NHTSA Complaint #11257166 — 2005 FORD ESCAPE

THE BODY OF THE CAR IS GENERALLY SOLID. I NOTICED A HARD CLUNKING SOUND COMING FROM THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL AND FIGURED IT WAS BAD SHOCKS. WHEN I INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, I NOTICED A VERY LARGE RUST HOLE SURROUNDING THE SHOCK TOWER WHERE IT MEETS THE WHEEL WELL. THE RUST WAS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE SHOCK. EVENTUALLY, IF I HIT A BAD BUMP, THE SHOCK WILL MOST LIKELY FAIL AND GO UP INTO THE TRUNK, ESSENTIALLY LEAVING THE VEHICLE TOTALED. THIS FAILURE SEEMS TO BE REPORTED COMMONLY FOR THIS SPECIFIC YEAR (2005) ESCAPES. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS WITH IT BEING SO CLOSE TO THE CRUCIAL SHOCK TOWER, AND IS EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE IF EVEN POSSIBLE DUE TO THE SEVERITY TO REPAIR. THIS ABSOLUTELY SEEMS LIKE SOMETHING FORD SHOULD BE AWARE OF THIS MASSIVE FLAW AND OFFER CUSTOMERS SOME KIND OF SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM.