2005 FORD ESCAPE Structurebody Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL AND THE QUARTER PANEL WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE WHEEL WELL AND THE QUARTER PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,850.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL WAS EXTREMELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL RUSTED OUT COMPLETELY. SHOCK WENT THRU THE BODY INTO THE TRUNK OF MY CAR. BEEN TOLD BY MULTIPLE SHOPS THEY WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING BECAUSE OF LIABILITY REASONS. FORD ACTS LIKE THEY'VE NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM BUT IF YOU GOOGLE THE ISSUE 1000'S OF THE SAME ISSUE WILL SHOW. *TR

THE FIRST NOTICE WAS THAT THE WHOLE BASE COVER WAS ROTTING THEN ONCE THAT WAS WORN THROUGH YOU WERE ABLE TO SEE THAT THE FRAME THAT CONNECTS THE SHOCK, TIRE AND WHEEL WELL WAS SO CORRODED ITS BREAKING BY PIECES. TO DATE 5/29/2014 THE SHOCK WITH PIPE ATTACHED HAD TO BE TAKEN OFF. NO ANSWERS TO RECALL OR BEING FIXED BY FORD THIS PRICES TO FIX OR LOCATE PARTS ARE EXPENSIVE AND MOST OF THE REPAIR SHOPS SAY IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN. I FINANCED THIS VEHICLE AND WAS NOT TOLD OF THE DEFECT AND BY REPORTING A COMPLAINT REGARDING THE CAR DEALERSHIP I WAS ADVISED TO LET THE FINANCE COMPANY KNOW OF THE INCIDENT BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP DIDN'T WANT TO DO ANYTHING TO TAKE THE CAR BACK NOW I'M STUCK OWNING FOR SOMETHING THAT IS A ROAD HAZARD THAT I HAVE TO DRIVE BECAUSE I CAN NOT GET...

THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL IS TOTALLY DEFECTIVE AND UNSEEN CORROSION CAN WEAKEN OR DESTROY THE SHOCK ABSORBER TOWER. DRIVERS ARE NOT AWARE OF ANY ISSUES UNTIL THE SHOCK BREAKS FREE OF THE WHEEL WELL AND JAMS INTO THE BODY. THIS ISSUE OCCURS BECAUSE AWD SUVS HAVE THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL THAT ALWAYS SPINS IN SNOW AND ICE, WHICH IN TURN OVER SPRAYS THE RIGHT REAR WELL WITH CORROSIVE MATERIAL. *TR

WHILE DRIVING DOWN TO THE BAY ON A FISHING TRIP I KEPT HEARING SOMETHING BANGING IN THE BACK OF MY 2005 ESCAPE. I STOPPED AND FOUND THAT THE RIGHT REAR FENDERWELL HAD RUSTED AN ND THE SHOCK MOUNT WAS LOOSE FROM THE REST OF THE BODY WHICH CAUSED IT TO HIT AGAINST THE INSIDE PLASTIC . THIS SHOULD BE REPAIRED BY FORD AS THE REST OF THE VEHICLE IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION . I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER FORD IF THEY CAN'T RECALL THIS MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

THE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER WHEELHOUSE PANEL IS TOTALLY CORRODED. THE 'PANEL' HOLDING THE REAR RIGHT SUSPENSION CRACKED, NOTHING HOLDING THE SUSPENSION. I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS IN THE WEBSITE. THIS SHOULD BE TREATED AS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT AS IT IS THE SAME PROBLEM IN WHICH THE FORD WINDSTAR WAS RECALLED FOR. *TR

