2005 FORD ESCAPE Structurebody Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, A SUDDEN BANGING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL HOUSING PANEL WAS RUSTED. 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 140,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE WHEN DRIVING OVER A ROAD BUMP. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL WELL METAL WAS NO LONGER ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF EXCESSIVE CORROSION AND RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 150,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH OVER A POT HOLE, A LOUD BANGING NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DISCOVERED A HOLE IN THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL WELL AND A DETACHED SHOCK ABSORBER. THE MECHANIC INDICATED THE DEFECT WAS DUE TO RUSTING OF THE WHEEL WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

ON 2/20/14 I WAS TRAVELING 65 MPH ON STATE ROUTE 219 IN BOSTON, NY, WHEN A LOUD BANGING NOISE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO OCCUR IN THE REAR OF MY VEHICLE. THIS NOISE SCARED ME AND FORCED ME TO PULL OVER ON THE SHOULDER OF THE EXPRESSWAY TO INSPECT THE REAR AREA OF MY VEHICLE (WHILE TRAFFIC CONTINUED AT 65 MPH). I COULD NOT SEE ANYTHING AT THAT TIME SO I SLOWLY AND CAUTIOUSLY DROVE MY VEHICLE HOME. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, MY HUSBAND FOUND THAT THE RIGHT REAR(PASSENGER) SIDE REAR SHOCK HAD BECOME TOTALLY DETACHED FROM THE COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT INNER WHEEL WELL AND WAS PROTRUDING INTO THE INSIDE OF MY VEHICLE. EXCESSIVE RUST COULD BE SEEN ALONG WITH SEVERAL HOLES THAT HAD ONCE BEEN PART OF THE WHEEL WELL. MY VEHICLE IS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN AND IS TOO COSTLY TO FIX. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I FOUND THAT I AM...

NOTICED A RATTLING SOUND ON THE RIGHT REAR OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, FOUND MOST OF THE REAR WHEEL WELL WHERE THE SHOCK ABSORBER MOUNTS TO BE RUSTED, AND PARTS OF THE METAL ACTUALLY GONE. THE TOP OF THE RIGHT REAR SHOCK IS BASICALLY NOT ATTACHED TO ANY STRUCTURE, AS THE METAL AROUND THE MOUNT HAS COMPLETED RUSTED. COULD SEE THE BACKSIDE OF THE VEHICLE INTERIOR WHERE THE METAL HAS RUSTED AWAY. *TR

NOTICED A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHILE TRAVELING ON A RURAL ROAD ABOUT 50 MPH. WHEN ARRIVED AT DESTINATION, NOTICED SEVERE RUST IN WHEEL WELL NEAR SHOCK MOUNT AND THROUGH TO STORAGE COMPARTMENT. ONLINE RESEARCH INDICATES THAT THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON AND THAT FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT NOT DOING ANYTHING FOR OWNERS YET. *TR

THE REAR RIGHT FENDER WELL (AROUND THE SHOCK) IS RUSTED AND HAS DETERIORATED SO BADLY THAT IT HAS BECOME DETACHED FROM THE BODY OF THE CAR. THERE'S A BANGING NOISE WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE --- THIS PROBLEM MAKES FOR UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION -- IF SOMETHING BREAKS OR THE TIRE BLOW OUT BECAUSE OF THIS IT CAN CAUSE A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT. *TR

THIS IS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM REPORTED BY HUNDREDS OF OTHER PEOPLE ON FACEBOOK, FORD FORUMS, THIS AGENCIES OWN WEBSITE ETC. THE REAR RIGHT INNER WHEEL WELL HAS TOTALLY DISINTEGRATED LEAVING THE TOP OF THE SHOCK ABSORBER UNCONNECTED TO ANYTHING. FORD HAVE NOT CARRIED OUT A RECALL FOR THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION THOUGH APPARENTLY THE PARTS INVOLVED WERE MODIFIED ON NEWER VEHICLES TO PREVENT THIS HAPPENING. THE PROBLEM APPEARS WORSE IN NORTHERN STATES WITH BAD WINTERS WHERE SALTY WATER BECOMES TRAPPED INSIDE THE WATERPROOFING SEALANT AND THE WHEEL WELL ACCELERATING THE RUSTING PROCESS. UPDATED 04/16/14

I AM HERE TO WRITE AN INCIDENT ABOUT MY MY RIGHT REAR SUSPENSION BREAKING AWAY FROM THE STRUT TOWER SUPPORT BRACKET. IT WAS ALL RUSTED OUT. THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CAR IS FINE. I HAVE SEEN QUITE A LOT OF THESE SAME PROBLEMS ON THE INTERNET. WHEN WE TOOK OUR CAR IN TO THE FORD DEALERSHIP THEY CALLED IT A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. CAR WAS UNSAFE TOO DRIVE. WE FEEL THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN FOR OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE AND, THE PUBLIC. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR SHOCK MOUNT BECAME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE REAR SHOCK HOUSING WAS PERFORATED DUE TO RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 150,000.

