2005 FORD ESCAPE Wheels Problems

Control arm snapped and frame broke

RUST THROUGH ON RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL AND SHOCK TOWER. CAR ONLY HAS 100,089 MILES. HAS BEEN KEPT CLEAN AND WAS BOUGHT FROM CARMAX IN2013 IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. ALL REPAIRS, MAINTENANCE PERFORMED BY PROFESSIONALS SINCE BOUGHT. RESEARCH SHOWS THIS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL. (IN ADDITION TO THE DOOR OPEN/ALARM PROBLEM OTHERS AND I EXPERIENCE) THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH AS IT INVOLVES THE REAR SHOCK POSSIBLY DISLODGING AND REAR END COLLAPSING. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS AND MAKE FORD FIX THIS PROBLEM! MANY OWNERS BOUGHT THESE VEHICLES USED AND WE CANNOT AFFORD TO FIX THESE( IF THEY CAN BE FIXED AT ALL) MUCH LESS BUY A NEW VEHICLE.

Mileage: 100,082

WHEEL WELL ON REAR PASSENGER SIDE AS REPORTED MANY TIME COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT UNDRIVABLE ONLY 100000 MILES

Mileage: 100,000

MY ESCAPE KEEPS MAKING A HORRIBLE RUBBING/HUMMING SOUND WHEN TURNING RIGHT ONLY, MY REAR PASSENGER DOOR DOES NOT LOCK AND MY ALARM IS CONSTANTLY GOING OFF, AND FINALLY MY FRAME ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE IS RUSTING AND LITERALLY CRUMBLING APART. MY PASSENGER AIR BAG LIGHT DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY EITHER. I JUST PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN MAY OF THIS YEAR FROM A CAR DEALERSHIP.

Mileage: 220,000

WAS DRIVING LESS THAN 15MPH WHEN SUDDENLY I LOST ALL CONTROL OF STEERING ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. WHEN I WAS ABLE TO GET HELP AFTER SITTING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR 16 HOURS, I WAS INFORMED THAT ONE OF THE THREE WHEEL BEARINGS HAD SNAPPED. I DID A LITTLE RESEARCH AND FOUND THE RECALL FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL ASSEMBLY AND BEARINGS. I ENTERED MY VIN NUMBER AND IT DIDN'T SAY WHETHER OR NOT IT WOULD BE FIXED. I TAKE PRIDE IN MY VEHICLES AND KEEP THE MAINTENANCE UP TO DATE, THEREFORE I CAN SAY THEY THIS HAPPENED DUE TO FAULTY PARTS AND FEEL LIKE I SHOULD BE ABLE TO HAVE IT FIXED.

Mileage: 247,540

THE PASSENGER SIDE SUBFRAME RUSTED OUT AND CORRODED CAUSING THE SUBFRAME TO BREAK, RESULTING IN A VERY UNSAFE AND HAZARDOUS VEHICLE.

Mileage: 160,000

CRACK SUB FRAME ON RIGHT FRONT! EXTREME DETERIORATION ALMOST CAUSING ACCIDENT AND BECAME UNSAFE TO DRIVE! RECALLS ON 2001-2004 FOR SAME PROBLEM WHY NOT 2005? EXTREMELY DANGEROUS MALFUNCTION! DEFINITELY GO IMPORT IF THIS IS WHAT FORDS QUALITY AND SUPPORT HAS BECOME!

Mileage: 206,000

TAKATA RECALL THE 01 THRU 04 WERE RECALLED FOR SAME PROBLEM THE FRONT SUBFRAME RUSTED IN TO CAUSING THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL TO WONDER ALL OVER IF DROVE ANY MORE WOULD HAVE CAUSE A SERIOUS WRECK I WAS DRIVING VEHICLE WHEN I NOTICED THAT IT FELT LIKE THE FRONT WHEEL WAS COMING OFF LUCKILY I WAS ONLY A COUPLE MILES FROM HOME THE DAY BEFORE I TOOK MY GRANDSON TO CHARLESTON WV TO MEET HIS MOM IF IT WOULD HAVE BROKEN ON I 77 AT 70 PLUS MILES AN HR COULD HAVE BEEN TRAGIC IT BEING THE SAME ISSUE WITH EARLY MODELS AND FORD SENT A BAR TO TRY N FIX IT A JOKE JUST LEARN THIS ON INTERNET

Mileage: 179,015

THE DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL WELL COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT, LARGE HOLE IN BODY, SHOCK WENT RIGHT THREW THE BODY OF THE CAR. THIS HAPPENED EXTREMELY FAST, I JUST PUT NEW TIRES AND BRAKES ON THE CAR. THIS DEFECT IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE AND POISED A SAFETY CONCERN FOR ME AND MY CHILDREN. THE CAR CAN'T BE SOLD OR TRADED IN AND NOW HEADED TO THE JUNKYARD

Mileage: 157,000

HIT A POTHOLE AND MY SHOCK/STRUT PUNCHED THRU THE RUSTED WHEEL WELL AND DETACHED OTAELF...IT IS NP LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE AND IVE ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 2 MONTHS. AND HERE THE 2001-2004 ESCAPES HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR JUST THIS REASON? WHY NOT THE 2005 WHEN THE WHOLE BODY DESIGN IS THE SAME... I HAD A 2001 ESCAPE BEFORE THIS THAT WAS RUSTING ON THE OUTSIDE WHEEL WELLS AND BEGINNING TO RUST INSIDE AS WELL... DUE TO THIS I DONT BELIEVE I WILL BE BUYING FORDS ANYMORE... I WAS IN THE CAR WITH MY KIDS WHEN THIS HAPPENED! AND NOW IM STUCK WITH A GIANT PIECE OF METAL SITTING IN MY PARKING SPOT AS NO ONE WILL TAKE ON THE JOB AND IF THEY DO IT WOULD BE A MIN OF $2000 OR MORE!

Mileage: 144,000

I WAS DRIVING HOME WHEN I NOTICED A LOUD BUMPING NOISE... MY BACK PASSENGER WHEEL WELL IS COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY, WHICH HAS AFFECTED MY SHOCK MOUNTING BRACKET. EVERY LITTLE BUMP CAUSES IT TO SHAKE AND ABOUT A WEEK AGO THE BRACKET ACTUALLY WENT THROUGH THE PLASTIC AND THERE IS A HOLE INSIDE THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. I SEE SO MANY IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS AND ITS VERY DISAPPOINTING THAT FORD HAS DONE NOTHING TO RESOLVE THIS ISSUE. I KNOW THAT THE FORD ESCAPE 2001- 2004 WERE RECALLED FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE AND ITS DISCONCERTING THAT THEY ARE IGNORING THE SAME PROBLEM FOR THE 2005-2008 ESCAPE. HOW MANY MORE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS IS IT GOING TO TAKE FOR THEM TO AT LEAST INVESTIGATE THIS UNSAFE, REOCCURRING ISSUE?! HOPEFULLY , SOMETHING WILL BE DONE SOON BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY INJURED.

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND TRUCK STARTING MAKING A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE IN THE BACK. WHEN WE GOT HOME, WE LOOKED UNDERNEATH AND FOUND MAJOR RUSTING IN PASSENGER WHEEL WELL. SHOCK COMPLETELY RUSTED FREE AND BOUNCING UP TO HIT THE PLASTIC INSIDE THE VEHICLE. TOOK IT TO BODY SHOP MECHANIC AND UPON INSPECTION, HE SHOWED US THAT THE FRAME ITSELF IS RUSTED THROUGH AND VEHICLE CANNOT LEGALLY BE FIXED AND IS TECHNICALLY NOT EVEN SAFE TO DRIVE. LESS THAN 133,000 MILES AND BOUGHT USED 2 YEARS AGO, WE ARE VERY FRUSTRATED WITH THE QUALITY OF THIS VEHICLE. SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS TRUCK AND SHOULD HAVE BE RECALLED. THEY RECALLED YEARS 2001-2004 FOR THE SAME ISSUES, BUT DID NOT INCLUDE THE 2005. SHAME ON FORD MOTOR COMPANY FOR SUCH POOR WORKMANSHIP! PLEASE HELP!!!

Mileage: 132,790

I AM TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG AND IF THERE ARE ANY RECALLS..MY SUV HAS A VIBRATION WHEN I EXCEL RATE AND LET OFF IT WHICH SHAKES THE WHEEL.I HAD IT CHECKED AND THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING..WHAT IS THIS PROBLEM,I HAVE JUST BOUGHT THE CAR IN DEC 17..TY

Mileage: 98

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED, CAUSING BOTH FRONT TIRES TO LEAN. THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT CALLED VAN BORTEL FORD AT 585-586-4415 AND WAS REFERRED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

Mileage: 150,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER WHEEL PROTRUDED OUTWARD WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TOWED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO WENT TO THE SCENE AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILED DUE TO CORROSION OF THE FRONT SUBFRAME. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, WHICH CAUSED THE WHEEL TO WOBBLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED TO NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 163,000.

Mileage: 163,000

HEARD A BANGING IN THE TRUNK AREA ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, CHECKED IT OUT AND THE WHOLE WHEEL WELL WAS RUSTED OUT, THE SHOCK WAS BARLEY ON. I WAS ON A CITY STREET. TOOK IT TO WHERE I BOUGHT IT AND THEY GAVE ME AN ESTAMET OF $1,145.99. I AM WONDERING WHY THIS VIN IS NOT COVERED IN A RECALL.

