Used 2005 Ford Escape Consumer Reviews
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Too many things gone wrong
johnny_canuck, 07/24/2014
2005 Ford Escape XLT Fwd 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
20 of 28 people found this review helpful
Bought in August 2012 with roughly 70k miles, here's what has gone wrong: - one tie rod, other is now in need of replacing - hole in exhaust - fuel pump - spark plugs - front brakes now need replace - transmission is clunking In not even two years, ugh. It cannot handle the 3,500 lbs it says it can, bad mileage, just awful.
Mile high ride
Ray Salinas, 04/30/2009
2005 Ford Escape XLT AWD 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl 4A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
The Escape is easy to drive and the AUTO AWD with bigger tires handles well in snow and off-road driving in the Colorado mountains. Very responsive steering and braking - I avoided an accident when another car blindly merged into my lane and I had to react quickly by braking and steering away from the other driver to avoid a collision. Escape is very responsive. Large cargo space for our two dogs but would prefer a rear power window. Small SUV with roomy interior and powerful V6.
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Great but has problems
InspectoRob, 03/24/2009
2005 Ford Escape Limited AWD 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
We Loved our 03 xlt so we bought an 05 Limited. We missed the selector switch for AWD, but the center console and LTD amenities made up for that. Wind noise is much better. Still has the annoying temperature problem - heater blows very hot or cool with no in-between. Fog/driving lights are better. At about 10k miles transmission would slip when gas was let up then back on while moving - Dealer said it was ok. Got worse over time. Plastic parts broke mysteriously - front wheel lip and a panel on the back hatch. The ABS module went - 100 miles after warranty. Fought with dealer and got it for reduced cost (Ford was No Help!) It just went again so we are trading today.
Nice truck
SUVguy, 06/03/2010
2005 Ford Escape XLS AWD 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl 4A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I bought my escape in October of 04 with 13,000 miles on it. Thus far only one major repair which was the ignition module around 40,000 miles. Other than that just normal wear and tear (water pump, serpentine belt etc). Overall very pleased with the performance and reliability. Just hit the 110,000 mile mark.
116k miles, runs like new
Luke, 12/30/2016
updated 01/08/2018
2005 Ford Escape XLS Fwd 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl 4A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
The paint faded on my hood, a common Escape problem, my thermostat sticks open, but it's the original, so excuseable. Mileage 21-22 in town, 28 highway.Yes I would recommend it. Seats much more comfortable than my wife's honda cr-v. Updated,,, sold it at 130K miles, ran perfect. Bought a 2010, 6 cyl, HATED IT, poor mileage, the thing seemed huge. Wish I'd kept the 2005, great car.
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
The Best SUV
ALYSIA, 05/09/2005
2005 Ford Escape XLT Sport Fwd 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
This SUV handles great. The interior is nice and comfortable. Great car to take on a long trip. Excellent stereo system. It comes with an 8 inch amp and 6 cd changer and satellite ready. Back seats lay completely down for a large cargo area. All in all the best vehicle I have ever purchased.
It's not worth it. Run away.
ih8ford2, 07/08/2013
2005 Ford Escape XLT AWD 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
24 of 36 people found this review helpful
Worst purchase I have ever made in my life. Have had nothing but MAJOR problems with this car. it's always one thing after another. I have owned this car for less than 5 years. After my spark plugs and coils went then it was the transmission. After that it was the catalytic converter, and after that the ABS. The final straw came last night when I was driving home from work and the alternator had apparently gone out. now I'm driving 70 on the highway when all power goes out, my power steering seized up and I have to fight for my life to get this junk of crap off the road without killing anyone. Never buying a ford again. Complete and total POS.
9 months in on 2005 V6 2wd
invictarocks, 01/04/2010
2005 Ford Escape XLT Sport Fwd 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
6 of 8 people found this review helpful
I bought this car after a lot of research on Subaru Forrester, RAV4, Honda CRV and the Escape. I did some test drives, and the Forrester was the fastest and funnest, but a little small, and my buying decision came right after a bad experience with a Subaru dealership. The RAV4 seat was unbearable in the "fold down, kicking back" position, and sitting on the back with the hatch up was designed OUT of the model years I was looking at. I didn't like the way the RAV4 looked driving down the road from behind, as the rear suspension didn't inspire much confidence. I LOVE my Escape, and it's styling. The gas mileage was a little disappointing at 20.
Stay Away From 2005 Ford Escape
txm, 09/16/2008
2005 Ford Escape XLS AWD 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl 5M)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
The 4 cylinder engine in this car is extremely underpowered. It's especially worse in the summer when the air conditioning is on, then it becomes unsafe to drive, because when you need to accelerate, it just doesn't do anything for about 3-4 seconds and trying to accelerate when necessary would probably kill you in this vehicle. Also, the engine is very noisy, sounds like diesel engine. I have 60,000 miles on it. The fuel economy is terrible. I can't get any more than 20 mpg, not matter what I do. Stay away from this car.
Disappointed again
Cheryl, 05/04/2009
2005 Ford Escape Limited Fwd 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
Replaced my 2002 Escape at 38K mi. due to too many major repairs (torque converter, manifold, bearings, struts - to name a few) with a 2005 Escape with an extended warranty. After 3 months there was a leak in the gas line. At 60K mi. the torque converter and sunroof motor went up. Now at 65K mi. the ABS sensor went up ($700+ to repair). Sometimes I hear a crunching sound in the rear when I make turns or go over bumps. I have only done street/highway driving. All maintenance has been done on schedule by a Ford dealer. I will not buy another Ford.