Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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).
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.
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.
Last year I noticed the rust around doors and wheels, im retired & a disabled 77 yr old man so I drive it once a week. Over the summer I notice it handling funny, had it serviced and inspected. I was on route 30 a mile from my house it started shaking & making a horrible noise, the steering wheel was vibrating, I barely managed getting wheels to turn it off the hwy, I thought to myself, this [redacted] thing feels like it's gonna fall apart, home was 1/4 mile, noise & vibrating continued, struggled turning wheel into my driveway, parked it, got out and front passenger side wheel is tilted way out. My son jacked it up and said my lower control arm is completely rusted out or thru and broken off and it is all rusted bad underneath & said it's scrape. …
While driving her 2005 Ford ecape after coming to an abrupt stop at a traffic light. My daughter found steering extremely difficult, with vehicle pulling extremely to the right then swerving into the other lane to the left upon trying to correct for the pull. She pulled the car over and found that with the steering wheel straight ahead the right front wheel was pointing outward toward the curb with the top of the wheel tilted inward towards the engine. The vehicle was undrivable and was towed home. Visual inspection by an experienced mechanic found that extreme corrosion of the subframe at the lower control arm front mounting point had caused the subframe to seperate and allow the lower control arm to bend outwards and cause extreme misalignment.
While driving, I noticed that my steering wheel was not aligned. I didn't notice it was like this until I was already driving down the road. When I stopped, I checked my tires and thought that they looked slightly off. It seemed as if the passenger side tire was pointed slightly outward. The car sat in my driveway for the next couple of days and it appeared to have gotten worse. I took my car out for a test drive and noticed that each time I turned the wheel, the tires screeched. I took the car to a shop and after giving it an evaluation, they said that the control rod was rusted and starting to break. After some research online, it looked like there was a recall on 2001-2004 Ford escapes for the same issue that I was having.
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. The contact stated that while driving at undisclosed speeds, the vehicle drifted to the left and to the right without warning. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic who informed the contact that the case frame cross-member rusted out severely and needed to be replaced. The contact stated that failure was related to manufacturer communication number: 10013366 (steering), however, the 2005 Ford escapes were not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue who informed the contact that there were no recalls on the VIN. The approximate failure mileage was 159,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. While driving 50 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering ability without warning. The contact, an independent mechanic, stated that the idler pulley bolt fractured in half and caused the vehicle to overheat immediately. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the right side of the road and the vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. A dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and stated that the vehicle was out of warranty and that there was no recall. The failure mileage was 136,000.
Was driving less than 15mph when suddenly I lost all control of steering on the front passenger side. When I was able to get help after sitting on the side of the road for 16 hours, I was informed that one of the three wheel bearings had snapped. I did a little research and found the recall for the passenger side wheel assembly and bearings. I entered my VIN number and it didn't say whether or not it would be fixed. I take pride in my vehicles and keep the maintenance up to date, therefore I can say they this happened due to faulty parts and feel like I should be able to have it fixed.
When entering a highway we hit a deep groove in the road and then proceeded onto the highway. Within 10 seconds the car wheels and steering wheel went out of control. The car weaved and bobbed for about 200 feet uncontrollable. I was told the steering rack and tie rod snapped. We hit someone while our car spun around into on coming traffic and we flew into the guard rail at such force the car lifted and got lodged on the guard rail. This probably saved our lives because at that point we had done a 180 and were facing oncoming traffic. Can not get an help from Ford.
Steering complaints in other Escape years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2005 Ford Escape?
NHTSA has 49 complaints about the steering of the 2005 Ford Escape, 4% of the model year's 1,394 complaints. The component named most often is hydraulic power assist system (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Ford Escape steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering 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 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 115,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to steering 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.