2007 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID Wheels Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. WHILE BACKING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE FRONT WHEELS FAILED TO TURN WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN BACK INTO THE DRIVEWAY. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,820.

WHILE BACKING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION, IT APPEARED THAT THE BOLT SHEARED, DISLOCATING THE WHEEL FROM THE DRIVETRAIN. THIS WAS LATER CONFIRMED AT THE REPAIR CENTER--THE BOLT HAD SHEARED AND HAD TO BE DRILLED OUT. THE FRONT LOWER CONTROL ARM BOLTS (FORWARD BOLT) REMOVED AND THREADS HAD TO BE REPAIRED. THE RIGHT FRONT AXLE ALSO HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS VEHICLE IS ONLY 6.5 YEARS OLD, AND IS NOT DRIVEN OFF ROAD. FORD DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THIS AS AN ISSUE. AS NOTED ELSEWHERE ON THIS SITE, WE ALSO HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH BRAKE SQUEALING, AS WELL AS THE WATER PUMP ISSUE. *TR