Total Complaints
237 filings
FORD ESCAPE HYBRID · model year
237 NHTSA complaints, 5 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2005FORDESCAPE HYBRID carries 237 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 5 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2005 ESCAPE HYBRID is service brakes with 39 filings, followed by suspension (30) and steering (20). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 177 investigation files overlapping the 2005 ESCAPE HYBRID, and 8 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
237 filings
Crashes Reported
5 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SERVICE BRAKES | 39 |
| SUSPENSION | 30 |
| STEERING | 20 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 20 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 18 |
| ENGINE | 17 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 13 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 11 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 9 |
| WHEELS | 9 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 7 |
| POWER TRAIN | 5 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC | 4 |
| HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM | 4 |
| ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC) | 3 |
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO OVERHEAT. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY AND CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT FOUND NO DEFECTS UPON INVESTIGATION. DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT CALLED TOM MASANO FORD LINCOLN (1600 LANCASTER AVE, READING, PA 19607) WHERE HE WAS INFORMED THAT A REPRESENTATIVE WOULD CALL HIM BACK. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT LINKED HIS FAILURE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V526000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM). THE MANUFACTURER HAD YET TO BE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000.
Mileage: 121,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDERGOING A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE, THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED CORROSION ALL AROUND THE FRAME. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 169,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Mileage: 169,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DROVE TO LITHIA FORD LINCOLN OF ROSEBURG (1650 NE STEPHENS ST, ROSEBURG, OR 97470, (541) 537-4643) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT TWO HYBRID FANS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CLAIMED THAT A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE; HOWEVER, UPON INVESTIGATION, NO RECALLS COULD BE FOUND. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND WERE CURRENTLY ORDERING THE PARTS FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Mileage: 100,000
OVER THE PAST 3 YEARS I HAVE HAD THE ISSUE OF 'STOP SAFELY NOW' ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THESE ISSUES DIDN'T START UNTIL THE MEC PUMP WAS REPLACED UNDER A RECALL. AFTER THAT MY 2005 ESCAPE HYBRID WILL SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING OR NOT START OR CUT OUT THE HYBRID POWER AND RUN ON ENGINE ONLY. I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE WE HAVE GOTTEN ALL OTHER SERVICE DONE THREE TIMES FOR THESE ISSUES. THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO TELL ME ANYTHING, STATING ONLY THAT THERE ARE NO CODES, SO NO IDEA WHERE TO LOOK. I COULDN'T UNDERSTAND HOW THE COMPUTER CAN KNOW TO TELL ME TO STOP DRIVING THE CAR, YET NOT RECORD A DTC. IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON THE FIRST WARM DAY OF THE SUMMER - DROVE ACROSS TOWN, PARKED IT, CAME BACK 20 MINUTES LATER AND IT WOULDN'T START, SHOWING 'STOP SAFELY NOW'. I LEFT IT UNTIL THE NEXT MORNING AND IT STARTED RIGHT UP AND I DROVE IT HOME. I WENT OUT AND BOUGHT SCANXL AND USED MY LAPTOP TO SCAN THE CAR. I FOUND P1A10, P1A14, P0A0A, AND P0A95. IF I CAN BUY SOME CONSUMER PROGRAM AND
Mileage: 200,000
OVER THE PAST 3 YEARS I HAVE HAD THE ISSUE OF 'STOP SAFELY NOW' ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THESE ISSUES DIDN'T START UNTIL THE MEC PUMP WAS REPLACED UNDER A RECALL. AFTER THAT MY 2005 ESCAPE HYBRID WILL SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING OR NOT START OR CUT OUT THE HYBRID POWER AND RUN ON ENGINE ONLY. I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE WE HAVE GOTTEN ALL OTHER SERVICE DONE THREE TIMES FOR THESE ISSUES. THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO TELL ME ANYTHING, STATING ONLY THAT THERE ARE NO CODES, SO NO IDEA WHERE TO LOOK. I COULDN'T UNDERSTAND HOW THE COMPUTER CAN KNOW TO TELL ME TO STOP DRIVING THE CAR, YET NOT RECORD A DTC. IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON THE FIRST WARM DAY OF THE SUMMER - DROVE ACROSS TOWN, PARKED IT, CAME BACK 20 MINUTES LATER AND IT WOULDN'T START, SHOWING 'STOP SAFELY NOW'. I LEFT IT UNTIL THE NEXT MORNING AND IT STARTED RIGHT UP AND I DROVE IT HOME. I WENT OUT AND BOUGHT SCANXL AND USED MY LAPTOP TO SCAN THE CAR. I FOUND P1A10, P1A14, P0A0A, AND P0A95. IF I CAN BUY SOME CONSUMER PROGRAM AND
Mileage: 200,000
OVER THE PAST 3 YEARS I HAVE HAD THE ISSUE OF 'STOP SAFELY NOW' ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THESE ISSUES DIDN'T START UNTIL THE MEC PUMP WAS REPLACED UNDER A RECALL. AFTER THAT MY 2005 ESCAPE HYBRID WILL SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING OR NOT START OR CUT OUT THE HYBRID POWER AND RUN ON ENGINE ONLY. I TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP WHERE WE HAVE GOTTEN ALL OTHER SERVICE DONE THREE TIMES FOR THESE ISSUES. THEY HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO TELL ME ANYTHING, STATING ONLY THAT THERE ARE NO CODES, SO NO IDEA WHERE TO LOOK. I COULDN'T UNDERSTAND HOW THE COMPUTER CAN KNOW TO TELL ME TO STOP DRIVING THE CAR, YET NOT RECORD A DTC. IT HAPPENED AGAIN ON THE FIRST WARM DAY OF THE SUMMER - DROVE ACROSS TOWN, PARKED IT, CAME BACK 20 MINUTES LATER AND IT WOULDN'T START, SHOWING 'STOP SAFELY NOW'. I LEFT IT UNTIL THE NEXT MORNING AND IT STARTED RIGHT UP AND I DROVE IT HOME. I WENT OUT AND BOUGHT SCANXL AND USED MY LAPTOP TO SCAN THE CAR. I FOUND P1A10, P1A14, P0A0A, AND P0A95. IF I CAN BUY SOME CONSUMER PROGRAM AND
Mileage: 200,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT HAD TO ENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO JERRY'S FORD ALEXANDRIA (6510 LITTLE RIVER TURNPIKE, ALEXANDRIA, VA 22312, (703) 256-5000), BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Mileage: 116,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE "STOP SAFELY" WARNING INDICATOR FLASHED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN DUE TO THE FAILURE. MANTECA FORD (555 N MAIN ST, MANTECA, CA 95336, (209) 239-3561) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE DIAGNOSED IN ORDER TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Mileage: 130,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE "STOP SAFELY" WARNING INDICATOR FLASHED. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN DUE TO THE FAILURE. MANTECA FORD (555 N MAIN ST, MANTECA, CA 95336, (209) 239-3561) WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE DIAGNOSED IN ORDER TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.
Mileage: 130,000
CAR TURNS OFF WHILE DRIVING MESSAGE ON DASH SAYS TO STOP SAFELY NOW CAR WILL START UP AGAIN AFTER WAITING A WHILE. CAR STOPPED WHILE ON FREEWAY BARELY MADE IT TO THE SHOULDER.
