Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Ford Escape owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that after her father inspected the vehicle, he made her aware that there was damage to the rear subframe. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the rear subframe needed to be replaced. The contact became aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V165000 (Structure); however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. The VIN was not available.
Hello, The engine cradle subframe on my 2005 Ford Escape has completely rusted through on the right hand side where it attaches to the steering control arm. As I was driving the subframe broke which made it impossible to steer the car. This pulled my car off the road to the passenger side. Fortunately I was not injured. Having now researched this issue, it is a common problem with 2005 Ford Escapes. This is very dangerous, and it should be addressed as it creates a life threatening situation.
Rear driver's side door will not close/latch. Latch can be manually moved, but does not engage when shutting door. Currently using bungee cords to keep door closed as I have children and no other vehicle. Vehicle was parked, door was opened from inside to allow passenger to exit, but when they attempted to shut the door, it would not latch closed. No prior problems with the door and no prior warnings/lights. Since door won't close, the door ajar dash light is illuminated and I have to turn my interior lights to off so that they don't remain on while I'm driving
My rear passenger side rusted right out completely and the strut mount is not attached to any part of the body. It caused my vehicle to swirve off the road almost hitting another vehicle when it was raining out also in the snow this occurred several times where my rear end jerked sideways pulling my truck into a complete circle.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. While driving approximately 5 MPH, a whistling noise and a burning odor emitted through the vents of the vehicle. The contact coasted to the side of the road and noticed that the inner wheel well on the rear passenger side was corroded. The contact immediately called the manufacturer and was informed that the vehicle was not included in a recall, and did not offer further assistance. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 177,250.
While driving the car, whenever we would hit a bump of any kind the passenger side rear of the car made a horrible rattling/banging noise. I took it to the dealer and they told and showed me where the part that connected the shock to the wheel well had pretty much rusted away and was no longer safe to drive. The service writers and the body man all said this is a very common issue with this year and model. They conjectured that since we get snow in pittsburgh the roads are salted. Since the roads are slanted to the right to help drainage, that side is bathed in salt water. However I am also developing rust on the outside edge of the body panel on the opposite side. Why then is this not happening to other model years? Since it is not drivable I have had to schedule the repairs. …
My son was complaining that the back end of the car began rattling and "jumping" while driving in the city in nov of 2015. We had it checked out in dec and was told and shown how unsafe the car was to drive,due to the entire right rear wheel well and strut was completely rusted away. The only thing that was holding the wheel to the car was the plastic molding of the trunk area which was also melting away from the heat.I could not believe a car could disintegrate and deteriorate so badly. In good conscious the auto repair owner would not allow us to drive the car anymore. Nor would I want to. Plus, the cost to fix it was not worth the price of the car,and he couldnt fix it. He told me to list it on craigs list to sell the car in parts. …
2005 Ford Escape 4x4 v6 passenger side rear wheel house rusted significantly enough to cause rear wheel shock connected to wheel house to forcefully separate and begin colliding with the inside plastic moulding in the trunk of the car. Damage was initially found while in motion, noticed by a rattling noise in the rear of the vehicle. Upon further inspection and removal of the plastic trunk housing, the entire top of the wheel well was very clearly rusted. The shock was still connected to a piece of the wheel house. The rear passenger shock had forcefully disconnected the piece of the wheel house it was attached to because of the overwhelming around of rust. Auto-body shop quoted a $2,000 repair (for a car bought for #3,600) to order a new wheelhouse and install it. …
The back rear wheel well rusted through and the shock went through the "floor" and panel of the SUV. I bought this with 65,000 miles on it and now has 89,000 and I can't drive it and no one will fix it. I paid $8500. For a SUV that I only drove for 11/2 years. I driving and heard a thumping sound so I stopped and didn't see anything. I drove 1/2 mile to my house and the noise was very loud, I looked again to see that the shock broke through the panel and not any of it is connected to the body of the truck. I got on a complaint website and hundreds of people are having the same problem at the same spot on the vehicle. When we bought the SUV my husband got on his back and looked at the undercoating and everything was fine. The muffler broke and the mechanic had my husband to look under the SUV and everything is rusted. …
The grommet or plastic screw with a rubber gasket is so cheap it fell apart and out of back hatch window attached to the hatch and slid down on one side and almost completely detached from door which could have caused an accident glass flying everywhere and such! The other side is fine, still. This is something that should not happen and is a safety isdue. It could fall out then fly into traffic there's a number of things that could happen it could make a driver very nervous driving down the road knowing that it's slipped or broken out all from the wind an opening and closing door which is normal wear and tear. …
Body complaints in other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2005 Ford Escape?
NHTSA has 434 complaints about the body & structure of the 2005 Ford Escape, 31% of the model year's 1,394 complaints. The component named most often is body (360 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Ford Escape body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2005 Ford Escape, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2005 Ford Escape body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 120,000 miles, and 1% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 1 fire and 2 injuries to body & structure problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.