2004 FORD ESCAPE Structurebody Problems

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

RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND SHOCK MOUNT WHICH WAS BOLTED TO IT FELL AND IS HANGING NEXT TO AND ON THE WHEEL ALONG WITH A BALL OF SHARP TWISTED METAL FROM THE WHEEL WELL. HEARD NOISES FROM BACK OF CAR PAST MONTH OR SO BUT THOUGHT IT WAS SOMETHING IN THE CARGO COMPARTMENT. THEN WENT OVER POTHOLE AND LOUD BANG LIKE THE EXHAUST PIPE FELL AND WAS DRAGGING. THEN A BURNING RUBBER SMELL. THE METAL PIECE IS ABOUT TO PIERCE THE TIRE AND THE SHOCK ITSELF IS HANGING AND BANGING AGAINST TIRE. CAR IS UNDRIVABLE AND MAY BE UNFIXABLE IN THAT THE FIX WOULD BE WORTH MORE THAN THE CAR. I OF COURSE CAN NOT GET ANOTHER CAR RIGHT NOW DUE TO FINANCIAL REASONS SO WITHOUT A CAR NOW BECAUSE OF THIS. THE OTHER WHEEL WELLS SEEM FINE, NO RUST. THOUGH THERE IS A FEW RUST SPOTS...

REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL WHERE THE SHOCK MOUNTS TO THE BODY IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND DETACHED FROM THE UPPER BODY OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE AT ABOUT 65MPH WHEN THIS PIECE BROKE LOOSE FROM THE REST OF THE BODY. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS, AND ALMOST CAUSED ME A SERIOUS ACCIDENT ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF OTHER COMPLAINTS FILED JUST IN THIS DATABASE ALONE WITH THE SAME EXACT ISSUE, RUST/CORROSION OF THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL WHERE THE SHOCK MOUNTS TO THE BODY. THE FORD DEALERSHIP THAT I HAD MY VEHICLE TOWED TO TOLD US THAT THEY HAVE RECENTLY SEEN 4 OR 5 OTHER ESCAPES THAT HAVE THE SAME EXACT ISSUE. PLEASE INVESTIGATE, THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN.

I WAS DRIVING AND THE REAR END OF THE TRUCK SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS FALLING APART. WHEN I STOPPED AND LOOKED THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL WAS COMPLETELY ROTTED OUT AND THE METAL PLATE THAT HOLDS THE SHOCK IN PLACE WAS HANGING AND BANGING AROUND. THE LEFT SIDE IS COMPLETELY INTACT. I TOOK IT TO CAUSEWAY COLLISION TO LOOK AT IT AND THEY SAID ITS A DEFECT AND PROBABLY NOT FIXABLE. THE TRUCK HAS HIGH MILEAGE BUT RUNS GREAT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE EMERGING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER STRAP MOUNT WAS RUSTED AND THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000. UPDATED 6/8/15*CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL RUSTED AND CREATED A BIG HOLE, WHICH CAUSED THE TOP STRESS MOUNT TO FALL DOWN. UPDATED 06/11/15*JB

HAD BEEN NOTICING NOISES WHEN I DROVE OVER BUMPS AND ROUGH SURFACES COMING FROM THE BACK RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I HIT AN UNAVOIDABLE HOLE IN THE ROAD TODAY AND HEARD A LOUD THUMP FROM THE REAR RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I PROCEEDED TO MY SISTER'S HOUSE WHERE MY BROTHER IN-LAW CHECKED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE STRUT/SHOCK HAD BROKE THROUGH THE HORRIBLY RUSTED WHEEL WELL AND WAS HITTING THE UNDERSIDE OF THE PLASTIC WHEEL WELL COVER. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A DISASTER HAD IT HAPPENED A FEW DAYS AGO WHILE I WAS ON THE FREEWAY. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE IN TO SEE IF IT CAN BE FIXED. IN THE MEAN TIME I HAVE NO VEHICLE TO DRIVE AS IT IS NOT DRIVABLE. I SEE FROM NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS THAT THIS IS A CONTINUING PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. WHY IS FORD NOT BEING HELD...

