2005 Ford Escape: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2005 Ford Escape: 4 recalls, 1394 owner complaints and up to 24 mpg combined.
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Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Latches & locks Vehicle recall #04V602000 · 2004 · 262,113 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: If the liftgate is left unlocked, there is the potential that it May open during a crash.
The fix: 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.
Seats Vehicle recall #06V111000 · 2006 · 134,365 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: In the event of a vehicle crash, personal injury to occupants May occur.
The fix: 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.
Hybrid system Vehicle recall #14V526000 · 2014 · 70,209 vehicles
What's wrong: The coolant pump for the hybrid system May fail resulting in the hybrid electronics overheating.
Why it matters: If the hybrid electronics system overheats, it May shut down the powertrain, resulting in a stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Transmission & drivetrain, Transmission & drivetrain Vehicle recall #15V606000 · 2015 · 57 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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…
The fix: 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.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Suspension Equipment recall #15E045000 · 2015 · 576 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Timken has begun notifying distributors who will offer purchasers replacement wheel bearings, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2015.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 20 mention a fire, 28 injuries and 2 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Suspension (459): the most common themes are rust / corrosion (405), noise or vibration (174).
- Body & structure (434): the most common themes are rust / corrosion (391), noise or vibration (164).
- Electrical (153): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (86), warning light on (41), electrical failure (29).
- Speed control / throttle (149): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (18), sudden acceleration (10).
The 2005 Ford Escape has 1394 owner complaints, ranking #9 of 27 Escape model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 1016). Complaints peaked in 2014 (312 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 9 years old, at a median of 105,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2004 (499 complaints, 6 recalls), 2006 (464 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.3 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 27 | 24 | Regular |
| 2.3 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 23 | 21 | Regular |
| 2.3 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 24 | 21 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 23 | 19 | Regular |
| 2.3 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 20 | 18 | Regular |
| 3.0 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 20 | 17 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2005 Ford Escape.
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Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2005 Ford Escape have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 2005 Ford Escape, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2005 Ford Escape problems?
Owners have filed 1394 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are suspension (459), body & structure (434), electrical (153).
What gas mileage does the 2005 Ford Escape get?
EPA ratings run up to 24 mpg combined (2.3 L, Manual 5-spd), across 6 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2005 Ford Escape repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.