What Are Common Problems With The 2005 Ford Escape?
We look at the most common problems as reported by '05 Escape owners
2001-2004 Ford Escape by IFCAR - CC BY
The Ford Escape was ahead of its time when it was introduced in 2000. Car buying habits have since shifted, and now the majority of U.S consumers are purchasing SUVs over their sedan counterparts to the tune of nearly 3 to 1. The Ford Escape is one of the first compact SUVs to combine sedan-like driving and gas mileage with SUV-like capability and space. The 2005 Ford Escape sits squarely in the first generation of the Escape, which ended in 2007.
The Most Common Problems With 2005 Ford Escapes:
Here are the most common issues with this model, according to RepairPal.com:
- Ignition Misfires
- Check engine light with stumbling or hesitation
- Internal transfer case issues with 4WD equipped Escapes
Here’s a breakdown of all owner complaints about 2005 Ford Escapes sorted by category:
What Ignition Problems Does The Escape Have?
2005 Ford Escape owners on forums such as RepairPal.com report several glaring problems with the ignition on the 2005 Ford Escape:
- Check engine light, then misfiring on 3 of 6 cylinders
- Coil failure during high humidity
- Ignition coil short-circuiting onboard PCM
- Rusting of the wheel well and shock tower
Several users claim that the issues are more prevalent during humid and hot summer months. Many owners also report having to replace the coil several times, often multiple times a year. It is also said that additional damage is done to other engine components when the ignition coil burns out.
Cost to fix:
Luckily, the cost to replace an ignition coil on a 2005 Ford Escape is relatively affordable and costs anywhere from $125 to $200.
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Engine Stumbling & Hesitating While Driving
Owners of the 2005 Ford Escape consistently report stumbling, hesitation, and acceleration issues with this model. The reason for the failure is due to a faulty EGR valve that incorrectly measures exhaust gas recirculation pressure and signals the engine to reduce power. To repair this issue, technicians must replace the entire assembly completely.
Here are some of the most commonly reported issues that relate to the check engine light and the EGR valve:
- “Engine light came on. Notice some hesitations and stumbling while driving, almost as if the car was missing on some cylinders.”
- “Stumbling while re-accelerating into traffic or changing lanes.”
- “Hesitation and stumbling while driving, check engine light on.”
Cost to fix:
The cost to repair this issue ranges from $235 to $265.
KNOW THE WARNING SIGNS
Wondering what to look out for when buying a used car? With such a large purchase, it pays to be a cautious shopper. Check out this list of red flags to look out for when buying a used car.
What Are The Problems With The Transfer Case On 4WD Models?
As with most SUVs, the 2005 Ford Escape was available in 2 or 4-wheel drive models. Owners on RepairPal.com report that over time the 2005 Ford Escape models may develop a loud noise that sounds like a failed bearing at low speed and transitions to a clicking noise at higher speeds. This common issue is explicitly related to 4WD models.
The internet is littered with stories about this part and its associated design flaw. When this issue comes up, the transfer case mustn’t be rebuilt but wholly replaced with a brand new unit. Here’s a fantastic video that shows the part in detail and why the part consistently experiences issues.
Cost to fix:
Replacement cost for this part ranges from $111 to $280.
What are the Rusting / Structural Does The Escape Have?
Owners of the 2005 Ford Escape have reported severe rust issues with their vehicle. In particular, excessive rusting occurred at the wheel well and shock tower. Fortunately, it’s a reasonably high mileage issue that may happen at around 125,800 miles.
Many drivers noticed a squeaking sound coming from the Escape’s back area. Over time, the squeaking noise turned into banging noises coming from the rear passenger wheel well. As the owners decided to investigate, they found severe rusting on the Escape’s wheel well and shock tower. To be specific, the corrosion that occurred on the metal around the strut tower negatively affects the connection of the suspension strut. With the rusting, the structural integrity of the Ford Escape was likely compromised, making it unsafe to drive.
Hundreds of Escape owners have shared their frustration with Blue Oval Forums and Ford Forums about this rusting issue. Over at CarComplaints.com, this rusting issue received over 100 written complaints that speak volumes about the problem’s severity and frequency.
Cost to fix:
The cost to repair this issue is typically $1,260, which may include repairing or replacing the wheel and shock tower.
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How To Avoid Buying A 2005 Ford Escape With Reliability Problems
Your best weapon against a potential headache down the road is ensuring that you are doing all possible due diligence before committing to a purchase. This starts with a thorough test drive. You’ll put the car through its standard paces and ensure that all interior parts are completely functional. Accelerate and decelerate aggressively, perform a U-turn and drive at freeway speeds to ensure the mechanical elements are in top shape.
After a thorough test drive, your next step is to take your potential new purchase to a trusted, local mechanic for evaluation. This crucial step can uncover issues with the car that are under the surface and beyond what you may be able to see. Once the vehicle is up on the lift, a mechanic can see everything from rust on the chassis to evidence of oil leaks. It’s a crucial step and one that could save you thousands of dollars and hours of hassle.
Search All The Used Ford Escape Listings In Your Area
CoPilot does all the hard work for you by collecting listings from every dealership in your area and intelligently ranks & curates shopping lists for you based on your preferences. Download the CoPilot mobile app to see all the Escape listings in your area and get personalized buy ratings. To compare different year models of Ford Escape against one another, check out CoPilot Compare - we’ll show you the average prices, mileage, and available features for each year model based on the actual listings in your area.
