2005 Ford Escape Complaint Log

MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE HAS 112,000 MILES ON IT. I HAVE OWNED IT SINCE 2010 AND PURCHASED IT FROM A FORD DEALERSHIP. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROX.. 30MPH DOWN A CITY STREET I NOTICED A LOUD BANGING SOUND IN THE REAR RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE EVERY TIME I WENT OVER A BUMP. AFTER ARRIVING HOME I LOOKED OVER THE ENTIRE REAR INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE AND FOUND NO REASON FOR THE SOUND. I CHECKED THE REAR LEFT WHEEL AND IT WAS FINE. I THEN CHECKED THE REAR RIGHT WHEEL AND WAS SHOCKED TO SEE LARGE SECTIONS OF THE WHEEL WELL WERE MISSING AND THERE WAS EXTENSIVE RUSTING TO THE POINT THAT I CAN SEE THE UNDERSIDE OF THE TAN INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE REST OF MY VEHICLE IS PRETTY MUCH RUST FREE, SURPRISINGLY SINCE I LIVE IN MICHIGAN. THE OTHER 3 WHEEL WELLS SHOW MINIMAL EVIDENCE OF RUSTING. APPARENTLY FORD RECALLED THE 2001-2004 ESCAPES DUE TO "EXCESSIVE CORROSION". MY MECHANIC TOLD ME THIS IS HIS 4TH REAR RIGHT WHEEL WELL REPAIR ON A 2005 FORD ESCAPE IN THE PAST FEW MONTHS. THIS IS SO DANGEROUS! IF YOU EXPERIENCE THIS SAME ISSUE PLEASE FILE A VEHICLE SAFETY COMPLAINT. FORD MUST RECALL THIS VEHICLE. *TR

PASSENGER SIDE REAR SHOCK ABSORBER UPPER MOUNT BROKE LOOSE DUE TO A CORRODED WHEEL WELL. *JS

ADD ME TO THE LIST. I WAS HEADED NORTH ON HIGHWAY 17 IN SANTA CRUZ. I HAD MY WIFE AND TWO KIDS IN THE CAR. ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE ENGINE STARTS RUNNING ROUGH, THE O/D LIGHT GOES ON AND THEN EVERYTHING IN THE CAR STOPS WORKING. WE WERE APPROACHING A HIDDEN TURN SO I DID NOT WANT TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY SO I LOOKED QUICK AND SWERVED THE CAR OFF TO THE SHOULDER. THIS WAS A VERY DANGEROUS POSITION TO BE IN. I HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC. ALL OF THE ENGINE COILS WERE FIRING CODES. TOOK IT TO FORD. PCM FAILURE, ALL COILS ,PLUGS AND THE PCM ITSELF NEED TO BE REPLACED. IF YOU DO THE MATH, IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEBODY GETS SERIOUSLY HURT BECAUSE OF THIS MANUFACTURER DEFECT. THESE CARS WERE SOLD IN 2004-2005. I AM GUESSING THAT MOST WILL BE GETTING CLOSE TO THAT 100K MILE MARK RIGHT AROUND NOW. FORD NEEDS TO RECALL AND REPLACE ALL OF THE BAD PLUGS. *TR

