A rattling from rear passenger wheel area. Upon investigation to see what it was I found that the upper connection point of the shock tower was completely rusted through and was barely connected to the rest of the body. Within a day or two afterwards the upper part had completely separated and the shock was bouncing around freely. I removed the shock yesterday (5/1/2014) as it had pushed up (since it has no resistance or means to hold it compressed) and punched a hole through the plastic interior side wall liner in the tailgate area. There is now an approximately 10" square hole in the side of my vehicle where I can see the tire and road. I will need to seal the opening to keep road water from entering. Photos can be provided.
2004 Ford Escape suspension complaints
Page 6 of 6: complaints 131 to 154 of 154, newest first, as owners wrote them.
As I was driving today a began to hear a loud banging noise. I took it to my mechanic and he said the wheel well is so rusted that the struts are barely attached. He told me the car is not safe to drive. After researching this online I have came across hundreds of people with the same problem. I think ford should recall these vehicles!
Was driving on the highway and noticed a loud noise coming from the rear of my vehicle and noticed the noise was getting louder. I took my vehicle to my mechanic thinking I needed shocks. My mechanic stated to me that I could not put new shocks on my escape because my inner fender well was rusted out and my shock was no longer bolted to the frame. I then had to take it to a body shop to be repaired. My shock was just bouncing around and could have broken through the back seat or broken off all together. Once I took it to the body shop I was told I would also have to replace the shocks because my right passenger side shock was cracked in half. I just purchased this "used" vehicle in november and my husband really likes ford products but after this happening to us and finding out that ford hasn't done anything about this problem for anybody who has had the same issue it is very disappointing. Luckily nobody in my family was injured due to this problem. I realize this problem has happened to most vehicles where there is snow and ice has to be used on the roads, I feel ford should issue a recall for the vehicles that have had this problem.
I am writing to inform you of my problem with my 2004 ford escape. I have recently noticed a loud clunking noise in the rear of the car. Upon further inspection I saw that around the right rear strut it's completely rusted out and the strut in nearly free. I did research and noticed that I am definitely not the only one with this problem. I would like it fixed or pointed in the direction as to where I can get it taken care of.
I was driving home on the highway and all of a sudden my car pulled really hard to the right side and started making a loud horrible noise. Everytime I would hit a bump, it pulled the car. I made it home and had it looked at. My rear passenger wheel well was rusted so bad that my shock went right through it. All of the other wheel wells are just fine and appear to still be coated.
I was driving down the road when I hit a pot hole. The body/frame part of the passenger side rear wheel well broke loose around the rear passenger shock. So there is nothing holding the shock in place. It is causing further damage to the area. The body/frame has deteriorated in that area. I cannot drive my vehicle. Ford has issued a recall for the front end rusting prematurely and causing damage. But, I think this is the same reason.
The right rear wheel housing was totally corroded away. After researching online found many with the same problem. The other three wheel housings were in good condition without rust. I took SUV to woltz & wind ford in heidelburg, pa where they told me that their supply of this part was used up and ford was not making any at that time. The rear housings support the rear shocks and "could have" caused a severe accident. It took 3 1/2 months before part was replaced. Of course ford down plays the severity of the problem and I was given a total run-a-round by the dealership and with fords customer service. I am 78 years old widow who dreads to think what "could have" happened. Please do not wait until someone gets kills to make this a priority. You may speak to myself or my son-in-law [xxx] who has been helping with this mess. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Passenger rear wheel well has completely rusted out and shock and mount have rusted off of frame.
The right rear fender well has rusted out around the shock mount causing the shock mount to separate from the body of the vehicle.
These was a loud bang when driving over small bumps in the rear passenger side wheel. When I was home I checked the wheel well and the top shock mount was totally rotted through to the truck area. The mount house in the body had broken off and destroyed the inner wheel well.
Rattling noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. Daughter took me for a ride and I sat in the rear of the vehicle to try and find the source of the rattling. Checked the storage compartment for the spare, all other parts and could not determine the source. The next day the noise was much more pronounced. Took it to a body shop and they immediately found the source of the problem, that being a totally rusted out shock/strut tower. The body shop manager said he has seen this on multiple escapes. He refused to quote the job as he did not want to be liable in case it did not work out.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, a loud noise was heard from outside the rear passenger's side of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnosis where the technician stated that the shocks and strut mount were completely corroded. The vehicle was scheduled for repairs. The manufacturer was not notified of the defect. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000. Updated 12/4/13*cn the consumer stated the right rear side of the shock strut mount rusted away. Updated 12/12/13
I hit a bump and the back of my vehicle started making a banging noise afterward any time I went over the slightest bump. I took it to the garage and the mechanic wouldn't even touch it. The rear shock mount plate is rusted out and he said the wheel well is breaking right off the frame. There is nothing left around it - the metal was only held together by undercoating in some places. He said it was pushing down on the brake line, too. I have seen several incidents with this make/model/year and the 2005 as well. This needs to be addressed before someone gets killed. My children were in that vehicle!
