My 2005 has had reoccurring problems with the ABS ring. Both times, the dealership replaced the entire axle (it comes as one assembly). The ABS light just came on again and I am thinking it is probably the same problem. I have over 96,000 miles on it, and was hoping to keep it for at least another 50,000 but if I have to continue to spend moocho bucks replacing the axle just for an ABS ring issue, I'll look at a different make altogether. I think its crazy that I've replaced the axle more times than the tires! Any input? Do the newer Escapes have a better design (ie the ABS ring NOT coming as one assembly)

 

I think you may have a wiring problem that replacing the wheel speed sensor is masking or sometimes the codes get messed up where it is the opposite side that has the problem.

 

I have a 2008 and replaced the drivers side front ABS tone ring myself over a year ago. It's a fairly big job to pull the axle off clean all the rust off and install the new tone ring. The underlying problem is; The axle rusts, which causes expansion beneath the ABS tone ring, causing the tone ring to crack, become disbonded, then ABS failure. I've carefully treated my other three axle/tone rings (and the new one) with rust inhibitor and have been lucky so far, only had to replace one tone ring.