10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 3 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 115,791 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
« Read the previous 20 complaints
My 2005 Ford Escape has 112,000 miles on it. I have owned it since 2010 and purchased it from a Ford dealership. While driving at approx.. 30mph down a city street I noticed a loud banging sound in the rear right passenger side every time I went over a bump. After arriving home I looked over the entire rear interior of the vehicle and found no reason for the sound. I checked the rear left wheel and it was fine. I then checked the rear right wheel and was shocked to see large sections of the wheel well were missing and there was extensive rusting to the point that I can see the underside of the tan interior of the vehicle. The rest of my vehicle is pretty much rust free, surprisingly since I live in Michigan. The other 3 wheel wells show minimal evidence of rusting. Apparently Ford recalled the 2001-2004 Escapes due to "excessive corrosion". my mechanic told me this is his 4th rear right wheel well repair on a 2005 Ford Escape in the past few months. This is so dangerous! if you experience this same issue please file a vehicle safety complaint. Ford must recall this vehicle.
- Grosse Pointe Woods, MI, USA
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speeds, a loud noise was emitted from the rear passenger side of the vehicle. The contact mentioned that while the vehicle was having maintenance performed to repair a corrotion problem on the rear driver side door, the technician noticed that the right wheel well and shocks were corroded. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic. The technician diagnosed that due to the corrosion both the wheel well and shocksneeded to be replaced. The failure and current mileage was 92, 000.
- Trenton, MI, USA
I was driving on a city street when I started hearing loud banging noises from the rear of my Escape whenever I went over any type of bump. Once home, I looked around and discovered that the wheelhouse panel on the rear passenger side of my Escape was severely rusted and deteriorating. There were several large holes in the metal. The wheelhouse panels around the other three wheels look fine with minimal to no signs of rust. I took my Escape to a Ford dealership and was told the damage would cost me $2,350 to have them fix it, but that they could not get to work on it for about 2 weeks. I checked around on the internet and found that other people were having the same problem with their 2004 - 2006 Escapes. I called Ford and was told that no recall is underway to fix what, to me, is a problem due to something that Ford was doing wrong from 2004 to 2006, and that Ford should step up to fix free of charge. I've taken my Escape to several body shops to receive other estimates on the cost of the work. Several of those body shop experts said that there is no way that a nine year old auto should have as much rust and deterioration as mine has, further strengthening my belief that this due to a screw up by Ford. I've made arrangements with one of those body shops to have the work done this week for about $800, about a third less than Ford wanted me to pay to fix their screw up. Before this, I would have recommended a Ford to anyone. In addition to my Escape, I've also bought a Ford Explorer and a Ford escort for myself as well as a 2003 Ford Escape for my daughter. But, if Ford is the kind of company that will not take responsibility for its mistakes and will not take care of its customers, I will not buy another of their automobiles.
- Detroit, MI, USA
(case# [xxx]) (Ford Escape 2005 sub-frame defect) I wish to report an extremely unsafe condition that has occurred with my 2005 Ford Escape. The past several months, while driving the vehicle, I have noticed a loud metal-sounding banging noise whenever the car goes over even a slight bump/crack in the road. I have taken the vehicle into our local Ford dealership twice to have the problem checked out. First time, Ford replaced the links (?), which did not resolve the problem. The second time, I pointed out to service technician that the rear wheel well was rusted through. Service technician removed interior covering to further inspect damage, and discovered the shock absorber was sticking up into the vehicle. Service technician referred vehicle to their (Ford dealership) body shop, who's technician informed me that the sub-frame is rusted out and would cost at least $6000 to repair. I declined their repair offer, and brought the vehicle home. Upon further research (vehicle safety and recall websites), I was shocked to discover that many other owners of 2005 Ford Escapes are experiencing and reporting this same problem, and are frustrated and angry that a recall has not been issued by Ford. These vehicles are only nine years old, are now totally worthless, and are extremely unsafe to drive. I have been forced to find alternative transportation, which is a major inconvenience and expense for me. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
- Palos Hills, IL, USA
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, a loud thumping noise was emitted from the rear of the vehicle. Upon inspection, it was discovered that the passenger side of the sub frame was corroded and separated from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the rear sub frame, the rear body side member assembly and the interior rear quarter panel would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 42,247.
- Palatine, IL, USA
Right rear wheel well completely rusted through, undermining strut support. All other wheel wells have minimal to normal rust with rust proofing material still in place. Body of vehicle has no rust at all and is in excellent condition. Vehicle has always been garaged and washed regularly.
- Madison, WI, USA
The front sub frame is rusting out, could break & cause vehicle to lose control. There is a recall to replace sub frame for 2001 thru 2004, my veh. Manufacture date is 12/2004, I called the dealer & Ford Motor Corp. They stated my car did not fall under the recall, I have the exact problem as the cars under the recall, they need to extend the year to cover there mistake. I ask Ford motor customer relations for assistance they said there was none.
- Verona, PA, USA
Excessive rust/corrosion in right rear wheel well. Shock absorber affected and pushing through wheel well into interior of car.
- Cleveland , OH, USA
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. While driving approximately 55 mph, the contact heard a loud constant banging sound near the rear of the vehicle. The contact pulled to the side of the road and noticed that the rear frame was completely rusted, which caused the passenger side strut to become detached. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence and was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000. Updated 12/01/14
- Sandusky, MI, USA
Rear passenger side wheel well rusted out completely. Shock went thru the body into the trunk of my car. Been told by multiple shops they wouldn't do anything because of liability reasons. Ford acts like they've never heard of this problem but if you google the issue 1000's of the same issue will show.
- Milan, MI, USA
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the rear passenger side wheel well was extremely rusted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000 and the current mileage was 100,000.
- Columbus, OH, USA
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the rear passenger side wheel well and the quarter panel was completely corroded. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who stated that the wheel well and the quarter panel needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The failure and current mileage was 48,850.
- Parma, OH, USA
The first notice was that the whole base cover was rotting then once that was worn through you were able to see that the frame that connects the shock, tire and wheel well was so corroded its breaking by pieces. To date 5/29/2014 the shock with pipe attached had to be taken off. No answers to recall or being fixed by Ford this prices to fix or locate parts are expensive and most of the repair shops say it is going to happen again. I financed this vehicle and was not told of the defect and by reporting a complaint regarding the car dealership I was advised to let the finance company know of the incident because the dealership didn't want to do anything to take the car back now I'm stuck owning for something that is a road hazard that I have to drive because I can not get another vehicle. Ford has always been my car of chose but this is crazy and how come they are not made to take these vehicles and do something about these life of death problems. I sent pictures to Ford's website and fb page and still no response as I see their are several others that have the same issues what are we the consumer suppose to do you all say take a mechanic they would not have seen these problems because of the masking. For those that cant afford to keep purchasing waiting or driving these vehicles waiting on the time when its an accident death or crash we have to put in these complaints.
- Detroit, MI, USA
The right rear passenger wheel well is totally defective and unseen corrosion can weaken or destroy the shock absorber tower. Drivers are not aware of any issues until the shock breaks free of the wheel well and jams into the body. This issue occurs because AWD SUVS have the right rear wheel that always spins in snow and ice, which in turn over sprays the right rear well with corrosive material.
- Westwood, MA, USA
While driving down to the bay on a fishing trip I kept hearing something banging in the back of my 2005 Escape. I stopped and found that the right rear fenderwell had rusted an nd the shock mount was loose from the rest of the body which caused it to hit against the inside plastic. This should be repaired by Ford as the rest of the vehicle is in excellent condition. I will never buy another Ford if they can't recall this major safety hazard.
- Augusta, WV, USA
While driving over rail road tracks a loud thud was heard in the right rear wheel well. The first assumption was the tire blew, but upon inspection the tire was fine. The vehicle was driven for a few more days and the thud would continue to be heard getting worse and worse, especially when hitting bumps. The vehicle was taken to a Goodyear auto service center where I was informed that the right rear wheel well was severely rusted and the upper shock mount had separated from the body. The thumping we heard was the chunk of metal and shock mount that was separated from the body but still attached to the top of the shock hitting the rest of the wheel well that was still there. The service tech told me that he was very surprised that this area of the car was rusted so badly and it appeared that it wasn't undercoated properly to prevent the rust. The service tech informed me he couldn't fix it and recommended a welding shop (friess welding). The welding shop was able to cut out the rusted wheel well (they referred to it as a fender well, I don't know if there is a difference in the name), repair the upper shock mount, put on a new shock (the old shock was bent to badly from when it separated from the car), and properly undercoat it. They informed me that this was common on 05 and 06 Ford Escapes and they had repaired quite a few for the same thing. They also informed me that Ford recently had a recall for 01-04 Ford Escapes for a similar issue only on the front of the car. They thought that Ford should do a recall on 05-06 for the back. I don't know if this will help to have a recall done but what the welding shop was telling me seems to be true after doing some research on the internet. I will keep all of my receipts and the pictures that I took and hope a recall is eventually done. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
- Tallmadge, OH, USA
The right rear passenger wheelhouse panel is totally corroded. The 'panel' holding the rear right suspension cracked, nothing holding the suspension. I have seen numerous complaints in the website. This should be treated as a manufacturer's defect as it is the same problem in which the Ford Windstar was recalled for.
- Chicago, IL, USA
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph, a loud noise emitted from the rear end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who stated that the rear passenger's side wheel outer liner well was completely corroded and caused the strut to protrude. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.
- Ontario, NY, USA
The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph, a loud banging noise was heard from the rear passenger side of the vehicle. The contact discovered that the panel that attached the rear passenger side shock absorber was rusted and became separated from the frame of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who diagnosed the defect as a rusted frame but no repairs were performed. The manufacturer was notified but no solution was offered. The failure mileage was 129,000.
- Bay City, MI, USA
- Euclid, OH, USA