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2005 Ford Escape
4 recall campaigns and 1,320 complaints are on NHTSA's register for the 2005 Ford Escape; the recalls concern power train, hybrid propulsion system and seats.
The component named most often is suspension: 225.5 of every 1,000 component mentions for this year, above the 42 per 1,000 across all 2005 model-year vehicles and against 49.6 per 1,000 for the Ford Escape line as a whole.
That is more than the average of 498.1 complaints per model year across the 27 Ford Escape model years on this register; 37 complaints reported a crash and 20 a fire.
Complaints were received in the largest number in 2014 (312); the most recent in the file is dated 17 Apr 2019.
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation has opened 2 investigations naming this model year.
Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA. Recall text is the manufacturer's Part 573 report as filed with NHTSA. Complaint file through 15 May 2019; recall file through 29 Sep 2026.
Recalls by model year:
Recall campaigns
- 15V606000POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFTReported 29 Sep 2015 · 57 units
Defect, as filed: 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 3.0L 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.
Consequence: 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 vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Remedy: 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 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.
Filed by Ford Motor Company (manufacturer campaign 15S28); components: power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:floor shift; power train:automatic transmission:gear position indication (prndl).
Defect, as filed: 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 manufactured June 10, 2005, to June 20, 2008. The coolant pump for the hybrid system may fail resulting in the hybrid electronics overheating.
Consequence: If the hybrid electronics system overheats, it may shut down the powertrain, resulting in a stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: 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 recall is 14S19.
Filed by Ford Motor Company (manufacturer campaign 14S19).
Defect, as filed: 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 testing, the free motion head form registered a measurement above the permitted limit at the left hand a-pillar trim area.
Consequence: In the event of a vehicle crash, personal injury to occupants may occur.
Remedy: 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.
Filed by FORD MOTOR COMPANY (manufacturer campaign 06C12).
Defect, as filed: Certain 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.
Consequence: If the liftgate is left unlocked, there is the potential that it may open during a crash.
Remedy: 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.
Filed by FORD MOTOR COMPANY (manufacturer campaign 04C09).
Each entry links to the NHTSA record. NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are free of charge at an authorised dealer; check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Component mentions per 1,000 for the 2005 Ford Escape (black) against all 2005 model-year vehicles in the file (yellow). A complaint can name more than one component.
| Per 1,000 component mentions | 2005 | Escape line | All 2005 vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 225.5 | 49.6 | 42 |
| Structure | 219.8 | 65.1 | 65.3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 77.6 | 110.8 | 53 |
| Electrical System | 75.5 | 76.3 | 122.7 |
| Engine | 64.6 | 127.2 | 42.1 |
| Power Train | 56.8 | 122.2 | 117.3 |
| Component | Mentions | Per 1,000 | Line | All 2005 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 433 | 225.5 | 49.6 | 42 |
| Structure | 422 | 219.8 | 65.1 | 65.3 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 149 | 77.6 | 110.8 | 53 |
| Electrical System | 145 | 75.5 | 76.3 | 122.7 |
| Engine | 124 | 64.6 | 127.2 | 42.1 |
| Power Train | 109 | 56.8 | 122.2 | 117.3 |
| Wheels | 92 | 47.9 | 13.7 | 9.2 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 91 | 47.4 | 50.2 | 58.1 |
| Unknown or Other | 60 | 31.3 | 32.6 | 23.7 |
| Steering | 42 | 21.9 | 122.9 | 75.5 |
| Service Brakes | 35 | 18.2 | 20.7 | 23 |
| Air Bags | 34 | 17.7 | 25.9 | 85 |
| Visibility | 33 | 17.2 | 16.2 | 22.9 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 30 | 15.6 | 20.4 | 50.7 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 25 | 13 | 64 | 27.9 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 24 | 12.5 | 23.9 | 33 |
| Electronic Stability Control (ESC) | 16 | 8.3 | 9.4 | 10.5 |
| Seats | 10 | 5.2 | 3.1 | 13.7 |
| Tires | 7 | 3.6 | 7.4 | 16.2 |
| Seat Belts | 7 | 3.6 | 8.1 | 10.7 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages | 6 | 3.1 | 9.8 | 21.3 |
| Exterior Lighting | 6 | 3.1 | 3.8 | 40 |
| Visibility/Wiper | 6 | 3.1 | 6.9 | 4.5 |
| Equipment | 5 | 2.6 | 3.4 | 10.3 |
| Fuel System, Other | 3 | 1.6 | 1.2 | 6.9 |
| Service Brakes, Air | 2 | 1 | 0.9 | 1 |
| Hybrid Propulsion System | 2 | 1 | 0.4 | 0.1 |
| Parking Brake | 1 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 2.1 |
| Interior Lighting | 1 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 1.6 |
1,320 unique complaints, 1,920 component mentions; 27 injuries and 2 deaths reported by complainants. Complaint narratives are not republished.