WHILE DRIVING OVER RAIL ROAD TRACKS A LOUD THUD WAS HEARD IN THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL. THE FIRST ASSUMPTION WAS THE TIRE BLEW, BUT UPON INSPECTION THE TIRE WAS FINE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN FOR A FEW MORE DAYS AND THE THUD WOULD CONTINUE TO BE HEARD GETTING WORSE AND WORSE, ESPECIALLY WHEN HITTING BUMPS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A GOODYEAR AUTO SERVICE CENTER WHERE I WAS INFORMED THAT THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND THE UPPER SHOCK MOUNT HAD SEPARATED FROM THE BODY. THE THUMPING WE HEARD WAS THE CHUNK OF METAL AND SHOCK MOUNT THAT WAS SEPARATED FROM THE BODY BUT STILL ATTACHED TO THE TOP OF THE SHOCK HITTING THE REST OF THE WHEEL WELL THAT WAS STILL THERE. THE SERVICE TECH TOLD ME THAT HE WAS VERY SURPRISED THAT THIS AREA OF THE CAR WAS RUSTED SO BADLY AND IT APPEARED...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL OUTER LINER WELL WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED AND CAUSED THE STRUT TO PROTRUDE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, A LOUD BANGING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE PANEL THAT ATTACHED THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SHOCK ABSORBER WAS RUSTED AND BECAME SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THE DEFECT AS A RUSTED FRAME BUT NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT NO SOLUTION WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,000.

REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEELHOUSE RUSTED OUT BREAKING THE REAR SHOCK MOUNT CAUSING STEERING ISSUES . THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH FORD FOR THIS MODEL YEAR. THE WHEELHOUSE IS SIMPLE SHEET METAL THAT RUSTED OUT, THE SHOCK MOUNT HAS NO REINFORCEMENT AND IS SIMPLY ATTACHED TO A CUP IN THE WHEEL WELL. WHEN IT GAVE FREE THE VEHICLE SWERVED TO THE RIGHT. *TR

THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL ON MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH, FREEING THE SHOCK MOUNT. VEHICLE HAS JUST OVER 100000 MILES AND IS NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN IN ITS CURRENT CONDITION. *TR

WHILE DRIVING ON MAIN ROAD HIT SOME UNEVEN ROAD REPAIRS AND STARTED TO HEAR A METAL ON METAL SOUND. I THOUGHT IT WAS THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR SO STOPPED TO CHECK BUT IT WAS LOCKED. DROVE HOME AND NOISE SEEMED TO GET PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. I STARTED TO CHECK SHOCKS AND TIRES AND SAW A CRACK IN THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL THROUGH THE RUST PROOFING.I MOVED IT AWAY FROM THE FENDER AND SAW A HOLE INTO THE SIDE OF MY CAR BY THE TOP OF THE SHOCK. I TOOK IT TO A BODY SHOP AND WAS TOLD THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH FORD ESCAPE AND THE REPAIR IS EXPENSIVE. I WILL BE CONTACTING A DEALER FOR HELP AND PARTS IF THEY ARE AVAILABLE. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY VEHICLE DOWN A RURAL ROAD AT ABOUT 35 MPH AND HIT A POT HOLE IN THE ROAD. UPON INSPECTION AFTER THE INCIDENT, MY HUSBAND NOTICED THE REAR STRUT MOUNT FOR THE SHOCK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAD BECOME DETACHED. THERE WAS SOME RUST PRESENT IN THAT WHEEL WELL AROUND THE STRUT HOUSING. THE SUPPORTING METAL CRACKED THE ENTIRE WAY AROUND THE STRUT HOUSING, DETACHING IT FROM THE REST OF THE VEHICLE. THE OPPOSITE WHEEL WELL AND STRUT MOUNT ARE IN PERFECT CONDITION WITH THE FACTORY UNDERCOATING STILL IN TACT. THERE IS NO UNDERCOATING PRESENT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IN THE SAME AREA. WE WERE TOLD BY A MECHANIC AND AUTO BODY SPECIALIST THAT THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND IS ONLY COSMETICALLY REPAIRABLE, NOT STRUCTURALLY REPAIRABLE. *TR