I WAS BACKING OUT OF MY GARAGE INTO MY DRIVEWAY, WHEN I TRIED TO STOP THERE WAS NO BRAKE CONTROL AT ALL. I KEPT ACCELERATING DOWN THE DRIVEWAY STOMPING ON THE BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES UNTIL I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR BRIEFLY ENOUGH TO THROW THE CAR BACK INTO PARK. WHEN I EXITED THE VEHICLE I NOTICED A PUDDLE ON MY GARAGE FLOOR AS WELL AS ALL OVER MY DRIVER SIDE FRONT TIRE. I CHECKED THE BRAKE FLUID LEVEL AND IT WAS COMPLETELY EMPTY. I HAD IT TOWED TO A SERVICE GARAGE AND THEY DIAGNOSED THE ISSUE AS BEING A CORRODED AND RUPTURED DRIVERS SIDE BRAKE LINE AND A PASSENGER SIDE BRAKE LINE THAT WAS CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES. I HAVE SINCE SEEN A FEW DOZEN COMPLAINTS ON THIS SITE REGARDING THE SAME ISSUE WITH MY VINTAGE FORD ESCAPE. I CANNOT BELIEVE THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. BOTH THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER AND THE SERVICE GARAGE SAID THEY HAVE HAD NUMEROUS FORDS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. I'M VERY DISAPPOINTED IN FORD FOR NOT ISSUING A RECALL ON SOMETHING AS DANGEROUS AS BRAKE FUNCTIONING. I HAVE BEEN A LIFELONG FORD BUYER BUT NOW I AM THINKING TWICE ABOUT BUYING ANOTHER ONE.....EVEN THOUGH I LOVE MY ESCAPE AND WAS GOING TO BE PURCHASING ANOTHER ONE WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR. I HOPE THAT NO ONE IS INJURED OR GOD FORBID DIES BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. FORD OWES IT TO THEIR OWNERS TO PERFORM RECALLS ON ANY ISSUE THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS OR LIFE THREATENING. I OF COURSE TOLD EVERYONE I KNOW THAT OWNS A FORD ESCAPE TO HAVE THEIR BRAKE LINES CHECKED IMMEDIATELY BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, ALL WARNING LIGHTS STARTED BLINKING AND ILLUMINATING ON THE CONTROL PANEL. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT NO REPAIRS HAD BEEN MADE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE PULL APART TO DETERMINE IF THE TORQUE CONVERTER CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,382.

SECOND TIME IN 3.8 YEARS ABS AND 4X4 BRAKES BROKE, ABS FLASHING, STEADY ON, 4X4 FLASHING LOOSE BRAKES TONE RING ISSUES, FORD DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THERE ARE ISSUES, TONS OF COMPLAINTS EXCESSIVELY EXPENSIVE TO FIX, UNSAFE, ALSO SUSPENSION BARING JOINTS BRAKE EASY, BRAKES WEAR OUT FAST, I DRIVE UNDER 12K A YEAR. EXHAUST A PIECE OF JUNK, THERE SHOULD BE RECALLS, THEY REFUSE TO ACKNOWLEDGE ISSUE. *TR

FOUND RUST HOLE IN INNER FENDER ON PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL..THEN HEARD NOISE SUCH AS DOOR NOT SHUT.REINSPECTED TO SEE SHOCK NOT ATTACHED AS RUST ATE AWAY THE SUPPORT.ALL ESCAPES OF THIS YEAR HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM..FORD SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS AND ANY DAMAGE THAT OCCURS.VERY DANGEROUS. *TR

WHILE DRIVING ALONG I NOTICED A LITTLE RATTLE WHEN I RODE OVER BUMPS, ASSUMED IT WAS REGULAR RANDOM NOISES FROM UNEVEN ASPHALT. MAKE IT TO THE CORNER OF MY STREET AND THE RATTLE IS ANNOYING NOW. I PULLED OVER TO CHECK IT OUT DIDN'T NOTICE ANYTHING SO I CONTINUE ON HOME AS SOON AS I PULL IN I HEAR A BIG CLUNK. GET OUT AND WHAT IS APPARENTLY MY SHOCK MOUNT IS LYING ON THE GROUND. LOOK UNDER CAR NEAR WHERE ITS LAYING AND THE COMPLETE WHEEL WELL AT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE IS RUSTED OUT SO BAD THAT THE MOUNT HAD NOTHING TO HOLD TO. I CAN COMPLETELY SEE THROUGH TO THE INSIDE OF THE HATCH. WITH 3 KIDS, 2 UNDER 6 YRS OLD I CAN NOT TRANSPORT MY KIDS SAFELY AND IM STUCK BECAUSE I JUST BOUGHT CAR THIS FEB,4 MONTHS AGO AND IM STILL PAYING A CAR NOTE. TO EXPENSIVE TO FIX WHEN SOMEONE ACTUALLY SAYS THEY CAN FIX IT. CHECKED ONLINE AND YOU WOULDN'T BELIEVE HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE THIS EXACT PROBLEM SAME SIDE AND ALL. THIS CAN NOT BE A COINCIDENCE AND FORD HAD A RECALL FOR THIS VERY THING FOR YEARS 2001-2004 SO THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM HOWEVER THEY A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS BEFORE A RECALL CAN BE ISSUED. IF YOU HAVE THIS PROBLEM PLEASE FILE A COMPLAINT. *TR

