2005 FORD ESCAPE Steering Problems

Hello, The engine cradle subframe on my 2005 Ford Escape has completely rusted through on the right hand side where it attaches to the steering control arm. As I was driving the subframe broke which made it impossible to steer the car. This pulled my car off the road to the passenger side. Fortunately I was not injured. Having now researched this issue, it is a common problem with 2005 Ford Escapes. This is very dangerous, and it should be addressed as it creates a life threatening situation.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT UNDISCLOSED SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE DRIFTED TO THE LEFT AND TO THE RIGHT WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE CASE FRAME CROSS-MEMBER RUSTED OUT SEVERELY AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FAILURE WAS RELATED TO MANUFACTURER COMMUNICATION NUMBER: 10013366 (STEERING), HOWEVER, THE 2005 FORD ESCAPES WERE NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VIN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 159,000.

THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILED IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION AND ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT INVOLVING OTHER VEHICLES.

WAS DRIVING LESS THAN 15MPH WHEN SUDDENLY I LOST ALL CONTROL OF STEERING ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE. WHEN I WAS ABLE TO GET HELP AFTER SITTING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR 16 HOURS, I WAS INFORMED THAT ONE OF THE THREE WHEEL BEARINGS HAD SNAPPED. I DID A LITTLE RESEARCH AND FOUND THE RECALL FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL ASSEMBLY AND BEARINGS. I ENTERED MY VIN NUMBER AND IT DIDN'T SAY WHETHER OR NOT IT WOULD BE FIXED. I TAKE PRIDE IN MY VEHICLES AND KEEP THE MAINTENANCE UP TO DATE, THEREFORE I CAN SAY THEY THIS HAPPENED DUE TO FAULTY PARTS AND FEEL LIKE I SHOULD BE ABLE TO HAVE IT FIXED.

THE PASSENGER SIDE SUBFRAME RUSTED OUT AND CORRODED CAUSING THE SUBFRAME TO BREAK, RESULTING IN A VERY UNSAFE AND HAZARDOUS VEHICLE.

WHILE DRIVING HER 2005 FORD ECAPE AFTER COMING TO AN ABRUPT STOP AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. MY DAUGHTER FOUND STEERING EXTREMELY DIFFICULT, WITH VEHICLE PULLING EXTREMELY TO THE RIGHT THEN SWERVING INTO THE OTHER LANE TO THE LEFT UPON TRYING TO CORRECT FOR THE PULL. SHE PULLED THE CAR OVER AND FOUND THAT WITH THE STEERING WHEEL STRAIGHT AHEAD THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WAS POINTING OUTWARD TOWARD THE CURB WITH THE TOP OF THE WHEEL TILTED INWARD TOWARDS THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS UNDRIVABLE AND WAS TOWED HOME. VISUAL INSPECTION BY AN EXPERIENCED MECHANIC FOUND THAT EXTREME CORROSION OF THE SUBFRAME AT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FRONT MOUNTING POINT HAD CAUSED THE SUBFRAME TO SEPERATE AND ALLOW THE LOWER CONTROL ARM TO BEND OUTWARDS AND CAUSE EXTREME MISALIGNMENT.

CROSS OVER ON PASSENGER SIDE RUSTED IN HALF,THE EXACT SAME THING THAT WASTE CALLED ON THE 2001-2004,MY WIFE WAS DRIVING WITH TWO OF MY GRANDCHILDREN WITH HER WHEN IT BROKE,THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND SERIOUS SITUATION,I FEEL FORD SHOULD FIX MY VEHICLE,IT WAS MANUFACTURED IN2004,I WILL TAKE IT TO COURT IF NECESSARY, INNOCENT PEOPLE COULD GET KILLED,IT IS THE EXACT SAME RECALL AS THE YEAR BEFORE AND WAS MANUFACTURED IN THAT YEAR OF THE RECALL MY ESCAPE HAS NO OTHER RUST ON IT ANYWHERE,I HAVE PICS TO PROVE IT,MY WIFE WAS JUST GETTING READY TO TURN INTO A DRIVEWAY FROM A CITY STREET