2005 FORD ESCAPE MADE LOUD BANGING NOISE FROM REAR PASSENGER WHEEL AREA. UPON INSPECTION NOTICED SHOCK MOUNT RUSTED AWAY FROM BODY. LARGE HOLE THAT WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED. NOTHING STRUCTURAL TO HOLD SHOCK IN PLACE. FORD DEALER COULDN'T FIX. TOLD TO TAKE TO AUTO BODY SHOP. THEY ORDERED PART AND FORD HAS IT ON BACK ORDER..... *TR

I OWN A 2005 FORD ESCAPE 87,00 MILES, GARAGE KEPT. I BOUGHT IT NEW FROM THE FORD DEALER. SO I HEAR A LOUD BANGING NOISE AND TAKE IT INTO A SHOP TO GET CHECKED OUT. SHOP CALLS ME IN AWE? HE SAID THAT RIGHT SIDE INTER FENDER WHEEL WELL AND SHOCK TOWER HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY AND IS NO LONGER CONNECTED TO THE VEHICLE?HE ALSO SAID YOU CAN SEE TO THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. HE SAID IN ALL HIS YEARS, HES NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. HE SAID THAT A 1990 CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS DAMAGE. SO I START TO GOOGLE AND LOW AND BEHOLD HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME THING. IT SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR ISSUE WITH 2004, 2005 AND SOME 2006 FORD ESCAPE MODELS AND FORD WILL NOT RECALL OR MAKE GOOD ON THEIR POOR CRAFTSMANSHIP. I CONTACTED THE DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT MY...

THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE-WELL RUSTED OUT. IT RUSTED WHERE THE SHOCK IS ATTACHED. THIS ENTIRE PIECE RUSTING CAUSED THE SHOCK TO NO LONGER BE ATTACHED TO MY VEHICLE. WE LATER DISCOVER THE ACCELERATED CORROSION WAS FROM FAULTY DRAINS IN THE VEHICLE. FORD ACKNOWLEDGES THE DRAIN PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE EXPEDITED RUSTING. WITH FAULTY DRAINS IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THE OTHER TIRE-WELL ALSO RUSTS OUT. LUCKILY I DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM WHEN I DID, I HAD BEEN PLANNING ON TOWING A UHAUL CROSS-COUNTRY TWO DAYS OUT. IF I HAD BEEN TOWING AND THE SHOCK GAVE OUT, THE MECHANIC AT THE DEALERSHIP SAID MY VEHICLE WOULD HAVE STARTED TO ROLL. *TR

LOUD BANGING SOUND FROM RIGHT REAR WHEEL SOUNDING LIKE LOOSE MUFFLER UPON FURTHER INSPECTION I FOUND THE INNER WHEEL WELL WITH THE SHOCK MOUNT TO BE COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY. TRYING TO GET IT FIXED AND NO ONE CAN PUT A PRICE ON THE REPAIR AND MOST BODY SHOPS ARE AFRAID TO DO IT. CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE ABOUT THIS VERY UNSAFE PROBLEM AND THEY DON'T WANT NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. *TR

THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING THE SHOCK ABSORBER TO FLOAT FREELY. THERE IS A SECTION APROX 24 INCHES LONG BY 2-6 INCHES WIDE WHERE THE METAL HAS RUSTED OUT AND IS COMPLETELY GONE. THIS VEHICLE MAKES A HARD SLAM WHENEVER DRIVEN OVER SMALL BUMPS. THE SHOCK HAS COME THROUGH THE PLASTIC PANEL AND PUT A LARGE CRACK/HOLE IN IT. THIS VEHICLE HAS BECOME UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND EXCESSIVELY EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR. THIS VEHICLE IS FROM MICHIGAN. *TR

