NHTSA Complaint #10882299 — 2005 FORD ESCAPE

WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY STARTED HEARING A LOUD SOUND AND THE CAR BECAME BUMPY AND BOUNCY. PULLED OFF THE FREEWAY, BUT COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. TOOK TO A GARAGE AND TOLD RIGHT REAR INNER SHOCK MOUNT AND FENDER PANEL HAD ROTTED. FORD HAD A REPLACEMENT PART FOR THIS CONDITION, BUT DID NOT HAVE A RECALL. LABOR COST DUE TO WELDING WAS $1300.00, TOTAL COST 1,966.00. HOW COULD FORD HAVE A REPLACEMENT PART, BUT NOT A RECALL? TRIED 3 GARAGES ONLY 1 (WHO HAD A WELDER) WOULD CONSIDER THE JOB. CAR COULD NOT BE DRIVEN...CONDITION WORSENED QUICKLY AND HAD TO DRIVE 10 MPH TO GET ESTIMATES WITH BLINKERS ON...HOPING NO ONE WOULD HIT US. SCARY! HAD TO REPLACE INNER SHOCK MOUNT AND FENDER PANEL, INSTALL , WELD, AND SEAL. ALSO NEEDED NEW REAR SHOCKS.