As we are driving along we hear a very loud banging coming from the rear of the vehicle.when we get out to inspect the area we find the rear pasenger side wheel well is extremely rusted thru and chunks of the well are actually falling out. We took the car to the Ford dealer and they said it cannot be repaired!!!! by the Ford dealer....then we took it to several auto body shops that said they cannot fix this! several places said Ford used faulty metal or undercoating and that is why it rusted so badly.the car has only 50000 miles on it and has been highly maintained...I finally found an autobody shop that will replace the entire wheel well and theer will be no guarantee it wont happen again or to any of the other wheels!!! I feel totally ripped off! I read online that several other people have had this same problem.

- Bridgeview , IL, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph, there was a loud bang from the rear end of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the rear passenger's side inner wheel house was corroded and needed to be replaced. The technician stated that the part needed for the repair was on back order and could not yet be repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 87,000.

- Walworth, NY, USA

I had been hearing some loud noises from the back end of my car for a week or so, we had thought the spare tire and equipment hadn't been put back properly so we re-adjusted it and thought we had fixed the problem. A few days later the sound started back up. Then it got really loud and there was a loud pop. Upon further investigation, we found out the entire wheel well had rusted out in a perfect circle around the shock. The shock was no longer attached to the car. I took it to Ford and they told me this had been recalled on their mini-vans for the same year. Ford body shop staff informed me that this was the only rust on my vehicle and this rust would not be caused by mis-treatment of the vehicle nor normal wear and tear of any car. Ford is currently unable to get the wheel house to fix the car and it will not be available for "months". once I researched this a little more, it appears to be a highly common problem in the 2005 Ford Escapes. The car is not currently fixable or drive able.

- Lenexa, KS, USA

The wheel well rusted out and the shock broke loose and was banging around. Basically the whole wheel well is rusted out and will not hold the shock any more. I called the local Ford dealer to see if there was a recall. I was told there was no recall. When I searched online I found many with the same experience, and even a facebook page. I'm disappointed that Ford isn't taking care of this.

- Wyoming, MI, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was at the dealer for unrelated repairs, the technician stated that the rear passenger side inner wheel house was corroded. The technician stated that the part needed for repair was on back order. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.

- West Seneca, NY, 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

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

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

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

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

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

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. While driving approximately 20 mph, the contact noticed a thumping noise coming from the rear passenger side. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnostics where the technicians advised the contact that there was corrosion on the passenger side rear wheel well and the under coating was chipping. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

- Okemos, MI, USA

2005 Ford Escape. Ford dealer service for oil change, rotate tires and brake inspection noted front brake pads needed replaced. Declined service, (price) able to change front pads ourselves. We could not remove wheel lug nuts. (the same day) checked torque and found dealer had over tightened the lug nuts to over 150 lbs. With much effort removed lug nuts and changed front brake pads. Returned to dealer to complain and request all new wheel studs. Although they could not remove the rear lug nuts with the wrench supplied with the Escape they denied replacing the wheel studs. I believe the failure with wheel studs on Ford products is a dealer service problem. Question: Have the failures all happened after dealer service?

- Columbus, OH, USA

The finish on my aluminum wheels is peeling off and there is corrosion that has formed around the rim and center of all four of my wheels. I checked the spare wheel and the finish in the center of the wheel is starting to bubble also. The vehicle is a 2005 Ford Escape. These are factory wheels and I have only 40,000 miles on the vehicle. I have an extended warranty and Ford will not cover this item even though it is obviously a manufacturing defect. The exfoliating on the wheels is so bad that I am able to remove small chunks.

- Apo, AE, USA

Complaint received via E-mail. The front wheel assembly came apart while driving, thus causing another vehicle damage as well. No contact was with this car until after parts came off the Escape, causing us to lose control and cross the center line. There has been no remedy from Ford Motor Company at all to fix my car. Ford will not even acknowledge that it was a defect in workmanship or in manufacturing.

- Mifflintown, PA, USA

Back wheels were misaligned making the vehicle unstable. The wheels rocked back and forth. Consumer was told by the dealer that they could not repair the defect until they received new specifications. Also, acceleration was very high. Rpms went up 8,000 rpms. However, on this vehicle the RPM's went to 15,000 rpms, which was TO0 high.

- Landisburg, PA, USA