IllustrationLETTER ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT RE HIS 2005 FORD ESCAPE WHICH HAS 45,200 MILES AND IN NEED OF A TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. *NJ
2005 Ford Escape
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2005 Ford Escape do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 996.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Escape years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
880–25K
7425–50K
11950–75K
23375–100K
488100–150K
209150K+
1,211 reports with mileage · 183 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Suspension. Review the 459 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Structure. Review the 434 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 153 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
40 crash reports20 fire reports20 injury reports
Power Train complaints
117 reportsI WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND IT SHUT OFF FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I BARELY MADE IT TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AS TO NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS OR SIGNS OF TROUBLE WITH MY AUTOMOBILE PRIOR TO THIS DAY. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME THAT THE PCM AND 5 OF 6 IGNITION COILS FAILED. BUT THE SPARK PLUGS …
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I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AND IT SHUT OFF FOR NO APPARENT REASON. I BARELY MADE IT TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AS TO NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS OR SIGNS OF TROUBLE WITH MY AUTOMOBILE PRIOR TO THIS DAY. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY TOLD ME THAT THE PCM AND 5 OF 6 IGNITION COILS FAILED. BUT THE SPARK PLUGS WERE FINE. I REPLACE THE IGNITION COILS AND SPARK PLUGS. THE CAR STILL WILL NOT START THEY ARE ADAMANT THAT I REPLACE THE PCM. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ON THE COMPUTER AND SPOKE TO A FEW DIFFERENT LOCAL MECHANICS. IT SEEMS THAT MY AUTOMOBILE IS NOT THE ONLY THAT HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM. ONE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT FORD ACTUALLY USES A DIFFERENT IGNITION COIL PART NUMBER NOW. I LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT FORD SHOULD STEP UP AND HAVE A RECALL FOR FAULTY PARTS. THEY CONTINUALLY TELL ME THAT IT IS NORMAL FOR THE PCM TO FAIL AT TIMES. HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE. SO THAT THEY CAN CONTINUE TO MAKE MONEY. *TR
MINE DID EXACT THING AS LIST IN ODI ID NUMBER:10227495- BUT DIFFERENT FOR FORD ESCAPE. MINE IS NOT HEV. ON APRIL 26,2008 I WAS ON MY WAY TO A LACROSSE GAME AT W.G. HIGH SCHOOL,CAMILLUS,NY ,I WAS ON INTERSTATE 690 ,WHEN MY CAR DID WHAT THE DESCRIPTION SAID,CAR CAME TO COMPLETE HALT AT TRAFFIC LIGHT,ALL POWER WENT IN VEHICLE,LET …
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MINE DID EXACT THING AS LIST IN ODI ID NUMBER:10227495- BUT DIFFERENT FOR FORD ESCAPE. MINE IS NOT HEV. ON APRIL 26,2008 I WAS ON MY WAY TO A LACROSSE GAME AT W.G. HIGH SCHOOL,CAMILLUS,NY ,I WAS ON INTERSTATE 690 ,WHEN MY CAR DID WHAT THE DESCRIPTION SAID,CAR CAME TO COMPLETE HALT AT TRAFFIC LIGHT,ALL POWER WENT IN VEHICLE,LET CAR SIT FOR A MINUTE TO RESTART,IT DID AND WHEN HOME AFTER GAME. THAT MONDAY VEHICLE DID SAME THING FOR A SECOND TIME,THIS TIME,DIDN'T RESTART,CAR WAS TOWED TO NEARBY FIRESTONE STORE,GOT FIXED AND WAS TOLD ABOUT A RECALL. CALL DEALER-THEY DIDN'T NOTHING AFTER HAVING IT TWO DAY. CAR ACTED UP ON THURS. SAT I MADE APPT TO AAMCO TO SEE IF THEY CAN FIX IT,THEY DID ,FOUND OUT AFTER 1HR AND 30 MINUTES AT WORK THAT IT WAS FAULTY TRANSMISSION,COSTING ME 2600. FORD DIDN'T SEND ME ANY CARD ABOUT VEHICLE BECAUSE DEALER I BOUGHT IT FROM WAS BOUGHT OUT. *TR
I BOUGHT MY FORD ESCAPE 2005, WHEN I BOUGHT IT SOMETHING DIDN'T FEEL RIGHT. I TOOK IT FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE, THE MAINTENANCE PEOPLE NEVER SAID THAT THERE WAS ANYTHING WRONG . LAST WEEK MY TRANSMISSION BLEW UP, ALL OF A SUDDEN. THE VEHICLE HAD 52,000 MILES, AND I HAVE TO PAY SEVERAL THOUSANDS DOLLARS OUT OF MY POCKET BECAUS…
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I BOUGHT MY FORD ESCAPE 2005, WHEN I BOUGHT IT SOMETHING DIDN'T FEEL RIGHT. I TOOK IT FOR REGULAR MAINTENANCE, THE MAINTENANCE PEOPLE NEVER SAID THAT THERE WAS ANYTHING WRONG . LAST WEEK MY TRANSMISSION BLEW UP, ALL OF A SUDDEN. THE VEHICLE HAD 52,000 MILES, AND I HAVE TO PAY SEVERAL THOUSANDS DOLLARS OUT OF MY POCKET BECAUSE ITS ONLY COVERED TO 36,000 TO MILES. TALKING WITH THE MECHANIC HE TOLD ME THAT HE HAS RECEIVED SEVERAL FORD ESCAPES WITH TRANSMISSIONS PROBLEMS, WE BOTH THINK THAT THEY HAVE DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSIONS. *TR
THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN IN TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE SHIFTED REPEATEDLY INTO OTHER GEARS WHILE IN THE DRIVE POSITION. *JB
2005 FORD ESCAPE XLT SPORT HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *KB *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION FAILED, THROWING THE VEHICLE OUT OF GEAR. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OR CHANGE GEARS. IT WAS PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND THEN TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION PUMP SHAFT WAS BROKEN, AND THE GEAR…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION FAILED, THROWING THE VEHICLE OUT OF GEAR. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE OR CHANGE GEARS. IT WAS PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND THEN TAKEN TO A SERVICE DEALER. THE DEALER DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION PUMP SHAFT WAS BROKEN, AND THE GEAR SURFACE WAS COMPLETELY WORN. THE INDIVIDUAL PARTS WERE REPLACED.
NEW 2005 FORD ESCAPE HAS NUMEROUS ISSUES THAT ARE NOT BEING ADDRESSED BY MULTIPLE DEALER SHOPS: - INTERMITTENT STALLING, SIMILAR TO PROBLEM CAUSING RECALL OF 2001 - 2003 ESCAPES. CAR WILL SUDDENLY LOSE POWER, RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER STERRING AND BRAKES. DEALER CANNOT REPRODUCE, SO WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. - GASOLINE SMELL …
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NEW 2005 FORD ESCAPE HAS NUMEROUS ISSUES THAT ARE NOT BEING ADDRESSED BY MULTIPLE DEALER SHOPS: - INTERMITTENT STALLING, SIMILAR TO PROBLEM CAUSING RECALL OF 2001 - 2003 ESCAPES. CAR WILL SUDDENLY LOSE POWER, RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER STERRING AND BRAKES. DEALER CANNOT REPRODUCE, SO WILL DO NOTHING ABOUT IT. - GASOLINE SMELL AND LOUD KNOCKING FROM ENGINE IN HOT TEMPERATURES. - EXTREMELY LOW GAS MILEAGE, ALMOST 50% BELOW ADVERTISED MILEAGE. THESE COMPLAINTS APPEAR IN OTHER REPORTS AS WELL, SO THIS IS NOT ISOLATED. FORD IS DOING ITS BEST NOT TO ADDRESS ANY OF THESE ISSUES AND TELLING PEOPLE TO JUST DEAL WITH IT. *NM
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT AT LOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE STOPPED FORWARD MOTION WHEN THE CONTACT APPLIED BRAKE PRESSURE. ALSO, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MAKES A CLUNKING NOISE WHILE SHIFTING GEARS. ADDITIONALLY, THE KEY IS DIFFICULT TO TURN IN THE IGNITI…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT AT LOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE STOPPED FORWARD MOTION WHEN THE CONTACT APPLIED BRAKE PRESSURE. ALSO, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MAKES A CLUNKING NOISE WHILE SHIFTING GEARS. ADDITIONALLY, THE KEY IS DIFFICULT TO TURN IN THE IGNITION. IN SPITE OF THE ONGOING PROBLEMS, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY THE DEALER.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE PARKED WITH THE EMERGENCY BRAKE OFF THE VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION. THEY DEALER WAS ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED. UPDATED 03/28/06. *JB
Official recalls
415V606000 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl); Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift
Sep 29, 2015
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.
Consequence & remedy
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.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:floor Shift
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.
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.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:gear Position Indication (prndl)
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.
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.
14V526000 · Hybrid Propulsion System
Sep 3, 2014
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 Ford Escape hybrid electric vehicles manufactured October 13, 2003, to June 20, 2008, and 2006-2008 Mercury Mariner hybrid electric vehicles manufactured June 10, 2005, to June 20, 2008. The coolant pump for the hybrid system may fail resulting in the hybrid electronics overheating.
Consequence & remedy
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.
06V111000 · Seats:front Assembly:head Restraint
Apr 7, 2006
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITHOUT SIDE AIR CURTAINS OR MOONROOFS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." DURING TESTING, THE FREE MOTION HEAD FORM REGISTERED A MEASUREMENT ABOVE THE PERMITTED LIMIT AT THE LEFT HAND A-PILLAR TRIM AREA.