TAKATA RECALL THE 01 THRU 04 WERE RECALLED FOR SAME PROBLEM THE FRONT SUBFRAME RUSTED IN TO CAUSING THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL TO WONDER ALL OVER IF DROVE ANY MORE WOULD HAVE CAUSE A SERIOUS WRECK I WAS DRIVING VEHICLE WHEN I NOTICED THAT IT FELT LIKE THE FRONT WHEEL WAS COMING OFF LUCKILY I WAS ONLY A COUPLE MILES FROM HOME THE DAY BEFORE I TOOK MY GRANDSON TO CHARLESTON WV TO MEET HIS MOM IF IT WOULD HAVE BROKEN ON I 77 AT 70 PLUS MILES AN HR COULD HAVE BEEN TRAGIC IT BEING THE SAME ISSUE WITH EARLY MODELS AND FORD SENT A BAR TO TRY N FIX IT A JOKE JUST LEARN THIS ON INTERNET

LAST YEAR I NOTICED THE RUST AROUND DOORS AND WHEELS, IM RETIRED & A DISABLED 77 YR OLD MAN SO I DRIVE IT ONCE A WEEK. OVER THE SUMMER I NOTICE IT HANDLING FUNNY, HAD IT SERVICED AND INSPECTED. I WAS ON ROUTE 30 A MILE FROM MY HOUSE IT STARTED SHAKING & MAKING A HORRIBLE NOISE, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VIBRATING, I BARELY MANAGED GETTING WHEELS TO TURN IT OFF THE HWY, I THOUGHT TO MYSELF, THIS [XXX] THING FEELS LIKE IT'S GONNA FALL APART, HOME WAS 1/4 MILE, NOISE & VIBRATING CONTINUED, STRUGGLED TURNING WHEEL INTO MY DRIVEWAY, PARKED IT, GOT OUT AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL IS TILTED WAY OUT. MY SON JACKED IT UP AND SAID MY LOWER CONTROL ARM IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT OR THRU AND BROKEN OFF AND IT IS ALL RUSTED BAD UNDERNEATH & SAID IT'S SCRAPE. PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN...

WHILE GOING ONTO A FREEWAY ONRAMP AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MILES PER HOUR, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST ALL POWER, ALL LIGHTS CAME ON, THE ABILITY TO STEER AND BRAKE WAS AFFECTED BY TOTAL POWER LOSS. THE VEHICLE DID NOT DISPLAY ANY ISSUES LEADING UP TO THIS BUT NEARLY RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT BY THE INABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE AND GET IT OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AFTER BEING TOWED, THE AUTO SHOP DIAGNOSED A P0354, P0351, P0355, P0352 IGNITION COILS, AND PCM FAILURE. MY RESEARCH SHOWS THERE ARE MULTIPLE CLAIMS OF THIS OCCURRING AND IT IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE.

I AM TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG AND IF THERE ARE ANY RECALLS..MY SUV HAS A VIBRATION WHEN I EXCEL RATE AND LET OFF IT WHICH SHAKES THE WHEEL.I HAD IT CHECKED AND THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING..WHAT IS THIS PROBLEM,I HAVE JUST BOUGHT THE CAR IN DEC 17..TY

TERRIFYING! POTENTIALLY FATAL . POWER JUST CUT OUT ON HIGHWAY WHILE GOING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH. NO STEERING, NO BRAKES. NO POWER. ALL WARRING LIGHTS ABLAZE, BUT NO WARNING BEFOREHAND! GRATEFULLY, I WAS IN THE RIGHT LANE AND MANAGED TO GET THE CAR INTO THE MEDIAN. AFTER SEVERAL MINUTES, CAR RESTARTED. LUCKILY I WAS ONLY 1/4 MILE FROM THE EXIT. I READ ABOUT THIS WELL KNOWN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. IT IS THE PCM. APPARENTLY FORD USED FAULTY SPARK PLUGS. THE FIX IS TOO COSTLY. I WILL HAVE TO PURCHASE A NEW VEHICLE. FORD RECALLED THE 2005 ESCAPE HYBRID BUT NOT THIS MODEL? CRIMINAL

