I was heading back to Louisville Ky from bowling green Ky when my suv started to slow down and started running rough and check engine light flashed then stayed on I pulled off the road called aaa to have the suv towed back to bowling green to where I could have it checked the next day when I went to start it it was knocking and smoking and wouldn’t take gas. Talked to a local shop and was informed that my motor was blown after he came and looked at it.
2005 Ford Escape engine problems
220 complaints (16% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 101,245. 3 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 220
- of this car's complaints
- 16%
- typical mileage
- 101,245
- crashes
- 3
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Engine15
- Exhaust system5
- Engine: gasoline2
- Exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Ford Escape engine problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2005 Ford Escape engine
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Stalling 139Check engine light 65Loss of power 43Misfire 28Knocking 22Engine failure 21Won't start 9Overheating 5
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related investigations
Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction
In a letter dated August 30, 2012, The North Carolina Consumers Council (NCCC) petitioned the federal safety agency to initiate a defect investigation of alleged electronic throttle body failures resulting in engine stall or surge while driving in model year (MY) 2005 through 2012 Ford Escape vehicles. On October 2, 2012 the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Defect Petition DP12-006 to evaluate whether to grant or deny the petition. The petition is hereby granted on certain model years. The NCCC letter cites two complaints of stall while driving in MY 2009 Ford Escape vehicles that were diagnosed as failed throttle bodies with diagnostic trouble codes (DTC) P2111, Throttle Body Stuck Open, and P2112, Throttle Body Stuck Closed. The petitioner indicates that the owners of both vehicles reported experiencing repeated incidents of stalling and engine surging. According to Ford, Escape non-hybrid vehicles are equipped with Electronic Throttle Body (ETB) assemblies beginning with MY 2009. Vehicles manufactured between June 22, 2009 and October 15, 2009 may contain contaminated printed circuit boards (PCB) with plating variations. Plating variations could lead to a lack of continuity in the throttle position sensor circuit where P2111 and/or other DTCs would be generated and stored. Ford and its electronic throttle body supplier, Delphi, modified the PCB manufacturing process and issued a technical service bulletin (TSB) 09-23-5. Vehicles produced after October 15, 2009 incorporated ETBs manufactured with a PCB process that resolved this condition. ODI's analysis identified a total of 123 unique reports indicating allegations of reduced motive power or vehicle stall. Depending on the condition of throttle control system malfunction, a driver may experience varying levels of reduced engine performance associated with three limp home modes. In two limp modes, reduced engine performance may maintain vehicle speeds above 20mph while the third is a limited limp home mode with engine speeds limited to approximately 900 RPM. Allegations of stall appear to be related to the limited limp home mode. Vehicles are not likely to unexpectedly stall as a result of this condition, but drivers may characterize the reduced functionality as a stall, even though their vehicle may still has motive capability. Allegations of vehicle surge appear to be related to limp home mode operation. Complaints alleging surge are most likely related to engine RPM fluctuations at low vehicle speeds or idle as the control system engages to prevent engine stall. In limited limp mode, rough-idle conditions may exist while the control system attempts to modulate engine RPMs once the vehicle reaches a reduced speed to maintain approximately 900 RPM. Separately, ODI received 59 complaints alleging incidents of engine stall while driving in model year (MY) 2010-2011 Ford Fusion vehicles. Approximately 60 percent (36) of the incidents occurred at speeds of 40 miles per hour or more. Eighty percent of complaints (47) were received beginning March 2012 and 14 complaints reported that the throttle body was replaced or DTCs associated with limp home modes. Additionally, Ford issued TSB 10-21-6 addressing DTCs associated with idle speed drops and limited limp home mode. The petition is granted on certain model years.Preliminary Evaluation PE13-003 has been opened to assess the scope, frequency and potential safety consequences associated with the alleged defect.See full copy of the closing resume for this defect petition for list of the VOQs associated with the defect petition analysis.
DP12006
What 2005 Ford Escape owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated while his son was driving 30 MPH, the vehicle turned off inadvertently. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact's son shifted into neutral(N) and veered to the side of the road. The contact's son was able to restart the vehicle after several attempts. The contact's son then drove to his residence. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.
My 2005 ford escape v6 stalls out skips sputters and my truck jerks really bad then anti theft symbol on dashboard comes on and truck switches off and back on in the middle of highway with traffic while driving down the road .very dangerous.also making a thumping noise from in the air intake.gas pedal cable wire broke .so many problems with this vehicle.I believe there are several recalls.please let me know so the ford company can fix whatever it is that may be under recall. Thanks!
