Problems with 2005 Ford Escape STRUCTURE

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). *tr

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. *tr

Severe rust...had to have the undercarriage completely modified. shortly after that the brake lines rusted out and had to have them replaced. now i have an issue with brakes again (2 months later). i saw the recall up to 2004 for rust issues but my car is severely rusted and a 2005. *tr

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. *tr

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. *tr

Tl* 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 *bf updated 08/02/12

Our 2005 ford escape has a safety issue so bad that it's unsafe to drive. the right rear fender well has rusted out around the shock mount, ready to break free. [xxx] has a co-worker who drives a 2005 ford escape and when they took a look in his fender, they found the same problem. [xxx] has a co-worker that has a 2005 ford escape and it has the start of the hole. we have talked to ford, there is no recall or repair campaign for it. they offered us an x plan to trade it in or they would fix it at full price. we have sent pictures to the ford factory rep. he told us that ford knows of this problem and that they have installed two new processes on the product line to fix it. he showed the picture to the escape engineers and they agreed that it is a design fault and ford is responsible for the unsafe state that it's in. unfortunately none of them will put it in writing, in fear of losing their jobs. we also wrote an email to the national highway transportation safety department in washington dc and still have not heard anything from them. we got quotes from different body shops in the area, both at $1200.00. and they have repaired other ford escapes with the same defect. the repair has to be done from the inside to replace the fender well. thus all the interior trim has to be removed and welding blanket used so they don't burn your vehicle up. information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr

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. *tr

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 2005.00 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. *tr

This vehicle and every other one i have seen has had the rear wheel well rust out and have the shock go up through the shock tower..it does not matter the brand either.. ford chevy or dodge, they all do it.. why can't you guys help us out, and make these car companies stand behind there sheet metal for at least a 100 thousand miles.. we pay enough for these vehicles.. i am not rich you know..

I was driving down the freeway this morning and my sunroof exploded! the sound it made was a loud pow, and some glass shards fell onto my seats. there were no large trucks around or sight of debris flying my way. i have to wait a few days for the glass to be shipped from ford before i can have it installed, and i have to pay the deductible of $500 through my insurance, and there is no guarantee that this won't happen again. i've seen many complaints online of the sunroof exploding in fords, and it's not likely that a rock can cause this kind of damage on top of a car. ford should be providing warranties for this type of defect. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford escape. the contact stated that upon inspection, it was found that the passenger's side rear shock had penetrated the body of the vehicle due to rust. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was confirmed. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was not contacted about the failure. the failure mileage was 48,000. the current mileage was 90,000.

The computer short, because a water leak in the computer, the vehicle stalled on the bridge. *tr

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. *tr

Wheel wells on my 2005 ford escape are failing. had at $1,200 expense to replace the rear shock unit because it rusted out. i am going to have to junk the vehicle soon because of all the rust damage.

Takata recall: passenger rear panel rusted out inside wheel well

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 ford escape. he heard a noise in the rear of the vehicle and when he examined the bumper he noticed that the base was loose, the bracket was broken, and it was made of aluminum. the dealer stated that the entire frame needed to be replaced at the cost of $1,200.00. the failure mileage was 74,000 and the current mileage was 75,000.

Tl* 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.

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. *tr

Front passenger door failed to shut after several tries it shut . as i was driving down the road the door flew open . *tr

Rust around quarter panel back end, rust through passenger wheel well area. to the put the it is rusting and eventually the wheel well will no longer whole the strut in. which puts me at risk of getting seriously hurt. this suv is located in a southern state no reason for it to rust like that. i've seen and owned older vehicles that didn't rust .bad metal or rust protection. to get fixed i'm looking at 1000.00 to 4000.00 who has that to pay for something like that when ford knows there is a issue and hasn't fixed it yet.

i just left the restauraunt and walked over to my escape. when i opened the drivers door the rear top edge was raked back far enough to hit my glasses, bending them and then the upper most corner pierced the skin just below the eye. 1/2" by 1/2" cut. a little closer and i would have severly damaged my eye. the top rear corner edge of the door extends too far back. since that incident i have to open the door while standing further back than usual to avoid another injury. last night my son-in law hit himself in the forehead just above his glasses with the rear most top edge of the right front door. causing a cut and bleeding. stand too close and the design of the front doors of the 05 ford escape 4x4 limited can cause injury. thank you bill kohnke. *nm

Nhtsa recall campaign 04v442000; ford issued a rear liftgate recall. consumer received a recall letter stating that it was included in the recall. consumer drove home and pulled into the garage when all of a sudden the liftgate popped open unexpectedly, causing it to break. consumer notified manufacturer, who was not willing to resolve the problem. consumer stated the there were no parts available when a prior appointment was set.*ak

On the drive home from picking up my ford escape, i noticed cabin noise at highway speeds. it took 6 service visits to jim keim ford to resolve this issue that was caused by loose cladding on the passenger door. further, i began getting a ticking noise at slow speeds and bumpy roads during the resolution of the cladding problem. jim keim sprayed silicone spray on the driver and passenger door molding to resolve this. the ticking noise returned within a couple weeks and krieger ford put anti-rattle tape on the a arms in the cabin to resolve this on 2 occasions. in all, i've had 8 service calls on this brand new $26000.00 escape. i've driven hundreds of miles in trying to resolve these noise issues to date. it goes without saying that a vehicle i genuinely looked forward to having has become a vehicle that i've already explored trading in and going with another make because i feel i have been treated poorly having to take my vehicle in for noise issues 8 times. *jb