PASSENGER (RIGHT) REAR WHEEL WELL RUSTED THROUGH, CAUSING THE STRUT TO DETACH. *TR

AIR BAG LIGHT IS CONTINUALLY ON FOR MANY YEARS - FEEL A SAFETY ISSUE I HAVEN'T RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE ON THE AIRBAGS NO CRASH REAR INNER FENDER WELLS RUST THROUGH ON 2004 FORD ESCAPE MODELS ACCORDING TO DEALERSHIP- MANUFACTURER ISSUE - WOULD LIKE REPLACED - SAFETY ISSUE MY ENTIRE FAMILY OWNS FORD VEHICLES. MY FATHER RETIRED FROM FORD, CANTON, OHIO WE HAVE ALWAYS BEEN PROUD TO BE FORD OWNERS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG AND SEAT BELTS WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT FAILED TO RETRACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER INNER FENDER WELL CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SEAT BELT PRETENSIONER CONNECTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED INDEPENDENTLY WITH A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM SEPARATED AND THE ENTIRE FRAME WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE). THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.

WHILE DRIVING ON A ROUGH ROAD I NOTICED A RATTLING IN THE REAR COMPARTMENT THAT I HAD NEVER HEARD BEFORE. WHEN I INVESTIGATED I FOUND THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL HAD DISINTEGRATED FROM RUST DAMAGE AND THE SHOCK IS NOW FLOATING BASICALLY FREELY WHICH IS CAUSING THE NOISE. I AM CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY AND HANDLING OF THE VEHICLE AT THIS POINT. THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH ESCAPES AND ALWAYS THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL. WHY HAS FORD NOT ISSUED A RECALL? THIS IS CLEARLY A SYSTEMATIC FAILURE. *TR

THE CAR STARTED TO RIDE ROUGH OVER SMALL BUMPS AND A THUMPING SOUND COULD BE HEARD FROM THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL. THINKING I NEEDED NEW SHOCKS I INSPECTED THE WHEEL WELL AND WAS HORRIFIED TO SEE THAT THE WHEEL WELL HOLDING THE SHOCK WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY. THERE IS A HOLE WHERE THE STEEL USED TO BE. THIS IS ONLY ON THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL AS FAR AS I CAN SEE. A LOCAL AUTO BODY SHOP WILL NOT FIX IT BECAUSE OF THE SAFETY LIABILITY AND WARNED ME NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR. THE CAR IS UNSAFE AND I AM AT A LOSS AS TO WHAT TO DO WITH IT. AFTER DOING SOME SEARCHING I HAVE FOUND MANY FORD ESCAPES WITH THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. APPARENTLY THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT THAT FORD KNOWS ABOUT AND SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR. HAD I DRIVEN THE CAR A LITTLE LONGER...

I PURCHASED A 2004 ESCAPE A LITTLE OVER A YEAR AGO. MY COUSIN HAD THE SAME CAR. WE BOTH HAD TO TAKE A FEW THOUSAND LOSS AND SELL THESE VEHICLES DUE TO SEVERE, UNSAFE WHEEL WELL RUST .NOT TO MENTION CATALYTIC CONVERTERS ON BOTH CARS WERE BAD. TWO ON EACH ESCAPE. I WAS READY TO DO REPAIRS, UNTIL A FRIEND WITH THE SAME ESCAPE HAD JUST REPAIRED THE BODY IN HIS FOR THE SAME ISSUE. SO WE ALL TOOK LOSS. WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS?? I HAD FAMILY THAT WORKED, AND RETIRED FROM FORD. I HAD SEVERAL FORD'S OVER THE YEARS. THIS HAS PUT ME IN A HOLE..BOUGHT IT FOR 6,000. JUST GAVE IT AWAY FOR 1,000. HELP. *TR

2ND ESCAPE I'VE OWNED THAT HAS HAD THE REAR RIGHT WHEEL WELL RUST OUT, SHOCK BREAKS LOOSE. FORD SAYING IT HAS NEVER HEARD OF IT, AND YET EVERY DEALER AND BODY SHOP I'VE TALKED TO KNOWS ALL ABOUT IT. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL, FAULTY PART. *TR

