I noticed a loud banging in the rear passenger side of the vehicle, and discovered that the inner wheel house was completely rusted out around the shock mount. It became undriveable and completely unsafe, and I was forced to repair the area. The Ford certified replacement part cost me around $130, and the service to repair it cost around $880. Approximately 3 months later the driver side started to make the same sounds, and was beginning to rust out the same as the other side. I also repaired this side, to a cost of $650, also using a Ford certified part. Now not even 2 months later, both certified replacement parts are beginning to split apart due to the force of the shock that is attached to this flimsy metal. The truck has become unsafe to drive, and I'm being forced to purchase a new vehicle. I've been reading around the internet, and this issue for extremely common on this year of the Ford Escape. I am astonished and disgusted that Ford will not make it right on part of their customers.

- Buffalo, NY, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at 15 mph, he heard an abnormal noise that came from the rear passenger side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the rear fender well needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

- East Moline, IL, USA

Had rear shocks replaced on my 2005 Ford Escape and was told that mounts for the shocks are rusted out. The shocks are detached from the frame due to poor design by Ford. The car is not safe to drive as the shock bounces into the rear interior when moving. There is a recall from 2001 - 2004 Escapes but not 2005! for the exact same problem!

- Wheaton, IL, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that there was extensive rust on the rear wheel wells. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the rear wheel wells needed to be replaced and may potentially fracture due to the corrosion, which was affecting other components within the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.

- Schererville, IN, USA

Right rear wheel rusted apart and shock absorber is not attached any longer. The car is not drivable to safety concern.

- Ingleside , IL, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. While driving at an unknown speed, there was an abnormal noise coming from the rear passenger side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear passenger side wheel well needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V165000 (structure). The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,000.

- Ann Arbor, MI, USA

The entire passenger rear wheel well is completely rusted out & is no longer safe to drive; possible steering control. 2001-2004 Ford Escapes in the "salt belt" states were recalled for the exact same reason.

- Bay Village, OH, USA

I heard a loud banging noise coming from the right rear area of my car. Upon inspecting underneath, was dismayed to see the body of the car by the tire crumbling with rust. Apparently the banging is from the shock absorber having broken thru the wheel well, and is now hitting the back hatch area. Also, during an oil change, the service company removed a bracket that holds my exhaust in place. Upon inspecting that bracket that was just hanging there and rattling, saw a chunk of car attached to the bracket. They said that it looked like the underneath of my care had not been sprayed with rustproofing when manufactured. I still owe money on this car, and cannot afford to exchange charge or get repaired. Have had Ford cars most of my life, and I am extremely disappointed that Ford is not addressing this issue with the 2005 models. This is my only car, so I don't have much choice but to drive it, even though it is not safe. Luckily, I only have a short distance to travel to work. Ford needs to step up and take responsibility for this poor design.

- Parma, OH, USA

We noticed a rattling/banging noise coming from the right rear of vehicle, my wife rode in the rear seat and could feel the shock mount hitting against the back of the interior trim panel. Looking into the wheel well, we could see where the wheel housing had completely rusted out, revealing the interior. The upper shock mount can be wiggled by hand. Today 12/31/2014, I went to see my "friends" at our local Ford dealership, the service writer said I was in "luck" as he remembered researching the same issue for another customer. He found a diagram with the replacement panel & wheel house, part# 7L82-7827886-a, with a list price of $150, then we went to talk to another "friend" in parts, he said that the price had recently increased and now listed at $700. They offered to have me talk to another "friend" in sales, but I informed them my wife refused to buy another Ford, and if we were to buy a new vehicle it would be a Toyota. With that said, my "friends" suggested to unload (trade) it at a Toyota dealer. They also informed me our 2005 Ford Escape was "unsafe" to drive. I went to our local body shop to get his recommendation. He said, they had just done one, in 10/2014 for just under $900 and he got the part from my "friends" at the dealership for $120. In apparent disbelief he called our "friends" and they confirmed the price increase. We searched online and found many 7L82-7827886-a for $20-$180, after ordering from several different vendors, each vendor cancelled the orders for various reasons; unavailable, part number change and is more expensive, due to the size and fragile nature we are unable to ship, not available, etc. What is Ford's objective with this price increase " ? " there was clearly a defect in manufacturing, craftsmanship, and/or materials, that created this severe defect in safety of the 2005 Ford Escape ! ! !

- Poynette, WI, USA

I had my car inspected today and had them look at an issue of a banging sound I was hearing in the back passenger side area. The mechanic found extensive rust and rot in the rear passenger side wheel well and the strut was almost ready to come off. The mechanic commented he has seen this issue several times with this model. I see that Ford recalled 2001 to 2005 model years, but not the 2005. From doing research there are numerous complaints from 2005 owners. I keep my car washed and always make sure to wash salt off in the winter. My mechanic recommended that I not drive the car because it was unsafe because the strut was ready to come off and could cause the tire to bend outward. How can Ford not recall this year with all the obvious complaints concerning this issue? my daughter drives this car and imagine her going 65 on the highway and the tire bends! an investigation needs to be conducted for this model year since this has been ongoing issues with rust and rot in the wheel wells with previous model years. The issue was never corrected a, no continued past model year 2004.