I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANICS AND THEY FIXED ONE OF THE COILS. IT STILL DID THE SAME THING AFTER I GOT IT BACK[ SPUTTERING]. I WENT TO WAL-MART AND COMING BACK IT CUT OFF ON ME. LUCKILY I WAS AT A STOP, BUT IFI HAD OF BEEN GOING AT FULL SPEED IT WOULD HAVE HURT ME AND MY SEVEN YEAR OLD BECAUSE SINCE IT HAS POWER STEERING, WHEN IT CUT OFF THE STEERING WHEEL GOES STIFF. FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEON THE INTERNET THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THE FORD PLACE WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. PLEASE INVESTIGATE IT. I THINK THAT THIS WOULD HELP OTHER PEOPLE. *TR

WHILE DRIVING MY ESCAPE I NOTICED THAT IF I HIT EVEN A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD THERE WAS A VERY LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR END. I STOPPED TO CHECK IT OUT AND SEEN THAT THE REAR PASSENGERS SIDE WHEEL WELL WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH LEAVING MY SHOCK WITH VERY LITTLE SUPPORT. IT SEEMS TO BE A FLAW / SAFETY ISSUE WITH THESE ESCAPES WITH NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS BUT NO RECALL. TRUCK PARKED NO SAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

THE ENTIRE WHEEL WELL IS RUSTED OUT AND THE SHOCK IS STICKING INTO THE REAR OF THE BACK OF THE CAR. IT IS DANGEROUS AND FORD HAS A RECALL ON 2000 - 2004 FOR THIS ISSUE NOT THE 2005. *TR

WHILE DRIVING, LOUD BANG SOUND HEARD WHEN GOING OVER BUMBS. REVIEW OF THE RIGHT (PASSENGER SIDE) REAR WHEEL WELL INDICATED SEVERE RUSTING. AFTER TAKING TO DEARLERSHIP AND BODY SHOP, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL WAS COMPLETLY RUSTED THROUGH AND FRAME WAS DETACHED FROM SHOCK. BODY SHOP INDICATED THAT REPAIRS ARE ESTIMATED AT $5,000 TO THE SUB FRAME . AFTER CONDUCTING RESEARCH, THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL YEAR ESCAPE. CONTACTED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SINCE 2005 MODEL WAS NOT PART OF APRIL 2014 RECALL NOTICE (2001-2004 ONLY), THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THEY ALSO INDICATED NO CUSTOMER SATISFACTION PROGRAMS EXISTED FOR THIS ISSUE. ESCAPE MILEAGE IS 130,000. *TR

WHILE COMING UP TO A STOP SIGN I STARTED TO PRESS MY BRAKE AND WHILE COMING TO A STOP THE BRAKES STOPPED WORKING ALLOWING MY VEHICLE TO LUNGE FORWARD A FEW FEET WITHOUT ANY BRAKES BEFORE THE BRAKES KICKED BACK IN BRINGING MY CAR TO A STOP. ALSO WHILE IDLING AROUND A PARKING LOT MY ABS STARTED ENGAGING CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO START JERKING FORWARD, I WASN'T EVEN TOUCHING THE BRAKES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON ONE OCCASION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 167,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE MADE A CLUNKING NOISE. AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL AND STRUTS WERE SEVERELY CORRODED AND FRACTURED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE COULD BE CORRECTED BY REPLACING THE REAR PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 158,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELD RUSTED THROUGH THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,600.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING UNIT ONLY BLEW OUT HOT AIR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