I HAPPENED TO NOTICE RUST THROUGH WHILE CHECKING MY TIRES. IT IS LOCATED AT THE RIGHT (PASSENGER SIDE) REAR WHEELHOUSE PANEL WHERE THE STRUT ASSEMBLY ATTACHES TO THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. THE RUST HAS DISINTEGRATED IN THE AREA LEAVING A BARELY ATTACHED WHEEL ASSEMBLY WITH MASSIVE CRACKING AND HOLES IN THE METAL. IT IS THE ONLY AREA ON THE VEHICLE WITH RUST. I WAS TOLD IT CANNOT BE REPAIRED AND THAT I HAVE LESS THAN 6 MONTHS OF DRIVING BEFORE IT WILL BREAK COMPLETELY, THUS DISABLING MY VEHICLE OR CAUSING IT TO CRASH WHILE BEING DRIVEN. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT FURTHER, ESPECIALLY WITH MY 3 YEAR OLD SON IN THE VEHICLE. I AM DISTURBED WITH THE AMOUNT OF PEOPLE WHO OWN THIS WONDERFUL SUV FROM A FINE COMPANY LIKE FORD AND THE ONLY THING STOPPING THEM FROM DRIVING IT IS A SINGLE PANEL WITH SUCH A SEVERE...

REAR PASSENGER SIDE INNER WHEEL LINER COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. UPPER END OF SHOCK NO LONGER ATTACHED TO BODY OF VEHICLE. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE ENTERED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED A PUDDLE OF WATER ON THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILLAGE WAS 84,000.

RIGHT REAR INNER FENDER WELL RUSTED COMPLETELY THOUGH ALLOWING THE SHOCK MOUNT TO TEAR AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR SHOCK MOUNT BECAME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE DUE TO RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

THE REAR WHEELHOUSE SIDE PANEL AND THE STRUT ASSEMBLY AT THE PASSENGER SIDE RUSTED TOTALLY AND BROKE. IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND IT SEEMS THAT THE WHEELHOUSE WAS ON BACK ORDER UNTIL RECENTLY IT BECAME AVAILABLE AGAIN. THE VEHICLE HAS MOSTLY BEEN USED IN THE GREAT LAKES AREA WHERE SNOW IS HEAVY AND SALT COULD HAVE WORSENED THE PROBLEM, BUT SO MANY CASES OF RUSTED WHEELHOUSE AT THE SAME PLACE INDICATE THAT THIS COULD BE A DESIGN FLAW. *TR

REAR WHEEL HOUSE/ STRUT MOUNT TOTALLY RUSTED OFF. I WORK AT A DEALERSHIP AND I HAVE NOTICED A LOT OF ESCAPES WITH THE SAME ISSUE. WE SEE APPROX 5 OF THESE A YEAR OVER THE PAST 3 YEARS. THAT ISN'T COUNTING THE ONES WE CAN'T VISUALLY INSPECT DIE TO THE THICK TAR FORD SPRAYED ON THE WHEEL WELL TO DEADEN SOUND AND PREVENT CORROSION. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THE PASSENGER REAR WHEEL WELL WAS COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSTIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

WE WERE DRIVING THE CAR AND NOTICED A BANGING NOISE IN THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL. WE TOOK IT TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP AND THEY DISCOVERED THAT THE METAL IN THE WHEEL WELL IS ROTTING AWAY. THE SHOCK MOUNT CAME LOOSE AND UPON FURTHER REVIEW THE ENTIRE WHEEL WELL IS BAD. THE SHOP TELLS ME THEY'VE SEEN MANY SIMILAR ISSUES IN THE 04-06 ESCAPES. OURS IS IN BAD SHAPE AND NOT WORTH THE $5000 IT WOULD TAKE TO REPAIR. THERE IS VERY LITTLE SURFACE RUST ANYWHERE ELSE ON THE VEHICLE AND THE OTHER WHEEL WELLS ARE IN GOOD SHAPE. IN LOOKING AROUND I'VE SEEN MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL. WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL. IT'S CRIMINAL THAT THESE VEHICLES ALL HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AND INSTEAD OF STEPPING UP AND DOING THE RIGHT THING, FORD IGNORES IT AND ALL OF US...

