RoadVitals

2005 Ford Escape Powertrain (other) Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the powertrain system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Powertrain (other) 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.
79
Latest Apr 8, 2024
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.
6%
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

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials. 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. 79 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 powertrain

The 25 most recent of 79, in the owner's own words

Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 8, 2024

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.

NHTSA ID
11581658
Incident
Nov 1, 2023
Mileage
105,000 mi
Fuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed May 14, 2023

Stalled out while driving down hwy. At 70 mph. Cars swirved and I almost got hit from behind due to my vehicle just cutting out. No warning lights came on it just shut off battery light n engine light then came on after vehicle lost power and I had to get off road without causing an accident which almost occurred due to the speed and area I was driving at time vehicle cut out I still have not figured out why it just cut out. Very dangerous all around.

NHTSA ID
11521932
Incident
May 5, 2023
ElectricalFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 29, 2022

Drove vehicle to drop off dog at sitters, started vehicle began to make u-turn and vehicle stalled. Attempted to restart, cranks but won't run. Recently purchased from used car dealer, new battery was installed, no trouble up to this point. Began checking usual problems, fuel delivery, crank pos.sensor, cam pos sensor, have no spark. Upon further research this appears to be faulty coils, spark plugs and pcm from factory but no recall has been employed. Possibility of collision during u-turn very likely. Loss of power to all systems could cause extreme risk to life at higher speeds. Ford Motor Company is aware of this problem, with the high number of similar problems in the NHTSA data base it is impossible for them not to know. The NHTSA should force Ford to fix this. If you make a product that can be dangerous if faulty, you are responsible to the public to do the right thing. I think that if the governmental agency responsible for traffic safety won't do their job then a class action lawsuit should be started. I bet I could find a good lawyer in the SF Bay area.

NHTSA ID
11491442
Incident
Oct 27, 2022
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 24, 2022

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH and accelerating, there was a roaring sound coming from the vehicle. The contact stated that the vehicle started accelerating at an uncontrollable speed. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the roadway and turn the vehicle off. The vehicle was not diagnosed however, the dealer stated that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that the vehicle was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 123,000.

NHTSA ID
11470868
Incident
Jun 24, 2021
Mileage
123,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 30, 2021

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the overdrive warning light was illuminated. The contact parked on the side of the road. The contact stated she depressed the overdrive button. The vehicle was towed to independent mechanic and the contact was informed that the transmission needed to be repaired. The vehicle was towed to her son's residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V606000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 198,684. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID
11434973
Incident
Sep 9, 2021
Mileage
198,684 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 30, 2021

The power steering will repeatedly and unexpectedly go out when driving often when hitting a slight bump or making a turn. This never leads to a code triggered but absolutely could lead to injury or death and has been reported in so many Hybrid Ford Escapes.

NHTSA ID
11430999
Incident
Aug 30, 2021
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 13, 2021

I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 25 MPH. CAR JUST STOPPED ON A LIMITED ACCESS HIGHWAY. DIAGNOSED WITH FAILED TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED8/31/2011. I SEE A RECALL FOR REBUILT TRANSMISSION FOR THIS YEAR VEHICLE WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THERE HAVE BEEN MANY ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION FAILURES BUT I AM UNABLE TO FIND SUCH A RECALL.

NHTSA ID
11407863
Incident
Aug 11, 2011
Mileage
111,599 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Mar 8, 2021

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL SOUND WHILE ATTEMPTING TO UPSHIFT HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS. THE CONTACT STATED NO WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER YOUNG FORD OGDEN (3450 WALL AVE, OGDEN, UT 84401, (801) 629-5500) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH NEEDING THE TRANSMISSION TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V606000 (POWER TRAIN) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE NHTSA TO FILE A COMPLAINT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 180,000.

NHTSA ID
11399713
Incident
Jan 1, 2021
Mileage
180,000 mi
ElectricalPowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Jan 20, 2020

THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT INVOLVING OTHER VEHICLES.

NHTSA ID
11300509
Incident
Sep 18, 2019
Mileage
146,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Aug 18, 2019

WHEN SLOWING DOWN VEHICLE TO STOP FOR A CAR AHEAD OF YOU, STOPPING AT STOP SIGN, OR SLOWING DOWN TO MAKE A TURN, VEHICLE ENGINE WILL STOP LEAVING DRIVER IN A SERIOUS AND COMPROMISING POSITION, VEHICLE HAS TO BE PLACED IN NEUTRAL OR PARK TO RESTART AND OCCUPANT MUST SHIFT INTO DRIVE QUICKLY AND ACCELERATE QUICKLY SO ENGINE WILL NOT KILL, ONCE THE VEHICLE WARMS UP IT WILL KILL RIGHT AWAY, I'M AFRAID THIS IS GOING TO HAPPEN AND BE IN AN INTERSECTION AND HIT OR HIT FROM BEHIND, VEHICLE HAS BEEN WELL MAINTAINED AND TRANSMISSION FLUIDS ARE EXACTLY THE LEVEL THEY SHOULD BE AT

NHTSA ID
11244753
Incident
Aug 1, 2019
Mileage
140,000 mi
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 2, 2018