A FEW WEEKS AGO WE STARTED TO HEAR A FAINT NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE RIGHT SIDE WHEEL WELL OF THE VEHICLE. AS THE DAYS WENT ON THE NOISE STARTED TO GET LOUDER AND IT SOUNDED LIKE THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR WASN'T SHUTTING. AFTER TAKING IT INTO THE SHOP THE MECHANIC HAD TOLD US THAT WHEEL WELL WAS RUSTED OUT AND THAT THE SHOCK WAS GOING UP AND DOWN PRETTY MUCH SHAKING RIGHT THROUGH THE WHEEL WELL. THE SHOCK HAD COME THROUGH THE INSIDE PLASTIC OF THE TRUNK (NOW WE HAVE A HUGE HOLE) AND WE HAD TO PARK IT UNTIL WE CAN FIX IT. THE FIRST THING THE MECHANIC TOLD US IS THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND IT GOING TO COST HUNDREDS TO RE-FABRICATE. THIS SHOULD DEFIANTLY BE ON THE RECALL LIST AS WE HAVE READ SEVERAL PEOPLE HAVE HAD VERY SIMILAR PROBLEMS. *TR

TL-THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD THUMPING NOISE FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL WAS CORRODED AND THE SHOCK MOUNT HAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE WAS 124,714. PAM

TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE RATTLED AS THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO AN UNKNOWN OBJECT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STRUTS HOUSING WAS DECAYED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

I JUST PURCHASED THIS 2005 FORD ESCAPE AT THE END OF MAY 2014 WITH ONLY 73333 MILES ON IT AND IT WAS RUNNING GREAT. THEN A MONTH LATER I STARTED HEARING A LOUD BANG UNDER THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT AREA AFTER GOING OVER A FEW NORMAL LITTLE BUMPS IN THE RESIDENTIAL STREETS.(LIKE CRACKS OR SEWER LID) I CHECK IT OUT THERE WAS SOME EXCESSIVE RUST IN THE WHEEL WELL AREA. I DROVE IT FOR ANOTHER WEEK WITH THIS ANNOYING SOUND THEN IT GOT WORSE MAKING LOOSE CLANKING AND SQUEAKING NOISE CONSTANTLY WITH THE BANGING NOISE. I SEARCHED UNDER THE VEHICLE AND IN THE WHEEL WELL, IT'S COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. THE SHOCK/STRUT? ARE MOUNTED TO NOTHING BUT CRUMBLING RUST. IT IS JUST FREE FROM THE WHEEL WELL NOW. I CAN'T EVEN DRIVE IT. FROM THE OTHER COMPLAINTS I CAN SEE THIS WILL NOT BE AN EASY FIX NOR DOES FORD COMPANY RECOGNIZE THIS IS A FAULTY ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE AND SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE EARLY CORROSION IN THE WHEEL WELL AREAS WITH THIS VEHICLE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE UNDERCARRIAGE HAD EXTENSIVE RUST TO THE POINT OF CORROSION. THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD RATTLING NOISE, WHICH WAS COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE UNDERCARRIAGE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPLACED FOR ANOTHER VEHICLE FROM THE FORD MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE WHEEL WELL WAS RUSTED OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHOCK MOUNT WAS RUSTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,300.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO MAKE A LOUD BANGING NOISE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED THAT THE REAR SHAFT WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER HAD NOT BEEN NOTIFIED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

(CASE# [XXX]) (FORD ESCAPE 2005 SUB-FRAME DEFECT) I WISH TO REPORT AN EXTREMELY UNSAFE CONDITION THAT HAS OCCURRED WITH MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS, WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, I HAVE NOTICED A LOUD METAL-SOUNDING BANGING NOISE WHENEVER THE CAR GOES OVER EVEN A SLIGHT BUMP/CRACK IN THE ROAD. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE INTO OUR LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP TWICE TO HAVE THE PROBLEM CHECKED OUT. FIRST TIME, FORD REPLACED THE LINKS (?), WHICH DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE SECOND TIME, I POINTED OUT TO SERVICE TECHNICIAN THAT THE REAR WHEEL WELL WAS RUSTED THROUGH. SERVICE TECHNICIAN REMOVED INTERIOR COVERING TO FURTHER INSPECT DAMAGE, AND DISCOVERED THE SHOCK ABSORBER WAS STICKING UP INTO THE VEHICLE. SERVICE TECHNICIAN REFERRED VEHICLE TO THEIR (FORD DEALERSHIP) BODY SHOP, WHO'S TECHNICIAN INFORMED ME THAT THE SUB-FRAME IS RUSTED OUT AND WOULD COST AT LEAST $6000 TO REPAIR. I DECLINED THEIR REPAIR OFFER, AND BROUGHT THE VEHICLE HOME. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH (VEHICLE SAFETY AND RECALL WEBSITES), I WAS SHOCKED TO DISCOVER THAT MANY OTHER OWNERS OF 2005 FORD ESCAPES ARE EXPERIENCING AND REPORTING THIS SAME PROBLEM, AND ARE FRUSTRATED AND ANGRY THAT A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN ISSUED BY FORD. THESE VEHICLES ARE ONLY NINE YEARS OLD, ARE NOW TOTALLY WORTHLESS, AND ARE EXTREMELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I HAVE BEEN FORCED TO FIND ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION, WHICH IS A MAJOR INCONVENIENCE AND EXPENSE FOR ME. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

