2005 Ford Escape Complaint Log

WHILE PERFORMING BRAKE AND WHEEL INSPECTION FOR NOISE WE SEE SEVERE SUB-FRAME RUST ISSUE ON OUR 2005 FORD ESCAPE XLT. PLEASE ADVISE. *TR

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 THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM, THE 2005 MODELS SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. I WILL DEFINITELY NOT BE BUYING ANOTHER FORD MOTORS VEHICLE ANYTIME SOON! *TR

THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL IS SEVERELY RUSTED AND SHOCK IS NO LONGER ATTACHED. YOU CAN SEE THE INTERIOR OF VEHICLE FROM REAR FENDER WELL. FRAME IS ALSO BEGINNING TO CRACK IN THIS AREA TOO. AT THIS POINT THE VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM FOR MANY OTHERS WITH THIS SAME MAKE AND YEAR. WHAT DOES IT TAKE FOR FORD TO REALIZE THIS IS A DEFECT. SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET HURT OR EVEN A LOSS OF LIFE IF NOTHING IS DONE. NOW I HAVE A VEHICLE THAT WAS DRIVEN DAILY SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY BECAUSE IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SPUTTER AND THE ENGINE WOULD STALL. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

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.

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

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 THAT IT WASN'T UNDERCOATED PROPERLY TO PREVENT THE RUST. THE SERVICE TECH INFORMED ME HE COULDN'T FIX IT AND RECOMMENDED A WELDING SHOP (FRIESS WELDING). THE WELDING SHOP WAS ABLE TO CUT OUT THE RUSTED WHEEL WELL (THEY REFERRED TO IT AS A FENDER WELL, I DON'T KNOW IF THERE IS A DIFFERENCE IN THE NAME), REPAIR THE UPPER SHOCK MOUNT, PUT ON A NEW SHOCK (THE OLD SHOCK WAS BENT TO BADLY FROM WHEN IT SEPARATED FROM THE CAR), AND PROPERLY UNDERCOAT IT. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THIS WAS COMMON ON 05 AND 06 FORD ESCAPES AND THEY HAD REPAIRED QUITE A FEW FOR THE SAME THING. THEY ALSO INFORMED ME THAT FORD RECENTLY HAD A RECALL FOR 01-04 FORD ESCAPES FOR A SIMILAR ISSUE ONLY ON THE FRONT OF THE CAR. THEY THOUGHT THAT FORD SHOULD DO A RECALL ON 05-06 FOR THE BACK. I DON'T KNOW IF THIS WILL HELP TO HAVE A RECALL DONE BUT WHAT THE WELDING SHOP WAS TELLING ME SEEMS TO BE TRUE AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET. I WILL KEEP ALL OF MY RECEIPTS AND THE PICTURES THAT I TOOK AND HOPE A RECALL IS EVENTUALLY DONE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

