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2005 Ford Escape: common problems and reliability
· 1st generationOne of the worst Escape years.
One of the Ford Escape years to avoid. All Escape years
3,168 owner complaints, most about suspension. 5 recalls.
Should I buy a 2005 Escape?The 2005 Ford Escape has 3168 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 5 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are suspension and structure. Owners most often flag rear shock mount and frame rust causing structural failure.
Safety record for the 2005 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2005 Ford Escape vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Escape years only. How we score it
Is 2005 a good year for the Escape?
Across the 27 Escape model years we track, complaint volume runs from 5 (2000) to 4,834 (2008). With 3,168 complaints, the 2005 Escape sits above the model's median of 1,110.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2005 Escape
power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:floor shift
Campaign 15V606000Ford 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.
hybrid propulsion system
Campaign 14V526000Ford 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.
suspension:front:wheel bearing
Campaign 15E045000The Timken Company (Timken) is recalling certain aftermarket front wheel bearings, part number 510072, sold from January 22, 2015, to May 21, 2015, to be used as service parts on 2001-2012 Ford Escape, 2001-2011 Mazda Tribute, and 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles. The affected wheel bearings have incorrect dimensions of a 42mm bore, 76mm outer dimension, and 39mm width, instead of a 42mm bore, 78mm outer dimension and a 45mm width.
seats:front assembly:head restraint
Campaign 06V111000CERTAIN 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.
Show 1 more recall
latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
Campaign 04V602000CERTAIN 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.
What owners report on the 1st generation Escape
Owners generally view this generation as a decent, affordable used SUV with capable V6 engines and respectable reliability when maintained.
- Very frequentRear shock mount and frame rust causing structural failure
- Very frequentAutomatic transmission (CD4E) failure
Slipping, or hard shifting, especially without regular fluid changes.
- RecurrentEngine stalling when coming to a stop or engaging drive/reverse (torque converter issue, TSB 07-5-6)
- RecurrentValve cover gasket leaks causing burning oil smell
- RecurrentAlternator failure around 130k miles
Owner insights for the 1st generation Escape. Read the full 1st generation owner report.
Typical used price
Used Escape listings typically run $9,995–$20,378.
Other Escape model years
Compare every Escape year side by side to see how 2005 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Escape against its rivals
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