Mileage: 1,200,000
WHILE COMING UP TO A STOP SIGN THE BRAKES STOPPED WORKING. LUCKILY THERE WERE NO CARS IN FRONT OF ME AS THE CAR CONTINUED TO ROLL PASS THE STOP SIGN. FLOORING THE BRAKES CAUSED THE CAR TO SLOW DOWN SLOWLY. I ENDED UP PULLING OVER IMMEDIATELY, TURNING OFF THE VEHICLE AND INSPECTING THE VEHICLE. I SAW NO CLEAR INDICATION OF ANYTHING BEING WRONG. WHEN I TURNED BACK ON THE VEHICLE EVERYTHING WAS FINE, UNTIL THE SAME THING HAPPENED THE NEXT DAY. I TOOK THE CAR TO A FEW CAR SHOPS BUT NO ONE COULD FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. THE CAR WAS EVEN TAKEN FOR A TEST DRIVE BY THE MECHANIC BUT PERFORMED WITH NO PROBLEMS. ONE OF THE SHOPS RECOMMENDED I REPLACE THE MASTER CYLINDER OR THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT BUT COULD NOT GUARANTEE THE PROBLEM WOULD NEVER OCCUR AGAIN. I DON'T FEEL COMFORTABLE PAYING SO MUCH FOR A NON GUARANTEED JOB SO UNFORTUNATELY I AM STILL DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND THE BRAKES CONTINUES TO STOP WORKING AT RANDOM TIMES.
THE ABS CONTROL MODULE. NOTICED MANY COMPLAINTS. HAD 1700 DOLLARS OF WORK TO FIX THE ISSUE AND THE BRAKES WENT OUT ON ME YESTERDAY. THREE WEEKS AFTER THE WORK. THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND THE BRAKES FAILED ON HWY 19 FL. PULLED OVER ,TURNED THE CAR OFF LIKE WHAT I READ ONLINE ABOUT THIS TYPE A VEHICLE, STARTED UP AND THE BRAKES WERE BACK' TOOK IT HOME AND PARKED IT. WHEN IS FORD GOING TO PUT A RECALL ON THIS, WHEN SOMEONE DIES.OF COURSE HAD I KNOWN ABOUT THIS DEFECT I WOULD HAVE NEVER PURCHASED IT. I HAVE ONLY HAD IT FOR A LITTLE OVER A MONTH AND IT HAS LOW MILEAGE..
Mileage: 45
THE ABS CONTROL MODULE. NOTICED MANY COMPLAINTS. HAD 1700 DOLLARS OF WORK TO FIX THE ISSUE AND THE BRAKES WENT OUT ON ME YESTERDAY. THREE WEEKS AFTER THE WORK. THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND THE BRAKES FAILED ON HWY 19 FL. PULLED OVER ,TURNED THE CAR OFF LIKE WHAT I READ ONLINE ABOUT THIS TYPE A VEHICLE, STARTED UP AND THE BRAKES WERE BACK' TOOK IT HOME AND PARKED IT. WHEN IS FORD GOING TO PUT A RECALL ON THIS, WHEN SOMEONE DIES.OF COURSE HAD I KNOWN ABOUT THIS DEFECT I WOULD HAVE NEVER PURCHASED IT. I HAVE ONLY HAD IT FOR A LITTLE OVER A MONTH AND IT HAS LOW MILEAGE..
Mileage: 45
ABS LIGHT IS ON CONSTANTLY MY BRAKES ARENT WORKING PROPERLY TIMES WHEN IT DIDNT STOP HAD TO SHIFT INTO LOW GEAR AND PULL OFF TO SAFE SPIOT I WAS TRYING TO STOP
Mileage: 122,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE "PULL OVER SAFELY NOW" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED TO OPERATE AS INTENDED. THE CRASH OCCURRED WHILE THE CONTACT WAS EN ROUTE TO COCCIA FORD LINCOLN INC (LOCATED AT 577 E MAIN ST, WILKES-BARRE, PA 18702, (570) 823-8888) TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V526000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ISSUED CASE NUMBER: CAS-14733790. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 174,109.
Mileage: 174,109
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE "PULL OVER SAFELY NOW" WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM FAILED TO OPERATE AS INTENDED. THE CRASH OCCURRED WHILE THE CONTACT WAS EN ROUTE TO COCCIA FORD LINCOLN INC (LOCATED AT 577 E MAIN ST, WILKES-BARRE, PA 18702, (570) 823-8888) TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V526000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED AND THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND ISSUED CASE NUMBER: CAS-14733790. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 174,109.