I WAS TRAVELING AT A RATE OF SPEED OF 70 MHR ON I-95 GOING DOWN SOUTH. AS L WAS TRAVELING I SUDDEN HAD TO GET OFF THE EXIT TO GET SOME GAS AS I WAS APPROACHING THE EXIT I STARTED TO SLOW DOWN TO COME TO A STOP MY TRUCK STILLED WHILE THE TRUCK WAS STILL IN DRIVE MODE. NO LIGHTS ON THE DASH BOARD LITE UP INDACATING THERE WAS A PROBLEM, NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I THEN PUT THE TRUCK IN PARK IT STARTED RIGHT UP, BUT I THEN HAD TO DRIVE WITH ONE FOOT ON THE GAS AND THE OTHER ON THE BRAKES. TOOK MY TRUCK TO MY MACHANIC AND WAS TOLD IT WAS TORQUE CONVERTOR (TRANSMISSION ) SOMETHING HAS TO DO WITH TRANSMISSION. ANOTHER INCIDENT HAPPEN ON THE WAS COMING BACK TO ATLANTA TRAVELING AT 70 MPH AGAIN TRAFFIC ALL OF A SUDDEN COME TO A STOP,ONCE AGAIN WHEN I CAME TO A STOP THE TRUCK STALLED AGAIN IT STALLED SEVERAL TIMES, IT STALLED SO MUCH I HAD TO PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE RODE AND SAT THERE FOR ABOUT 1HR IN ODER TO DRIVE WITHOUT STALLING BUT THAT DID NOT HELP IT KEEP STALLING EVERY TIME I HAD TO SLOW DOWN TO STOP .SMH.SCARED. TRAVELING WITH MY KIDS..... THIS HAS HAPPEN SOME MANY TIME UNTIL I AFRAID TO DRIVE MY TRUCK ANYWHERE IT STALLS IF I DRIVE AT 60 MPH OR 70 MPH. IF YOU ARE AWARE OF DRIVING A MANUAL CAR WHEN YOU PUT YOUR FOOT ON THE BRAKES TO STOP AND YOU DON'T USE THE CLUTH TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL TO STOP AND IT STALLS , WELL THAT'S WHAT IT LIKE DRIVE THIS TRUCK WHEN YOU COME TO A STOP WHOLE DRIVE FOR A PERIOD OF TIME I HAVE ALSO HAD TO PUT THIS TRUCK IN NEUTRAL IN ORDER FOR THE TRUCK NOT TO STALL.. I HAVE HAD THIS TRUCK MODEL TO AT BY SO MANY MACHANIC AND BECAUSE THE ENGINE LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON ITS HAD TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. SOME SAY IT ELECTRICAL PROBLEM AND SOME SAY TORQUE CONVERTOR... IT NEED TO BE A RECALL ON THIS MAKE AND MODEL TO HAVE THE TIRQUE CONVERTOR FIX BEFORE THIS PROBLEM KILLS ANYONE THAT'S HAVING THIS PROBLEM.... *TR

THE REAR PASSENGER SHOCK TOWER ON MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE IS RUSTED THROUGH. MY SHOCK IS RATTLING AROUND, BOUND TO MAKE IT'S WAY INTO THE INTERIOR OF MY CAR. *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

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

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

2005 FORD ESCAPE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SEVERE RUST ON PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL. *SMD THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE TOP OF THE SHOCK ABSORBER MOUNT WAS ALSO RUSTED. *JB

VEHICLE WAS MAKING A LOUD NOISE EVERYTIME YOU HIT A BUMP. WHEN INVESTIGATED FOUND THAT RIGHT BACK WHEEL WELL WAS RUSTED SO BAD THAT SHOCK HAD COME TOTALLY LOOSE. DID INVESTIGATION AND FOUND OUT THAT OTHER OWNERS HAVE HAD THE VERY SAME PROBLEM. WONDERING IF OTHERS HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM IN THE EXACT SAME PLACE WHY HAVE THESE MODELS NOT BEEN RECALLED? DEFINATELY A SAFETY ISSUE. *JS

NOISE COMING FROM RIGHT REAR, REPAIR SHOP LOOKS BEHIND TIRE AND FINDS REAR PANEL WHERE SHOCK IS ATTACHED ALMOST COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. COST TO REPAIR IS 2500 - 3500 DOLLARS. FORD WON'T COVER ANY OF COST. CAR IS NOT EVEN 9 YEARS OLD,UNBELIEVABLE! THIS IS A DANGER, WAITING TO KILL SOMEONE WHEN THE WHOLE THING FALLS OFF. CARS SHOULD NOT RUST THIS BAD, ESPECIALLY IN ONLY ONE SPECIFIC AREA. NOW DECIDING TO GET RID OF MY 2012 ESCAPE BEFORE I HAVE ISSUES WITH IT. *JS

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 OWNER'S ARE OUT A LOT OF MONEY THROUGH NO FAULT OF OUR OWN. *JS

IWAS DRIVING 30 MPH WENT TO APPLY BRAKES HAD NONE,PULLED EMERGENCY BRAKE HANDLE IT WORKED GOT ME STOPPED,GOT HOME LOOKED UNDER SUV BRAKE FLUID EVERYWHERE AROUNDDRIVER SIDE FRONT WHEEL ,TOOK WHEEL OFF FOUND THE RUBBER HOSE DETERIORATED BLEW OUT,MY QUESTION IS WHY DID THE BRAKING SYSTEM ALLOW ALL FLUID TO DRAIN,IF YOU FRONT BRAKES FAIL FROM BLOWN LINE,SHOULD NOT THE REAR BRAKES RETAIN FLUID IN THE RESERVOIR AND REAR BRAKES STILL WORK,IS THIS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE FLAW. *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

