9.3

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,260
Average Mileage:
125,800 miles
Total Complaints:
116 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. not sure (46 reports)
  2. replace wheel well (26 reports)
  3. ford should recall (10 reports)
  4. replace/rebuild shock tower (9 reports)
  5. it's a junk and not a safe car (6 reports)
  6. repaired effected areas (6 reports)
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« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #96

Feb 022016

Escape XLT V6

  • CVT transmission
  • 130,000 miles

Took the car in after I started hearing this clunking noise from the back. Seems like there are hundreds of stories like mine...

Fortunately, I have choosen the best option I have been able to find out on forums and I installed the auxiliary shock mount kit that I ordered from Ebay 190$ + shipping (type ford escape shock mount, comes from Canada). I am not quite familiar to mechanics but I have to say this installation was quite easy with the instructions provided with the kit (you don't need any particular knowledge to do it, just owning a drill and a grinder is about all what you really need. The bracket and the patch are holding on quite good since.

- johnrne, Milburn, NE, US

problem #95

Feb 062016

Escape LX 3.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 151,646 miles

Front sub-frame and rear strut tower rusted on right side only, vehicle is 10 years old and unsafe to drive.

- micheline, Bolton, ON, Canada

problem #94

May 132015

Escape LXS 3.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 135,000 miles

This is a rust problem, bad steel, Ford should fix it.

- hgou812, Rockwood, MI, US

problem #93

Jan 052016

Escape Limited 3.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 188,126 miles

click to see larger images

excessive wheel well/shock tower rust excessive wheel well/shock tower rust

Rear passenger shock tower completely rusted through on my 2005 Ford Escape. I'm a partially disabled college student so this is a major problem for me. This is way beyond my finances. If there is a law suit brewing... SIGN ME UP!!! I have pictures of this damage.

- chazman, Peshtigo, WI, US

problem #92

Oct 142015

Escape Limited 3.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 121,000 miles

I bought this escape and didn't see any wheel well rust, until I washed the wheel wells out and started to remove the under coating and put my hand though the wheel well into the inside of the back area. I then looked at the other side that to had the starts of rusting out like the other side. Now this escape had an inspection done on 12/14. Its lucky that I checked the under the under coating to see the issue if I didn't do that it would have been to late I my wife, the shock and mount would have ripped though and most likely had an accident. It cost $950.00 to fix. I have checked other escape's in that year range and the owners couldn't believe what I showed them, because you have to remove the under coating to see all the issue. Its an hidden issue and need's to be addressed by Ford. this escape only had 121,000 on it and always garaged. Its a major flaw.

- gordonw, Ellsworth, ME, US

problem #91

Sep 012015

Escape XLT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 114,954 miles

I have the car regularly checked, especially the brakes which were recently serviced, and the rear tires were replaced at the same time. Weeks later, I noticed a strange noise from the rear of the car and when I had it checked I was told that excessive rust in the wheel wells has occurred and the car is not safe to drive. The cost to repair it far exceeds the value of the car. I don't want to sell it because if it's not safe for me, it's not safe for anyone to drive. I haven't decided what to do yet, but I am disappointed that this apparent defect hasn't been addressed by Ford. At this point I believe my only option is to donate the car to a charity in the hopes that it will only be used for parts. I hope that by posting this complaint, somehow Ford will be put on notice that they are putting the safety of its customers at risk.

- kjont, Toronto, ON, Canada

problem #90

Sep 142015

Escape LX 3.2L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 158,914 miles

I have had Chevrolet's for most of my life and never had anything like this happen....I was hoping to get at least 250,000 miles out of this vehicle....

- dadscamper, Peebles, OH, US

problem #89

Sep 132015

Escape

  • Automatic transmission
  • 139,000 miles

click to see larger images

excessive wheel well/shock tower rust excessive wheel well/shock tower rust

I just bought this used Ford Escape last year. It is only 10 years old and now the rear wheel is rusting out! I had it looked at at a trusted body shop in Indianapolis. They basically said it would cost more to repair it than the SUV is worth! I am a college student paying my own way through college. With other complaints about 2005 Escapes rusting wheel wells, Ford should make this right!

- Holly S., Indianapolis, IN, US

problem #88

Aug 252015

Escape 4X2 XLS 4-2.3L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 63,835 miles

click to see larger images

excessive wheel well/shock tower rust excessive wheel well/shock tower rust

I have always bought Ford Vehicles we bought this in mid July, 0 miles, 2005 Ford Escape, brand new. Never had any problems with this vehicle, just maintenance and tires replaced 3 times, oil changes. Was hit in the front end on the passenger side on August 31 when I took it to the repair shop, I told my insurance company that I think something happened to the back because right after I was hit I keep hearing this banging on the passenger side.When the mechanic went to look he told me this is all rusted out and told me $2000 to fix it. My jaw dropped. He also told me this is an issues with Ford Escapes rusting out on the passenger rear wheel well.

This vehicle was well taken care of I have a attached to pictures One pic is the driver side and the second pic is of the passenger side, driver side is fine some rust. This vehicle washed and waxed every weekend all year until it got cold then power washed each time the weather broke. Very disappointed this was a good reliable Vehicle for my family. If anyone knows what I can do besides trade it in please tell me.

- Kevin D., Pittsburgh, PA, US

problem #87

Sep 292015

Escape XLT

  • Automatic transmission
  • 90,000 miles

click to see larger images

excessive wheel well/shock tower rust

Same complaint as everyone else rearding this problem. It's a safety issue due to a defect and Ford refuses to acknowledge. Next step a Class Action Lawsuit. Anyone who wants to join in this contact me via e-mail hartzog115@aol.com I am in the process of speaking to an attorney regarding this lawsuit.

If you are on Facebook sign up to discuss this problem and join the lawsuit

https://www.facebook.com/events/553263791498040/

- hartzog115, Carbondale, PA, US

problem #86

Jun 182015

Escape Limited V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 127,610 miles

I am one more victim of this sorry manufacturing job by Ford. One does expect some body rust perhaps, when your car is 10 years old and has 127,000 miles, but you don't expect the suspension to come apart; that is essentially what happens when a strut mount rusts out and your vehicle becomes undriveable. Took it to a tire and suspension shop, they couldn't help. They called a body shop, and the body shop asked them "Is it the right rear?" They had seen this problem before. So that's where I took it. The repair looks good but now I'm $2,300 further into this car, and I'm not sure how interested another individual or a dealer will be in buying it.

- steverne, Omaha, NE, US

problem #85

Oct 032015

Escape

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,000 miles

Having the same issue as most with major rust in the right rear quarter panel / shock area. It's BAD. Just wanted to make sure everyone who is having a similar challenge CALLS FORD TO FILE A COMPLAINT and save your repair receipts incase this eventually becomes a recall. Call it in, report it. 1.800.392.3673

- burchall, Chicago, IL, US

problem #84

Aug 222015

Escape Limited 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 125,000 miles

click to see larger images

excessive wheel well/shock tower rust excessive wheel well/shock tower rust excessive wheel well/shock tower rust

Ford definitely has a problem by not recalling the Ford Escape for rust on the passenger rear wheel area. Last year my right rear shock broke. This year the whole area rusted out!

- patton6pack, Urbana, OH, US

problem #83

Sep 022015

Escape Limited V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 108,000 miles

I bought this 2005 Ford Escape Limited for my 16 year old in December of 2014. Was told by dealer there was surface rust that would not cause any problems. After a few months we noticed the there was no shock on the passenger side and the wheel was completely rusted out with no upper shock mount. Then my 16 year old came home and said that the alignment went out so we took it to our mechanic. He started looking into why the alignment went out and found that the engine cradle was 75% rusted through all the way down to where the control arm bolts on. The tire could fall off at any time. After doing some research online I see the 2001-2004 recall for this same issue. FORD, this is not acceptable. You are putting our children and us at risk of injury and possible death is a wheel was to come off while driving. I have been a Ford guy for a long time, but they need to show that they care about the customers before I EVER buy another Ford.

- Craig M., Elizabethtown, US

problem #82

Aug 032015

Escape XLT 3.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 150,000 miles

To have the right rear wheel well fall apart so suddenly when the rest of the vehicle does not have that level of corrosion indicates a design flaw or manufacturing defect. I am going to take it to the Dealer and ask Ford to repair it. From other posts regarding this complaint this is unlikely to be successful. If they won't fix it, I would join a class action.

