general problems of the 2005 Ford Escape - part 2

104 problems related to electrical system have been reported for the 2005 Ford Escape. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2005 Ford Escape based on all problems reported for the 2005 Escape.

36 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 06/30/2014

Tl-the contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the approximately 35 mph, the engine stalled. The vehicle was not able to restart. The failure recurred on one occasion. The vehicle was towed to a independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that there was an engine failure and needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 167,000.

37 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 05/22/2014

My 2005 Ford Escape 3. 0 v6 had a coil issue that Ford knew about and sent service bulletins to dealers, but not the affected parties. The coils were defective from a vendor and when they failed, burnt out the psm, making the automobile unusable and expensive to fix. Ford has known about this since 2011 and has done nothing to rectify it, or help, all of those whose Escapes have stopped running completely. Mine had this go out and now the parts are on back order for months, as well as incredibly expensive. Please help to get Ford to order a recall on this for all of us.

38 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 04/28/2014

I turned a corner and was only going 20 mph when the vehicle went dead. I had no control so luckily I wasn't going fast. I stopped the vehicle. I had to get it towed. One mechanic said my coils and spark plugs were bad because of the fuel rail pressure sensor malfunction. Second opinion - the pcm needed to be reprogrammed or replaced. Third opinion - all of the above. It costs $1900 and two tow bills ($275). The engine light had been on for several months. The only code was the fuel rail pressure sensor high input (p0193 generic).

39 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 04/01/2014

I was driving my Ford Escape 2005 and it completely shuts off, the steering wheel got very hard!!! it was very difficult to steer,.

40 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 03/08/2014

I was driving down a busy highway going normal speed and my car just died which the Ford dealership claims this is a big problem with the pcm going out and all six coils. I could have been seriously hurt and if they know this is a problem why don't they do something about it for their customers. It was also very costly to repair!.

41 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 02/03/2014

Rear wheel wells rusting out as well as rear seat wells under doors rusting off in huge chunks,cruise,cd player doesnt work,radio shorts out on volume control goes louder instead of lower volume,also front axle had to be replaced at joe lake tire do they use timken products?.

42 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 01/23/2014

Traveling on the highway at 55 miles per hour and the entire engine stalled and cut off. I had the car towed to a local shop where they told me that 3 out of the 6 coils basically were not working and the pcm/computer was completely shot, they wanted over $1600 at dealership to fix this. Ford had apparently distributed a bulletin about this problem to the dealerships but not their customers - who this problem affects the most. I was lucky that I was able to pull over to the side of the road and not hit anyone or get killed. I can't imagine how many people this has affected because it is all over the internet. The repair ended up costing well over $1000 because of the spark plugs that Ford knew were faulty years ago. A simple changing of the spark plugs instead of six coils. I see no difference in gm having to recall vehicles that shut off on the highway and Ford having to recall these vehicles for basically the same reason and reimburse their customers, our cars are shutting off too.

43 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 10/09/2013

Tl-the contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 65 mph, the vehicles check engine and power loss indicator illuminated continuously, which caused the vehicle to stall. The failure has occurred on several occasions. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the vehicles hybrid system needs to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 110,000. Ddr.

44 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 10/03/2013

Driving down the highway at approx 50 mph, then without warning, simultaneously the dashboard lights came on and the vehicle immediately quit running.

45 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 09/21/2013

While driving my Escape on an expressway it suddenly started 'chugging' and died. I was lucky there wasn't a lot of traffic - it happened at 11:30pm. I was able to coast to the side of the road and call a tow truck. The vehicle is in a Ford service dealer now being repaired at a cost of $2564. They are replacing the pcm, coils and plugs. Apparently this is a common defect that Ford does not cover. This is could have turned into a very dangerous situation on the highway. I feel fortunate that it didn't happen during rush hour or in a remote location. I am very disappointed in Ford for not backing their product and will not own another one.

46 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 08/15/2013

The engine began misfiring and the check engine light was illuminated. Upon inspection at the Ford dealer they determined that all 6 coils and the powertrain control module had failed. The cost to repair was $2750. 00. Ford is aware that many of these vehicles are having this problem but will not assist the owners in any way.

47 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 06/08/2013

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 45 mph, the engine began to operate roughly. The vehicle was taken to a certified mechanic for inspection where they stated that the computer needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,000. The VIN was unavailable.

