This car has 80000miles on it and is totally rusted out in the rear passenger wheel well and shock tower. I have been quoted 5000 to fix the car to meet safety standards. I can see the tire all the way thru the metal.
2005 Ford Escape body complaints
Page 5 of 16: complaints 101 to 130 of 434, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford escape. While driving 35 MPH, there was an abnormal noise coming from the rear of the vehicle. The dealer diagnosed that the rear shock tower had severe corrosion, which caused the rear shocks to fracture and separate from the subframe of the vehicle. The contact also stated that the rear hatch window support was severely corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
I had finance a 2005 ford escape xlt after had the vehicle for two month I notice a strange sounds for the back of the vehicle I track and found out that the rear. Underneath the car panel where the shockwas at is rusted all through. The the front tire is wear and the vehicle is driving bad shocks struct and wheel elignment was all effect with the rust panal from shocks...
The frame of the vehicle has rusted and the suspension broke free while it was being driven. Ford has recalled up the model year of 2004 because of frame rust through in the northern states . In speaking with the repair shop he said he has seen a number of these problems. I called ford customer service and was told my car has no known issues.
109,000 miles on my car, had a slight rumbling sound in trunk area, sound recently got much louder. Brought it in for an annual nys inspection and car would not pass due to right wheel hull rust. Large hole in wheel well, was advised to not drive the car and contact a body shop. Quoted $600-$800 for the repair. Upon research it appears this is a common problem in this model car. 2001-2004 escapes were recalled for the same reason but not the 2005.
In july of 2015 I brought my 2005 ford escape to the dealer because of very loud noise in the rear while driving. Noise was the same whether on a street or the highway. The mechanic found the passenger side rear wheel well was completely rusted out. I have a friend with the very same make, model, year and is now going through the exact same issue. There are other areas of rust on the body that seems to me to be coming on prematurely. I see there is a recall for this issue, but only up to model year 2004. Please....the 2005's have the very same issue!
The rear right wheel well is rusted and the shock fell off. It is dangerous and scary. The matrrial used in building it is very poor
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford escape. The contact stated that the frame rail that the shock absorbers were bolted to was rusted significantly as well as the interior fenders. The vehicle was inspected, but not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The failure mileage was 137,076.
Rear passenger wheel well rusting out around shock attachment. Just discovered this today but through online research it appears to be a very common problem and should be a know issue to the manufacturer - they had a rust recall for 2001 - 2004 models
Rear wheel well rust out. We purchased this car new at al packers white marsh ford 11-13-04 we also opted for the complete ziebart package. The end of dec.15 my wife said thumping noise from rear heard when going over a bump in road. I checked all around and under car, found nothing. On jan.22nd 2016 when she got home from work she said get your coat you need to see this. When I got to the car I could not believe what I saw. Most of the ziebart under coating was gone from the right rear wheel well and there was a huge hole that ran from the back of the wheel well forwards through and past the shock tower mount.then the blizzard of 2016 happened. I got on the net and found out we are not the only people this has happened to. I called ford USA headquarters on jan.26 and 27th. I was told there are no service bullitens or recalls on my vehicle at this time. I was given a case number, and told take the car back to a ford dealer so a certified ford person could go over the car and document the problem and give me an estimate to fix the problem. Then if I get the repairs done keep my receipts, and if and when it becomes a recall I might get partial or full refund. Thanks for calling ford have a nice day. After this I took the car to our local mechanic. He said he didn't do that work he sent me to a local body shop that told me it was a major job they said thousands of dollars. File a complaint and go back to ford. Most of all park it do not drive the car it is not safe. The car window sticker says final assembly kansas plant. Does anybody else have that same sticker? Is this problem a bad batch of parts at only that kansas plant? This was not an escort, aspire, even a ranger it was a 30,000. Dollar escape. They got the money they should fix this my car has 84,000 miles.
The rear right wheel well is severely rusted. The shock mount is detached from the body and frame. The shock is loose and fell off. There is no way to weld the mount to the frame. The repair will cost thousands of dollars and teh vehicle is unsafe to drive
Loud banging coming from right rear of vehicle driving down city street. Brought vehicle in for repair and was told the right rear passenger shock tower was completely rusted through the vehicle body to the point of entering the vehicle interior. I am told that the rear axle can tear away from the vehicle resulting in accident and possible injury or death.
Right rear shock mount completely rusted out, bought car brand new, only 60,000 miles on it . Come to find out all ford escapes this year are having the same issue. This is a serious problem because this is a suspension and handling issue, car was very difficult to drive and keep in lane. The problem has it's own facebook page, 2004-2006 ford escape. Very poor engineering design mounting shock to sheetmetal.
