The Lemon Index2005 Ford Escape.
The 2005 Ford Escape is worse than average by owner complaints: 150 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 127, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about airbags, it has 5 recalls, and it gets 17 to 29 mpg combined. The best Ford Escape year is 2019.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 1,584 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Ford Escape year. 2005 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 75K to 135K miles on the car (1,383 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- suspension complaints mostly came at 100K–150K miles
- body structure complaints mostly came at 95K–142K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 75K–128K miles
Recalls 5
- transmission & drivetrain 2015
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.
- suspension 2015
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.
- hybrid propulsion system 2014
The coolant pump for the hybrid system may fail resulting in the hybrid electronics overheating.
Show all 5 recalls
- seats 2006
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 TESTI…
- latches/locks/linkages 2004
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 S…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Ford told dealers about
Ford sent dealers 72 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Red triangle light and codes indicating a transaxle overtemp
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedPedestrian alert sounds2023
- ClosedElectronic throttle body malfunction2012–2013
- ClosedFleet vehicle recall completion audit2010–2015
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $2200–3800 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.3L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Driving in the west virginia mountains and had a head on collision with a deer. Airbags did not deploy on 2005 Ford Escape xls. Indicator on dash boards indicates airbags deployed but they didn't.
2005 Ford Escape owner · NHTSA complaint 10162715
More owner reports
Passenger's air bag light stays on when adult over 100 lbs is in seat.
NHTSA complaint 10118691
Engine goes dead (will not idle) when in gear (drive or reverse)... No accident yet, but am afraid I will get "rearended" when it goes dead in traffic...
NHTSA complaint 10227495
Quick answers
Is the 2005 Ford Escape reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.3× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 127; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Ford Escape year by this measure since 2010 is 2025.
What are the most common 2005 Ford Escape problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are airbags (15%), transmission & drivetrain (13%) and speed control (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2005 Ford Escape have?
5 safety recalls (latest: transmission & drivetrain). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2005 Ford Escape get?
17 to 29 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2005 Ford Escape problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 75,000 and 135,000 miles. The middle report was at 105,000 miles, from 1,383 complaints.
Does the 2005 Ford Escape have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 13% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2005 Ford Escape cost in fuel a year?
About $2200 to $3800 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2005 Ford Escape have?
2.3L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl.
What Ford Escape year is better than the 2005?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2019, 2015 and 2018.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works