK - AT FIRST IF DIDN'T WANT TO START BUT CRANKED FINE. LET IT SIT IDLE AND HEADED TO WORK - 1/2 TO WORK STOPPED AT A LIGHT WHERE IT STARTED TO SHUDDER LIKE IT WAS GOING TO STALL (NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES BEFORE AND STILL NO WARNING LIGHTS). GOT THRU THE INTERSECTION AND LOSS ALL POWER ON THE BUSIEST STREET IN BOWLING GREEN. I DIDN'T EVEN HAVE ENOUGH POWER FOR MY EMERGENCY BLINKERS. STUCK WHERE I WAS WAS A HAZARD OF ME BEING HIT - HAD IT TOWED TO MECHANIC THINKING IT WAS THE ALTERNATOR. ALTERNATOR AND STARTER BOTH GOOD - ONCE PUT ON THE DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE - THE CAR STARTED SMOKING AND SPARKING. END RESULT - I HAVE AT LEAST 3 COILS, POTENTIAL FRIED WIRE HARNESS AND PCM FAILURE (A LOGGED COMPLAINT BUT NEVER A RECALL). THE POTENTIAL FIX WITH NO GUARANTEE THAT THIS WOULDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN IS 5-8K. MY FAMILY COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY HURT IF SOMEONE WOULD HAVE PLOWED INTO US. THIS IS NOT A SAFE VEHICLE AT ALL!

Structure › Body
Filed Jan 5, 2016169,000 milesIL

THE PASSENGER REAR WHEEL WELL AND SHOCK TOWER IS COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY AND THE BODY IS COMING AWAY FROM THE FRAME AND THE SHOCK TOWER IS LOOSE FROM THE FRAME. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE ESCAPE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY FORD BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED OR INJURIED.

Structure › Body
Filed Jan 5, 2016117,000 milesMI

MY SON WAS COMPLAINING THAT THE BACK END OF THE CAR BEGAN RATTLING AND "JUMPING" WHILE DRIVING IN THE CITY IN NOV OF 2015. WE HAD IT CHECKED OUT IN DEC AND WAS TOLD AND SHOWN HOW UNSAFE THE CAR WAS TO DRIVE,DUE TO THE ENTIRE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL AND STRUT WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY. THE ONLY THING THAT WAS HOLDING THE WHEEL TO THE CAR WAS THE PLASTIC MOLDING OF THE TRUNK AREA WHICH WAS ALSO MELTING AWAY FROM THE HEAT.I COULD NOT BELIEVE A CAR COULD DISINTEGRATE AND DETERIORATE SO BADLY. IN GOOD CONSCIOUS THE AUTO REPAIR OWNER WOULD NOT ALLOW US TO DRIVE THE CAR ANYMORE. NOR WOULD I WANT TO. PLUS, THE COST TO FIX IT WAS NOT WORTH THE PRICE OF THE CAR,AND HE COULDNT FIX IT. HE TOLD ME TO LIST IT ON CRAIGS LIST TO SELL THE CAR IN PARTS. THE REST OF THE CAR IS IN GREAT CONDITION , AFTER I SPENT $6000, TO BUY THE CAR IN AUG OF 2014, THEN ANOTHER $2000 FOR 4 NEW TIRES, BRAKE LINES, AND OIL LEAKS!! WHO KNOWS WHAT ELSE WOULD HAVE COME UP. I JUST GLAD MY SON DID NOT GET HURT DRIVING HOME FROM COLLEGE 21/2 HRS ON THE HIGHWAY. I WISH I KNEW ABOUT THIS EXACT COMMON PROBLEM OF 1000 OTHER PEOPLES COMPLAINTS. FORD NEEDS TO BE ACCOUNTABLE OF THE PARTICULAR PROBLEM OF FAULTY MATERIAL. I DO NOT KNOW HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE GOTTEN HURT, AND HOW MANY MORE NEED TO GET HURT BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE,

Seats
Filed Jan 1, 201665,000 milesOR

THE LAST FEW TIMES I TURNED ON THE HEATED SEAT WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC IT FELT LIKE IT WAS GETTING EXTREMELY HOT TO THE POINT WHERE I HAD TO LIFT MY UPPER LEG UP OFF THE SEAT. I'M SURE THAT IF I HADN'T SHUT IT OFF IT WOULD HAVE BURNT ME. THERE IS NO WARNING SYSTEM TO INDICATE THE HEATED SEAT IS MALFUNCTIONING OR GETTING TOO HOT. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED.