Mileage: 71,000

I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY, TURNED AT THE CORNER, HIT A SMALL BUMP AND HEARD A LOUD BANGING SOUND LIKE THE REAR GATE DOOR WAS NOT CLOSED, STOPPED AT THE CORNER PUT IT IN PARK, GOT OUT AND OPENED THE REAR GATE AND RECLOSED IT, GOT BACK INTO MY VEHICLE, TURNED LEFT HIT ANOTHER SMALL BUMP, AND HEARD THE LOUD BANGING NOISE AGAIN, STOPPED AT THE 4 WAY CORNER STORE, PARKED AND GOT OUT AND WALKED AROUND MY VEHICLE TO INSPECT IT, AND NOTICED THE RUST ON THE PASSENGER REAR SIDE, SOME OF IT HAD FALLEN OFF AND I COULD SEE THE STYROFOAM ON THE INSIDE OF THE PASSENGER REAR TIRE WELD.I CALLED THE DEALER WHERE I AM PURCHASING THE VEHICLE AND THEY SAID I COULD TAKE IT TO THEIR GUY TO LOOK AT IT, TOOK IT TO HIM AND HE SAID THAT I HAD A REAL PROBLEM AND THAT IT NEEDED TO BE WELDED, WENT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID I COULD TAKE IT TO THEIR GUY TO FIX, BUT THEY DID NOT KNOW WHEN THEY COULD GET ME IN FOR AN APPOINTMENT. I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER MECHANIC, AND HE STILL HAS IT, TRYING TO LOCATE THE REAR END OF ANOTHER FORD ESCAPE TO FIX IT.

Mileage: 186,000

PASSENGER REAR IS RESTED SHOCKS STRUTS DETACHED

NOTICED UNDERCOATING PEELING OFF IN WHEEL WELL(REAR PASSENGER SIDE). PULLED OFF AND ALSO FOUND A 3IN. CIRCLE OF METAL LOOSE. HAVE SEEN OTHER(300+) REPORTS OF THIS RUST PROBLEM ON THIS WEB PAGE. I AM ORIGINAL OWNER AND VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGED WHEN NOT IN USE AND HAS LESS THAN 70K MILES. THERE ARE NO HANDLING OR NOISE ISSUES YET.

Mileage: 65,000

WE STARTED TO HEAR A VERY LOUD BANGING COMING FROM THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE WHEN WE DROVE OVER EVEN THE SMALLEST BUMP. THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THOUGH (YOU CAN SEE THE INTERIOR) AND THE WHEEL COULD FALL OFF AT ANYTIME. THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE WITH OUT A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR. AFTER LOOKING ONLINE I FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE AND THAT 2001-2004 ESCAPES WERE RECALLED FOR THE SAME ISSUE.

Mileage: 125,000

TAKATA RECALL PASSENGER BACK TOWER WHEEL RUSTED ON MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE THE METER SENSOR KEEP GOING OFF LIKE THE DOORS ARE STILL OPEN THE RIMS OF THE CAR HAS RUSTED LIKE WE HAD THE CAR FOR 30 YEARS IN MOTION WHEN I NOTICE THE WHEEL TOWER RUSTED OUT

Mileage: 16,400

WHEN I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE FROM CALL LOT TOLLED THEM BRAKES WERE GOING OUT HE TEST DRIVE AND HE SAID THEY WERE FINE SO I TOOK HIS WORD THEN A FEW DAYS LATER MY WATER RATETERAVOTER HOSE BUSTED I HAD TO GET THAT THEM FIXED AND THEN THEY CHARGED ME TO FIX IT THEN A FEW DAYS LATER I HERE A THUMP ON THE BACK OF MY VEHICLE THE WHOLE BACK OF MY WHEEL AREA BY THE WHEEL WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT THERE NO PROTECTION ON THE WHEEL AND THE STRUSTS WHERE BUSTED THEY HAD STUFF STUFFED IN IT SO YOU COULDN'T TELL WENT TO TALK TO THEM ABOUT IT THEY SAY THIS HAPPENS THERE NOTHING THEY COULD FOR ME BUT TO CHARGE ME FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS TO FIX IT I DONE NOTHING BUT HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE AND THIS ISN'T THE FIRST ONE I'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE ARE SELLING VEHICLE WITH SAFE HAZARDS I PAID OUT 1000.00 OUT ON A CAR TEST DROVE IT AND GUESS I SHOULD OF TEST DRIVE IT LONGER BUT I DIDN'T I BOUGHT IT AND WAS ON MY WAY TO PUT GAS IN IT AND THE MOTOR BLOW UP. I HAD STATE POLICE WAIT WITH ME ME AND MY 16 YEAR OLD WAS STUCK IN HIGH TRAFFIC BECAUSE THE MOTOR BLOW STATE POLICE SAID HE HAD TO GET THERE AND TOLL THE CAR AND HE BOUGHT A TRAILER WITH A FLAT TIRED TO TRY AND TOLL IT OFF THE STATE POLICE MADE HIM LEAVE AND CALLED FOR A TOLL TRUCK THE CAR LOT REFUSED TO GIVE ME MY MONEY BACK SO I COULD GO SOME WHERE ELSE SO I BOUGHT A ANOTHER CAR IT WAS IN FAIR CONDTION BUT WHEN WATER STATED HITTING MOTOR IT ENDED UP GETTING TOTAL BY INSURANCE COMPANY SO STILL COULDN'T GET MONEY BACK MADE ME PAY OUT ANOTHER 600.00 OUT FOR THE VEHICLE AND AFTER I GAVE HIM THE MONEY HE WROTE OUT SOLD AS IS AND COULD NOT TRADE VEHICLE OR GET MY MONEY BACK SO I FEEL LIKE HE KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE BECAUSE HE DIDN'T WRITE THIS ON THE LAST TWO VEHICLES.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WAS RUSTED AND THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FAILURE WAS UNUSUAL, BUT DECLINED TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 206,194.

Mileage: 206,194

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THERE WAS A NOISE IN THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS ONLY. WE COULD NOT LOCATE THE NOISE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. (IT SOUNDS LIKE THE GLASS OR THE TIRE JACK, WERE NOT SECURE.) THE AUTO SHOP EXPLAINED, THAT THE VEHICLE IS NOT ATTACHED TO THE SHOCK, AND IT ALONG WITH EXHAUST IS COMING IN THROUGH THE TRUCK AREA. EXPLAINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS A 'DEATH TRAP' IF HIT FROM BEHIND, THE VEHICLE THAT HIT THIS ONE WOULD GO RIGHT THOUGH THIS VEHICLE. ACCORDED TO THE AUTO SHOP, THE ISSUE IS NOT FIXABLE.

Mileage: 136,547

WHEN I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH, I BEGAN TO HEAR A CLUNKING SOUND FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. IT HAPPENED EVERY TIME I HIT EVEN A SMALL BUMP OR CRACK. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE BODY SHOP, THEY DISCOVERED THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL IS CORRODED; RUST/ROT HAS CAUSED THE SHOCK MOUNT TO BECOME NEARLY COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE FRAME. IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE, AND BODY SHOPS WON'T EVEN PROVIDE AN ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS AS THE DETERIORATION IS TOO EXTENSIVE, AND THEY CAN'T FIX IT. A QUICK ONLINE SEARCH SHOWS THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH 2005 ESCAPES, AND MUST BE ADDRESSED FOR SAFETY. THE BODY SHOP OWNER TOLD ME NOT TO TAKE THE CAR ON THE INTERSTATE BECAUSE IF I WERE TO HIT A BUMP AT 65 MPH, I WOULD BE "ASKING A LOT OF THIS CAR TO HOLD TOGETHER." THE CLUNKING SOUND IS NOW CONSISTENT NO MATTER WHAT SPEED OR SURFACE I AM DRIVING ON.

Mileage: 139,000

A WEEK AGO I BEGAN TO HAVE A RATTLING IN THE RIGHT REAR OF MY ESCAPE. AFTER TIGHTENING DOWN AND REMOVING ANYTHING FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE THAT COULD BE "THUNKING" , THE NOISE CONTINUED TO GET WORSE. I INVESTIGATED FURTHER AND DISCOVERED THAT THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL HAD COMPLETELY CORRODED AND THE SHOCK HAD BROKEN FREE WITH A LARGE CHUNK OF WHAT USED TO BE THE WHEEL WELL/FRAME. I BEGAN RESEARCHING FOR A RECALL NOTICE AND FOUND THAT FORD MINIVANS FROM 2004-2007 ALSO HAD WHEEL WELL RUST PROBLEMS THAT RESULTED IN A RECALL...BUT NOTHING FOR THE ESCAPE. MY MECHANIC SAID IT SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN UNTIL FIXED BECAUSE IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN. I FURTHER LOOKED AT COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER ESCAPE OWNERS (AT LEAST 50 POSTED ON LINE) AND HAVE LEARNED THAT THIS EXACT SAME RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL CORROSION ON THE 2005 MODEL IS COMMON, DANGEROUS AND EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR (MY ESTIMATES RANGE FROM $1000 BUT THE FRAME SHOP WILL NOT COMMIT UNTIL THEY BEGIN WORK ON IT- THEY DID STATE THAT THIS IS NOT A NEW PROBLEM ON FORDS - THEY HAVE REPAIRED OTHERS) . FORD SEEMS TO BE DISMISSIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE APPROACHED THEM, STATING THERE IS NO RECALL SO THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. IS ANYONE LOOKING INTO THIS?

