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2005 Ford Escape body complaints

Page 4 of 16: complaints 71 to 100 of 434, newest first, as owners wrote them.

See the summary of 2005 Ford Escape body problems: which part fails, at what mileage and related recalls.

Filed Jan 18, 2017 · Body · 187,000 miles · NE

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford escape. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle shut down without warning. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic. It was diagnosed that the subframe was rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was excluded from the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v165000 (structure). The manufacturer was notified. The approximate failure mileage was 187,000.

Filed Jan 4, 2017 · Body, Suspension · 65,000 miles · IN

Noticed undercoating peeling off in wheel well(rear passenger side). Pulled off and also found a 3in. Circle of metal loose. Have seen other(300+) reports of this rust problem on this web page. I am original owner and vehicle has always been garaged when not in use and has less than 70k miles. There are no handling or noise issues yet.

Filed Dec 31, 2016 · Body, Suspension · 125,000 miles · MI

We started to hear a very loud banging coming from the back passenger side when we drove over even the smallest bump. The rear passenger side wheel well is completely rusted though (you can see the interior) and the wheel could fall off at anytime. The car is not safe to drive with out a very expensive repair. After looking online I found that this is a very common occurrence and that 2001-2004 escapes were recalled for the same issue.

Filed Nov 27, 2016 · Body, Suspension · NY

2005 ford escape. Rear passenger side shock mount completely rusted/broken. Wheel well and fender completely rotted out while the rest of the vehicle has no rust at all. Why has ford not recalled the 2005 escape, after seeing thousands of complaints about the same issue

Filed Nov 15, 2016 · Body · 160,000 miles · MN

Back pasenger wheel well is all rusted out, the bo;ts even rusted out and are missing the truck is undrivable and is not safe. I was driving and noticed alot of banging, pulled over thinking the back door wasnt closed properly. But found the rusted wheel well. I can push on the well and it just crumbles! There needs to be a recall on this before someone is injured!

Filed Nov 13, 2016 · Body, Suspension · 102,000 miles · MA

Almost suddenly, a loud rattling sound from the rear started last week. When inspected, to my shock, the rear wheel well was totally, totally rotted out . This vehicle has been been garaged and carefully maintained since we bought it. In fact, for the past 8 years--it has been basically driven about 16 -20 miles per day. And again--garaged day and night. And now, almost immediately, it appears very unsafe to drive. As a result, I'm now searching for another car to buy--not wanting to spend +$1,200 on this repair.

Filed Nov 7, 2016 · Body · 99,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford escape. The contact stated that while having the vehicle exhaust serviced at an independent mechanic, the mechanic would not lift the vehicle to do the exhaust servicing stating that the frame was rusted and there was a chance the frame would fracture. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacture was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 99,000. Updated 01/05/2017

Filed Oct 21, 2016 · Body · 140,000 miles · OH

While driving we noticed a really loud banging noise coming from the rear passenger side of the car. Upon looking around we noticed significant rust inside the wheel well area. Took it to a body shop and was advised that the shock mount is rusted out. I took it to my local ford dealer who said that they get a couple of these a week. The cost is at least $1.500 per shock mount. If there's a separation from the shock mount it could cause you to loose control. I don't understand why with the thousands of complaints with this "known problem " ford isn't doing a recall! Apparently the rust had been happening for a while but we never knew about it until the loud noise. Our mechanic advised us that it is not safe to drive.

Filed Oct 20, 2016 · Body, Suspension · 57,000 miles · IN

Underbody is all rusted, only 57,000 miles and stored inside, except when driving.

Filed Oct 18, 2016 · Body, Suspension · 105,000 miles · KY

Vehicle started making a noise in passenger rear wheel. Upon inspection I observed that the well was completely rusted through where the shock is mounted. Learned that this is a manufacturing defect from thousands of complaints

Filed Oct 17, 2016 · Body · 95,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford escape. While driving approximately 25 MPH, the contact heard a loud banging noise. The contact observed that the wheel well had rusted a hole underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The approximate failure mileage was 95,000. Updated 01/10/17

