Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
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).
I had just started up my 05 Ford hybrid Escape reversed out of a parking space, applied my brakes and a loud warning noise went off, the ABS light & the Brake light went on, then I tried to brake while backing out of the parking stall. I had no brakes, petal went all the way to the floor. I shifted into drive to pull forward. The car wouldn't stop petal just went right to the floor, had very little resistance. I almost drove through the front glass doors of the P/T office across from the pharmacy in Cool, CA. The roads are mountainous windy and steep. I was definitely scared for my safety. I had to coast very slowly on the way home. I was on my way to work but instead I dropped it off at home and called ride share to take me to work! I had to use my emergency brake to make the turn up my dirt road. I still had little to no brakes to stop the car. I parked it and haven't driven it since. …
Abs and master cylinder causing an unsafe braking condition hard brake pedal making it very difficult to stop the car. I replaced the entire brake system including the master cylinder assembly with pedal travel sensor attached. As recommended by Ford dealership. Then I was told that the brake system system had to be bled 2 times. Well after doing this 3 times and replacing the calipers and pads and rotors again. The same situation exists. Now I am told that this car has a different problem and a bulletin was issued by Ford stating that this is a problem with Ford Escape hybrid has to be reprogrammed to allow the master cylinder assembly to link up with the computer to rectify the issue. My car has 42000 miles on the vehicle and I is very dangerous to drive because of the unreliable braking action. Ford does not acknowledge the problem. …
I was driving on the freeway in the fast lane at 60mph and a car cut me short and brake so I applied my brake my wheel had yanked to the left and I tried to gain control of the wheel by pulling it to the right but it yanked again to the left causing me to hit into the median due to the impact my car turned over and dragged across the other 3 lanes and titled back over. Although my car is totaled I sustained minor injury to my neck and left side. Also my airbags did not deploy.
9-1-04 my 2005 Ford Escape was parked in the garage of my home where I began to back up. There was an obstruction in my driveway so I put the car into drive and pulled 1/2 way into the garage to clear the way. I put the car in park, opened my door, took off my seatbelt and got out of my car walking towards the rear. Suddenly the car accelerated in reverse knocking me down because of the open door. I jumped into the car (where my children were in the back seat) to place the car in park-it was in park and rolling fast. I used the emergency brake to stop the vehicle with the help of the open door jamming along side the garage wall. The end result was shoulder and collar bone damage as well as sever body damage caused by the open door. If the door had not been open, my children would have rolled into oncoming traffic and been hit head on. …
The front brake hose that connects the brake line to the brake calliper on the passenger side bearst a hole in the brake hose causing the SUV to loose all brake fluid and to smash into to van infront of us. The hose broke at the top half of the hose between the brake line and the brake hose strut mount. The outer rubber brake hose coating looks to have dry rotted and the inner line then broke sometime later. The hose looks to have several other spots that also look rotted. I replaced front brake line and was bleeding the brake lines when I found the drivers side looked like it was ready to bearst at any time including several rotted spots at the upper part of the hose. I replaced both front brake lines in the front. …
The sub-frame rusted through causing both front wheels to toe out and also to camber in at the top. The ABS warning light also triggered. The steering now pulls to the left and there is tire squeel even on gradual right hand turns. There is a recall for this exact problem for the Ford Escape model years 2001-2004. It is obvious that this same problem exists for this model year 2005 Ford Escape. I verified that my VIN was not covered in the recall. I then called Ford to see if they would remedy the problem as it was obvious that this was the same problem as in their other recall - they said they couldn't help. This is a low mileage, well maintained vehicle so it should be obvious that the sub-frame is faulty.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the brake pedal traveled to the floorboard when attempting to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the rear passenger side shock tower housing was fractured and punctured through the subframe. During the failure, the brake line and rear brake light wire were severed, which caused brake fluid to leak and the rear brake light to malfunction. The cause of the failure was not determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 5 MPH, the driver attempted to engage the brakes but the pedal sunk to the floorboard. The contact mentioned that the vehicle failed to stop and crashed into another vehicle. A police report was filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician diagnosed that both the driver and passenger side brake lines had failed. As a result, the brake lines and hoses needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 120,000.
I have a 2005 Ford Escape took it to a shop today because of the banging from the suspension. When the mechanic put the car on the lift he saw that the entire wheel well around the shock absorber was rusted completely out. The extra stress on the shock absorber caused the bolt on the top to break off. The stress also caused the rear break line to fray almost to the point of breaking completely. This car is no longer safe to drive. I am just happy that my break line didn't break while I was on the road. I do not really know what options I have with the car since it is the only car I own and I have no other way to get to and from work.
I was in accident where I hit another vehicle in which when tried to break they did not work. No skid marks where there and should have been . Totaled my truck Ford SUV xlt (sport) and the driver of other car . Passenger airbag never went off. I had concussion and burns 2nd degree on both arms . Still have scars. Other vehicle at light stopped and when I tried to stop it was like gas pedal was stuck and break did not work so pulled up emergency break. I never got any notice on recalls on my 2005 until now. Which could have killed someone. The police report stated no skid marks.
Brake complaints in other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2005 Ford Escape?
NHTSA has 66 complaints about the brakes of the 2005 Ford Escape, 5% of the model year's 1,394 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Ford Escape brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes 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 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 96,000 miles, and 14% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 6 crashes, 0 fires and 4 injuries to brakes 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.