Complaints by year received
Investigations
| Action | Type | Subject | Component | Opened | Closed | Recall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DP12006 | Defect petition | Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction | engine | 2 Oct 2012 | 21 Feb 2013 | — |
| AQ10001 | Audit query | Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit | unknown or other | 18 Nov 2010 | 28 Dec 2015 | — |
Other Ford Escape model years
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints | Units in campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 NHTSA | 0 | 5 | — |
| 2001 | 13 | 986 | 2,346,736 |
| 2002 | 8 | 1,005 | 2,623,977 |
| 2003 | 7 | 518 | 2,379,447 |
| 2004 | 6 | 482 | 2,057,544 |
| 2005 | 4 | 1,320 | 466,744 |
| 2006 | 3 | 415 | 270,208 |
| 2007 | 2 | 209 | 70,266 |
| 2008 | 3 | 1,640 | 811,144 |
| 2009 | 1 | 1,214 | 740,878 |
| 2010 | 3 | 1,745 | 1,070,162 |
| 2011 | 2 | 955 | 1,070,143 |
| 2012 | 1 | 415 | 329,265 |
| 2013 | 18 | 1,270 | 10,108,284 |
| 2014 | 16 | 714 | 10,384,836 |
| 2015 | 9 | 204 | 9,434,835 |
| 2016 | 4 | 169 | 4,491,298 |
| 2017 | 4 | 145 | 3,078,749 |
| 2018 | 4 | 34 | 3,053,841 |
| 2019 | 3 | 5 | 3,058,409 |
| 2020 | 23 | 0 | 5,016,688 |
| 2021 | 19 | 0 | 3,871,269 |
| 2022 | 19 | 0 | 3,900,354 |
| 2023 | 11 | 0 | 1,819,290 |
| 2024 | 8 | 0 | 1,131,733 |
| 2025 | 9 | 0 | 169,567 |
| 2026 | 2 | 0 | 988 |
Model years with a single campaign and fewer than 25 complaints have no page here; the NHTSA link opens the agency's record for that year.
All Ford Escape model years · Ford: 201 model lines
Questions and answers
How many recalls does the 2005 Ford Escape have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns name this model year; the most recent, 15V606000, was reported to NHTSA on 29 Sep 2015 and concerns power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:floor shift. Across all model years the Ford Escape line has 95 campaigns.
Is there an open NHTSA investigation into the 2005 Ford Escape?
NHTSA's investigation file lists 2 actions naming this model year; the table above shows each action's opening and closing dates. An action with no closing date was still open when the file was produced.
What component do owners of the 2005 Ford Escape complain about most?
Suspension: 433 of 1920 component mentions (225.5 per 1,000). Next is structure with 422. Complaints are consumer reports and have not been verified by NHTSA.
How do I get a recall repaired?
NHTSA states that safety recall repairs are performed free of charge by the manufacturer's authorised dealers. Each campaign's remedy text above is the manufacturer's statement as filed with NHTSA. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
Where does this data come from?
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation recall, complaint and investigation flat files, public domain, downloaded 29 Sep 2026. Complaint counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; component figures count each component a complaint names. The NHTSA record linked from each campaign is authoritative.
Provenance
Source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Office of Defects Investigation flat files (recalls, complaints, investigations), public domain, files dated 29 Sep 2026 (recalls) and 15 May 2019 (complaints). Complaints since 1 Jan 1995. Counts are unique complaint numbers per make, model and model year; per-1,000 rates divide a component's mentions by all mentions for the same group. Errors in processing are corrected at the next daily build; see corrections and the methodology.