Mileage: 124,000

FORD ESCAPE 2005 PASSENGER REAR TIRE WHEEL WELL RUSTED AWAY WHERE THE SHOCK ABSORBER MOUNT BOLTS ONTO FRAME AND NOW THE SHOCK ABSORBER MOUNT HAS NOTHING TO BOLT ONTO ANYMORE. SHOCK ABSORBER MOUNT IS NOT ATTACHED TO FRAME ANYMORE AND NOW HITS THE FRAME OF THE SUV MAKE VERY LOUD KNOCKING SOUNDS.

Mileage: 108,000

OUR 2005 FORD ESCAPE IN JUST A MATTER OF WEEKS DEVELOPED A BASKETBALL-SIZED HOLE OVER THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL. IT COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH THE WHEEL WELL, AND THE YOU CAN SEE THROUGH THE OPENING TO THE SHOCK AND THE TIRE FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE SHOCK IS NO LONGER ATTACHED TO THE FRAME, WHICH MAKES THIS VEHICLE UNSAFE FOR THE ROAD. WE WILL NOT ALLOW OUR SON TO DRIVE THIS TRUCK ANY LONGER, AND ARE NOW UNABLE TO PROVIDE HIM WITH A SAFE CAR SINCE THE REPAIRS TO THIS TRUCK ARE VERY HIGH. THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE THAT AFFECTS A LARGE NUMBER OF OTHER DRIVERS. WE ALL HAVE THE EXACT SAME COMPLAINT ON WHERE THE DAMAGE OCCURS (RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL) AND THE EXTENT OF THIS DAMAGE (THE TRUCK IS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE). FORD NEEDS TO RECALL THESE VEHICLES AND FIX THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU. *TR

Mileage: 68,000

WHILE DRIVING, I NOTICED THAT MY STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT ALIGNED. I DIDN'T NOTICE IT WAS LIKE THIS UNTIL I WAS ALREADY DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. WHEN I STOPPED, I CHECKED MY TIRES AND THOUGHT THAT THEY LOOKED SLIGHTLY OFF. IT SEEMED AS IF THE PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS POINTED SLIGHTLY OUTWARD. THE CAR SAT IN MY DRIVEWAY FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS AND IT APPEARED TO HAVE GOTTEN WORSE. I TOOK MY CAR OUT FOR A TEST DRIVE AND NOTICED THAT EACH TIME I TURNED THE WHEEL, THE TIRES SCREECHED. I TOOK THE CAR TO A SHOP AND AFTER GIVING IT AN EVALUATION, THEY SAID THAT THE CONTROL ROD WAS RUSTED AND STARTING TO BREAK. AFTER SOME RESEARCH ONLINE, IT LOOKED LIKE THERE WAS A RECALL ON 2001-2004 FORD ESCAPES FOR THE SAME ISSUE THAT I WAS HAVING.

Mileage: 105,900

WE STARTED TO NOTICE A "CLUNKY" NOISE COMING FROM THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL HUB. UPON INSPECTION, THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL HUB IS OVER 50% RUSTED OUT. THE LEFT REAR WHEEL HUB IS INTACT. WE CAN NOT DRIVE VEHICLE FEARING A STRUCTURAL FAILURE WILL RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT OR INJURY. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE ON THE INTERNET, IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS MODEL, AND OTHER FORD MODELS. *TR

Mileage: 135,000

THE RIGHT SIDE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL IS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE CAR IS MAKING A LOUD THUMPING SOUND WHEN GOING OVER SMALL BUMPS. IN DOING RESEARCH, IT SOUNDS LIKE THIS IS A SERIOUS CONCERN WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL. *TR

Mileage: 135,986

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD GOING APPROX. 40 MPH, I HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM BY BACK PASSENGER SIDE TIRED. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO SEE WHAT CAUSED THE NOISE. UPON INSPECTION, I NOTICED THE WHEEL WELL THAT SUPPORTS THE BACK SHOCK WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE SHOCK HAD BROKE THROUGH THE RUSTED WHEEL WELL AND WAS PRESSED UP AGAINST THE INSIDE INTERIOR OF MY CAR. THE REST OF MY WHEEL WELLS ARE IN FINE CONDITION. WHEN I RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ONLINE, THERE ARE MANY, MANY CUSTOMERS THAT HAVE HAD THIS EXACT PROBLEM WITH 2005 FORD ESCAPES. IT IS ONLY THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. THIS NEEDS TO BE RESEARCHED AND CORRECTED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. *TR

Mileage: 180,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTED FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

Mileage: 140,000

I WAS TRAVELING AT 60 MPH ON A HIGHWAY INTERCHANGE. I HYDROPLANED, LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE, AND HIT A GUARD RAIL WITH THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE HEAD ON. MY VEHICLE BOUNCED OFF THE GUARD RAIL, TRAVELED BACKWARDS, AND HIT THE GUARDRAIL ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR. THE CAR SPUN 90 DEGREES AND CAME TO A REST WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE AGAINST THE GUARD RAIL, OPPOSING HIGHWAY TRAFFIC FLOW. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, DESPITE A 60-MPH COLLISION. THE SUSPENSION, WHEEL, AND SHOCK FELL OFF IN THE COLLISION. *TR

Mileage: 125,000

WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SHOCK PUNCTURED THROUGH A COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT REAR WHEEL WELL ON MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CAR IS UNDRIVABLE AND THE AUTO REPAIR/BODY SHOP QUOTED ME $3,000.00 TO REPAIR THIS. I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY STATED THAT ONLY THE 2001-2004 MODELS ARE COVERED UNDER A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. . *TR

Mileage: 114,000

THE ENTIRE PASSENGER REAR WHEEL WELL IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT & IS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE; POSSIBLE STEERING CONTROL. 2001-2004 FORD ESCAPES IN THE "SALT BELT" STATES WERE RECALLED FOR THE EXACT SAME REASON. *TR

Mileage: 1,753,500

HEARD THUMPING NOISE ON PASSENGER SIDE REAR. TOOK IT TO CHECK IT OUT AND WHEEL WELL COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

Mileage: 122,000

REAR WHEEL WELL TOTALLY RUSTED AWAY AND SHOCK WAS BANGING WHEN TRIED TO FIND PART FROM JUNK YARD ALL 2005 ESCAPE HAD RUSTED OFF WHEEL WELLS THE OTHER SIDE IS NOW GOING TO DO THE SAME THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE. HAD JUST DONE MANY REPAIRS WAS PLANNING ON KEEPING IT BUT NOW IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE SEEMS TO ME THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL IF IT IS HAPPENING TO MANY ESCAPES OF THIS YEAR CAN ANYTHING BE DONE THIS HAS BEEN A GOOD RUNNING CAR UNTIL NOW THIS PROBLEM IS A REAL SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

Mileage: 128,000

I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE WHEN I STARTED HEARING A BANGING NOISE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR OF MY VEHICLE. AFTER A FEW DAYS THE BANGING GOT LOUDER AND MY ESCAPE SEEMED TO BE HITTING HARD IN THE BACK LIKE MY SHOCK WASN'T WORKING. WHICH MY HUSBAND HAD CHANGED THEM ABOUT 3 OR 4 MONTHS PRIOR SO I THOUGHT THAT WAS ODD. AFTER DRIVING HER TODAY AND THE BANGING GETTING WORSE I HAD MY HUSBAND LOOK AT MY BACK FENDER WALL. WHEN WE DID WE SEEN IT COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. I CAN TOUCH THE INSIDE OF MY CAR. BUT THE WORST PART OF THIS IS THAT IS WHAT HOLDS MY SHOCK IN PLACE AND IT IS ALL GONE. I CAME INSIDE FRUSTRATED AND DECIDED I WOULD SEE IF THERE ARE PARTS TO FIX IT BEFORE MY SHOCK DECIDES IT IS GOING TO GO FOR A FREE RIDE AND DESTROY EVERYTHING UNDER THERE. TO MY SURPRISE I HAVE NOT FOUND A FIX NOR A RECALL BUT I DID FIND NUMEROUS PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND NO ONE SEEMS TO CARE. I AM VERY SURPRISED THAT NO ONE HAS MADE FORD RECALL THE ESCAPES AND FIX THIS ISSUE. CAN YOU IMAGINE IF I WAS ON THE FREEWAY GOING 70 MPH WHEN THIS BROKE AND THE DAMAGE IT COULD DO TO NOT ONLY MY ESCAPE BUT MY FAMILY, MYSELF, AND OTHER DRIVERS IF I LOST CONTROL OF IT BECAUSE MY SHOCK IS NO LONGER ATTACHED TO MY SUV? I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN FORD AND EVERYONE ELSE THAT IS IN CHARGE OF RECALLING VEHICLES. THEY HAVE PUT MY FAMILY, ME, AND ALL THE OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD IN DANGER AND NO ONE SEEMS TO CARE. MAYBE I SHOULD BUY A TOYOTA BECAUSE AT LEAST THEY RECALL THEIR VEHICLES AND FIX THEM WHEN THEY HAVE AN ISSUE. FORD DOES NOT SEEM TO CARE ABOUT ANYONE'S SAFETY. *TR

Mileage: 121,000

THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL ON THIS ESCAPE IS COMPLETELY ROTTED. A LARGE PIECE OF THE BODY IN THE WHEEL WELL HAS BROKEN AWAY (AROUND 8X8) WITH THE SHOCK ATTACHED. THE LARGE PIECE OF METAL HAS BEEN BOUNCING IN AND OUT OF THE INDOOR STORAGE COMPARTMENT. I NOW HAVE NO SHOCK ABSORPTION ON THAT WHEEL. I HAVE NOTICED NUMEROUS OTHER PEOPLE THAT SHARE THIS PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. FORD HAS REFUSED TO ASSIST THEM WITH THEIR PROBLEM. I WILL BE TAKING THIS VEHICLE TO A LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP WITH THE DEMAND THAT THIS BE FIXED AT A REASONABLE PRICE, CONSIDERING THE LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE THAT THIS EFFECTS. *TR

