2005 Ford Escape Hybrid Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 24about this part
- Share
- 13%of 178 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 126,472miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 24 complaints about the body and structure of the 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid, 13% of the 178 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 126,472 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Last week while driving my 2005 escape my right rear wheel well basically rotted out and has messed up the shock and strut assembly and knocked the tire loose causing to rub against the shock and smoke, and all you could smell was burning rubber. . As I am reading all the forums out there is see this is a very common problem and potently dangerous issue. My vehicle only has 115,200 miles on it, no way should this have happened. …”
NHTSA complaint #10999991, filed 2017-06, 115,200 miles“I was en route to a repair shop to check a possible u-joint noise, and hit a repair bump in the road when my car made a very scary clunk at the right/rear wheel. It continued to make a banging /clunking noise. I continued on to the repair shop traveling at 25mph with my flashers on. They took the vehicle for a short test drive and confirmed the banging/clunking noise. …”
NHTSA complaint #10536983, filed 2013-08, 126,945 miles“I was driving home and slowed down to go over some railway tracks. As I went over the tracks I heard a thud coming from the rear of the vehicle. The sound continued as I went over bumps, and I discovered once I arrived home that the passenger side rear wheel well was completely rusted out and the shock was unattached at the top. Since then the top of the shock has pierced through the interior cabin wall.”
NHTSA complaint #10525542, filed 2013-07, 134,125 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #11109552, filed 2018-07, 120,000 miles“While driving - at any speed - a rattling sound started from the right rear passenger side of the car. Rattle got louder over time and became a loud banging sound every time we hit even the slightest imperfection in the road. Upon inspection the entire right rear wheel well is rusted through; the only thing holding in the shock on that side is light padding / insulation. Mechanic indicated car was not safe for driving, as we could face a loss of control of the vehicle. We have found a body shop who quoted us at $1200 for the repair. …”
NHTSA complaint #10648860, filed 2014-10, 139,000 milesBody and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 7 | 10% |
| 2021 | 32 | 26% |
| 2020 | 105 | 36% |
| 2013 | 1 | 20% |
| 2012 | 2 | 13% |
| 2011 | 1 | 3% |
| 2010 | 2 | 3% |
| 2008 | 3 | 1% |
| 2007 | 1 | 1% |
| 2006 | 8 | 4% |
| 2005 | 24 | 13% |
Other parts of the 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid
63 complaintsSuspension
30 complaintsSteering
21 complaintsEngine
17 complaintsElectrical system
16 complaintsEngine cooling
12 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsWheels
9 complaintsFuel system
8 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
8 complaintsHybrid propulsion system
5 complaintsElectronic stability control
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology