The right rear inner wheel housing has almost completely rusted away causing the right rear shock absorber to break away from its top mounting and cause severe vehicle bouncing and swaying while driving making it almost impossible to drive the vehicle.many other Escape owners I have spoken to are having the same problem and an internet search of this problem confirms my findings.

- Maple Heights, OH, USA

The shock mount on the rear passenger wheel is loose because the metal supporting it is rusting away. Whenever a bump is hit there is a loud noise and sharp jolt.

- Berea, OH, USA

Heard a rattle in rear of car. Thought it was exhaust system related. Upon inspection found rear passenger upper shock connection had rotted completed and the shock was disconnected from the car. Shock is barely hanging on the vehicle and appears incredibly dangerous. Vehicle has been maintained as per Ford requirements at the dealer where it was purchased from. No unusual driving conditions.

- Lancaster, NY, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the passenger rear shock mount penetrated the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was found that the shock mount had become perforated due to rust. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 197,000. The VIN was not available.

- Gilberts, IL, USA

Son came home from college. Banging noise noticed when sister riding with him coming from right rear of vehicle. Upon inspection at oil change garage it was noticed that right rear shock mount had completely corroded and broken off from the wheel well sheet metal. Vehicle not drivable in that condition as wheel could possibly break off or at the least poor handling of vehicle. Online search came up with similar complaints for 2003/2004/2005 Escapes. Called Ford but no recall has been issued so owners out of luck for very expensive fix.

- Evansville, WI, USA

My daughter noticed her Escape wasn't driving right it was traveling sideway`S down the highway, I noticed her front tire`S were worn, especially the passenger`S front, it was worn on the outside. I spoke with a Ford mechanic that suggested new tire`S and a front end alignment, she had that service done, which did not make the vehicle drive any differently. She then took the vehicle back in for service in which now the vehicle was dog tracking when driving and was then informed that the wheel well`S were totally rusted through and that they would not replace the rear shocks because of it. There are several hundreds of other Ford Escape owners whom have expressed the same concern. The whole rear end has apparently shifted out of line, because of the rusted out wheel well`S that attach to the shock`S to hold the rear end in alignment. This is a huge safety issue, and Ford is not doing anything about it. This issue doe`S not just include 2004 model`S, it has also been brought to my attention, that even a new 2013 model has the same problem. Please have this issue investigated it is a serious safety issue.

- Glasford, IL, USA

When taking my Escape in for an oil change, the mechanics pointed out to me that the rear passenger shock mount was almost completely rusted out. I took it for an estimate that day and could not immediately afford the repairs. Within a few days the shock had completely broken through the mount and into the passenger compartment with only normal roadway driving. Only the rear passenger wheel well has this problem. Online research with other Escape owners shows this is a common problem that Ford knows about and even acknowledges as a manufacturing defect but will not cover.

- Kalamazoo, MI, USA

The contact owns a 2004 Ford Escape. While pulling into the driveway at a low speed, the bolt on the passenger side lower control arm rotted/rusted from the inside. The dealer stated that there were no recalls for this failure. The vehicle has a three year/36,000 mile warranty. There were no warnings prior to the failure. The failure mileage was 51,000. Updated 09/09/08 updated 09/09/08.

- Hughesville, PA, USA