Mileage: 198,000

RIGHT BACK SHOCK CAME THROUGH WHEEL WELL AND BROKE THROUGH INTERIOR OF CAR. CAR IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION WITH NO RUST. *TR

Mileage: 155,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND EMITTED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL WAS RUSTED AND THE SHOCK HAD PENETRATED THE TRUNK. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

Mileage: 110,000

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET WHEN I NOTICED A BANGING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR. WHEN I PARKED THE CAR AND INVESTIGATED I REALIZED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL WAS RUSTED OUT. MY SHOCK IS NOT LONGER ATTACHED TO THE CAR AND EVERY TIME I HIT A BUMP IT SLAMS INTO THE CAR. *TR

Mileage: 109,000

RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL HAS ON MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE HAS RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH. THE SHOCK ABSORBER IS BANGING AGAINST THE INNER INTERIOR MOLDING WHEN THE VEHICLE GOES OVER A BUMP. THERE ARE LARGE HOLES IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND THE SHOCK ABSORBER IS ABOUT TO SEPARATE ENTIRELY FROM THE WHEEL WELL LEAVING THE SUSPENSION ON THE RIGHT REAR SIDE OF THE VEHICLE COMPROMISED. THE WHEEL WELL ON THE LEFT REAR OF THE VEHICLE IS IN TACT. *TR

Mileage: 121,000

HAS I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ALL OF A SUDDEN MY TRANSMISSION FAIL. IT SOUND LIKE IT FAIL OUT THE BOTTOM OF THE TRUCK. THE TRUCK WENT INTO A NOISE DIVE AND I FAULT TO GET IT OVER TO THE SHOULDER. NO WARNING SIGNS AT ALL. NEVER HAD SLIPPAGE OR NOTHING. CARS BEHIND ME ALL MOST CRASHED INTO ME AND MY FAMILY. THE TOW TRUCK CAME AND THE TRUCK WOULD NOT MOVE WHEN HE TRIED TO PULL IT UP ON THE TOW TRUCK. WILL FORD FIX THERE TRANS PROBLEM AT THERE COST AND NOT MIND. GOD IS THE GLORY, HE WAS WITH US. *TR

Mileage: 84,235

I HAVE PREVIOUSLY FILED A COMPLAINT AFTER TAKING THE ABOVE CAR TO A BODY SHOP WHEN I NOTICED SOME RUSTING IN THE WHEEL WELL AREA. THE BODY SHOP (X3) EXPLAINED THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH FORD (PRIOR TO THE 2001-2004 RECALL). I CONTACTED FORD VIA E-MAIL, AND FILED A COMPLAINT HERE. THE WHEEL WELLS IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WERE PEELING, AND I WAS TOLD THE SHOCK MOUNT WOULD EVENTUALLY PUNCH THROUGH TO THE INSIDE OF MY VEHICLE RENDERING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE. THIS WEEKEND, THIS EXACT THING HAPPENED. FORD HAS NEVER ACKNOWLEDGED MY ISSUE, AND I NOTICED THE COMPLAINTS ON DIFFERENTLY ONLINE FORUMS HAVE INCREASED SIGNIFICANTLY SINCE I FIRST NOTICED THE ISSUE. MY VEHICLE IS WELL-CARED FOR WITH ALL APPROPRIATE MAINTENANCE COMPLETED. THE BODY SHOPS I WENT TO DID NOT WANT TO FIX MY VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY FELT FORD NEEDED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 191,000

PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL IS RUSTED OUT AN SEVERAL PLACES TO WERE THAT STRUT MOUNT IS LOOSE AN FALLING APART, AN WILL CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF NOT FIXED. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE ON THAT EXACT TIRE AN THE EXACT YEAR IN THOUSANDS OF FORD ESCAPES. THIS IS OVER $2000 TO REPAIR AT WHICH THE VEHICLE IS NOT EVEN WORTH THAT MUCH. I AM A SINGLE PARENT AN NOT GOOD ENOUGH CREDIT TO GET A NEW CAR DUE TO HAVING CANCER A FEW YEARS AGO HAVING TO LET MY CREDIT GO. NOR DO I HAVE $2000 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. I STILL OWE $4000 ON THE CAR AS WELL. *TR

Mileage: 200,000

MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE BEGAN MAKING A RATTLING NOISE IN THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN I WENT OVER BUMPS, THE NOISE BECAME LOUDER. I WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM UNTIL I NOTICED THAT THE WHEEL WELL OF MY VEHICLE COMPLETELY CORRODED AWAY. QUICKLY THE SHOCK TOWER HAS GONE THROUGH MY TRUNK LEAVING A HOLE IN MY TRUNK INTO THE WHEEL WELL OF MY VEHICLE. I LEARNED OF THIS WHEN I WAS WALKING TO MY VEHICLE AND SAW SOME CLOTHES FROM MY TRUNK HANGING OUT OF THE CAR THROUGH THE WHEEL WELL. THROUGH MY RESEARCH I HAVE FOUND THAT THE ESCAPES FROM 2001-2004 HAVE HAD THESE SAME ISSUES, BUT HAVE BEEN RECALLED. I AM CONFUSED AS TO WHY THE 2005S HAVE NOT YET BEEN RECALLED. I HAVE CHILDREN THAT COULD LITERALLY FALL THROUGH THE VEHICLE FROM INSIDE. THIS WEBSITE, HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/FORD/ESCAPE/2005/BODY_PAINT/EXCESSIVE_WHEEL_WELL_RUST.SHTML, DESCRIBES THE SAME ISSUES I HAVE ENCOUNTERED. *TR

THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL OF MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE LIMITED HAS ALMOST COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. AT THE RATE THE RUST IS SPREADING, THERE IS A SEVERE RISK OF THE SHOCK SEPARATING FROM THE VEHICLE BODY. *TR

Mileage: 97,500

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE MADE A CLUNKING NOISE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL AND STRUTS WERE SEVERELY CORRODED AND FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE COULD BE CORRECTED BY REPLACING THE REAR PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 158,000.

Mileage: 158,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD POPPING NOISE FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT WHEEL WELL HAD DEVELOPED A HOLE. AS A RESULT, THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THIS DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.

Mileage: 122,000

RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH, UNDERMINING STRUT SUPPORT. ALL OTHER WHEEL WELLS HAVE MINIMAL TO NORMAL RUST WITH RUST PROOFING MATERIAL STILL IN PLACE. BODY OF VEHICLE HAS NO RUST AT ALL AND IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGED AND WASHED REGULARLY. *TR

Mileage: 68,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER DRIVING OVER A BUMP, THE VEHICLE WOULD MAKE A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND IN THE REAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL HAD CORRODED AND THE SHOCK ABSORBER WAS DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

Mileage: 105,000

AS I SIT HERE AND READ ALL THESE REPORTS ON FORD ESCAPE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL ISSUES, I WONDER HOW LONG OR WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE FOR FORD TO REALIZE THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM WHICH NEEDS TAKEN CARE OF. *TR

Mileage: 150,000

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2005 FORD ESCAPE HOME FROM WORK AND NOTICED A LOUD THUMPING SOUND WHEN SHE WOULD GO OVER A BUMP ON THE ROAD. IT CONTINUED FOR A FEW DAYS AND SHE TOLD ME ABOUT IT AND AFTER CHECKING THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL AREA I SAW THAT THE METAL MOLDING HOLDING THE SHOCK ABSORBER HAD RUSTED OUT AND THE SHOCK ABSORBER WAS NOT BEING BRACED WHICH WAS CAUSING THE THUMP. I HAD IT CHECKED AT AN AUTO REPAIR AND THEY SAID I WOULD NEED TO HAVE SOMEONE WELD A REPLACEMENT METAL PIECE INTO THE WHEEL WELL AND PROBABLY REPLACE THE SHOCK IF IT IS DAMAGED. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE SINCE I SAW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND HAVE BEEN WAITING TO TRY AND GET IT FIXED. FROM SEARCH THE INTERNET IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND I AM HOPING THAT A RECALL HAS OR WILL BE DONE ON FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 158,000

THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER WHEELHOUSE PANEL IS TOTALLY CORRODED. THE 'PANEL' HOLDING THE REAR RIGHT SUSPENSION CRACKED, NOTHING HOLDING THE SUSPENSION. I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS IN THE WEBSITE. THIS SHOULD BE TREATED AS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT AS IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM IN WHICH THE FORD WINDSTAR WAS RECALLED FOR. *TR

