NHTSA Complaint #11020572 — 2005 MAZDA TRIBUTE

PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL INCLUDING STRUT FOR TOP OF SHOCK ABSORBER RUSTED CAUSING A DANGEROUS CONDITION. IN THE 10 YRS I OWNED THIS CAR, NO IMPENDING FAILURE OF THAT AREA WAS DETECTED IN ALL ANNUAL AND OTHER INSPECTIONS.WHILE DRIVING IN HEAVY TRUCK TRAFFIC ON I87 (PA) I HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION, SMELLED BURNING RUBBER, AND TEMPORARILY LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE. I MANEUVERED TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY, EXAMINED THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE AND WAS ABLE TO REMOVE AND BEND PIECES OF METAL THAT WERE RUBBING ON THE TIRE. THIS IS APPARENTLY A WELL-KNOWN PROBLEM WITH TRIBUTES AND FORD ESCAPES (2001-?) AND HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THOSE COMPANIES MULTIPLE TIMES. I WAS ABLE TO CAUTIOUSLY PROCEED DRIVING WITH VEHICLE TO MY DESTINATION. THE CAR IS UNSTABLE WHILE MAKING TURNS, ESPECIALLY IF THE ROAD CAUSES THE RIGHT REAR TIRE TO BOUNCE. NONE OF THE RECALL NOTICES I RECEIVED SINCE BUYING THIS CAR IN 2007 HAVE EVER MENTIONED RIGHT REAR RUST PROBLEMS. IF I HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THIS IMPENDING DANGEROUS CONDITION I WOULD HAVE TAKEN STEPS TO PREVENT IT. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO BE SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED BEFORE MAZDA AND FORD DO THE RIGHT THING TO CORRECT THE OBVIOUS MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN 2001-PRESENT (?) TRIBUTES AND ESCAPES?