THE REAR SHOCK MOUNT WENT THROUGH RUSTED WHEEL WELL AND INTO TRUNK. *TR

2005 FORD ESCAPE. I HAVE NOTICED RUST ON REAR FENDER WELLS IN THE PAST. IN SUMMER 2013, I FOUND A HOLE INTO THE PASSENGER AREA FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL. FILLED HOLE AND ATTEMPTED TO UNDERCOAT TO PREVENT ADDITIONAL RUST. DECEMBER 26, 2013, WHILE DRIVING I HIT A BUMP AND HEARD A LOUD BANGING NOISE IN BACK RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. DRIVING BECAME DIFFICULT AFTER THE BUMP, SO I STOPPED TO INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE. THE SHOCK HAD SEPARATED FROM THE UNI-BODY/WHEEL WELL DUE TO CORROSION. THE NOISE WAS THE SHOCK HITTING THE PLASTIC INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON A REPLACEMENT PANEL AND I FOUND THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THE FORD ESCAPE WITH NUMEROUS EXAMPLES OF THIS SAME ISSUE. IT APPEARS THAT THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL OF THE FORD ESCAPE HAS A DESIGN FLAW CAUSING THE SHOCK TO SEPARATE...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH OVER A SPEED BUMP WHEN A LOUD NOISE CAME FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A THREE INCH HOLE WAS DISCOVERED ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL, EXPOSING A DAMAGED SHOCK ABSORBER. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DEFECT WAS NOT REPAIRABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

2005 FORD ESCAPE...THE RIGHT REAR FENDER WELL HAS RUSTED OUT AROUND THE SHOCK MOUNT, READY OR CLOSE TO BREAKING FREE. FIRST BODY SHOP WOULDN'T EVEN QUOTE A REPAIR. GOOGLED ISSUE AND FOUND 100'S OF OTHER OWNERS OF 2005'S WITH SAME CONDITION...PHOTOS ON FACEBOOK MATCHED MY CARS SITUATION EXACTLY. WHY NO RECALL? *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE SITTING INSIDE OF HER VEHICLE, SHE BEGAN TO SMELL EXHAUST FUMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME HAD CORRODED AND CREATED A HOLE INSIDE THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE. THE SUBFRAME WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

2005 FORD ESCAPE LIMITED HAS A SAFETY ISSUE SO BAD THAT IT'S UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE RIGHT REAR FENDER WELL HAS RUSTED OUT AROUND THE SHOCK MOUNT, READY OR CLOSE TO BREAKING FREE. *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...

THUMPING SOUND FROM RIGHT REAR OF CARGO DECK. UPON INTERIOR INSPECTION, NO LOOSE ITEMS IN CARGO AREA, NO LOOSE PANELS, AND JACK WAS NOT LOOSE. UPON EXTERIOR INSPECTION NOTICED RUSTED OUT PORTION OF WHEEL WELL. CAN SEE INTO INTERIOR (BACK OF INTERIOR PANEL, CARPETING, ETC.). SEEMS THAT THUMPING IS DUE TO WHEEL OR SUSPENSION PARTS BEING IMPROPERLY SUPPORTED DUE TO CORROSION OF/IN AREA OF WHEEL WELL. SPECIFICALLY, SHOCK AND/OR LARGE COIL SPRING ARE HITTING INTERIOR PANEL(S) OF VEHICLE. *TR

THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL HAS RUSTED OUT. THIS MAKES IT A HUGE SAFETY FACTOR BECAUSE AT ANYTIME THE SHOCKS CAN BREAK FREE AND BUST UPWARD INTO MY TRUCK. I TOOK MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE TO MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID THAT IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS HE HAD SEEN 4-5 2005 FORD ESCAPES WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. IT IS ALL THE SAME RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL. THERE IS A FACEBOOK PAGE WITH 195000 MEMBERS FOLLOWING IT SO I KNOW THAT I AM NOT ALONE. PROBLEM IS THAT HALF OF THE COUNTRY IS NOT IN AN AREA THAT HAS RUST. SO SOUTHERN FORD ESCAPE OWNERS ARE NOT GOING TO BE AFFECTED BY THIS. THIS CANNOT BE IGNORED BECAUSE NOT ALL 2005 FORD ESCAPE OWNERS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS WOULD SHOW YOU THAT ALL 2005 FORD ESCAPES WOULD HAVE THIS IF PUT TO THE SAME ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS. THIS NEEDS A...