WHILE DRIVING OVER RAIL ROAD TRACKS A LOUD THUD WAS HEARD IN THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL. THE FIRST ASSUMPTION WAS THE TIRE BLEW, BUT UPON INSPECTION THE TIRE WAS FINE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FOR A FEW MORE DAYS AND THE THUD WOULD CONTINUE TO BE HEARD GETTING WORSE AND WORSE, ESPECIALLY WHEN HITTING BUMPS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A GOODYEAR AUTO SERVICE CENTER WHERE I WAS INFORMED THAT THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND THE UPPER SHOCK MOUNT HAD SEPARATED FROM THE BODY. THE THUMPING WE HEARD WAS THE CHUNK OF METAL AND SHOCK MOUNT THAT WAS SEPARATED FROM THE BODY BUT STILL ATTACHED TO THE TOP OF THE SHOCK HITTING THE REST OF THE WHEEL WELL THAT WAS STILL THERE. THE SERVICE TECH TOLD ME THAT HE WAS VERY SURPRISED THAT THIS AREA OF THE CAR WAS RUSTED SO BADLY AND IT APPEARED THAT IT WASN'T UNDERCOATED PROPERLY TO PREVENT THE RUST. THE SERVICE TECH INFORMED ME HE COULDN'T FIX IT AND RECOMMENDED A WELDING SHOP (FRIESS WELDING). THE WELDING SHOP WAS ABLE TO CUT OUT THE RUSTED WHEEL WELL (THEY REFERRED TO IT AS A FENDER WELL, I DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS A DIFFERENCE IN THE NAME), REPAIR THE UPPER SHOCK MOUNT, PUT ON A NEW SHOCK (THE OLD SHOCK WAS BENT TO BADLY FROM WHEN IT SEPARATED FROM THE CAR), AND PROPERLY UNDERCOAT IT. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THIS WAS COMMON ON 05 AND 06 FORD ESCAPES AND THEY HAD REPAIRED QUITE A FEW FOR THE SAME THING. THEY ALSO INFORMED ME THAT FORD RECENTLY HAD A RECALL FOR 01-04 FORD ESCAPES FOR A SIMILAR ISSUE ONLY ON THE FRONT OF THE CAR. THEY THOUGHT THAT FORD SHOULD DO A RECALL ON 05-06 FOR THE BACK. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS WILL HELP TO HAVE A RECALL DONE BUT WHAT THE WELDING SHOP WAS TELLING ME SEEMS TO BE TRUE AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET. I WILL KEEP ALL OF MY RECEIPTS AND THE PICTURES THAT I TOOK AND HOPE A RECALL IS EVENTUALLY DONE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 84,000

REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEELHOUSE RUSTED OUT BREAKING THE REAR SHOCK MOUNT CAUSING STEERING ISSUES . THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH FORD FOR THIS MODEL YEAR. THE WHEELHOUSE IS SIMPLE SHEET METAL THAT RUSTED OUT, THE SHOCK MOUNT HAS NO REINFORCEMENT AND IS SIMPLY ATTACHED TO A CUP IN THE WHEEL WELL. WHEN IT GAVE FREE THE VEHICLE SWERVED TO THE RIGHT. *TR

Mileage: 165,000

THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL ON MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH, FREEING THE SHOCK MOUNT. VEHICLE HAS JUST OVER 100000 MILES AND IS NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN IN ITS CURRENT CONDITION. *TR

Mileage: 100,500

REAR PASSENGER SIDE INNER WHEEL LINER COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. UPPER END OF SHOCK NO LONGER ATTACHED TO BODY OF VEHICLE. *JS

Mileage: 84,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL WELL WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED AND CAUSED THE SHOCK ABSORBER TO BECOME DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE WHEEL WELL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

Mileage: 180,000

DRIVING ALONG OVER MINOR BUMP IN ROAD WHEN LOUD BANG OCCURRED ON RIGHT REAR SIDE OF VEHICLE. LOOKED AND FOUND RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL RUSTED OUT COMPLETELY NEAR SHOCK TOWER. NOISE IS SO LOUD SOUNDS LIKE IT IS COMING INTO THE INTERIOR OF VEHICLE. TOOK TO COLLISION SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME TO FIX IT WILL BE APPROXIMATELY $1000 TO START BUT MAY BE HIGHER WHEN ACTUALLY INVESTIGATED. PARTS AT FORD ARE ON BACK ORDER SO COLLISION SHOP CAN'T DO WORK UNTIL AVAILABLE WHICH THEY SAY REQUIRES WELDING. NOT SURE WHEN OR IF PARTS ARE COMING IN TO FIX. THERE SEEMS TO BE EXCESSIVE RUSTING ON THE VEHICLE WHICH SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW AND TAKEN CARE OF. IT WAS UNDERCOATED AS WELL. HAD ANOTHER MAKE/MODEL THAT A FRIEND HAS AND IT IS 19 YEARS OLD WITH BETTER RUST PROTECTION THAT THIS CAR. NOT SURE HOW MUCH LONGER IT WILL TAKE FOR THIS TO OCCUR ON LEFT REAR AS IT IS SHOWING RUST SIGNS TOO BUT NOT AS EXTENSIVE AS THE RIGHT. I USE THIS VEHICLE TO TOW A CAMPER IN SUMMER AND NOT SO SURE THIS WILL BE SAFE TO DO SO EVEN IF FIXED. I DID NOT TAKE CAR IN TO FORD'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND WOULD BE WAITING FOR PARTS THERE TOO! I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AND WONDER IF FIXED IF IT WILL BE SAFE TO DRIVE. I HAD PLANNED ON DRIVING THIS CAR TILL THE MOTOR STOPPED...LOOKS LIKE THE FRAME IS GOING TO RUST OUT BEFORE THAT. *TR

Mileage: 106,000

I WAS DRIVING AND I HEARD THIS LOUD BANGING. I LOOKED AT MY WHEEL WELL AND IT WAS ALL RUSTED OUT AND MY SHOCK IS COMING UP NOW THROUGH MY REAR PANEL. I HAVE LOOKED AT ALL THE WHEEL WELLS AND THE OTHER ARE NOT RUSTED AT ALL BUT THIS ONE IS. IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE IT NOW BECAUSE WHEN UP TO SPEED AND YOU HIT A BUMP THE ALL REAR END PULLS SOMETIMES ALMOST INTO ANOTHER LANE. *TR

Mileage: 117,000

RIGHT REAR WHEEL HOUSE IS RUSTED SO BAD THE SHOCK IS ABOUT TO COME LOOSE AND CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL OR COULD RUB THE TIRE AND CAUSE IT TO RUPTURE. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY A MECHANIC THAT IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

Mileage: 128,000

THE RIGHT PASSENGER REAR WHEEL WELL RUSTED OUT. NOTICED A THUMPING SOUND DRIVING AT 35MPH. TOOK EVERYTHING OUT OF THE BACK AND TESTED FURTHER. STILL NOTICED THE SOUND AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS AND ROAD CONDITIONS. A FEW DAYS LATER NOTICED THE REAR WHEEL RUSTED OUT AND THE SHOCK HAD DETACHED. STOPPED AT LIBERTY FORD, BRUNSWICK, OH AND THEY DID NOT EVEN EXAMINE IT. SERVICE AREA SAID THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS. CALLED GANLEY FORD WEST CLEVELAND, OH AND THEY REPORTED THIS IS BECOMING A PROBLEM. REFERRED ME TO THEIR BODY SHOP. APPROX COST $1,200. CALLED SOME OTHER SHOPS LOCALLY AND WAS ADVISED "TRADE IT, NOT WORTH FIXING, OR $2,500." WAS ABLE TO GET REPAIRED FOR $435 AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH. *TR

Mileage: 143,000

ORIGINAL OWNER OF A GARAGE KEPT, 2005 FORD ESCAPE WITH 105K MILES. I NOTICED A LOUD BANGING SOUND COMING FROM THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL WHICH WAS VERY LOUD INSIDE THE CAR. I HAD THE SERVICE TECH REPLACING THE TIRES ON MY OTHER FORD VEHICLE TAKE A LOOK AND HE SAID THE WHEEL WELL WAS RUSTING AWAY AND THE SHOCK MOUNT WAS FALLING AWAY FROM THE FRAME OF THE CAR. THIS IS A SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS HAZARD WHICH NEEDS TO BE FIXED ASAP. EVERY SERVICE TECH I SHOW SAYS THEY'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. THE UNDERCOATING WAS SPRAYED DIRECTLY ON TO THE VEHICLE AND NO OTHER METHOD OF PROTECTION IN THE WHEEL WELL WAS USED BY FORD ON THIS MAKE/MODEL. MY VEHICLE WAS TOP OF THE LINE, LOADED, WHEN PURCHASED. I'M CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY AND MYSELF. FORD NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM ASAP AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE POOR DESIGN. *TR

Mileage: 105,000

THE ENTIRE TIRE WELL REAR PASSENGER SIDE HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT IN A LITTLE OVER A YEAR. WHILE IT IS NORMAL FOR SOME RUST OVER TIME THIS IS RIDICULOUS. NO OTHER PARTS HAVE ANYWHERE NEAR THIS MUCH IF ANY. I HAVE CONTACTED A REPAIR SHOP ONLY TO FIND OUT THE PART IS OVER 4 WEEKS BACKORDER. APPARENTLY THE MANUFACTURER CANNOT KEEP UP WITH THE DEMAND AS THIS IS A VERY COMMON REPAIR NATIONWIDE. *TR

Mileage: 103,545

I WAS HEARING A BAD CLUNKING NOISE FROM THE BACK SO I TOOK IT TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND HE LOOKED AND SAID HE HAS NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT MY ENTIRE WHEEL WELL IS RUSTED THROUGH - HE WONT EVEN TOUCH IT - HE SAID IT IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE AND TOLD ME ITS GOTTA BE A RECALL BEING THAT ITS AN 05 BECAUSE VEHICLES AREN'T MADE TO RUST LIKE THAT - SO I CALL FORD AND THEY SAY "NOTHING WE CAN DO FOR YOU AND YOUR COMPLAINT HAS BEEN NOTED" WELL IM ON DISABILITY WITH CHILDREN SO I CANT AFFORD THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIRS NOR CAN I GO WITHOUT A VEHICLE OR DRIVE MY KIDS IN AN UNSAFE VEHICLE, I JUST LOST MY HUSBAND AND I JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO - FORD REP DIDN'T EVEN GIVE ME A GLIMPSE OF CARE - DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE IN ONE OF THEIR POORLY CONSTRUCTED VEHICLES BEFORE ANYONE WILL DO ANYTHING - COME ON BACK UP YOUR PRODUCTS - AND THEN PEOPLE WONDER WHY PEOPLE BUY FOREIGN. *TR