WHILE DRIVING TO MY HOME WENT OVER A SMALL DIP IN ROAD AND SUV MADE A VERY LOAD CLUNKING NOISE IN RIGHT REAR SECTION OF VEHICLE AND STARTED HANDLING POORLY GOT IT TO MY PARENTS HOME WHICH IS ONLY FEW MINUTES FROM INCIDENT,FATHER LOOKED AT AND FOUND RIGHT REAR STRUT MOUNT AND WHEEL TUB RUSTED OUT UNDER A THICK LAYER OF SOUND DEADENING MATERIAL APPLIED AT FACTORY MAKING IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE UNTIL IT BREAKS FREE, FATHER HAS BEEN A MECHANIC ALL HIS LIFE AND TRIED TO GET PIECES AT LOCAL SALVAGE YARDS TO REPAIR BUT FOUND ALL IN A 50 MILE RADIUS AT SALVAGE YARDS FROM YEARS 2001-2007 TO BE IN AS BAD OR WORSE CONDITION AND IS CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR PARTS ON LINE OUT OF THE RUSTBELT ,I BELIEVE IF IT HAD HAPPENED ON A TWISTY ROAD IT COULD HAVE BEEN A BIGGER PROBLEM FORTUNATELY IT WAS...

WHEN DRIVING HOME ON 12/30/14, I HEARD A LOUD RATTLE COMING FROM THE RIGHT REAR OF THE VEHICLE. I LOOKED IN THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A LOT OF RUST. I DID NOT DRIVE IT AGAIN UNTIL I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC TO HAVE IT INSPECTED ON 1/6/15. HE INFORMED ME THAT THE WHEEL WELL WAS RUSTED AND THE STRUT COULD BREAK LOOSE. HE ALSO INFORMED ME THAT HE HAD NEVER SEEN A VEHICLE DO THIS. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND I SHOULD NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT IS FIXED. HE ALSO CHECKED TO SEE IF ANYONE IN THE AREA WOULD BE ABLE TO FIX IT SINCE HE IS NOT EQUIPPED TO DO SO. NO LUCK WITH THAT. AFTER SEEING HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR FORD ESCAPE, I WOULD EXPECT THAT THE...

ANOTHER CASE OF A 2004 FORD ESCAPE WITH EXTENSIVE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL RUST PUTTING THE STRUT IN DANGER OF COMING THROUGH THE BODY. I'M CURRENTLY TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW AND WHERE TO GET IT REPAIRED. THIS SEEMS TO BE A FLAW IN THE DESIGN OF THE PRODUCT. WHILE ONE WOULD HOPE FORD WOULD STEP UP I'M NOT SEEING ANYTHING ON THEIR PART SO FAR. *JS

I WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN I STARTED HEARING A LOUD THUMPING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION I DISCOVERED THERE WAS RUST INSIDE THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL AND THAT THE SHOCK MOUNT WAS UNATTACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. *TR

DRIVING AND SOUNDS LIKE A SQUARE BOWLING BALL IS ROLLING AROUND IN BACK. LOOK TO FIND A RUSTY MESS FROM SHOCK MOUNT GOING THROUGH WHEEL WELL. ASKED AROUND AND SEEMS TO BE COMMON PROBLEM. THANK GOODNESS I WASN'T FAR FROM HOME. VERY DANGEROUS, WHY IS THIS NOT RECALLED YET! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A CLUNKING SOUND NEAR THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WHEEL WELL WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

RUNNING BOARD RUSTED AND FELL OFF. *TR

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM THE STORE AND STARTED HEARING A LOUD BANGING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE TRUCK. UPON INVESTIGATION I DISCOVERED WHAT I BELIEVE TO BE A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN IN MY 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL OVER THE SHOCK TOWER COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND SEPARATED OVER THE SHOCK. I HAVE BEEN TOLD AND SEEN THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE AND OTHER YEARS OF ESCAPES. AFTER SPEAKING WITH AN INDEPENDENT BODY SHOP IN MY AREA THEY INFORMED ME THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM THEY HAVE SEEN SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE. BUT WHEN I CONTACTED 3 LOCAL FORD DEALERS THEY ALL CLAIMED TO HAVE NEVER SEEN IT BEFORE. AND WANTED TO CHARGE ME A HUNDRED DOLLARS JUST TO LOOK AT IT. I AM TOLD THE VEHICLE IS UNDRIVEABLE IN THIS CONDITION. AND THAT IN MOST CASES CAN NOT...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE NEAR THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL SHOCK AND TOWER WERE SEVERELY CORRODED AND PENETRATED THE SUBFRAME AND FLOOR INTERIOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000.

