2005 Ford Escape Problems

The right lower control arm separated from the subframe due to subframe rust. It caused loss of handling and rendered the car immobile. It was caused by a panic stop at a low speed. The car was towed to an independent garage where it is awaiting repair. Parts affected were the subframe, CV axle joint and the front fender (From the wheel hitting it when it broke).

Hello, The engine cradle subframe on my 2005 Ford Escape has completely rusted through on the right hand side where it attaches to the steering control arm. As I was driving the subframe broke which made it impossible to steer the car. This pulled my car off the road to the passenger side. Fortunately I was not injured. Having now researched this issue, it is a common problem with 2005 Ford Escapes. This is very dangerous, and it should be addressed as it creates a life threatening situation.

Hello, The engine cradle subframe on my 2005 Ford Escape has completely rusted through on the right hand side where it attaches to the steering control arm. As I was driving the subframe broke which made it impossible to steer the car. This pulled my car off the road to the passenger side. Fortunately I was not injured. Having now researched this issue, it is a common problem with 2005 Ford Escapes. This is very dangerous, and it should be addressed as it creates a life threatening situation.

My rear passenger side rusted right out completely and the strut mount is not attached to any part of the body. It caused my vehicle to swirve off the road almost hitting another vehicle when it was raining out also in the snow this occurred several times where my rear end jerked sideways pulling my truck into a complete circle.

I was heading back to Louisville Ky from bowling green Ky when my suv started to slow down and started running rough and check engine light flashed then stayed on I pulled off the road called aaa to have the suv towed back to bowling green to where I could have it checked the next day when I went to start it it was knocking and smoking and wouldn’t take gas. Talked to a local shop and was informed that my motor was blown after he came and looked at it.

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated while his son was driving 30 MPH, the vehicle turned off inadvertently. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact's son shifted into neutral(N) and veered to the side of the road. The contact's son was able to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The contact's son then drove to his residence. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE AND SHIFTING INTO DRIVE, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN AND THEN ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE OFF, WHERE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED OUT OF THE ROADWAY AND RESTARTED AFTER WAITING FOR FIVE MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN DRIVEN TO THE RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,586.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WHILE EXITING A PARKING AREA AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER A MEDIAN AND CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE WALL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOW YARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: DP12006 (ENGINE). A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2005 Ford Escape on November 25, 2025. The contact discovered a mileage and VIN discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 199,500. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a routine inspection, and the dealer informed the contact that during the diagnostic test there was another VIN was associated with the vehicle, and the mileage listed on the diagnostic test was 199,345. The other VIN linked in the diagnostic test for the vehicle was associated with a 2006 Ford Escape, and the mileage was 199,345. It was later discovered that the dealer who had sold the vehicle to the contact had purchased the vehicle in 2018, and the mileage was 199,876. The contact stated that the mileage on the reverse side of the Title was 199,876. The Police were notified; however, no assistance was provided.

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.

Control arm snapped and frame broke

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.

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.

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.

I had just started up my 05 Ford hybrid Escape reversed out of a parking space, applied my brakes and a loud warning noise went off, the ABS light & the Brake light went on, then I tried to brake while backing out of the parking stall. I had no brakes, petal went all the way to the floor. I shifted into drive to pull forward. The car wouldn’t stop petal just went right to the floor, had very little resistance. I almost drove through the front glass doors of the P/T office across from the pharmacy in Cool, CA. The roads are mountainous windy and steep. I was definitely scared for my safety. I had to coast very slowly on the way home. I was on my way to work but instead I dropped it off at home and called ride share to take me to work! I had to use my emergency brake to make the turn up my dirt road. I still had little to no brakes to stop the car. I parked it and haven’t driven it since. Much to dangerous to drive this car. I could have easily been killed not having brakes. It Showed no codes, had no warning at all. I just bought the car about 6 months prior. The next day it was as if it never happened.

Brake Hydraulic Control Unit failed loss of braking.