AFTER BREAKING WHILE IN TRAFFIC, MY CAR SWERVED UNEXPECTEDLY ON TO SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND AFTERWARDS MY STEERING WHEEL WAS AT A STRANGE ANGLE. I IMMEDIATELY TOOK MY CAR TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CAR HAD EXCESSIVE CORROSION OF FRONT SUBFRAME CROSSBRACE AND LOWER CONTROL ARM RESULTING IN A SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. A RECALL WAS ISSUED ON 2001-2004 FORD ESCAPES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AS MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE. 2005 MODELS SHOULD ALSO BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING ABILITY WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT, AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, STATED THAT THE IDLER PULLEY BOLT FRACTURED IN HALF AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT IMMEDIATELY. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. A DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THAT THERE WAS NO RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000. *LN

WHEN I WAS DRIVING I HEARD SOME LOUD NOISE AND WHEN I STOPPED I FOUND THAT THE REAR PASSENGER STRUT SHOT UP THRU THE BACK INTERIOR OF THE CAR.THIS WAS DUE TO THE ENTIRE WHEEL WELL RUSTING OUT.I ALSO WAS DRIVING ANOTHER TIME WHEN THE FRONT END STARTED TO SHAKE.I STOPPED AND GOT OUT AND SEEN THAT THE FRONT TIRES WERE FACING SIDEWAYS.THE TIE ROD BROKE.I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT OR KILLED.

POWER STEERING FAILURE WHILE PARKED ON CITY STREET.

I WAS DRIVING WITH MY DAUGHTER IN THE CAR CAME TO A STOP AND THE SUB FRAME BEING ROTTED COLLAPSED AND MY TIRE KINKED OUT.

WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT WARNING, THE POWER STEERING COMPLETELY FAILS. ONCE STOPPED AND THE CAR IS RESTARTED, THE POWER STEERING WILL WORK OK UNTIL IT FAILS AGAIN AT AN UNKNOWN TIME. THE CAR IS NEARLY ALWAYS IN MOTION BUT HAS FAILED UPON STARTUP WHILE IN PARK. FREQUENCY IS RANDOM OVER THE LAST SIX OR MORE YEARS. THE LAST TWO TIMES WAS TODAY. TURNING CAR OFF AND ON USUALLY RESETS THE FUNCTION BACK TO OPERATING.

DROVE FROM WASHINGTON STATE TO UTAH ON FAMILY VACATION 14NOV15. FILLED UP WITH GAS IN BOISE, I.D. AND 1 MILE INTO THAT DRIVE FELT A SURGE AND THEN SLIGHT LOSS OF POWER DRIVING AT 70MPH. THEN IT WAS FINE. WHEN WE GOT INTO SPANISH FORK, UT. WE HAD A LOSS OF POWER WHEN WE CAME OFF THE HIGH WAY AND CONTACTED OUR FRIEND WHO'S DAD OWNS HIS OWN MECHANIC SHOP K&K AUTO IN SPANISH FORK, UT. HE GOT THE CODES CLEARED AND SAID THE CODES WERE NOT MAKING ANY SENSE AS TO THE POSSIBLE LOSS IN POWER. THE VEHICLE RAN REAL GOOD AFTER GETTING CODES CLEARED. THE NEXT MORNING WE HEADED OUT ON I15 ON OUR TRIP TO OUR VACATION DESTINATION AND IT DID IT AGAIN AS WE GOT ON THE HIGH WAY, I USE AN INJECTOR CLEANER IN CASE THAT WAS THE PROBLEM AS MY FRIENDS DAD HAD SUGGESTED....

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT STEERING PROPERLY AND PULLED TO THE RIGHT. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUBFRAME FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000.