48 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 04/16/2013

Vehicle was shipped to germany due to military duty. A week later after delivered, my wife was driving it going down a short hill when the vehicle turned off completely and brakes were not functioning. My wife had to stop the vehicle with parking break. After that the engine was losing power and the alarm was going off very often. We drove the vehicle few occasions and it turned off couple of times again. I ordered the part and replaced it in 2014. The vehicle is running fine, however the alarm still going off and engine light is on again on dashboard. At this point I do not know if the vehicle is indicating the same problem or something new.

49 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 03/24/2013

Cpsc: i1330416a. 2005 Ford Escape. Consumer stated the computer on the truck has gone bad twice in less than a month.

50 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 03/02/2013

While driving the car completely went dead. Everything turned off. Had to drift to side of the road. Technician told me it was a pcm problem and needs to replace, coils, plugs and pcm.

51 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 01/21/2013

Was driving my car at 45 miles per hour the car began to sputter and came to very quick halt in the middle of traffic. I had the car towed to my local garage, it was hooked up to a computer diagnostic tool. The trouble codes came up p0351, p0352, p0353, p0354 which I'm being told it will cost me $ 750. 00 to replace all 6 coils, $1100. 00 to replace the pcm module and I will need 6 new spark plugs. These prices don't include labor or diagnostic costs either. In doing some investigation this is a known issue with Ford motor company and the emission warranty only covers you for 8 years/80,000 miles. Not sure what a pcm module is or what coils do. Thank you Ford motor company for installing faulty parts in my motor when they built it in 2005. Now this is my problem and at my expense. . . . . . Ford sent out a tbs regarding the wrong plugs were installed which leads to this issue. TSB 09-2-6 and TSB 10-18-10 is evidence enough they new there was clearly an issue with the factory installed spark plugs causing rfi damage to the cop's and subsequently the ecm. It appears they were betting that most vehicles would have issues outside the 80,000 mile federal warranty.

52 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 01/02/2013

After luckily just exiting interstate 70, but entering highway 40 my vehicle completely died with all electrical functions inoperative (obviously including power brakes, steering, etc). This occurred on an upgrade with a city bus directly behind me which was forced to swerve into the adjacent lane. Auto would not restart and it was towed to a neighboring Ford dealership. There was absolutely no warning of a check engine light etc. At the dealership I was informed that an "electrical engine module" had burned out which also completely fried all the engine coils. (a complete electrical tune-up,etc. Had been performed about a year earlier). I was also informed that the diagnosis was possible because of a Ford internal memo indicating what could happen if the module malfunctioned. The good news is that I had just exited an interstate, but this could have been disastrous and it seems that Ford was aware of the possibility of this problem. The cost now to fix the problem is $2600 and I have no assurance that this couldn't happen again with more severe squealed.

53 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 01/02/2013

This is being resubmitted, since I believe the reevaluation of the 09 and newer Ford Escapes is the same problem that has been occurring with the earlier year Ford Escapes, but has not received review. A defective pcm which causes complete auto shutdown, burning out the coils, etc. Has documented complaints all over the internet in car complaint and buying sites for this vehicle. The pcm is defective on the Escape and when it stops functioning all power is lost, and this occurs without warning leaving one without brakes, power steering, etc. This has been a known problem with Ford and yet Ford refuses to correct the problem and the bill is in the neighborhood of $2500-3000 to be shouldered by the customer. Malfunction, however, has more ominous sequelae than monetary cost, in that it may cost lives from crashes. Ford should recall these vehicles to repair the causation, but obviously Ford needs pressure from the public and in particular the NHTSA !.

54 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 12/23/2012

While traveling northbound on interstate 476 car suddenly lost power and would refuse to accelerate over 10 mph. Luckily it was early on a Sunday morning, and not high-traffic time, we successfully pulled the car over to the shoulder. Our mechanic has been working on and researching the issue. Turns out Ford is aware and has issued a "service bulletin" that the computer is faulty, and affects the catalytic converters, spark plugs, and coils. A quick search on car complaints told us we were not the only ones, and it appears to be a time rather than mileage failure. While most are complaining about the minimum $2,000 fix, we are thankful it did not cause harm to us or anyone else. How many 2005 Ford Escapes are on the roads these days?.

55 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 11/06/2012

Driving down highway at aprox. 55 mph. Theft light came on in vehicle and vehicle quickly decelerated. From the research that I gathered, this is a known problem to Ford. Faulty spark plugs were installed in some 2005 Escapes. The spark plugs emit a radio frequency that cause the coils to basically fry your computer. Ford has released a bulletin about this (TSB 09-2-6) but refuses to issue a recall. This is a huge safety issue, as decelerating on a major highway without brake lights has the potential to cause a terrible accident. Contacted Ford's corporate office and was offered no assistance. I would like to have my spark plugs at least checked at no charge. The cost, for only checking the spark plugs to see if they are the ones affected is $90. I believe that this should be a recall. Ford is well aware of the problem but refuses to take any steps to fix this.

56 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 11/06/2012

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. While driving at approximately 55 mph the contact stated the theft warning light illuminated and the vehicle began to decelerate. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not offer any assistance since the vehicle was not included in any recalls. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 65,000.

57 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 11/02/2012

On way home, car shut off while going 35 mph. Coils started to smoke. Towed to nearest dealer and was told all coils, plugs and powertrain module needs to be replaced at $2500. Researched legitimate websites and found many owners with same problem that had fixed more than once at $2500. Was told by dealer that NHTSA only recalls for safety & emissions. This is clearly a safety issue, especially if going a high speed on interstate and car shuts off without warning. Thankfully my kids were not in car.

58 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 10/16/2012

I was driving home from work and the car stalls out of nowhere. Then the check engine, oil, and abs warning lights all lit up. After about 20 min I tried starting up the car again and it started up and slowly made it home. The following day it happen again! luckily no one was behind me, otherwise I would have been rear ended. Immediately looked online describing the issue to see if I could find out what could be causing this, and come to find out an overwhelming amount of people have experienced the same thing! this is a safety hazard and had I been on a major highway the result could have drastically different. It is appalling that this has been a know issue and Ford has done nothing to remedy the safety of it's customers.

59 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 10/13/2012

My daughter was driving our 2005 Ford escpape on the highway at 55 mph when it completely cut off on her. Luckily she was able to get to the side of the highway without incident. She got the car back on and made it home, however, it was jerking and misfiring all the way home. We took it to a mechanic who said it needed spark plugs and 2 coils to the tune of $700. 00. When we went to pick it up we were told that the computer was shot and that we had to take it to the Ford dealership. The Ford place is replacing all 6 coils and the computer for $2300. 00. Apparently there is a known problem with Ford installing the wrong spark plugs in these models at the factory causing the coils and the computer to go out. I don't understand why Ford has not recalled this problem. Going down a highway at 55 mph and you car cuts off is a safety issue in my eyes!!.

60 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 10/09/2012

Driving at 55 mph and car began to lurch and buck. Car shut off 3 times in busy intersection with no warning and almost caused an accident. Took to mechanic, and learned that the computer system had shorted out due to manufacturers using incorrect spark plugs. Apparantely, this is a common issue with this year and make. This is a dangerous problem, and can occur anywhere, doing any speed! the computer system must be replaced and it is very expensive.

61 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 09/27/2012

It was two days after I got the car, I was driving home from manassas to fairfax, all of a sudden the engine light came on the truck started to sputter and I lost acceleration in my truck. I was on 495 at night and the dash board stated that the car would shut down so that the engine would not over heat. I had to call a tow truck to pep boys in annandale, va and they fixed the problem. But, I still have acceleration problems after it was fixed. I will take it back to pepboys to find out if it is the same problem.

62 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 08/14/2012

Driving down the road on my way to work when the car suddenly stalls. The mechanics said there is a TSB TSB 09-2-6 out for this problem. Ford installed bad plugs that short out the coil packs and then fries the computer costing the poor consumer around $2000 dollars giving codes po351-po354. I was a Ford person for life but not anymore they should do a recall this is bad business.

63 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 07/25/2012

Driving my Ford Escape 2005, 35mph, heard a thump/bang then very loud rattling from the back of the vehicle. Arrived home, found that the right rear shock, shock mount, and a dinner-plate-sized chunk of wheel well had punched up into the back of the vehicle. Opened the liftgate, saw the shock mount flopping around inside the car and a dangling cluster of wires that had been shredded by the jagged metal. Entire right side of the rear compartment had been shoved up 10cm. Husband was shocked, sure I must have hit something, but I had not. Right rear wheel well had completely rusted out underneath the undercoating. Could not see the rust from the outside, so did not know it was happening. Checked left rear wheel well, saw no rust, but undercoating lifts right off to reveal terrible rust underneath as well. Vehicle is not safe to drive, no shock, water and road debris would fly right up into the car through the huge hole. This kind of damage is incredible. Estimate for repair from dealership (brondes Ford, toledo) was $5752. 34. Certainly can not afford that. Researched online for repair alternatives and found dozens of other people with the same type of damage to the same vehicle make and model. Reported the damage to Ford customer relationship hotline, was informed that no recall has been issued for this vehicle, and that they were unaware that this was a common, frequent, or widespread problem. They did not consider it a defect. This is extremely dangerous. My children were afraid we were going crash. Easily could have lost control if this had happened while turning a corner, merging into traffic, driving 65mph on the highway, etc. I am certain, however, that once Ford motor company realizes the potential harm this defect can cause to life and property, they will be determined to do right by their loyal customers.

