2003 Ford Escape vs 2005 Ford Escape
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2003 Ford Escape | 2005 Ford Escape |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 558 | 1,394 |
| Recall campaigns | 7 | 4 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 72 | 59 |
| Investigations | 8 | 2 |
| Crash reports | 43 | 40 |
| Fire reports | 27 | 20 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 18–22 | 17–29 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 90,375 mi | 106,000 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Ford Escape | Ford Escape |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | 121 | 434 |
| Suspension | 90 | 459 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 90 | 149 |
| Electrical System | 39 | 153 |
| Power Train | 55 | 117 |
| Engine | 24 | 130 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 47 | 90 |
| Wheels | 12 | 98 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Rust / corrosion | 120 | 587 |
| Stalling | 83 | 163 |
| Airbag warning light | 32 | 0 |
| Hesitation / surging | 14 | 30 |
| Steering problems | 11 | 0 |
| Vibration / shaking | 11 | 30 |
| Electrical failures | 10 | 0 |
| Loss of power | 8 | 26 |
2003 Ford Escape
2005 Ford Escape
Compare all Ford Escape vs Ford Escape years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.