AS I SIT HERE AND READ ALL THESE REPORTS ON FORD ESCAPE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL ISSUES, I WONDER HOW LONG OR WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE FOR FORD TO REALIZE THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY PROBLEM WHICH NEEDS TAKEN CARE OF. *TR

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

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2005 FORD ESCAPE HOME FROM WORK AND NOTICED A LOUD THUMPING SOUND WHEN SHE WOULD GO OVER A BUMP ON THE ROAD. IT CONTINUED FOR A FEW DAYS AND SHE TOLD ME ABOUT IT AND AFTER CHECKING THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL AREA I SAW THAT THE METAL MOLDING HOLDING THE SHOCK ABSORBER HAD RUSTED OUT AND THE SHOCK ABSORBER WAS NOT BEING BRACED WHICH WAS CAUSING THE THUMP. I HAD IT CHECKED AT AN AUTO REPAIR AND THEY SAID I WOULD NEED TO HAVE SOMEONE WELD A REPLACEMENT METAL PIECE INTO THE WHEEL WELL AND PROBABLY REPLACE THE SHOCK IF IT IS DAMAGED. I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE SINCE I SAW WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND HAVE BEEN WAITING TO TRY AND GET IT FIXED. FROM SEARCH THE INTERNET IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND I AM HOPING THAT A RECALL HAS OR WILL BE DONE ON FOR THIS PROBLEM. *TR

I WAS HEARING A BAD CLUNKING NOISE FROM THE BACK SO I TOOK IT TO A CERTIFIED MECHANIC AND HE LOOKED AND SAID HE HAS NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT MY ENTIRE WHEEL WELL IS RUSTED THROUGH - HE WONT EVEN TOUCH IT - HE SAID IT IS EXTREMELY UNSAFE AND TOLD ME ITS GOTTA BE A RECALL BEING THAT ITS AN 05 BECAUSE VEHICLES AREN'T MADE TO RUST LIKE THAT - SO I CALL FORD AND THEY SAY "NOTHING WE CAN DO FOR YOU AND YOUR COMPLAINT HAS BEEN NOTED" WELL IM ON DISABILITY WITH CHILDREN SO I CANT AFFORD THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIRS NOR CAN I GO WITHOUT A VEHICLE OR DRIVE MY KIDS IN AN UNSAFE VEHICLE, I JUST LOST MY HUSBAND AND I JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO - FORD REP DIDN'T EVEN GIVE ME A GLIMPSE OF CARE - DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO DIE IN ONE OF THEIR POORLY CONSTRUCTED VEHICLES BEFORE ANYONE WILL DO ANYTHING - COME ON BACK UP YOUR PRODUCTS - AND THEN PEOPLE WONDER WHY PEOPLE BUY FOREIGN. *TR

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

I HAVE A 2005 FORD ESCAPE WITH ABOUT 100,000 MILES. I STARTED HEARING A LOUD "CLUNKING" NOISE IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. I FOUND OUT THAT THE ENTIRE REAR WHEEL WELL IS ROTTED COMPLETELY OUT AND I THINK THE SHOCKS ARE EXPOSED. I DON'T KNOW A LOT ABOUT CARS BUT I KNOW THIS ISN'T RIGHT. I LOOKED ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE EXACT SAME THING. I SEE THAT FORD HAD A RECALL FOR THE SAME THING FOR VEHICLES FROM 2001-2004. 2005 SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED WITH THAT RECALL. PLEASE NOTE THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS AND PLEASE REQUEST A RECALL. *JS

THE ENTIRE SHOCK TOWER ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE HAD RUSTED OUT. THE SHOCK HAS NOTHING TO HOLD ON TO. I AM TOLD THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. ON LINE THERE ARE A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE 2005 FORD ESCAPE. I THINK THIS WIDESPREAD PROBLEM SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED IMMEDIATELY.