DRIVING 65 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE MY 05 ESCAPE BEGAN TO SKIP,STALL & DIED, ANTI THEFT LIGHT CAME ON. I DRIVE FOR 20 MILES SLOW WITH IT SKIPPING AND STALLING. WHEN I LEFT OFF ON GAS IT WOULD CONTINUE TO RUN UNTIL I MADE IT TO SAFE PLACE. ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE FOR REPAIR ON STATE HWY IT STALLED AND WENT DEAD. FORD DEALERSHIP REPROG KEYS- REPAIRED DRIVE OFF, BARELY OFF THE LOT AND IT QUIT AGAIN. NOW I SEE THIS IS A MANUFACTURES ISSUE WITH 05 ESCAPES AFTER AN ONLINE SEARCH. NEW FORD DIAGNOSIS- NEW PLUGS & COIL PACK, INTAKE GASKET. 170,000 MILES. MY ALARM RANDOMLY GOES OFF TOO WHICH COULD BE RELATED TO ELECTRICAL ISSUES. FORD MOTOR IS LIABLE IF SOMEONE'S VEHICLE STALLS AND IS KILLED DUE TO THIS PROBLEM THEY KNOW ABOUT BUT HAVE NOT CORRECTED OR RECALLED.

NHTSA ID
11155410
Incident
Nov 22, 2018
Mileage
170,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 18, 2018

SEE REPORT

NHTSA ID
11152261
Incident
Aug 17, 2018
Mileage
107,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 16, 2018

GEAR SHIFT LEVER STUCK IN PARK- VEHICLE STARTS RUNS FINE CAN NOT GET OUT OF PARK. HAD BEEN DIFFICULT SEVERAL TIMES BUT GOT IT WORKING AFTER SEVERAL EPISODES OFF AND ON NOW STUCK IN OFF STREET PARKING AT SENIOR CENTER. APPT MADE FOREPAIR 10-17 SKILLMAN FORDGREENWOOD IN GOOD CAR EVERYTHING ELSE DEPENDABLE

NHTSA ID
11140701
Incident
Oct 16, 2018
Mileage
112,000 mi
Powertrain (other)Steering
Filed Sep 24, 2018

WHILE GOING ONTO A FREEWAY ONRAMP AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MILES PER HOUR, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER, ALL LIGHTS CAME ON, THE ABILITY TO STEER AND BRAKE WAS AFFECTED BY TOTAL POWER LOSS. THE VEHICLE DID NOT DISPLAY ANY ISSUES LEADING UP TO THIS BUT NEARLY RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT BY THE INABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND GET IT OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER BEING TOWED, THE AUTO SHOP DIAGNOSED A P0354, P0351, P0355, P0352 IGNITION COILS, AND PCM FAILURE. MY RESEARCH SHOWS THERE ARE MULTIPLE CLAIMS OF THIS OCCURRING AND IT IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ID
11131030
Incident
Aug 30, 2018
Powertrain (other)
Filed Sep 3, 2018

ONE DAY I WAS DRIVING HOME ON THE INTERSTATE AND THE O/D OFF LIGHT STARTED FLASHING & IT ACTED LIKE IT DIDN'T WANT TO CHANGE GEARS AT ALL. I STOPPED GOT GAS AND LIGHT STAYED ON. THEN AS I STARTED DRIVING AGAIN IT WENT AWAY. AFTER PARKING AT HOME OVERNIGHT I ATTEMPTED TO GO REVERSE & IT ACTED LIKE IT WAS IN NEUTRAL. AFTER SOME BACK AND FORTH WITH THE SHIFTER IT LET ME GO IN INTO REVERSE ONLY WHEN I REVVING UP AND THEN IT STARTED HAVING ISSUES IN SHIFTING OUT OF PARK. IN SEARCHING THIS ISSUE THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE EXPERIENCING THIS ISSUE, END HAS CAUSED A FEW ACCIDENTS.

NHTSA ID
11124076
Incident
Aug 15, 2018
Mileage
211,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Mar 10, 2018

ENGINE OIL LEAK CAN NOT BE TRACED. SERVICED BY FORD SINCE 2004 WHEN I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW. ONLY SERVICED BY A FORD DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT. I WAS TOLD BECAUSE OF THE MILEAGE, 130,047, AND AGE THE ENGINE NEEDS REPLACED. DYE TEST CONDUCTED BY FORD SERVICE AND NO LEAKS WERE FOUND AFTER DRIVING 500 MILES AND RETURNING TO THE FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO CHECK FOR LEAKS AS ADVISED BY FORD SERVICE DEPARTMENT. LEAVING THE VEHICLE OVERNIGHT, FORD SERVICE MECHANIC INDICATES AFTER SITTING OVERNIGHT IT SMOKES EXCESSIVELY ON COLD STARTUP. I HAVE REPLICATED THE COLD STARTUP PROCEDURE EVERYDAY IN COLD WEATHER OBSERVING THE TAIL PIPE EXHAUST AS MY WIFE STARTS THE ENGINE SINCE JANUARY 2018. THERE HAS NEVER BEEN A SIGN OF SMOKE OR EXCESSIVE SMOKE FROM THE ENGINE TAIL PIPE EXHAUST.

