2005 Ford Escape Other / unspecified Problems

Control arm snapped and frame broke

NHTSA ID

11468835

Incident

Jan 14, 2022

RUST THROUGH ON RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL AND SHOCK TOWER. CAR ONLY HAS 100,089 MILES. HAS BEEN KEPT CLEAN AND WAS BOUGHT FROM CARMAX IN2013 IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. ALL REPAIRS, MAINTENANCE PERFORMED BY PROFESSIONALS SINCE BOUGHT. RESEARCH SHOWS THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. (IN ADDITION TO THE DOOR OPEN/ALARM PROBLEM OTHERS AND I EXPERIENCE) THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH AS IT INVOLVES THE REAR SHOCK POSSIBLY DISLODGING AND REAR END COLLAPSING. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS AND MAKE FORD FIX THIS PROBLEM! MANY OWNERS BOUGHT THESE VEHICLES USED AND WE CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX THESE( IF THEY CAN BE FIXED AT ALL) MUCH LESS BUY A NEW VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

11416109

Incident

May 11, 2021

Mileage

100,082 mi

WHEEL WELL ON REAR PASSENGER SIDE AS REPORTED MANY TIME COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT UNDRIVABLE ONLY 100000 MILES

NHTSA ID

11404410

Incident

Nov 1, 2011

Mileage

100,000 mi

MY ESCAPE KEEPS MAKING A HORRIBLE RUBBING/HUMMING SOUND WHEN TURNING RIGHT ONLY, MY REAR PASSENGER DOOR DOES NOT LOCK AND MY ALARM IS CONSTANTLY GOING OFF, AND FINALLY MY FRAME ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE IS RUSTING AND LITERALLY CRUMBLING APART. MY PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY EITHER. I JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN MAY OF THIS YEAR FROM A CAR DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA ID

11350839

Incident

May 1, 2020

Mileage

220,000 mi

WAS DRIVING LESS THAN 15MPH WHEN SUDDENLY I LOST ALL CONTROL OF STEERING ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. WHEN I WAS ABLE TO GET HELP AFTER SITTING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR 16 HOURS, I WAS INFORMED THAT ONE OF THE THREE WHEEL BEARINGS HAD SNAPPED. I DID A LITTLE RESEARCH AND FOUND THE RECALL FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL ASSEMBLY AND BEARINGS. I ENTERED MY VIN NUMBER AND IT DIDN'T SAY WHETHER OR NOT IT WOULD BE FIXED. I TAKE PRIDE IN MY VEHICLES AND KEEP THE MAINTENANCE UP TO DATE, THEREFORE I CAN SAY THEY THIS HAPPENED DUE TO FAULTY PARTS AND FEEL LIKE I SHOULD BE ABLE TO HAVE IT FIXED.

NHTSA ID

11299424

Incident

Jan 12, 2020

Mileage

247,540 mi

THE PASSENGER SIDE SUBFRAME RUSTED OUT AND CORRODED CAUSING THE SUBFRAME TO BREAK, RESULTING IN A VERY UNSAFE AND HAZARDOUS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID

11288947

Incident

Dec 1, 2019

Mileage

160,000 mi

CRACK SUB FRAME ON RIGHT FRONT! EXTREME DETERIORATION ALMOST CAUSING ACCIDENT AND BECAME UNSAFE TO DRIVE! RECALLS ON 2001-2004 FOR SAME PROBLEM WHY NOT 2005? EXTREMELY DANGEROUS MALFUNCTION! DEFINITELY GO IMPORT IF THIS IS WHAT FORDS QUALITY AND SUPPORT HAS BECOME!