Noticed a loud noise coming from the rear passenger side of the vehicle. After arriving home I checked the muffler area thinking it was loose which it was not. I then checked inside of the passenger side rear wheel well and found that the shock that was attached to the frame of the vehicle had totally rusted out leaving a huge hole in the frame. The hole now leaves the vehicle unstable and exposed to all elements of the weather.
The right front wheel began pulling to the right. Upon inspection we found the sub-frame under the right front was rusted and was sagging. I was advised not to drive the vehicle because the frame could collapse and control of the vehicle would be lost. Upon further inspection it was noticed that only frame rusted out where the air conditioner was dripping condensation. The dealer said it was the road salt used in winter. If that was the case why wasn't the whole sub-frame rotted and not just the section where the air conditioner was dripping? I don't think a 10 year old vehicle should have the frame disintegrate like this.
The right rear inner wheel housing has almost completely rusted away causing the right rear shock absorber to break away from its top mounting and cause severe vehicle bouncing and swaying while driving making it almost impossible to drive the vehicle.many other escape owners I have spoken to are having the same problem and an internet search of this problem confirms my findings.
The shock mount on the rear passenger wheel is loose because the metal supporting it is rusting away. Whenever a bump is hit there is a loud noise and sharp jolt.
Heard a rattle in rear of car. Thought it was exhaust system related. Upon inspection found rear passenger upper shock connection had rotted completed and the shock was disconnected from the car. Shock is barely hanging on the vehicle and appears incredibly dangerous. Vehicle has been maintained as per ford requirements at the dealer where it was purchased from. No unusual driving conditions.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 ford escape. The contact stated that the passenger rear shock mount penetrated the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was found that the shock mount had become perforated due to rust. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The failure mileage was 197,000. The VIN was not available.
Son came home from college. Banging noise noticed when sister riding with him coming from right rear of vehicle. Upon inspection at oil change garage it was noticed that right rear shock mount had completely corroded and broken off from the wheel well sheet metal. Vehicle not drivable in that condition as wheel could possibly break off or at the least poor handling of vehicle. Online search came up with similar complaints for 2003/2004/2005 escapes. Called ford but no recall has been issued so owners out of luck for very expensive fix.
My daughter noticed her escape wasn't driving right it was traveling sideway`s down the highway, I noticed her front tire`s were worn, especially the passenger`s front, it was worn on the outside. I spoke with a ford mechanic that suggested new tire`s and a front end alignment, she had that service done, which did not make the vehicle drive any differently. She then took the vehicle back in for service in which now the vehicle was dog tracking when driving and was then informed that the wheel well`s were totally rusted through and that they would not replace the rear shocks because of it. There are several hundreds of other ford escape owners whom have expressed the same concern. The whole rear end has apparently shifted out of line, because of the rusted out wheel well`s that attach to the shock`s to hold the rear end in alignment. This is a huge safety issue, and ford is not doing anything about it. This issue doe`s not just include 2004 model`s , it has also been brought to my attention, that even a new 2013 model has the same problem. Please have this issue investigated it is a serious safety issue.
When taking my escape in for an oil change, the mechanics pointed out to me that the rear passenger shock mount was almost completely rusted out. I took it for an estimate that day and could not immediately afford the repairs. Within a few days the shock had completely broken through the mount and into the passenger compartment with only normal roadway driving. Only the rear passenger wheel well has this problem. Online research with other escape owners shows this is a common problem that ford knows about and even acknowledges as a manufacturing defect but will not cover.
Tl*the contact owns a 2004 ford escape. While pulling into the driveway at a low speed, the bolt on the passenger side lower control arm rotted/rusted from the inside. The dealer stated that there were no recalls for this failure. The vehicle has a three year/36,000 mile warranty. There were no warnings prior to the failure. The failure mileage was 51,000. Updated 09/09/08 *bf updated 09/09/08.
My 2004 ford escape failed state inspection due to a loose wheel bearing at 21,500 miles. The dealership indicated that I should not drive the vehicle as this was a safety concern. When asked why this wasn't found during a complete suspension check 2 months prior, I was told that this defect may not be detected until there was a failure. When I asked about the other wheel bearings I was told this was an unusual event. I have since discussed this with engineers from detroit and was told these wheel bearings are a major warranty problem. I am concerned that I am driving a vehicle that may loose control without warning should other bearings become loose. Should wheel bearing be replaced every 20,000 miles?
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