YearToAvoid

2005 Ford Escape Structure & Body Problems

NHTSA has 449 owner complaints about body and structure problems in the 2005 Ford Escape, 32% of all 1,394 complaints for this model year. That is #2 highest body and structure complaint count among 21 Escape model years. These complaints report 5 crashes, 3 fires, and 5 injuries. Median mileage at failure: 118,000 miles.

Structure & Body complaints
449
32% of 1,394
Crashes reported
5
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
5
Median mileage
118,000 mi
Related recalls
2

When 2005 Ford Escape body and structure complaints were filed

First complaint Apr 26, 2004, latest Jan 17, 2024.

2005 Ford Escape structure & body complaints: complaints filed per quarter602004 Q22008 Q42012 Q12014 Q12015 Q42017 Q32019 Q22023 Q2
449 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2004 Q2 to 2024 Q1; peak 2014 Q2 (60).

Structure & Body recalls for the 2005 Ford Escape

  1. 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.

  2. NHTSA 04V602000Dec 20, 2004Structure & Body262,113 vehicles

    Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch

    Certain 2004-2005 sport utility vehicles and certain 2001-2003 sport utiity vehicle having rear liftgate components serviced with 2004 equivalent components fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 206, 'door locks and door retention components.' the rear liftgate latching system does not meet the inertia load requirement in one direction.

    Risk: If the liftgate is left unlocked, there is the potential that it may open during a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the rear liftgate latch release rod, the release rod attachment clip and the door handle return spring. The recall began on march 31, 2005. Owners should contact ford at 1-800-392-3673.

Structure & Body complaints by Escape model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

  1. 2005449 (32%)
  2. 200667 (14%)
  3. 200722 (9%)
  4. 200846 (2%)
  5. 200934 (2%)
  6. 201094 (5%)
  7. 201152 (4%)
  8. 201276 (13%)
  9. 2013152 (6%)
  10. 2014152 (7%)
  11. 201568 (6%)
  12. 201623 (2%)
  13. 201773 (3%)
  14. 201826 (1%)
  15. 201913 (2%)
  16. 2020719 (45%)
  17. 202192 (27%)
  18. 202225 (11%)
  19. 20237 (7%)
  20. 20242 (3%)
  21. 20252 (8%)

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2005 Ford Escape have body and structure problems?
NHTSA has 449 owner complaints about the body and structure in the 2005 Ford Escape, 32% of all complaints for this model year, including 5 that report a crash. Median mileage at failure is 118,000 miles.
Which Ford Escape year has the most body and structure complaints?
The 2020 Ford Escape has the most body and structure complaints (719), compared with 449 for the 2005.
Is there a body and structure recall for the 2005 Ford Escape?
Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for the 2005 Ford Escape concern the body and structure: 06V111000 and 04V602000.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.