2005 Ford Escape Problems and Recalls (1,576 Complaints)
The most-reported problem on the 2005 Ford Escape is Suspension (21% of 1,576 owner reports). There are 5 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Suspension — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-10-15 1,576 complaints · 5 recalls
What problems show up on the 2005 Ford Escape?
334 of 1,576 filings named Suspension (21% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.
Second is Body / frame (267 reports).
There are 5 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Suspension and Transmission / driveline. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.
The 2004 has 496 reports on file; this year has 1,576. Older years collect more reports just by being on the road longer. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.
What owners reported
System named most often: Suspension 334 complaints · 21.2% of the file
Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:
- Crashes 43
- Fires 20
- Injuries 28
- Deaths 2
NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-10-14 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
Which systems owners named
Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.
“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.
View component data as a table
| System / Component | Complaints | Share of Reports | Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension (SUSPENSION) | 334 | 21.2% | 4 crashes · 0 fires |
| Body / frame (STRUCTURE) | 267 | 16.9% | 3 crashes · 1 fires |
| Engine (ENGINE) | 177 | 11.2% | 2 crashes · 10 fires |
| Cruise / speed control (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) | 130 | 8.3% | 5 crashes · 0 fires |
| Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES) | 113 | 7.2% | 5 crashes · 0 fires |
| Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN) | 99 | 6.3% | 1 crashes · 0 fires |
| Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) | 95 | 6.0% | 0 crashes · 5 fires |
| Wheels (WHEELS) | 86 | 5.5% | 2 crashes · 0 fires |
| Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM) | 46 | 2.9% | 0 crashes · 1 fires |
| Unclassified NHTSA leftover | 559 | 35.5% | 18 crashes · 5 fires |
NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-10-15 Open source record
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
When reports and recalls showed up
When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.
- Campaign 04V602000 was reported 238 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 06V111000 was reported 711 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 15E045000 was reported 3,714 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
- Campaign 15V606000 was reported 4,096 days after the first earlier complaint mapped to its component.
View timeline records as a table
| Date | Record type | Count | Record identifier |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004-Q2 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2004-Q3 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2004-Q4 | Owner reports | 8 | |
| 2005-Q1 | Owner reports | 18 | |
| 2005-Q2 | Owner reports | 16 | |
| 2005-Q3 | Owner reports | 9 | |
| 2005-Q4 | Owner reports | 10 | |
| 2006-Q1 | Owner reports | 7 | |
| 2006-Q2 | Owner reports | 7 | |
| 2006-Q3 | Owner reports | 10 | |
| 2006-Q4 | Owner reports | 9 | |
| 2007-Q1 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2007-Q2 | Owner reports | 6 | |
| 2007-Q3 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2007-Q4 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2008-Q1 | Owner reports | 13 | |
| 2008-Q2 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2008-Q3 | Owner reports | 8 | |
| 2008-Q4 | Owner reports | 9 | |
| 2009-Q1 | Owner reports | 10 | |
| 2009-Q2 | Owner reports | 13 | |
| 2009-Q3 | Owner reports | 12 | |
| 2009-Q4 | Owner reports | 16 | |
| 2010-Q1 | Owner reports | 19 | |
| 2010-Q2 | Owner reports | 14 | |
| 2010-Q3 | Owner reports | 12 | |
| 2010-Q4 | Owner reports | 26 | |
| 2011-Q1 | Owner reports | 26 | |
| 2011-Q2 | Owner reports | 27 | |
| 2011-Q3 | Owner reports | 16 | |
| 2011-Q4 | Owner reports | 25 | |
| 2012-Q1 | Owner reports | 33 | |
| 2012-Q2 | Owner reports | 19 | |
| 2012-Q3 | Owner reports | 33 | |
| 2012-Q4 | Owner reports | 45 | |
| 2013-Q1 | Owner reports | 46 | |
| 2013-Q2 | Owner reports | 29 | |
| 2013-Q3 | Owner reports | 47 | |
| 2013-Q4 | Owner reports | 39 | |
| 2014-Q1 | Owner reports | 74 | |
| 2014-Q2 | Owner reports | 120 | |
| 2014-Q3 | Owner reports | 81 | |
| 2014-Q4 | Owner reports | 67 | |
| 2015-Q1 | Owner reports | 62 | |
| 2015-Q2 | Owner reports | 67 | |
| 2015-Q3 | Owner reports | 58 | |
| 2015-Q4 | Owner reports | 35 | |
| 2016-Q1 | Owner reports | 29 | |
| 2016-Q2 | Owner reports | 28 | |
| 2016-Q3 | Owner reports | 37 | |
| 2016-Q4 | Owner reports | 22 | |
| 2017-Q1 | Owner reports | 18 | |
| 2017-Q2 | Owner reports | 19 | |
| 2017-Q3 | Owner reports | 20 | |
| 2017-Q4 | Owner reports | 14 | |
| 2018-Q1 | Owner reports | 23 | |
| 2018-Q2 | Owner reports | 12 | |
| 2018-Q3 | Owner reports | 22 | |
| 2018-Q4 | Owner reports | 19 | |
| 2019-Q1 | Owner reports | 12 | |
| 2019-Q2 | Owner reports | 8 | |
| 2019-Q3 | Owner reports | 19 | |
| 2019-Q4 | Owner reports | 6 | |
| 2020-Q1 | Owner reports | 4 | |
| 2020-Q2 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2020-Q3 | Owner reports | 6 | |
| 2020-Q4 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2021-Q1 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2021-Q2 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2021-Q3 | Owner reports | 5 | |
| 2021-Q4 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| 2022-Q1 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2022-Q2 | Owner reports | 4 | |
| 2022-Q3 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2022-Q4 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2023-Q1 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2023-Q2 | Owner reports | 4 | |
| 2023-Q3 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2024-Q1 | Owner reports | 2 | |
| 2024-Q2 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2025-Q2 | Owner reports | 1 | |
| 2025-Q4 | Owner reports | 3 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 04V602000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 06V111000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 14V526000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 15E045000 | |
| Recall campaign | 1 | 15V606000 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | AQ10001 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | DP12006 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | DP12006 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | DP12006 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | DP22005 | |
| Defect investigation | 1 | DP22005 |
Safety Recalls (5)
Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.
In short, these campaigns were filed about Suspension and Transmission / driveline.
-
Recall campaign 04V602000
Safety recall 04V602000
- Report date
- Component:
- Unclassified NHTSA leftover
- Consequence:
- IF THE LIFTGATE IS LEFT UNLOCKED, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL THAT IT MAY OPEN DURING A CRASH.
- Remedy:
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH RELEASE ROD, THE RELEASE ROD ATTACHMENT CLIP AND THE DOOR HANDLE RETURN SPRING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
-
Recall campaign 06V111000
Safety recall 06V111000
- Report date
- Component:
- Unclassified NHTSA leftover
- Consequence:
- IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, PERSONAL INJURY TO OCCUPANTS MAY OCCUR.
- Remedy:
- DEALERS WILL MAKE MODIFICATIONS TO THE ENERGY ABSORBING MATERIAL LOCATED ABOVE THE HEADLINER IN THE AFFECTED AREA FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 19, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
-
Recall campaign 14V526000
Safety recall 14V526000
- Report date
- Component:
- Not available in the source record
- Consequence:
- If the hybrid electronics system overheats, it may shut down the powertrain, resulting in a stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy:
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the original Motor Electronics Coolant (MEC) Pump with an improved brushless pump, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on October 27, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S19.
-
Recall campaign 15E045000
Suspension
- Report date
- Component:
- Suspension (SUSPENSION)
- Consequence:
- Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy:
- Timken has begun notifying distributors who will offer purchasers replacement wheel bearings, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2015. Owners may contact Timken customer service at 1-866-984-6536.
-
Recall campaign 15V606000
Transmission / driveline
- Report date
- Component:
- Transmission / driveline (POWER TRAIN)
- Consequence:
- If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
- Remedy:
- Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
What owners actually wrote
Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-10-14
Showing 8 of 1,576 complaints · page 1 of 64
CrashFireInjuryDeath
I bought a 2005 Ford escape the VIN number on the dash and the title do match however the ECU and the door jamb VIN [XXX] which is for a 2006 Ford escape 4 cylinder 2.3. the vehicle I bought should be a 6 cylinder with a 3.0 l the mechanic says mismatched VIN the dealership refuses to listen. About the vehicle on [XXX] drove it 30 miles then was able to call the mechanic for some maintenance as his car was for my daughter and that is when I got to bad news of a mismatched VIN. Not even your odometer reading is correct has less on it now than it did back in 2018 and it's documented as accurate. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2005 Ford Escape on November 25, 2025. The contact discovered a mileage and VIN discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 199,500. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a routine inspection, and the dealer informed the contact that during the diagnostic test there was another VIN was associated with the vehicle, and the mileage listed on the diagnostic test was 199,345. The other VIN linked in the diagnostic test for the vehicle was associated with a 2006 Ford Escape, and the mileage was 199,345. It was later discovered that the dealer who had sold the vehicle to the contact had purchased the vehicle in 2018, and the mileage was 199,876. The contact stated that the mileage on the reverse side of the Title was 199,876. The Police were notified; however, no assistance was provided.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
I had just started up my 05 Ford hybrid Escape reversed out of a parking space, applied my brakes and a loud warning noise went off, the ABS light & the Brake light went on, then I tried to brake while backing out of the parking stall. I had no brakes, petal went all the way to the floor. I shifted into drive to pull forward. The car wouldn’t stop petal just went right to the floor, had very little resistance. I almost drove through the front glass doors of the P/T office across from the pharmacy in Cool, CA. The roads are mountainous windy and steep. I was definitely scared for my safety. I had to coast very slowly on the way home. I was on my way to work but instead I dropped it off at home and called ride share to take me to work! I had to use my emergency brake to make the turn up my dirt road. I still had little to no brakes to stop the car. I parked it and haven’t driven it since. Much to dangerous to drive this car. I could have easily been killed not having brakes. It Showed no codes, had no warning at all. I just bought the car about 6 months prior. The next day it was as if it never happened.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Front Subframe rusted out causing loss of steering and control. Car came to a complete skidded stop . The front wheel nearly came off. The subframe issue is the same problem that resulted in a recall of the 2001-2004 Ford Escape.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. Upon starting of the vehicle, the contact placed the vehicle into drive(D); however, the vehicle failed to accelerate upon the depression of the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that prior to the failure, the check engine warning light illuminated and remained illuminated on the instrument panel. The contact stated while driving at highway speeds, the vehicle independently downshifted and the vehicle failed to accelerate above 30 MPH. The vehicle was shaking, and the vehicle failed to accelerate upon the depression of the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where and the contact was informed that the transmission torque converter was defective and needed to be replaced. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The right lower control arm separated from the subframe due to subframe rust. It caused loss of handling and rendered the car immobile. It was caused by a panic stop at a low speed. The car was towed to an independent garage where it is awaiting repair. Parts affected were the subframe, CV axle joint and the front fender (From the wheel hitting it when it broke).
CrashFireInjuryDeath
Hello, The engine cradle subframe on my 2005 Ford Escape has completely rusted through on the right hand side where it attaches to the steering control arm. As I was driving the subframe broke which made it impossible to steer the car. This pulled my car off the road to the passenger side. Fortunately I was not injured. Having now researched this issue, it is a common problem with 2005 Ford Escapes. This is very dangerous, and it should be addressed as it creates a life threatening situation.
CrashFireInjuryDeath
The right back tire shock and spring mount broke right off
Ford Escape Complaints by Model Year
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems on the 2005 Ford Escape?
Owners named Suspension most often — 334 of 1,576 reports (21%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.
Are there recalls for the 2005 Ford Escape?
NHTSA lists 5 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Suspension and Transmission / driveline. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.
What should I inspect before buying a 2005 Ford Escape?
Look up the VIN for open recalls. Listen for clunks over bumps and look at tire wear for alignment issues. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.
Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?
No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.
Estimated Ownership Cost
EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates
Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-10-04
Adjacent Model Years
Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records
Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.
Methodology & Data Integrity
Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-10-14. YearTell is not a government agency.