The rear passenger door will not catch to release unlock or lock latch. It's like the door is forced closed will not open.

- Norfolk, VA, USA

Took vehicle into Ford dealer for service on front wheel, yesterday 1/ 27/ 2021, which is unrelated. Serviceman told me that, due to excessive rust, the underframe has up to six cracks in it and that the vehicle is unsafe to drive. The vehicle is thirteen years old. He stated that there is no repair for this except to replace the whole unibody underframe, which Ford takes no responsibility for. I had to replace the two rear shock tower housings because one popped through the floor on Sept., 2020. The outer body has some rust but looks good, normal rust for it's age. On the internet I researched the problem and it shows that the 2001 to 2003 Escapes have had a possible recall and shows that one Ford dealer had a 'fix' for the engine cradle, that did not work out well. There are numerous complains online about undercarriage rust and its problems. I've also talked to a body shop owner and he tells me that they get several Escapes a year for this problem. When I took my vehicle in to get the rear wheel house mountings replaced, there was another Escape being repaired for the same thing in from of mine. My vehicle was repaired at iron mike's metal fab shop in flint, mi. 810 234 2996, of course welding any metal to rusted metal has no guarantee.. truck was in motion on a residential street when the shock started breaking through the floor, around March of 2019. Now I am stuck with a vehicle that I have to use, which is unsafe to drive. This vehicle, according to your standard is under fifteen years old.

- Fenton, MI, USA

The steering wheel spins very fast if you let go of the wheel. You are not able to control it on the road. This occurs forwards or backwards. If you try to back up, and turn the wheel one way, it will not steer the correct direction and the steering wheel spins on it's own. Very dangerous. The repair shop has replaced the rack and pinion and it did not fix the problem. They are unable to determine what the issue is.

- Cole Camp, MO, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. While the vehicle was approaching a stop sign, the front passenger tire detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the subframe was fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact reached out to keast auto center (2101 23rd St, harlan, ia 51537 (800) 234-4927) and was informed that nothing could be done since the vehicle was not included in a recall. The manufacturer was also contacted and stated the same information as the dealer. The contact discovered that this particular year, make, and model vehicle was associated with NHTSA campaign number: 14V165000 (structure). The failure mileage was 140,000.

- Denison, IA, USA

The ABS module is bad read tons of forums same problem I almost died due to this. Second quarter panels starting to rust. This shouldn't happen law was passed in 70S to prevent this. Reqd tons of forums people same problem both need recall asap

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

After pulling out of my garage I heard a loud banging noise. I pulled over and checked the area behind and above the right rear tire and saw that the shock and necessary attachments were completely rusted away from the frame.

- Wynantskill, NY, USA

Right rear wheel well rusted out and tower holding the shock in place is completely rusted out

- Lawton, MI, USA

The front wheel hub started giving me problems around 10 three 2018. Then on 12 20 2018 the hood came undone and smashed my windshield. Ever since I've had the vehicle since 2015 it had power assist problems in the steering.

- Nokomis, FL, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the shock absorber was rusted and caused the connector to fracture, which created a hole in the exhaust pipe. The contact stated that this could allow carbon monoxide to enter the vehicle when the engine was running in cold weather. There was no warning indicator illuminated. The contact called sturman & larkin Ford, Inc. At 412-892-2300 (located at 900 regis ave, West mifflin, pa 152360), but they could not assist. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 115,000.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

I was driving when I noticed a loud bumping noise... my back passenger wheel well is completely rusted away, which has affected my shock mounting bracket. Every little bump causes it to shake. The bracket actually went through the plastic and there is a hole inside the back of the vehicle. I see so many identical complaints and its very disappointing that Ford has done nothing to resolve this issue. I know that the Ford Escape 2001- 2004 were recalled for this exact issue and its disconcerting that they are ignoring the same problem for the 2005-2008 Escape. How many more thousands of complaints is it going to take for them to at least investigate this unsafe, reoccurring issue?! hopefully, something will be done soon before someone gets seriously injured.