I HAD TO REPLACE THE REAR SHOCKS ON THIS VEHICLE. IN DOING SO THE AUTO REPAIR FATALITY SHOWED ME THAT THE ENTIRE CENTER OF THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL WAS CORRODED AWAY, LEAVING BIG HOLE. THE GARAGE TOLD ME THAT THEY HAD SEEN THIS ON SEVERAL OF THIS MODE (2001-2007) I TALKED TO A COUPLE OF DEALERS THAT TOLD ME THE SAME THING. ONE EVEN TOLD ME THAT HE THOUGHT IT SHOULD BE A RECALL. *TR

YOU HAVE FAILED TO RESPOND TO OUR PREVIOUS POSTS. WE STILL AWAIT YOUR REPORT ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THE REAR RIGHT WHEEL WELL HAS DISINTEGRATED LEAVING THE SHOCK ABSORBER UNCONNECTED TO ANYTHING AT THE TOP. IT HAS BEEN REMOVED TO PREVENT IT CAUSING FURTHER DAMAGE OR DAMAGE TO THE BREAK LINES. SEARCH ON FACEBOOK UNDER 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THERE ARE LOADS OF VEHICLES WITH EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS WEEK SOMEONE REPORTED THEIR BRAKE LINE HAD BEEN DAMAGED BY THIS ISSUE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT FORD NEED TO ADDRESS URGENTLY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR WHEEL WELL WAS RUSTED, EXPOSING THE ELECTRICAL WIRING OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE ENTIRE FRAME UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED AND CAUSED A RATTLING NOISE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN AT ANY SPEED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT REAR PASSENGER SIDE SHOCK TOWER WAS RUSTED ENTIRELY, CAUSING WIRING DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, SHE FELL ASLEEP BEHIND THE WHEEL AND CRASHED. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL WITH MAJOR INJURIES TO HER LUNGS, CHIN, ARMS, AND LOWER BACK. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

