Ford Escape 2001–2007 problems by year and mileage
1st generation · CD2
NHTSA data through 24 September 20265,777 complaints, 4,349 with mileageMethod
Which year is yours? Tap it to see what breaks on it.
The 2001 Ford Escape
Close- Median failure report
- 75,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 996
- Recalls naming this year
- 13
Most reported on the 2001
- Engine and its cooling system282 reports · median 42,000 mi
- Electrical system136 reports · median 89,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline128 reports · median 68,000 mi
13 recall campaigns name the 2001: Power train — automatic transmission; Structure — frame and members; Vehicle speed control — cables. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2002 Ford Escape
Close- Median failure report
- 86,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 1,027
- Recalls naming this year
- 8
Most reported on the 2002
- Engine and its cooling system294 reports · median 32,000 mi
- Hydraulic brake circuit149 reports · median 96,000 mi
- Electrical system123 reports · median 60,000 mi
8 recall campaigns name the 2002: Power train — automatic transmission; Structure — frame and members; Vehicle speed control — cables. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2003 Ford Escape
Close- Median failure report
- 90,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 558
- Recalls naming this year
- 7
Most reported on the 2003
- Body structure121 reports · median 109,000 mi
- Suspension90 reports · median 121,000 mi
- Throttle and speed control90 reports · median 87,000 mi
7 recall campaigns name the 2003: Power train — automatic transmission; Structure — frame and members; Vehicle speed control — cables. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2004 Ford Escape
Close- Median failure report
- 108,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 499
- Recalls naming this year
- 6
Most reported on the 2004
- Suspension154 reports · median 123,000 mi
- Body structure138 reports · median 120,000 mi
- Throttle and speed control98 reports · median 90,000 mi
6 recall campaigns name the 2004: Power train — automatic transmission; Structure — frame and members; Vehicle speed control — cables. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2005 Ford Escape
Close- Median failure report
- 105,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 1,584
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
Most reported on the 2005
- Suspension489 reports · median 120,000 mi
- Body structure459 reports · median 120,000 mi
- Electrical system169 reports · median 101,000 mi
4 recall campaigns name the 2005: Power train — automatic transmission; Hybrid propulsion system; Seats — front assembly. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2006 Ford Escape
Close- Median failure report
- 86,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 720
- Recalls naming this year
- 4
Most reported on the 2006
- Throttle and speed control119 reports · median 80,000 mi
- Brakes105 reports · median 94,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline100 reports · median 84,000 mi
4 recall campaigns name the 2006: Power train — automatic transmission; Hybrid propulsion system; Power train — driveline. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
The 2007 Ford Escape
Close- Median failure report
- 79,000 mi
- Complaints filed
- 393
- Recalls naming this year
- 2
Most reported on the 2007
- Brakes63 reports · median 92,000 mi
- Transmission and driveline59 reports · median 72,000 mi
- Engine54 reports · median 90,000 mi
2 recall campaigns name the 2007: Power train — automatic transmission; Hybrid propulsion system. Not every car in a campaign is affected — check the VIN at NHTSA. Recall repairs are free.
Each tile shows the median mileage at which that model year’s failures were reported. The 2004 reports latest and the 2001 earliest, but part of that gap is age: the 2001 has had 3 more years on the road to accumulate mileage.
The short answer
“Is the 2001–2007 Ford Escape reliable?”
- Median of reported failures
- 95,000 mi
- 90% of reports came by
- 164,000 mi
- Reports with mileage
- 4,349
- Recalls
- 18
Most reported
- Body structure16.5% of complaints · median 120,000 mi
- Suspension16.5% of complaints · median 120,000 mi
- Engine and its cooling system13.8% of complaints · median 60,000 mi
Documented problems
- Electrical / Cruise Control2001–2004
- Suspension / Body Structure2001–2004
- Transmission
- Engine
Owners filed 5,777 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001–2007 Ford Escape; body structure leads with 16.5% of them, and half of the 4,349 that record an odometer reading came by 95,000 miles. A count like this can’t rate reliability on its own: NHTSA records what owners chose to report, not how many of each car were sold.
