Skip to content
WheelsPart report

2005 Ford Escape Wheels Problems

Complaints
98about this part
Share
7%of 1,394 total for the year
Median mileage
121,500miles
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 98 complaints about the wheels of the 2005 Ford Escape, 7% of the 1,394 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 121,500 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“My Escape keeps making a horrible rubbing/humming sound when turning right only, my rear passenger door does not lock and my alarm is constantly going off, and finally my frame on the rear passenger side is rusting and literally crumbling apart. My passenger air bag light does not function properly either. I just purchased this vehicle in may of this year from a car dealership.”

NHTSA complaint #11350839, filed 2020-08, 220,000 miles

“Heard a banging in the trunk area on the passenger side, checked it out and the whole wheel well was rusted out, the shock was barley on. I was on a city street. Took it to where I bought it and they gave me an estamet of $1,145.99. I am wondering why this VIN is not covered in a recall.”

NHTSA complaint #11003393, filed 2017-07, 71,000 miles

“We started to notice a clunky noise coming from the right rear wheel hub. Upon inspection, the right rear wheel hub is over 50% rusted out. The left rear wheel hub is intact. We can not drive vehicle fearing a structural failure will result in an accident or injury. After researching this issue on the internet, it seems to be a common problem for this model, and other Ford models.”

NHTSA complaint #10706412, filed 2015-04, 135,000 miles

“I am trying to find out what is wrong and if there are any recalls..my SUV has a vibration when I excel rate and let off it which shakes the wheel.I had it checked and they can't find anything..what is this problem,I have just bought the car in dec 17..ty”

NHTSA complaint #11075960, filed 2018-03, 98 miles

“We started to hear a very loud banging coming from the back passenger side when we drove over even the smallest bump. The rear passenger side wheel well is completely rusted though (you can see the interior) and the wheel could fall off at anytime. The car is not safe to drive with out a very expensive repair. After looking online I found that this is a very common occurrence and that 2001-2004 escapes were recalled for the same issue.”

NHTSA complaint #10938886, filed 2016-12, 125,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Wheels: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202411%
202210%
202110%
2020201%
2019102%
2018221%
2017763%
2016323%
2015252%
2014462%
2013331%
201220%
2011101%
201070%
2009111%
2008141%
200762%
2006153%
2005987%
2004347%
2003122%
2002101%
200171%

Other parts of the 2005 Ford Escape

Suspension
459 complaints
Body and structure
434 complaints
Electrical system
153 complaints
Vehicle speed control
149 complaints
Engine
130 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
117 complaints
Engine cooling
90 complaints
Other or unknown
76 complaints
Brakes
66 complaints
Fuel system
62 complaints
Steering
49 complaints
Visibility (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 27, 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