NHTSA Complaint #10594409 — 2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID

WE NOTICED BANGING COMING FROM THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL. AFTER INVESTIGATING, WE FOUND A NUMBER OF SMALL RUSTED OUT HOLES INTO THE TRUNK FROM JUST THAT WHEEL WELL. THE BANGING WAS THE SHOCK MOUNT AND THE SHOCK ABSORBER HITTING THE WELL. THE RUSTED OUT AREA HAS GROWN. THERE IS NO OTHER INDICATION OF SIGNIFICANT RUST ON THE UNDERCARRIAGE. WE'VE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS THE RESULT OF A LEAK FROM THE HYBRID BATTERY; OTHERS, VIA MESSAGE BOARDS AND THE LIKE, HAVE REPORTED THE SAME PROBLEM. WE WERE AFRAID THAT THE SHOCK ABSORBER WOULD HIT THE WHEEL AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT SO WE TOOK IT OFF THE ROAD. GIVEN WE NEED THE VEHICLE AND DON'T WANT TO SELL AN OTHERWISE SERVICEABLE SUV FOR SCRAP, WE HOPE YOU CAN PERSUADE FORD TO RECALL THIS MODEL AND FIX THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. *TR