2005 Ford Escape Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 117about this part
- Share
- 8%of 1,394 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 91,928miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 117 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2005 Ford Escape, 8% of the 1,394 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 91,928 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving about 25 MPH. Car just stopped on a limited access highway. Diagnosed with failed transmission. Transmission was replaced8/31/2011. I see a recall for rebuilt transmission for this year vehicle which leads me to believe there have been many original transmission failures but I am unable to find such a recall.”
NHTSA complaint #11407863, filed 2021-04, 111,599 miles“The gas pedal was stuck after mashing on it hard it broke loose when approching a stop sign I stopped and try to go again but gas pedal was stuck why is there not a recall. I also have transmission and rearend problems but they both are costly repairs I am concerned about the gas pedal please fix it before someone gets hurt there really should be a recall on it”
NHTSA complaint #10555014, filed 2013-12, 120,000 miles“Rubbing sound coming from left front (driver's side) wheel well. Diagnosed by Ford as a loose wheel bearing. Sounds more like a failure. Ford charged $47 to diagnose the problem. Seems like maybe they already knew what it might be and let 3 techs soak up some clock time on this one. The original charge was quoted at $95 so I guess we got off better than some.”
NHTSA complaint #10446075, filed 2012-01, 22,800 miles“I have a 2005 Ford Escape 4wd manual transmission. I had to replace the whole transmission about 5 years due to transmission failure. I now have a problem with the manual transmission again. I can not get the transmission to shift into reverse. The forward gears work fine. I have seen on the internet a high incidence of transmission problems in the 2005 Ford Escape transmission. There should be a recall on this.”
NHTSA complaint #10562522, filed 2014-02, 106,000 miles“Has I was driving on the highway all of a sudden my transmission fail. It sound like it fail out the bottom of the truck. The truck went into a noise dive and I fault to get it over to the shoulder. No warning signs at all. Never had slippage or nothing. Cars behind me all most crashed into me and my family. The tow truck came and the truck would not move when he tried to pull it up on the tow truck. Will Ford fix there trans problem at there cost and not mind. God is the glory, he was with us.”
NHTSA complaint #10644127, filed 2014-10, 84,235 milesRelated recalls
- 15V606000Sep 29, 2015Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1…Covers: Ford Escape 2001–2008, Mercury Mariner 2001–2008
Related service bulletins
- 10036913Sep 14, 2010Ford/mercury: mil on with dtc p0351-p0356; multiple coil primary circuit. Built on or before 10/03/05. Some vehicles equipped with a 3.0l engine may exhibit a mulfunction…
- 10019947Jan 1, 2006Neutral tow capability - service kit requirements.
- 10014698Mar 21, 2005Wrench lamp on with diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p0a1f present in tbcm and/or pcm (power train control modules) modules - vehicles built 8/2/2004 through 1/26/2005.
- 10014684Mar 21, 2005No start with service engine soon light on - diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p0a90 or p0a92 in transmission control module (tcm).
- 10014645Mar 7, 2005Shifter release button cap falls off.
- 10012975Feb 1, 2005When inspecting a transfer case it is normal to find metallic shavings on the magnetic fill plug.
- 10014086Dec 13, 2004General (pcm) power train control module programming procedures.
- 10013406Nov 29, 2004Wheel speed sensor removal tip.
- 10013369Nov 1, 2004General power train control module (pcm) programming procedures.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 12% |
| 2024 | 2 | 3% |
| 2023 | 25 | 25% |
| 2022 | 31 | 13% |
| 2021 | 46 | 13% |
| 2020 | 243 | 15% |
| 2019 | 128 | 21% |
| 2018 | 276 | 15% |
| 2017 | 391 | 14% |
| 2016 | 321 | 27% |
| 2015 | 287 | 25% |
| 2014 | 481 | 23% |
| 2013 | 401 | 15% |
| 2012 | 66 | 11% |
| 2011 | 268 | 20% |
| 2010 | 508 | 25% |
| 2009 | 301 | 18% |
| 2008 | 329 | 17% |
| 2007 | 44 | 17% |
| 2006 | 80 | 17% |
| 2005 | 117 | 8% |
| 2004 | 27 | 5% |
| 2003 | 55 | 10% |
| 2002 | 105 | 10% |
| 2001 | 128 | 13% |
| 2000 | 1 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2005 Ford Escape
459 complaintsBody and structure
434 complaintsElectrical system
153 complaintsVehicle speed control
149 complaintsEngine
130 complaintsWheels
98 complaintsEngine cooling
90 complaintsOther or unknown
76 complaintsBrakes
66 complaintsFuel system
62 complaintsSteering
49 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
37 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Ford Escape
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