10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 3 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 3 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 93,262 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph, the brakes malfunctioned and failed to stop the vehicle. The contact indicated that when pressing the brake pedal the pedal was pushed to the floorboard. The contact had to use the parking brake to stop the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the brake lines had corroded and the brake fluid had drained from the vehicle. The vehicle was repaired and the defect was remedied. The manufacturer was notified of the defect. The failure mileage was 85,000.
- Dearborn Heights, MI, USA
Brakes failed completely despite one month prior servicing of brakes at local bill brandt Ford dealership in brentwood California. Alarm sounded when traveling on highway, brakelight illuminated and no brake. Grandmother driving granddaughter barely missed collision with stopping traffic. Two mechanics later reveal costly control unit is to blame. Easy internet research shows many others with same experience. This is a safety issue, do not understand why no recall has been issued unless Ford is waiting for fatality first.
- Brentwood, CA, USA
I was in accident where I hit another vehicle in which when tried to break they did not work. No skid marks where there and should have been. Totaled my truck Ford SUV XLT (sport) and the driver of other car. Passenger airbag never went off. I had concussion and burns 2nd degree on both arms. Still have scars. Other vehicle at light stopped and when I tried to stop it was like gas pedal was stuck and break did not work so pulled up emergency break. I never got any notice on recalls on my 2005 until now. Which could have killed someone. The police report stated no skid marks.
- Huntersville , NC, USA
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 5 mph, the driver attempted to engage the brakes but the pedal sunk to the floorboard. The contact mentioned that the vehicle failed to stop and crashed into another vehicle. A police report was filed and no injuries were reported. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician diagnosed that both the driver and passenger side brake lines had failed. As a result, the brake lines and hoses needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 120,000.
- Lafayette, IN, USA
The right rear shock tower rusted through the wheel well into the rear compartment breaking a hole through the interior compartment. There is currently no parts in stock to repair this as we are told they are on nationwide backorder and this is a huge safety issue. The other rear shock area has a significant amount of rust also. Approximately 1 week later both break lines broke from severe corrosion while moving at approximately 10 mph (pulling in my driveway). I was fortunate this happened there and not on the highway as I could have been in a very serious accident along with my 3 year old son. These two things should not be happening with the age of this vehicle. The body should be holding up better than this. I just saw there was a recall for model years 2001-2004 for severe rust issues one resulting in a crash. The manufacturing date of my vehicle is 09/2004.
- Escanaba, MI, USA
Iwas driving 30 mph went to apply brakes had none, pulled emergency brake handle it worked got me stopped, got home looked under SUV brake fluid everywhere arounddriver side front wheel, took wheel off found the rubber hose deteriorated blew out, my question is why did the braking system allow all fluid to drain, if you front brakes fail from blown line, should not the rear brakes retain fluid in the reservoir and rear brakes still work, is this a 2005 Ford Escape flaw.
- Youngstown , OH, USA
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the brake pedal erroneously traveled to the floorboard and became inoperable. The failure was experienced while contact was at a traffic stop. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who advised that the front passenger's side brakes needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 125,000.
- South St Paul, MN, USA
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 mph over a road bump, a loud rattling noise was heard from the rear exterior passenger's side. The vehicle was maneuvered to the side of the road where the contact noticed that the rear shock was completely detached and the brake line had ruptured. A certified mechanic inspected the vehicle and informed the contact that the shock mount and wheel house assembly would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 103,000.
- Brighton, MI, USA
ABS light came on. 4WD light started blinking. There was a grinding noise coming from the wheel/brake area of the vehicle. The ABS light remained on but the 4WD flashed and then turned off. It came back on intermittently and flashed several times. There seemed to be no functional problems with the brakes or wheels.
- Wilton, CT, USA
Had car in the shop for oil change and it was noted by the mechanic that both front brake lines are showing signs of cracking and deterioration. In danger of failing. This problem seems to be very prevalent and dangerous, why have you not instituted a recall or forced Ford Motor Co. To address this issue?
- Glen Gardner, NJ, USA
ABS light suddenly came on and I had to press the brakes almost all the way to the floor to stop the car. I pulled over and turned the car off. When I started the car back up, there was no ABS light or service engine indicator. Mechanic said that I need to replace the master cylinder and possibly the hcu. But they don't know if that will fix it.