MY 2005 ESCAPE IS NOW JUNK, ACCORDING TO 2 DIFFERENT MECHANICS AND ONE BODY SHOP. WHEN I HIT A BUMP THERE WOULD BE A LOUD NOISE FROM THE RIGHT REAR OF THE VEHICLE.THE RIGHT REAR INNER FENDER HAS RUSTED THROUGH BEYOND REPAIR. THE SHOCK TOWER IS ADJACENT TO THIS. I WAS TOLD NOT TO DRIVE IT BECAUSE IT IS UNSAFE. THE LEFT REAR IS SHOWING SIGNS OF THE SAME PROBLEM. I BELIEVE THIS IS MADE FROM INFERIOR METAL AND/OR A SERIOUS DESIGN FLAW. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO FORD. I HAVE HEARD THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM. I HEARD THAT MAZDA MADE THE ESCAPE FOR FORD. THE MAZDA TRIBUTE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. *JS

MY RIGHT REAR FENDER HAS ROTTED OUT AND MY VEHICLE IS UNDRIVEABLE. I CONTACTED A DEALER AND HE INFORMED ME THE RIGHT INNER FENDER IS NOT AVAILABLE AND ON BACK ORDER BY FORD WITH NO ETA. I HAVE BEEN WAITING NOW 7 WEEKS AND HAVE TO GET RIDES TO WORK. IN THIS STATE MY VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION AND I HAVE NO TRANSPORTATION. I CAN'T EVEN SELL IT WITH THE ISSUE IT HAS. IT IS PARKED IN MY GARAGE. PLEASE ASSIST ME IN CONTACTING FORD TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. I HAVE READ SEVERAL ONLINE COMPLAINTS ABOUT FORD ESCAPE DRIVERS HAVING THIS ISSUE. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL!!!! *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUB FRAME WAS RUSTED AND DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT A NEW SUB FRAME WAS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

MY 2005 ESCAPE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL IS RUSTED TO THE POINT OF DISINTEGRATION AND THE SHOCK IS CLOSE TO COLLAPSING WHICH WILL ALLOW THE WHEEL TO COLLAPSE INTO THE REAR WHEEL WELL. IF THAT HAPPENS ON THE INTERSTATE I FEEL SURE IT WILL CAUSE A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT. I AM THE ONLY OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE, IT HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, IT HAS LESS THAN 90,000 MILES AND IS GARAGE KEPT.I LOOKED ON THE INTERNET AND SAW HUNDREDS IF NOT THOUSANDS OF 05 ESCAPES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. MY LOCAL DEALER HAS SEEN MULTIPLE INSTANCES OF THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM. BOTH THE LOCAL FORD BODY SHOP AND INDEPENDENT BODY SHOPS AGREE THAT THIS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY CANNOT ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM AS FORD REFUSES TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE. I GUESS IT WILL TAKE SOMEONE GETTING KILLED BEFORE FORD MOTOR COMPANY ADMITS THE DEFECT....

THE VEHICLE IS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. A RATTLING NOISE COULD THEN BE HEARD WITH EVERY SLIGHT BUMP IN THE ROAD. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A GARAGE WHERE THEY FOUND THAT THE WHOLE RIGHT REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH EXPOSING THE SHOCKS AND STRUTS, THE CARPETING CAN ALSO BE SEEN THROUGH THE HOLE, AND WATER IN THE TAILLIGHT COMPARTMENT BECAUSE OF A HOLE THERE ALSO - THUS LEAVING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE AND UNDRIVABLE. TOOK VEHICLE TO AN AUTO BODY SHOP AND THE ESTIMATE TO FIX THE CAR WAS $3200.00. CALLED FORD MOTORS WHO INFORMED ME THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM, BUT ONLY FOR 2001-2004 MODELS. APPARENTLY FROM ALL OF THE COMPLAINTS THAT CAN BE FOUND ON THE INTERNET IN REGARDS TO THE 2005 MODELS WITH...

