2005 FORD ESCAPE Structurebody Problems

RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL IS SO RUSTED OUT THAT THE SHOCK MOUNT HAS COMPLETELY DETACHED FROM THE BODY. DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE. 2005 FORD ESCAPE XLT.

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A SIDE STREET AND HIT A SMALL BUMP AND HEARD A LOUD BANGING NOISE ON THE RIGHT REAR OF MY VEHICLE. I THEN THOUGHT MAYBE I HAD NOT SHUT THE BACK DOOR OR BACK HATCH PROPERLY. I STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND OPENED AND SHUT BOTH AND RESUMED DRIVING TO WORK. I CONTINUED TO HEAR THE BANGING NOISE AS I DROVE AND WAS VERY CONCERNED. UPON ARRIVING AT WORK I ASKED A CO-WORKER TO TAKE A LOOK AT IT FOR ME. IT WAS THEN THAT HE POINTED OUT TO ME THE RIGHT REAR UPPER SHOCK MOUNT WAS ONLY HANGING ON BY A SMALL PIECE OF RUSTED METAL AND MY ENTIRE WHEEL WELL HAD ROTTED AWAY AND I COULD SEE THE INTERIOR OF MY VEHICLE. WE LOOKED AT THE REST OF THE WHEELS AND THERE WAS NO RUST AT ALL ON ANY OTHER WHEEL WELL. I FEEL VERY...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE WHEEL WELL WAS FRACTURED AND EXPOSED THE SHOCK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

THE REAR WHEEL WELLS ARE SO RUSTED OUT THAT THERE IS NOTHING TO HOLD THE SHOCK AND SHOCK ABSORBER IN PLACE. THE AREA YOU PUT FUEL IN THE VEHICLE IS ALSO RUSTED OUT. WHEN WILL FORD START BACKING UP THEIR PRODUCTS???

THE RIGHT REAR FENDER WHEEL WELL HAS RUSTED THROUGH ALSO AFFECTING THE SHOCK MOUNT CREATING A LOUD BANGING IN THE CABIN. MY LOCAL FORD DEALER HAS NEVER SEEN THIS AND DID NOT WANT TO ATTEMPT THE REPAIR BECAUSE OF THE COST. THEY ALSO REFERRED ME TO A REPUTABLE BODY SHOP IN TOWN AND HE ALSO NEVER SAW THIS BEFORE. HE SUGGESTED THIS WEBSITE TO FILE A COMPLAINT. I HAVE NOW RESEARCHED THIS AND SEE A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS TOO. HAS FORD DONE ANYTHING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM?

MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL CRACKED. THE SHOCK ABSORBER IS HARDLY ATTACHED AND IS A SAFETY ISSUE. IF IT FALLS OFF IT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR WHEEL WELL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE PART NOT BEING AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE REAR WHEEL WELL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE NOISES RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT BOTH REAR WHEEL WELLS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

THE VEHICLE BEGAN MAKING A CLUNCKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END. AFTER INSPECTION, I FOUND NOTHING WRONG. CONTINUING WITH THE CLUNCK NOISE, I HAD TO REMOVE THE JACK TO ELIMINATE THAT AS THE SOURCE. THE NOISE CONTINUED. I REMOVED THE REAR PANEL AND FOUND THE ENTIRE REAR WHEEL WELL RUSTED SO BADLY I COULD SEE STRAIGHT THROUGH TO THE TIRE. IT LOOKED LIKE, AT ANY MOMENT, THE ENTIRE REAR PASSENGER SIDE COULD DISINTEGRATE AND CAUSE HAVOC ON THE OTHER COMPONENTS SUCH AS THE SUSPENSION AND NEWER TIRES. IT COST ME NEARLY $700 TO HAVE THE WHEEL WELL REPLACED.