THE LEFT REAR SHOCK MOUNT RUSTED AND PUSHED UP INTO THE INSIDE REAR CARGO AREA. GAS FILLER TUBE MOUNT BROKE ALSO. *TR

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

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

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.

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

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

THE RIGHT/PASSENGER REAR WHEEL WELL HAS BECOME SO CORRODED WITH RUST THAT THE SHOCK HAS COME FREE FROM THE METAL, AND SLAMMING HARD. THE STATE OF THE METAL REMINDS ME OF A BUTTERFINGER CANDY BAR, THAT FLAKES OFF IN LAYERS. I HAVE READ MANY REPORTS IN THE LAST COUPLE DAYS ABOUT SIMILAR SITUATIONS AS THIS, ALL WITH THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL. THE LEFT/DRIVER REAR SIDE HAS NO SIMILAR RUSTING, NOR DO THE FRONT WHEEL WELLS (AS FAR AS I CAN SEE/TELL). THE UNDERCOATING HAS BEEN HIDING THE RUST APPARENTLY, AND IT HAS BEEN FLAKING OFF HEAVILY IN THE LAST COUPLE OF WEEKS. *TR

SEVERE RUST OUT OF RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL, TOP OF SHOCK ABSORBER MOUNT RUSTED FREE FROM THE CAR. APPEARS TO BE A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT THE REAR SUSPENSION COULD COME DOWN ONTO THE TIRE OR LOOSE CONTROL OF THE REAR OF CAR WHILE DRIVING. AFTER CHECKING ONLINE TO SEE IF ANYONE ELSE MAY HAVE A SIMILAR ISSUE I FIND HUNDREDS OF SAME PROBLEMS. WE HAVE MAINTAINED THIS CAR WITH SERVICE AND CLEANING ABOVE AND BEYOND NORMAL AND THIS HAS HAPPENED. I FEEL THIS IS A MANUFACTURE FLAW AND SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF BY FORD MOTOR COMPANY. *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 PROBLEM WITH THE 2005 FORD ESCAPE. I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF THIS MATTER WAS INVESTIGATED AND A RECALL IS ISSUED, SINCE THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. *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

DRIVING ALONG OVER MINOR BUMP IN ROAD WHEN LOUD BANG OCCURRED ON RIGHT REAR SIDE OF VEHICLE. LOOKED AND FOUND RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL RUSTED OUT COMPLETELY NEAR SHOCK TOWER. NOISE IS SO LOUD SOUNDS LIKE IT IS COMING INTO THE INTERIOR OF VEHICLE. TOOK TO COLLISION SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME TO FIX IT WILL BE APPROXIMATELY $1000 TO START BUT MAY BE HIGHER WHEN ACTUALLY INVESTIGATED. PARTS AT FORD ARE ON BACK ORDER SO COLLISION SHOP CAN'T DO WORK UNTIL AVAILABLE WHICH THEY SAY REQUIRES WELDING. NOT SURE WHEN OR IF PARTS ARE COMING IN TO FIX. THERE SEEMS TO BE EXCESSIVE RUSTING ON THE VEHICLE WHICH SHOULD NOT HAVE OCCURRED. THIS VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW AND TAKEN CARE OF. IT WAS UNDERCOATED AS WELL. HAD ANOTHER MAKE/MODEL THAT A FRIEND HAS AND IT IS 19 YEARS OLD WITH BETTER RUST PROTECTION THAT THIS CAR. NOT SURE HOW MUCH LONGER IT WILL TAKE FOR THIS TO OCCUR ON LEFT REAR AS IT IS SHOWING RUST SIGNS TOO BUT NOT AS EXTENSIVE AS THE RIGHT. I USE THIS VEHICLE TO TOW A CAMPER IN SUMMER AND NOT SO SURE THIS WILL BE SAFE TO DO SO EVEN IF FIXED. I DID NOT TAKE CAR IN TO FORD'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND WOULD BE WAITING FOR PARTS THERE TOO! I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AND WONDER IF FIXED IF IT WILL BE SAFE TO DRIVE. I HAD PLANNED ON DRIVING THIS CAR TILL THE MOTOR STOPPED...LOOKS LIKE THE FRAME IS GOING TO RUST OUT BEFORE THAT. *TR