NHTSA ID

11254734

Incident

Aug 24, 2019

Mileage

206,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL THE 01 THRU 04 WERE RECALLED FOR SAME PROBLEM THE FRONT SUBFRAME RUSTED IN TO CAUSING THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL TO WONDER ALL OVER IF DROVE ANY MORE WOULD HAVE CAUSE A SERIOUS WRECK I WAS DRIVING VEHICLE WHEN I NOTICED THAT IT FELT LIKE THE FRONT WHEEL WAS COMING OFF LUCKILY I WAS ONLY A COUPLE MILES FROM HOME THE DAY BEFORE I TOOK MY GRANDSON TO CHARLESTON WV TO MEET HIS MOM IF IT WOULD HAVE BROKEN ON I 77 AT 70 PLUS MILES AN HR COULD HAVE BEEN TRAGIC IT BEING THE SAME ISSUE WITH EARLY MODELS AND FORD SENT A BAR TO TRY N FIX IT A JOKE JUST LEARN THIS ON INTERNET

NHTSA ID

11195277

Incident

Mar 8, 2019

Mileage

179,015 mi

THE DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL WELL COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT, LARGE HOLE IN BODY, SHOCK WENT RIGHT THREW THE BODY OF THE CAR. THIS HAPPENED EXTREMELY FAST, I JUST PUT NEW TIRES AND BRAKES ON THE CAR. THIS DEFECT IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE AND POISED A SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME AND MY CHILDREN. THE CAR CAN'T BE SOLD OR TRADED IN AND NOW HEADED TO THE JUNKYARD

NHTSA ID

11145195

Incident

Oct 27, 2018

Mileage

157,000 mi

HIT A POTHOLE AND MY SHOCK/STRUT PUNCHED THRU THE RUSTED WHEEL WELL AND DETACHED OTAELF...IT IS NP LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE AND IVE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 2 MONTHS. AND HERE THE 2001-2004 ESCAPES HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR JUST THIS REASON? WHY NOT THE 2005 WHEN THE WHOLE BODY DESIGN IS THE SAME... I HAD A 2001 ESCAPE BEFORE THIS THAT WAS RUSTING ON THE OUTSIDE WHEEL WELLS AND BEGINNING TO RUST INSIDE AS WELL... DUE TO THIS I DONT BELIEVE I WILL BE BUYING FORDS ANYMORE... I WAS IN THE CAR WITH MY KIDS WHEN THIS HAPPENED! AND NOW IM STUCK WITH A GIANT PIECE OF METAL SITTING IN MY PARKING SPOT AS NO ONE WILL TAKE ON THE JOB AND IF THEY DO IT WOULD BE A MIN OF $2000 OR MORE!

NHTSA ID

11124667

Incident

Aug 24, 2018

Mileage

144,000 mi

I WAS DRIVING HOME WHEN I NOTICED A LOUD BUMPING NOISE... MY BACK PASSENGER WHEEL WELL IS COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY, WHICH HAS AFFECTED MY SHOCK MOUNTING BRACKET. EVERY LITTLE BUMP CAUSES IT TO SHAKE AND ABOUT A WEEK AGO THE BRACKET ACTUALLY WENT THROUGH THE PLASTIC AND THERE IS A HOLE INSIDE THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. I SEE SO MANY IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS AND ITS VERY DISAPPOINTING THAT FORD HAS DONE NOTHING TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. I KNOW THAT THE FORD ESCAPE 2001- 2004 WERE RECALLED FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE AND ITS DISCONCERTING THAT THEY ARE IGNORING THE SAME PROBLEM FOR THE 2005-2008 ESCAPE. HOW MANY MORE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS IS IT GOING TO TAKE FOR THEM TO AT LEAST INVESTIGATE THIS UNSAFE, REOCCURRING ISSUE?! HOPEFULLY , SOMETHING WILL BE DONE SOON BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED.

NHTSA ID

11100665

Incident

Jun 1, 2018

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND TRUCK STARTING MAKING A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE IN THE BACK. WHEN WE GOT HOME, WE LOOKED UNDERNEATH AND FOUND MAJOR RUSTING IN PASSENGER WHEEL WELL. SHOCK COMPLETELY RUSTED FREE AND BOUNCING UP TO HIT THE PLASTIC INSIDE THE VEHICLE. TOOK IT TO BODY SHOP MECHANIC AND UPON INSPECTION, HE SHOWED US THAT THE FRAME ITSELF IS RUSTED THROUGH AND VEHICLE CANNOT LEGALLY BE FIXED AND IS TECHNICALLY NOT EVEN SAFE TO DRIVE. LESS THAN 133,000 MILES AND BOUGHT USED 2 YEARS AGO, WE ARE VERY FRUSTRATED WITH THE QUALITY OF THIS VEHICLE. SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS TRUCK AND SHOULD HAVE BE RECALLED. THEY RECALLED YEARS 2001-2004 FOR THE SAME ISSUES, BUT DID NOT INCLUDE THE 2005. SHAME ON FORD MOTOR COMPANY FOR SUCH POOR WORKMANSHIP! PLEASE HELP!!!