HEARD A THUDDING FROM REAR END. LOOKED UNDERNEATH AS NOTHING LOOSE IN THE VEHICLE. THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL IS VERY RUSTED. NO SUPPORT FOR SHOCKS. THERE WAS AN UNDERCOATING WITH DEBRIS UNDER IT. TOOK OUT A LOT OF SLUDGE/RUST/DEBRIS FROM UNDER THAT COATING. BODY SHOP SAYS $5000 TO FIX IT PROPERLY, AND THE OTHER SIDE IS STARTING TO RUST AS WELL (DRIVER REAR WHEEL WELL).

HEARD LOUD NOISE FROM REAR OF VEHICLE ESPECIALLY AT LOW SPEEDS. REMOVED INSIDE PANEL TO FIND THAT REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING SHOCK MOUNT TO TEAR THROUGH FRAME AND WAS NO LONGER ATTACHED TO FRAME. CONSULTED WITH FORD, NO RECALL FOR THIS MODEL YEAR,,,BUT FOR PREVIOUS YEAR AND FOLLOWING YEAR?!! TOOK VEHICLE TO BODY SHOP FOR REPAIRS. VEHICLE FOR KIDS AND DEEMED UNSAFE OR DANGEROUS FOR THEM. FORD...I BUY A LOT OF VEHICLES FROM YOU...YOU NEED TO MAKE THIS RIGHT FOR US!

PASSENGER REAR WELL RUSTED - SHOCK LOOSE NOT ATTACHED TO ANYTHING - LET GO WHEN DRIVING IN RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD BLOCKS FROM HOME. 8 INCH BY 8 INCH CHUNK RUSTED AWAY FROM THE WHEEL WELL.

WHILE DRIVING HIT A POT HOLE AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE CAR. UPON INSPECTION THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL HOUSE IS RUSTED OUT, CAUSING THE SHOCK TO BREAK LOOSE FROM THE BODY AND TEAR INTO THE REAR COMPARTMENT. VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVABLE UNTIL FIXED. PART IS ON BACKORDER.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL WAS CORRODED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE DEALER DEEMED THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 7/21/15*CN UPDATED 9/23/15 *JS

PURCHASED JUNE 2005 AS A USED VEHICLE W/ 18,000 MILES. ALWAYS GARAGE KEPT. NOTICED A POPPING NOISE FROM THE PASSAGE REAR. INVESTIGATED AND FOUND THE INNER WHEEL WELL. AREA WERE THE SHOCK BOLT'S TO HAS ALMOST COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. READ OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVING SAME ISSUES ON THE INTERNET. CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE UNTIL REPAIRED. WILL CONSULT A BODY SHOP ON REPAIRS. FORD NEEDS TO MAN UP AND OFFER A FIX FOR THIS ISSUE! *TR

ONE DAY I NOTICED THAT SOME OF THE UNDERCOATING IN THE REAR RIGHT WHEN WAS GONE, UPON FURTHER INSPECTION I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS HOLE IN THE WHEEL WELL. AFTER RESEARCHING ONLINE, I LEARNED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. ALTHOUGH MY PROBLEM IS NOT AS SERIOUS AS SOME OF THE STORIES I READ, I STILL FEEL THAT IT IS SAFETY ISSUE AND AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. AS TIME GOES BY THE RUST WILL CONTINUE TO GROW AND I'M AFRAID OF THE CONSEQUENCES. I CALLED FORD TO VOICE MY CONCERN, BUT THEY SAID THAT THEY ARE NOT DOING ANYTHING TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. JUST LIKE EVERYONE, I WANT PEOPLE TO BE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND HOPEFULLY FORD WILL REALIZED THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

WE STARTED TO NOTICE A "CLUNKY" NOISE COMING FROM THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL HUB. UPON INSPECTION, THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL HUB IS OVER 50% RUSTED OUT. THE LEFT REAR WHEEL HUB IS INTACT. WE CAN NOT DRIVE VEHICLE FEARING A STRUCTURAL FAILURE WILL RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT OR INJURY. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE ON THE INTERNET, IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS MODEL, AND OTHER FORD MODELS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR AN UNRELATED REPAIR AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