Failures are spread across the mileage range, with the middle half between 55,000 and 130,000 miles.
Before-you-buy checklist ↓At your mileage ↓Check this VIN — NHTSA ↗
How many miles does a 2001–2007 Ford Escape last?
Complaint records can’t measure how long a car lasts; they show when reported failures happened. On the 2001–2007 Ford Escape, half of the 4,349 complaints that record an odometer reading were filed by 95,000 miles and 90% by 164,000 miles.
682 reports came in past 150,000 miles and 140 past 200,000 — each one proof that an Escape reached that mileage, not that it failed there.
Figure 1 · Ford Escape 2001–2007 · 4,349 reports with mileage
Mileage at failure
Complaints per 5,000-mile bin, 0 to 200,000 miles, equal bins on a linear scale. Tallest bar = 199 complaints.
- Rest of the range
- Median
- 200,000+ — 140 complaints (3.2%), plotted separately
- 10%
- 23,200
- 25%
- 55,000
- Median
- 95,000
- 75%
- 130,000
- 90%
- 164,000
Show the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 0–5,000 | 164 | 3.8% |
| 5,000–10,000 | 78 | 1.8% |
| 10,000–15,000 | 66 | 1.5% |
| 15,000–20,000 | 65 | 1.5% |
| 20,000–25,000 | 78 | 1.8% |
| 25,000–30,000 | 78 | 1.8% |
| 30,000–35,000 | 86 | 2.0% |
| 35,000–40,000 | 109 | 2.5% |
| 40,000–45,000 | 113 | 2.6% |
| 45,000–50,000 | 112 | 2.6% |
| 50,000–55,000 | 130 | 3.0% |
| 55,000–60,000 | 114 | 2.6% |
| 60,000–65,000 | 112 | 2.6% |
| 65,000–70,000 | 108 | 2.5% |
| 70,000–75,000 | 132 | 3.0% |
| 75,000–80,000 | 146 | 3.4% |
| 80,000–85,000 | 163 | 3.7% |
| 85,000–90,000 | 156 | 3.6% |
| 90,000–95,000 | 155 | 3.6% |
| 95,000–100,000 | 144 | 3.3% |
| 100,000–105,000 | 199 | 4.6% |
| 105,000–110,000 | 138 | 3.2% |
| 110,000–115,000 | 161 | 3.7% |
| 115,000–120,000 | 122 | 2.8% |
| 120,000–125,000 | 177 | 4.1% |
| 125,000–130,000 | 130 | 3.0% |
| 130,000–135,000 | 155 | 3.6% |
| 135,000–140,000 | 98 | 2.3% |
| 140,000–145,000 | 113 | 2.6% |
| 145,000–150,000 | 65 | 1.5% |
| 150,000–155,000 | 115 | 2.6% |
| 155,000–160,000 | 60 | 1.4% |
| 160,000–165,000 | 75 | 1.7% |
| 165,000–170,000 | 58 | 1.3% |
| 170,000–175,000 | 62 | 1.4% |
| 175,000–180,000 | 35 | 0.8% |
| 180,000–185,000 | 55 | 1.3% |
| 185,000–190,000 | 30 | 0.7% |
| 190,000–195,000 | 27 | 0.6% |
| 195,000–200,000 | 25 | 0.6% |
| 200,000+ | 140 | 3.2% |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain. Complaint counts reflect what owners reported and are not a measure of failure rate per vehicle sold.
What this can and cannot tell you: these are complaints owners chose to file, not a failure rate. Popular models accumulate more of them simply by being common. How this is built.
Common Escape problems, and when they happen
Figure 2 · Ford Escape 2001–2007
When each system fails
Bar spans the middle half of reports; the notch inside each bar is the median. Miles at failure on a proportional scale — equal distances are equal ratios, not equal miles.
