2005 Ford Escape Hybrid problems & reliability
178 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
1 complaint report injuries (1 injured).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes | 39 | 22% |
| Suspension | 30 | 17% |
| Structure | 24 | 13% |
| Steering | 21 | 12% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 20 | 11% |
| Engine | 17 | 10% |
| Electrical System | 16 | 9% |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 12 | 7% |
| Unknown OR Other | 9 | 5% |
| Wheels | 9 | 5% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 103,500 miles (middle 50% between 65,023 and 133,905 miles), based on 162 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford escape hybrid. The contact stated that while driving at 70 mph, the vehicle started to overheat. The contact pulled over the shoulder of the highway and checked under the hood. The contact found no defects upon investigation. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to his…”
Hybrid Propulsion System · filed Jul 23, 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford escape hybrid. While the vehicle was undergoing a routine oil change, the independent mechanic inspected the vehicle and noticed corrosion all around the frame. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was…”
Structure · filed Nov 12, 2019
“Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford escape hybrid. While driving 35 mph, the check engine indicator illuminated. The contact drove to lithia ford lincoln of roseburg (1650 ne stephens st, roseburg, or 97470, (541) 537-4643) where it was diagnosed that two hybrid fans needed to be replaced. The contact claimed that a…”
Engine · filed Aug 19, 2019
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- Pedestrian alert sounds
Defect Petition DP22005 · opened Jan 27, 2023 · closed Aug 7, 2023 · led to recall 22V063000
- Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction
Defect Petition DP12006 · opened Oct 2, 2012 · closed Feb 21, 2013
Technical service bulletins
25 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid. The 10 most recent:
The Powertrain Control/Emissions Diagnosis (PC/ED) manual has been revised for diagnosing electronic throttle bodies (ETBs). The ETC_ACT and ETC_DSD PIDs should not used to diagnose possible ETB concerns. The IDS has a…
SSM 46085 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 21, 2016
Some 2005-2012 Escape Hybrid and 2006-2011 Mariner Hybrid vehicles may set DTCs P0A81 (battery pack cooling fan 1 control circuit) and/or P0A96 (battery pack cooling fan 2 control circuit) in the traction battery…
TSB 16-0118 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 8, 2016
2005-2008 escape/mariner hybrid - anti-lock brake system (abs) warning indicator illuminated with dtc(s) c1478, c1479, c1480 and/or c1481
SSM-45870 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 8, 2016
Ford/mercury: some hybrid vehicles may require a unique bleed procedure after a replacement for one or more of hydraulic brake system components. *pe
ASI-22242 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 1, 2012
Ford/mercury: some vehicles may set diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) p0a81 (battery pack cooling fan 1 control circuit) and/or p0a96 (battery pack cooling fan 2 control circuit) in the traction battery control module…
TSB-09-15-3 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 1, 2009
Ford/mercury: vehicles may exhibit a red triangle light and codes indicating a transaxle overtemp. Condition may result in reduced power as system activates fail safe operation. *pe
TSB-08-24-5 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jun 1, 2009
2005-08 escape/escape hybrid/mariner - 2006-08 mariner hybrid - wheel speed sensor ring replacement procedure update to workshop manual. *nj
20213 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 1, 2008
Slow fuel fill and/or dtc p0451. *nj
08-5-5 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 1, 2008
Intermittent red triangle on and (stop safely now) on message center with wrench light and dtc p1a0c. (hybrid only) *nj
08-3-3 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 1, 2008
Malfunction indicator lamp (mil) on with diagnostic trouble code (dtc) u2062 (hybrid only). *nj
08-3-1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Feb 1, 2008
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
No NHTSA recall campaigns name the 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid in our current data. Recalls may apply only to certain VIN ranges — always confirm with a VIN check.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 103,500 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.