MY WIFE HAD BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT A LOUD SLAPPING COMING FROM THE RIGHT REAR OF THE VEHICLE. I TOOK IT FOR A DRIVE. I DISCOVERED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND THE SHOCK ABSORBER WAS JUST BOUNCING LOOSE CREATING A HORRIBLE NOISE AND ALSO NOTICED SHOCK BREAKING THRU THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. NOTICED ON LINE THAT OTHERS HAVE SIMILAR OR EXACT PROBLEM. YEARS 2001 THRU 2004 JUST RECALLED. WHAT ABOUT 2005'S. THERE'S NOTHING ELSE WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND ONLY 82,000 MILES. VERY DISAPPOINTED AND PUTS MY FAMILY AT RISK AND IN A BIND FOR A SAFE VEHICLE TO DRIVE. *TR

I NOTICED THE SMELL OF EXHAUST FUMES IN THE VEHICLE AND A FEW WEEKS LATER HEARD LOAD BANGING NOISE COMING FROM REAR CARGO AREA. I LOOK AND SAW THE REAR WHEEL WELL WAS RUSTED THREW INTO THE CARGO AREA AND THE REAR SHOCK MOUNTS WERE RUSTED OFF. *TR

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH ON UNEVEN PAVEMENT, I NOTICED BANGING IN THE RIGHT REAR AREA OF THE VEHICLE. ALL DOORS AND HATCH WERE SECURE AND THE JACK WASNT LOOSE. AFTER A DAY OR TWO OF SEARCHING I TOOK THE ESCAPE TO A LOCAL AUTO REPAIR SHOP I TRUST. THEY FOUND THE WHOLE INNER QUARTER WHEEL HOUSE SNAPPED OFF THE RAIL. THE BANGING WAS THE SHOCK HITTING INSIDE THE PASSENGER CABIN. HE IMMEDIATELY TOOK MY KEYS AND SAID THE CAR IS UNDRIVABLE. ONLINE IF YOU GOOGLE THIS SAME ISSUE IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2005 ESCAPE MODEL RUSTING PLEASE FORD DO THE RIGHT THING AND RECALL AND REPAIR MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE. *TR

THE RIGHT REAR SHOCK TOWER RUSTED THROUGH THE WHEEL WELL INTO THE REAR COMPARTMENT BREAKING A HOLE THROUGH THE INTERIOR COMPARTMENT. THERE IS CURRENTLY NO PARTS IN STOCK TO REPAIR THIS AS WE ARE TOLD THEY ARE ON NATIONWIDE BACKORDER AND THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE. THE OTHER REAR SHOCK AREA HAS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF RUST ALSO. APPROXIMATELY 1 WEEK LATER BOTH BREAK LINES BROKE FROM SEVERE CORROSION WHILE MOVING AT APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH (PULLING IN MY DRIVEWAY). I WAS FORTUNATE THIS HAPPENED THERE AND NOT ON THE HIGHWAY AS I COULD HAVE BEEN IN A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT ALONG WITH MY 3 YEAR OLD SON. THESE TWO THINGS SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING WITH THE AGE OF THIS VEHICLE. THE BODY SHOULD BE HOLDING UP BETTER THAN THIS. I JUST SAW THERE WAS A RECALL FOR MODEL YEARS 2001-2004 FOR SEVERE RUST ISSUES ONE RESULTING IN A CRASH....

RIGHT REAR SHOCK MOUNT CAME APART AND DAMAGED WHEEL WELL. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION DEALER SAID ENTIRE ASSEMBLY HAD RUSTED APART FROM THE INSIDE OUT WITH NO VISIBLE CORROSION FROM THE OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE. FORD MOTOR COMPANY WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO RECOURSE OR REPAIR. *TR

RIGHT REAR WHEEL HOUSE IS RUSTED SO BAD THE SHOCK IS ABOUT TO COME LOOSE AND CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL OR COULD RUB THE TIRE AND CAUSE IT TO RUPTURE. I HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY A MECHANIC THAT IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

THE RIGHT REAR BODY PANEL IN THE WHEEL WELL COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING THE TOP OF THE SHOCK TO DETACH FROM THE BODY AND ALMOST PENETRATE INTO THE INSIDE OF THE PASSENGER CABIN. *TR

