2005 Ford Escape: common problems and reliability

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 *2013-2019 generation:.

Safety record for the 2005 model year

3,168
Owner complaints
5
Recalls
88
Crash reports
40
Fire reports

Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2005 Ford Escape vehicles (US, public record).

Where owners report problems

suspension
978
structure
918
electrical system
338
vehicle speed control
304
engine
296

Recalls affecting the 2005 Escape

power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:floor shift

Campaign 15V606000

Ford 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 3.0…

hybrid propulsion system

Campaign 14V526000

Ford 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 manufacture…

suspension:front:wheel bearing

Campaign 15E045000

The 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 Tr…

seats:front assembly:head restraint

Campaign 06V111000

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 TESTI…

What owners say across generations

Sentiment is sharply divided by generation and powertrain, with no single consensus. Long-term owners of the first-generation (circa 2001-2007) and second-generation (circa 2008-2012) models with V6 engines report them as durable "tanks" capable of high mileag

  • *2013-2019 Generation:
  • Catastrophic engine failure (coolant intrusion into cylinders) – Affects 1.5L, 1.6L, and some 2.0L EcoBoost engines. Described as a design defect leading to eventual engine replacement. Frequency: very frequent.
  • Numerous recalls – Including for bush bearings that inhibit gear changes and other safety items, with parts often on backorder. Frequency: very frequent.
  • High-pressure fuel system failures – Camshaft wear leading to fuel pump failure, requiring engine removal on some models. Frequency: recurrent.
  • Transmission problems – Including failures, notably with the 6F35 transmission unless fluid is changed very regularly. Frequency: recurrent.

Owner insights cover all generations of the Escape.

Typical used price

Used Escape listings typically run $21,780–$28,463 across 2015 to 2026 model years.

Other Escape model years

2023 Escape2020 Escape2019 Escape2017 Escape2013 Escape2008 Escape2003 Escape2000 Escape
Full Ford Escape owner reportCompare against another car