I had the hybrid battery replaced by Bill Brandt Ford in Brentwood California. A few days after having it replaced. The car broke down on a very dangerous highway. I had the car towed back to Bill Brandt Ford. They replaced the hybrid battery again. I received the car back on May 9. The car just broke down again today. Roughly Bill Brandt Ford had my car for over 250 days. I found a recall one for S as in Sam 19 for my vehicle when I type in the Vin number it says that it doesn’t pertain to my car. But when I look at the recall issue, my car is having the exact same problems. Now I need to have the car towed back yet again to the dealership. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I have over $3000 invested in this car now with Bill Brandt Ford and they’ve had it longer than I’ve had it.

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.

Hello, The engine cradle subframe on my 2005 Ford Escape has completely rusted through on the right hand side where it attaches to the steering control arm. As I was driving the subframe broke which made it impossible to steer the car. This pulled my car off the road to the passenger side. Fortunately I was not injured. Having now researched this issue, it is a common problem with 2005 Ford Escapes. This is very dangerous, and it should be addressed as it creates a life threatening situation.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT UNDISCLOSED SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE DRIFTED TO THE LEFT AND TO THE RIGHT WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE CASE FRAME CROSS-MEMBER RUSTED OUT SEVERELY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FAILURE WAS RELATED TO MANUFACTURER COMMUNICATION NUMBER: 10013366 (STEERING), HOWEVER, THE 2005 FORD ESCAPES WERE NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VIN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 159,000.

2005 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR VEHICLE REPAIRS. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE COMPUTER CONTROL MODULE CAUSED THE COILS TO FAIL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE THERE WAS A TSB FOR THE FAILURE AND BELIEVED THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE PUSHED OUT OF THE HIGHWAY AND INTO A PARKING LOT. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PCM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.

My 2005 ford escape was sitting in my carport for 2 days. I went out to go to the store and the back window was shattered in a million pieces all over the driveway and back bumper. That was also glass inside the car. I called the police and they came out and looked at it and took pictures and I took pictures also they said it had not been vandalized that it must have exploded from the inside out. I read about a lot of other people having the same problem. Ford needs to have a recall on this. It could have happened while I was driving or children could have been hurt sitting in the backseat this is not like

THE REAR WINDOW EXPLODED INTO TINY SHARDS INTO A RADIUS OF 15 FEET FOR AN UNKNOWN REASON. NO CRACKS OR PROBLEMS. THE WINDOW WAS SHUT WITH NORMAL FORCE AND EXPLODED. VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY.

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.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND TURNING THE VEHICLE, THE THROTTLE BECAME STUCK AND THE CONTACT REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AND STRUCK THE CONTACT ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE FACE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED ADDITIONAL INJURIES TO THE NECK AND BACK THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. VILLAGE FORD (23535 MICHIGAN AVENUE, DEARBORN, MICHIGAN 48124, (313) 565-3900) WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.

RUST CAUSED THE SEPARATION OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FROM THE SUBFRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PRIMARILY USED IN A SALT-BELT STATE. THE ISSUE BECAME EVIDENT AFTER A SMALL POTHOLE CAUSED THE REAR FRAME TO PUNCTURE THROUGH THE PASSENGER REAR WHEELHOUSE INTO THE CAB OF THE VEHICLE CAUSING A HIGH-PITCHED SQUEAL AND STEERING DIFFICULTIES..

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE PASSENGER RIDING IN THE REAR SEAT NOTICED A HOLE IN THE BACK SIDE OF THE DRIVER SEAT. A PIECE OF METAL, APPROXIMATELY EIGHT INCHES LONG, WAS PROTRUDING FROM THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS SCHEDULED TO BE EVALUATED AT THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

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

AIRBAG LIGHT IS YELLOW. WAS TOLD MY AIRBAGS WILL NOT INFLATE IN A ACCIDENT. THE UNIT THAT CONTROLS THE AIRBAGS ALSO CONTROLS THE LOCKS ON THE DOORS. THE DOORS NO LONGER LOCK ON TAKE OFF. DOESN'T WARN YOU THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER ISN'T SEAT BELTED IN. THE UNIT IS UNDER THE CONSOLE AND IS HARD TO REPLACE SO I WAS TOLD AND WOULD COST ME OVER $500. WHICH I CAN'T AFFORD. I FEEL IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE COVERED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY. I WAS TOLD NOT ENOUGH OWNERS ARE HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THIS THEREFORE IT ISN'T A RECALL ISSUE.