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WIRHT MY 2 YOUNG KIDS AND ALL SUDDEN GO OVER THE TRAIN TRACKS AND THE REAR STRUT BROKE FROM THE SHOCK MOUNT AND CAME RIGHT UP THRU THE VEHICLE I HAVE FOUND THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE, FORD NEEDS TO STEP UP LUCK I GAINED CONTROL OF VEHICLE WITH A 1 MONT OLD BABY AND A 3 YEAR OLD THIS IS SEARIOUS MATTER! SOMEONE IS GOING TO DIE BECAUSE OF THIS IT NEEDS TO BE FIXED! *TR

THE SHOCK TOWER IN THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL HAS BROKEN, DUE TO RUST AND CORROSION, AND PUNCTURED THROUGH THE INTERIOR OF THE TRUNK AND THE BACK SEAT. THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR BODY HAS SEPARATED FROM THE EXTERIOR BODY SO THAT THE WHEEL AND ROAD CAN BE SEEN FROM INSIDE THE BACK SEAT THROUGH A LARGE (INCH OR MORE WIDE) GAP. THERE IS NO CORROSION OR DAMAGE IN ANY OTHER WHEEL WELL. THERE IS A CORROSION RELATED RECALL ON THIS CAR WHICH THE DEALERSHIP SAYS IS UNRELATED TO THIS PARTICULAR AREA OF THE CAR (SAFETY RECALL 14S02). FORD'S CUSTOMER "CARE" CENTER ACKNOWLEDGED MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS YET HAS NO INVESTIGATION OR ACTIVITY AIMED AT A REMEDY FOR THIS COMMON PROBLEM. DUE TO FORD'S APPARENT NEGLIGENCE WHICH HAS CAUSED HUNDREDS OF FORD OWNERS IDENTICAL DAMAGE, MY CAR IS UNSAFE AND FORD IS UNWILLING TO ACT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE STARTED TO RATTLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSE THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL WAS CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 143,000.

MY DAUGHTER COMPLAINED ABOUT A LOUD CLANGING NOISE FROM THE RIGHT REAR OF HER CAR. I BOUGHT IT USED FROM A DEALER AND IT HAS BEEN KEPT IN A GARAGE AND USED SPARINGLY. UPON INSPECTION I NOTED THAT THE RIGHT REAR STRUT HAD COMPLETELY BROKEN FREE DUE TO EXTENSIVE RUST OF THE WHEEL WELL. I CANNOT ALLOW HER TO DRIVE IT IN THIS CONDITION. NOT SURE IF IT CAN BE REPAIRED YET OR WHETHER IT WILL COST MORE THAN THE CAR IS WORTH. I NOW RECOGNIZE THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER OWNERS WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. WITH SO MANY OWNERS HAVING THE SAME EXPERIENCE SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE. *JS

I BOUGHT MY 04 ESCAPE BRAND NEW, AND AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER CAR GARAGE KEPT, THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE!! RUSTED OUT WHEEL WELL AND SHOCK MOUNT WENT RIGHT THROUGH THE FRAME WHILE DRIVING AT ONLY 15 MPH OUT OF A PARKING LOT. *TR

RUSTED OUT RIGHT WHEEL WELL WITH STRUCTURAL COLLAPSE. WE BOUGHT THIS CAR USED FROM A LOCAL FORD DEALER IN APRIL OF 2013. THIS CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN ON A FREEWAY ON JUNE 15, 2014 WHEN A LOUD THUMPING STARTED IN THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL ON . ON INSPECTION THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL IS RUSTED OUT. THE SUPPORT THAT THE SHOCK ABSORBER IS ATTACHED TO WAS COMPLETELY ERODED AND A PART OF IT PUNCHED THROUGH THE WALL INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE TRUNK AREA. WE FELT IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. WE HAD IT TOWED TO ANOTHER FORD DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM. THE ESTIMATED COST OF REPAIR IS $2259. REVIEW OF THE NHTSA COMPLAINT WEB SITE REVEALS MANY OTHER OWNERS WITH EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

I HAVE A HOLE AND RUST FORMING IN THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL. THIS IS BEGINNING TO EXPOSE THE SHOCK AREA. I LIVE IN A HIGH SALT AREA. *TR

