459 of the 2,030 complaints about the 2005 Ford Escape are about the suspension — 23% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 121,000 miles.
459
Complaints
6
Crashes
1
Fires
2
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
SUSPENSION
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).
NHTSA complaint #11577074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #11565921 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
My rear passenger side rusted right out completely and the strut mount is not attached to any part of the body. It caused my vehicle to swirve off the road almost hitting another vehicle when it was raining out also in the snow this occurred several times where my rear end jerked sideways pulling my truck into a complete circle.
NHTSA complaint #11521928 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
Control arm snapped and frame broke
NHTSA complaint #11468835 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
Front left tower rod is going thru the wheel well from rust. This can cause major damage to myself, occupants, and the lives of others outside of the vehicle. The front left seatbelt light continuously alarms as if it is not connected. Is it? The back lights are always out not sure to replacement repeatedly. I'd the seatbelt good enough in an accident, I am not trying to find that it either. The lights are a ticket every time and are another hazard to other motorist. The main wheel rust was told to me upon a failed inspection. It is not fixed at this point just found out and looking for recalls but found many with the same exact hazard. The warning lights go off every minute and a half while driving in the dashboard. This has been since I purchased the vehicle last year. The same goes for replacing the back running light. I don't know if the auto place was aware of these problems, but I'm positive the were just trying to move the vehicle if the lot at this point. The repairs are more than half of the cost just for the wheel rust hazard
NHTSA complaint #11459584 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
I was driving at ~35MPH and suddenly hear a loud clanking sound from the rear right tire. The car has minimal rust however the rear right tire well has extensive internal weakness that caused the shock to disconnect from the frame. This happened completely unexpectedly and could lead to accidents and death. It seems this problem has been reported by hundreds of other drivers of similar makes and models.
NHTSA complaint #11430998 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
RUST THROUGH ON RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL AND SHOCK TOWER. CAR ONLY HAS 100,089 MILES. HAS BEEN KEPT CLEAN AND WAS BOUGHT FROM CARMAX IN2013 IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. ALL REPAIRS, MAINTENANCE PERFORMED BY PROFESSIONALS SINCE BOUGHT. RESEARCH SHOWS THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. (IN ADDITION TO THE DOOR OPEN/ALARM PROBLEM OTHERS AND I EXPERIENCE) THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH AS IT INVOLVES THE REAR SHOCK POSSIBLY DISLODGING AND REAR END COLLAPSING. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS AND MAKE FORD FIX THIS PROBLEM! MANY OWNERS BOUGHT THESE VEHICLES USED AND WE CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX THESE( IF THEY CAN BE FIXED AT ALL) MUCH LESS BUY A NEW VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #11416109 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
WHEEL WELL ON REAR PASSENGER SIDE AS REPORTED MANY TIME COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT UNDRIVABLE ONLY 100000 MILES
NHTSA complaint #11404410 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 65MPH, I HIT A POTHOLE AND IMMEDIATELY HEARD A LOUD BANGING SOUND FROM THE DRIVER SIDE REAR OF MY VEHICLE. AFTER PULLING OFF THE FREEWAY AND INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, I DISCOVERED THE DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WELL TO BE COMPLETELY RUSTED AND THE SHOCK TOWER WAS SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME.
NHTSA complaint #11352856 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL HOUSING OF WHICH THE TOP PORTION OF THE SHOCK CONNECT TO IS RUSTED OUT WHICH MEANS THE TOP PART OF THE SHOCK IS NOT ATTACHED TO THE BODY.