NHTSA ID
11078471
Incident
Jan 5, 2018
Mileage
130,047 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 3, 2017

TRANMISSION WILL NOT PULL THE OVER DRIVE FLASHES OFF\ON

NHTSA ID
11043013
Incident
Jan 1, 2004
Body & structurePowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 2, 2017

WHILE LOOKING AT YOUR WEB SITE, I NOTICE THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON MY 2005 ESCAPE 3.0L, I DIDN'T GET A RECALL NOTICE FROM THE DEALER AND ITS 2017 AND I'M THE SECOND OWNER,AND NOW I FIND OUT THAT MY PASSAGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL IS RUSTED OUT BY LOOKING AT ALL THE WHEEL WELLS, CAUSE I HEARD A HARD BUMP SOUND COMING FROM THE BACK OF THE CAR WHILE DRIVING IT ON THE STREETS. NOW I NOTICE THAT THERE IS A SHIFT LEVEL RECALL ON THE SAME ESCAPE!!. WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE RECALL NOTICES!!!. THIS IS THE ONLY CAR THAT I HAVE TO DRIVE TO GET AROUND IN- GREAT CAR OTHER THEN THAT.

NHTSA ID
10970044
Incident
Apr 1, 2017
Mileage
179,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 6, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE ENGINE, STEERING, AND BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT ALL SIX EMISSION COILS FAILED AND FRACTURED THE PCM. THE SIX EMISSION COILS, POWER TRAIN CONTROL MODULE, AND SPARK PLUGS WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. ..UPDATED 02/09/17 *BF *TR

NHTSA ID
10940146
Incident
Dec 24, 2016
Mileage
140,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 15, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE ABRUPTLY SHUT DOWN. THE GEAR SHIFTER WAS PLACED IN THE NEUTRAL POSITION AND THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND DRIVEN HOME. THE VEHICLE WAS HOOKED UP TO A HANDHELD DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE AND DISPLAYED, "BAD PCM AND BAD COILS". THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ID
10935414
Incident
Dec 6, 2016
Mileage
130,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jul 20, 2016

WE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION FROM 14000 MILES, WE REPORTED TO DEALER AND THEY NEVER NOTED IT IN THERE COMPUTER.. WE COMPLAINED 6 TIMES WITH IT ONLY GOT PUT IN THE COMPUTER AT THE DEALER TWICE.. FINALLY AFTER IT RAN OUT OF WARRANTY, IT ALMOST KILLED OUR WHOLE FAMILY.. THE TRANY WHEN WE CAME UP TO A STOP SIGN COMING OFF THE FREEWAY STAYED INGAGED AND THROUGH US IN TO A BUNCH OF TRAFFIC, ALMOST CAUSING A HE'LL OF A ACCIDENT.. WE'LL IT ENDED UP RUINING THE TRANSMISSION CAUSE THE TORQUE CONVERTER LOCKED UP AND CAUSED IT NOT TO DISENGAGE.. I ENDED UP SPENDING 3500.00 AND HAD THE DEALER PUT A OWN REBUILT IN. LATER I FOUND OUT FORD HAD 4 UPDATED TORQUE CONVERTERS.. WHY WAS THERE NOT A RECALL WHEN IT ALMOST KILLS PEOPLE.. I AM VERY FRUSTRATED WITH EVERYTHING THAT HAS WENT ON WITH THIS VEHICLE.. I AM WILL TO JOIN ANY KIND OF LAWSUIT OVER GETTING THE GOVERNMENT TO TAKE MORE AVASIVE MOVE TO HELP AND PROTECT THE CONSUMER, INSTEAD OF HELPING THESE BIG COMPANIES BEND PEOPLE OVER.. WE PAY A LOT OF MONEY FOR THESE VEHICLES, AND WE GET TREATED LIKE DIRT..

NHTSA ID
10886284
Incident
Sep 23, 2012
Other / unspecifiedPowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 30, 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
Driver assistanceElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 5, 2016

VEHICLE JERKING 4WD LIGHT KEEPS BLINKING, POWER LOCK LIGHT POPS ON CAR ACT LIKE IT WANTS TO SHUT OFF

NHTSA ID
10824576
Incident
Jan 22, 2016
Fuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Oct 20, 2015

WHEN DRIVING CAR SHUTS OFF. CAR STARTS IN PARK WHEN PUT IN GEAR SHUTS OFF. DRIVING ON HIGHWAY WHEN SLOWED DOWN IN TRAFFIC CAR SHUT OFF, AND WOULD WOULD START IN PARK BUT SHUT OFF WHEN PUT IN GEAR

NHTSA ID
10783560
Incident
Oct 18, 2015
Mileage
1,650,000 mi
ElectricalPowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 9, 2015

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PCM AND ALL SIX COILS BURNED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000. MA 10/15/2015 UPDATED 11/08/2017*CN

NHTSA ID
10733032
Incident
Jul 5, 2015
Mileage
121,000 mi

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .