The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon inspection, it was found that the passenger's side rear wheel well was perforated due to rust. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was determined that the sheet metal had also become completely corroded due to rust. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000 and the current mileage was 72,000. The VIN was not available.

- Lorain, OH, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 25 mph, the contact heard a rattling and clicking sound. Upon further inspection, the contact found that the passenger rear wheel well was severely corroded. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the contact was informed her not to drive the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure and current mileage was 190,000.

- Elyria, OH, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked she noticed the rear frame was corroded. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

- Akron, OH, USA

While driving a loud crack/pop was heard from the passenger rear wheel and then there was road noise. When we stopped there was a large hole in the wheel well around the shock mount. All the metal has rusted through. The shock has no attachment left to the upper body, only along the bottom edge. When the vehicle bounces it moves independently of the shock in that corner. I opened up the interior compartment, removed the carpet and trim pieces to get a look and found a hole that is large enough to put my hand through. This car has less than 78,000 miles. The tires and brakes were replaced in the fall and no signs of damage were present at that time due to the undercoating being in place.

- Merrillville, IN, USA

I heard unusual road noise and experienced looseness near the rear passenger side tire. Upon inspection, I determined that the rear wheel well had corroded through, compromising the rear strut. The hole extends nearly 12 inches, exposing the passenger compartment. The extent of the corrosion was not apparent prior to this incident because the wheel well coating covered the defect. After locating this corrosion, a further inspection of the vehicle was completed, but none of the other wheel wells exhibit similar corrosion. Due to the severe corrosion of this body panel, the car cannot be safely driven because the rear strut is being held in place by only a tiny portion of the structural panel. If I had not located this defect in time, it is likely that the strut would have become detached from the vehicle frame while driving and would have caused an accident.

- Whitehouse, OH, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at 55 mph, there was a rattling noise. The contact stopped and saw the rear passenger wheel well caved in. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who inspected the vehicle and stated that the failure was caused by corrosion. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware. The failure mileage was 133,000. The current mileage was 133,250. Updated 05/16/13 the consumer stated there was structural damage at the shock mount and the right rear wheel well. This caused banging noise and almost cut a hole in the storage area. Updated 05/28/2013

- New Albany, IN, USA

The passenger side rear wheel well is rusted to the point of non-drivability. This is a sincere safety issue. No notice of the problem until the "rubberized" coating pealed away to showcase the massive rust holes.

- Agawam, MA, USA

Ford Escape 2005 rear right wheel well rusted out. I noticed slight strut sounding noise in the rear right wheel for a week. I checked to make sure nothing was rattling in the trunk or where the jack mounts. After opening the plastic access compartment to the jack, there was a hole straight through to the ground. I inspected the rear right wheel well and saw the entire thing rusted out clear above the shock/strut mount. I contacted the manufacturer and there was no recall yet the vehicle can essentially be deemed un-drivable and a safety hazard for the road.

- Akron, OH, USA

There was banging in the right rear. The shock mount rusted off the inner fender. The inner fender has severe rust and part of the frame is rusted through. The inner fender had to be replaced. A portion of the frame had to be replaced. A new shock was needed. The floor in the rear of the car had to be repaired from the shock hitting into it. All in all $1,373.55 in repair. I have pictures. I contacted a local Ford dealer who explained that the car is 8 years old and we have salt on the road in winter. I also contacted Ford customer service who explained there were no recalls for such an incedent. After looking on line I found numerous similar experiences which leads me to believe this is not caused by normal use. The affected parts must not have been properly treated or coated or sealed or something.

- Freedom, PA, USA

The rear passenger wheel well corroded completely through the metal and encompasses the entire upper shock absorber mounting point. Nothing is holding the upper shock absorber attachment in place.

- Ypsilanti, MI, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that he was driving 40 mph over a road bump when the rear passenger's side of the vehicle collapsed and the tire penetrated through the frame and into the interior cabin of the vehicle. The contact exited the vehicle and noticed that the frame was rusted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection but was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 169,447.

- Ashtadula, OH, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 20 mph, the rear passenger's side door opened independently. The vehicle was taken to a dealer to determine if there were any recalls for the vehicle. The contact was informed that there was no recall for the failure. The manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 165,319.

- Dodge City, KS, USA

My daughters 2005 Escape started making a pounding noise when going over bumps. Not being a mechanic I thought it was a shock absorber. After a closer inspection I saw the top shock mount was rusting away from the frame. I could actually move it slightly by hand. The structural damage is a hole on the inside of the storage area inside the vehicle. After checking the driver side upper shock mount there is also a hole in the body in the rear storage compartment right next to the gasoline filler neck tube. This is a potential tragedy waiting to happen.please do something to remedy this unheard of problem before someone gets hurt.this type of damage surely took a few years to progress this bad.saw a lot of owners of same vehicle with similar complaints.