My son was complaining that the back end of the car began rattling and "jumping" while driving in the city in nov of 2015. We had it checked out in dec and was told and shown how unsafe the car was to drive,due to the entire right rear wheel well and strut was completely rusted away. The only thing that was holding the wheel to the car was the plastic molding of the trunk area which was also melting away from the heat.I could not believe a car could disintegrate and deteriorate so badly. In good conscious the auto repair owner would not allow us to drive the car anymore. Nor would I want to. Plus, the cost to fix it was not worth the price of the car,and he couldnt fix it. He told me to list it on craigs list to sell the car in parts. The rest of the car is in great condition , after I spent $6000, to buy the car in aug of 2014, then another $2000 for 4 new tires, brake lines, and oil leaks!! Who knows what else would have come up. I just glad my son did not get hurt driving home from college 21/2 hrs on the highway. I wish I knew about this exact common problem of 1000 other peoples complaints. Ford needs to be accountable of the particular problem of faulty material. I do not know how many people have gotten hurt, and how many more need to get hurt before something is done,
The passenger rear wheel well and shock tower is completely rusted away and the body is coming away from the frame and the shock tower is loose from the frame. This is a common problem with the escape and should be addressed by ford before someone is killed or injuried.
I've been told the rear shock mount has rusted out on this unibody constructed vechicle. When I drive the car, and if I hit any sort of a bump in the road, huge sound from the back as if the rear end of the car is going to fall off. I understand many others have had similar problem. Cost to fix, if possible is about $4000. Car is worth about the same amount. I was told by auto body guy that a recall on this may exist or that ford is aware of the problem and may be offering up a fix.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was being inspected, the technician stated that the rear passenger side fender well was severely corroded. As result, the shock absorber was detached. The vehicle was taken to the dealer however, it was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000. The VIN was not provided. Updated 03/10/16*lj VIN invalid updated 05/10/18*jb
Heard a noise near rear wheel house. Upon inspection it was discovered that the wheel house on the passenger rear was completely rusted to the point that the shock was just barely hanging on. The repair would cost more than the vehicle is worth. Lots of complaints on same issue that ford refuses to address or correct. Should be compensation and/or a recall. Also looks like the same thing is happening to the other side. Nice job ford!
Was driving along city street when I went over a small bump, heard a loud thud! The wheel well on back passenger side was rusted away where the strut connects. Or where it was once connected... 155,673 miles, this is my only vehicle and unsafe to drive my family in.
While driving the vehicle, there was a noise in the back passenger side of the vehicle when going over bumps only. We could not locate the noise inside the vehicle. (it sounds like the glass or the tire jack, were not secure.) the auto shop explained, that the vehicle is not attached to the shock, and it along with exhaust is coming in through the truck area. Explained that the vehicle was a 'death trap' if hit from behind, the vehicle that hit this one would go right though this vehicle. Accorded to the auto shop, the issue is not fixable.
Total rust in rear passenger side wheel well.
2005 ford escape rear left inner wheel well rusted through and shock support broken loose it has 150,000 miles on it.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford escape. The contact stated that the subframe had severe corrosion. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the subframe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in a manufacturer's recall related to the failure. The failure mileage was 111,000. Updated 1/12/16
I just bought a 2005 ford escape after getting fed up with subaru's notorious headgasket issues only to find out now my ten year old ford with only 100k miles on it has completely rotten rear wheel wells that ford knows about and doesn't care about their customers that they let down with shoddy materials. Shame on them! Now I have to either have the dealer fix it knowing it will fail or return it and have no vehicle and loose my job thanks ford.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford escape. While driving at approximately 35 MPH, there was a loud abnormal noise coming from the rear passenger side of the vehicle. The failure occurred when driving on an uneven road. The contact inspected under the vehicle and discovered severe rust on the wheel well entering the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnose or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 135,000.
My passenger rear end is all rusted out and the shock has come thru my vehicle. It sounds horrible, and was told it was very unsafe to drive, as the shock isn't connected to the body of the vehicle now. It will cost more then it's worth, and this is the only vehicle that I have to drive me and my family around in.
After hitting pothole a loud banging sound was heard coming from rear storage area on passenger side. Vehicle was taken to service shop and was shown that rear passenger wheel well was completely rusted out leading to shock tower breaking loose from body and protruding into the rear cabin area. Service manager said this was likely due to catastrophic failure of body integrity in that area and stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive. He also stated that he had seen this on other 2005 ford vehicles (windstar van). Given the construction of the body the service manager stated that the affected portion would need to be cut out and custom fabricated to replace the cut out area, likely costing nearly as much as the vehicle is worth.
You know what's wrong without me telling you. Tell me nobody has gone online and seen complaint after complaint and photo after photo of rusted fender wells? What exactly are you guys getting payed for by letting ford get away with this. This vehicle only has 100,000 miles on it and it's to dangerous to drive!
Loud noise from right rear when driving. Upon inspection, shock mount in wheel well is badly rusted. The top of the shock is completely loose. Unsafe to operate the vehicle.
When I was driving down the interstate at 70 MPH, I began to hear a clunking sound from the rear passenger side. It happened every time I hit even a small bump or crack. When I took it to the body shop, they discovered the passenger side rear wheel well is corroded; rust/rot has caused the shock mount to become nearly completely detached from the frame. It is unsafe to drive, and body shops won't even provide an estimate for repairs as the deterioration is too extensive, and they can't fix it. A quick online search shows this is an ongoing issue with 2005 escapes, and must be addressed for safety. The body shop owner told me not to take the car on the interstate because if I were to hit a bump at 65 MPH, I would be "asking a lot of this car to hold together." the clunking sound is now consistent no matter what speed or surface I am driving on.
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