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

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

I HAVE A 2005 FORD ESCAPE WITH TWO OEM TIRES ON THE REAR AND TWO NEWER TIRES OF FROM THE SAME COMPANY (CONTINENTAL) ON THE FRONT END. FOR MONTHS NOW, WHEN TRAVELING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS ON THE HIGHWAY, I HAVE HEARD A LOUD AND VIOLENT FLAPPING SOUND. THE NOISE SOUNDED AS IF THERE WAS A WINDOW OPEN... AFTER CHECKING MY TIRES, SEAL ON ALL OPENINGS, ETC., I COULD NOT FIND THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. YESTERDAY EVENING, WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY BETWEEN 50 AND 70MPH, I HAD A BLOWOUT OF MY REAR OEM DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. FORTUNATELY, IT WAS NOT RAINING AND IT OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ALONG A STRETCH OF I-10 THAT HAD NO GUARDRAILS, CONSTRUCTION, ETC. WHEN I GOT OUT TO INSPECT THE DAMAGE, I NOTED THAT THE TREAD ITSELF WAS PRACTICALLY WITHOUT PROBLEM; THE PROBLEM WAS IN THE SIDEWALL. MY HAD A RIP IN THE SHAPE OF A CRESCENT MOON WITH SPLITTING GOING BOTH TOWARD THE EXTERIOR OF THE TIRE AND TOWARD THE INTERIOR OR WHEEL/HUB ASSEMBLY. A LOCAL POLICE OFFICER ARRIVED AND ASSISTED WITH THE REPAIR, WHICH TOOK MOMENTS, BUT I AM QUITE CONCERNED ABOUT THE INTEGRITY OF BOTH THE REMAINING OEM TIRE I CURRENTLY STILL HAVE ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE AND, MORE IMPORTANTLY, THE TWO NEWER CONTINENTAL SPORT LX TIRES I CURRENTLY HAVE ON THE FRONT END. MY CAR HAS LOW MILEAGE FOR IT'S AGE AND THE TREAD ON ALL OF MY TIRES IS NOT WORN; THERE APPEARS TO BE NO EXPLANATION OTHER THAN A DESIGN FLAW OR DEFECT. I AM QUITE CONCERNED FOR MY SAFETY AND AM UNSURE WHETHER I SHOULD REPLACE ALL FOUR TIRES WITH A DIFFERENT BRAND OR IF THIS ALLEGED DEFECT ONLY AFFECTS THE OEM LINE OF CONTINENTAL TIRES WHICH CAME WITH MY VEHICLE (CONTINENTAL CONTITRAC I THINK). I HAVE READ ABOUT SIMILAR INSTANCES ONLINE, BUT ALL INSTANCES DO NOT DESCRIBE A RESOLUTION PROCESS OTHER CUSTOMERS PURCHASING NEW TIRES AND/OR RECEIVING A $20 VOUCHER FROM THE TIRE MANUFACTURER, GENERAL. I THINK THIS BRAND/MODEL SHOULD BE RECALLED AND REPLACEMENT TIRES OF BETTER QUALITY SHOULD BE PROVIDED AT NO COST. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE VEHICLE HAS PEP BOYS DEFINITY DAKOTA A/T TIRES, SIZE P235/70/R16 (NA). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR REPAIR AND HE OBSERVED THAT FOURS TIRES EXHIBITED SEVERE TREAD SEPARATION AND CRACKING. THE TIRES ARE IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPLACED DUE TO THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES OF THE DEFECTIVE TIRES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 99,000. UPDATED 07/01/09 *BF UPDATED 07/06/09.*JB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT ONLY BLEW OUT HOT AIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.