Consequence & remedy
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.
04V602000 · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
Dec 20, 2004
CERTAIN 2004-2005 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND CERTAIN 2001-2003 SPORT UTIITY VEHICLE HAVING REAR LIFTGATE COMPONENTS SERVICED WITH 2004 EQUIVALENT COMPONENTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 206, 'DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS.' THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCHING SYSTEM DOES NOT MEET THE INERTIA LOAD REQUIREMENT IN ONE DIRECTION.
Consequence & remedy
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2DP12006 · Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction
Opened Oct 2, 2012 · Closed Feb 21, 2013
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine
In a letter dated August 30, 2012, The North Carolina Consumers Council (NCCC) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged electronic throttle body failures resulting in engine stall or surge while driving in model year (MY) 2005 through 2012 Ford Escape vehicles. On October 2, 2012 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Defect Petition DP12-006 to evaluate whether to grant or deny the petition. The petition is hereby granted on certain model years. The NCCC letter cites two complaints of stall while driving in MY 2009 Ford Escape vehicles that were diagnosed as failed throttle bodies with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P2111, Throttle Body Stuck Open, and P2112, Throttle Body Stuck Closed. The petitioner indicates that the owners of both vehicles reported experiencing repeated incidents of stalling and engine surging. According to Ford, Escape non-hybrid vehicles are equipped with Electronic Throttle Body (ETB) assemblies beginning with MY 2009. Vehicles manufactured between June 22, 2009 and October 15, 2009 may contain contaminated printed circuit boards (PCB) with plating variations. Plating variations could lead to a lack of continuity in the throttle position sensor circuit where P2111 and/or other DTCs would be generated and stored. Ford and its electronic throttle body supplier, Delphi, modified the PCB manufacturing process and issued a technical service bulletin (TSB) 09-23-5. Vehicles produced after October 15, 2009 incorporated ETBs manufactured with a PCB process that resolved this condition. ODI's analysis identified a total of 123 unique reports indicating allegations of reduced motive power or vehicle stall. Depending on the condition of throttle control system malfunction, a driver may experience varying levels of reduced engine performance associated with three limp home modes. In two limp modes, reduced engine performance may maintain vehicle speeds above 20mph while the third is a limited limp home mode with engine speeds limited to approximately 900 RPM. Allegations of stall appear to be related to the limited limp home mode. Vehicles are not likely to unexpectedly stall as a result of this condition, but drivers may characterize the reduced functionality as a stall, even though their vehicle may still has motive capability. Allegations of vehicle surge appear to be related to limp home mode operation. Complaints alleging surge are most likely related to engine RPM fluctuations at low vehicle speeds or idle as the control system engages to prevent engine stall. In limited limp mode, rough-idle conditions may exist while the control system attempts to modulate engine RPMs once the vehicle reaches a reduced speed to maintain approximately 900 RPM. Separately, ODI received 59 complaints alleging incidents of engine stall while driving in model year (MY) 2010-2011 Ford Fusion vehicles. Approximately 60 percent (36) of the incidents occurred at speeds of 40 miles per hour or more. Eighty percent of complaints (47) were received beginning March 2012 and 14 complaints reported that the throttle body was replaced or DTCs associated with limp home modes. Additionally, Ford issued TSB 10-21-6 addressing DTCs associated with idle speed drops and limited limp home mode. The petition is granted on certain model years.Preliminary Evaluation PE13-003 has been opened to assess the scope, frequency and potential safety consequences associated with the alleged defect.See full copy of the closing resume for this defect petition for list of the VOQs associated with the defect petition analysis.
AQ10001 · Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit
Opened Nov 18, 2010 · Closed Dec 28, 2015
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Unknown Or Other
On November 18, 2010, NHTSA's Recall Management Division (RMD) opened an audit query (AQ10-001) to investigate recall remedy completion by rental car companies on safety recall campaigns.It was expected to provide the agency an indication of how completely and how quickly rental car fleets perform necessary recall-related remedies on the vehicles owned and then rented/leased for use on the roadways.RMD queried three (3) major motor vehicle manufacturers (Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors) and requested data regarding completion figures for fifteen (15) discreet safety recalls.Analysis of this data demonstrated that rental car recalls completion was neither complete nor consistent.The rental car companies representing the largest market share in the industry were then queried as to their respective policies for the rental, lease, and sale of vehicles with open recalls.The data and responses from the manufacturers and the rental car companies can be found in the document repository by accessing the ?Associated Documents link above.In December 2015, Congress enacted the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act.One section of the Act prohibits rental car companies from renting, leasing, or selling motor vehicles subject to open safety recalls.With the passage of the FAST Act and its prohibition, there is no continuing need for the agency to investigate rental car recall completions.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The agency reserves the right to open any future investigations, including audits of individual recalls, or groups of recalls, or rental car companies, to examine more closely safety recalls performance and completion issues in this area.