NHTSA Complaint #10690160 — 2005 FORD ESCAPE

I NOTICED A LOUD BANGING IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, AND DISCOVERED THAT THE INNER WHEEL HOUSE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AROUND THE SHOCK MOUNT. IT BECAME UNDRIVEABLE AND COMPLETELY UNSAFE, AND I WAS FORCED TO REPAIR THE AREA. THE FORD CERTIFIED REPLACEMENT PART COST ME AROUND $130, AND THE SERVICE TO REPAIR IT COST AROUND $880. APPROXIMATELY 3 MONTHS LATER THE DRIVER SIDE STARTED TO MAKE THE SAME SOUNDS, AND WAS BEGINNING TO RUST OUT THE SAME AS THE OTHER SIDE. I ALSO REPAIRED THIS SIDE, TO A COST OF $650, ALSO USING A FORD CERTIFIED PART. NOW NOT EVEN 2 MONTHS LATER, BOTH CERTIFIED REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE BEGINNING TO SPLIT APART DUE TO THE FORCE OF THE SHOCK THAT IS ATTACHED TO THIS FLIMSY METAL. THE TRUCK HAS BECOME UNSAFE TO DRIVE, AND I'M BEING FORCED TO PURCHASE A NEW VEHICLE. I'VE BEEN READING AROUND THE INTERNET, AND THIS ISSUE FOR EXTREMELY COMMON ON THIS YEAR OF THE FORD ESCAPE. I AM ASTONISHED AND DISGUSTED THAT FORD WILL NOT MAKE IT RIGHT ON PART OF THEIR CUSTOMERS. *TR