- Engine and its cooling system795 reports60,00024,000–100,000Engine and its cooling system: 795 reports, median 60,000 miles, middle half 24,000 to 100,000 miles.
- Hydraulic brake circuit460 reports72,00040,000–104,000Hydraulic brake circuit: 460 reports, median 72,000 miles, middle half 40,000 to 104,000 miles.
- Transmission and driveline600 reports80,00049,000–117,000Transmission and driveline: 600 reports, median 80,000 miles, middle half 49,000 to 117,000 miles.
- Throttle and speed control710 reports87,00052,000–128,000Throttle and speed control: 710 reports, median 87,000 miles, middle half 52,000 to 128,000 miles.
- Electrical system627 reports91,00054,000–127,000Electrical system: 627 reports, median 91,000 miles, middle half 54,000 to 127,000 miles.
- Body structure951 reports120,00093,000–150,000Body structure: 951 reports, median 120,000 miles, middle half 93,000 to 150,000 miles.
- Suspension951 reports120,00093,000–150,000Suspension: 951 reports, median 120,000 miles, middle half 93,000 to 150,000 miles.
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it in “Where your car sits”
Ordered by median mileage, earliest first. The first 12,000 miles are shaded: that is the boundary this site uses between a manufacturing defect and ordinary wear, not a property of the world.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
All systems in a table
| System | Complaints | Share | Median | 25–75% |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Body structure | 951 | 16.5% | 120,000 | 93,000–150,000 |
| Suspension | 951 | 16.5% | 120,000 | 93,000–150,000 |
| Engine and its cooling system | 795 | 13.8% | 60,000 | 24,000–100,000 |
| Throttle and speed control | 710 | 12.3% | 87,000 | 52,000–128,000 |
| Electrical system | 627 | 10.9% | 91,000 | 54,000–127,000 |
| Transmission and driveline | 600 | 10.4% | 80,000 | 49,000–117,000 |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 460 | 8.0% | 72,000 | 40,000–104,000 |
| Engine | 412 | 7.1% | 113,000 | 85,000–145,000 |
| Brakes | 352 | 6.1% | 107,000 | 82,000–139,000 |
| Steering | 344 | 6.0% | 100,000 | 49,000–137,000 |
System by system, in words
Complaints about this generation are not spread evenly across the vehicle, and the systems that generate the most of them do not all fail at the same point in a car's life. The median failure across all systems here is 95,000 miles; the figures below show which parts of the car run ahead of that and which run behind.
Body structure accounts for 16.5% of complaints (951 reports, 820 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 120,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 93,000 and 150,000 miles.
The suspension accounts for 16.5% of complaints (951 reports, 821 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 120,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 93,000 and 150,000 miles.
The engine and its cooling system accounts for 13.8% of complaints (795 reports, 399 of them with a mileage figure), and it fails early — a median of 60,000 miles, well before the vehicle's overall median. Failures clustered this far below the rest of the car usually point to a design or manufacturing problem rather than wear, because wear does not selectively target one system on low-mileage examples. The middle half of these reports falls between 24,000 and 100,000 miles.
Throttle and speed control accounts for 12.3% of complaints (710 reports, 552 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 87,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 52,000 and 128,000 miles.
The electrical system accounts for 10.9% of complaints (627 reports, 457 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 91,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 54,000 and 127,000 miles.
The transmission and driveline accounts for 10.4% of complaints (600 reports, 462 of them with a mileage figure), with a median of 80,000 miles, close to the vehicle's overall pattern. The middle half of these reports falls between 49,000 and 117,000 miles.
Known problems with the 2001–2007 Escape
Electrical / Cruise Control 2001–2004
Texas Instruments speed control deactivation switch mounted in the master cylinder can leak brake fluid onto the switch contacts and ignite, causing an engine-bay fire with the vehicle parked and off. Part of Ford's multi-model speed-control switch recall campaign.
Suspension / Body Structure 2001–2004
Rear subframe corrodes and can fracture or separate in road-salt states, allowing loss of rear suspension location. Addressed by region-specific inspection/replacement campaigns.
