2005 Ford Escape Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2005 Ford Escape has a complaint index of 45 and ranks 12th out of 21 model years, earning a 'Good' verdict relative to other Escape years. NHTSA lists 1,394 complaints, 4 recalls, and 2 deaths for this year.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 45/100
- #12 of 21 Escape years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 1,394
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 4
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 40
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 20
- Injuries
- 28
- Top issue
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 20
- 18 city / 23 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 28 / 2
Top 2005 Ford Escape problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires500 (36%)
- Structure & Body449 (32%)
- Engine353 (25%)
- Electrical System157 (11%)
- Transmission & Powertrain117 (8%)
- Brakes82 (6%)
- Other81 (6%)
- Fuel System64 (5%)
- Steering49 (4%)
- Airbags34 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners describe rear wheels misaligning and rocking back and forth, making the vehicle feel unstable at speed.
- Some reported sudden unintended acceleration, including one case where RPMs spiked far beyond normal while pulling into a driveway.
- Several drivers said the vehicle lost control on wet or icy roads and struck fixed objects or guardrails.
- Airbags reportedly failed to deploy in multiple front and rollover impacts, including a fatal rollover crash.
- One owner reported the transmission rolled out of park into oncoming traffic while parked in gear at a gas station.
2005 Ford Escape recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 15V606000Sep 29, 2015Transmission & Powertrain57 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:floor shift
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.
Risk: If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.
- NHTSA 14V526000Sep 3, 2014Fuel System70,209 vehicles
Hybrid propulsion system
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 Ford Escape hybrid electric vehicles manufactured October 13, 2003, to June 20, 2008, and 2006-2008 Mercury Mariner hybrid electric vehicles manufactured June 10, 2005, to June 20, 2008. The coolant pump for the hybrid system may fail resulting in the hybrid electronics overheating.
Risk: If the hybrid electronics system overheats, it may shut down the powertrain, resulting in a stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the original Motor Electronics Coolant (MEC) Pump with an improved brushless pump, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on October 27, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S19.
- NHTSA 06V111000Apr 7, 2006Structure & Body134,365 vehicles
Seats:front assembly:head restraint
Certain sport utility vehicles equipped without side air curtains or moonroofs fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 201, "occupant protection in interior impact." during testing, the free motion head form registered a measurement above the permitted limit at the left hand a-pillar trim area.
Risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, personal injury to occupants may occur.
Remedy: Dealers will make modifications to the energy absorbing material located above the headliner in the affected area free of charge. The recall began on may 19, 2006. Owners may contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.
2005 Ford Escape fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 23 MPG
- Combined
- 20 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,250
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Ford Escape reliable?
- Compared with other Escape model years, 2005 ranks 12th out of 21 with a complaint index of 45 and a 'Good' verdict. It has fewer reported problems than later years like 2013 and 2017.
- What are the most common problems on the 2005 Ford Escape?
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires complaints lead with 500 reports (36% share), followed by Structure & Body at 449 complaints (32%) and Engine issues at 353 complaints (25%).
- Does the 2005 Ford Escape have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2005 Escape, covering transmission shift lever bolts, the hybrid coolant pump, roof interior padding, and rear liftgate latch components.
- How does 2005 compare to the worst Ford Escape years?
- The 2005 Escape's complaint index of 45 is well below 2017's index of 100 and 2013's index of 90, both rated 'Avoid'.
- What is the median mileage for reported failures on the 2005 Escape?
- NHTSA data shows a median mileage at failure of 105,000 miles overall, with suspension complaints at 120,000 miles and engine complaints at 96,250 miles.