8.0
pretty bad- Typical Repair Cost:
- No data
- Average Mileage:
- 77,400 miles
- Total Complaints:
- 5 complaints
Most common solutions:
- not sure (3 reports)
- replaced rear quarter panel (2 reports)
This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Ford dealer.
Ford is the worst for body out of a vehicle I have ever bought in my life. Ridiculous is an understatement to the amount of rust on my vehicle. We have fixed it multiple times above the rear wheel well and it has ate through approximately four more times. There is rust around the door handles and so much rust on the running boards it actually ate a hole right through it and had to be completely redone. I take care of my vehicles and wash and wax them and with this body on these it doesn't matter and all of these where I live look exactly the same. I have never ever had a SUV look like such a pile of junk!!!! And FORD doesn't stand by their product so I'll never ever buy another one again!
- Crystal H., Bradford, PA, US
My 2003 Ford Escape developed significant corrosion to the left and right rear quarter panels where they arch around the rear wheels. I suspect that Ford did a poor job of rustproofing these areas, or, didn't rust proof them at all. Very disappointing. The rest of the body is in good condition.
- lizp chicago, Chicago, IL, US
Bought 2003 Ford Escape new in 2002.In 2006 the drivers side quarter panel rusted out.Ford fixed this ,didnt cost us anything,6,000 dollars worth of damage.Had our car 6 weeks.Got it back,looked great.1 year later,rusted out again.Took back to Ford,told us nothing that they could do.Told us to trade it in.Well we did!!!!!2011.IT WAS A RUST BUCKET.THE WHOLE BACK END RUST!!!!WE BOUGHT CHEVY!!!!! The only thing Ford could say to us that the Kansas City Ford Plant forgot to under-coat it with the rust protection.Well OK then...They lost us as customers.Only got 3,000 dollars for it,guess thats not bad for the condition it was in ,THAT WAS NOT OUR FAULT!!!
- Jennifer A., Pataskala, OH, US
click to see larger images
Corrosion is occurring in this relatively low mileage vehicle around the front edge of the left rear wheel arch.
This type of thing was supposed to have gone away with better design, which prevents dirt/salt entrapment, and fancy metal plating and other coatings that were touted as corrosion prevention materials and processes.
- mgbrick, Farmington Hills, MI, US
I just had a complete rebuild on my 2003 escape automatic transmission, 2500.00 and was about to get it registered to find out their is serious rot on the frame or frame rail by both back wheel wells which will be well over another 1500.00 to get fixed..I have had it...cant afford to fix this on S.S. disability and VA Disability and now I am out of a car for me and my wife..My Advice is to never by a Ford. EVER.
- Bill M., Vernon, US