NHTSA Complaint #11166593 — 2005 FORD ESCAPE

HEARD A LOUD SCRATCHING NOISE FROM REAR OF CAR. UPON INSPECTION, ENTIRE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL IS RUSTED OUT AND STRUT HAS BEEN PUSHED THROUGH INTO REAR SEAT AREA. IMMEDIATELY WENT TO FORD DEALER AND SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND COSTLY TO FIX. HE ADVISED ME TO CALL FORD, AND THEY LISTENED TO MY COMPLAINT AND ISSUED ME A CASE NUMBER. SINCE THEN, I HAVE HEARD NOTHING. I AM STUCK WITH A CAR THAT RUNS LIKE A TOP, LOADED WITH FEATURES, NEW TIRES AND IS WORTH ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. THE DEALER TOLD ME HAD SEEN THE SAME PROBLEM ON OTHER 2005 ESCAPES AND THEY ARE COST PROHIBITIVE TO REPAIR. I HAVE LEARNED THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE 2000-2004 MODELS BUT NOT 2005. DEALER TOLD ME IF I CONTINUED TO DRIVE IT, EVENTUALLY THE WHEEL WILL BE SUCKED ALL THE WAY INTO THE BACK SEAT-TRUNK AREA AND I COULD BE KILLED ON THE HIGHWAY.