Filed Oct 13, 2016 · Body · 89,000 miles · IN

The back rear wheel well rusted through and the shock went through the "floor" and panel of the SUV. I bought this with 65,000 miles on it and now has 89,000 and I can't drive it and no one will fix it. I paid $8500. For a SUV that I only drove for 11/2 years. I driving and heard a thumping sound so I stopped and didn't see anything. I drove 1/2 mile to my house and the noise was very loud, I looked again to see that the shock broke through the panel and not any of it is connected to the body of the truck. I got on a complaint website and hundreds of people are having the same problem at the same spot on the vehicle. When we bought the SUV my husband got on his back and looked at the undercoating and everything was fine. The muffler broke and the mechanic had my husband to look under the SUV and everything is rusted. The mechanic said the undercoat was faulty and trapped moisture between it and the body of the SUV. This thing is falling out from underneath me. The left rear is rusted out and this only started happening about 3 months ago. Everywhere there is a seam, rust is forming. I blamed in on the dealer for selling me a flood car, until I did more research and found out that hundreds of other people are having the same problems. Ford recalled other vehicles for the same problem, why did they keep doing the same thing? I am unemployed and this is my transportation. I have to drive it, hopefully I won't kill myself or anyone else when it falls apart on the road.

Filed Sep 29, 2016 · Body, Electrical · 16,400 miles · MI

Takata recall passenger back tower wheel rusted on my 2005 ford escape the meter sensor keep going off like the doors are still open the rims of the car has rusted like we had the car for 30 years in motion when I notice the wheel tower rusted out

Filed Sep 21, 2016 · Body, Suspension · 70,000 miles · WI

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford escape. While driving over a hump in the road, the contact heard a loud banging noise. The contact performed a test drive and discovered that the rear passenger wheel well had a rusted hole underneath the vehicle and the shock absorber was detached from the original mount. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 70,000.

Filed Sep 19, 2016 · Body · 115,000 miles · WI

Right rear shock tower mount is completely rusted away. The shock has forced the tower up into the wheel well, through the plastic in the interior of the car. The car is unsafe to drive. Ford issued a recall for the exact same problem for 2001-2004 escape vehicles manufactured, but not for the 2005 model which has the exact same problem.

Filed Sep 17, 2016 · Body, Suspension · 220,100 miles · IL

I have a 2005 ford escape that started making sounds in the back of the vehicle while driving in the town streets coming home when I hit bumps. We looked at the rear passenger side tire well and the shock mount is rusted through. The body is resting on the coil. I am afraid to drive it due to the danger of the body coming down on the wheel.

Filed Sep 4, 2016 · Body, Suspension · 84,000 miles · MA

Went to replace rear shocks. Rear passenger wheel well has rusted and I could move shock mount tower when truck is bounced. Also have banging and bouncing going on. Rides rough and have a rust hole and can see tire below. Bad engineering design. The ford motor company should fess up and correct this, but they won't they got their money!!!

Filed Aug 3, 2016 · Body · 114,000 miles · MI

I bought my 2005 ford escape from a local dealership 15 months, and 6000 miles ago. I noticed that it just always felt "rickety", and had it in to be looked at three times during the first four months, and new tires, an "exciter ring" and sway bars didn't seem to really do much. Over the course of the llast month, I noticed a loud "knocking sound" coming from the back passenger side. I thought maybe the gate wasn't shut all the way. That wasn't it. I started driving with the seats down in the back, trying to watch and listen to where it was coming from. I looked up under the wheel well, and was shocked at the corrosion, and took it to the local muffler man. I was told that this "excessive rust and corrosion in the rear passenger wheel well is a defect in the vehicle", and that I needed to take it back to the dealership. I did. I was sent to a body shop and told to "raise hell with ford", because this is a known defect. I got a quote of $8000 to fix it. I still owe $6000... I opened a case with ford motors, and was told that they were "giving the dealership the green light to make it right", and that the dealership was obligated to take photos. No photos were taken, and the service manager told me he responded to my case, and that there was nothing else that was going to be done. And that "even if one of the body shops in town would work on it, it wouldn't be until at the earliest november". He then smirked at me, and said "so what are you going to do"? Well. Here we are. This was july 25, 2016. I was told that the vehicle is undriveable, and that if I were in an accident, that my insurance wouldn't cover it because of the shock tower coming up through the inside of the car ( that started july 22, the day I stopped driving it, except to drive it to the dealership) that I now knew about but cannot fix.

