Problems · NHTSA complaints
2005 Ford Escape problems
Owners filed 1,584 complaints about the 2005 Ford Escape with NHTSA between Apr 2004 and Dec 2025. The most-cited component is suspension (489).
Complaints
1,584
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
44
Reported by owners
Fires
20
Reported by owners
Injuries
29
People reported injured
Deaths
2
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
13
54
33
15
35
52
72
96
130
161
343
222
116
71
76
45
14
14
9
6
3
4
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 13 |
| 2005 | 54 |
| 2006 | 33 |
| 2007 | 15 |
| 2008 | 35 |
| 2009 | 52 |
| 2010 | 72 |
| 2011 | 96 |
| 2012 | 130 |
| 2013 | 161 |
| 2014 | 343 |
| 2015 | 222 |
| 2016 | 116 |
| 2017 | 71 |
| 2018 | 76 |
| 2019 | 45 |
| 2020 | 14 |
| 2021 | 14 |
| 2022 | 9 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 4 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Suspension
489 reports6 crashes1 fire1 related recall
“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).”
Structure
459 reports4 crashes1 fire
“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.”
Electrical system
169 reports6 fires
“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.”
Vehicle speed control
152 reports5 crashes
“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.”
Engine
148 reports2 crashes4 fires
“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.”
Power train
126 reports1 crash1 related recall
“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.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.