NHTSA complaint #11351188 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
MY CAR HAS ABOUT 140 000 MILES ON IT. I PUT A LOT OF MONEY INTO IT TO KEEP IT RUNNING SMOOTHLY. I JUST FOUND OUT THAT REAR RIGHT SHOCK COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY FROM VEHICLES BODY AND IT WILL COST THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX. I WOULD NEVER EXPECT FORD VEHICLE TO FALL APART LIKE THIS. NOW MY CAR IS JUNK WORTH 200 DOLLARS TO TOW AWAY. I AM VERY DISSAPOINTED.I WILL NEVER BUY FORD AND I AM TELLING EVERYBODY WHAT HAPENNED. CAR STARTED MAKING LOUD BANGING NOISE IN REAR RIGHT WHEEL WELL UPON WHICH I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC RIGHT AWAY.HE TELLS ME CAR IS NOT WORTH FIXING.
NHTSA complaint #11340247 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
RUST AND CORROSION ON THE WHEEL WELL CAUSED THE SHOCK MOUNT TO COME APART. NOW IT IS LOOSE AND VERY DANGEROUS. FORD MUST BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR TERRIBLE DESIGN.
NHTSA complaint #11331654 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #11299424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
PASSENGER SIDE FRAME FENDER WELL GAS TANK STRAP SHOCK MOUNT HAVE ALL RUSTED OUT . THE SHOCK MOUNT HAS ALMOST COME INSIDE THE CAR INSULATION IS HANGING OUT AND THE WIRE HARNESS IS STARTING TO HANG OUT NOT NORMAL FOR A CAR WITH ONLY 114023 MILES
NHTSA complaint #11298867 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
THE PASSENGER SIDE SUBFRAME RUSTED OUT AND CORRODED CAUSING THE SUBFRAME TO BREAK, RESULTING IN A VERY UNSAFE AND HAZARDOUS VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #11288947 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
I PURCHASED A 2005 FORD ESCAPE AND AFTER PURCHASING IT AND HAVING IT REGISTERED ON MY WAY HOME I GOT TO SOME ROADWAY WITH A LOT OF POT HOLES AND WHEN I HIT ONE I HEARD THIS GOD AWFUL NOISE COMING FROM THE RIGHT REAR ONLY TO DISCOVER THAT THE REAR SHOCK TOWER WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND THE SHOCK JUST SWAYING AROUND UNATTACHED AT THE TOP. AFTER GETTING HOME AND RESEARCHING IT I FIND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE ESCAPE.
NHTSA complaint #11269575 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SHOCK TOWER HOUSING WAS FRACTURED AND PUNCTURED THROUGH THE SUBFRAME. DURING THE FAILURE, THE BRAKE LINE AND REAR BRAKE LIGHT WIRE WERE SEVERED, WHICH CAUSED BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK AND THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT TO MALFUNCTION. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
NHTSA complaint #11265404 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
AS I WAS DRIVING THERE WAS A REALLY LOUD CLUNKING ON THE REAR. I FIGURED IT WAS POTENTIALLY A BROKEN SHOCK. IN THE PASSENGER REAR WHEEL WELL WHERE THE SHOCK BOLTS TO THE FRAME WAS COPLETELY RUSTED OUT. WHEN I WAS HITTING BUMPS IT WASNT EVEN ATTACHED TO THE FRAME. THERE WAS NO WAY OF REPAIR. I AM SO GREATFUL I WAS SAFE. AND DIDNT GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. ONE WRONG BUMP. AND THE WHOLE SHOCK WOULDVE WENT THROUGH THE TRUNK AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #11257262 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL HAS COMPLETELY ROTTED AWAY, SO THE BODY OF THE CAR IS SLAMMED AGAINST THE SUSPENSION BARS, OBVIOUSLY CAUSING DAMAGE AS WELL AS AN UNBEARABLE CRASHING BANG ANY AND EVERY TIME YOU HIT A BUMP. I AM UNSURE IF MY WHEEL IS GOING TO COME OFF OR HOW LONG BEFORE MY FRAME WILL BE BENT. I HAVE SEEN SIMILAR COMPLAINT ABOUT THE SAME MAKE MODEL AND YEAR AND IT IS ALWAYS THE BACK WHEEL WELL.