THE SUB-FRAME RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING BOTH FRONT WHEELS TO TOE OUT AND ALSO TO CAMBER IN AT THE TOP. THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ALSO TRIGGERED. THE STEERING NOW PULLS TO THE LEFT AND THERE IS TIRE SQUEEL EVEN ON GRADUAL RIGHT HAND TURNS. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM FOR THE FORD ESCAPE MODEL YEARS 2001-2004. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT THIS SAME PROBLEM EXISTS FOR THIS MODEL YEAR 2005 FORD ESCAPE. I VERIFIED THAT MY VIN WAS NOT COVERED IN THE RECALL. I THEN CALLED FORD TO SEE IF THEY WOULD REMEDY THE PROBLEM AS IT WAS OBVIOUS THAT THIS WAS THE SAME PROBLEM AS IN THEIR OTHER RECALL - THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T HELP. THIS IS A LOW MILEAGE, WELL MAINTAINED VEHICLE SO IT SHOULD BE OBVIOUS THAT THE SUB-FRAME IS FAULTY.

MID DAY, MILD WEATHER IN THE 70'S, POWER STEERING WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING, ALMOST HAD AN ACCIDENT AS I WAS IN A TURN, IT'S REALLY HARD TO TURN THIS VEHICLE. WHY IS THERE NOT A RECALL FOR THIS SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE?

SUB-FRAME RUST PROBLEM. THERE WAS A RECALL ON 2001 TO 2004 FORD ESCAPE FOR THIS PROBLEM. FORD MOTOR COMPANY HAS RECALLED ESCAPE CROSSOVERS FROM MODEL YEARS 2001-2004 IN STATES THAT USE A LOT OF ROAD SALT. IN AFFECTED VEHICLES, PART OF THE CAR COULD SUFFER DAMAGE FROM RUST AND EVEN LOSE STEERING CONTROL.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STAY IN POSITION AND VEERED LEFT OR RIGHT. THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WAS CORROSION AROUND THE REAR PASSENGER SHOCKS AND WHEEL HOUSE AREA. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 158,000.

WHILE DRIVING, I NOTICED THAT MY STEERING WHEEL WAS NOT ALIGNED. I DIDN'T NOTICE IT WAS LIKE THIS UNTIL I WAS ALREADY DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. WHEN I STOPPED, I CHECKED MY TIRES AND THOUGHT THAT THEY LOOKED SLIGHTLY OFF. IT SEEMED AS IF THE PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WAS POINTED SLIGHTLY OUTWARD. THE CAR SAT IN MY DRIVEWAY FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS AND IT APPEARED TO HAVE GOTTEN WORSE. I TOOK MY CAR OUT FOR A TEST DRIVE AND NOTICED THAT EACH TIME I TURNED THE WHEEL, THE TIRES SCREECHED. I TOOK THE CAR TO A SHOP AND AFTER GIVING IT AN EVALUATION, THEY SAID THAT THE CONTROL ROD WAS RUSTED AND STARTING TO BREAK. AFTER SOME RESEARCH ONLINE, IT LOOKED LIKE THERE WAS A RECALL ON 2001-2004 FORD ESCAPES FOR THE SAME ISSUE THAT I WAS HAVING.

I HAD PURCHASED A USED ESCAPE, IN VERY GOOD CONDITION, IN AUG 2014. I BOUGHT FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER, A FAMILY MEMBER, WITH ONLY 55K MILEAGE OVER THEIR 10 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP (THEY WERE UPGRADING). I DROVE THE CAR AN ADDITIONAL 1,500 MILES HERE (TO 56K, TOTAL) OVER MY FIRST TWO MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP, AND THE CAR HAD PASSED ALL ITS REGULAR ANNUAL INSPECTIONS. SUDDENLY ONE NIGHT ON THE ROAD THE CAR'S ENGINE BEGAN CHUGGING WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO TRAVEL BEYOND 45MPH, AND A BLINKING YELLOW CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED. UPON RESTARTING THAT INDICATOR DID NOT COME BACK ON, BUT THE ENGINE WAS STILL SLUGGISH AND SO I ATTEMPTED TO COAST HOME AT MANAGED SPEEDS (AS I WAS ONLY A MILE AWAY) TO HAVE A MECHANIC CHECK IT OUT DURING BUSINESS HOURS. I DIDN'T EVEN MAKE IT HOME. THE ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON FULL AND I SOON LOST POWER COMPLETELY,...

