NHTSA Complaint #10748882 — 2005 FORD ESCAPE

I WAS DRIVING ALONG THE HIGHWAY ON MY WAY TO WORK AND HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THAT I HEARD A RATTLING NOISE IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE QUARTER PANE ON EVERY SUBSEQUENT BUMP. WHEN I WAS ABLE TO PROPERLY EXAMINE IT I REALIZED THAT THE METAL THAT CONNECTS THE SHOCK TOWER TO THE WHEEL WELL HAD ALMOST COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY. IN AUGUST OF 2012, WITH 154,523 MILES ON THE CAR, I REPLACED THE REAR SHOCK ABSORBERS. THERE WAS NO INDICATION AT THAT TIME OF THIS PROBLEM DEVELOPING. THE METAL ON THE VEHICLE SEEMS TO HAVE AN ISSUE BECAUSE IT IS RUSTING IN OTHER AREAS AS WELL, SUCH AS THE FUEL FILLER NECK, THE BOTTOMS OF THE REAR DOORS, THE BOTTOM OF THE REAR LIFT GATE, THE OUTER EDGES OF THE REAR WHEEL OPENINGS, AND AT THE BASE OF THE SIDE VIEW MIRROR.