2005 Ford Escape 6 cylinder from North America

Summary:

Extremely satisfied with this vehicle

Faults:

Alarm sensitivity issues, no big deal.

Fuel filler tube kept choking up, replaced under warranty.

First set of brakes wore in only 15,000.

A radiator hose blew at 20,000. No big deal.

General Comments:

This vehicle has been very dependable and a nice ride.

I measure MPG every tankful, over 5 years averages 17.5 MPG.

Virtually problem free vehicle.

Good pep, plenty of room.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th March, 2011

30th Jun 2013, 17:02

6/28/13 - Back again to comment about my 2005 Ford Escape. We are now at 54,000. I continue to maintain this car meticulously. Nothing has gone wrong since the items mentioned in my last report. I did put 4 new tires on it. Coming up on its 55,000 mile service and keeping up with meticulous records. No issues to speak of. So far, this car has been an excellent purchase.

In reply to 30th Jun 2013, 17:02

21st Feb 2021, 00:27

Back again in 2/21... My Escape just hit 100,000 miles. I kept it through thick and thin... oil pan, valve cover, and a front engine gasket oil leaks were all fixed... had to replace front driver's axle from transmission... all the other normal stuff... recently had some electronic ignition issues... hey, I put money into it but I know what I have... At this point, it is a reliable vehicle that we throw stuff in and tool around... Kept the interior and body meticulous, but there is rust in the rear wheel well and part of the chassis... out of sight, but it is there. The car is not worth much so we'll just keep her till the end... I've enjoyed owning her and keeping record of every single thing... maintenance records are perfect... I'd certainly buy another Ford, but likely something else, even if it turned out to be a great vehicle, you can't get too excited about an Escape.

Rating at 100,000 miles: 7/10

In reply to 21st Feb 2021, 00:27

21st Feb 2021, 15:09

Seems like it was driven pretty hard to be honest. My wife had a 2007 Escape & currently has a 2013 with 75k miles. Neither one had a single issue, definitely nothing outside of routine maintenance.

2005 Ford Escape Hybrid 4 cylinder hybrid from North America

Summary:

Incredible value and reliable

Faults:

Battery (for engine starter) failed after 95,000 miles.

Tail light burned out.

General Comments:

I am the original owner of a 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid, and can honestly say this is the best vehicle I have ever owned. After 98,000 miles, I have had only two component failures: A burned out tail light, and a bad starting battery. I expected the battery to give out after 5 years or so, so that was no surprise.

A word of warning to the rest of you though... You may not know this, but there is a separate cooling system in the cargo area at the rear of the vehicle, which contains an air filter. This air filter must be changed before it plugs up or you will burn up your battery and/or regulator. My understanding is that the regulator repair is over $1,000, and if you toast your battery, you might as well buy a Prius, because at last check, it was over $10,000. If you own a Hybrid, you need to check this filter now! It is located on the left side of the rear cargo area inside a small panel. Open this up, take out the filter cover, and pull out the filter. If you haven't done this yet, it's probably filthy like mine was. I heard about this from a guy who had an identical model that wasn't so fortunate to have been told about this filter. He smoked his regulator. Good luck!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 2nd October, 2010

2005 Ford Escape XL from North America

Summary:

A piece of expensive CRAP!

Faults:

Great little SUV when I got it two years ago, but this summer has cost me over $4000 in repairs, and it left me stranded again!

Where to start... at the beginning of the summer, my catalytic converter went... $2000 later, got all the spark plugs done at the same time.

Fast forward 1 month. Left our whole family stranded in the middle of a forestry trunk road. Towing $300. Computer went in it, all the coils and got the spark plug replaced again.. $1600 that time.

Fast forward 2 weeks... catalytic converter, same one, has apparently gone again. Hopefully the warranty will cover this one, but I still have to tow it home. After this, I'm selling the beast and getting a good old beater! Never again!!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 29th September, 2010

27th Aug 2011, 09:33

I'm not a big Ford fan, but however it looks like all you need is a reliable mechanic/shop. It cannot be the same converter two times, and you were definitely needed coils OR computer, NOT coil AND computer. Just find a better shop to get your car serviced.

In reply to 27th Aug 2011, 09:33

20th Dec 2013, 16:07

I agree with the other comment. Also Consumer Reports rates the Ford Escape above average for most of its line.

20th Dec 2018, 21:56

When the catalytic converter goes bad, almost always there is a rich fuel mixture issue that needs to be addressed in the first place.

In reply to 20th Dec 2018, 21:56

22nd Dec 2018, 04:53

Or you fouled a spark plug or waited too long to change them. Cost me a cat replacement on this on my Ford 5.4 pickup.