Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 1,584 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Ford Escape, and it carries 5 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 189 | 12% |
| Suspension | 188 | 12% |
| Structure | 182 | 11% |
| Vehicle speed control | 101 | 6% |
| Power train | 75 | 5% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 64 | 4% |
| Engine | 63 | 4% |
| Service brakes | 62 | 4% |
| Electrical system | 59 | 4% |
| Unknown or other | 42 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
I bought a 2005 Ford escape the VIN number on the dash and the title do match however the ECU and the door jamb VIN [XXX] which is for a 2006 Ford escape 4 cylinder 2.3. the vehicle I bought should be a 6 cylinder with
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2005 Ford Escape on November 25, 2025. The contact discovered a mileage and VIN discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
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
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
Front Subframe rusted out causing loss of steering and control. Car came to a complete skidded stop . The front wheel nearly came off. The subframe issue is the same problem that resulted in a recall of the 2001-2004 For
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. Upon starting of the vehicle, the contact placed the vehicle into drive(D); however, the vehicle failed to accelerate upon the depression of the accelerator pedal. The contact stated
NHTSA complaint: Power train
The right lower control arm separated from the subframe due to subframe rust. It caused loss of handling and rendered the car immobile. It was caused by a panic stop at a low speed. The car was towed to an independent ga
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
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
NHTSA complaint: Steering
I had the hybrid battery replaced by Bill Brandt Ford in Brentwood California. A few days after having it replaced. The car broke down on a very dangerous highway. I had the car towed back to Bill Brandt Ford. They repla
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2005 Ford Escape. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 with remanufactured one
Risk: If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a di
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of
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 the hybrid system may fa
Risk: If the hybrid electronics system overheats, it may shut down the powertrain, resulting in a stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the original Motor Electronics Coolant (MEC) Pump with an improved brushless pump, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on Oct
The Timken Company (Timken) is recalling certain aftermarket front wheel bearings, part number 510072, sold from January 22, 2015, to May 21, 2015, to be used as service parts on 2001-2012 Ford Escape, 2001-2011 Mazda Tribute, and 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles. The affected wheel bearings have
Risk: Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Timken has begun notifying distributors who will offer purchasers replacement wheel bearings, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2015. Owners may contact Timken customer service at 1-866-984
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 ABOVE THE PERMITTED LIMIT
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, PERSONAL INJURY TO OCCUPANTS MAY OCCUR.
Fix: DEALERS WILL MAKE MODIFICATIONS TO THE ENERGY ABSORBING MATERIAL LOCATED ABOVE THE HEADLINER IN THE AFFECTED AREA FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 19, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-3
| Reliability | 55 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 67 | good |
| Maintenance | 77 | good |
| Depreciation | 66 | good |
| Performance | 48 | below average |
| Efficiency | 45 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 1,584 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and suspension is the most reported area with 189 of them (12%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 55/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density, adjusted for how many were sold so a popular model is not penalised for having more owners.
AVOIR scores its longevity 67/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2005 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 62/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.