Transmission
CD4E 4-speed automatic suffers forward clutch and torque converter failures; a common complaint cluster across the generation.
Engine
3.0L Duratec V6 intake manifold and coolant crossover leaks leading to overheating.
Before you buy a 2001–2007 Escape: the 3-minute check
Generated from 4,349 mileage-tagged complaints, 18 recall campaigns, 4 documented problem areas. Print this page — the checklist survives print.
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 18 campaigns cover this generation; an open recall is a free repair you can make the seller's problem.
- Check electrical / cruise control on 2001–2004 cars. Texas Instruments speed control deactivation switch mounted in the master cylinder can leak brake fluid onto the switch contacts and ignite, causing an engine-bay fire with the vehicle parked and off. Part of Ford's…
- Check suspension / body structure on 2001–2004 cars. Rear subframe corrodes and can fracture or separate in road-salt states, allowing loss of rear suspension location. Addressed by region-specific inspection/replacement campaigns.
- Check transmission. CD4E 4-speed automatic suffers forward clutch and torque converter failures; a common complaint cluster across the generation.
- Complaint reports are not spread evenly across model years here — see the by-model-year table below before you settle on a year.
- End with a pre-purchase inspection of this car. Aggregate data describes the population; the example in front of you has its own history.
For a buyer, failures on this generation are spread rather than concentrated: the middle half falls between 55,000 and 130,000 miles, with a median of 95,000. There is no single mileage threshold to watch, which means condition and maintenance records are more informative than the odometer.
On inspection, body structure and the suspension are where this generation's reports concentrate, so those are the areas worth a specific look. Body structure in particular shows a median failure mileage of 120,000, which gives a concrete number to compare against the odometer of any car you are considering.
None of this is a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection on the individual car. Aggregate patterns describe a population; the example in front of you has its own history.
Escape problems by mileage: where your car sits
Type your odometer reading, or read the common mileages in the table. Your marker lands on the timing chart above and on the curve below.
| System | Middle half of reports, mi | At 60k mi27% below | At 90k mi46% below | At 120k mi67% below | At 150k mi84% below | At 200k mi97% below |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Body structure | 93,000–150,000 | later | later | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Suspension | 93,000–150,000 | later | later | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Engine and its cooling system | 24,000–100,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Throttle and speed control | 52,000–128,000 | in window | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Electrical system | 54,000–127,000 | in window | in window | in window | earlier | earlier |
| Transmission and driveline | 49,000–117,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
| Hydraulic brake circuit | 40,000–104,000 | in window | in window | earlier | earlier | earlier |
Figure 3 · Ford Escape 2001–2007 · 4,349 reports with mileage
Share of reports below each mileage
Share of mileage-tagged reports filed at or below each odometer reading. Steps rise only at bin edges, by exact counted shares.
- 60,000 mi — 27% of reports below
- 90,000 mi — 46% of reports below
- 120,000 mi — 67% of reports below
- 150,000 mi — 84% of reports below
- 200,000 mi — 97% of reports below
- Median — the staircase crosses the 50% line here
- Your odometer — appears after you enter it above
The staircase tops out at 97%: the remaining 3.2% of reports (140) came above 200,000 miles.
Nothing is smoothed or interpolated. Linear axis, same as Figure 1.
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, public domain.
2001–2007 Ford Escape recalls (18)
NHTSA records 18 recall campaigns covering vehicles in this generation. A recall means the manufacturer or the regulator concluded there was a safety defect or a standard was not met, and that a free remedy is owed to owners — including second and later owners.
The campaigns cluster around the transmission and driveline (3), throttle and speed control (3), the hydraulic brake circuit (2). Several campaigns against one area can mean a remedy that did not hold, or separate defects in parts filed under the same heading; the summaries below name each defect.
Recall status is specific to the individual vehicle, not the model. Checking a VIN against NHTSA's lookup is free and takes under a minute, and it is the only way to know whether a particular car has had the work done.