- lemonsucks, Fort Frances, ON, Canada

problem #81

Jul 202015

Escape Limited 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 120,100 miles

I'VE CALLED FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE A FEW TIMES ASKING FOR A CONNECTION TO THE CEO BUT WAS TOLD THEY DON'T HAVE A PHONE # FOR HIM.THEY ALSO SAID HE DOES NOT SPEAK TO CUSTOMERS.AFTER EXPLAINING IN DETAIL THAT 5 BODY SHOPS/MECHANICS HAVE SAID THEY CAN'T WORK ON IT AND THAT THEY HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT. THEY ALL CONCURRED IT IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECTIVE MATERIAL THAT CAUSED THIS TO HAPPEN.

AS AN HONORABLY DISCHARGED VETERAN AND SINGLE PARENT OF ONE, I FIND IT DESPICABLE THAT SOME MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR COMPANY CANNOT DO THE RIGHT THING BY THEIR CUSTOMER, BY ACCEPTING FAULT FOR THEIR PRODUCT JUST FALLING APART DUE TO LOUSY MATERIALS USED IN ITS' CONSTRUCTION. IN ADDITION,THEIR OFFICIAL WEBSITE HAS A HEADING FOR THE TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR THEIR CEOS', BUT WHEN YOU CALL IT, YOU ARE CONNECTED TO A LOW LEVEL CUSTOMER RELATIONS OPERATOR WHO TELLS YOU THEY CAN'T HELP YOU.

THANKS FOR NOTHING MR.WILLIAM FORD JR/CHAIRMAN OF FORD'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS. MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE LIMITED THAT I JUST PAID OFF AFTER SOME FINANCING FROM FORD MOTOR CREDIT, HAS BEEN SITTING IN MY PARKING LOT WITH THE STRUT COMPLETELY THRU THE REAR PASSENGER SIDEWALL.YOUR COMPANY SHOULD BE ASHAMED TO CALL ITSELF AN AMERICAN COMPANY.

- bilance27, Hightstown, NJ, US

problem #80

Jun 012015

Escape XLT AWD 3.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 128,624 miles

Looks like everyone is having the same problem. I had to remove this shock absorber because it was too dangerous to hit the wheel. I call Ford to make a complaint , and they never call me back. I'm pretty sure they know it and they should make a recall for this problem. Now I plan to talk with my lawyer about it. There are many websites and complaints about the exactly same problem ..... I'm just surprised nobody has done something yet.

- zodiak31, Quebec, QC, Canada

problem #79

Jun 012015

Escape LX V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 122,000 miles

Wish I had known about this issue when I bought the Escape 2 years ago. The Escape has been a great car and I love it, but now I don't know if it is safe or not to drive.

- slvr35, Hamilton, OH, US

problem #78

Jul 252015

Escape Limited 4.0L V61fmy

  • Automatic transmission
  • 64,000 miles

Bought this 2005 Ford Escape 4x4 five years ago from my brother, who had bought it new. I loved it; it looked good and drove great.

Last Saturday coming back from Indiana, it started making a horrible thumping noise from the right rear every time I hit the slightest little bump, even at low speed. Managed to get it home.

On Monday drove it to Integrity Auto Body, a very reputable business. They told me they were UNABLE to fix it. The inner rear area that held the shock was rusted completely through. They also gave me a paper stating that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. I had it towed to another auto repair shop, and they were going to refer to yet another one. Have not heard anything back since then.

This vehicle has been serviced regularly and has 64,000 miles on it. If my Escape is not repairable, I may have to join those people who always claimed that FORD was an acronym for Found On Road Dead. I have owned several Fords in the past and never had anything like this. I am shocked, angry, and sad. Ford Motor Company perhaps needs a new slogan: UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

- Pat G., Defiance, OH, US

problem #77

Sep 052015

Escape 3.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 119,000 miles

click to see larger images

excessive wheel well/shock tower rust excessive wheel well/shock tower rust excessive wheel well/shock tower rust

Exact same problem as everyone described in the right rear wheel well. Called local Ford dealership, they ran my VIN, but said there was no recall. The car is 10 years old, what do you expect? - mentality. The car only has 120K on it, so I expect to get another 3-4 years out of it, minimum. That's what I expect. Very disappointed in Ford.

I took it to a local body shop in North Attleboro, MA - Keilen's Auto Restoration. They custom fabricated and welded a new rear right wheel well in place. Replaced both rear shocks (the right one had completely rusted through at the top, near where the wheel well had deteriorated). They told me that the rear left wheel well was in the early stages of deteriorating as well. Had them patch that well and seal both of them up. They did the whole job in about 3 days from when I dropped off the car for $1045. Hoping that this is the end of the body rust issue in the rear!

- btufts, Sharon, MA, US

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