NHTSA complaint #11256856 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #11256412 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
CRACK SUB FRAME ON RIGHT FRONT! EXTREME DETERIORATION ALMOST CAUSING ACCIDENT AND BECAME UNSAFE TO DRIVE! RECALLS ON 2001-2004 FOR SAME PROBLEM WHY NOT 2005? EXTREMELY DANGEROUS MALFUNCTION! DEFINITELY GO IMPORT IF THIS IS WHAT FORDS QUALITY AND SUPPORT HAS BECOME!
NHTSA complaint #11254734 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WHEEL WELL WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND THE SHOCK MOUNT HAD SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE SHOCK MOUNT FAILURE. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
NHTSA complaint #11244261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION:REAR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE CONTACT'S DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, SHE HEARD A STRANGE SOUND AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWERVE. THE DRIVER PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO CHECK FOR A FLAT TIRE, BUT THE TIRES WERE FINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME AND THEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHOCK ABSORBER MOUNTS ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WERE DAMAGED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 189,319.
NHTSA complaint #11243951 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
07/13/2019. I OWN A 2005 FORD ESCAPE , MANUFACTURING DATE 04/04 . TODAY I WAS DRIVING HOME I NOTICED A VERY LOUD WHISTLING NOISE , DIFFICULTY STEERING AND ESPECIALLY WHEN ATTEMPTING TO TURN. LUCKILY MADE IT TO MY DRIVEWAY AND MY HUSBAND LOOKED AT THE VEHICLE AND SAID BOTH FRONT TIRES WERE LEANING INWARD SO HE LOOKED UNDERNEATH TO FIND MY SUBFRAME IS ALL BUT RUSTED INTO ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. I KNOW THIS WAS A PROBLEM FOR ESCAPES 2001-2004 OBVIOUSLY FORD DID NOT GET THIS SITUATION FIXED FOR THEIR 2005 MODELS. FORD I WANT MY SUV FIXED!!. YOU KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH PREVIOUS YEARS NOW DO THE RESPONSIBLE THING AND FIX IT.
NHTSA complaint #11231617 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
DRIVING TO A STOP LIGHT, I APPLIED THE BRAKE AND MY FRONT K-FRAME FAILED ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, AT THE LOWER A-FRAME.
NHTSA complaint #11218047 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
RUSTED REAR SHOCK MOUNT, BAD SUSPENSION CAUSING UNSAFE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #11209785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME FRACTURED WHILE TURNING THE VEHICLE INTO A PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY STOPPED AND ONE OF THE TIRES BECAME DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. MIKE CASTRUCCI FORD LINCOLN OF ALEXANDRIA (7400 ALEXANDRIA PIKE, ALEXANDRIA, KY 41001, (859) 448-9400) AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 163,000.
NHTSA complaint #11196927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
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
NHTSA complaint #11195277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
BEGAN HEARING TERRIBLE NOISE FROM REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL. INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE ENTIRE WHEEL WELL AND FRAME WERE RUSTED OUT. AFTER REPLACING THE WHEEL WELL AND SHOCK MOUNT TOWER, STILL EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS DUE TO FRAME BEING RUSTED OUT. NO LONGER ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE FOR SAFETY REASONS AND IT IS HEADED TO THE SCRAP YARD.
NHTSA complaint #11190415 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SUSPENSION
I WAS CHECKING TO SEE IF MY FORD POSSIBLY HAD A RECALL WITH THE ISSUE I AM HAVING AND IT APPEARS THAT THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME ISSUE I AM HAVING. MY REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL ALSO HAS RUSTED OUT CAUSING THE SHOCK TO COME LOOSE AND IT IS NO LONGER ATTACHED AND WHILE DRIVING IS MOVING AROUND IN WHAT SOUNDS LIKE MY TRUNK. I HONESTLY CANNOT BELIEVE THAT WITH ALL THESE SAME ISSUES I AM READING THIS IS NOT A RECALL THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #11184476 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.