Mileage: 129,085

THE RIGHT/PASSENGER REAR WHEEL WELL HAS BECOME SO CORRODED WITH RUST THAT THE SHOCK HAS COME FREE FROM THE METAL, AND SLAMMING HARD. THE STATE OF THE METAL REMINDS ME OF A BUTTERFINGER CANDY BAR, THAT FLAKES OFF IN LAYERS. I HAVE READ MANY REPORTS IN THE LAST COUPLE DAYS ABOUT SIMILAR SITUATIONS AS THIS, ALL WITH THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL. THE LEFT/DRIVER REAR SIDE HAS NO SIMILAR RUSTING, NOR DO THE FRONT WHEEL WELLS (AS FAR AS I CAN SEE/TELL). THE UNDERCOATING HAS BEEN HIDING THE RUST APPARENTLY, AND IT HAS BEEN FLAKING OFF HEAVILY IN THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS. *TR

Mileage: 130,500

TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL WELL COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED OR DRIVEN DUE TO POTENTIAL SAFETY ISSUES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 67,000. JS

Mileage: 67,000

I HEARD A SOUND IN THE REAR WHICH WAS LIKE THE METAL TOUCHING. MY BOYFRIEND SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE THE SHOCKS GOING. I TOOK TO THE GARAGE TO HAVE INSPECTED AND THEY REFUSED TO AND SHOWED ME THE INNER WHEEL WELLS. THEY WERE RUSTED ON BOTH REAR SIDES. THE VEHICLE BODY WAS SEPARATED. I TOOK IT TO AN AUTO BODY REPAIR SHOP AND THEY CAN FIX IT BUT WE CAN'T FIND THE REPAIR PARTS. I PUT THE NUMBERS FOR THE PARTS IN THE FORD.COM AND APPARENTLY THE NUMBERS DO NOT MATCH WHAT THEY HAVE. THIS IS DISAPPOINTING TO ME, I DO NOT HAVE A JOB, DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY TO PURCHASE ANOTHER VEHICLE, BUT I DO HAVE THE RESOURCES TO GET IT FIXED. I ALSO SENT AN E-MAIL TO FORD BUT HAVEN'T HEARD ANYTHING AS OF YET. THANK YOU *TR

WHILE DRIVING, I HIT A POT HOLE THAT CAUSED MY RIGHT REAR STRUT TOWER TO BREAK THROUGH THE INSIDE OF MY VEHICLE, RENDERING IT UNDRIVABLE. MY COLLISION REPAIR MAN HAS INFORMED ME THAT THE POT HOLE WAS NOT THE ONLY CULPRIT AND THAT THE WHEEL WELL WAS SO ROTTED AND RUSTED THAT IT COMPROMISED THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THAT AREA OF THE VEHICLE, AND HAD THE AREA NOT BEEN RUSTED, THE POT HOLE WOULD NOT HAVE CAUSED THE DAMAGE. HE ADVISED ME THAT THE ISSUE IS DUE TO POOR DESIGN IN THE 2005 AND 2006 MODEL YEAR FORD ESCAPES AND THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD SAFETY ISSUE THAT FORD HAS NOT TAKEN RESPONSIBILITY FOR. THEY HAVE RECALLED 230,000 OF THEIR MINIVANS FOR OVER RUST ISSUES (IN 2011), BUT NOT ANY OF THE ESCAPES. BECAUSE THE DAMAGE WAS DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW, AND NOT JUST A POTHOLE, MY INSURANCE MAY NOT COVER THE $1500 IN REPAIRS. I HAVE ONLY OWNED THE VEHICLE FOR A YEAR AND THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT NOTIFY ME THAT THERE MAY HAVE BEEN AN ISSUE, AND THE LEMON LAW PERIOD HAS PASSED. *TR

Mileage: 120,000

I HAVE AN 05 ESCAPE THAT HAS SEVERE RUST DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL. THERE IS SO MUCH DAMAGE FROM THE RUST THAT THE SHOCKS ARE NO LONGER ATTACHED AND CONTINUALLY RAM INTO THE INTERIOR PANELS. ALL OTHER WHEEL WELLS ARE IN GREAT CONDITION. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ THIS IS AN EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM (SO MUCH SO THAT THERE IS A FACEBOOK GROUP AND A MESSAGE BOARD ON FORD FORUMS) THE MODELS EFFECTED FORD MODELS 2004-2006. SERIOUS CONSIDERATION SHOULD BE PUT INTO RECALLING THEM. HTTP://WWW.FORDFORUMS.COM/F59/2005-ESCAPE-SHOCK-MOUNT-RUSTED-OUT-177762/ HTTPS://WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/PAGES/2005-FORD-ESCAPE-2004-2006/397923900236108. *TR

Mileage: 104,000

ON 2/20/14 I WAS TRAVELING 65 MPH ON STATE ROUTE 219 IN BOSTON, NY, WHEN A LOUD BANGING NOISE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO OCCUR IN THE REAR OF MY VEHICLE. THIS NOISE SCARED ME AND FORCED ME TO PULL OVER ON THE SHOULDER OF THE EXPRESSWAY TO INSPECT THE REAR AREA OF MY VEHICLE (WHILE TRAFFIC CONTINUED AT 65 MPH). I COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING AT THAT TIME SO I SLOWLY AND CAUTIOUSLY DROVE MY VEHICLE HOME. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, MY HUSBAND FOUND THAT THE RIGHT REAR(PASSENGER) SIDE REAR SHOCK HAD BECOME TOTALLY DETACHED FROM THE COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT INNER WHEEL WELL AND WAS PROTRUDING INTO THE INSIDE OF MY VEHICLE. EXCESSIVE RUST COULD BE SEEN ALONG WITH SEVERAL HOLES THAT HAD ONCE BEEN PART OF THE WHEEL WELL. MY VEHICLE IS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN AND IS TOO COSTLY TO FIX. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I FOUND THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY OWNER OF 2005 FORD ESCAPE WITH THIS ISSUE. THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL! FORTUNATELY, THIS DEFECT DID NOT CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT BECAUSE THIS IS AN INTEGRAL COMPONENT OF MY VEHICLES SUSPENSION. THIS 'DEFECT' NEEDS TO BE RECTIFIED BEFORE SOMEONE DIES OR BECOMES SERIOUSLY INJURED. *TR

Mileage: 82,054

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC, WHO ADVISED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WAS CORRODED. AS A RESULT, THE HOUSING AND REAR SHOCKS WERE CORRODED AND SEPARATED FROM THE WHEEL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 132,000.

Mileage: 132,000

THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE-WELL RUSTED OUT. IT RUSTED WHERE THE SHOCK IS ATTACHED. THIS ENTIRE PIECE RUSTING CAUSED THE SHOCK TO NO LONGER BE ATTACHED TO MY VEHICLE. WE LATER DISCOVER THE ACCELERATED CORROSION WAS FROM FAULTY DRAINS IN THE VEHICLE. FORD ACKNOWLEDGES THE DRAIN PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE EXPEDITED RUSTING. WITH FAULTY DRAINS IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THE OTHER TIRE-WELL ALSO RUSTS OUT. LUCKILY I DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM WHEN I DID, I HAD BEEN PLANNING ON TOWING A UHAUL CROSS-COUNTRY TWO DAYS OUT. IF I HAD BEEN TOWING AND THE SHOCK GAVE OUT, THE MECHANIC AT THE DEALERSHIP SAID MY VEHICLE WOULD HAVE STARTED TO ROLL. *TR

Mileage: 97,000

THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING THE SHOCK ABSORBER TO FLOAT FREELY. THERE IS A SECTION APROX 24 INCHES LONG BY 2-6 INCHES WIDE WHERE THE METAL HAS RUSTED OUT AND IS COMPLETELY GONE. THIS VEHICLE MAKES A HARD SLAM WHENEVER DRIVEN OVER SMALL BUMPS. THE SHOCK HAS COME THROUGH THE PLASTIC PANEL AND PUT A LARGE CRACK/HOLE IN IT. THIS VEHICLE HAS BECOME UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND EXCESSIVELY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. THIS VEHICLE IS FROM MICHIGAN. *TR

Mileage: 180,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH AND HEARD A BANGING NOISE FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE SHOCK MOUNT ON THE PASSENGER'S REAR WHEEL WELD WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. UPDATED 12/30/13*CN

Mileage: 100,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING OVER AN UNEVEN ROAD SURFACE AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, HE NOTICED AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE INNER WHEEL WELL WAS CORRODED, CAUSING THE SHOCK TO COLLIDE WITH THE PLASTIC PANEL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

Mileage: 97,000

THE RIGHT REAR INNER WHEEL WELL ROTTED LEAVING THE REAR SHOCK SUPPORT UNSECURED MAKING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. AFTER RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET, FOUND THAT THIS WAS A COMMON ISSUE FOR THIS YEAR AND MAKE VEHICLE. DOES NOT APPEAR THAT FORD WANTS TO TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAULTY MANUFACTURING AND/OR MATERIALS. *TR

Mileage: 141,052

AS WE ARE DRIVING ALONG WE HEAR A VERY LOUD BANGING COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE.WHEN WE GET OUT TO INSPECT THE AREA WE FIND THE REAR PASENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL IS EXTREMELY RUSTED THRU AND CHUNKS OF THE WELL ARE ACTUALLY FALLING OUT. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE FORD DEALER AND THEY SAID IT CANNOT BE REPAIRED!!!! BY THE FORD DEALER....THEN WE TOOK IT TO SEVERAL AUTO BODY SHOPS THAT SAID THEY CANNOT FIX THIS! SEVERAL PLACES SAID FORD USED FAULTY METAL OR UNDERCOATING AND THAT IS WHY IT RUSTED SO BADLY.THE CAR HAS ONLY 50000 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN HIGHLY MAINTAINED...I FINALLY FOUND AN AUTOBODY SHOP THAT WILL REPLACE THE ENTIRE WHEEL WELL AND THEER WILL BE NO GUARANTEE IT WONT HAPPEN AGAIN OR TO ANY OF THE OTHER WHEELS!!! I FEEL TOTALLY RIPPED OFF! I READ ONLINE THAT SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM.