- North Hollywood, CA, USA
The front brake line on the passenger side blew out leaking brake fluid, was pulled in to garage. Now today 6/17/2013 the drivers side brake line blew out losing brakes completely, both times very dangerous.
- Washburn, ND, USA
My drivers side brake line ruptured and left me without brakes. Luckily, it happened in my garage, so there was no accident. I inspected the other 3 brake lines and they were on the verge of rupturing. I replaced all 4 lines. I realize the parts are not covered by warranty anymore, but replacing brake lines after 7 years is much sooner than I would expect. Brake lines should not be a normal service item like spark plugs. I like my 2005 Ford Escape. I don't want to complain about it, but I need to report this dangerous incident. It appears to me there is a quality defect with the brake lines. Other Escape owners need to know about this. They need to check their brake lines and replace them if necessary. I'm afraid someone's brake line will rupture and cause an accident.
- Freeport, IL, USA
I returned home from a local trip. Parked my Ford Escape in the garage. When my son attempted to leave with the car about 15 minutes later, there was little braking power. He returned the car to the garage and we noticed a leak around the right front passenger tire. When I inspected the leak underneath the car, and had my wife pump the brakes, I saw the leak was coming from the brake line connection of rubber to metal under the wheel well. I looked online and read several accounts of the same issue, with the brake line failing on the 2005 Ford Escape. I will be having my Escape brake line issue repaired this week.
- Savage, MN, USA
In Aug 2012 we were on our way back from a vacation and our ABS light came on, along with a flashing 4X4 light. We had no idea what it was or what to do. The vehicle drove fine and stopped fine, except for a couple of times it felt as if the ABS engaged on dry cement. We stopped to eat and shop for a few hours and the lights were off when we got back in the vehicle. They didn't come on again until a few days ago (Jan 2013). However, I had been complaining to my husband recently that the brakes didn't seem to work right. I hit ice and the ABS didn't engage..no light either..but the grinding sound once in awhile was still there. So we took it in and put it on the computer to diagnose the problem. Came back with 2 codes U2023 and C1234. Which means the right front tone ring is bad. After searching the internet, I found this to be a very common problem. Also got under the truck and sure enough the tone ring is cracked and spinning around loosely. The safety issue here is the ABS will lock up randomly on dry cement when you start to apply your brakes. Which then you can't completely control your vehicles direction and if you take your foot off the break to control your vehicle, then you may hit someone or something. I am thankful for all the info I have found so when it gets repaired they can't screw me over.
- Mason City, IA, USA
I was driving up to a stop light so I removed my foot from the gas and to the brake, before I could get to the red light it changed to green, I went to press on the gas and the pedal was stuck. It would not go down nothing. I coasted to the side of the busy highway kept trying to press it and it wouldn't go down. After about 5 mins of just sitting there I tried it again and it went down without a problem. This vehicle was recalled in the prior years for this exact issue 2004 and below. However my 2005 is not recalled. It is now at the Ford dealership and I am waiting on a cost estimate. The vehcile did tend to do this from time to time only when its cold outside. I took it in several years ago to be repaird and when they test drove it, it woudn't stick for them so no issue was found for them to repair.
- Clarksville, TN, USA
On August 18th 2012 I was returning home from grocery shopping in downtown hamilton mt when our 2005 Ford Escape accelerated out of control and would not stop. I managed to Dodge traffic and people and put it in park and hold my foot down on the brake but it kept speeding. It continued to race down the street about mile or more until I came to a place I was able to turn off the street into a parking area with a corral which had an iron gate on the fence that I felt would stop me. It finally slowed down and I was able to turn off the key and stop; thank god without hitting or harming anyone still it was a terrifying event.
- Hamilton , MT, USA
Had light warning of brake failure. Investigation discovered broken ring with teeth on front axle that senses wheel rotation. Part is called "tone ring" Ford part #7L8Z-2C182-B. this causes a failure of the ABS and traction control system. Internet search showed this as a very common problem with all year Ford Escapes and is a very bad design. This $32 part causes a $300 parts and labor cost since recommended fix is to replace a perfectly good axle. It appears to be caused by expansion and contraction of the ring and rust between the axle and the pressed on ring.
- Warren, MI, USA
- Andover, MN, USA