REAR PASSENGER SHOCK MOUNT RUSTING OUT. *TR

OPENED REAR WINDOW WHEN BOLT CONNECTING WINDOW TO HINGE BROKE. WINDOW SHIFTED DOWNWARDS AND HAD IT NOT BEEN CAUGHT COULD'VE SHATTERED AND INFLICTED LACERATIONS TO HANDS, ARMS, FACE, AND CHEST. INSPECTION OF BLOT SHOW CORROSION DUE TO BEING IMPROPERLY SEALED FROM WATER AND OTHER ELEMENTS. *TR

I HAVE A 2004 FORD ESCAPE (6 CYL., FRONT WHEEL DRIVE) THAT NOW HAS OVER 110,000 MILES. AT 108,465 MILES, THE #2 CATALYTIC CONVERTER BLEW AND WAS REPLACED (ALONG WITH ALL 6 IGNITION COILS). A SECOND MECHANIC FOUND DEBRIS IN THE #3 CATALYTIC CONVERTER, CLEANED IT AND THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. (THE ENGINE WAS NOT GETTING ENOUGH AIR PASSING THROUGH THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AND WOULD BARELY MAKE IT UP A HILL.) THEN HE DISCOVERED THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL WAS RUSTING OUT POSING A SEVERE THREAT THAT THE SHOCK ABSORBER WILL PUNCH THROUGH INTO THE BODY OF THE CAR MAKING THE ESCAPE TOTALLY INOPERABLE. A RECALL IS ALREADY OUT FOR FORD MINIVANS FOR THE SAME ISSUE BUT APPARENTLY NOT FOR THE ESCAPES. WHY NOT? THIS CAN BE REPAIRED AT A COST OF NEARLY $2,000. WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND IGNITION COILS, I'VE ALREADY SPENT OVER $2500 AND DON'T HAVE THE $2,000...

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND HIT A POTHOLE, AFTER HITTING THE POTHOLE THERE WAS A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR. AFTER INSPECTION THE ENTIRE SHOCK MOUNT HAD RUSTED AWAY FROM THE BODY AND BECAME SEPARATED. IT WAS FREE TO JOLT AROUND AND CAUSE FURTHER DAMAGE. NOT SAFE TO BE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE NOW. *TR

A RATTLING FROM REAR PASSENGER WHEEL AREA. UPON INVESTIGATION TO SEE WHAT IT WAS I FOUND THAT THE UPPER CONNECTION POINT OF THE SHOCK TOWER WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND WAS BARELY CONNECTED TO THE REST OF THE BODY. WITHIN A DAY OR TWO AFTERWARDS THE UPPER PART HAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED AND THE SHOCK WAS BOUNCING AROUND FREELY. I REMOVED THE SHOCK YESTERDAY (5/1/2014) AS IT HAD PUSHED UP (SINCE IT HAS NO RESISTANCE OR MEANS TO HOLD IT COMPRESSED) AND PUNCHED A HOLE THROUGH THE PLASTIC INTERIOR SIDE WALL LINER IN THE TAILGATE AREA. THERE IS NOW AN APPROXIMATELY 10" SQUARE HOLE IN THE SIDE OF MY VEHICLE WHERE I CAN SEE THE TIRE AND ROAD. I WILL NEED TO SEAL THE OPENING TO KEEP ROAD WATER FROM ENTERING. PHOTOS CAN BE PROVIDED. *TR

THE REAR PASSENGER FENDER WELL HAS RUSTED OUT. WE CAN SEE INTO OUR TRUCK. THE RUST IS SO BAD THE TOP SHOCK MOUNT IS NO LONGER CONNECT AND THE FRAME IS CRACKED. I WENT TO TWO DIFFERENT BODY SHOPS BECAUSE FORD IS UNWILLING TO DO ANYTHING. BOTH BODY SHOPS SAID A 10 YEAR OLD VEHICLE SHOULD NOT RUST LIKE THIS AND IT WOULD COST MORE THAN WHAT THE VEHICLE IS WORTH TO FIX. WE CAN NOT LONGER DRIVE OUR VEHICLE AND WILL HAVE TO CONSIDER IT AS TOTAL UNLESS FORD STANDS BEHIND THEIR VEHICLES AND CREATES A RECALL. FORD CREATED A RECALL FOR THE FRONT OF THEIR FORD ESCAPES RUSTING OUT BUT HAVE NOT DONE THE SAME FOR THE REARS. I HAVE READ ONLINE SEVERAL HUNDRED OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR FORD ESCAPE. *JS