NHTSA ID

11078493

Incident

Mar 7, 2018

Mileage

132,790 mi

I AM TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG AND IF THERE ARE ANY RECALLS..MY SUV HAS A VIBRATION WHEN I EXCEL RATE AND LET OFF IT WHICH SHAKES THE WHEEL.I HAD IT CHECKED AND THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING..WHAT IS THIS PROBLEM,I HAVE JUST BOUGHT THE CAR IN DEC 17..TY

NHTSA ID

11075960

Incident

Feb 12, 2018

Mileage

98 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED, CAUSING BOTH FRONT TIRES TO LEAN. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED VAN BORTEL FORD AT 585-586-4415 AND WAS REFERRED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

NHTSA ID

11048248

Incident

Nov 22, 2017

Mileage

150,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL PROTRUDED OUTWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WENT TO THE SCENE AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILED DUE TO CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, WHICH CAUSED THE WHEEL TO WOBBLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 163,000.

NHTSA ID

11030560

Incident

Sep 29, 2017

Mileage

163,000 mi

HEARD A BANGING IN THE TRUNK AREA ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, CHECKED IT OUT AND THE WHOLE WHEEL WELL WAS RUSTED OUT, THE SHOCK WAS BARLEY ON. I WAS ON A CITY STREET. TOOK IT TO WHERE I BOUGHT IT AND THEY GAVE ME AN ESTAMET OF $1,145.99. I AM WONDERING WHY THIS VIN IS NOT COVERED IN A RECALL.

NHTSA ID

11003393

Incident

Jul 3, 2017

Mileage

71,000 mi

I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, TURNED AT THE CORNER, HIT A SMALL BUMP AND HEARD A LOUD BANGING SOUND LIKE THE REAR GATE DOOR WAS NOT CLOSED, STOPPED AT THE CORNER PUT IT IN PARK, GOT OUT AND OPENED THE REAR GATE AND RECLOSED IT, GOT BACK INTO MY VEHICLE, TURNED LEFT HIT ANOTHER SMALL BUMP, AND HEARD THE LOUD BANGING NOISE AGAIN, STOPPED AT THE 4 WAY CORNER STORE, PARKED AND GOT OUT AND WALKED AROUND MY VEHICLE TO INSPECT IT, AND NOTICED THE RUST ON THE PASSENGER REAR SIDE, SOME OF IT HAD FALLEN OFF AND I COULD SEE THE STYROFOAM ON THE INSIDE OF THE PASSENGER REAR TIRE WELD.I CALLED THE DEALER WHERE I AM PURCHASING THE VEHICLE AND THEY SAID I COULD TAKE IT TO THEIR GUY TO LOOK AT IT, TOOK IT TO HIM AND HE SAID THAT I HAD A REAL PROBLEM AND THAT IT NEEDED TO BE WELDED, WENT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID I COULD TAKE IT TO THEIR GUY TO FIX, BUT THEY DID NOT KNOW WHEN THEY COULD GET ME IN FOR AN APPOINTMENT. I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC, AND HE STILL HAS IT, TRYING TO LOCATE THE REAR END OF ANOTHER FORD ESCAPE TO FIX IT.

NHTSA ID

10979412

Incident

Feb 4, 2017

Mileage

186,000 mi

PASSENGER REAR IS RESTED SHOCKS STRUTS DETACHED

NHTSA ID

10949085

Incident

Jan 30, 2017

NOTICED UNDERCOATING PEELING OFF IN WHEEL WELL(REAR PASSENGER SIDE). PULLED OFF AND ALSO FOUND A 3IN. CIRCLE OF METAL LOOSE. HAVE SEEN OTHER(300+) REPORTS OF THIS RUST PROBLEM ON THIS WEB PAGE. I AM ORIGINAL OWNER AND VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGED WHEN NOT IN USE AND HAS LESS THAN 70K MILES. THERE ARE NO HANDLING OR NOISE ISSUES YET.

NHTSA ID

10939766

Incident

Jan 4, 2017

Mileage

65,000 mi

WE STARTED TO HEAR A VERY LOUD BANGING COMING FROM THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE WHEN WE DROVE OVER EVEN THE SMALLEST BUMP. THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THOUGH (YOU CAN SEE THE INTERIOR) AND THE WHEEL COULD FALL OFF AT ANYTIME. THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE WITH OUT A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR. AFTER LOOKING ONLINE I FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE AND THAT 2001-2004 ESCAPES WERE RECALLED FOR THE SAME ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

10938886

Incident

Nov 22, 2016

Mileage

125,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL PASSENGER BACK TOWER WHEEL RUSTED ON MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE THE METER SENSOR KEEP GOING OFF LIKE THE DOORS ARE STILL OPEN THE RIMS OF THE CAR HAS RUSTED LIKE WE HAD THE CAR FOR 30 YEARS IN MOTION WHEN I NOTICE THE WHEEL TOWER RUSTED OUT

NHTSA ID

10910649

Incident

Jul 14, 2016

Mileage

16,400 mi

WHEN I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE FROM CALL LOT TOLLED THEM BRAKES WERE GOING OUT HE TEST DRIVE AND HE SAID THEY WERE FINE SO I TOOK HIS WORD THEN A FEW DAYS LATER MY WATER RATETERAVOTER HOSE BUSTED I HAD TO GET THAT THEM FIXED AND THEN THEY CHARGED ME TO FIX IT THEN A FEW DAYS LATER I HERE A THUMP ON THE BACK OF MY VEHICLE THE WHOLE BACK OF MY WHEEL AREA BY THE WHEEL WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT THERE NO PROTECTION ON THE WHEEL AND THE STRUSTS WHERE BUSTED THEY HAD STUFF STUFFED IN IT SO YOU COULDN'T TELL WENT TO TALK TO THEM ABOUT IT THEY SAY THIS HAPPENS THERE NOTHING THEY COULD FOR ME BUT TO CHARGE ME FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS TO FIX IT I DONE NOTHING BUT HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE AND THIS ISN'T THE FIRST ONE I'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE ARE SELLING VEHICLE WITH SAFE HAZARDS I PAID OUT 1000.00 OUT ON A CAR TEST DROVE IT AND GUESS I SHOULD OF TEST DRIVE IT LONGER BUT I DIDN'T I BOUGHT IT AND WAS ON MY WAY TO PUT GAS IN IT AND THE MOTOR BLOW UP. I HAD STATE POLICE WAIT WITH ME ME AND MY 16 YEAR OLD WAS STUCK IN HIGH TRAFFIC BECAUSE THE MOTOR BLOW STATE POLICE SAID HE HAD TO GET THERE AND TOLL THE CAR AND HE BOUGHT A TRAILER WITH A FLAT TIRED TO TRY AND TOLL IT OFF THE STATE POLICE MADE HIM LEAVE AND CALLED FOR A TOLL TRUCK THE CAR LOT REFUSED TO GIVE ME MY MONEY BACK SO I COULD GO SOME WHERE ELSE SO I BOUGHT A ANOTHER CAR IT WAS IN FAIR CONDTION BUT WHEN WATER STATED HITTING MOTOR IT ENDED UP GETTING TOTAL BY INSURANCE COMPANY SO STILL COULDN'T GET MONEY BACK MADE ME PAY OUT ANOTHER 600.00 OUT FOR THE VEHICLE AND AFTER I GAVE HIM THE MONEY HE WROTE OUT SOLD AS IS AND COULD NOT TRADE VEHICLE OR GET MY MONEY BACK SO I FEEL LIKE HE KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE BECAUSE HE DIDN'T WRITE THIS ON THE LAST TWO VEHICLES.

NHTSA ID

10895024

Incident

Jul 17, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WAS RUSTED AND THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS UNUSUAL, BUT DECLINED TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 206,194.

NHTSA ID

10881714

Incident

Jun 16, 2016

Mileage

206,194 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10808457

Incident

Oct 6, 2014

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.

NHTSA ID

10794804

Incident

Oct 30, 2015

Mileage

136,547 mi