Mileage: 174,109
WHILE DRIVING THE POWER STEERING WILL COMPLETELY FAIL UNEXPECTEDLY AND A YELLOW WRENCH WILL APPEAR ON THE DASHBOARD. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AS IT COMES UNEXPECTEDLY BUT WILL COME BACK ON WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED OFF AND ON AGAIN. THE STEERING IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO MUSCLE THROUGH WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILS. THE STEERING CAN FAIL AT ANY TIME WHILE DRIVING OR PARKED WHEN THE VEHICLE IS ON AND IT HAPPENS ALMOST 100% OF THE TIME THAT I DRIVE THE VEHICLE. IT SEEMS TO BE WORSE IN HOT WEATHER.
Mileage: 99,000
THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL HAS CORRODED VERY SEVERELY. THE SHOCK ABSORBER IS PUSHING INTO THE INTERIOR WHEEL COVER, CAUSING IT TO BECOME DISLODGED. I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET, ABOUT 35 MPH, WHEN I HEAR A LOUD SCRAPING SOUND COMING FROM THE RIGHT REAR SIDE OF MY ESCAPE. I NOTICED THAT THE INTERIOR WHEEL COVER WAS DISLODGED AND MOVING AROUND. I PULLED OVER INTO A LOCAL PARK TO EXAMINE WHAT WAS CAUSING THE VERY LOUD SCRAPING SOUND. I COULD SEE THAT THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL AREA WAS VERY RUSTED AND FLAKY. I DROVE HOME ABOUT 10-15 MPH, ALL THE TIME THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A VERY LOUD BUMPING AND SCRAPING SOUND. I CONSULTED A FORD MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN SAFELY. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THE MANY HUNDREDS OF FORD ESCAPES THAT HAVE RUSTED OUT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELLS, THAT CAN CAUSE SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WHEN THE SHOCK ABSORBER PUSHES INTO THE CAR AND THE VEHICLE COLLAPSES ONTO THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL.
Mileage: 120,000
THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL HAS CORRODED VERY SEVERELY. THE SHOCK ABSORBER IS PUSHING INTO THE INTERIOR WHEEL COVER, CAUSING IT TO BECOME DISLODGED. I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET, ABOUT 35 MPH, WHEN I HEAR A LOUD SCRAPING SOUND COMING FROM THE RIGHT REAR SIDE OF MY ESCAPE. I NOTICED THAT THE INTERIOR WHEEL COVER WAS DISLODGED AND MOVING AROUND. I PULLED OVER INTO A LOCAL PARK TO EXAMINE WHAT WAS CAUSING THE VERY LOUD SCRAPING SOUND. I COULD SEE THAT THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL AREA WAS VERY RUSTED AND FLAKY. I DROVE HOME ABOUT 10-15 MPH, ALL THE TIME THE VEHICLE WAS MAKING A VERY LOUD BUMPING AND SCRAPING SOUND. I CONSULTED A FORD MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE DRIVEN SAFELY. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THE MANY HUNDREDS OF FORD ESCAPES THAT HAVE RUSTED OUT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELLS, THAT CAN CAUSE SUDDEN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL WHEN THE SHOCK ABSORBER PUSHES INTO THE CAR AND THE VEHICLE COLLAPSES ONTO THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL.
Mileage: 120,000
THE CAR HAS TWICE LOST POWER WHILE I WAS DRIVING IT. THE RED WARNING LIGHT COMES ON THE CAR LOSES POWER BUT THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES REMAIN FUNCTIONAL. THE CAR WAS ON RECALL FOR THIS EXACT THING AND I TOOK THE CAR IN. THE DEALER TELLS ME I HAVE THE BRUSHLESS COOLANT PUMP SO IT'S NOT DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE MOTOR ELECTRONICS COOLANT PUMP AND HE'S NOT REPLACING IT. BUT IT'S STILL DOING IT AND NOTHING ELSE IS WRONG WITH THE CAR. THIS IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPENED I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE GOING 70 MILES AN HOUR.
Mileage: 195,000
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Timing Belt Failure
Underbody shields detachment
B-Pillar Trim Detachment
Unintended Transmission Downshift and Rear Wheel Lock-up
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.