Model year
2005 Ford Escape
NHTSA lists 4 recalls and 1,394 complaints for the 2005 Ford Escape (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 0 recalls and 190 complaints under ESCAPE HEV and ESCAPE HYBRID. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are SUSPENSION (441), STRUCTURE:BODY (360), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (142). NHTSA lists 2 investigations. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 17–29 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $2,300–$3,950, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2001 996 complaints
- 2002 1,027 complaints
- 2003 558 complaints
- 2004 499 complaints
- 2005 1,394 complaints
- 2006 464 complaints
- 2007 254 complaints
- 2008 1,974 complaints
- 2009 1,693 complaints
- 2010 2,070 complaints
- 2011 1,318 complaints
- 2012 604 complaints
- 2013 2,753 complaints
- 2014 2,089 complaints
- 2015 1,130 complaints
- 2016 1,166 complaints
- 2017 2,701 complaints
- 2018 1,821 complaints
- 2019 596 complaints
- 2020 1,612 complaints
- 2021 350 complaints
- 2022 236 complaints
- 2023 101 complaints
- 2024 76 complaints
- 2025 26 complaints
- 2026 3 complaints
Recalls
15V606000 · Sep 29, 2015
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:FLOOR SHIFT; POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:GEAR POSITION INDICATION (PRNDL)
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…
14V526000 · Sep 3, 2014
HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
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…
06V111000 · Apr 7, 2006
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:HEAD RESTRAINT
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…
04V602000 · Dec 20, 2004
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
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…
Complaints
1,394 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 40, fire flag on 20, injury field 28, deaths field 2. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| ESCAPE HEV | 0 | 12 |
| ESCAPE HYBRID | 0 | 178 |
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| AQ10001 | Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit · UNKNOWN OR OTHER | Nov 18, 2010 | Dec 28, 2015 |
| DP12006 | Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction · ENGINE | Oct 2, 2012 | Feb 21, 2013 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Escape 2WD · 2.3L · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 | 23 | 21 | — | — | $3,200 |
| Escape 2WD · 2.3L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 21 | 27 | 24 | — | — | $2,800 |
| Escape 2WD · 3L · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 17 | 23 | 19 | — | — | $3,550 |
| Escape Hybrid 2WD · 2.3L · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · Front-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · Hybrid | 30 | 28 | 29 | — | — | $2,300 |
| Escape 4WD · 2.3L · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 17 | 20 | 18 | — | — | $3,700 |
| Escape 4WD · 2.3L · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 19 | 24 | 21 | — | — | $3,200 |
| Escape 4WD · 3L · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 16 | 20 | 17 | — | — | $3,950 |
| Escape Hybrid 4WD · 2.3L · Automatic (variable gear ratios) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline · Hybrid | 28 | 26 | 27 | — | — | $2,500 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2005 Ford Escape at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.