RoadVitals

2005 Ford Escape HEV

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
12
Latest Aug 12, 2018
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
0
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
2
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 12 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Ford Escape HEV, most frequently naming the brakes, engine and body & structure categories. 2 NHTSA investigations name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Brakes861.5%
  • Engine215.4%
  • Body & structure17.7%
  • Other / unspecified17.7%
  • Transmission17.7%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

No recalls in our database for this model year

That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

DP22005ClosedDefect Petition

Pedestrian alert sounds

Opened Jan 27, 2023
Closed Aug 7, 2023

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEMLed to recall 22V063000
DP12006ClosedDefect Petition

Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction

Opened Oct 2, 2012
Closed Feb 21, 2013

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.

ENGINE

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Engine
Filed Aug 12, 2018

VEHICLE OVERHEATING CHANGED THERMOSTAT,HOSES, AND RADIATOR. STILL OVERHEATING. HAD TO TWO GARAGES STILL OVERHEATING

NHTSA ID
11119463
Incident
Apr 5, 2018
Mileage
199,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 15, 2016

ABS LIGHT ON, VERY WEAK AND DIMINISHED BRAKING POWER, ALMOST NOT STOPPING, VEHICLE WAS OFF, THEN NOTICED UPON STARTUP, 123K MILES ON VEHICLE, FORD STATES IT COULD BE UP TO A $5K REPAIR WHICH FAR EXCEEDES THE VALUE OF THIS VEHICLE, SUSPECT PART IS THE HCU HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT WHICH PRESSURIZES THE BREAK SYSTEM BEFORE START UP, ALSO NOTICED THIS PUMP ISN'T COMING ON ANYMORE, FORD SAYS THEY WON'T COVER ANYTHING OF REPAIR, NO MORE FORDS OR CHEVY'S FOR ME!, YOU HAVE TO KILL AT LEAST 125 PEOPLE BEFORE THEY WILL RECALL ANYTHING JUST LIKE THE $2.25 IGNITION KEY RECALL, WHAT ABOUT THE 180+ PEOPLE FORDS PINTO EXPLODING FUEL TANKS, BECAUSE OF BREAK AWAY FUEL NECKS, LIVES AREN'T WORTH $8EA, TO INSTALL THE RUBBER BLADDER ARE THEY?, THANKS FOR MAKING ANOTHER THROW AWAY CAR JUST LIKE THE CHEVY VEGA, NOW FORD HAS ANOTHER TO ADD TO PINTO, EDSEL, MAVERICK? WHERE DID THEY GO? WHICH ONE'S NEXT? DON'T BUY HYBRID, NOT GOOD TECHNOLGY, DOESNT EVEN GET VERY GOOD MILEAGE , 26? IS ALL I GOT!, THANKS AGAIN FORD MOTORS, HOPE HENRY IS ROLLING OVER IN HEAVEN FOR YOUR IDIOT ENGINEERS THAT WOULD DESIGN A SYSTEM THAT IS BEYOND ECONOMICAL SENSE TO REPAIR.!!!

NHTSA ID
10906771
Incident
Aug 20, 2016
Mileage
123,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Mar 5, 2016

I WAS ON LADSON ROAD IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HYWAY AND NO BRAKES. THE LIGHT CAME ON JUST BEFORE MY BRAKES WENT OUT. I HAD TO HAVE A TOW TRUCK TAKE ME HOME. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR. TEN YEARS I HAVE HAD NO TROUBLE. I HAVE TO HAVE MY SON TAKE ME ANYWHERE I HAVE TO GO. IT IS NOT VERY GOOD. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE REPORTED TO YOU ABOUT THIS SITUATION. THE NUMBER YOU GAVE ME #14V526000. REPORT #7695006-V3DOZ3.

NHTSA ID
10840043
Incident
Nov 15, 2015
Mileage
63,580 mi
Body & structure
Filed Feb 11, 2016

REAR WINDOW JUST EXPLODED. CAR WAS PARKED AT MY DAUGHTER'S SCHOOL. CAMPUS SECURITY CALLED HER OUT OF CLASS THINKING SOMEONE HIT HER CAR. SECURITY CAMERAS SHOWED NOTHING. SHE HAD USED REAR DEFROSTER ON HER WAY TO SCHOOL. CAR WAS PARKED FOR AT LEAST 45 MINUTES BEFORE WINDOW EXPLODED. TEMPERATURE SLIGHTLY ABOVE FREEZING.

NHTSA ID
10825710
Incident
Feb 9, 2016
Mileage
155,000 mi
Other / unspecified
Filed Apr 8, 2015

2005 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO THE MOTOR ELECTRONICS COOLANT PUMP RECALL NOTICE. *SMD THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. RECALL # 14V526000. *JB

NHTSA ID
10704697
Incident
Nov 4, 2014
Brakes
Filed Oct 19, 2014

I GOT AN 'ABS' LIGHT ON, AND THE PANEL TOLD ME 'SERVICES BRAKE SYSTEM'. *TR

NHTSA ID
10648710
Incident
Oct 17, 2014
Mileage
87,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Feb 4, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, HE ATTEMPTED TO DECELERATE BUT THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT STOPPING DISTANCE ALSO INCREASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL MODULE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

NHTSA ID
10496382
Incident
Feb 3, 2013
Mileage
108,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Sep 25, 2012

BRAKES BECAME VERY "SOFT" AND BRAKE LIGHT, ABS LIGHT AND "SERVICE BRAKE SYSTEM" LIGHT APPEARED. PARKED CAR FOR 5 HOURS, AND WHEN I RESTARTED, THE BRAKES SEEMED FINE AND THE LIGHTS WERE OFF. TOWED CAR TO SHOP AND HAD BRAKES REPLACED (@ 5%, SO THOUGHT THIS WAS THE "ONLY" PROBLEM). 2 WEEKS LATER, I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. REPAIR SHOP DID MORE DIAGNOSTICS AND RESEARCH, AND DISCOVERED THE MASTER BRAKE CYLINDER / HCU ISSUE THAT IS FREQUENTLY REPORTED ON-LINE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10477072
Incident
Sep 8, 2012
Mileage
112,000 mi

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Ford Escape HEV by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2007150335.3
2006371240.9
2005Viewing120235.3

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.