Structure › Body
Filed Dec 17, 2015141,000 milesMI

I'VE BEEN TOLD THE REAR SHOCK MOUNT HAS RUSTED OUT ON THIS UNIBODY CONSTRUCTED VECHICLE. WHEN I DRIVE THE CAR, AND IF I HIT ANY SORT OF A BUMP IN THE ROAD, HUGE SOUND FROM THE BACK AS IF THE REAR END OF THE CAR IS GOING TO FALL OFF. I UNDERSTAND MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEM. COST TO FIX, IF POSSIBLE IS ABOUT $4000. CAR IS WORTH ABOUT THE SAME AMOUNT. I WAS TOLD BY AUTO BODY GUY THAT A RECALL ON THIS MAY EXIST OR THAT FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND MAY BE OFFERING UP A FIX.

Structure › Body
Filed Dec 14, 2015148,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE FENDER WELL WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. AS RESULT, THE SHOCK ABSORBER WAS DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER HOWEVER, IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 148,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. UPDATED 03/10/16*LJ VIN INVALID UPDATED 05/10/18*JB *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Dec 8, 2015FL

HEARD A NOISE NEAR REAR WHEEL HOUSE. UPON INSPECTION IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE WHEEL HOUSE ON THE PASSENGER REAR WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED TO THE POINT THAT THE SHOCK WAS JUST BARELY HANGING ON. THE REPAIR WOULD COST MORE THAN THE VEHICLE IS WORTH. LOTS OF COMPLAINTS ON SAME ISSUE THAT FORD REFUSES TO ADDRESS OR CORRECT. SHOULD BE COMPENSATION AND/OR A RECALL. ALSO LOOKS LIKE THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING TO THE OTHER SIDE. NICE JOB FORD!

Suspension
Filed Dec 8, 201599,000 milesWI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL HAD SEPARATED FROM THE BODY OF VEHICLE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.

Hybrid Propulsion System
Filed Dec 4, 2015NJ

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V526000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

Suspension
Filed Dec 2, 2015170,000 milesIN

THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. THE STRUT IS NO LONGER CONNECTED TO THE BODY OF THE CAR.

Engine
Filed Dec 1, 201567,200 milesWA

DROVE FROM WASHINGTON STATE TO UTAH ON FAMILY VACATION 14NOV15. FILLED UP WITH GAS IN BOISE, I.D. AND 1 MILE INTO THAT DRIVE FELT A SURGE AND THEN SLIGHT LOSS OF POWER DRIVING AT 70MPH. THEN IT WAS FINE. WHEN WE GOT INTO SPANISH FORK, UT. WE HAD A LOSS OF POWER WHEN WE CAME OFF THE HIGH WAY AND CONTACTED OUR FRIEND WHO'S DAD OWNS HIS OWN MECHANIC SHOP K&K AUTO IN SPANISH FORK, UT. HE GOT THE CODES CLEARED AND SAID THE CODES WERE NOT MAKING ANY SENSE AS TO THE POSSIBLE LOSS IN POWER. THE VEHICLE RAN REAL GOOD AFTER GETTING CODES CLEARED. THE NEXT MORNING WE HEADED OUT ON I15 ON OUR TRIP TO OUR VACATION DESTINATION AND IT DID IT AGAIN AS WE GOT ON THE HIGH WAY, I USE AN INJECTOR CLEANER IN CASE THAT WAS THE PROBLEM AS MY FRIENDS DAD HAD SUGGESTED. WE GOT TO FILLMORE, UT. AND WE LOSS TOTAL POWER AND STEERING CONTROL. WE COASTED OFF ONTO AN EXIT RAMP THERE WE WERE ABOUT TO PASS WHEN IT HAPPENED. HAD OUR VEHICLE TOWED TO THE ONLY MECHANIC OPENED AT THE TIME ON A SATURDAY AFTERNOON. HE SAID THE SAME THING ABOUT THE CODES. THEN HE SAID WE HAD A BAD CATALACK-CONVERTER. WE HAD IT TOWED BACK TO OUR FRIENDS DADS SHOP AN HOUR AND A HALF NORTH. THE NEXT DAY HE SAID HE THINKS IT MAY BE THE COILS BUT THE CODES SAY ALL OF THEM. SO WE HAD HIM TAKE IT TO FORD IN PROVO, UT WHILE WE RENTED A CAR AND HAD SOME OF OUR VACATION, MOST OF IT WE MISSED SPENDING DAYS WAITING ON A WORD FROM FORD SERVICE AFTER WE GOT IN FROM OUR COUPLE OF DAYS WE DID GET IN OF OUR VACATION. WE THOUGHT THEY WERE GOING TO D

