Sell your 2005 Ford Escape for cash

The 2005 Ford Escape is a SUV that came with a choice of 2.3L 4-cyl and 3.0L 6-cyl engines. At 21 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.

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2005 Ford Escape at a glance

Body styleSport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines2.3L 4-cyl, 3.0L 6-cyl
TransmissionsAutomatic 4-spd, Manual 5-spd, Automatic (variable gear ratios)
DriveFront-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
FuelRegular Gasoline
Fuel economy16–30 city / 20–28 highway / 17–29 combined MPG
EPA annual fuel cost$2,300–$3,950 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles)
Tailpipe CO₂306–523 grams per mile
Versions tested by EPA8 configurations: Escape 2WD, Escape Hybrid 2WD, Escape 4WD, Escape Hybrid 4WD
Age21 years

Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data. Your car's exact equipment may differ.

What affects its junk value

  • Age: at 21 years old, most of a 2005 Escape's value comes from reusable parts and scrap metal, not resale.
  • Weight: as a SUV, it's heavier than a typical car, and scrap weight is a big part of any junk offer. See how scrap prices by weight work.
  • Catalytic converter: like all gas and diesel cars, it has a catalytic converter containing precious metals, one of the most valuable parts on a junk car. An offer assumes it's still in place. More on catalytic converters.
  • Hybrid battery: hybrid versions also carry a high-voltage battery pack, which recyclers and rebuilders pay for.
  • Recalls: NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2005 Escape. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking it.
  • Known problems: owners reported the most issues with the suspension, typically around 122,000 miles. If that's what failed on yours, it can still be sold as-is.

How junk car offers are calculated

2005 Ford Escape recalls

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls covering the 2005 Ford Escape. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.

Power TrainSep 2015 · NHTSA campaign 15V606000

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11…

Risk: If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is be

Hybrid Propulsion SystemSep 2014 · NHTSA campaign 14V526000

Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 Ford Escape hybrid electric vehicles manufactured October 13, 2003, to June 20, 2008, and 2006-2008 Mercury Mariner hybrid electric vehicles manufactured June 10, 2005, to June 20, 2008. The coolant pump for the hybrid system may fail resulting in the hybrid…

Risk: If the hybrid electronics system overheats, it may shut down the powertrain, resulting in a stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a crash.

SeatsApr 2006 · NHTSA campaign 06V111000

Certain sport utility vehicles equipped without side air curtains or moonroofs fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 201, "occupant protection in interior impact." during testing, the free motion head form registered a measurement above the permitted limit at the left hand a-pillar trim…

Risk: In the event of a vehicle crash, personal injury to occupants may occur.

Latches/Locks/LinkagesDec 2004 · NHTSA campaign 04V602000

Certain 2004-2005 sport utility vehicles and certain 2001-2003 sport utiity vehicle having rear liftgate components serviced with 2004 equivalent components fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 206, 'door locks and door retention components.' the rear liftgate latching system does not meet…

Risk: If the liftgate is left unlocked, there is the potential that it may open during a crash.

Common 2005 Escape problems

Owners have filed 1,572 complaints about the 2005 Ford Escape with NHTSA. 44 reports involved a crash and 20 reports involved a fire. Owners reported 29 injuries.

Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.

Most-reported components

  • Suspension471
  • Structure380
  • Electrical System155
  • Engine147
  • Vehicle Speed Control128
  • Wheels98

Typical mileage when problems were reported

  • Suspension122,000 mi
  • Structure122,000 mi
  • Electrical System104,000 mi
  • Engine112,000 mi
  • Vehicle Speed Control89,000 mi
  • Wheels122,000 mi

2005 Ford Escape crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2005 Ford Escape.

VersionOverallFrontal crashSide crashRolloverRollover risk
4 DrNot rated——★★★☆☆20.9%

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP). Ratings from different model years or rating systems aren't directly comparable.

2005 Ford Escape service bulletins

Manufacturers have filed 59 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 2005 Ford Escape. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.

Most common bulletin topics

  • Engine and Engine Cooling10
  • Fuel System7
  • Service Brakes7
  • Electrical System5
  • Power Train5
  • Steering4

Recent bulletins

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsApr 2023 · SSM 51536

    For 2000-2024 Ford and Lincoln vehicles, swapping a module from a vehicle for diagnosis purposes is likely to cause errors and is not recommended. It is also not recommen

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsSep 2016 · SSM 46085

    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

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsSep 2016 · TSB 16-0118

    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

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsJun 2016 · SSM-45870

    2005-2008 Escape/mariner hybrid - anti-lock brake system (ABS) warning indicator illuminated with dtc(s) c1478, c1479, c1480 and/or c1481

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsMar 2012 · ASI-22242

    Ford/mercury: some hybrid vehicles may require a unique bleed procedure after a replacement for one or more of hydraulic brake system components. *pe

  • Service Bulletin/Repair InstructionsSep 2010 · TSB-10-18-10

    Ford/mercury: MIL on with dtc p0351-p0356; multiple coil primary circuit. Built on or before 10/03/05. Some vehicles equipped with a 3.0l engine may exhibit a mulfunction

Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA opened 3 defect investigations covering the 2005 Ford Escape.

Electrical SystemDP22005 · opened Jan 2023, closed Aug 2023Led to recall 22V063000

Pedestrian alert sounds

NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pe

EngineDP12006 · opened Oct 2012, closed Feb 2013

Electronic Throttle Body Malfunction

In a letter dated August 30, 2012, The North Carolina Consumers Council (NCCC) petitioned the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to initiate a defect investigation of alleged electronic throttle body failures resulting in engine stall or surge while driving in model year (MY) 2005 through 2012 Ford

Unknown or OtherAQ10001 · opened Nov 2010, closed Dec 2015

Fleet Vehicle Recall Completion Audit

On November 18, 2010, NHTSA's Recall Management Division (RMD) opened an audit query (AQ10-001) to investigate recall remedy completion by rental car companies on safety recall campaigns.It was expected to provide the agency an indication of how completely and how quickly rental car fleets perform necessary recall-rela

Other Ford Escape years

‹ Sell a 2004 Escape · Sell a 2006 Escape › · All Ford Escape years

Other 2005 Ford models

Selling a 2005 Escape: questions

How much is a 2005 Ford Escape worth for junk?

It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. As a heavier vehicle, its scrap weight adds to the offer. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.

Can I junk a 2005 Escape that doesn't run?

Yes. We buy 2005 Escapes that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.

Can I sell a 2005 Escape with open recalls?

Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 4 recalls for the 2005 Ford Escape; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What paperwork do I need to sell my 2005 Escape?

Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.

Before you sell

Sources

Data retrieved October 2026.

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