- Carol Stream, IL, USA

My 2005 Ford Escape has had a loud banging in rear passenger side for several months. I has assumed that the strut needed replaced. Upon further investigation my mechanic and I noticed a terrible amount of rust and corrosion to rear passenger wheel well that has bolts attached to strut. You can see into interior of vehicle from outside. I researched recalls of these problem and found none, although there were several other complaints for the same issue. This seems to happen only on the rear passenger side although has me worried about other complications that could arise. This is a very serious issue that the Ford Motor Co. Should address post haste. I fear that my families and others lives are at stake if this problem is not taken care of soon.

- Cambridge, OH, USA

Was driving and heard increasing noise and clunking from back of vehicle. When home, pulled the right rear inside panel in the hatch area. Found rust performation surrounding the right rear shock mount. This rust was extensive on this one entire panel but perforated surrounding the shock mount area. I could see to the outside of the vehicle. The surrounding panels appeared unaffected. The car was taken to al piemonte Ford in arlington heights, il. The right rear wheelhouse panel had to be replaced at a total cost of $927.97. This is a significant structural failure for a vehicle of this age. I was glad I was not on highway when it failed.

- Palatine, IL, USA

The passenger-side rear wheel well has completely rusted through to the point where you can see into the cabin, and the shock/strut is mounted to nothing and is poking into my trunk. The metal all around the mount (or where it should be mounted) is completely corroded and rusted to the point of being completely detached, and the surrounding metal is stamped so thin to begin with that it is pliable. The shock is completely ineffective, and my car is a ticking time bomb of safety issues. I have contactedford several times, and Ford Canada is denying that this is a safety or quality issue and have taken no responsibility; they refuse to fix my car. I cannot find a recall at present, however there are numerous people reporting the same problem with their Escapes, 6 alone on [xxx] and 5 on [xxx]. information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Amherstburg, MI, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated the vehicle made a loud noise while driving. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where the failure was located at the passenger rear well area, which was severely corroded and caused the bolts and struts to corroded and separate from the well. The contact stated that the front and rear wheel bearings were replaced but was unaware if the replacement was due to corrosion. The vehicle well was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure and the current mileage was 161,000. Updated 07/27/12 updated 08/02/12

- Machias, NY, USA

2005 Escape with a rusted out right rear fender well and shock mount. I checked with atchinson Ford about any recalls, none. I called a couple bodyshops in the area. They know of this problem and could quote me the two parts needed, along with the 15 hours to replace/repair it. They said that they fixed 2004, 2005, & 2006 models with this problem. Today I went out into our work parking lot and looked at our Q.C. manager's 2005 Escape. And we found the same thing happening to his. If I could attach pictures I would. My Escape is 7 years old and has 115,000 miles, however I don't think that the body structure should corrode away, leaving the top shock mount ready to break free making the vehicle unsafe to drive. This is a safety issue that should be address. I email Ford and this was there response: I understand that you are experiencing rust issues on the right rear fender and shock mounts of your vehicle. I apologize for the inconvenience this may have caused. I can also see why you feel this is a might be a common issue with the research you made. Please understand, we share all of our vehicle concern documentation with national highway traffic and safety administration (NHTSA) and Ford engineering. Together, we work to further determine if a recall or customer satisfaction programs (csp) is needed for component failures. If a recall or csp becomes available for your vehicle, you will be notified by U.S. mail to the current address we have on file. Please keep in mind that NHTSA, which is the federal Agency responsible for motor vehicle safety is the only organization with the authority to order a recall or csp. In addition, I found there are no warranties, field service actions (recalls) / csps on your vehicle that would provide assistance for your current concern. Ford Motor Company.

- Belleville, MI, USA

Sunroof shattered in our 2005 Ford Escape for no reason. Luckily we were not driving at the time. Ford would not cover the defect. When checking on line there seems to be alot of complaints about this including times when the glass broke while driving. Ordered new glass for sunroof at my own expense.

- Ocean Gate, NJ, USA

I bought my 2005 Escape new and just recently (Oct 2008) I noticed on top of the rear lift gate where both of the hinges are the paint is pealing off and getting worse all the time. It started out very small right where the edge of the gate is on top. But with time has started to peal off on top of the lift gate as well. I have since started looking at all the 2004-2006 Escapes that I see parked and every single one, regardless of color, without fail has the paint pealing away in the same spot. I have spoken to Ford Motor Co. And they refuse to handle it.

- Ozark, AL, USA