I AM WRITING TO INFORM YOU OF MY PROBLEM WITH MY 2004 FORD ESCAPE. I HAVE RECENTLY NOTICED A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE IN THE REAR OF THE CAR. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION I SAW THAT AROUND THE RIGHT REAR STRUT IT'S COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND THE STRUT IN NEARLY FREE. I DID RESEARCH AND NOTICED THAT I AM DEFINITELY NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. I WOULD LIKE IT FIXED OR POINTED IN THE DIRECTION AS TO WHERE I CAN GET IT TAKEN CARE OF. *TR

I WAS DRIVING HOME ON THE HIGHWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY CAR PULLED REALLY HARD TO THE RIGHT SIDE AND STARTED MAKING A LOUD HORRIBLE NOISE. EVERYTIME I WOULD HIT A BUMP, IT PULLED THE CAR. I MADE IT HOME AND HAD IT LOOKED AT. MY REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL WAS RUSTED SO BAD THAT MY SHOCK WENT RIGHT THROUGH IT. ALL OF THE OTHER WHEEL WELLS ARE JUST FINE AND APPEAR TO STILL BE COATED. *JS

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WHEN I HIT A POT HOLE. THE BODY/FRAME PART OF THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL BROKE LOOSE AROUND THE REAR PASSENGER SHOCK. SO THERE IS NOTHING HOLDING THE SHOCK IN PLACE. IT IS CAUSING FURTHER DAMAGE TO THE AREA. THE BODY/FRAME HAS DETERIORATED IN THAT AREA. I CANNOT DRIVE MY VEHICLE. FORD HAS ISSUED A RECALL FOR THE FRONT END RUSTING PREMATURELY AND CAUSING DAMAGE. BUT, I THINK THIS IS THE SAME REASON. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INSPECTION, SHE WAS ADVISED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS COMPLETELY COVERED WITH RUST AND HAD BECOME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENTIRE REAR SUB FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL HOUSING WAS TOTALLY CORRODED AWAY. AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE FOUND MANY WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THE OTHER THREE WHEEL HOUSINGS WERE IN GOOD CONDITION WITHOUT RUST. I TOOK SUV TO WOLTZ & WIND FORD IN HEIDELBURG, PA WHERE THEY TOLD ME THAT THEIR SUPPLY OF THIS PART WAS USED UP AND FORD WAS NOT MAKING ANY AT THAT TIME. THE REAR HOUSINGS SUPPORT THE REAR SHOCKS AND "COULD HAVE" CAUSED A SEVERE ACCIDENT. IT TOOK 3 1/2 MONTHS BEFORE PART WAS REPLACED. OF COURSE FORD DOWN PLAYS THE SEVERITY OF THE PROBLEM AND I WAS GIVEN A TOTAL RUN-A-ROUND BY THE DEALERSHIP AND WITH FORDS CUSTOMER SERVICE. I AM 78 YEARS OLD WIDOW WHO DREADS TO THINK WHAT "COULD HAVE" HAPPENED. PLEASE DO NOT WAIT UNTIL SOMEONE GETS KILLS TO MAKE THIS A PRIORITY. YOU MAY SPEAK TO MYSELF OR MY SON-IN-LAW [XXX] WHO HAS BEEN HELPING...

MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING HOME WITH OUR SON AND STARTED TO HEAR A LOUD NOISE. TOOK IT TO OUR REPAIR GUY WHO STATED THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND WAS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE. WE THEN TOOK IT FOR A 2ND LOOK AND WAS TOLD THE SAME THING AND THAT ITS NOT FIXABLESO WE'LL HAVE TO BUY A NEW CAR. WE'VE ONLY HAD THIS CAR FOR 6 YEARS AND I BOUGHT IT FROM OUR LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP WHO WHEN CONTACTED SAID THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING TO HELP BECAUSE THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE FOR THIS PROBLEM. WE HAVE 2 SMALL CHILDREN AND I'M VERY LUCKY THAT SOMETHING DIDN'T HAPPEN TO THEM. WHAT IS A RECALL GOING TO TAKE? SOMEONE GETTING HURT OR WORSE?? THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND FORD NEEDS TO BE RESPONSIBLE CLEARLY ITS A MANUFACTURING PROBLEM WHEN THERE'S 1000'S OF CUSTOMERS WITH...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE FRAME WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 138,000.