Unknown or Other
Filed Nov 29, 2015170,000 milesNJ

ON NOV,28,2015 9:15AM ME AND MY TWO YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WERE HEADING TO NEW YORK CITY ON I95 NORTH BOUND WHEN MY CAR STARTING MAKING WEIRD SOUNDS THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SLOW DOWN AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY I WASN'T ABLE TO MOVE THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE GEARS WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY TO SEE WHAT WAS THE PROBLEM I TRYED TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK BUT IT DIDN'T LET ME THE VEHICLE STARTED GOING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION IT WANT BACKWARD I PUT MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE BUT IT CONTINUE TO MOVE IN ROLL BACKWARDS I HAD TO PULL THE SAFETY BRAKE THREE TIMES FOR THE VEHICLE TO STOP MOVING.

Structure › Body
Filed Nov 27, 2015MN

WAS DRIVING ALONG CITY STREET WHEN I WENT OVER A SMALL BUMP, HEARD A LOUD THUD! THE WHEEL WELL ON BACK PASSENGER SIDE WAS RUSTED AWAY WHERE THE STRUT CONNECTS. OR WHERE IT WAS ONCE CONNECTED... 155,673 MILES, THIS IS MY ONLY VEHICLE AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE MY FAMILY IN.

Suspension
Filed Nov 25, 2015100,000 milesMI

SON CAME HOME ONE DAY SAID THERE IS A LOT OF NOISE IN THE BACK OF THE ESCAPE. ONCE LOOKING INSIDE THE BACK OF THE TRUCK, I NOTICED I COULD SEE THE DRIVEWAY AND TIRE. ONCE I WENT TO LOOK IN THE WHEEL WELL, I COULD SEE A VERY LARGE HOLE IN THE WHEEL. TOTAL RUST OUT OF PASSENGER SIDE INNER WHEEL WELL AND SHOCK TOWER. THE HOLE HAS TO TO BE AT LEAST 16" WIDE AND 13" HEIGHT. THE REAR SHOCK IS COMPLETELY DISCONNECTED FROM THE BODY SHEET METAL. IT IS ONLY BEING HELD IN PLACE BY THE LOWER SHOCK ABSORBER BOLT AND NUT. VEHICLE ONLY HAS ABOUT 100,000 MILES. TOTALLY AFRAID TO LET MY SON DRIVE THIS TO COLLEGE. SITTING IN DRIVEWAY UNTIL I CAN FIND SOMEONE TO FIX IT. CALLED TWO FORD DEALERSHIPS AND SAID THERE IS NOT RECALL AND IT IS UP TO ME TO FIND SOMEONE TO FIX IT. THEY TOLD ME OVER THE PHONE IT WOULD BE $5,000 TO REPAIR THIS. THIS WILL BE THE LAST FORD WE EVER BUY IF WE HAVE TO SCRAPE THIS BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *JB

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Nov 21, 2015OH

I RECEIVED MY ESCAPE AS A BIRTHDAY GIFT TWO YEARS AGO. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS SINCE MY GAS PEDAL STOPS WORKING AND I HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO PRESS IT DOWN, IT WON'T GO. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE ON CITY STREETS AND ON INTERSTATES. ON A COUPLE OF OCCASIONS I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO PULL OVER OR OFF THE ROAD, PUT IT IN PARK, TURN OFF THE ENGINE, RESTART MY CAR AND GET IT GOING AGAIN. I HAVE TRIED POUNDING ON THE GAS AND THAT DOES NOTHING, IT WON'T BUDGE. I HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THIS WILL HAPPEN, SO I CANNOT JUST EXPECT IT TO, IT HAPPENS, DAY OR NIGHT, HOT OR COLD TEMPERATURE, DRIVING DOWN A STRAIGHT HIGHWAY OR TURNING ON A CITY STREET. I AM AFRAID IT WILL HAPPEN WHILE I AM DRIVING IN THE SNOW OR WHILE ONE OF MY KIDS ARE DRIVING IT. I HAVE TRIED EXPLAINING TO THEM WHAT TO DO, BUT OF ALL THE THINGS THEY NEED TO WORRY ABOUT WHILE DRIVING, THE GAS PEDAL STICKING SHOULD NOT BE ONE OF THEM.

Structure › Body
Filed Nov 19, 2015136,547 milesFL

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A NOISE IN THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS ONLY. WE COULD NOT LOCATE THE NOISE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. (IT SOUNDS LIKE THE GLASS OR THE TIRE JACK, WERE NOT SECURE.) THE AUTO SHOP EXPLAINED, THAT THE VEHICLE IS NOT ATTACHED TO THE SHOCK, AND IT ALONG WITH EXHAUST IS COMING IN THROUGH THE TRUCK AREA. EXPLAINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS A 'DEATH TRAP' IF HIT FROM BEHIND, THE VEHICLE THAT HIT THIS ONE WOULD GO RIGHT THOUGH THIS VEHICLE. ACCORDED TO THE AUTO SHOP, THE ISSUE IS NOT FIXABLE.

Structure › Body
Filed Nov 15, 2015274,000 milesPA

TOTAL RUST IN REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL.

Structure › Body
Filed Nov 10, 2015150,000 milesKS

2005 FORD ESCAPE REAR LEFT INNER WHEEL WELL RUSTED THROUGH AND SHOCK SUPPORT BROKEN LOOSE IT HAS 150,000 MILES ON IT.

Structure › Body
Filed Nov 2, 2015111,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME HAD SEVERE CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000. UPDATED 1/12/16 *CN

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 30, 2015100,200 milesME

I JUST BOUGHT A 2005 FORD ESCAPE AFTER GETTING FED UP WITH SUBARU'S NOTORIOUS HEADGASKET ISSUES ONLY TO FIND OUT NOW MY TEN YEAR OLD FORD WITH ONLY 100K MILES ON IT HAS COMPLETELY ROTTEN REAR WHEEL WELLS THAT FORD KNOWS ABOUT AND DOESN'T CARE ABOUT THEIR CUSTOMERS THAT THEY LET DOWN WITH SHODDY MATERIALS. SHAME ON THEM! NOW I HAVE TO EITHER HAVE THE DEALER FIX IT KNOWING IT WILL FAIL OR RETURN IT AND HAVE NO VEHICLE AND LOOSE MY JOB THANKS FORD.

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 26, 2015200,000 milesMI

MY PASSENGER REAR END IS ALL RUSTED OUT AND THE SHOCK HAS COME THRU MY VEHICLE. IT SOUNDS HORRIBLE, AND WAS TOLD IT WAS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE, AS THE SHOCK ISN'T CONNECTED TO THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE NOW. IT WILL COST MORE THEN IT'S WORTH, AND THIS IS THE ONLY VEHICLE THAT I HAVE TO DRIVE ME AND MY FAMILY AROUND IN.

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 26, 2015135,000 milesMI

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN DRIVING ON AN UNEVEN ROAD. THE CONTACT INSPECTED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED SEVERE RUST ON THE WHEEL WELL ENTERING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSE OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 24, 2015182,000 milesWI

AFTER HITTING POTHOLE A LOUD BANGING SOUND WAS HEARD COMING FROM REAR STORAGE AREA ON PASSENGER SIDE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SERVICE SHOP AND WAS SHOWN THAT REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT LEADING TO SHOCK TOWER BREAKING LOOSE FROM BODY AND PROTRUDING INTO THE REAR CABIN AREA. SERVICE MANAGER SAID THIS WAS LIKELY DUE TO CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF BODY INTEGRITY IN THAT AREA AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. HE ALSO STATED THAT HE HAD SEEN THIS ON OTHER 2005 FORD VEHICLES (WINDSTAR VAN). GIVEN THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE BODY THE SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT THE AFFECTED PORTION WOULD NEED TO BE CUT OUT AND CUSTOM FABRICATED TO REPLACE THE CUT OUT AREA, LIKELY COSTING NEARLY AS MUCH AS THE VEHICLE IS WORTH.

