2005 Ford Escape Hybrid body problems

Filed Nov 12, 2019 · Body · 169,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford escape hybrid. While the vehicle was undergoing a routine oil change, the independent mechanic inspected the vehicle and noticed corrosion all around the frame. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 169,000. The VIN was not available.

Filed Jul 4, 2018 · Body, Suspension · 120,000 miles · MI

The rear passenger wheel well has corroded very severely. The shock absorber is pushing into the interior wheel cover, causing it to become dislodged. I was driving on a city street, about 35 MPH, when I hear a loud scraping sound coming from the right rear side of my escape. I noticed that the interior wheel cover was dislodged and moving around. I pulled over into a local park to examine what was causing the very loud scraping sound. I could see that the right rear wheel well area was very rusted and flaky. I drove home about 10-15 MPH, all the time the vehicle was making a very loud bumping and scraping sound. I consulted a ford mechanic and was told that the vehicle could not be driven safely. Ford needs to recall the many hundreds of ford escapes that have rusted out passenger side wheel wells, that can cause sudden loss of steering control when the shock absorber pushes into the car and the vehicle collapses onto the right rear wheel.

Filed May 14, 2018 · Body, Suspension · 162,000 miles · CO

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford escape hybrid. While driving 25 MPH, the contact heard an abnormal noise coming from the rear passenger side wheel well. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road and discovered the shock leaning against the wheel and a hole where the mounted bracket was located. The contact called loveland ford (999 e eisenhower blvd, loveland, co 80537, (970) 744-7101) and was informed that the warranty had expired. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 162,000.

Filed Dec 30, 2017 · Body, Suspension · 148,000 miles · MA

Right rear shock mount area rusted out and cracked. Holes and cracks in right rear shock mount wheel well area. Lots of noise and metal shifting from that area.

Filed Sep 21, 2017 · Body · 340,000 miles · VA

Rear shock mounts rusted completely out. Vehicle driven in central va so winters are not that terrible, wheel wells are undercoated. The car was being driven when the right rear shock broke through the wheel well.

Filed Jun 19, 2017 · Body · 115,200 miles · MI

Last week while driving my 2005 escape my right rear wheel well basically rotted out and has messed up the shock and strut assembly and knocked the tire loose causing to rub against the shock and smoke, and all you could smell was burning rubber. . As I am reading all the forums out there is see this is a very common problem and potently dangerous issue. My vehicle only has 115,200 miles on it, no way should this have happened. I bought this car used and purchased the warranty (hoping they cover repairs), my question is with so many complaints for the same issue why isn't ford doing a recall this is obviously a manufacturer problem. This is totally unacceptable. I will be contacting a lawyer to see if any legal action can be taken. Very sad ford!!!!! I am a single mom of 3 working two jobs and is now without a car, having to rent a car at $300/wk...on top of other bills and buying groceries, hmmm.. So ford you tell me if this was one of your family members how would you feel if you knew they had to choose to rent a car to get to and from work and kids to school or buying groceries?? All because of a know defect with your product!

Filed Aug 9, 2016 · Body, Suspension · 120,000 miles · MI

My well maintained 2005 escape hybrid developed a rattling sound on july 26, 2016. At first the rattle in the right rear happened only on bumps in the road. I thought it was my car jack coming loose in its compartment. I checked that and the jack was all secured, not rattling. I continued driving home and the rattle became a banging sound, and the right rear inside wheel area started to rattle and move towards the interior as I drove. When I got home I looked around the right rear wheel well area and was shocked to see how extremely rusted it is. The other wheel wells show very little rust. I looked up the problem on a ford owners website and found that many many other people have had this same problem. It is a safety issue because some people report that the rusted out shock absorber mount breaks loose and the vehicle body collapses onto the wheel, sending the car out of control. I can't believe that there isn't a recall on this common problem in the '05 escape hybrid vehicles. I cannot drive my well maintained car because of the mechanical banging, the high potential for loss of control, causing an accident and personal injury. I'm attaching photos of the right rear wheel well and the right front wheel well to show that there is a definite defect in the right rear. Please give this complaint your immediate attention, and alert other ford escape owners of this imminently very dangerous situation.

Filed Aug 17, 2015 · Body, Steering · 215,000 miles · WI

We noticed a clunking noise coming from the rear end of the vehicle. Upon inspection, we discovered the rear passenger wheel well was completely rusted out and the strut is barely attached. The rust holes are so large, that insulation is showing, and the strut is hitting the plastic piece going into the trunk space. The vehicle was deemed unsafe to drive by a mechanic. While researching this issue, I have found multiple online forums about this problem. It is always the same area (rear passenger side) and is causing safety hazards, such as ruptured tires and unstable steering. This is a safety issue that ford needs to recall!

Filed Oct 20, 2014 · Body · 139,000 miles · MI

While driving - at any speed - a rattling sound started from the right rear passenger side of the car. Rattle got louder over time and became a loud banging sound every time we hit even the slightest imperfection in the road. Upon inspection the entire right rear wheel well is rusted through; the only thing holding in the shock on that side is light padding / insulation. Mechanic indicated car was not safe for driving, as we could face a loss of control of the vehicle. We have found a body shop who quoted us at $1200 for the repair. I called ford motor company who said there is no recall on this, despite the fact that the same issue was recalled on ford escape hybrids from 2001-2004. We will be holding on to all receipts, with the hope that ford will do the right thing and issue a recall / reimbursement.

Filed Oct 14, 2014 · Body, Suspension · 69,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford escape hybrid. While driving at an unknown speed, the contact heard a loud banging noise coming from the rear passenger wheel area. The vehicle was inspected by an independent mechanic. The technician discovered that the rear passenger side wheel well and shock tower were corroded. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 69,000.