Filed Jul 29, 2016 · Body · 114,000 miles · MI

My 2005 ford escape has excessive fender well rust, a defect that causes the shock tower to dislodge from the frame, rendering the vehicle undriveable. It happens from the inside out, and when a thunking noise begins, it's too late. $8000 to repair a vehicle that I was told by every local body shop, wouldn't even really correct it. It's a structural defect. The shock tower is now coming through the cargo area of my car

Filed Jul 20, 2016 · Body · MI · crash

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..

Filed Jul 20, 2016 · Body, Suspension · IL

Takata recall: passenger rear panel rusted out inside wheel well

Filed Jul 18, 2016 · Body · 90,000 miles · MI

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford escape. The contact stated that the inner fender well on the rear passenger side had rusted and fractured. The failure caused the axle to be unstable. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the shock mounting bracket detached from the inner fender. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 90,000.

Filed Jul 18, 2016 · Body · 94,637 miles · PA

Rust frame on wheel wells and other frame issues ...

Filed Jul 12, 2016 · Body · 109,475 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford escape. The contact heard an unusual noise near the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the frame was rusted out. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The dealer stated that the vehicle was not safe to drive. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 109,475.

Filed Jul 2, 2016 · Body, Suspension · 80,000 miles · WI

While driving on the freeway started hearing a loud sound and the car became bumpy and bouncy. Pulled off the freeway, but could not identify the problem. Took to a garage and told right rear inner shock mount and fender panel had rotted. Ford had a replacement part for this condition, but did not have a recall. Labor cost due to welding was $1300.00, total cost 1,966.00. How could ford have a replacement part, but not a recall? Tried 3 garages only 1 (who had a welder) would consider the job. Car could not be driven...condition worsened quickly and had to drive 10 MPH to get estimates with blinkers on...hoping no one would hit us. Scary! Had to replace inner shock mount and fender panel, install , weld, and seal. Also needed new rear shocks.

Filed Jun 24, 2016 · Body, Suspension · 130,000 miles · IL

Entire right wheel well of the vehicle is rusting away. The shock absorber is mounted to this sheet metal, so it is no longer effective, making the vehicle unsafe to drive. I understand this is a common problem with these vehicles and ford will do nothing to compensate me. Currently hearing a loud thumping at every bump, due to the shock becoming detached from the vehicle.

Filed Jun 9, 2016 · Body, Suspension · 7,000 miles · TN

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.

Filed Jun 9, 2016 · Body, Suspension · 120,000 miles · WI

Right rear shock tower mount is completed rusted away causing the shock to travel up into the wheel well

Filed May 4, 2016 · Body, Suspension · 123,000 miles · NY

2005 ford escape 4x4 v6 passenger side rear wheel house rusted significantly enough to cause rear wheel shock connected to wheel house to forcefully separate and begin colliding with the inside plastic moulding in the trunk of the car. Damage was initially found while in motion, noticed by a rattling noise in the rear of the vehicle. Upon further inspection and removal of the plastic trunk housing, the entire top of the wheel well was very clearly rusted. The shock was still connected to a piece of the wheel house. The rear passenger shock had forcefully disconnected the piece of the wheel house it was attached to because of the overwhelming around of rust. Auto-body shop quoted a $2,000 repair (for a car bought for #3,600) to order a new wheelhouse and install it. Professional auto body shop teams quoted that the issue wasn't something you could patch or lightly repair, and the shock would need to be reattached to the body of the car to be driven safely. Ford was contacted twice and replied with their apologies that the customer was experiencing this issue, knowingly aware that the 2001-2004 models of this vehicle were recalled for the exact same issue and that hundreds of other customers have seen this issue around 120,000 miles. The issue seems to always be on the rear passenger side with no significant rust or damage on the drivers side.

Filed Apr 15, 2016 · Acceleration, Body · MI

Rear wheel wells rusting out as well as rear seat wells under doors rusting off in huge chunks,cruise,cd player doesnt work,radio shorts out on volume control goes louder instead of lower volume,also front axle had to be replaced at joe lake tire do they use timken products?

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