Mileage: 50,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD BANG FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE INNER WHEEL HOUSE WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS ON BACK ORDER AND COULD NOT YET BE REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,000.

Mileage: 87,000

I HAD BEEN HEARING SOME LOUD NOISES FROM THE BACK END OF MY CAR FOR A WEEK OR SO, WE HAD THOUGHT THE SPARE TIRE AND EQUIPMENT HADN'T BEEN PUT BACK PROPERLY SO WE RE-ADJUSTED IT AND THOUGHT WE HAD FIXED THE PROBLEM. A FEW DAYS LATER THE SOUND STARTED BACK UP. THEN IT GOT REALLY LOUD AND THERE WAS A LOUD POP. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, WE FOUND OUT THE ENTIRE WHEEL WELL HAD RUSTED OUT IN A PERFECT CIRCLE AROUND THE SHOCK. THE SHOCK WAS NO LONGER ATTACHED TO THE CAR. I TOOK IT TO FORD AND THEY TOLD ME THIS HAD BEEN RECALLED ON THEIR MINI-VANS FOR THE SAME YEAR. FORD BODY SHOP STAFF INFORMED ME THAT THIS WAS THE ONLY RUST ON MY VEHICLE AND THIS RUST WOULD NOT BE CAUSED BY MIS-TREATMENT OF THE VEHICLE NOR NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR OF ANY CAR. FORD IS CURRENTLY UNABLE TO GET THE WHEEL HOUSE TO FIX THE CAR AND IT WILL NOT BE AVAILABLE FOR "MONTHS". ONCE I RESEARCHED THIS A LITTLE MORE, IT APPEARS TO BE A HIGHLY COMMON PROBLEM IN THE 2005 FORD ESCAPES. THE CAR IS NOT CURRENTLY FIXABLE OR DRIVE ABLE. *TR

Mileage: 155,000

THE WHEEL WELL RUSTED OUT AND THE SHOCK BROKE LOOSE AND WAS BANGING AROUND. BASICALLY THE WHOLE WHEEL WELL IS RUSTED OUT AND WILL NOT HOLD THE SHOCK ANY MORE. I CALLED THE LOCAL FORD DEALER TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL. WHEN I SEARCHED ONLINE I FOUND MANY WITH THE SAME EXPERIENCE, AND EVEN A FACEBOOK PAGE. I'M DISAPPOINTED THAT FORD ISN'T TAKING CARE OF THIS. *TR

Mileage: 165,995

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT THE DEALER FOR UNRELATED REPAIRS, THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE INNER WHEEL HOUSE WAS CORRODED. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE PART NEEDED FOR REPAIR WAS ON BACK ORDER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. *TR

Mileage: 70,000

FORD ESCAPE 2005 REAR RIGHT WHEEL WELL RUSTED OUT. I NOTICED SLIGHT STRUT SOUNDING NOISE IN THE REAR RIGHT WHEEL FOR A WEEK. I CHECKED TO MAKE SURE NOTHING WAS RATTLING IN THE TRUNK OR WHERE THE JACK MOUNTS. AFTER OPENING THE PLASTIC ACCESS COMPARTMENT TO THE JACK, THERE WAS A HOLE STRAIGHT THROUGH TO THE GROUND. I INSPECTED THE REAR RIGHT WHEEL WELL AND SAW THE ENTIRE THING RUSTED OUT CLEAR ABOVE THE SHOCK/STRUT MOUNT. I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THERE WAS NO RECALL YET THE VEHICLE CAN ESSENTIALLY BE DEEMED UN-DRIVABLE AND A SAFETY HAZARD FOR THE ROAD. *TR

Mileage: 150,000

INNER AND OUTER WHEEL HOUSES, AND QUARTER PANELS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE WERE RUSTED/CORRODED TO THE EXTENT THAT THE SHOCK WAS PUSHING THROUGH THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. LOUD BANGING NOISES AND WATER INSIDE THE VEHICLE LED TO INSPECTION BY PROFESSIONALS. VISIBLE HOLES IN THE WHEEL HOUSE AREA WERE DISCOVERED AT THIS TIME. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS REALIZED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE WAS JUST AS BADLY RUSTED/CORRODED. ALL PARTS LISTED ABOVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AS WELL AS BOTH SHOCKS, WHICH WERE ALSO DAMAGED DUE TO THEIR DETACHMENT FROM THE RUSTED AREAS. ALL WERE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE, IMMEDIATELY, DUE TO THE DANGER OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE ANY FURTHER, THUS AVOIDING A POTENTIALLY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THE EXPENSES WERE $3402.08. FORD WILL NOT COVER THESE EXPENSES BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CAR ONLY HAS 69,000 MILES, AND IS OTHERWISE IN TOP CONDITION. THE DAMAGES SEEM EXCESSIVE AT THIS MILEAGE AND AGE. PHOTOGRAPHS ARE AVAILABLE OF THE VEHICLE BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER REPAIRS.

Mileage: 69,000

MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE HAS HAD A LOUD BANGING IN REAR PASSENGER SIDE FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. I HAS ASSUMED THAT THE STRUT NEEDED REPLACED. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION MY MECHANIC AND I NOTICED A TERRIBLE AMOUNT OF RUST AND CORROSION TO REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL THAT HAS BOLTS ATTACHED TO STRUT. YOU CAN SEE INTO INTERIOR OF VEHICLE FROM OUTSIDE. I RESEARCHED RECALLS OF THESE PROBLEM AND FOUND NONE, ALTHOUGH THERE WERE SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME ISSUE. THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN ONLY ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE ALTHOUGH HAS ME WORRIED ABOUT OTHER COMPLICATIONS THAT COULD ARISE. THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS ISSUE THAT THE FORD MOTOR CO. SHOULD ADDRESS POST HASTE. I FEAR THAT MY FAMILIES AND OTHERS LIVES ARE AT STAKE IF THIS PROBLEM IS NOT TAKEN CARE OF SOON. *TR

Mileage: 57,500

TOOK ESCAPE TO MECHANIC AFTER LOUD BANGING HEARD. RIGHT WHEEL WELL HAS LARGE HOLE IN IT AND THE SHOCK MOUNT HAS RUSTED THROUGH, SOURCE OF THE BANGING. MECHANIC STATED THAT THIS PROBLEM MOST LIKELY BEGAN PRIOR TO PURCHASE OF CAR. FORD FAILED TO INFORM US OF THIS PROBLEM AFTER MULTI-POINT INSPECTION 5 MONTHS AGO. CAR HAS HAD TWO OWNERS WITHIN SAME FAMILY. FORD QUOTED $2500 REPAIR WILL NOT REIMBURSE AND STATED THAT THE REPAIRS WOULD NOT EVEN BE COVERED BY FACTORY WARRANTY, BECAUSE IT IS NOT THE "BODY" OF THE CAR. *TR

Mileage: 135,000

THE PASSENGER-SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH TO THE POINT WHERE YOU CAN SEE INTO THE CABIN, AND THE SHOCK/STRUT IS MOUNTED TO NOTHING AND IS POKING INTO MY TRUNK. THE METAL ALL AROUND THE MOUNT (OR WHERE IT SHOULD BE MOUNTED) IS COMPLETELY CORRODED AND RUSTED TO THE POINT OF BEING COMPLETELY DETACHED, AND THE SURROUNDING METAL IS STAMPED SO THIN TO BEGIN WITH THAT IT IS PLIABLE. THE SHOCK IS COMPLETELY INEFFECTIVE, AND MY CAR IS A TICKING TIME BOMB OF SAFETY ISSUES. I HAVE CONTACTEDFORD SEVERAL TIMES, AND FORD CANADA IS DENYING THAT THIS IS A SAFETY OR QUALITY ISSUE AND HAVE TAKEN NO RESPONSIBILITY; THEY REFUSE TO FIX MY CAR. I CANNOT FIND A RECALL AT PRESENT, HOWEVER THERE ARE NUMEROUS PEOPLE REPORTING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR ESCAPES, 6 ALONE ON [XXX] AND 5 ON [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Mileage: 185,000

STARTED HEARING LOUD RATTLING SOUNDS FROM REAR OF CAR , LOOKED AND SAW PASSENGER REAR WHEEL WELL/SHOCK MOUNT RUSTED OUT AND SEPARATED FROM REST OF VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 57,911

