2005 Ford Escape Hybrid Wheels Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 5%of 178 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 118,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the wheels of the 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid, 5% of the 178 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 118,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“I was driving my vehicle and the service soon light came on then about 10 seconds later the stop safely light came on and my vehicle shutdown and would not restart. I had the vehicle towed to the nearest Ford dealership and found out that there was a failure with the electrical system that had to be reset (shutdown was to protect the hybrid battery). Once Ford fixed the electrical system to get car to start again, they informed me that the passenger side rear shock absorber had fully detached from the wheel house and was basically a dangling piece. …”
NHTSA complaint #10561276, filed 2014-01, 105,000 miles“Noticed a loud banging noise in the back passenger side. Looked in wheel well and it is completely rusted out. You can see right through the car. Took it to the repair shop and they told me they have seen many exact scenarios. Shock is attached in a way that it rubs against the wheel well causing corrosion.. No other rust on the vehicle and it is stored in the garage. I am the original owner and have given scheduled maintenance and repair. In looking further in to this it is a common complain. Clearly a design flaw. A recall is needed as this is a huge safety issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #10544644, filed 2013-09, 118,000 miles“The passenger side rear wheel well has rusted through and it sounds like a bomb going off when you drive over a manhole cover. I was told this was typical on this type of car. Only on the passenger side, never on the driver side.”
NHTSA complaint #10567854, filed 2014-03, 128,000 miles“The contact owns a 2005 Ford escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the service center for routine maintenance, the independent mechanic inspected the vehicle and discovered that the rear passenger side wheel well was rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,000. Updated 09-04-14”
NHTSA complaint #10621780, filed 2014-08, 125,000 milesWheels: other model years
Other parts of the 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid
63 complaintsSuspension
30 complaintsBody and structure
24 complaintsSteering
21 complaintsEngine
17 complaintsElectrical system
16 complaintsEngine cooling
12 complaintsOther or unknown
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 30, 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