I HAVE A 2005 FORD ESCAPE TOOK IT TO A SHOP TODAY BECAUSE OF THE BANGING FROM THE SUSPENSION. WHEN THE MECHANIC PUT THE CAR ON THE LIFT HE SAW THAT THE ENTIRE WHEEL WELL AROUND THE SHOCK ABSORBER WAS RUSTED COMPLETELY OUT. THE EXTRA STRESS ON THE SHOCK ABSORBER CAUSED THE BOLT ON THE TOP TO BREAK OFF. THE STRESS ALSO CAUSED THE REAR BREAK LINE TO FRAY ALMOST TO THE POINT OF BREAKING COMPLETELY. THIS CAR IS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE. I AM JUST HAPPY THAT MY BREAK LINE DIDN'T BREAK WHILE I WAS ON THE ROAD. I DO NOT REALLY KNOW WHAT OPTIONS I HAVE WITH THE CAR SINCE IT IS THE ONLY CAR I OWN AND I HAVE NO OTHER WAY TO GET TO AND FROM WORK. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE TRAVELING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE INNER REAR FENDER AND THE REAR SHOCKS DETERIORATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PARTS WERE RUSTED AND COULD FRACTURE AT ANY MOMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.

I WAS DRIVING AND BEGAN TO HEAR A LOUD NOISE I STOPPED AND LOOKED, THE FENDER WELL HAD FALLEN HALF WAY OFF. IT WAS RUSTED ALL THE WAY THROUGH. I HAD TO CALL A TOW TRUCK AND STILL CANNOT USE MY CAR BECAUSE I CANT AFFORD TO REPLACE THIS PART. SHOULDN'T FORD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS IT IS A FLAW IN THE BODY. *TR

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD GOING APPROX. 40 MPH, I HEARD A LOUD NOISE FROM BY BACK PASSENGER SIDE TIRED. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER TO SEE WHAT CAUSED THE NOISE. UPON INSPECTION, I NOTICED THE WHEEL WELL THAT SUPPORTS THE BACK SHOCK WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE SHOCK HAD BROKE THROUGH THE RUSTED WHEEL WELL AND WAS PRESSED UP AGAINST THE INSIDE INTERIOR OF MY CAR. THE REST OF MY WHEEL WELLS ARE IN FINE CONDITION. WHEN I RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ONLINE, THERE ARE MANY, MANY CUSTOMERS THAT HAVE HAD THIS EXACT PROBLEM WITH 2005 FORD ESCAPES. IT IS ONLY THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. THIS NEEDS TO BE RESEARCHED AND CORRECTED BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT. *TR

THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL AND SHOCK MOUNT IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. WHEN I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE USED, I DROVE IT AND HEARD A SLIGHT CLUNKING SOMEWHERE IN THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. I THOUGHT MAYBE THE SHOCKS WERE BAD. I CONTINUED TO DRIVE IT, HOPING TO REPLACE THE SHOCKS. RECENTLY THE NOISE BECAME VERY LOUD AND DISTURBING. I LOOKED AT THE SHOCK AREA AND DISCOVERED THE WHOLE AREA ON THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL AND SHOCK MOUNT ARE RUSTED THROUGH AND BREAKING APART. THE LEFT SIDE IS FINE. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT THIS WAY AND BELIEVE IT IS AN UNSAFE CONDITION. I LOOKED UP THE PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND A MULTITUDE OF THE SAME PROBLEM WITH OTHER OWNERS OF 2005 FORD ESCAPES. TO MY KNOWLEDGE, FORD WILL ONLY FIX 2001-2004 ESCAPES, BUT NOT 2005. WHY NOT? IT CLEARLY IS A DEFECT IN MATERIAL AND...

MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE'S PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND THE SHOCK BROKE THROUGH TO THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AS IT WAS BEING DRIVEN! THIS IS COMPLETELY DANGEROUS - WE COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY INJURED. I SEARCHED THIS ISSUE ON-LINE, AND IT IS EXTREMELY PREVALENT ON THESE VEHICLES. FORD NEEDS A RECALL ON THIS - IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE. WHEN I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO A FORD DEALER, I WAS TOLD THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND DANGEROUS AND FORD REFUSES TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I WENT TO A WELDING SHOP IN MY AREA, AND THE PROBLEM IS SO COMMON, THAT THEY EVEN HAVE A POSTER WITH PICTURES OF THE PROBLEM AND HOW THEY FIX IT. THIS IS SO DANGEROUS. FORD APPEARS NOT TO CARE ABOUT THIS ISSUE. PLEASE REVIEW IT. THANK YOU. *TR

HAVE FOUND THE RIGHT REAR STRUT MOUNT ALMOST RUSTED AWAY AND THE LEFT SIDE IS ON ITS WAY. I HEAR THERE IS A RECALL FOR 2001-2004 FOR THIS AND FROM ALL THE COMPLAINTS I SEE ON-LINE THIS SHOULD INCLUDE 2005-2006 AND UNLESS THEY DID SOMETHING TO ACTUALLY STOP THIS, EVEN LATER YEARS SHOULD BE INCLUDED. IF A PERSON HITS A CHUCK HOLE THIS COULD CAUSE A BAD ACCIDENT., I SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE CAN'T EVEN DRIVE THEIR VEHICLES. I HAVE OWNED MANY OLDER,VEHICLES INCLUDING A 1995 FORD TAURUS I TRADED IN ON THIS ESCAPE THAT DIDN'T HAVE THIS PROBLEM. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WELL WAS CORRODED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT A THUMPING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DUE TO THE FAILURE, THE STRUTS WERE EXPOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY I HIT A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD AND HEARD A LOUD CLUNK FROM THE RIGHT REAR AREA. I WASN'T SURE WHAT IT WAS AND WAS WITHIN 5 MILES OF HOME. THE REST OF THE TRIP HOME EVERY TIME I CAME TO A SMALL BUMP'S THE CLUNK WAS GETTING WORSE. I LOOKED IN THE RIGHT REAR FENDER WELL AND NOTICED THE WHOLE AREA AROUND THE RIGHT REAR SHOCK IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THEY INFORMED THAT THE REAR OF THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,230.

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, WHENEVER WE WOULD HIT A BUMP OF ANY KIND THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR OF THE CAR MADE A HORRIBLE RATTLING/BANGING NOISE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD AND SHOWED ME WHERE THE PART THAT CONNECTED THE SHOCK TO THE WHEEL WELL HAD PRETTY MUCH RUSTED AWAY AND WAS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE. THE SERVICE WRITERS AND THE BODY MAN ALL SAID THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL. THEY CONJECTURED THAT SINCE WE GET SNOW IN PITTSBURGH THE ROADS ARE SALTED. SINCE THE ROADS ARE SLANTED TO THE RIGHT TO HELP DRAINAGE, THAT SIDE IS BATHED IN SALT WATER. HOWEVER I AM ALSO DEVELOPING RUST ON THE OUTSIDE EDGE OF THE BODY PANEL ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE. WHY THEN IS THIS NOT HAPPENING TO OTHER MODEL YEARS? SINCE IT IS NOT DRIVABLE I HAVE HAD TO SCHEDULE THE...

THE RIGHT REAR SHOCK PLUNGED THROUGH THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL (RUSTED AWAY) AND RATTLES AT LOW SPEEDS. STEERING PULLS TO LEFT AND SHAKES.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL WAS CORRODED AND DETERIORATED. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE SHOCK MOUNT FRACTURED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE CAUSED THE SHOCK MOUNT TO PUNCTURE THE TRUNK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE EACH TIME THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER A BUMP DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN PERFORMED AN ALIGNMENT AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

I NOTICED A LOUD BANGING IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, AND DISCOVERED THAT THE INNER WHEEL HOUSE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AROUND THE SHOCK MOUNT. IT BECAME UNDRIVEABLE AND COMPLETELY UNSAFE, AND I WAS FORCED TO REPAIR THE AREA. THE FORD CERTIFIED REPLACEMENT PART COST ME AROUND $130, AND THE SERVICE TO REPAIR IT COST AROUND $880. APPROXIMATELY 3 MONTHS LATER THE DRIVER SIDE STARTED TO MAKE THE SAME SOUNDS, AND WAS BEGINNING TO RUST OUT THE SAME AS THE OTHER SIDE. I ALSO REPAIRED THIS SIDE, TO A COST OF $650, ALSO USING A FORD CERTIFIED PART. NOW NOT EVEN 2 MONTHS LATER, BOTH CERTIFIED REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE BEGINNING TO SPLIT APART DUE TO THE FORCE OF THE SHOCK THAT IS ATTACHED TO THIS FLIMSY METAL. THE TRUCK HAS BECOME UNSAFE TO DRIVE, AND I'M BEING FORCED TO PURCHASE A NEW VEHICLE. I'VE BEEN READING AROUND...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE THAT CAME FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR FENDER WELL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

HAD REAR SHOCKS REPLACED ON MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE AND WAS TOLD THAT MOUNTS FOR THE SHOCKS ARE RUSTED OUT. THE SHOCKS ARE DETACHED FROM THE FRAME DUE TO POOR DESIGN BY FORD. THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AS THE SHOCK BOUNCES INTO THE REAR INTERIOR WHEN MOVING. THERE IS A RECALL FROM 2001 - 2004 ESCAPES BUT NOT 2005! FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM! *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS EXTENSIVE RUST ON THE REAR WHEEL WELLS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR WHEEL WELLS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND MAY POTENTIALLY FRACTURE DUE TO THE CORROSION, WHICH WAS AFFECTING OTHER COMPONENTS WITHIN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

RIGHT REAR WHEEL RUSTED APART AND SHOCK ABSORBER IS NOT ATTACHED ANY LONGER. THE CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE TO SAFETY CONCERN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

THE ENTIRE PASSENGER REAR WHEEL WELL IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT & IS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE; POSSIBLE STEERING CONTROL. 2001-2004 FORD ESCAPES IN THE "SALT BELT" STATES WERE RECALLED FOR THE EXACT SAME REASON. *TR

I HEARD A LOUD BANGING NOISE COMING FROM THE RIGHT REAR AREA OF MY CAR. UPON INSPECTING UNDERNEATH, WAS DISMAYED TO SEE THE BODY OF THE CAR BY THE TIRE CRUMBLING WITH RUST. APPARENTLY THE BANGING IS FROM THE SHOCK ABSORBER HAVING BROKEN THRU THE WHEEL WELL, AND IS NOW HITTING THE BACK HATCH AREA. ALSO, DURING AN OIL CHANGE, THE SERVICE COMPANY REMOVED A BRACKET THAT HOLDS MY EXHAUST IN PLACE. UPON INSPECTING THAT BRACKET THAT WAS JUST HANGING THERE AND RATTLING, SAW A CHUNK OF CAR ATTACHED TO THE BRACKET. THEY SAID THAT IT LOOKED LIKE THE UNDERNEATH OF MY CARE HAD NOT BEEN SPRAYED WITH RUSTPROOFING WHEN MANUFACTURED. I STILL OWE MONEY ON THIS CAR, AND CANNOT AFFORD TO EXCHANGE CHARGE OR GET REPAIRED. HAVE HAD FORD CARS MOST OF MY LIFE, AND I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED THAT FORD IS NOT ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE WITH THE 2005...

