2005 Ford Escape Consumer Reviews

I love it

Written by: Tom on 05/05/2009

Vehicle

2005 Ford Escape XLS Fwd 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I drive my escape every day and I just love to get into it. The 5 speed transmission makes it more fun to drive and helps me control my gas mileage more. I drove from NY to Arizone and I was averaging 32 mpg.

Favorite Features

The rear hatch can open and the glass can open seperately than the hatch so that you do not have to open the door to put stuff in the back.

Suggested Improvements

Putting gas in sometimes is annoying, I do not know if it is just mine but you really have to fight it to get it actually filled.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Disappointed again

Written by: Cheryl on 05/04/2009

Vehicle

2005 Ford Escape Limited Fwd 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)

Review

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.

Favorite Features

Privacy glass, storage compartment in rear, overall appearance.

Suggested Improvements

Redesign the back seat headrests as they cause blind spots. A bigger fuel tank.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Mile high ride

Written by: Ray Salinas on 04/30/2009

Vehicle

2005 Ford Escape XLT AWD 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl 4A)

Review

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.

Favorite Features

Good factory 6 CD changer/sound system. Easy to park, tight turning ratio. Good looking interior and exterior. Gold Ash Mettallic color looks good.

Suggested Improvements

Continental tires are too noisy on certain roads. Stronger seatbelt recoil. Bigger side mirrors. Better gas mileage getting 19/23 MPG.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Run away fast!

Written by: Forditaboutit on 04/19/2009

Vehicle

2005 Ford Escape XLT AWD 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl 4A)

Review

I had this car for only two years. It developed a problem with the spark plugs that caused it to die (momentarily) when I hit 70. A thousand dollars later, that was fixed. Then the transmission went. Two thousand dollars later, that was fixed. Then, just last week, a piston rod broke free and destroyed the engine. This car was less than five years old, and had less than 100,000 miles on it. Never again. I am done trying to support the domestic auto industry. I don't expect much from a car. But I certainly expect more than the Escape provided.

Favorite Features

Everything about this vehicle is pretty well put together, except the engine. Too bad that is such an important part, as I loved the car.

Suggested Improvements

Either provide a standard warranty that covers the bad workmanship of the engine, or FIX THE DESIGN OF THE ENGINE. The Ford mechanic who pronounced mine dead said that he saw one Escape throw a rod inside the first 500 miles on the road, and that wrecked engines under 50,000 were not too uncommon.

4 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Great but has problems

Written by: InspectoRob on 03/24/2009

Vehicle

2005 Ford Escape Limited AWD 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)

Review

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.

Favorite Features

Great performance for an SUV, even towing! Style is nice. Comfortable. Spacious for it's size. EXCELLENT in the snow - Get snow tires or Pirelli Scorpion ATR for all year!

Suggested Improvements

GAS MILEAGE! WARRANTY LENGTH! Stock tires are ok, but there are better replacements. Transmission (V6 w/auto) was bad, but our 03 XLT had a good trans (also a V6 w/auto).

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Great SUV

Written by: escape guy on 03/08/2009

Vehicle

2005 Ford Escape Limited AWD 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)

Review

We have really enjoyed our escape the last month. We got a great deal and for the money we couldn't have asked for a more useful SUV. Its great for us because where we live there isn't much room to park. We enjoy camping and the wilderness so the 4x4 will work out great for that.

Favorite Features

All time 4x4. Fold down rear seat. 6 CD changer. Big tires and wheels. V6 power.

Suggested Improvements

We payed 60 bucks to program a key at the dealership. Make keys and remotes easier to program and less expensive. Maybe a little more get up and go would be nice too.

3 out 4 people found this review helpful

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Escape to Wherever you want

Written by: rltotten on 01/09/2009

Vehicle

2005 Ford Escape XLS Fwd 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I purchased my Escape brand new. I take it up in the Colorado/New Mexico Mountains skiing and snowboarding. I love the space and gas mileage. 26 MPG avg have hit 28 mpg once. I wish this vehicle had daytime driving lights and better cup holders in the center console. The gas filing thing that others wrote about is true, Ford needs to change this design. I've flattened the rear seats and have hauled over a 1000 lbs of patio pavers at a time. This is a fun vehicle to drive and knock on wood I have had no major repairs to date. The seats do stain easy but also clean up just as easy. I would purchase another Escape no problem.

Favorite Features

6 pack CD changer, sit nice and high while driving, seats flatten nicely, 26 mpg

Suggested Improvements

Cup holders in center console, daytime running lights, and fix the gas tank filling port.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Great SUV

Written by: bill lee on 12/08/2008

Vehicle

2005 Ford Escape XLS Fwd 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Looked far and wide for a 4 cyl/5 speed FWD. This is a great drivetrain. Have gotten 31 MPG several times. Overall I get 28+MPG on my mostly highway commute. Snow is no problem with FWD. I run good snow tires and have had no problems even in deep snow. Not as good as my old jeep but never got stuck. Get the 05 and up vs the 04 if you can. Much better interior design and the bigger 2.3 motor gives better performance and fuel milage. Looked at the Toyota and Honda, but were much more expensive and much smaller. My son is 6'3" and fits in the back with no problems. Also no $300-500 timing belt to worry about on these cars. Has been very reliable. 60,000 miles and no problems what so ever.

Favorite Features

The stick. Very roomy interior and outstanding MPG of a car this size

Suggested Improvements

The seats. They are pretty cheesey on the XLS with no up grade available. They remind me of seats out of a 70's 707 airplane.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Love it!

Written by: Billabongguy on 11/18/2008

Vehicle

2005 Ford Escape Limited Fwd 4dr SUV (3.0L 6cyl 4A)

Review

I bought my Escape when i was thinking about buying a Kia Sorrento. I decided on the Escape because it had better creature comforts, nicer interior, and a lot more power! That little 3.0 with 220hp is fast responsive and I love it. I love the Mach audio system with the sub in the back. It thumps hard.

Favorite Features

The interior quality. The Awesome stereo. The get up and go power.

Suggested Improvements

I POD hookup, that's all

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Mixed feelings

Written by: Dwayne C on 11/01/2008

Vehicle

2005 Ford Escape XLT AWD 4dr SUV (2.3L 4cyl 4A)

Review

We started having transmission problems at 20,000 miles. It would shift hard at around 40 MPH.We took it in (not at purchasing dealership)about ten times before they finally changed the transmission. I argued with the transmission mechanic that it was not right.They tried something different each time it was brought in. They adjusted the linkage, changed the spark plugs, changed the radiator, new torque converter, etc before changing the transmission. By this time the warranty was off and they wanted me to pay for it. After lots of arguing the dealer helped cover the cost above what Ford payed.There was 30,000 miles on the vehicle by the time this was done. Been running good ever since.

Favorite Features

Intelligent 4x4 (AWD), peppy engine

Suggested Improvements

Steering wheel sits to far back

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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