- Gibsonia, PA, USA

Beautiful, well-maintained 05 Ford Escape - rare 5 speed manual, 4 cyl, AWD. Always garaged and cleaned. Opened plastic bin in rear compartment, passenger side, to store tools. Noticed small cracks and daylight in wheel well. Just below and behind shock mount. Applied light pressure. Entire section pushed through. Completely rusted away. Held in place only by rubberized undercoating. 119K. Based on all these complaints, same location, same event, I consider myself lucky it didn't fail while I was driving. I'm going to show the dealer tomorrow. Curious what his reaction will be. My guess is sympathy but nothing to do about it without Ford supporting the dealer.

- Freeport, ME, USA

While driving my vehicle, I heard a loud thumping noise in the back. Upon closer inspection, I saw that the passenger side rear wheel well was rusted through the body of the storage area. It appears the shock is in danger of coming loose.

- Lombard, IL, USA

Rear passenger side was making loud noise when driving over any type of bumps, holes, thought it was the shocks but it was the shock tower was rusted out and needs repaired. $1400 to repair, this is a common problem on the Ford Escapes and there is no recall at this time.

- Rock Island, IL, USA

My vehicle has severe corrosion in the driver side rear wheel house. The corrosion has allowed the left rear shock absorber to fail to effectively dampen the suspension movement (its purpose). The problem is very prevalent on Ford Escapes, Mercury mariners, and Mazda tributes. For NHTSA to determine if this is truly a safety issue, your will need to secure a 01 - 06 Escape, remove one rear shock absorber (worse case for the failure of my vehicle) and drive the vehicle on a rough road. Please hang on tight when doing so. The failure of the body around the mounting point of a critical component of a suspension system puts the general population at risk as they share the roads with the Escape/mariner/tribute drivers. This is a safety issue that results in failure of state safety inspections and cannot be ignored by the government Agency which is charged with preventing manufacturer safety defects from endangering people on public roads. This defect is very well document on the internet.remember...to protect and serve! me and others on the road....not Ford Motor Company.

- Montoursville, PA, USA

Heard thumping noise on passenger side rear. Took it to check it out and wheel well completely rusted out and unsafe to drive.

- Dunkirk, NY, USA

I was driving my 2005 Ford Escape when I started hearing a banging noise coming from the passenger side rear of my vehicle. After a few days the banging got louder and my Escape seemed to be hitting hard in the back like my shock wasn't working. Which my husband had changed them about 3 or 4 months prior so I thought that was odd. After driving her today and the banging getting worse I had my husband look at my back fender wall. When we did we seen it completely rusted out. I can touch the inside of my car. But the worst part of this is that is what holds my shock in place and it is all gone. I came inside frustrated and decided I would see if there are parts to fix it before my shock decides it is going to go for a free ride and destroy everything under there. To my surprise I have not found a fix nor a recall but I did find numerous people having the same issue. This is a safety hazard and no one seems to care. I am very surprised that no one has made Ford recall the Escapes and fix this issue. Can you imagine if I was on the freeway going 70 mph when this broke and the damage it could do to not only my Escape but my family, myself, and other drivers if I lost control of it because my shock is no longer attached to my SUV? I am very disappointed in Ford and everyone else that is in charge of recalling vehicles. They have put my family, me, and all the other drivers on the road in danger and no one seems to care. Maybe I should buy a Toyota because at least they recall their vehicles and fix them when they have an issue. Ford does not seem to care about anyone's safety.

- Jonesville, MI, USA

Rear wheel well totally rusted away and shock was banging when tried to find part from junk yard all 2005 Escape had rusted off wheel wells the other side is now going to do the same the car was not drivable. Had just done many repairs was planning on keeping it but now it is not safe to drive seems to me this should be a recall if it is happening to many Escapes of this year can anything be done this has been a good running car until now this problem is a real safety hazard.

- Antioch, IL, USA

Complaint one: Excessive rusted passenger side rear wheel well and strut mount, strut mount broke away. Complaint two: Rusted engine cradle caused passenger side front half shaft to separate from center of the car causing the to stop moving foreword and loss of steering.

- Cazenovia, NY, USA

Severe rust right rear shock tower unsafe to drive.

- Mount Clemens, MI, USA

Severe rusted out rear wheel wells causing the passenger rear shock to break. Called Ford and they stated no recall for 2005 just thru 2004 and they could not do anything. Still owe money on this vehicle and not sure what it is going to cost for large repair. Needs to be recalled. Look up this google and you will find tons of this.

- Akron, OH, USA