WE NOTICED A RATTLING/BANGING NOISE COMING FROM THE RIGHT REAR OF VEHICLE, MY WIFE RODE IN THE REAR SEAT AND COULD FEEL THE SHOCK MOUNT HITTING AGAINST THE BACK OF THE INTERIOR TRIM PANEL. LOOKING INTO THE WHEEL WELL, WE COULD SEE WHERE THE WHEEL HOUSING HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT, REVEALING THE INTERIOR. THE UPPER SHOCK MOUNT CAN BE WIGGLED BY HAND. TODAY 12/31/2014, I WENT TO SEE MY "FRIENDS" AT OUR LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP, THE SERVICE WRITER SAID I WAS IN "LUCK" AS HE REMEMBERED RESEARCHING THE SAME ISSUE FOR ANOTHER CUSTOMER. HE FOUND A DIAGRAM WITH THE REPLACEMENT PANEL & WHEEL HOUSE, PART# 7L82-7827886-A, WITH A LIST PRICE OF $150, THEN WE WENT TO TALK TO ANOTHER "FRIEND" IN PARTS, HE SAID THAT THE PRICE HAD RECENTLY INCREASED AND NOW LISTED AT $700. THEY OFFERED TO HAVE ME TALK TO ANOTHER "FRIEND" IN SALES, BUT I INFORMED THEM...

I HAD MY CAR INSPECTED TODAY AND HAD THEM LOOK AT AN ISSUE OF A BANGING SOUND I WAS HEARING IN THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE AREA. THE MECHANIC FOUND EXTENSIVE RUST AND ROT IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL AND THE STRUT WAS ALMOST READY TO COME OFF. THE MECHANIC COMMENTED HE HAS SEEN THIS ISSUE SEVERAL TIMES WITH THIS MODEL. I SEE THAT FORD RECALLED 2001 TO 2005 MODEL YEARS, BUT NOT THE 2005. FROM DOING RESEARCH THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FROM 2005 OWNERS. I KEEP MY CAR WASHED AND ALWAYS MAKE SURE TO WASH SALT OFF IN THE WINTER. MY MECHANIC RECOMMENDED THAT I NOT DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE IT WAS UNSAFE BECAUSE THE STRUT WAS READY TO COME OFF AND COULD CAUSE THE TIRE TO BEND OUTWARD. HOW CAN FORD NOT RECALL THIS YEAR WITH ALL THE OBVIOUS COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THIS ISSUE? MY DAUGHTER DRIVES THIS...

BEAUTIFUL, WELL-MAINTAINED 05 FORD ESCAPE - RARE 5 SPEED MANUAL, 4 CYL, AWD. ALWAYS GARAGED AND CLEANED. OPENED PLASTIC BIN IN REAR COMPARTMENT, PASSENGER SIDE, TO STORE TOOLS. NOTICED SMALL CRACKS AND DAYLIGHT IN WHEEL WELL. JUST BELOW AND BEHIND SHOCK MOUNT. APPLIED LIGHT PRESSURE. ENTIRE SECTION PUSHED THROUGH. COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY. HELD IN PLACE ONLY BY RUBBERIZED UNDERCOATING. 119K. BASED ON ALL THESE COMPLAINTS, SAME LOCATION, SAME EVENT, I CONSIDER MYSELF LUCKY IT DIDN'T FAIL WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I'M GOING TO SHOW THE DEALER TOMORROW. CURIOUS WHAT HIS REACTION WILL BE. MY GUESS IS SYMPATHY BUT NOTHING TO DO ABOUT IT WITHOUT FORD SUPPORTING THE DEALER. *TR

WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE, I HEARD A LOUD THUMPING NOISE IN THE BACK. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION, I SAW THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL WAS RUSTED THROUGH THE BODY OF THE STORAGE AREA. IT APPEARS THE SHOCK IS IN DANGER OF COMING LOOSE. *TR

REAR PASSENGER SIDE WAS MAKING LOUD NOISE WHEN DRIVING OVER ANY TYPE OF BUMPS, HOLES, THOUGHT IT WAS THE SHOCKS BUT IT WAS THE SHOCK TOWER WAS RUSTED OUT AND NEEDS REPAIRED. $1400 TO REPAIR, THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THE FORD ESCAPES AND THERE IS NO RECALL AT THIS TIME. *TR