WELL, MY FORD ESCAPE 2004 LTD EDITION HAD ISSUES SLOWING DOWN. I HAD USED THE CRUISE CONTROL INTERMITTENTLY AND NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED AS IF CRUISE CONTROL WAS ON EVEN AFTER I BRAKED HARD AND CANCELLED THE CRUISE CONTROL. I SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND TRIED TURNING IT BACK ON. WHEN IT STARTED BACK UP, THE VEHICLE REVVED TO 5,000 RPM IN UNDER 5 SECONDS. I DID THIS TWICE WITH THE SAME EFFECT. I BROUGHT IT IN TO MY FORD DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL (ALTHOUGH NOW I SEE THEM ALL OVER THE INTERNET). I GOT A CALL BACK AFTER THIS WHOLE ORDEAL THAT THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND THAT THE SHOCK WAS NOT ATTACHED TO ANYTHING. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON TREND WITH THESE VEHICLES, BUT THERE ARE NO RECALLS. MY DEALERSHIP IS BRINGING IT TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP...

THE RIGHT REAR FENDER WELL HAS RUSTED OUT AROUND THE SHOCK MOUNT CAUSING THE SHOCK MOUNT TO SEPARATE FROM THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. DAUGHTER TOOK ME FOR A RIDE AND I SAT IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE TO TRY AND FIND THE SOURCE OF THE RATTLING. CHECKED THE STORAGE COMPARTMENT FOR THE SPARE, ALL OTHER PARTS AND COULD NOT DETERMINE THE SOURCE. THE NEXT DAY THE NOISE WAS MUCH MORE PRONOUNCED. TOOK IT TO A BODY SHOP AND THEY IMMEDIATELY FOUND THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM, THAT BEING A TOTALLY RUSTED OUT SHOCK/STRUT TOWER. THE BODY SHOP MANAGER SAID HE HAS SEEN THIS ON MULTIPLE ESCAPES. HE REFUSED TO QUOTE THE JOB AS HE DID NOT WANT TO BE LIABLE IN CASE IT DID NOT WORK OUT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACTS OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A HOLE ABOVE THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR BODY PANEL AND AS A RESULT, THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE STRUCTURE OF THE UNIBODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 112,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, SHE HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE AND UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, SHE FOUND THAT THE REAR WHEEL WELL SUFFERED FROM SEVERE CORROSION. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

I HIT A BUMP AND THE BACK OF MY VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A BANGING NOISE AFTERWARD ANY TIME I WENT OVER THE SLIGHTEST BUMP. I TOOK IT TO THE GARAGE AND THE MECHANIC WOULDN'T EVEN TOUCH IT. THE REAR SHOCK MOUNT PLATE IS RUSTED OUT AND HE SAID THE WHEEL WELL IS BREAKING RIGHT OFF THE FRAME. THERE IS NOTHING LEFT AROUND IT - THE METAL WAS ONLY HELD TOGETHER BY UNDERCOATING IN SOME PLACES. HE SAID IT WAS PUSHING DOWN ON THE BRAKE LINE, TOO. I HAVE SEEN SEVERAL INCIDENTS WITH THIS MAKE/MODEL/YEAR AND THE 2005 AS WELL. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS KILLED. MY CHILDREN WERE IN THAT VEHICLE! *TR

NOTICED A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER ARRIVING HOME I CHECKED THE MUFFLER AREA THINKING IT WAS LOOSE WHICH IT WAS NOT. I THEN CHECKED INSIDE OF THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL AND FOUND THAT THE SHOCK THAT WAS ATTACHED TO THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE HAD TOTALLY RUSTED OUT LEAVING A HUGE HOLE IN THE FRAME. THE HOLE NOW LEAVES THE VEHICLE UNSTABLE AND EXPOSED TO ALL ELEMENTS OF THE WEATHER. *TR