Sep 2015 · 2001–2007 · Power TrainIf the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the…
The defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E…
What can happen. If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a…
The free fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of…
Sep 2014 · 2005–2007 · Hybrid Propulsion SystemIf the hybrid electronics system overheats, it may shut down the powertrain, resulting in a stall-like…
The defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 Ford Escape hybrid electric vehicles manufactured October 13, 2003, to June 20, 2008, and 2006-2008 Mercury Mariner hybrid electric vehicles manufactured June 10, 2005, to June 20, 2008. The…
What can happen. If the hybrid electronics system overheats, it may shut down the powertrain, resulting in a stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the original Motor Electronics Coolant (MEC) Pump with an improved brushless pump, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on…
Apr 2014 · 2001–2004 · StructureA separation of the lower control arm can result in a significant loss of steering control, increasing the…
The defect. Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2004 Escape vehicles manufactured October 22, 1999, through January 23, 2004, originally sold, or currently registered in, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland…
What can happen. A separation of the lower control arm can result in a significant loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will install a newly designed reinforcement cross-brace, free of charge. The recall began on May 30, 2014. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673. Ford's…
Jul 2012 · 2001–2004 · Vehicle Speed ControlA stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop or slow the vehicle…
The defect. Ford Motor Company is recalling certain model year 2001 through 2004 Escape vehicles equipped with 3.0L V6 engines and speed control manufactured from October 22, 1999, through January 23, 2004. Inadequate clearance between the engine cover and the speed…
What can happen. A stuck throttle may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop or slow the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death.
The free fix. Ford will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles by increasing the engine cover clearance, free of charge. The safety recall began August 3, 2012. Remedy parts are expected to be…
Jan 2012 · 2001–2002 · Service Brakes, HydraulicCorrosion can develop in the electrical connector leading to melting, smoke or a fire.
The defect. Ford is recalling certain model year 2001-2002 Escape vehicles manufactured from october 22, 1999, through july 19, 2002, equipped with a brake master cylinder reservoir cap that could leak brake fluid. If brake fluid leaks from the cap, it could come in…
What can happen. Corrosion can develop in the electrical connector leading to melting, smoke or a fire.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the brake master cylinder reservoir cap and the ABS electrical system will be modified. An interim letter was mailed on january 20, 2012. Due to a parts delay, however, the…
Apr 2007 · 2001–2004 · Service Brakes, HydraulicAn electrical short might cause an ABS malfunction that would illuminate the ABS warning light, and in some…
The defect. On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with antilock brakes (ABS), the ABS module connector may have missing or dislodged wire seals. This condition could allow contamination to enter the module connector, creating a potential for an electrical short.
What can happen. An electrical short might cause an ABS malfunction that would illuminate the ABS warning light, and in some cases, the module may overheat resulting in burning odor, smoke, and/or fire. This…
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the wire harness connector to the ABS module for missing or dislodged wire seals, and repair or replace the harness connector as appropriate. The dealer will also inspect the…
Oct 2006 · 2006 · Power TrainIf a fracture occurs, the powertrain will lose the ability to transmit torque to the drive wheels and the…
The defect. On certain front wheel drive hybrid vehicles, the intermediate shaft may not have been properly heat treated and may fracture while the vehicle is being driven.
What can happen. If a fracture occurs, the powertrain will lose the ability to transmit torque to the drive wheels and the transmission will not hold the vehicle stationary when placed in the park position, which…
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the drivetrain intermediate shaft and replace it if necessary. The recall began on october 23, 2006. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673.
Apr 2006 · 2005 · SeatsIn the event of a vehicle crash, personal injury to occupants may occur.
The defect. Certain sport utility vehicles equipped without side air curtains or moonroofs fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 201, "Occupant protection in interior impact." During testing, the free motion head form…
What can happen. In the event of a vehicle crash, personal injury to occupants may occur.
