Problems · by component

2005 Ford Escape steering problems

70 owner complaints to NHTSA about the 2005 Ford Escape cite steering, 4% of all 1,584 complaints for this model year.

Complaints
70
4% of all complaints
Crashes
3
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
1
Reported by owners
01 —Owner reports

What owners say about the steering

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
“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
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 22, 2020SteeringODI 11301210
“WAS DRIVING LESS THAN 15MPH WHEN SUDDENLY I LOST ALL CONTROL OF STEERING ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. WHEN I WAS ABLE TO GET HELP AFTER SITTING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR 16 HOURS, I WAS INFORMED THAT ONE OF THE THREE WHEEL BEARINGS HAD SNAPPED. I DID A LITTLE RESEARCH AND FOUND THE RECALL FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL ASSEMBLY AND BEARINGS. I ENTERED MY VIN NUMBER AND IT DIDN'T SAY WHETHER OR NOT IT WOULD BE FIXED. I TAKE PRIDE IN MY VEHICLES AND KEEP THE MAINTENANCE UP TO DATE, THEREFORE I CAN SAY THEY THIS HAPPENED DUE TO FAULTY PARTS AND FEEL LIKE I SHOULD BE ABLE TO HAVE IT FIXED.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 14, 2020Steering, Suspension, WheelsODI 11299424
“WHILE DRIVING HER 2005 FORD ECAPE AFTER COMING TO AN ABRUPT STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. MY DAUGHTER FOUND STEERING EXTREMELY DIFFICULT, WITH VEHICLE PULLING EXTREMELY TO THE RIGHT THEN SWERVING INTO THE OTHER LANE TO THE LEFT UPON TRYING TO CORRECT FOR THE PULL. SHE PULLED THE CAR OVER AND FOUND THAT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL STRAIGHT AHEAD THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WAS POINTING OUTWARD TOWARD THE CURB WITH THE TOP OF THE WHEEL TILTED INWARD TOWARDS THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS UNDRIVABLE AND WAS TOWED HOME. VISUAL INSPECTION BY AN EXPERIENCED MECHANIC FOUND THAT EXTREME CORROSION OF THE SUBFRAME AT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FRONT MOUNTING POINT HAD CAUSED THE SUBFRAME TO SEPERATE AND ALLOW THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO BEND OUTWARDS AND CAUSE EXTREME MISALIGNMENT.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 18, 2019Steering, SuspensionODI 11256412
“CROSS OVER ON PASSENGER SIDE RUSTED IN HALF,THE EXACT SAME THING THAT WASTE CALLED ON THE 2001-2004,MY WIFE WAS DRIVING WITH TWO OF MY GRANDCHILDREN WITH HER WHEN IT BROKE,THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND SERIOUS SITUATION,I FEEL FORD SHOULD FIX MY VEHICLE,IT WAS MANUFACTURED IN2004,I WILL TAKE IT TO COURT IF NECESSARY, INNOCENT PEOPLE COULD GET KILLED,IT IS THE EXACT SAME RECALL AS THE YEAR BEFORE AND WAS MANUFACTURED IN THAT YEAR OF THE RECALL MY ESCAPE HAS NO OTHER RUST ON IT ANYWHERE,I HAVE PICS TO PROVE IT,MY WIFE WAS JUST GETTING READY TO TURN INTO A DRIVEWAY FROM A CITY STREET”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 7, 2019Steering, Structure, Unknown or otherODI 11242376
“TAKATA RECALL THE 01 THRU 04 WERE RECALLED FOR SAME PROBLEM THE FRONT SUBFRAME RUSTED IN TO CAUSING THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL TO WONDER ALL OVER IF DROVE ANY MORE WOULD HAVE CAUSE A SERIOUS WRECK I WAS DRIVING VEHICLE WHEN I NOTICED THAT IT FELT LIKE THE FRONT WHEEL WAS COMING OFF LUCKILY I WAS ONLY A COUPLE MILES FROM HOME THE DAY BEFORE I TOOK MY GRANDSON TO CHARLESTON WV TO MEET HIS MOM IF IT WOULD HAVE BROKEN ON I 77 AT 70 PLUS MILES AN HR COULD HAVE BEEN TRAGIC IT BEING THE SAME ISSUE WITH EARLY MODELS AND FORD SENT A BAR TO TRY N FIX IT A JOKE JUST LEARN THIS ON INTERNET”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 9, 2019Steering, Suspension, WheelsODI 11195277

Showing 6 of 70 reports. Read every report on NHTSA.gov.

Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.