2005 Ford Escape: jerking or lurching

Filed May 14, 2023 · Body, Suspension · MN

My rear passenger side rusted right out completely and the strut mount is not attached to any part of the body. It caused my vehicle to swirve off the road almost hitting another vehicle when it was raining out also in the snow this occurred several times where my rear end jerked sideways pulling my truck into a complete circle.

Filed Jan 12, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · 237,000 miles · GA

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!

Filed Jan 23, 2019 · Engine · 170,000 miles · NC

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.

Filed Feb 5, 2016 · Acceleration, Electrical · NC

Vehicle jerking 4wd light keeps blinking, power lock light pops on car act like it wants to shut off

Filed Dec 14, 2013 · Acceleration, Fuel system · 141,565 miles · TX

Backing out of garage car died. Trying to accelerate at stop lights tries to die hesitates jerks theft light cones on. Upon trying to accelerate to enter freeway same thing and when trying to pass a car. Came upon s hill and it almost died n would not go over 50 MPH almost causing wrecks very scary day. Earlier in week died a couple times while idling but this accelerating problem is hazardous. If it is throttle body which it probably is from what I'm reading on the internet. Please do a recall and fix this!!!!!!!!

Filed Sep 14, 2013 · Body, Steering · 126,000 miles · MI

This safety issue requires immediate attention by both the federal safety agency and ford: 61 the federal safety agency complaints filed to date: '04- 16; '05- 45. Vehicle taken to ford dealership for service. Service notified that a forward lower ball joint was failing, no other defects were noted in the detailed visual inspection. It was replaced two days later. The following day of the repair, on a daily commute between tol to dtw, the right rear shock tower separated while driving at 70 MPH. Vehicle began dog-tracking. Initial inspection did not reveal the hidden damage caused by corrosion at the welded seams of the inner wheel well due to an underbody coating. Upon removing the undercoating, very easily by hand, two large sections removed, revealed the shock was penetrating the interior of the vehicle and was no longer being structurally supported by the vehicles uni-body frame. The large sections removed would have caused tire failure at highway speeds by puncture or hazard to other following vehicles. The separation of the shock tower from the body, did cause the vehicle to jerk at the time of failure, creating a loud popping sound and causing potential hazard as the vehicle steered into other lanes of traffic at highway speeds (70 MPH). The vehicle is rendered inoperable due to the catastrophic nature of the failure. Local ford dealership states they are uncomfortable repairing the structure and not aware of any manufacture recalls. In contacting their sister dealership, they have previously repaired this defect, and continued on stating this failure is a known issue with 2004 - 2006 escapes. The failed panel is available, p/n:part 7l827827886a. A reinforcement piece is also available. See example picture here: http://imageshack.us/a/img854/6430/wheelwell2.jpg facebook site concerning this safety issue: www.facebook.com/pages/2005-ford-escape-2004-2006/397923900236108.

Filed Aug 7, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · 81,000 miles · ME

Driving 55 MPH on highway, car sounded like it downshifted into much lower gear (very loud) with jerky motion, immediately lost power, was climbing large hill, coasted to side of road in heavy traffic, lost power steering, made horrific grinding sound, and then stopped. Idled for 30-45 seconds, all dashlights came on before dying on highway. I have reviewed carcomplaints.com on this model escape, they are notorious for PCM computer going with no notice. My mechanic informs me today that is the problem, cost for repair is about $2,000.00, not covered by the extended warranty I purchased. This is a well documented issue that clearly creates safety issues when driving at high rates of speed, with no warning. The car was "fine" by all other accounts, this happened out of no where.

Filed Nov 8, 2012 · Acceleration · 60,000 miles · MO

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford escape. While stopped in a parking space, the contact depressed the accelerator pedal but noticed that the pedal had become hard and would not respond. The contact placed the vehicle in neutral and then back into drive while continually applying pressure to the accelerator pedal. The vehicle jerked forward and proceeded to accelerate. The failure recurred intermittently. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.

Filed Oct 25, 2012 · Electrical, Engine · 131,000 miles · NC

My daughter was driving our 2005 ford escape 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!!

Filed Oct 11, 2012 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 104,000 miles · PA

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. Apparently, 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.

Filed Jan 14, 2012 · Acceleration, Electrical · 110,000 miles · OH

The first issue I had with my car was in december of 2010. I immediately took my car to a repair place and they told me that the coils and the plugs were out and that they needed to be replaced. I assumed that this was just time to get this repaired because my car was right over the 100,000 mile mark. Everything seemed fine until may of 2011 when the problem returned. This time I took my car to a ford service center. This time I noticed that my car would run ok up to about 35 MPH and then after that speed it would start jerking. If I take my foot off the gas it stops, but if I leave my foot on the gas and continue to accelerate, the car shuts off completely. I haven't taken my car anywhere that I have to drive over 45mph but recently I noticed that if I try to accelerate past 35, that instead of jerking to turn my car off, the harder I push the gas, it feels like I am pushing the brake with that same intensity when I haven't even touched the brake. Im afraid that while pushing the gas, the car is going to brake and that someone else is going to slam into the back of my car and hurt my 2 yr old son in his carseat in the back. I avoid driving this car unless I absolutely have to because it is dangerous. It seems that many other owners of the same car I have are having the same or a similar issue. This really needs to be checked into because ford is aware that this is a common issue but will do nothing about it. It seems like they are waiting for someone to get hurt before the assume responsibility.

Filed Aug 11, 2011 · Transmission · 47,000 miles · OH

Complete transmission failure on 2005 ford escape. There was no prior warning. While driving is normal traffic at 35 miles per hour the car started lurching, jumping and making all kinds of awful metallic grinding sounds. Vehicle came to a complete stop and would not move forward or in reverse. I tried again a few minutes later and was able to move the vehicle in jumps and jerks around a corner to get it off of a main street. Transmission repair guy said it is a complete failure. I have pictures of the broken parts. This vehicle has less than 50,000 miles on it. We still owe $10,000 on it and are now told that it will cost $3350.00 for a new transmission. Of course ford isn't willing to help with this cost even though it is obvious to anyone researching it that ford is aware of the faulty transmissions they are using. By the way this vehicle was maintained with regularly scheduled maintenance and I have the records to prove it.