The Lemon Index

All cars · Ford Escape · 2005

2005 Ford Escape. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index127100 = average car
Complaints150NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold165,122U.S. model year
Per 100K sold91complaints
Year rank#13 of 22#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 8

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
2.3L 4-cylManual 5-spdFWD21 / 27 / 24Regular$2,600
2.3L 4-cylAuto 4-spdFWD19 / 23 / 21Regular$2,950
2.3L 4-cylManual 5-spd4Wheel or AWD19 / 24 / 21Regular$2,950
2.3L 4-cylAuto 4-spd4Wheel or AWD17 / 20 / 18Regular$3,450
2.3L 4-cyl hybridAuto (variable gear ratios)FWD30 / 28 / 29Regular$2,150
2.3L 4-cyl hybridAuto (variable gear ratios)4Wheel or AWD28 / 26 / 27Regular$2,300
3.0L 6-cylAuto 4-spdFWD17 / 23 / 19Regular$3,300
3.0L 6-cylAuto 4-spd4Wheel or AWD16 / 20 / 17Regular$3,650

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 75,000 and 135,000 miles. Median 105,000, from 1,383 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Suspension120,200100,000–150,000437
Body structure120,00095,000–142,300410
Electrical101,10075,200–128,000152
Speed control86,00049,000–115,400125
Engine113,00088,500–142,900137

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Airbags15%
Transmission & drivetrain13%
Speed control13%
Engine12%
Visibility10%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
1,584442021221

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 5

  • 15V606000 Sep 2015 Power Train / Automatic Transmission / Lever And Linkage / Floor Shift

    Defect. 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.

    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 v

    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.

  • 15E045000 Jun 2015 Suspension / Front / Wheel Bearing

    Defect. The Timken Company (Timken) is recalling certain aftermarket front wheel bearings, part number 510072, sold from January 22, 2015, to May 21, 2015, to be used as service parts on 2001-2012 Ford Escape, 2001-2011 Mazda Tribute, and 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles. 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.

    Risk. Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. Timken has begun notifying distributors who will offer purchasers replacement wheel bearings, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2015. Owners may contact Timken customer service at 1-866-984-6536.

  • 14V526000 Sep 2014 Hybrid Propulsion System

    Defect. 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.

    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.

    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.

  • 06V111000 Apr 2006 Seats / Front Assembly / Head Restraint

    Defect. 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.

    Risk. 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.

  • 04V602000 Dec 2004 Latches/Locks/Linkages / Doors / Latch

    Defect. 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.

    Risk. 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.

NHTSA investigations

StatusSubjectOpenedClosed
ClosedPedestrian alert sounds20232023
ClosedElectronic throttle body malfunction20122013
ClosedFleet vehicle recall completion audit20102015

Manufacturer communications 72

Ford filed 72 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • Red triangle light and codes indicating a transaxle overtemp

Safety equipment

Electronic stabilityForward collision warningLane departure warning
NoNoNo

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
2002281475145,471Engine
2003106145167,678Speed control
20045180183,430Speed control
2005127150165,122Airbags
200695104157,395Brakes
20076190165,596Brakes
2008227352156,544Transmission & drivetrain

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

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