2005 Ford Escape: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 2030 complaints
2030
Total Complaints
109,000mi
Median Mileage
Suspension
Top Issue
54
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
82,000
25th Percentile
109,000
Median Mileage
136,787
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Suspension
441
Body
360
Electrical System
142
Engine
130
Vehicle Speed Control
128
Wheels
98
Power Train
79
Unknown Or Other
76
Engine And Engine Cooling
68
Steering
47
Severity Assessment
54
Crashes
24
Fires
39
Injuries
3
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"FRONT DRIVERS SEAT LEANS AND IS POINTING TO LEFT. DEALER STATED THAT FORD PURPOSELY MADE THE FOAM ON THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT LESS DENSE THAN ON THE RIGHT SIDE FOR EASIER ACCESS AND EXIT OF THE VEHICLE. THIS STILL DOESN'T EXPLAIN WHY THE SEAT ALSO FEELS SLIGHTLY TWISTED OR POINTING THE LEFT. I WAS ALSO..."
"CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT A COMPUTER PROBLEM. WHEN PUTTING VEHICLE IN REVERSE IT WENT FORWARD, AND WHEN PUTTING IT IN DRIVE IT DID NOTHING. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO REPAIR SHOP 3 TIMES, BUT MECHANIC COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG. WHEN VEHICLE WAS PUT ON THE COMPUTER IT SHOWED NO ERROR MES..."
"BRAKES ARE MAKING NOISE INTERMITTINGLY. IT SOUNDS LIKE BLOWING IN A BOTTLE. WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE 3 TIMES IN THE FIRST MONTH OF OWNERSHIP. THEY KEEP GRINDING DOWN THE ROTORS AND IT'S NOT HELPING. APPARANTLY FORD CORP. IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND ARE TRYING TO FIND A CURE. THEY DON'..."
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Suspension
441 complaints
25th: 100,000 mi
Median: 122,500 mi
75th: 149,466 mi
Body
360 complaints
25th: 94,565 mi
Median: 121,075 mi
75th: 144,412 mi
Electrical System
142 complaints
25th: 80,750 mi
Median: 104,000 mi
75th: 128,500 mi
Engine
130 complaints
25th: 89,507 mi
Median: 113,000 mi
75th: 144,705 mi
Vehicle Speed Control
128 complaints
25th: 55,000 mi
Median: 88,545 mi
75th: 116,000 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
MI: 269
OH: 241
IL: 161
PA: 155
NY: 149
CA: 102
WI: 84
MN: 70
IN: 66
FL: 59
Who Files Complaints?
5.8%
Original Owners
94.2%
Second+ Owners
Ford Escape — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
Active Recalls (5)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Floor Shift
Campaign 15V606000 | 29/09/2015
If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehic
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-43
Hybrid Propulsion System
Campaign 14V526000 | 03/09/2014
If the hybrid electronics system overheats, it may shut down the powertrain, resulting in a stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the original Motor Electronics Coolant (MEC) Pump with an improved brushless pump, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on October 27, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this
Wheel Bearing
Campaign 15E045000 | 03/06/2015
Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Timken has begun notifying distributors who will offer purchasers replacement wheel bearings, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2015. Owners may contact Timken customer service at 1-866-984-6536.
Head Restraint
Campaign 06V111000 | 07/04/2006
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, PERSONAL INJURY TO OCCUPANTS MAY OCCUR.
DEALERS WILL MAKE MODIFICATIONS TO THE ENERGY ABSORBING MATERIAL LOCATED ABOVE THE HEADLINER IN THE AFFECTED AREA FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 19, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Latch
Campaign 04V602000 | 20/12/2004
IF THE LIFTGATE IS LEFT UNLOCKED, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL THAT IT MAY OPEN DURING A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH RELEASE ROD, THE RELEASE ROD ATTACHMENT CLIP AND THE DOOR HANDLE RETURN SPRING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Extend Your Suspension Life
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Avoid potholes and speed bumps at high speed
- Replace shocks/struts every 50,000-75,000 miles even if they seem fine
- Get alignment checked if the car pulls or tires wear unevenly
- Don't overload the vehicle beyond its rated capacity
- Address clunking or bouncing immediately — worn suspension damages other components
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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28