DRIVING MY FORD ESCAPE 2005, 35MPH, HEARD A THUMP/BANG THEN VERY LOUD RATTLING FROM THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. ARRIVED HOME, FOUND THAT THE RIGHT REAR SHOCK, SHOCK MOUNT, AND A DINNER-PLATE-SIZED CHUNK OF WHEEL WELL HAD PUNCHED UP INTO THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. OPENED THE LIFTGATE, SAW THE SHOCK MOUNT FLOPPING AROUND INSIDE THE CAR AND A DANGLING CLUSTER OF WIRES THAT HAD BEEN SHREDDED BY THE JAGGED METAL. ENTIRE RIGHT SIDE OF THE REAR COMPARTMENT HAD BEEN SHOVED UP 10CM. HUSBAND WAS SHOCKED, SURE I MUST HAVE HIT SOMETHING, BUT I HAD NOT. RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT UNDERNEATH THE UNDERCOATING. COULD NOT SEE THE RUST FROM THE OUTSIDE, SO DID NOT KNOW IT WAS HAPPENING. CHECKED LEFT REAR WHEEL WELL, SAW NO RUST, BUT UNDERCOATING LIFTS RIGHT OFF TO REVEAL TERRIBLE RUST UNDERNEATH AS WELL. VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE, NO SHOCK, WATER AND ROAD DEBRIS WOULD FLY RIGHT UP INTO THE CAR THROUGH THE HUGE HOLE. THIS KIND OF DAMAGE IS INCREDIBLE. ESTIMATE FOR REPAIR FROM DEALERSHIP (BRONDES FORD, TOLEDO) WAS $5752.34. CERTAINLY CAN NOT AFFORD THAT. RESEARCHED ONLINE FOR REPAIR ALTERNATIVES AND FOUND DOZENS OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE SAME TYPE OF DAMAGE TO THE SAME VEHICLE MAKE AND MODEL. REPORTED THE DAMAGE TO FORD CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP HOTLINE, WAS INFORMED THAT NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS VEHICLE, AND THAT THEY WERE UNAWARE THAT THIS WAS A COMMON, FREQUENT, OR WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. THEY DID NOT CONSIDER IT A DEFECT. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. MY CHILDREN WERE AFRAID WE WERE GOING CRASH. EASILY COULD HAVE LOST CONTROL IF THIS HAD HAPPENED WHILE TURNING A CORNER, MERGING INTO TRAFFIC, DRIVING 65MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, ETC. I AM CERTAIN, HOWEVER, THAT ONCE FORD MOTOR COMPANY REALIZES THE POTENTIAL HARM THIS DEFECT CAN CAUSE TO LIFE AND PROPERTY, THEY WILL BE DETERMINED TO DO RIGHT BY THEIR LOYAL CUSTOMERS. *TR

Mileage: 106,880

2005 FORD ESCAPE WITH A RUSTED OUT RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL AROUND THE UPPER SHOCK MOUNT. I CHECKED WITH A FORD DEALER ABOUT ANY RECALLS, NONE. FORD MANAGER SAID THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN SUCH AN ISSUE AT LASCO FORD FENTON MI. (FORD EST. TO REPAIR WAS 3400.00) I STOPPED AT A COUPLE BODYSHOPS IN THE AREA AND THEY (KNEW) OF THIS PROBLEM AND COULD QUOTE ME THE PARTS NEEDED, ALONG WITH THE 25 HOURS TO REPLACE/REPAIR IT. MY ESCAPE IS 7 YEARS OLD AND HAS 115,000 MILES, HOWEVER I DON'T THINK THAT THE BODY STRUCTURE (IN WHEEL WELL) SHOULD HAVE RUSTED COMPLETELY AWAY (RIGHT SIDE ONLY?), LEAVING THE TOP SHOCK MOUNT FLAPPING BACK AND FORTH, MAKING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE AND (NOT) DRIVABLE. THIS PROBLEM ENDED UP COSTING 2005.00 TO REPAIR. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. I CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THIS WAS THERE RESPONSE: I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU ARE EXPERIENCING RUST ISSUES ON THE RIGHT REAR FENDER AND SHOCK MOUNTS OF YOUR VEHICLE. I APOLOGIZE FOR THE INCONVENIENCE THIS MAY HAVE CAUSED. I CAN ALSO SEE WHY YOU FEEL THIS IS A MIGHT BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE RESEARCH YOU MADE. PLEASE UNDERSTAND, WE SHARE ALL OF OUR VEHICLE CONCERN DOCUMENTATION WITH NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC AND SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) AND FORD ENGINEERING. TOGETHER, WE WORK TO FURTHER DETERMINE IF A RECALL OR CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAMS (CSP) IS NEEDED FOR COMPONENT FAILURES. IF A RECALL OR CSP BECOMES AVAILABLE FOR YOUR VEHICLE, YOU WILL BE NOTIFIED BY U.S. MAIL TO THE CURRENT ADDRESS WE HAVE ON FILE. PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT NHTSA, WHICH IS THE FEDERAL AGENCY RESPONSIBLE FOR MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY IS THE ONLY ORGANIZATION WITH THE AUTHORITY TO ORDER A RECALL OR CSP. IN ADDITION, I FOUND THERE ARE NO WARRANTIES, FIELD SERVICE ACTIONS (RECALLS) / CSPS ON YOUR VEHICLE THAT WOULD PROVIDE ASSISTANCE FOR YOUR CURRENT CONCERN. FORD MOTOR COMPANY. *TR

Mileage: 115,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED A THUMPING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE TECHNICIANS ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS CORROSION ON THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL AND THE UNDER COATING WAS CHIPPING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

Mileage: 90,000

2005 FORD ESCAPE. FORD DEALER SERVICE FOR OIL CHANGE, ROTATE TIRES AND BRAKE INSPECTION NOTED FRONT BRAKE PADS NEEDED REPLACED. DECLINED SERVICE, (PRICE) ABLE TO CHANGE FRONT PADS OURSELVES. WE COULD NOT REMOVE WHEEL LUG NUTS. (THE SAME DAY) CHECKED TORQUE AND FOUND DEALER HAD OVER TIGHTENED THE LUG NUTS TO OVER 150 LBS. WITH MUCH EFFORT REMOVED LUG NUTS AND CHANGED FRONT BRAKE PADS. RETURNED TO DEALER TO COMPLAIN AND REQUEST ALL NEW WHEEL STUDS. ALTHOUGH THEY COULD NOT REMOVE THE REAR LUG NUTS WITH THE WRENCH SUPPLIED WITH THE ESCAPE THEY DENIED REPLACING THE WHEEL STUDS. I BELIEVE THE FAILURE WITH WHEEL STUDS ON FORD PRODUCTS IS A DEALER SERVICE PROBLEM. QUESTION: HAVE THE FAILURES ALL HAPPENED AFTER DEALER SERVICE? *KB

Mileage: 62,881

2005 FORD ESCAPE. FORD DEALER SERVICE FOR OIL CHANGE, ROTATE TIRES AND BRAKE INSPECTION NOTED FRONT BRAKE PADS NEEDED REPLACED. DECLINED SERVICE, (PRICE) ABLE TO CHANGE FRONT PADS OURSELVES. WE COULD NOT REMOVE WHEEL LUG NUTS. (THE SAME DAY) CHECKED TORQUE AND FOUND DEALER HAD OVER TIGHTENED THE LUG NUTS TO OVER 150 LBS. WITH MUCH EFFORT REMOVED LUG NUTS AND CHANGED FRONT BRAKE PADS. RETURNED TO DEALER TO COMPLAIN AND REQUEST ALL NEW WHEEL STUDS. ALTHOUGH THEY COULD NOT REMOVE THE REAR LUG NUTS WITH THE WRENCH SUPPLIED WITH THE ESCAPE THEY DENIED REPLACING THE WHEEL STUDS. I BELIEVE THE FAILURE WITH WHEEL STUDS ON FORD PRODUCTS IS A DEALER SERVICE PROBLEM. QUESTION: HAVE THE FAILURES ALL HAPPENED AFTER DEALER SERVICE? *KB

Mileage: 62,881

THE FINISH ON MY ALUMINUM WHEELS IS PEELING OFF AND THERE IS CORROSION THAT HAS FORMED AROUND THE RIM AND CENTER OF ALL FOUR OF MY WHEELS. I CHECKED THE SPARE WHEEL AND THE FINISH IN THE CENTER OF THE WHEEL IS STARTING TO BUBBLE ALSO. THE VEHICLE IS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THESE ARE FACTORY WHEELS AND I HAVE ONLY 40,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND FORD WILL NOT COVER THIS ITEM EVEN THOUGH IT IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THE EXFOLIATING ON THE WHEELS IS SO BAD THAT I AM ABLE TO REMOVE SMALL CHUNKS. *TR

Mileage: 40,910

COMPLAINT RECEIVED VIA E-MAIL. THE FRONT WHEEL ASSEMBLY CAME APART WHILE DRIVING, THUS CAUSING ANOTHER VEHICLE DAMAGE AS WELL. NO CONTACT WAS WITH THIS CAR UNTIL AFTER PARTS CAME OFF THE ESCAPE, CAUSING US TO LOSE CONTROL AND CROSS THE CENTER LINE. THERE HAS BEEN NO REMEDY FROM FORD MOTOR COMPANY AT ALL TO FIX MY CAR. FORD WILL NOT EVEN ACKNOWLEDGE THAT IT WAS A DEFECT IN WORKMANSHIP OR IN MANUFACTURING. *AK

Mileage: 3,600

BACK WHEELS WERE MISALIGNED MAKING TH EVEHICLE UNSTABLE. THE WHEELS ROCKED BACK AND FORTH. CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THEY COULD NOT REPAIR THE DEFECT UNTIL THEY RECEIVED NEW SPECIFICATIONS. ALSO, ACCELERATION WAS VERY HIGH. RPMS WENT UP 8,000 RPMS. HOWEVER, ON THIS VEHICLE THE RPM'S WENT TO 15,000 RPMS, WHICH WAS TO0 HIGH. *AK *NM

Mileage: 5,500