I WAS DRIVING ON A CITY STREET WHEN I STARTED HEARING LOUD BANGING NOISES FROM THE REAR OF MY ESCAPE WHENEVER I WENT OVER ANY TYPE OF BUMP. ONCE HOME, I LOOKED AROUND AND DISCOVERED THAT THE WHEELHOUSE PANEL ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF MY ESCAPE WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND DETERIORATING. THERE WERE SEVERAL LARGE HOLES IN THE METAL. THE WHEELHOUSE PANELS AROUND THE OTHER THREE WHEELS LOOK FINE WITH MINIMAL TO NO SIGNS OF RUST. I TOOK MY ESCAPE TO A FORD DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THE DAMAGE WOULD COST ME $2,350 TO HAVE THEM FIX IT, BUT THAT THEY COULD NOT GET TO WORK ON IT FOR ABOUT 2 WEEKS. I CHECKED AROUND ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT OTHER PEOPLE WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR 2004 - 2006 ESCAPES. I CALLED FORD AND WAS TOLD THAT NO RECALL IS UNDERWAY TO FIX WHAT, TO ME, IS A PROBLEM DUE TO SOMETHING THAT FORD WAS DOING WRONG FROM 2004 TO 2006, AND THAT FORD SHOULD STEP UP TO FIX FREE OF CHARGE. I'VE TAKEN MY ESCAPE TO SEVERAL BODY SHOPS TO RECEIVE OTHER ESTIMATES ON THE COST OF THE WORK. SEVERAL OF THOSE BODY SHOP EXPERTS SAID THAT THERE IS NO WAY THAT A NINE YEAR OLD AUTO SHOULD HAVE AS MUCH RUST AND DETERIORATION AS MINE HAS, FURTHER STRENGTHENING MY BELIEF THAT THIS DUE TO A SCREW UP BY FORD. I'VE MADE ARRANGEMENTS WITH ONE OF THOSE BODY SHOPS TO HAVE THE WORK DONE THIS WEEK FOR ABOUT $800, ABOUT A THIRD LESS THAN FORD WANTED ME TO PAY TO FIX THEIR SCREW UP. BEFORE THIS, I WOULD HAVE RECOMMENDED A FORD TO ANYONE. IN ADDITION TO MY ESCAPE, I'VE ALSO BOUGHT A FORD EXPLORER AND A FORD ESCORT FOR MYSELF AS WELL AS A 2003 FORD ESCAPE FOR MY DAUGHTER. BUT, IF FORD IS THE KIND OF COMPANY THAT WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR ITS MISTAKES AND WILL NOT TAKE CARE OF ITS CUSTOMERS, I WILL NOT BUY ANOTHER OF THEIR AUTOMOBILES. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, A LOUD THUMPING NOISE WAS EMITTED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE SUB FRAME WAS CORRODED AND SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR SUB FRAME, THE REAR BODY SIDE MEMBER ASSEMBLY AND THE INTERIOR REAR QUARTER PANEL WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,247.

WE WERE DRIVING ALONG AND STARTED TO HEAR THIS BANGING NOISE WHICH WAS GETTING PROGRESSIVELY LOUDER. WHEN I FOUND A SAFE SPOT TO PULL OFF THE ROAD I DID, AND GOT OUT TO INVESTIGATE WHAT WAS MAKING THE NOISE. WHEN I GOT TO THE RIGHT REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHERE THE NOISE WAS COMING FROM I DISCOVERED THAT THE RIGHT REAR SHOCK TOWER IS TOTALLY RUSTED OUT. I CAN ACTUALLY STICK MY HAND UP THROUGH THE WHEEL WELL INTO THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

THE FRONT SUB FRAME IS RUSTING OUT, COULD BREAK & CAUSE VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTROL. THERE IS A RECALL TO REPLACE SUB FRAME FOR 2001 THRU 2004, MY VEH. MANUFACTURE DATE IS 12/2004, I CALLED THE DEALER & FORD MOTOR CORP. THEY STATED MY CAR DID NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL, I HAVE THE EXACT PROBLEM AS THE CARS UNDER THE RECALL, THEY NEED TO EXTEND THE YEAR TO COVER THERE MISTAKE. I ASK FORD MOTOR CUSTOMER RELATIONS FOR ASSISTANCE THEY SAID THERE WAS NONE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHENEVER DRIVING OVER A BUMP, THE VEHICLE WOULD MAKE A LOUD KNOCKING SOUND IN THE REAR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL HAD CORRODED AND THE SHOCK ABSORBER WAS DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH, UNDERMINING STRUT SUPPORT. ALL OTHER WHEEL WELLS HAVE MINIMAL TO NORMAL RUST WITH RUST PROOFING MATERIAL STILL IN PLACE. BODY OF VEHICLE HAS NO RUST AT ALL AND IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGED AND WASHED REGULARLY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD CONSTANT BANGING SOUND NEAR THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR FRAME WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED, WHICH CAUSED THE PASSENGER SIDE STRUT TO BECOME DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 12/01/14*LJ

