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
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  1. Suspension489
  2. Structure459
  3. Electrical system169
  4. Vehicle speed control152
  5. Engine148
  6. Power train126
  7. Wheels107
  8. Engine and engine cooling103
  9. Service brakes84
  10. Steering70
  11. Service brakes, hydraulic47
  12. Fuel/propulsion system36
  13. Air bags36
  14. Visibility32

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
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
200413
200554
200633
200715
200835
200952
201072
201196
2012130
2013161
2014343
2015222
2016116
201771
201876
201945
202014
202114
20229
20236
20243
20254

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.

03 —Owner reports

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).”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 13, 2024SuspensionODI 11577074

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 17, 2024Steering, Suspension, StructureCrash reportedODI 11565921

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 17, 2025Electrical systemODI 11705617

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 13, 2021Vehicle speed controlODI 11416496

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 26, 2023EngineODI 11503874

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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 8, 2024Power trainODI 11581658
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.