The free fix. Dealers will make modifications to the energy absorbing material located above the headliner in the affected area free of charge. The recall began on may 19, 2006. Owners may contact Ford at…
Nov 2005 · 2006 · VisibilityAfter a period of continuous use on the high speed setting, lack of grease on the output shaft gear may cause…
The defect. On certain trucks, passenger cars and sport utility vehicles, the windshield wiper motor may have been produced without grease being applied to the output shaft gear.
What can happen. After a period of continuous use on the high speed setting, lack of grease on the output shaft gear may cause the gear to distort or fracture during operation resulting in a loss of wiper function.…
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the wiper motor for the presence of grease and grease the wiper motor gears if necessary. The recall began on november 22, 2005. Owners may contact Ford at 1-800-392-3673 or…
Dec 2004 · 2001–2005 · Latches/Locks/LinkagesIf the liftgate is left unlocked, there is the potential that it may open during a crash.
The defect. Certain 2004-2005 sport utility vehicles and certain 2001-2003 sport utiity vehicle having rear liftgate components serviced with 2004 equivalent components fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 206, 'Door locks and…
What can happen. If the liftgate is left unlocked, there is the potential that it may open during a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the rear liftgate latch release rod, the release rod attachment clip and the door handle return spring. The recall began on march 31, 2005. Owners should contact Ford at…
Dec 2004 · 2002–2004 · Vehicle Speed ControlAn unexpected increase in engine idle speed may increase stopping distance and may result in a vehicle crash.
The defect. On certain sport utility vehicles built with 3.0L v6 engines, the accelerator cable may prevent the throttle from returning to the idle position.
What can happen. An unexpected increase in engine idle speed may increase stopping distance and may result in a vehicle crash.
The free fix. Dealers will replace the accelerator cable. The recall began on january 10, 2005. Owners should contact Ford at 1-866-436-7332.
Apr 2004 · 2001–2003 · Power TrainShould the engine stall, a vehicle crash could occur.
The defect. On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with 3.0L v6 engines, during deceleration, the engine can stall.
What can happen. Should the engine stall, a vehicle crash could occur.
The free fix. Dealers will reprogram the power control module (PCM) with the appropriate calibration. Owner notification began on april 21, 2004. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed…
Dec 2003 · 2001 · Seat BeltsIn the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of injury.
The defect. On certain sport utility vehicles, a post within the safety belt buckle covers could fracture, which could affect latch function, resulting in either a "no latch" or "partial latch" condition. In the "partial latch" condition, the buckle tongue can be…
What can happen. In the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of injury.
The free fix. Dealers will have the driver and front passenger safety belt buckle cover removed and replaced with a newly designed service buckle cover. Owner notification began on february 2, 2004. Owners should…
Nov 2000 · 2001 · VisibilityThis condition will likely result in sudden and complete loss of the windshield wiper function, or of the…
The defect. Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The windshield wiper linkage can disengage due to a broken ball socket.
What can happen. This condition will likely result in sudden and complete loss of the windshield wiper function, or of the wiper function on the driver side only, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the wiper module.
Sep 2000 · 2001 · Fuel System, GasolineFuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
The defect. Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The o-ring seals in the fuel line connector at the outlet end of the fuel filter were damaged when the line was connected to the filter during vehicle assembly. In some cases, this damage could result in a fuel…
What can happen. Fuel leakage, in the presence of an ignition source, could result in a fire.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the fuel line. Owner notification began september 27, 2000. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and…
Sep 2000 · 2001 · WheelsThis condition could cause loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The defect. Vehicle description: some 4x2 sport utility vehicles not equipped with an antilock braking system may have inadvertently been built with 4x4 rear hubs instead of 4x2 hubs. If the incorrect hubs are installed on a 4x2 vehicle, the rear wheels can loosen, or in…
What can happen. This condition could cause loss of control of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the rear hubs and, if necessary, replace them. Owner notification began september 25, 2000. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date…
Aug 2000 · 2001 · Vehicle Speed ControlIf either of these conditions occurs and the speed control is used, the speed control could prevent the…
The defect. Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles equipped with speed control. The speed control cable can have a cracked or missing speed control cable servo cap locating tab. The locating tab could enter the servo clutch cavity and interfere with the speed…
What can happen. If either of these conditions occurs and the speed control is used, the speed control could prevent the throttle from returning to idle, resulting in a stuck throttle. A stuck throttle could result…
The free fix. Dealers will inspect the speed control cables. Vehicles with speed control cables from cavities 3 and 4 will have the cable the speed control servo replaced.