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY IN THE FAST LANE AT 60MPH AND A CAR CUT ME SHORT AND BRAKE SO I APPLIED MY BRAKE MY WHEEL HAD YANKED TO THE LEFT AND I TRIED TO GAIN CONTROL OF THE WHEEL BY PULLING IT TO THE RIGHT BUT IT YANKED AGAIN TO THE LEFT CAUSING ME TO HIT INTO THE MEDIAN DUE TO THE IMPACT MY CAR TURNED OVER AND DRAGGED ACROSS THE OTHER 3 LANES AND TITLED BACK OVER. ALTHOUGH MY CAR IS TOTALED I SUSTAINED MINOR INJURY TO MY NECK AND LEFT SIDE. ALSO MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR

WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SHOCK PUNCTURED THROUGH A COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT REAR WHEEL WELL ON MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CAR IS UNDRIVABLE AND THE AUTO REPAIR/BODY SHOP QUOTED ME $3,000.00 TO REPAIR THIS. I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY STATED THAT ONLY THE 2001-2004 MODELS ARE COVERED UNDER A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. . *TR

THE VEHICLE'S REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL RUSTED OUT COMPLETELY. THIS ALLOWED THE REAR SHOCK TO BECOME DANGEROUSLY LOOSE AND PRODUCED A LOUD BANGING NOISE. HAD THE SHOCK COME LOOSE THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A SUBSTANTIAL LOSS OF STEERING. CAR IS NOW UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

SEVERE RUST RIGHT REAR SHOCK TOWER UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

BASED ON LOCAL SERVICE OF MY VEHICLE, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE POWER RETURN LINE MUST BE REPLACED AT THE DEALERSHIP. THERE IS INFORMATION FROM FORD CORPORATION THAT DESCRIBES A STEERING NOISE (CLUNK AND RATTLE) FOR ALL FORD ESCAPES (2005 MODELS) STATED IN A DOCUMENT (#TSB 06-17-3) BY FORD. PART NUMBER TO BE REPLACED IS 6L8Z-3A713-K IS THIS SOMETHING THAT IS DANGEROUS AND HAS THE COMPANY MADE A DECISION ON RECALLING THE VEHICLE? *TR

I DRIVE A 2005 FORD ESCAPE IN A 'SALT BELT' STATE - NEW YORK. I WAS RECENTLY MADE AWARE PER MY FORMER MECHANIC BY RIGHT REAR WELL / SUB FRAME HAS COMPLETELY CORRODED TO WHERE MY SHOCK TOWER HITS THE INSIDE OF MY TRUNK. THE REPLACEMENT IS OVER $1050. I KNOW THAT THE 2001-2004 FORD ESCAPES WERE RECALLED FOR THIS SAME REASON. THIS IS HIGHLY DANGEROUS TO MYSELF AND OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD. IT IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR THE 2005'S TO NOT BE RECALLED. SEE LINK BELOW: HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/NEWS/2014/FORD-RECALLS-ESCAPE-RUSTED-SUBFRAME.SHTML. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY FORD ESCAPE 2005 AND IT COMPLETELY SHUTS OFF, THE STEERING WHEEL GOT VERY HARD!!! IT WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER, *TR

I PURCHASED CAR IN JANUARY 2005, FIRST TIME OF THIS INCIDENT WAS IN 2007, NOVEMBER, BUT IT HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM DURING THE WINTER MONTHS MORE SO THAN SUMMER. I AM SO NERVOUS ABOUT HAVING AN ACCIDENT I JUST WANT IT FIXED. I HAVE IT AT A FORD DEALER RIGHT NOW AND IT IS GOING TO COST ME $650.00 TO HAVE THIS REPAIRED. I CERTAINLY HOPE THIS WILL FIX THE PROBLEM, BUT I DO NOT HAVE FAITH HERE. *TR

AFTER A RECENT ROAD TRIP, I HEARD A CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE. CHECKED ITEMS IN CARGO AREA, SPARE TIRE, JACK AND EVEN CHECKED TO MAKE SURE BACK SEAT WAS SECURE. CLUNKING NOISE WAS THE SHOCK HITTING THE UNDERSIDE OF VEHICLE. THE SHOCK ASSEMBLY WAS NO LONGER ATTACHED, IT WAS RUSTED UNDER THE WHEEL WELL AROUND THE SHOCK ASSEMBLY. SO WITH EVERY BUMP IN THE ROAD, IT WAS CLANKING AROUND. VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE FOR FEAR THAT THE SHOCK WOULD BREAK AND CAUSE A TIRE BLOW OUT OR WORSE CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I TOOK IT TO A PRIVATE AUTO BODY SHOP WHICH COST ME $900 TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE. THE DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL WELL IS DOING THE SAME THING AND I MAY NOT HAVE A FUEL TANK EVENTUALLY. THIS NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED AND TAKEN CARE OF. I LOVE MY VEHICLE AND LOVE...

THIS SAFETY ISSUE REQUIRES IMMEDIATE ATTENTION BY BOTH THE NHTSA AND FORD: 61 NHTSA COMPLAINTS FILED TO DATE: '04- 16; '05- 45. VEHICLE TAKEN TO FORD DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE. SERVICE NOTIFIED THAT A FORWARD LOWER BALL JOINT WAS FAILING, NO OTHER DEFECTS WERE NOTED IN THE DETAILED VISUAL INSPECTION. IT WAS REPLACED TWO DAYS LATER. THE FOLLOWING DAY OF THE REPAIR, ON A DAILY COMMUTE BETWEEN TOL TO DTW, THE RIGHT REAR SHOCK TOWER SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH. VEHICLE BEGAN DOG-TRACKING. INITIAL INSPECTION DID NOT REVEAL THE HIDDEN DAMAGE CAUSED BY CORROSION AT THE WELDED SEAMS OF THE INNER WHEEL WELL DUE TO AN UNDERBODY COATING. UPON REMOVING THE UNDERCOATING, VERY EASILY BY HAND, TWO LARGE SECTIONS REMOVED, REVEALED THE SHOCK WAS PENETRATING THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE AND WAS NO LONGER BEING STRUCTURALLY SUPPORTED BY THE VEHICLES UNI-BODY FRAME. THE LARGE SECTIONS REMOVED WOULD HAVE CAUSED TIRE...

THE RIGHT REAR UPPER SHOCK MOUNT COMPLETELY RUSTED THRU THE TRUNK AREA&WAS PROTRUDING UP ABOUT A FOOT INTO TRUNK AREA-VERY GLAD I WASN'T GOING FAST WHEN THIS HAPPENED!!MOST LIKELY WOULD HAVE LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE!!!!!!!!!THIS IS ONE OF FORDS BEST IDEAS EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!VERY THIN SHEET METAL WITH A THICKER PIECE WELDED TO IT TO SUPPORT 1 SIDE OF A VEHICLE.YEAH,THAT IS COMMON SENSE AT THE FINEST!!!!! THANKYOU FORD ENGINEERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!&DESIGNERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! THESE SAME COMMON SENSE PEOPLE HOPEFULLY PUT OUT A RECALL SO PEOPLE CAN GET IT FIXED&GET SOME MONEY BACK!! I DID HAVE MINE FIXED RIGHT AWAY_IT'S THE ONLY VEHICLE I HAVE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN OIL LEAK FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE HIGH POWER STEERING HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED BECAUSE THE PARTS NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE REPAIR WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