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 23, 2015100,000 milesOH

YOU KNOW WHAT'S WRONG WITHOUT ME TELLING YOU. TELL ME NOBODY HAS GONE ONLINE AND SEEN COMPLAINT AFTER COMPLAINT AND PHOTO AFTER PHOTO OF RUSTED FENDER WELLS? WHAT EXACTLY ARE YOU GUYS GETTING PAYED FOR BY LETTING FORD GET AWAY WITH THIS. THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 100,000 MILES ON IT AND IT'S TO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE!

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 22, 201570,000 milesPA

LOUD NOISE FROM RIGHT REAR WHEN DRIVING. UPON INSPECTION, SHOCK MOUNT IN WHEEL WELL IS BADLY RUSTED. THE TOP OF THE SHOCK IS COMPLETELY LOOSE. UNSAFE TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE.

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 21, 2015139,000 milesNE

WHEN I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH, I BEGAN TO HEAR A CLUNKING SOUND FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. IT HAPPENED EVERY TIME I HIT EVEN A SMALL BUMP OR CRACK. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE BODY SHOP, THEY DISCOVERED THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL IS CORRODED; RUST/ROT HAS CAUSED THE SHOCK MOUNT TO BECOME NEARLY COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE FRAME. IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, AND BODY SHOPS WON'T EVEN PROVIDE AN ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS AS THE DETERIORATION IS TOO EXTENSIVE, AND THEY CAN'T FIX IT. A QUICK ONLINE SEARCH SHOWS THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH 2005 ESCAPES, AND MUST BE ADDRESSED FOR SAFETY. THE BODY SHOP OWNER TOLD ME NOT TO TAKE THE CAR ON THE INTERSTATE BECAUSE IF I WERE TO HIT A BUMP AT 65 MPH, I WOULD BE "ASKING A LOT OF THIS CAR TO HOLD TOGETHER." THE CLUNKING SOUND IS NOW CONSISTENT NO MATTER WHAT SPEED OR SURFACE I AM DRIVING ON.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Oct 20, 20151,650,000 milesMI

WHEN DRIVING CAR SHUTS OFF. CAR STARTS IN PARK WHEN PUT IN GEAR SHUTS OFF. DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WHEN SLOWED DOWN IN TRAFFIC CAR SHUT OFF, AND WOULD WOULD START IN PARK BUT SHUT OFF WHEN PUT IN GEAR

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 19, 2015125,000 milesWV

UPON ARRIVING HOME FROM TRIP, HUBBY SAID HE HAD HEARD LOUD NOISE WHILE DRIVING AND VEHICLE'S REAR END FELT FUNNY. INSPECTION TURNS UP A COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT PASSENGER SIDE REAR FENDER WELL.

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 19, 2015126,000 milesWV

UPON THE OPENING OF REAR GLASS HATCH, RH HINGE SNAPPED OFF AND GLASS SLIPPED OUT OF PLACE. LUCKILY, OTHER SIDE REMAINED INTACT. SUPPORT HAD COMPLETELY CORRODED FROM RUST.

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 15, 2015127,654 milesSC

WHEEL WELL ROTTED OUT CAUSING SHOCK TO BREAK LOOSE AND CREATE UNSAFE VEHICLE. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET WHEN IT FINALLY LET GO AND SAW DEBRIS FALL ALL OVER ROAD AND HEARD A LOUD BANG FROM PASSENGER SIDE REAR OF CAR.

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 13, 2015100,475 milesOH

MY WIFE CAME HOME AND MENTIONED IT WAS MAKING NOISE IN THE BACK. UPON INSPECTION I NOTICED THAT BOTH FENDER WELLS HAVE RUSTED AWAY AND PULLED AWAY FROM BODY. THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 100,000 MILES AND IS WELL TAKEN CARE OF. GOING ONLINE I READ WHERE MANY OWNERS OF VEHICLES BUILT BEFORE AND AFTER 2005 ARE SUFFERING FROM THE SAME PROBLEM. I'M FROM OHIO AND I'M FAMILIAR WITH SURFACE RUST BUT THIS IS BOTH EXTREME AND DANGEROUS. HOW MANY YEARS AND COMPLAINTS HAVE TO PASS BEFORE YOU DO SOMETHING. FORD NEEDS TO BE MADE TO OWN UP TO THIS AND FIX THIS. I HAVE A VEHICLE I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX OR DRIVE BECAUSE THE BACK SHOCK MOUNTS HAVE ROTTED AWAY.