Aug 2000 · 2001 · SteeringEither of these conditions can lead to the steering wheel becoming loose or separating from the steering…
The defect. Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. These vehicles may have a mis-assembled or incorrectly manufactured nut that attaches the steering wheel assembly to the steering column. The nut could be upside down in the steering wheel assembly, which could…
What can happen. Either of these conditions can lead to the steering wheel becoming loose or separating from the steering column, resulting in loss of steering control.
The free fix. Dealers will inspect and replace the steering wheel retention armature and, if necessary, the steering column to correct this condition.
Crashes, fires and injuries owners reported
What owners reported alongside the failure itself, out of 5,777 complaints against this generation:
- Crashes
- 297 (5.1%)
- Fires
- 236
- Injury reports
- 174
- Fatality reports
- 12
These flags are self-reported by complainants and unverified by NHTSA; one report can carry several flags, so the counts overlap and do not sum to a total. They are not adjusted for how many of these vehicles are on the road. No chart is drawn here on purpose: overlapping counts spanning very different magnitudes cannot be honestly encoded as lengths.
Escape problems by model year
The 2005 drew the most complaints of this generation, 1,584, most of them about the suspension, and the 2007 the fewest, 393. A typical year drew about 720.
That makes the 2005 stand out at roughly 2.2 times a typical year. A count like this follows how many cars of each year were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as how often they failed, so it is not by itself evidence of a worse year; what each year's reports name, in its card and row, is the useful part.
| Year | Complaints | With mileage | Median miles | Most reported | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 996 | 478 | 75,000 | Engine and its cooling system (282) | 13 |
| 2002 | 1,027 | 650 | 86,000 | Engine and its cooling system (294) | 8 |
| 2003 | 558 | 431 | 90,000 | Body structure (121) | 7 |
| 2004 | 499 | 426 | 108,000 | Suspension (154) | 6 |
| 2005 | 1,584 | 1,383 | 105,000 | Suspension (489) | 4 |
| 2006 | 720 | 642 | 86,000 | Throttle and speed control (119) | 4 |
| 2007 | 393 | 339 | 79,000 | Brakes (63) | 2 |
What Escape owners reported
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2005 Ford Escape on November 25, 2025. The contact discovered a mileage and VIN discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 199,500. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a routine inspection, and the dealer informed…
2005 · 200,000 miles · Electrical system
The contact owns a 2002 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while shifted in park(P), the key failed to release while the engine was running. The contact drove to a local O'Reilly's where one of the employees was able to remove the key from the ignition. The failure had gotten progressively worse. The vehicle was…
2002 · 227,000 miles · Electrical system
The contact owns a 2007 Ford Escape Hybrid. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power, after which the message "Service Engine Now” was displayed. The contact was able to pull to the shoulder of the roadway, where the vehicle failed to restart. The check…
2007 · 227,000 miles · Hybrid propulsion system
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. Upon starting of the vehicle, the contact placed the vehicle into drive(D); however, the vehicle failed to accelerate upon the depression of the accelerator pedal. The contact stated that prior to the failure, the check engine warning light illuminated and remained illuminated on…
2005 · 105,000 miles · Transmission and driveline
Built from 4,349 NHTSA complaints with mileage · snapshot 2026-09-26 · open data · how it is built
Other Escape generations
- Escape 2008–2012 7,014 reports with mileage, most about the steering
- Escape 2013–2019 6,642 reports with mileage, most about the engine
- Escape 2020–2025 686 reports with mileage, most about body structure