WAS ON AN ACCESS ROAD ONTO INTERSTATE 4 IN TAMPA, CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN AND I WAS ABLE TO BARELY STEER IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, SINCE IT WAS A LARGE OVERPASS I HAD MORE THAN TYPICAL ROOM TO GET THE CAR STOPPED. LATER I WAS TOLD BY THE FORD DEALERSHIP THAT COILS WERE DAMAGED AND PCM COMPUTER WENT OUT. I CHECKED CARCOMPLAINTS.COM AND I FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FOR THIS SAME ISSUE WITH COST TO FIX IT FROM $1300 TO $2700. EVIDENTLY FORD IS AWARE OF THIS TOTAL ENGINE SHUT DOWN PROBLEM THAT IS CAUSED BY A COMPUTER FAILURE. IN MOST CASES PEOPLE ARE DRIVING THE CAR AND IT COMPLETELY STALLS WITH LITTLE OR NO WARNING AND MINIMAL MANEUVERABILITY. I WAS FORTUNATE IT HAPPENED ON THE OVERPASS AND NOT ON THE BUSY INTERSTATE. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO STEER AND WOULD SPORADICALLY SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE DEALER MADE TWO ATTEMPTS TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE BY REPLACING THE RACK AND PINION HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 203,481 AND THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,500.

LOUD SQUEAKY NOISE FROM RIGHT FRONT END. TOOK TO MECHANIC. THEY SAY BOTH FRONT GREASE BOOTS ARE CRACKED WHICH ALLOWS DIRT, DUST, ETC. TO GET IN AND UP AROUND THE BALL JOINTS AND TIE ROD ASSEMBLIES. THE RIGHT FRONT BALL JOINT HAD GONE BAD DUE TO THIS BOOT CRACK SO WE HAD TO REPLACE IT. THEY RECOMMEND REPLACING BOTH TIE RODS, BOOTS AND BALL JOINTS, BUT WE COULD ONLY AFFORD TO REPLACE THE BALL JOINT THAT WAS BAD AT THIS TIME BECAUSE WE JUST SPENT $3350 PUTTING A NEW TRANSMISSION IN THE CAR. THIS VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 50,000 MILES ON IT. UNBELIEVABLE!!!! WHAT IS FORD BUILDING THESE CARS WITH??? I SUSPECT THE CHEAPEST PARTS THEY CAN GET REGARDLESS OF THEIR QUALITY SO THEY CAN MAKE MORE MONEY. IN THE MEANTIME THE AVERAGE WORKING FAMILY HAS TO PAY TWICE FOR A VEHICLE'S PARTS THAT SHOULD NOT GO BAD SO QUICKLY....

I AM A WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER AND WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 4.5 HOURS AWAY FROM HOME TO SHOOT A WEDDING I HAD PROBLEMS ABOUT 2 HOURS INTO MY TRIP. I WAS ON INTERSTATE 20 JUST OUTSIDE OF COLUMBIA, SC. I WAS IN THE LEFT HAND LANE BEHIND A SEMI TRUCK, THERE WAS ANOTHER SEMI TRUCK IN THE RIGHT LANE BESIDE ME AND BEHIND ME I HAD A LARGE VAN. I WAS GOING ABOUT 65-70 WHEN SUDDENLY, THE CAR LOST ALL POWER INCLUDING THE STEERING AND ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS BLINKED ON. I SOMEHOW REGAINED CONTROL OF THE CAR BY SHIFTING IN NEUTRAL AND RESTARTING. I HATE TO THINK WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED HAD I NOT BEEN ABLE TO REACT AS FAST AS I DID AS THE VAN BEHIND ME HAD TO SLAM ON HIS BREAKS TO KEEP FROM HITTING ME. ONCE THE SEMI TRUCK WAS CLEARED OF THE RIGHT LANE I GOT...

