The entire shock tower on the rear passenger side has rusted out. The shock has nothing to hold on to. Multiple body shop estimates are $900.00 - $2,000.00.

This information copied from post #124. I would appreciate verification if correct or false:

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.

While driving my 2005 Ford Escape on the expressway, I heard a constant excessive banging noise. I took the car to my mechanic, who informed me that the right rear wheel well had completely rusted out and broke away from the frame of the car. The car is not drivable and is going to cost $865.00 to fix the right wheel well. Hopefully the left side is salvageable.

I am Extremely disappointed with Ford and at this point cannot be convinced to purchase another Ford product.

Ford should take pride and ownership of the product they put on the market and create a car that Americans would want to purchase. When you spend $28,000.00 on a car, you would expect it to last more than 8 years. Perhaps Ford should contact Toyota and find out what they are doing right, since my other car is 14 years old, has 265,000 miles and is better shape!

I started hearing a loud banging sound in the right rear of my Ford Escape. I thought something was loose or wasn't closed properly. My partner took it for a test drive and when he came back looked under the right wheel well and it was totally rusted away exposing the shocks. My repairman I usually use would not even touch it so I took it back to the dealership and they are aware of the DEFECT but there are no recalls. Now I have to pay $800 something dollars for Ford's defect. They have to order the part and hope its not backordered. I've had to take two days off work because they had no vehicle to loan me and my vehicle is not safe to drive. Really disappointed with Ford because it seems to get a recall someone has to get killed or injured first. I've been a loyal customer of Ford for many years because my father retired from Ford. Maybe it's time to look at another brand.

At the age of 70 and the COST of a house, $ 22,806.06 to be exact, plus interest....I thought this NEW 2005 Ford Escape would be my last car I would have to buy. WELL I GUESS..... I WAS WRONG !!!!!

The Ford Escapes from 2004 -2006 have defective metal in the quarter panels where the shock is attached. No Recalls and Ford Does NOT CARE. This happens with the Windstar also. But they finally admitted the problem and fixed it. The shock on the rear right quarter panel has rusted and fell off. Now my truck will not pass inspection due to this issue. Ford offers no fix. And some dealers also claim they have not head about this situation. REALLY !!!!!! WELL All YOU HAVE TO DO IS GOODLE IT.... 2005 Ford Escape Rust .....

Now as of Monday I cannot drive my truck because it will not Pass inspection.....T H A N K Y O U ....F O R D

Just found out that my 2005 Ford Escape right rear wheel well has completely rusted out. Only 86,000 miles on it. After checking online, looks like there are many others that have this problem. Ford refuses to do anything, just said that they would report it to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. They lied, because I called NHSIA , and asked if Ford reports issues to them and they said NO. So far, only 116 complaints regarding this issue has been filed with them. So everyone with this problem should call NHTSA at 1-800-424-9393 and report it. Ford should really own up to their defective workmanship and make this right.

I have a 2005 ford escape. I've been the only owner. garage kept when at home. the right back wheel well completely rusted out. the shock mount is totally disconnected from my suv !! this is horribly unsafe and can not be driven. ford says "we never heard of this issue" so I told them to google this problem and see the hundreds of other complaints. THEY SAID THEY NEED 1000 PEOPLE TO COMPLAIN BEFORE THEY WILL DO A RECALL. they said they cant even fix the issue. so far 2 shops said they will not fix it due to liability reasons since its the frame of the car.

I have contacted the media. I will never buy a ford again and will make sure I blast this all over social media too to warn anyone that owns a ford escape to get rid of it asap.

05 Limited 150,000 miles

Mine was so bad it wasn't connected anymore. Thank God my dad is an awesome body guy because within a week he fixed it. He cut out the remaining rust (which was almost none) and added a whole new section. I have almost a brand new wheel well. He put flex seal on the outside and inside so it wouldn't rust again and no water salt etc would get in there. that was on my passenger side. my drivers side started so he put a tiny new piece on there also. He said its the worst hes seen on an 2005. I contacted Ford but they wouldn't do anything and its common because every escape I see I look at their wheel well and its rusted. I'm just lucky to have a dad who fixed it. He said it was a pain the in butt and no other shop would touch it because it complicated. Went to Ford and they said around $2000 to fix it. Then they tried selling me the WHOLE quarter panel for $500. DO NOT DO IT! They have the piece we need its just on back order. So really, you cant get it. I would find someone who does work out the their garage and see if they'll do it. If not, I would look for another car because these Escapes suck with the wheel well and other issues. I have a loan and its my first loan ever so I needed it fixed. I love the car, but geese, cmon Ford, DO SOMETHING! Your going to loose customers, and once my loan is up, I'm never buying a Ford again. EVER! Good Luck Guys!

I have a 2005 Ford Escape with severe corrosion on the rear right wheel well. I contacted Ford Motor Co. multiple times but I get no help. The shock absorber broke through the wheel well and is no longer mounted to it. The other wheel wells are fine. Went researching online and found hundreds if not thousands of people with the same exact problem. The car is not safe to drive and could cause injury or death to myself and others since the car is not stable when turning or diving on highway. Seems like there is a good enough evidence to blame Ford for this malfunction on their behalf. There would be much appreciation if anyone could help settle this issue. Thanks

Discovered excessive rusting condition on both the back wheel wells were the shocks attach. Car was making a rattling noise, had my mechanic look it over when the rust condition was discover. My mechanic indicated that he has not seen this type of excessive rusting occurring on a vehicle 2005. Have to take the vehicle to multiple places until I found someone to repair. It appears that the spray on undercoating that FORD added to the wheel well area was trapping water, salt, etc.. enhance the rusting process. It just seems unbelievable that this area would rust out this quickly and the remainder of the vehicle if fine. Purchase this 05 Escape new and also purchase a new 11 Escape. I sure hope this do not occur again. It just makes me sick seeing it and having to dealing with this. U would expect a better product that will last longer.

Very Dangerous. I was driving and hurt a banging noise everytime I hit a small dip in the road. I thought maybe the passanger rear door was ajar. I stopped to close it. It kept banging. I thought something broke loose. I looked at the passanger rear wheel well to find it crack about 1 foot long. The strut did not have any tension because the wall was in two pieces and was able to move around.

When I first purchased the car and took it home, I back the car in my drive and parked it on a small incline. In the morning I got in and couldn't start it. I was told my FORD's to open the little round button on the console and stick a screw driver in there and then turn the key. It worked, but that's not what I had hoped for with a brand new vehicle. Another time, I stopped quickly to avoid hitting a squirrel and the car stalled out in the middle of the road. One day I was talking to a friend that was my passanger, as I said, "I'll be darned if... and I slapped the steering wheel and the car stalled out in the middle of the road. The sunroof last year started leaking. Come to find out it had soemthing to do with the screws use to fasten it down with. About 4-5 years ago the bottom edge of the back door was rusting out. I had to replace that with another one. Two years ago I had to replace some seals. It goes on and on. When you think you may have gotten everything, it's something else. Had I known.....I would have traded it in for something else. I am looking for another car...won't be a FORD ESCAPE and probably not a FORD at all. I use to believe in American made products, but not if they are going to screw me over. FORD...Fix Or Repair Daily!