RoadVitals

2005 Ford Escape Exterior lighting Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the exterior lighting system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Exterior lighting reportsComplaints 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.
8
Latest Apr 4, 2022
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
<1%
of 1,394 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2005 Ford Escape submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 8 reports on file name it.

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

Owner reports naming exterior lighting

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Exterior lightingSeat beltsSuspension
Filed Apr 4, 2022

Front left tower rod is going thru the wheel well from rust. This can cause major damage to myself, occupants, and the lives of others outside of the vehicle. The front left seatbelt light continuously alarms as if it is not connected. Is it? The back lights are always out not sure to replacement repeatedly. I'd the seatbelt good enough in an accident, I am not trying to find that it either. The lights are a ticket every time and are another hazard to other motorist. The main wheel rust was told to me upon a failed inspection. It is not fixed at this point just found out and looking for recalls but found many with the same exact hazard. The warning lights go off every minute and a half while driving in the dashboard. This has been since I purchased the vehicle last year. The same goes for replacing the back running light. I don't know if the auto place was aware of these problems, but I'm positive the were just trying to move the vehicle if the lot at this point. The repairs are more than half of the cost just for the wheel rust hazard

NHTSA ID
11459584
Incident
Apr 4, 2022
BrakesExterior lightingSuspension
Filed Oct 1, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SHOCK TOWER HOUSING WAS FRACTURED AND PUNCTURED THROUGH THE SUBFRAME. DURING THE FAILURE, THE BRAKE LINE AND REAR BRAKE LIGHT WIRE WERE SEVERED, WHICH CAUSED BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK AND THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT TO MALFUNCTION. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. *JS

NHTSA ID
11265404
Incident
Sep 1, 2019
Mileage
140,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jan 31, 2018

CAR ALARM ALWAYS GOING OFF CAUSES INTERIOR LIGHTS TO RUN BATTERY DOWN. ALARM WILL NOT RESET LOCK DOORS. SENSOR LIGHT COMES ON WITH DOOR AJAR AND ALARM REFUSES TO SET. HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR A YEAR OR MORE. COMPLAINTS ON INTERNET FROM OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM BUT THERE IS NO RECALL. OTHERS ARE SAYING IT IS THE LATCH THAT NEEDS TO BE REPLACE BUT FORD COMPANY CAN'T TELL US THIS. IT DOESN'T MATTER IF THE VEHICLE IS MOVING OR NOT FOR THE DOOR TO BE AJAR.

NHTSA ID
11066014
Incident
Jan 1, 2016
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Jul 26, 2017

WHEN THE CAR IS FULLY LOCKED AND ALL DOOR WELL SHUT THE REAR RIGHT DOOR SENSOR SAYS ITS OPENED OR AJAR WHICH MAKES THE ALARM GO OFF WHEN NO ONE HAS TRIED TO TOUCH THE CAR AND BECAUSE OF THIS IT HAS DRAIN THE BATTERY WHILE HAVING A LESS THAN 1 YEAR OLD BATTERY

NHTSA ID
11010831
Incident
Jul 26, 2017
Mileage
140,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jun 10, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE HEAD LIGHTS BECAME FOGGED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE HEAD LIGHTS WERE MADE OF PLASTIC AND THE PLASTIC WAS DETERIORATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEAD LIGHTS LENS WERE CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 12,200.

NHTSA ID
10597424
Incident
Jun 3, 2014
Mileage
12,200 mi
ElectricalExterior lighting
Filed Dec 8, 2011

DASHBOARD BACK LIGHTING FAILED CAUSING LEFT SIDE DASH BLACKOUT OF TEMPERATURE GAUGE & LEFT SIDE OF SPEEDOMETER. RADIO BACK LIGHTING FAILED CAUSING A BLACKOUT OF THE LEFT SIDE RADIO BUTTONS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10439005
Incident
Oct 1, 2011
Mileage
60,000 mi
ElectricalInterior & seatsExterior lighting+1 more
Filed Oct 21, 2010