TOOK MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE TO MULTIPLE BODY SHOPS TO ACQUIRE QUOTES DUE TO BODY RUSTING AT BOTH THE RIGHT AND LEFT REAR WHEEL WELLS. ALL BODY SHOPS STATED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON FORD ESCAPES, AND THAT IT WASN'T WORTH FIXING DUE TO COST. THEY STATED IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE/CONCERN, AND I SHOULD RID MYSELF OF THE VEHICLE AS SOON AS FINANCIALLY POSSIBLE. I SEARCHED THIS AND FOUND 100S OF VEHICLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND CONCERN. I HAVE TWO VEHICLES MUCH OLDER THAN THIS, AND HAVE NO RUST ISSUES. *TR

ORIGINAL OWNER OF A GARAGE KEPT, 2005 FORD ESCAPE WITH 105K MILES. I NOTICED A LOUD BANGING SOUND COMING FROM THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL WHICH WAS VERY LOUD INSIDE THE CAR. I HAD THE SERVICE TECH REPLACING THE TIRES ON MY OTHER FORD VEHICLE TAKE A LOOK AND HE SAID THE WHEEL WELL WAS RUSTING AWAY AND THE SHOCK MOUNT WAS FALLING AWAY FROM THE FRAME OF THE CAR. THIS IS A SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS HAZARD WHICH NEEDS TO BE FIXED ASAP. EVERY SERVICE TECH I SHOW SAYS THEY'VE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. THE UNDERCOATING WAS SPRAYED DIRECTLY ON TO THE VEHICLE AND NO OTHER METHOD OF PROTECTION IN THE WHEEL WELL WAS USED BY FORD ON THIS MAKE/MODEL. MY VEHICLE WAS TOP OF THE LINE, LOADED, WHEN PURCHASED. I'M CONCERNED FOR THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY AND MYSELF. FORD NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS PROBLEM ASAP AND TAKE...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, A SUDDEN BANG WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR WHEEL HOUSING PANEL WAS PERFORATED DUE TO RUST AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FRAME WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,124. UUPDATED 05/06/14 MA UPDATED 05/09/2014 *JS

WHILE DRIVING BEGIN TO EXPERIENCE A LOUD RATTLING SOUND, FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. BECAME VERY LOUD WITH THE MOVEMENT OF THE VEHICLE. SOUNDED AS IF SMALL PIECES HAD FALLEN OFF THE BACK TIRE. AS SOON AS I GOT HOME I LOOKED AND THERE WAS A LARGE RUSTED OUT TEAR IN THE WHEEL WELL, LOCATED RIGHT ABOVE THE MOUNT FOR THE SHOCK ABSORBER. I DID CONTACT MY SERVICE ADVISOR AT VILLAGE FORD IN DEARBORN MICHIGAN. I TOOK THE VEHICLE UP TO BE CHECKED, HE SENT ME OVER TO THEIR BODY SHOP.. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS DEFINITELY A "SAFETY ISSUE" AND HE HAD SEEN THIS BEFORE ON OTHER FORD ESCAPES. THIS IS A FLAW IN THE BODY. *TR

THE PASSENGER REAR WHEEL WELL HAS EXCESSIVE RUST WHICH HAS CAUSED THE SHOCK TO COME THROUGH THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND IT APPEARS THAT OTHERS WITH THE SAME MODEL HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. I DO HAVE PICTURES. *TR

AS I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK I STARTED HEARING A THUMPING SOUND FROM THE RIGHT REAR WHEN I WOULD HIT A BUMP AT FIRST I THOUGHT MAYBE THE BACK DOOR WASN'T CLOSED ALL THE WAY, SO WHEN I GOT HOME AND PARKED MY VEHICLE I CHECKED THE DOOR AND IT WAS CLOSED ALL THE WAY. AFTER I SAW THE DOOR WAS CLOSED ALL THE WAY I DECIDED TO LOOK AT THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL SINCE THAT IS WHERE THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM. WHEN I LOOKED INTO THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL THAT IS WHEN I DISCOVERED THAT IT HAD RUSTED OUT AND I COULD SEE THAT THE TOP SHOCK MOUNT IS ALMOST COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY, SO NOW I HAVE TO LEAVE IT SIT UNTIL I CAN AFFORD TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. AFTER MY DISCOVERY I WENT ONLINE AND SEARCHED AND I FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, A SUDDEN BANGING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE REAR WHEEL HOUSING PANEL WAS PERFORATED DUE TO RUST AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 165,000.