MY VEHICLE HAS SEVERE CORROSION IN THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL HOUSE. THE CORROSION HAS ALLOWED THE LEFT REAR SHOCK ABSORBER TO FAIL TO EFFECTIVELY DAMPEN THE SUSPENSION MOVEMENT (ITS PURPOSE). THE PROBLEM IS VERY PREVALENT ON FORD ESCAPES, MERCURY MARINERS, AND MAZDA TRIBUTES. FOR NHTSA TO DETERMINE IF THIS IS TRULY A SAFETY ISSUE, YOUR WILL NEED TO SECURE A 01 - 06 ESCAPE, REMOVE ONE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER (WORSE CASE FOR THE FAILURE OF MY VEHICLE) AND DRIVE THE VEHICLE ON A ROUGH ROAD. PLEASE HANG ON TIGHT WHEN DOING SO. THE FAILURE OF THE BODY AROUND THE MOUNTING POINT OF A CRITICAL COMPONENT OF A SUSPENSION SYSTEM PUTS THE GENERAL POPULATION AT RISK AS THEY SHARE THE ROADS WITH THE ESCAPE/MARINER/TRIBUTE DRIVERS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT RESULTS IN FAILURE OF STATE SAFETY INSPECTIONS AND CANNOT BE IGNORED BY THE GOVERNMENT AGENCY WHICH IS CHARGED WITH...

HEARD THUMPING NOISE ON PASSENGER SIDE REAR. TOOK IT TO CHECK IT OUT AND WHEEL WELL COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

REAR WHEEL WELL TOTALLY RUSTED AWAY AND SHOCK WAS BANGING WHEN TRIED TO FIND PART FROM JUNK YARD ALL 2005 ESCAPE HAD RUSTED OFF WHEEL WELLS THE OTHER SIDE IS NOW GOING TO DO THE SAME THE CAR WAS NOT DRIVABLE. HAD JUST DONE MANY REPAIRS WAS PLANNING ON KEEPING IT BUT NOW IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE SEEMS TO ME THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL IF IT IS HAPPENING TO MANY ESCAPES OF THIS YEAR CAN ANYTHING BE DONE THIS HAS BEEN A GOOD RUNNING CAR UNTIL NOW THIS PROBLEM IS A REAL SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE WHEN I STARTED HEARING A BANGING NOISE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR OF MY VEHICLE. AFTER A FEW DAYS THE BANGING GOT LOUDER AND MY ESCAPE SEEMED TO BE HITTING HARD IN THE BACK LIKE MY SHOCK WASN'T WORKING. WHICH MY HUSBAND HAD CHANGED THEM ABOUT 3 OR 4 MONTHS PRIOR SO I THOUGHT THAT WAS ODD. AFTER DRIVING HER TODAY AND THE BANGING GETTING WORSE I HAD MY HUSBAND LOOK AT MY BACK FENDER WALL. WHEN WE DID WE SEEN IT COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. I CAN TOUCH THE INSIDE OF MY CAR. BUT THE WORST PART OF THIS IS THAT IS WHAT HOLDS MY SHOCK IN PLACE AND IT IS ALL GONE. I CAME INSIDE FRUSTRATED AND DECIDED I WOULD SEE IF THERE ARE PARTS TO FIX IT BEFORE MY SHOCK DECIDES IT IS GOING TO GO FOR A FREE RIDE...

COMPLAINT ONE: EXCESSIVE RUSTED PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL AND STRUT MOUNT, STRUT MOUNT BROKE AWAY. COMPLAINT TWO: RUSTED ENGINE CRADLE CAUSED PASSENGER SIDE FRONT HALF SHAFT TO SEPARATE FROM CENTER OF THE CAR CAUSING THE TO STOP MOVING FOREWORD AND LOSS OF STEERING. *TR

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

SEVERE RUSTED OUT REAR WHEEL WELLS CAUSING THE PASSENGER REAR SHOCK TO BREAK. CALLED FORD AND THEY STATED NO RECALL FOR 2005 JUST THRU 2004 AND THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING. STILL OWE MONEY ON THIS VEHICLE AND NOT SURE WHAT IT IS GOING TO COST FOR LARGE REPAIR. NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. LOOK UP THIS GOOGLE AND YOU WILL FIND TONS OF THIS. *TR