The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being serviced, the technician stated that the passenger rear shock mount had rotted and the vehicle was unsafe to drive. The technician advised that there was no remedy for the failure and recommended that a new vehicle be purchased. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 73,028.

- Broadalbin, NY, USA

Passenger side rear shock mount completely rotted off of vehicle.

- Sun Prairie, WI, USA

Inner and outer wheel houses, and quarter panels on both sides of the vehicle were rusted/corroded to the extent that the shock was pushing through the inside of the vehicle on the passenger side. Loud banging noises and water inside the vehicle led to inspection by professionals. Visible holes in the wheel house area were discovered at this time. Upon inspection, it was realized that the driver side was just as badly rusted/corroded. All parts listed above needed to be replaced, as well as both shocks, which were also damaged due to their detachment from the rusted areas. All were replaced at my expense, immediately, due to the danger of driving the vehicle any further, thus avoiding a potentially serious accident. The expenses were $3402.08. Ford will not cover these expenses because the vehicle is out of warranty. The car only has 69,000 miles, and is otherwise in top condition. The damages seem excessive at this mileage and age. Photographs are available of the vehicle before, during, and after repairs.

- Penn Yan, NY, 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

Took Escape to mechanic after loud banging heard. Right wheel well has large hole in it and the shock mount has rusted through, source of the banging. Mechanic stated that this problem most likely began prior to purchase of car. Ford failed to inform us of this problem after multi-point inspection 5 months ago. Car has had two owners within same family. Ford quoted $2500 repair will not reimburse and stated that the repairs would not even be covered by factory warranty, because it is not the "body" of the car.

- Madison, WI, 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

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

Right rear shock absorber mount is rusting prematurely making the vehicle unsafe to drive.

- Novi, MI, USA

Started hearing loud rattling sounds from rear of car, looked and saw passenger rear wheel well/shock mount rusted out and separated from rest of vehicle.

- Parma, OH, USA

Hi- I have a 2005 Ford Escape. I bought it used. Just recently I started to hear a banging in the back rear of the cab part of the car. I found out the shock mounts are rusted out, and I feel like this is a safety issue due to the fact that the car could fall apart while driving or catch fire. I researched this and found it a common problem.

- Lancaster, NY, USA

Driving my Ford Escape 2005, 35mph, heard a thump/bang then very loud rattling from the back of the vehicle. Arrived home, found that the right rear shock, shock mount, and a dinner-plate-sized chunk of wheel well had punched up into the back of the vehicle. Opened the liftgate, saw the shock mount flopping around inside the car and a dangling cluster of wires that had been shredded by the jagged metal. Entire right side of the rear compartment had been shoved up 10cm. Husband was shocked, sure I must have hit something, but I had not. Right rear wheel well had completely rusted out underneath the undercoating. Could not see the rust from the outside, so did not know it was happening. Checked left rear wheel well, saw no rust, but undercoating lifts right off to reveal terrible rust underneath as well. Vehicle is not safe to drive, no shock, water and road debris would fly right up into the car through the huge hole. This kind of damage is incredible. Estimate for repair from dealership (brondes Ford, toledo) was $5752.34. Certainly can not afford that. Researched online for repair alternatives and found dozens of other people with the same type of damage to the same vehicle make and model. Reported the damage to Ford customer relationship hotline, was informed that no recall has been issued for this vehicle, and that they were unaware that this was a common, frequent, or widespread problem. They did not consider it a defect. This is extremely dangerous. My children were afraid we were going crash. Easily could have lost control if this had happened while turning a corner, merging into traffic, driving 65mph on the highway, etc. I am certain, however, that once Ford Motor Company realizes the potential harm this defect can cause to life and property, they will be determined to do right by their loyal customers.

- Toledo, OH, 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 Ford Escape with a rusted out right rear wheel well around the upper shock mount. I checked with a Ford dealer about any recalls, none. Ford manager said they have never seen such an issue at lasco Ford fenton mi. (Ford est. To repair was 3400.00) I stopped at a couple bodyshops in the area and they (knew) of this problem and could quote me the parts needed, along with the 25 hours to replace/repair it. My Escape is 7 years old and has 115,000 miles, however I don't think that the body structure (in wheel well) should have rusted completely away (right side only?), leaving the top shock mount flapping back and forth, making the vehicle unsafe and (not) drivable. This problem ended up costing $2005 to repair. This is a safety issue that should be addressed. I called Ford customer service 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.

- Holly, MI, 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

Rubbing sound coming from left front (driver's side) wheel well. Diagnosed by Ford as a "loose" wheel bearing. Sounds more like a failure. Ford charged $47 to "diagnose" the problem. Seems like maybe they already knew what it might be and let 3 techs soak up some clock time on this one. The original charge was quoted at $95 so I guess we got off better than some.

- Bedford, TX, USA

Loud squeaky noise from right front end. Took to mechanic. They say both front grease boots are cracked which allows dirt, dust, etc. To get in and up around the ball joints and tie rod assemblies. The right front ball joint had gone bad due to this boot crack so we had to replace it. They recommend replacing both tie rods, boots and ball joints, but we could only afford to replace the ball joint that was bad at this time because we just spent $3350 putting a new transmission in the car. This vehicle has less than 50,000 miles on it. Unbelievable!!!! what is Ford building these cars with"?" I suspect the cheapest parts they can get regardless of their quality so they can make more money. In the meantime the average working family has to pay twice for a vehicle's parts that should not go bad so quickly.

- Kettering, OH, USA

2005 Ford Escape "tone ring" on the axel throws off the ABS and it engages at the tap of the brakes. Grabbing the brakes, either slamming on brakes or no brakes at all. I have researched this and there are many many complaints from 01-10 Escapes. Dealers are charging for axel and ring to be replaced when all that needs replaced is the 15$ ring. I feel this should be recalled because it causes vehicles to flip over and also to not stop. My vehicle has 90, xxx miles on it and the ABS light comes on and goes off. The vehicle will often not brake at all! I have had to put it in neutral and pull off of road. This has happened when ABS light was not on! I feel this is a perfect defect to be recalled because it has to do with a major problem the brakes. Please someone look into this. I have just spent 800 dollars fixing this and the mechanic said its very very common. Googled it and found this to be very very common. Thank you.

- Cameron, MO, USA

When entering a highway we hit a deep groove in the road and then proceeded onto the highway. Within 10 seconds the car wheels and steering wheel went out of control. The car weaved and bobbed for about 200 feet uncontrollable. I was told the steering rack and tie rod snapped. We hit someone while our car spun around into on coming traffic and we flew into the guard rail at such force the car lifted and got lodged on the guard rail. This probably saved our lives because at that point we had done a 180 and were facing oncoming traffic. Can not get an help from Ford.

- Palm Coast, FL, USA

I have read numerous complaints on the tone ring that is located on the front axle of the Ford Escapes and that is what has happened to my vehicle the ABS and 4 wheel drive goes out of the vehicle. The Ford forum. Com is where its located and I feel it needs to be looked in at. The worries and complaints about howe some people bought it brand new and already had to replace the piece.

- Owenton, KY, USA

Wheel bearings started to fail @35,000 miles.dealer said noise was half shaft bearing and replaced it.they said noise after repair was road noise and 18,000 miles later the wheel bearings needed to be replaced and the noise was gone.should have been replaced at 35,000 miles and been under warranty but instead we had to pay $700 out of pocket due to poor judgement on dealer mechanic.

- Joliet, IL, USA