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 12, 2015145,648 milesMI

OUR 2005 FORD ESCAPE HAS RUSTED THROUGH BEHIND THE RIGHT REAR TIRE. WE HEARD LIKE A LOUD BANG WHEN DRIVING IT AND FOUND THE WHEEL WELL IS RUSTED AND BROKEN AS IS THE SHOCK TOWER AND THE RIGHT REAR TAIL LIGHT HAS ITS WIRES CUT DUE TO THE BROKEN FRAME. WE OWE MONEY ON THIS VEHICLE AND WE CANNOT DRIVE IT RIGHT NOW. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE AND WE HAVE CONTACTED FORD WITH ALL THE PERTINENT INFORMATION.

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 11, 2015125,000 milesMI

2005 FORD ESCAPE, HAVE HAD A LOT OF CLUNKING IN BACK OF CAR, AND THE REAR RIGHT WHEEL WELL IS FALLING/RUSTING APART (OTHER WHEEL WELLS ARE NOT, JUST REAR PASSENGER SIDE) RIGHT WHERE SHOCK ABSORBER IS MOUNTED. LARGE RUSTED OUT HOLE IN WHEEL WELL, AND IF I PRESS AROUND THE WHEEL WELL, THE BLACK COATING CRUMBLES REVEALING CRUMBLING RUST BEHIND IT. MANY OTHER 2005 ESCAPE OWNERS WITH SAME ISSUE. I HAVE NO MONEY TO FIX THIS; THIS IS A DANGEROUS FLAW SHOULD IT BREAK THROUGH WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS. SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED BY FORD. IT CAN'T BE SAID THIS IS JUST "NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR" WHEN ONLY THE ONE WHEEL WELL IS CONSISTENTLY THE ONE THAT IS RUSTING WHILE THE OTHER WHEEL WELLS DO NOT. I HAVE 125K ON MY ESCAPE, BUT WHO KNOWS HOW LONG THE HOLE HAS BEEN THERE.

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 7, 201590,000 milesPA

PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL IS COMPLETETLY ROTTED/RUSTED AND INVOLVES SHOCK MOUNT. IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. I HEARD RATTLING WHEN I WENT OVER A BUMP AND WHEN I LOOKED AT THE REAR CARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE I SAW THAT THE WHEEL WELL WAS TOTALLY DESTROYED BY RUST.

Electrical System
Filed Oct 5, 2015167,000 milesPA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON ONE OCCASION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167,000.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe
Filed Oct 5, 201555,000 milesMA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS EXTENSIVE RUST AND CORROSION ON THE REAR WHEEL WELLS AND THE FRAME, WHICH CAUSED THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD TO RUST PREMATURELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR WHEEL WELLS, THE FRAME AND THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

Engine
Filed Oct 2, 2015130,000 milesMD

ON TWO OCCASIONS, WHILE DRIVING THE CAR HAS STALLED. DURING STOPS AT RED LIGHTS-IF I DO NOT HOLD BRAKE AND HIT GAS SIMULTANEOUSLY THE CAR STALLS. IT HAS CUT OFF TWICE WHEN I FAILED TO DO THIS. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING IT LOSES GAS WHILE PRESSING GAS FOR SEVERAL SECONDS THEN SPEEDS UP HASTILY WHERE I WOULD RUN INTO ANOTHER CAR IF I DON'T QUICKLY SLAM BRAKES. HAPPENED END OF JULY AND IN AUGUST 2015. ALSO, HAD OIL CHANGE AT FORD DEALER AND THEY REPORTED NOTHING WRONG.

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 1, 2015179,000 milesOH

MY 2005 ESCAPE WAS PARKED ON 9/28/2015 WHEN I NOTICED A LARGE PIECE OF METAL RESTING ON TOP OF THE TIRE. LOOKING CLOSER, I NOTICED THE UNDERSIDE OF THE RIGHT REAR FENDER WELL HAS RUSTED OUT, YOU CAN SEE INTO THE INTERIOR STORAGE COMPARTMENT. THE RUST CRACK CONTINUES UP AND AROUND THE UPPER SHOCK MOUNT ALLOWING IT TO MOVE/FLEX. THE PIECE OF METAL THAT FELL OFF WAS UNDERCOATED ALONG WITH THE REST OF THE WHEEL WELL, HIDING THE RUST THAT FORMED UNDERNEATH. I WAS NOT AWARE THE CONDITION WAS SO BAD, BUT NOW I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN THIS CONDITION.