- West Dennis, MA, USA

The rear inner fender rusted out and the rear strut broke through its mounting bracket while I was driving on a state highway and the vehicle is now unstable and dangerous to drive. Thankfully I was able to keep relative control of the vehicle and make it home safely. Upon doing a simple google search, this is a known issue with vehicles sold in the bother United States and Canada as stated on numerous websites and forums. Unfortunately this is my primary mode of transportation and I travel 120-125 miles per day round trip to work. This could have been much worse had I not heard the noise and braces myself prior to the vehicle becoming unstable. My biggest fear is that a family could be riding in a this type of vehicle and not have adequate reaction and become a vehicle casualty statistic.

- Grandview, TX, USA

While my vehicle was in motion on a busy street....the back driver-side lift gate hinge cracked in half and my glass window was hanging by a thread. Super dangerous to other vehicles and pedestrians. Luckily it did not fall to the road and shatter, or fly off the vehicle hitting someone, or thing, or car. This is not a matter of normal wear and tear/ corrosion. Other vehicles 'younger' than mine have had the same problem! Ford needs to be made accountable! shame on them! does someone need to die before an action is taken" expensive repair. I should not have had to deal with. And stress and worry while driving with the back window literally flapping in the wind! wtf" again. Thank god it didn't cause damage to someone or another vehicle. I really pray this can become a recall item, before someone is seriously injured! omg! awaiting reimbursement in Ohio!

- Bedford, OH, USA

Extreme undercarriage / wheel well erosion. The shocks have pushed up into the interior of the vehicle as they are not mounted to anything other than the body. Trunk matt is exposed through wheel well. Suspension is disengaging from the body.

- Port Huron, MI, USA

On the exterior of each of the four doors, there is a black film that covers the stainless steel of the window frame. This started peeling off 6 weeks after I bought the car without any contact with foreign objects other than rain. I thought that it was just my car at first, but in the years since, I have seen several other Escapes with the same issue. This will eventually cause premature deterioration of the underlying steel if not remedied.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the both rear doors were rusted through as well as the frame above the tires. The doors also had rust inside the vehicle. The dealer diagnosed that the frame and/or vehicle needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

- South Field, MI, USA

Driver's side window dropped suddenly and would not come back up. A few months later the same thing occurred to a back window, then next the front passenger window. This has also occurred to two other Ford vehicles - my brother's truck, and a friends truck. These are expensive repairs, very inconvenient, especially if raining --- and can be a safety hazard when living in a large city with high crime.

- Bellaire, TX, USA

The 2008 Ford Escape has severe rust problems with both of the rear quarter panels. Rust damage is coming from the inside out. Talk to Ford customer care and filed a complaint with Ford motor. The dealership inspected the vehicle and took photographs of the rust through damage and forwarded them to Ford motor. Dealer said he see a lot of rust complaints on this particular model. Dealer recommends a complete replacement of the rear quarter panels. Ford motor denied any responsibility for the rust problem, and is not even willing to meet part way with the damages.

- Warren, MI, USA

The liftgate window latch on my 2008 Ford Escape XLT has separated from the rear window glass. The glue joint has failed and allowed the latch to break away from the window. Now the window cannot be closed tightly and locked. This is a safety issue because the exhaust gases may be drawn into the cabin through the gap between the window and the window seal on the liftgate. It is also a security issue, since someone could easily pry the window open and enter the vehicle cabin. Originally, the latch was apparently glued to the glass and also is attached loosely with a single bolt to the rear window wiper assembly. Right now, the separated latch is flopping around in such a way that the window can be pulled open by about 1/2 to 1 inch. This is clearly a defect in the design of this latch on this vehicle. The latch is absolutely crucial to the security and safety of the occupants of the vehicle. I believe that the NHTSA should force Ford to recall their vehicles with this same insecure defective latch design and replace it with a secure design that will remain attached to the window glass.

- Mars, PA, USA

Right & left rear wheel well is rusting.

- Burlington, KY, USA

The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle was severely rusted near the rear wheel well area. There were also rust bubbles that had formed in addition to signs of corrosion. There was also rust on the bottom half of the interior and exterior door frame. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, who inspected the vehicle but did not diagnose or repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact was awaiting further inspection of the extensive rust and corrosion. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000. Updated 8/6/14 updated 8/23/2017

- Adolphus, KY, USA