2005 Ford Escape: complete transmission failure

Filed Apr 13, 2021 · Transmission · 111,599 miles · NH

I was driving about 25 MPH. Car just stopped on a limited access highway. Diagnosed with failed transmission. Transmission was replaced8/31/2011. I see a recall for rebuilt transmission for this year vehicle which leads me to believe there have been many original transmission failures but I am unable to find such a recall.

Filed Nov 9, 2014 · Transmission · 65,000 miles · OR

Transmission failed and had to be replaced.

Filed Feb 1, 2014 · Transmission · 106,000 miles · OH

I have a 2005 ford escape 4wd manual transmission. I had to replace the whole transmission about 5 years due to transmission failure. I now have a problem with the manual transmission again. I can not get the transmission to shift into reverse. The forward gears work fine. I have seen on the internet a high incidence of transmission problems in the 2005 ford escape transmission. There should be a recall on this.

Filed Jan 19, 2012 · Electrical · 95,000 miles · KY

My wife got into her escape to return home and it would not run properly. It was missing badly and lacked adequate power to pull itself. I took my escape to the repair shop and was appauled by their findings. I am going to quote directly from the diagnostic report I received. "some escape/mariner vehicles built on or before 10/3/2005 , equipped with a 3.0l engine may exhibit a malfunction indicator lamp (mil) on with two or more diagnostic trouble codes (dtc's) for coil on plug (cop) primary circuit faults (p0351-p0356). This may be due to the cop and powertrain control module (PCM) reacting to radio frequency interference from the spark plugs." my repair technician told me that this was a common problem with vehicles like mine. After searching the web, I found one person whose escape died while on the interstate and during heavy traffic and plenty of others with similar circumstances. I suppose I was lucky because my problem happened in a parking lot. I had to replace my powertrain control module and all six coils at a cost of over $1200. I saved labor costs by doing the work myself, but others I read about didn't have the same fate. My technician also told me they have seen this problem numerous times and that I should save my receipts because ford may issue a recall. My vehicle went from running perfectly to not running at all without any warning. I had to replace the transmission in this same vehicle at only 37000 miles, but that's another story. Needless to say I am extremely dissappointed.

Filed Aug 31, 2011 · Steering, Suspension · 47,000 miles · OH

Loud squeaky noise from right front end. Took to mechanic. They say both front grease boots are cracked which allows dirt, dust, etc. To get in and up around the ball joints and tie rod assemblies. The right front ball joint had gone bad due to this boot crack so we had to replace it. They recommend replacing both tie rods, boots and ball joints, but we could only afford to replace the ball joint that was bad at this time because we just spent $3350 putting a new transmission in the car. This vehicle has less than 50,000 miles on it. Unbelievable!!!! What is ford building these cars with??? I suspect the cheapest parts they can get regardless of their quality so they can make more money. In the meantime the average working family has to pay twice for a vehicle's parts that should not go bad so quickly.

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.

Filed May 18, 2011 · Transmission · 92,000 miles · VA

Transmission had to be replaced in 2005 ford escape (v6, 4wd) xlt. No issues prior to one day driving vehicle and it sputtered and slowed to a complete stop. The car was turned off and restarted just fine. But when the vehicle was put into drive, it only went for about 10 feet before it slowed to a complete stop again. The vehicle was towed on a flat bed to repair shop where owner was informed she must replace transmission totaling $2477.00. Vehicle has less about 92,000 miles on it with only one owner. Car was purchased september 2004 from ford dealer. 3 year warranty is obviously no longer valid and dealer offered no advice as to what could be done about it.

Filed Oct 14, 2010 · Electrical, Transmission · 82,000 miles · CA

I own a 2005 ford escape and have numerous issues since I purchased the vehicle in november 2004. The transmission has been replaced and one coil pack. Throughout the time I have owned the vehicle the theft light comes on and tried to shut the vehicle down while I was driving (40+MPH). It cleared for a little while after the transmission was replaced, then it returned. Ford changed one ignition coil and said that if we changed the spark plugs it would probably fix the theft shut down problem. Well we changed the spark plugs and the vehicle continued trying to shut down the vehicle while I was driving(40+MPH). Now the vehicle will not start at all. There is juice from the battery, all the lights and radio come on, but the car refuses to turn over. We have checked everything possible, including: the battery, fuses, and having it tested by a certified mechanic. The anti-theft system or ford pats ii system seems to be defective which also be connected to the PCM. There are thousands of complaints regarding the 2005 ford escape pats ii system and PCM. I do not understand why a recall has not been forced. The 2005 ford escape were initially released with the wrong spark plugs which causes damage and they did not recall the spark plugs. With these very evident manufacturer defects, and tsbs that have been distributed through ford - there needs to be a recall and items repaired. Consumers should not have to pay to fix the problems that ford caused and will not take responsibility for. My vehicle is a 2005 ford escape xlt v6 3.0l purchased at ukiah ford lincoln mercury in ukiah, california.

Filed Jul 14, 2009 · Transmission · 49,000 miles · MI

While on freeway ford 2005 escape with 49,000 miles had sudden and complete transmission failure. Car lost power and was a safety issue getting it out of fast moving traffic and onto the side of the road. Car needed a complete transmission rebuild.

Filed Jun 8, 2009 · Transmission · 81,034 miles · FL

Recently took vehicle in for service. Mentioned transmission shudder at 55mph or when over drive took over. They flushed the transmission and updated the PCM and said it was fixed. A week later the ford escape is shifting hard and shuddering into over drive gear at 45mph. Now they want to replace the transmission for $3800. I see where many owners are having problems with this transmission.

Filed Feb 26, 2009 · Transmission · 51,150 miles · OH

No major events lead up to the incident. The transmission went out. It was discovered at the dealership that the planetary gear was destroyed, and is attributed to causing all other issues with the transmission. The vehicle had to be towed on a flatbed truck, and now, they are going to replace the transmission. Old parts are available.

Filed Feb 6, 2009 · Transmission · OR

Letter on behalf of constituent re his 2005 ford escape which has 45,200 miles and in need of a transmission replacement.