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 1, 2015123,000 milesMN

HEARD A LOUD THUMP FROM REAR RIGHT SIDE OF THE ESCORT WHILE DRIVING 35 MILES AN HOUR ON A CITY STREET. TOOK IT TO THE SHOP, THEY SAID THE RIGHT REAR STRUT WAS RUSTED THROUGH, IT IS UN FIXABLE AND TO LOOK FOR A NEW CAR. THEY ALSO SAID IT IS A COMMON THING TO HAPPEN TO THE 2005 FORD ESCAPE. NO RECALL, FORD DOES NOT CARE.

Structure › Body
Filed Sep 30, 2015105,000 milesWI

PASSENGER REAR WHEEL WELL RUSTING THRU. WAS REPLACING A TIRE AND THE AUTO SHOP WOULD NOT REPLACE THE TIRE WITHOUT FIXING THE RUSTED THRU WHEEL WELL AS THEY WERE CONCERNED IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE AND THAT THE WHEEL WELL COULD FALL APART AND THE SHOCK/STRUT COULD DETACH.

Structure › Body
Filed Sep 25, 201596,393 milesNY

REAR RIGHT SHOCK MOUNT RUSTING THROUGH . K-FRAME ROTTED THROUGH RIGHT FRONT SIDE

Electrical System
Filed Sep 25, 2015CA

EVERY MORNING THE CAR ALARM SUDDENLY GOES OFF UNTIL I PRESS KEY FOB. IT HAPPENS ROUTINELY FROM 5 TO 8 AM AND 8 TO 9 PM. ACCORDING TO THE INTERNET, THERE ARE MANY FORD ESCAPE OWNERS WHO HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. YOU CAN SEARCH IT BY "FORD ESCAPE ALARM GOES OFF". THIS IS REALLY ANNOYING NOT ONLY FOR OWNERS BUT ALSO FOR THEIR NEIGHBORS. ALTHOUGH THIS IS NOT CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE, THIS IS ABSOLUTELY MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT.

Suspension
Filed Sep 23, 2015123,000 milesWI

RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL RUSTED OUT SO BAD THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO THE REAR TIRE IS CLOSE TO SEPARATING FROM THE VEHICLE SUBFRAME. CAR UNSAFE TO DRIVE

Engine
Filed Sep 23, 2015168,000 milesNY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. HILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,000.

Engine
Filed Sep 21, 201592,000 milesNY

THIS VEHICLE WAS MAINTAINED REGULARLY... THERE WERE NO LEAKS/ NO BURNING....NO WARNING...THE OIL MAGICALLY DISAPPEARED...LUCKY WE WERE ONLY TRAVELING LOCAL AND AND A LOW SPEED. SIMPLY PUT ...THE ENGINE BLEW/CEASED WITH RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND MANY OWNERS HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. I WAS AM SHOCKED AT THE SUDDEN ENGINE FAILURE AND THAT OTHERS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE, MEANS WE DIDN'T DO ANYTHING TO CAUSE THIS PROBLEM.

Suspension
Filed Sep 18, 201576,564 milesNY

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, HEARD A LOAD BANG IN THE BACK OF THE CAR ON THE RIGHT SIDE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE I NOTICED THAT THE INNER WHEEL WELL WAS RUSTED OUT AND THE SHOCK WAS NO LONGER CONNECTED TO THE VEHICLE. LOOKS LIKE THE FRAME MAY BE CRACKED UNDER THE ATTACH POINT OF THE UPPER STRUT MOUNT.

Structure › Body
Filed Sep 14, 2015128,090 milesPA

WHEN TRAVELING AT 40MPH, A THUMPING NOISE COULD BE HEARD IN THE REAR OF 2005 FORD ESCAPE. UPON VISUAL INSPECTION, THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED, EXPOSING THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. THE MOUNT OF THE SHOCK SUSPENSION IS CORRODED SO BADLY THAT THE SHOCK IS NOWHERE ATTACHED TO THE BODY AND IS WHAT CAUSES THE THUMPING SOUND AS IT PUSHES UP INTO THE CAR INTERIOR. NO OTHER WHEEL WELLS ON THE CAR HAVE ANYWHERE NEAR THAT LEVEL OF CORROSION.

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 →