TOOK MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE IN FOR AN INSPECTION AND WAS TOLD IT WOULD NOT PASS UNLESS I HAD THE LEFT FRONT TIE ROD REPLACED. BEFORE FRIDAY, I HAD NEVER EVEN HEARD OF A TIE ROD, MUCH LESS HAD TO HAVE ONE REPLACED. I HAD SEVERAL USED VEHICLES BEFORE I GOT MY NEW ESCAPE IN 2004 AND NONE OF THEM EVER HAD TO HAVE A TIE ROD REPLACED. LONG STORY SHORT, BOTH FRONT TIE RODS WERE REPLACED, A FRONT END ALIGNMENT HAD TO BE PERFORMED AND ALL TOTAL IT COST ME $690.00. I'M VERY UPSET ABOUT IT, BECAUSE I TAKE EXCELLENT CARE OF MY CAR AND WAS HAVING NO STEERING PROBLEMS WHATSOEVER. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS PART THAT I WASN'T MADE AWARE OF AND IF ANYONE ELSE HAD TO HAVE ONE OR MORE TIE RODS REPLACED. *TR

WHEN ENTERING A HIGHWAY WE HIT A DEEP GROOVE IN THE ROAD AND THEN PROCEEDED ONTO THE HIGHWAY. WITHIN 10 SECONDS THE CAR WHEELS AND STEERING WHEEL WENT OUT OF CONTROL. THE CAR WEAVED AND BOBBED FOR ABOUT 200 FEET UNCONTROLLABLE. I WAS TOLD THE STEERING RACK AND TIE ROD SNAPPED. WE HIT SOMEONE WHILE OUR CAR SPUN AROUND INTO ON COMING TRAFFIC AND WE FLEW INTO THE GUARD RAIL AT SUCH FORCE THE CAR LIFTED AND GOT LODGED ON THE GUARD RAIL. THIS PROBABLY SAVED OUR LIVES BECAUSE AT THAT POINT WE HAD DONE A 180 AND WERE FACING ONCOMING TRAFFIC. CAN NOT GET AN HELP FROM FORD. *TR

NOTICED A RATTLING IN FRONT END, CREAKING NOISE WHEN TURNING TOWARDS THE RIGHT, AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEM TELLING ME IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER MY BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY, I TOOK IT TO A FRONT-END SPECIALIST IN MY TOWN. THE PASSENGERS SWAY BAR LINK HAD TO BE REPLACED, NOW 3 MONTHS LATER, SAME NOISE DIFFERENT SIDE. TOOK IT TO THE SAME PLACE AND THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE DRIVERS SIDE SWAY BAR LINK. THE FRONT END PLACE COMMENTED THAT THEY FIX A LARGE NUMBER OF THESE ON ESCAPES, MORE THAN ANY OTHER CAR. CURRENTLY THE PARTS CAN ONLY BE BOUGHT FROM FORD, WHICH MEANS THEY WILL GO BAD AGAIN IN 2 1/2 YEARS! *TR

2005 FORD ESCAPE. NOISE IN THE FRONT END WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT ANY SPEED. HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE ON THREE SEPARATE APPOINTMENTS FOR THE SAME THING. FIRST THEY SAID IT WAS DUE TO A RECALL ON THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE. THE SECOND TIME THEY BLAMED IT ON TIRE ROTATION NEED. THE THIRD AND FINAL TIME TO THIS PARTICULAR SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THEY SAID IT WAS IN NEED OF A FOUR WHEEL ALIGNMENT BUT THE NOISE WOULD STILL BE PRESENT. THE VEHICLE DID NOT PULL LEFT OR RIGHT. I REFUSED THEIR SERVICE THIS TIME BUT THEY DIDN'T SEEM TO CARE ABOUT LOSING A CUSTOMER. THAT WAS THEIR DEMEANOR EVERYTIME I WENT THERE. *NM

2005 FORD ESCAPE XLT: PULLS TO THE LEFT, VIBRATION IN FRONT, STEERING POOR. IT'S BEEN SERVICED AT THE DEALER 3 TIMES: AT 2000 MILES, 2600 MILES, AND 3800 MILES. IT'S GOING BACK A 4TH TIME. THANK GOD FOR THE LEMON LAW IN MN. THIS IS A SERIOUS STEERING DEFECT FROM THE FACTORY. FORD NEEDS TO CORRECT THIS BEFORE THEY LOOSE ALL MARKET SHARE TO QUALITY MANUFACTURERS LIKE HONDA AND TOYOTA.