I have a 2005 escape I bought for my 19year old daughter. The car keeps stalling out putting her at risk driving to and from work. We changed the gas filter and make sure the fluids are checked on a regular basis but it doesn't seem to have helped. The car keeps stalling out. She will be driving and it just cuts off. Doesn't matter what road she's on, city or highway it has done the same thing repeatedly.
2005 ford escape. Purchased with a car loan in 2012. @ 40,000 miles.$$ kept all regular maintenance up. $$replaced battery & had $$all brakes done front & back in 2014. $$paid off loan in 2015, & 2016 rolled over to 95,000 miles.. $$had to replace alternator & battery & $$redo the brakes in 2016. $$in 2018 had to replace alternator again..(note: during all these years the check engine light was constantly coming on & showing 'check emissions system'.. Bringing up all sorts of fuel & emissions codes. $$replaced 4 different fuel related parts as well). In 2019 all brakes failed! & had a near crash! $$having to replace the brake lines. Then in april 2019 driving an alaska mountain pass in a spring winter storm! Major breakdown!! Lost all power with no control of steering or braking.. Panel was lighting up on & off like a christmas tree! Engine chugging & sputtering like getting no fuel but also not getting the power to keep running.. $$left stranded 500 miles from home. $$had to get towed back home! To have a PCM burn up! $$new/remanufactured PCM, $$new alternator, $$new battery, $$new coils!! Still did not run right! Check engine light still coming on only showing check emissions system, but all parts replaced! Engine sputtering but no code on diagnostic machine to give right correct problem or how to fix!$$$!! 6 months later, replacing alternator yet again!! $$4 alternators one in 3 years!! $$3 coils replaced. & engine is still not running right!! Seems once this PCM goes out.. It's all over for this vehicle!! Nothing is keeping it going anymore, $$just a moneypit of endless fixing & breaking down on the road! Not to mention how it stalls out in mid driving at high speeds! Leaving you with no steering or brakes or power to stop! And then crash!?! I'm feeling left in the dust by ford company with no compensation on over $20,000 spent on a ford escape that can't run!
Vehicle is shutting down at various speeds (stop safely now) message....will run and then shut down- dangerous. Saw recalls 14v‑526 the federal safety agency & 14s19 manufacturer. I called ford and no recall noted for this coolant drive pump exchange.
This 2005 ford escape(and others according to the internet) completely shut off while I was driving. I was merging onto a highway going 60 MPH and it just shut off. Luckily I was able to pull over and 2 cars narrowly missed me. It just completely killed w/o any notice which is an extremely dangerous condition because I, or someone else,could've easily have been hurt.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford escape. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled when traveling on an incline. Also, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact was able to coast the vehiicle to the side of the road and powered off the engine. The vehicle was restarted and was able to drive, but the failure recurred after a few miles. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the power train cable caused an electrical failure and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 152,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford escape. The contact stated that the vehicle lost power while traveling 55 MPH on the highway. The vehicle slowed down to 5 MPH. The contact was able to pull over and turn off the vehicle. Once it was restarted, the vehicle jerked forward and stalled less than a mile down the road. The contact completed the same process until she was able to slowly arrive home. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The contact planned to have the vehicle towed to an unknown dealer. The manufacturer and dealer had not been contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 170,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2005 ford escape. While driving approximately 30 MPH and turning the vehicle, the throttle became stuck and the contact rear ended another vehicle. A police report was filed. The contact stated that the air bags deployed and struck the contact on the left side of the face. The contact sustained additional injuries to the neck and back that required medical attention. Village ford (23535 michigan avenue, dearborn, michigan 48124, (313) 565-3900) was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact stated that the vehicle was destroyed and towed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage and VIN were unknown.
Questions about the 2005 Ford Escape engine
Does the 2005 Ford Escape have engine problems?
Owners have filed 220 complaints about the engine of the 2005 Ford Escape, 16% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2005 Ford Escape engine problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 101,245 miles.
Is there a recall for the 2005 Ford Escape engine?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
Other 2005 Ford Escape problems
Suspension 459Body 434Electrical 153Acceleration 149Transmission 117Wheels 98Brakes 66Fuel system 64Steering 49Visibility 37Airbags 34Driver assistance 16Seats 10Lights 8Seat belts 8Tires 7Locks 6
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