RIGHT REAR SHOCK MOUNT RUSTED OFF. *TR

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A LOCAL HIGHWAY AT AROUND 50 MILES PER HOUR IN HEAVY MORNING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC WITH MY FOOT RESTING STEADILY ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF AND VIOLENTLY CAME TO SCREECHING HALT. IT FELT LIKE SOMEONE HAD PLACED THE TRANSMISSION RANGE SELECTOR INTO REVERSE... I REPEATEDLY ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE WITH NO SUCCESS... I WAITED FIVE MINUTES AND WAS ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE STARTED BUT IT WOULD NOT GO OVER FIVE MILES PER HOUR AT WIDE OPEN THROTTLE... A DIAGNOSIS WAS PERFORMED AND ALL SYSTEMS VIA LAPTOP SCAN TOOL APPEAR TO BE OPERATING NORMALLY... RESEARCHED INTERNET AND LEARNED THAT MANY OTHER ESCAPE OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND HAVING THE SAME SCENARIO. HTTP://WWW.CARPROBLEMZOO.COM/FORD/ESCAPE/2005/IGNITION-COILS-FAILURE-PROBLEMS.PHP THAT THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF AT OR ABOVE 50 MILES PER HOURS... CONTACTED LOCAL FORD DEALER WHO INFORMED ME THAT THEY KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM. THAT THERE ARE SO MANY ESCAPES FAILING THAT THE PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER FOR AS LONG AS 90 DAYS... THE PROBLEM IS THE ORIGINAL SPARK PLUGS AND IGNITION COILS (THERE ARE SIX) ARE DEFECTIVE FROM THE FACTORY AND THESE PARTS CAUSE THE MAIN VEHICLE COMPUTER TO FAIL. THE COST TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE IS AROUND $ 2,800.00... *JS

WHILE DRIVING, THE BRAKING POWER WAS LOST AND THE ABS AND BRAKE INDICATORS APPEARED. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES OVER THE COURSE OF THE PAST MONTH. FORTUNATELY I HAVE NOT BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY, BUT THERE HAVE BEEN SOME NEAR MISSES...ACCIDENTS NARROWLY AVERTED. THIS BLOG (HTTP://BLOG.YAGELSKI.COM/2010/01/MY-FORD-ESCAPE-HYBRID-BRAKE-REPAIR.HTML) BY KEN YAGELSKI DETAILS HIS SIMILAR SAGA, AND HE ENDED UP PAYING OVER $7,000 IN REPAIR COSTS. I CANNOT AFFORD THAT KIND OF BILL, AND I DON'T FEEL I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY IT WHEN IT IS A KNOWN DESIGN FLAW. PLEASE HELP! *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE SERVICING THE VEHICLE, THE DEALER NOTICED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS CORRODED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF A RECALL FOR HIS YEAR AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IN 2004. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,478. UPDATED 08/14/14*LJ

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE WE NOTICED A NOISE FROM THE FRONT END. TOOK IT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THE WHEEL VEERING WAS BAD, THOUGH HE COULD NOT CHANGE IT DO TO THE FRAME WAS ROTTED. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION WE NOTICED SEVERAL LOCATIONS ON THE FRAME ARE ROTTED THROUGH AND THE VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, THE HEAD LIGHTS BECAME FOGGED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE HEAD LIGHTS WERE MADE OF PLASTIC AND THE PLASTIC WAS DETERIORATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEAD LIGHTS LENS WERE CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 12,200.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS MERGED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BUT IT FAILED TO START. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE PCM AND THE ELECTRIC SPARK COILS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT OFFER A REMEDY. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,000. CN10/24/14*CN UPDATED 04/16/2015 *JS

AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN, I SLOWLY ACCELERATED TO AROUND 25MPH AS I USUALLY DO WHEN LEAVING MY HOME. MY VEHICLE, WHICH NORMALLY QUIETLY GLIDES OVER SMALL DENTS IN THE ROAD, WAS NOW MAKING A VERY LOUD NOISE WITH EVERY BUMPY ENCOUNTER, AND IT FELT AS THOUGH THERE WAS NO SHOCK ABSORPTION WHATSOEVER ON THE RIGHT REAR SIDE. AT THE TIME, THERE WAS NO VISIBLE DAMAGE TO THE EXTERIOR OF THE WHEEL WELL, JUST UNDERCOATING, SO I DROVE ON THINKING IT MAY BE A STRUT IN NEED OF REPLACING. THE NOISE NEVER STOPPED AFTER THAT DAY, AND I REALIZE NOW AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM, THAT THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT WITH THIS VEHICLE, AND THAT PREVIOUS YEAR MODELS OF THE ESCAPE AND THE WINDSTAR HAVE BEEN RECALLED BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY FOR THIS VERY REASON (DEFECTIVE MATERIAL AND ASSEMBLY, INVOLVING RIGHT RUSTED STRUT MOUNT) BUT FOR REASONS UNKNOWN, FORD HAS NOT YET PLACED A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE FOR THE 2005 ESCAPE. I SPOKE ABOUT THIS DEFECT WITH MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT, THE SAME DEALERSHIP FROM WHOM I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THEY ACKNOWLEDGED THIS ISSUE AS A KNOWN ISSUE, BUT AGREED THAT FORD HAS NOT YET PUT OUT AN OFFICIAL RECALL, WHICH MEANS I MUST PAY FOR THE REPAIR. WHAT'S MORE UPSETTING IS THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOW IN NEED OF INSPECTION AND I UNDERSTAND IT WON'T PASS WITHOUT THIS REPAIR BEING MADE. I FEEL THAT FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD PAY FOR THIS REPAIR AS IT IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND IT IS ALSO A DANGEROUS ONE. *TR

DURING A MOVE IN WHICH WE WERE TOWING A TRAILER, WE NOTICED THE RIGHT WHEEL WELL WAS RUSTING OUT PRETTY BAD WHEN WE COULD SEE STRAIGHT THROUGH TO THE GROUND FROM THE STORAGE COMPARTMENT FOR THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS. ABOUT 8 MONTHS LATER, DRIVING BACK FROM A CAMPING TRIP I STARTED TO HEAR A REPEATING "THUD". MY FIANCE AND I COULDN'T FIGURE OUT WHAT IT COULD BE. I CALLED MY MECHANIC AND AS SOON AS I STARTED TO EXPLAIN THE SOUND AND WHERE IT SEEMED TO BE COMING FROM...HE KNEW WHAT HAD HAPPENED. HIS BROTHER WHO ALSO HAD AN ESCAPE HAD JUST HAD THE SAME ISSUE. THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL HAD CONTINUED TO CORRODE AND RUST, CAUSING THE SHOCK TO BREAK. HE REFERRED ME TO A PLACE THAT DID THE NECESSARY REPAIR/WELDING. THEY RE-MOLDED THE WELL AND REPLACED THE SHOCK. A $750 JOB. SAID THAT THEY HAD SEVERAL...I THINK THEY SAID AT LEAST 6 ESCAPES IN FOR THE SAME THING JUST IN THE LAST TWO WEEKS. *TR

BRAKES FAILED COMPLETELY DESPITE ONE MONTH PRIOR SERVICING OF BRAKES AT LOCAL BILL BRANDT FORD DEALERSHIP IN BRENTWOOD CALIFORNIA. ALARM SOUNDED WHEN TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY, BRAKELIGHT ILLUMINATED AND NO BRAKE. GRANDMOTHER DRIVING GRANDDAUGHTER BARELY MISSED COLLISION WITH STOPPING TRAFFIC. TWO MECHANICS LATER REVEAL COSTLY CONTROL UNIT IS TO BLAME. EASY INTERNET RESEARCH SHOWS MANY OTHERS WITH SAME EXPERIENCE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE,DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED UNLESS FORD IS WAITING FOR FATALITY FIRST. *TR

REAR PASSENGER SIDE, SHOCK SEPARATION FROM VEHICLE/FRAME. RUSTED SO BAD THERE ARE HOLES IN WHEEL WELL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH OVER A ROAD BUMP, THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE HEARD FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SHOCK TOWER WAS FRACTURED AND THE TIRE SEPARATED FROM THE WHEEL WELL DUE TO SEVERE CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. TH E FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 111,000.

EXCESSIVE RUST/CORROSION IN RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL. SHOCK ABSORBER AFFECTED AND PUSHING THROUGH WHEEL WELL INTO INTERIOR OF CAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD POPPING NOISE FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT WHEEL WELL HAD DEVELOPED A HOLE. AS A RESULT, THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THIS DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.