Model year record

2005 Ford Escape

4 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 2,034 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 15V606000

Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)

Component: Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)
Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected: 57
Reported to NHTSA: 2015-09-29
Owners notified: 2015-10-23

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 14V526000

Hybrid propulsion system

Component: Hybrid propulsion system
Manufacturer: Ford Motor Company
Vehicles affected: 70,209
Reported to NHTSA: 2014-09-03
Owners notified: 2014-10-30

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

If the hybrid electronics system overheats, it may shut down the powertrain, resulting in a stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a crash.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 06V111000

Seats: front assembly: head restraint

Component: Seats: front assembly: head restraint
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected: 134,365
Reported to NHTSA: 2006-04-07
Owners notified: 2006-05-19

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, PERSONAL INJURY TO OCCUPANTS MAY OCCUR.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V602000

Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch

Component: Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
Manufacturer: FORD MOTOR COMPANY
Vehicles affected: 262,113
Reported to NHTSA: 2004-12-20
Owners notified: 2005-03-31

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

IF THE LIFTGATE IS LEFT UNLOCKED, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL THAT IT MAY OPEN DURING A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Suspension	441	122,000 mi
Structure: body	360	121,000 mi
Electrical system	142	104,000 mi
Engine	130	113,000 mi
Vehicle speed control	128	88,500 mi
Wheels	98	122,000 mi
Power train	79	108,000 mi
Unknown or other	78	107,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling	68	90,000 mi
Steering	47	114,000 mi
Service brakes	41	105,852 mi
Structure	34	101,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	29	115,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission	28	31,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline	27	76,000 mi
Air bags	22	97,500 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields	20	110,124 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal	18	50,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)	16	116,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine	15	79,000 mi
Structure: frame and members	14	121,000 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear	12	52,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic	11	75,000 mi
Visibility	9	52,000 mi
Air bags: frontal	8	17,900 mi
Seats	8	65,000 mi
Suspension: rear	8	135,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)	7	2,000 mi
Suspension: front	7	11,000 mi
Exterior lighting	6	82,400 mi
Visibility/wiper	6	78,900 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system	5	94,100 mi
Seat belts	5	59,850 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module	4	70 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	4	9,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	4	86,000 mi
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer	4	82,400 mi
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module	3	106,500 mi
Electrical system: wiring	3	25,000 mi
Equipment	3	75,000 mi
Structure: body: door	3	141 mi
Tires	3	21,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt	3	31,459 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system	3	26,400 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly	3	48,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition	2	31,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument panel: speedometer/odometer	2	199,876 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline	2	2,400 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap	2	2,000 mi
Fuel system, other	2	43,000 mi
Hybrid propulsion system	2	—
Latches/locks/linkages	2	82,400 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch	2	5,400 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hatchback/liftgate: lock	2	—
Power train: manual transmission	2	4,440 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly	2	36,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor	2	100 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate	2	132,000 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments	2	145,000 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing	2	23,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cables	2	77,378 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control	2	3,700 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: rear window	2	—
Air bags: side/window	1	8 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel	1	67,000 mi
Electrical system: propulsion system: traction battery: thermal management	1	—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe	1	55,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner	1	30,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.	1	11 mi
Exterior lighting: fog lights	1	—
Exterior lighting: headlights	1	12,200 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: fuel rail	1	42,750 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system	1	—
Interior lighting	1	82,400 mi
Parking brake	1	2,075 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift	1	52,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter	1	67,064 mi
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)	1	—
Seat belts: rear/other	1	60,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: head restraint	1	8,500 mi
Seats: front assembly: power adjust	1	300 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: pads	1	154 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor	1	154 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module	1	39,985 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages	1	18,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum	1	12,992 mi
Steering: electric power assist system	1	127,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system	1	700 mi
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments	1	135,385 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut	1	100,000 mi
Suspension: front: shock absorber	1	—
Tires: sidewall	1	15,010 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls	1	—
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs	1	62,881 mi

The 2004 model has 3 times as many complaints as this one. The 2006 model has 3 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.