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A HILL AND THE ENGINE JUST STOPPED.I PULLED OVER,AND STARTED IT UP AND DROVE STRAIGHT HOME. .I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO PUT AN OBD COMPUTER ON THE CAR AND IT SAID FAULTY PRIMARY/SECONDARY IGNITION COIL. HE REPLACED ALL COILS AND PLUGS AND RESTARTED VEHICLE BUT IT STILL MISFIRED ON CYLINDER 3 (C).HE TESTED THE WIRE SENDING SPARK TO THAT COIL AND THERE WAS NO SPARK . THE PCM WAS DETERMINED TO BE BAD. NOW I'M FINDING OUT THAT IT WAS A FACTORY DEFECT BUT MINE WAS 3 MONTHS OLDER THAN THE 8 YEAR PERIOD ALLOWED BY FORD TO REPAIR FOR FREE. ONLY 40,000 MILES AND THE COMPUTER GOES TO AND COSTS OVER 1000.00 DOLLARS TO FIX IT. NOT FAIR. *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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, WHO STATED THAT THE SUB FRAME HAD RUSTED OUT AND DETACHED FROM THE FENDER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

I WAS DRIVING DOWN A BUSY HIGHWAY GOING NORMAL SPEED AND MY CAR JUST DIED WHICH THE FORD DEALERSHIP CLAIMS THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM WITH THE PCM GOING OUT AND ALL SIX COILS. I COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY HURT AND IF THEY KNOW THIS IS A PROBLEM WHY DON'T THEY DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT FOR THEIR CUSTOMERS. IT WAS ALSO VERY COSTLY TO REPAIR! *TR

WHEEL HOUSE ROTTED OUT SHOCK/SPRING BROKE THRU WHEEL HOUSE HITTING ON HYBRID BATTERY. *JS

I WAS DRIVING MY DAUGHTER HOME AND PULLING TO A STOP SIGN THE BRAKE AND ABS LIGHT AS WELL AS THE SERVICE NOTIFICATION SHOWED UP AND IT BECAME VERY DIFFICULT TO BRAKE. AFTER TAKING IT TO THE DEALERSHIP I WAS INFORMED THAT THE HCU AND CONTROL MODULE ASSEMBLY WERE DEFECTIVE. *TR

THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL HAS RUSTED THROUGH AND IT SOUNDS LIKE A BOMB GOING OFF WHEN YOU DRIVE OVER A MANHOLE COVER. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS TYPICAL ON THIS TYPE OF CAR. ONLY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE, NEVER ON THE DRIVER SIDE. *TR

DRIVING ALONG AND A LOAD BANG SOUNDED FROM RIGHT PASSENGER REAR. SHOCK HOUSING RUSTED THROUGH AND SHOCK BROKE LOOSE. THE BANGING SOUND IS VERY LOAD INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND SOUNDS AS IF THE REAR PASSENGER AREA IS JUST GOING TO FALL APART! IT IS RUSTED THROUGH AND IT SHOULDN'T BE IF IT WAS UNDERCOATED PROPERLY. FORD SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND MAKE THE REPAIRS! I CARRY MY GRANDCHILDREN IN THIS VEHICLE AND AM NOT IN A POSITION TO REPLACE IT! *TR

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

DRIVING TO/FROM WORK, I STARTED NOTICING A SLIGHT CREAKING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE. AFTER A DAY OR SO, IT BECAME A LOUD THUMPING. UPON INSPECTION, I DISCOVERED THE WHEEL WELL & SHOCK MOUNT WERE DISINTEGRATING AND THE SHOCK WAS NO LONGER CONNECTED TO THE VEHICLE. THERE ARE HOLES SO LARGE YOU CAN SEE INTO THE TRUNK. AFTER DOING A LITTLE RESEARCH, I LEARNED THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM YET FORD HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL NOR ARE THEY OFFERING ANY KIND OF REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIR. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THIS IS VERY DISAPPOINTING. THIS IS MY FIRST - AND MOST DEFINITELY LAST - FORD. *TR

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. *TR

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.

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 RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE POOR DESIGN. *TR

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