Three problems related to steering tie rod assembly 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.
When I was driving I heard some loud noise and when I stopped I found that the rear passenger strut shot up thru the back interior of the car. This was due to the entire wheel well rusting out. I also was driving another time when the front end started to shake. I stopped and got out and seen that the front tires were facing sideways. The tie rod broke. I could have been seriously hurt or killed.
Took my 2005 Ford Escape in for an inspection and was told it would not pass unless I had the left front tie rod replaced. Before Friday, I had never even heard of a tie rod, much less had to have one replaced. I had several used vehicles before I got my new Escape in 2004 and none of them ever had to have a tie rod replaced. Long story short, both front tie rods were replaced, a front end alignment had to be performed and all total it cost me $690. 00. I'm very upset about it, because I take excellent care of my car and was having no sterring problems whatsoever. I would like to know if there was a recall on this part that I wasn't made aware of and if anyone else had to have one or more tie rods replaced.
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.