64 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 07/21/2012

While driving at approximately 40 mph, the car shook and died. I pulled into the turn lane and some helpful people assisted me in pushing my car to the nearest parking lot. I had my car towed to the mechanic that told me that I needed to have my engine coils and plugs replaced and that Ford had put out a bulletin explaining this problem. After they fixed that, I learned that I also had to have the computer replaced because the engine coils and plugs caused a problem with the computer. I decided to search the internet to see if anyone else was having the same problem. I found many websites and forums explaining the very same problem occurring in other 2005 Ford Escapes. It seems that if this many people are having the same exact problem (enough for Ford to put out a bulletin explaining how to fix it), then Ford should take steps to rectify the situation. From the information I have found, there is a manufacturing defect that does not show up until well after the warranty is no longer good. This is a problem that is occurring to many people who have the exact same car and Ford should do more than explain how to fix it. A recall is necessary because the problem is the caused by faulty manufacturing.

65 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 06/22/2012

We were accelerating to get on the interstate when the vehicle suddenly died without warning. No telling what would have happened if we were driving at freeway speeds. We coasted to the breakdown lane and had the vehicle towed to the Ford dealer who stated the computer (pcm), all the coil over plugs (cop) and spark plugs were damaged and needed replacement. This is a known issue as it is described exactly in Ford service bulletin TSB 09-2-6. The spark plugs in the 2005 and 2006 cause radio frequency interference with the pcm which damages the pcm and the other components. The least Ford could have done was notify us that replacing the spark plugs could have prevented this very expensive repair. The problems don't end there. A few days after the repair we were again accelerating to get on the interstate when the vehicle lost power and would not go over 50mph. We brought the vehicle back to the Ford dealer who stated the catalytic converters (there are 3 of them) were clogged due to raw fuel coming in contact with the converters probably due to the previous engine problems. The cost to fix the converters is even more than the cost of the initial repair. We've decided to not have the dealer repair the vehicle as the total cost of all the repairs would exceed the value of the vehicle. We called Ford customer service and they were of no help in this situation. I think Ford should cover the costs of these repairs for an issue knew existed. I don't understand why there hasn't been a recall for this problem as I see that it has happened to a lot of other 2005 Escapes listed in your database. I imagine we will more of these failures as these vehicles age.

66 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 06/14/2012

While driving down the road car just quit towed to dealership only to find out the computer shorted out which also destroyed all the coils. I just printed out 13 pages of this having happened to other Escape owners and that a Ford service bulletin (09-2-6) was at one time issued--- this will cost a ton of money to correct for a problem Ford has known about for some time. When mine quit I had smoke pouring out from under the hood so there was a potential for a fire and just quitting with no warning-- why has Ford not had a recall on this issue for what could have been a life threatening situation?.

67 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 05/15/2012

My Escape began missing and then died at 65mph, narrowly avoided accident. Towed to dealership: bad coils, bad computer. Dealership replaced these items. Problem quickly returned. This time more bad coils. (some bad coils are same ones they just replaced). Dealership replaced sparkplugs this time. Problem returned the next day. Dealership has had vehicle a week and a half this time and has no clue how to repair.

68 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 04/28/2012

I was headed home from work and got on the free way I noticed when I would accelerate my car would start shaking. I called my mechanic and he said to try and make it home when my car died twice but luckily I was able to get it started again to make it home. I got a diagnostics done on it to find out that the computer had burnt out along with 4 of the 6 coils.

69 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 02/28/2012

The check engine light came out on dashboard,I took the car to dealer,and I was told that the fuel rail pressure needed to be changed,few months ago I took my car to the dealer and they did a complete diagnose and nothing was wrong,I search about this problem,and found out that so many owners of the same type of car have exactly the same complaint,it seems that Ford motor had the same problem with other type of cars on the same item(fuel rail pressure) and had a recall on these cars,why not on Ford Escapes???.

70 Electrical System problem

Failure Date: 02/25/2012

Sudden engine failure while driving approximately 50 mph. Told by mechanic it was a "fried" computer caused by incorrect spark plugs (original factory-installed). Will have to replace pcm, coils and plugs.



Safety Ratings of Escape Cars
Fuel Economy of Escape Vehicles
Escape Service Bulletins
Escape Safety Recalls
Escape Defect Investigations