THE RIGHT REAR INNER WHEEL WELL ROTTED LEAVING THE REAR SHOCK SUPPORT UNSECURED MAKING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. AFTER RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET, FOUND THAT THIS WAS A COMMON ISSUE FOR THIS YEAR AND MAKE VEHICLE. DOES NOT APPEAR THAT FORD WANTS TO TAKE ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE FAULTY MANUFACTURING AND/OR MATERIALS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE MADE A RATTLING NOISE WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL WELL, STRUTS AND SHOCKS WERE SEPARATED DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

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...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INSPECTION IT WAS FOUND THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR SUSPENSION TOWER WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND RENDERED THE VEHICLE INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS CONFIRMED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NO LONGER MANUFACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

AS WE ARE DRIVING ALONG WE HEAR A VERY LOUD BANGING COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE.WHEN WE GET OUT TO INSPECT THE AREA WE FIND THE REAR PASENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL IS EXTREMELY RUSTED THRU AND CHUNKS OF THE WELL ARE ACTUALLY FALLING OUT. WE TOOK THE CAR TO THE FORD DEALER AND THEY SAID IT CANNOT BE REPAIRED!!!! BY THE FORD DEALER....THEN WE TOOK IT TO SEVERAL AUTO BODY SHOPS THAT SAID THEY CANNOT FIX THIS! SEVERAL PLACES SAID FORD USED FAULTY METAL OR UNDERCOATING AND THAT IS WHY IT RUSTED SO BADLY.THE CAR HAS ONLY 50000 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN HIGHLY MAINTAINED...I FINALLY FOUND AN AUTOBODY SHOP THAT WILL REPLACE THE ENTIRE WHEEL WELL AND THEER WILL BE NO GUARANTEE IT WONT HAPPEN AGAIN OR TO ANY OF THE OTHER WHEELS!!! I FEEL TOTALLY RIPPED OFF! I READ ONLINE THAT SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE HAVE...

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

I HAD BEEN HEARING SOME LOUD NOISES FROM THE BACK END OF MY CAR FOR A WEEK OR SO, WE HAD THOUGHT THE SPARE TIRE AND EQUIPMENT HADN'T BEEN PUT BACK PROPERLY SO WE RE-ADJUSTED IT AND THOUGHT WE HAD FIXED THE PROBLEM. A FEW DAYS LATER THE SOUND STARTED BACK UP. THEN IT GOT REALLY LOUD AND THERE WAS A LOUD POP. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, WE FOUND OUT THE ENTIRE WHEEL WELL HAD RUSTED OUT IN A PERFECT CIRCLE AROUND THE SHOCK. THE SHOCK WAS NO LONGER ATTACHED TO THE CAR. I TOOK IT TO FORD AND THEY TOLD ME THIS HAD BEEN RECALLED ON THEIR MINI-VANS FOR THE SAME YEAR. FORD BODY SHOP STAFF INFORMED ME THAT THIS WAS THE ONLY RUST ON MY VEHICLE AND THIS RUST WOULD NOT BE CAUSED BY MIS-TREATMENT OF THE VEHICLE NOR NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR OF ANY CAR. FORD IS CURRENTLY...

THE RIGHT REAR SHOCK MOUNT HAS RUSTED OUT, AND NOW BANGS AGAINST THE WHEEL HOUSING. *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 HAD PENETRATED THE BODY OF 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 NOT CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

RIGHT REAR WHEEL HOUSING THAT ALSO IS THE TOP RIGHT REAR SHOCK MOUNT IS COMPLETELY RUSTED LOOSE. *TR

THE WHEEL WELL RUSTED OUT AND THE SHOCK BROKE LOOSE AND WAS BANGING AROUND. BASICALLY THE WHOLE WHEEL WELL IS RUSTED OUT AND WILL NOT HOLD THE SHOCK ANY MORE. I CALLED THE LOCAL FORD DEALER TO SEE IF THERE WAS A RECALL. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL. WHEN I SEARCHED ONLINE I FOUND MANY WITH THE SAME EXPERIENCE, AND EVEN A FACEBOOK PAGE. I'M DISAPPOINTED THAT FORD ISN'T TAKING CARE OF THIS. *TR

WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE HOME FROM WORK, I HEARD A CLANGING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. THINKING THE SHOCK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, I DROVE IT UNTIL THE END OF THE WEEK AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO GET IT SERVICED. WHILE THE TECHNICIAN WAS CHECKING OUT MY CAR HE NOTICED THE INNER WHEEL HOUSE AND SHOCK WERE COMPLETELY RUSTED. THE SHOCK WAS DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE FRAME IS RUSTED AND CRACKED. HE RECOMMENDED ME TO TAKE IT TO A BODY SHOP TO SEE IF IT COULD EVEN BE FIXED. I THEN TOOK IT TO A VERY REPUTABLE BODY SHOP IN MY TOWN AND THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THIS BEFORE. THEY WORK ON ALL MAKE AND MODELS OF DIFFERENT YEARS AND SAID THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR TO A VEHICLE. THEY SAID UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE IS MADE TO SUSTAIN ANY TYPE OF CONDITION...

WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE, HIT A BUMP AND HEARD LOUD SOUND ON RIGHT REAR SIDE OF VEHICLE. AFTER I STOPPED TO INSPECT, FOUND THAT THE RIGHT REAR STRUT HAD NO SUPPORT AS THE RIGHT REAR INNER PANEL WAS CORRODED ALL THE WAY THROUGH WITH VERY THIN METAL AROUND THE ENTIRE AREA. LUCKILY THE STRUT DID NOT COME UP THROUGH INTERIOR. SEEMS VERY UNSAFE AND LIKELY TO CAUSE ACCIDENT IF DRIVEN. THIS APPEARS TO A MANUFACTURERS DEFECT AS THE CORROSION PROTECTION WAS NOT APPLIED CORRECTLY. I CALLED FORD MOTOR CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY JUST INDICATED THAT THERE WE NO RECALLS YET ON THIS PROBLEM. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM ON THE 2004-2005 FORD ESCAPES ON THE RIGHT REAR. I TOOK TO BODY SHOP AND HAVE ESTIMATES FROM $1,400 TO $1,700 TO REPAIR. THE VEHICLE IS IN VERY GOOD SHAPE EXCEPT FOR THIS ONE OBVIOUS DEFECT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, HE HEARD A LOUD THUMP FROM THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO RUST CORROSION NEAR THE REAR END OF THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 166,000. UPDATED 8/19/13 *CN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL WELL EXHIBITED EXTENSIVE RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENTIRE REAR PANEL WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE DIAGNOSIS WAS CONFIRMED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 122,000.

RIGHT REAR WHEEL HOUSING RUSTS COMPLETELY THROUGH ALLOWING THE SHOCK TO DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. AFTER AN ONLINE SEARCH THIS IS A VERY COMMON INCIDENT. AFTER CONTACTING THE LOCAL FORD DEALER, THERE IS A BACK-ORDER ON THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL HOUSING WITH NO EXPECTED DATE OF DELIVERY. THIS IS THE ONLY WHEEL HOUSING ON THE VEHICLE THAT IS RUSTING OUT AND CAUSING ISSUES. THE ONLY TIME YOU START TO REALIZE THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE IS IF YOU START THE HEAR A "CLUNK" COMING FROM THE CAR, HOWEVER; THERE IS A RUBBERIZED UNDERCOAT THAT PREVENTS YOU FROM SEEING THE DAMAGE UNTIL IT IS TOO LATE OR A KNOWLEDGEABLE MECHANIC WITH THE ISSUE LOOKS SPECIFICALLY AT THE WHEEL HOUSING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS FOUND THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL WAS PERFORATED DUE TO RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SHEET METAL HAD ALSO BECOME COMPLETELY CORRODED DUE TO RUST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A RATTLING AND CLICKING SOUND. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT FOUND THAT THE PASSENGER REAR WHEEL WELL WAS SEVERELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED HER NOT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 190,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED SHE NOTICED THE REAR FRAME WAS CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. *TR

WHILE DRIVING A LOUD CRACK/POP WAS HEARD FROM THE PASSENGER REAR WHEEL AND THEN THERE WAS ROAD NOISE. WHEN WE STOPPED THERE WAS A LARGE HOLE IN THE WHEEL WELL AROUND THE SHOCK MOUNT. ALL THE METAL HAS RUSTED THROUGH. THE SHOCK HAS NO ATTACHMENT LEFT TO THE UPPER BODY, ONLY ALONG THE BOTTOM EDGE. WHEN THE VEHICLE BOUNCES IT MOVES INDEPENDENTLY OF THE SHOCK IN THAT CORNER. I OPENED UP THE INTERIOR COMPARTMENT, REMOVED THE CARPET AND TRIM PIECES TO GET A LOOK AND FOUND A HOLE THAT IS LARGE ENOUGH TO PUT MY HAND THROUGH. THIS CAR HAS LESS THAN 78,000 MILES. THE TIRES AND BRAKES WERE REPLACED IN THE FALL AND NO SIGNS OF DAMAGE WERE PRESENT AT THAT TIME DUE TO THE UNDERCOATING BEING IN PLACE. *TR

