Seven problems related to front suspension control arm 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.
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.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. While driving 55 mph, the front passenger wheel protruded outward without warning. The contact was able to safely pull the vehicle off the road. The vehicle was not towed. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact reached out to an independent mechanic who went to the scene and diagnosed that the lower control arm failed due to corrosion of the front subframe. The lower control arm needed to be replaced, which caused the wheel to wobble. The vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14v165000 (structure). The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The contact was referred to NHTSA. The failure mileage was 163,000.
Front subframe (cradle) rusted through directly adjacent to the front mounting location for the lower control arm. Have only owned the vehicle for several months. Purchased from pallotta Ford in wooster, ohio. Vehicle was being driven when the failure occurred. Fortunately, it was at low speed as the right front wheel jammed into the rear of the wheel well and brought the vehicle to an abrupt halt. Had it towed to my house where I inspected the front suspension and thereby observed the wastage of the front subframe.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the wheel well was corroded all the way through. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic because the lower control arm was corroded through the entire frame underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14v165000 (structure). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Rust caused the separation of the lower control arm from the subframe of the vehicle. The vehicle was primarily used in a salt-belt state. The issue became evident after a small pothole caused the rear frame to puncture through the passenger rear wheelhouse into the cab of the vehicle causing a high-pitched squeal and steering difficulties. .
Right rear wheel well rusted out so bad the lower control arm to the rear tire is close to separating from the vehicle subframe. Car unsafe to drive.
Right rear wheel well rotted out causing shock to break through trunk and cause loud banging. Ford charges $1,548. 40 to fix. Now as in other Escapes, years 2001-2004, the 2005 sub frame or suspension control arm is rusted that holds up the engine and the front of the car! there is a video on youtube that shows the corrosion on the particular spot. This is extremely dangerous to drive. Hit one pothole or bump and entire engine and front of car can collapse! facebook has entire page for 2005 Ford Escape sub frame rusting!!! someone is going to get hurt!.