I AM WRITING IN CONCERNS TO A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS FAILED TO ADDRESS. I AM AN OWNER OF A 2005 FORD ESCAPE WHICH I PURCHASED NEW IN NOVEMBER OF 2004. I HAVE BEEN WAITING TWO MONTHS TO HAVE A FAULTY ELECTRICAL PART, THE SMART JUNCTION BOX, REPLACED. SINCE AUGUST 23RD MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN UNSAFE TO OPERATE WITHOUT THIS PART AS MY TURN SIGNALS, HEAD LIGHTS, AND HAZARD LIGHTS ARE INOPERABLE, AS WELL AS POWER WINDOWS, INTERIOR AND DASH LIGHTS, POWER LOCKS, RADIO AND CLOCK DISPLAY AND MY ABILITY TO UNLATCH THE REAR DOOR. AFTER RESEARCHING THE INFORMATION MYSELF I WAS FORCED TO WAIT ANOTHER WEEK TO BE SCHEDULED TO HAVE MY VEHICLE SCHEDULED FOR REPAIR. ON SEPT. 7TH THE FORD MECHANIC CONFIRMED THE PART I TOLD HIM I NEEDED WAS CORRECT AND SAID PART WAS ON BACK ORDER AND SHOULD BE AVAILABLE IN TWO WEEKS. ON SEPT.21ST, I CALLED TO ASK IF THE PART WAS AVAILABLE. IT WAS THEN THAT THE MECHANIC SAID THAT HE NEGLECTED TO MENTION THE PART WOULD NOT BE ORDERED UNLESS I PAID IN ADVANCE. I PAID FOR THE PART ON SEPT23. ON SEPT. 29TH THE GENERAL MANAGER AT WORDEN-MARTIN CALLED TO SAY THERE WAS NOTHING HE COULD DO. I ASKED IF IT WERE POSSIBLE TO HAVE A USED PART PUT IN TEMPORARILY WHILE I WAIT. I RECEIVED A REPLY THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY $350 TO HAVE THAT PART PUT IN WITH NO GUARANTEE THAT THE PART WOULD FUNCTION PROPERLY AND NO COMPENSATION IF THE REPLACEMENT PART WERE TO FAIL. NOT WANTING TO THROW AWAY $350 FOR A FAULTY PART, I FELT I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO WAIT ANOTHER WEEK FOR THE PART TO ARRIVE. AFTER WAITING TWO WEEKS I NEVER RECEIVED A CALL, SO I CALLED THE DEALER TO INQUIRE ON THE PART. I WAS TOLD THE PART MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL OCT. 25TH. I CALLED FORD MOTOR COMPANY'S CUSTOMER SERVICE WHO TOLD ME IT WAS THEIR DISTRIBUTOR AND NOT FORD'S RESPONSIBILITY AND THE PART SHOULD BE AVAILABLE BE AVAILABLE OCT. 15TH BECAUSE THE PART, ORDERED BY MANY, WAS BEING REDESIGNED. ON OCT. 19TH I CALLED AGAIN AND WAS TOLD THE PART MAY NOT BE AVAILABLE UNTIL NOVEMBER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10361480
Incident
Aug 23, 2010
Mileage
82,400 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Jul 23, 2006

I NOTICED THAT ONE OF MY FOG LIGHTS HAD CRACKED. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER. THERE HE SAID THAT GLASS IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. THAT IF I WANT IT FIXED I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT MYSELF. I WENT TO ANOTHER DEALER . HE FIXED IT FOR ME COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. WELL I GOT BACK HOME AND THE LIGHT WAS CRACKED AGAIN. THE VERY SAME PATTERN OF CRACKS AS THE FIRST . THAT IS WHY I THINK IT IS A STRESS CRACKS. THE DEALER SAID THAT HE DOES NOT BELIEVE THAT STRESS CRACK OCCURS FAST. *NM

NHTSA ID
10163223
Incident
Sep 18, 2005

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.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .