The right rear wheel well has rusted out. The strut is no longer attached to the vehicle. When driving there is a knocking sound. When investigated at the repair shop, this was the diagnosis.

- Flossmoor, IL, USA

Back right passenger wheel well rusted through. Shock is holding on by a thread. Makes loud banging noise when any bump is hit. I was told vehicle is unsafe to drive by local mechanic.

- Westville, NJ, USA

The passenger side rear shock tower completely rusted away making the vehicle unsafe to drive.the rest of the vehicle is spotless and we keep it very clean.this is a manufacturing defect.

- Monongahela, PA, 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

Rattling, banging, right rear shock mount is rusted loose, completely corroded away from wheel house.

- 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

My problem is the rear passenger side shock mount broken off and has been pushed up into the rear hatch wheel well into the interior of the vehicle.

- Somerset, PA, USA

I've recently started noticing a lot of creaking and popping in the structure / suspension of my 2005 Ford Escape. I took a flashlight and crawled underneath the vehicle to inspect, and immediately noticed a large amount of rust/rot in my front subframe of my vehicle. I see Ford has a recall for 2001 to 2004 models, but this needs to be expanded to cover all years of this chassis design, as my 2005 shows significant rot. The recall should also cover rear wheel well rust/rot (including shock mounts), as this area is also heavily rusted. Definite design flaws and poor quality of materials used on the frame/subframe. A 2005 should not be rusting out this bad, even in the "salt belt". nothing has broken from rust yet, however judging by the rate of decay, it's not going to last much longer. Ford should expand this recall immediately.

- Silverwood, MI, USA

While driving a loud thud was heard from the rear of the vehicle, while driving a continued banging was heard, upon inspection we noticed the inner wheelhousing or inner fender had a large diameter hole where the shock mounted to it, the hole is large roughly 10 inches across and upon searching I have noticed this is a design flaw and road salt combined to cause this, numerous complaints online but no action from anyone on this issue, it seems a possible loss of control while loaded could result in a crash.

- Lancaster, NY, 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

Like I see many other times. 2005 Ford Escape, rear passenger suspension is rusted and almost detached. This vehicle was garage kept and well maintained.

- Haubstadt, IN, 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

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

2005 Escape. Load banging in rh rear over even very small bumps. Found shock tower in wheel well had rusted away. Top of shock not connected to anything; moving around freely. Loud banging noise is from the top of shock hitting the body while driving. Undriveable, shock could punch through the body. Local frame shop has repaired six 2005's in the past year. Cost will be $1200, however, part is not available. Vehicle parked until the part can be obtained and fixed.

- White Lake, 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

The passenger side rear wheel well on this Escape is completely rotted. A large piece of the body in the wheel well has broken away (around 8X8) with the shock attached. The large piece of metal has been bouncing in and out of the indoor storage compartment. I now have no shock absorption on that wheel. I have noticed numerous other people that share this problem with this vehicle. Ford has refused to assist them with their problem. I will be taking this vehicle to a local Ford dealership with the demand that this be fixed at a reasonable price, considering the large number of people that this effects.

- Buffalo, NY, USA

Right back shock came through wheel well and broke through interior of car. Car is in excellent condition with no rust.

- Grand Rapids, MI, USA