DRIVING UNDER NORMAL CONDITIONS, HEARD A LOUD BANGING SOUND.WAS GETTING WORSE AND LOOKED AT REAR PASSENGER TIRE SIDE. NOTICED THE ENTIRE SHOCK MOUNT RUSTED AND BROKEN LOOSE FROM UNDERCARRIAGE. VERY DANGEROUS IF TRAVELING AT HIGHER SPEED. HAVE OWNED OVER 20 CARS AND NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN. WHAT IS GOING ON FORD???? *TR

IT STARTED OFF AS LIGHT RATTLING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL AREA. AS THE WEEK PROGRESSED, THE RATTLING GOT LOUDER AND LOUDER AND OCCURRED MORE FREQUENTLY. AT THAT POINT, MY DAUGHTER WAS AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. WHEN WE INSPECTED THE AREA WHERE THE NOISE CAME FROM, WE NOTICED THAT THE INSIDE OF THE WHEEL WELL WAS THOROUGHLY RUSTED OUT AND WE COULD SEE THROUGH IT, INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. ALSO, THE SHOCK WAS NO LONGER ATTACHED TO THE FRAME. THE DAMAGE IS SO EXTENSIVE THAT WE ARE AFRAID TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR SHOP. *TR

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

THE ABOVE 2005 FORD ESCAPE HAS RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH INSIDE THE RIGHT REAR FENDERWELL. THIS WAS BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION DURING A RECENT INSPECTION. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS IT AFFECTS THE INTEGRITY OF THE SHOCK ABSORBER WHICH COULD FAIL AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH. I HAVE CONTACTED FORD BUT HAVE NOT RECEIVED A REPLY. I NOTICED THAT THERE ARE MANY ONLINE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS SAME ISSUE. I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A RECALL TO ADDRESS THIS SERIOUS PROBLEM. *TR

EXTREME RUSTING OF THE FRAME ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL ABOVE SHOCKS. *TR

I HAVE A 2005 FORD ESCAPE THAT GOT A SEVERE SHOCK DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL. THERE IS SO MUCH DAMAGE FROM THE RUST, INSIDE THE INSULATION, THAT THE SHOCKS ARE NO LONGER ATTACHED TO THE FRAME AND CONTINUALLY RAM INTO THE INTERIOR PANELS. I PURCHASED THIS CAR NEW IN 2005. ALL OTHER WHEEL WELLS ARE IN GREAT CONDITION AS WELL AS THE CAR. THIS IS A CLEAR MANUFACTURER PROBLEM. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. IF THE SHOCK WOULD HAVE CAME OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING AT 60MPH AND HIT THE ROAD OR SOMETHING UNDER THE VEHICLE IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR ACCIDENT AND PEOPLE COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUED FOR IT. *TR

WHILE DRIVING, I HIT A POT HOLE THAT CAUSED MY RIGHT REAR STRUT TOWER TO BREAK THROUGH THE INSIDE OF MY VEHICLE, RENDERING IT UNDRIVABLE. MY COLLISION REPAIR MAN HAS INFORMED ME THAT THE POT HOLE WAS NOT THE ONLY CULPRIT AND THAT THE WHEEL WELL WAS SO ROTTED AND RUSTED THAT IT COMPROMISED THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THAT AREA OF THE VEHICLE, AND HAD THE AREA NOT BEEN RUSTED, THE POT HOLE WOULD NOT HAVE CAUSED THE DAMAGE. HE ADVISED ME THAT THE ISSUE IS DUE TO POOR DESIGN IN THE 2005 AND 2006 MODEL YEAR FORD ESCAPES AND THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD SAFETY ISSUE THAT FORD HAS NOT TAKEN RESPONSIBILITY FOR. THEY HAVE RECALLED 230,000 OF THEIR MINIVANS FOR OVER RUST ISSUES (IN 2011), BUT NOT ANY OF THE ESCAPES. BECAUSE THE DAMAGE WAS DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW, AND NOT JUST A POTHOLE, MY INSURANCE MAY...