I HEARD UNUSUAL ROAD NOISE AND EXPERIENCED LOOSENESS NEAR THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE. UPON INSPECTION, I DETERMINED THAT THE REAR WHEEL WELL HAD CORRODED THROUGH, COMPROMISING THE REAR STRUT. THE HOLE EXTENDS NEARLY 12 INCHES, EXPOSING THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE EXTENT OF THE CORROSION WAS NOT APPARENT PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT BECAUSE THE WHEEL WELL COATING COVERED THE DEFECT. AFTER LOCATING THIS CORROSION, A FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETED, BUT NONE OF THE OTHER WHEEL WELLS EXHIBIT SIMILAR CORROSION. DUE TO THE SEVERE CORROSION OF THIS BODY PANEL, THE CAR CANNOT BE SAFELY DRIVEN BECAUSE THE REAR STRUT IS BEING HELD IN PLACE BY ONLY A TINY PORTION OF THE STRUCTURAL PANEL. IF I HAD NOT LOCATED THIS DEFECT IN TIME, IT IS LIKELY THAT THE STRUT WOULD HAVE BECOME DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE FRAME WHILE DRIVING AND WOULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 55 MPH, THERE WAS A RATTLING NOISE. THE CONTACT STOPPED AND SAW THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL CAVED IN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 133,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 133,250. UPDATED 05/16/13 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS STRUCTURAL DAMAGE AT THE SHOCK MOUNT AND THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL. THIS CAUSED BANGING NOISE AND ALMOST CUT A HOLE IN THE STORAGE AREA. UPDATED 05/28/2013 *JS

THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL IS RUSTED TO THE POINT OF NON-DRIVABILITY. THIS IS A SINCERE SAFETY ISSUE. NO NOTICE OF THE PROBLEM UNTIL THE "RUBBERIZED" COATING PEALED AWAY TO SHOWCASE THE MASSIVE RUST HOLES. *TR

FORD ESCAPE 2005 REAR RIGHT WHEEL WELL RUSTED OUT. I NOTICED SLIGHT STRUT SOUNDING NOISE IN THE REAR RIGHT WHEEL FOR A WEEK. I CHECKED TO MAKE SURE NOTHING WAS RATTLING IN THE TRUNK OR WHERE THE JACK MOUNTS. AFTER OPENING THE PLASTIC ACCESS COMPARTMENT TO THE JACK, THERE WAS A HOLE STRAIGHT THROUGH TO THE GROUND. I INSPECTED THE REAR RIGHT WHEEL WELL AND SAW THE ENTIRE THING RUSTED OUT CLEAR ABOVE THE SHOCK/STRUT MOUNT. I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND THERE WAS NO RECALL YET THE VEHICLE CAN ESSENTIALLY BE DEEMED UN-DRIVABLE AND A SAFETY HAZARD FOR THE ROAD. *TR

THERE WAS BANGING IN THE RIGHT REAR. THE SHOCK MOUNT RUSTED OFF THE INNER FENDER . THE INNER FENDER HAS SEVERE RUST AND PART OF THE FRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH. THE INNER FENDER HAD TO BE REPLACED. A PORTION OF THE FRAME HAD TO BE REPLACED. A NEW SHOCK WAS NEEDED. THE FLOOR IN THE REAR OF THE CAR HAD TO BE REPAIRED FROM THE SHOCK HITTING INTO IT. ALL IN ALL $1,373.55 IN REPAIR. I HAVE PICTURES. I CONTACTED A LOCAL FORD DEALER WHO EXPLAINED THAT THE CAR IS 8 YEARS OLD AND WE HAVE SALT ON THE ROAD IN WINTER. I ALSO CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE WHO EXPLAINED THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR SUCH AN INCEDENT. AFTER LOOKING ON LINE I FOUND NUMEROUS SIMILAR EXPERIENCES WHICH LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THIS IS NOT CAUSED BY NORMAL USE. THE AFFECTED PARTS MUST NOT HAVE BEEN PROPERLY TREATED OR COATED...

THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL CORRODED COMPLETELY THROUGH THE METAL AND ENCOMPASSES THE ENTIRE UPPER SHOCK ABSORBER MOUNTING POINT. NOTHING IS HOLDING THE UPPER SHOCK ABSORBER ATTACHMENT IN PLACE. *TR