2005 Ford Escape: ball joint or control arm failure

Filed Mar 13, 2024 · Suspension · IL

The right lower control arm separated from the subframe due to subframe rust. It caused loss of handling and rendered the car immobile. It was caused by a panic stop at a low speed. The car was towed to an independent garage where it is awaiting repair. Parts affected were the subframe, CV axle joint and the front fender (From the wheel hitting it when it broke).

Filed Jan 17, 2024 · Body, Steering · OH · crash

Hello, The engine cradle subframe on my 2005 Ford Escape has completely rusted through on the right hand side where it attaches to the steering control arm. As I was driving the subframe broke which made it impossible to steer the car. This pulled my car off the road to the passenger side. Fortunately I was not injured. Having now researched this issue, it is a common problem with 2005 Ford Escapes. This is very dangerous, and it should be addressed as it creates a life threatening situation.

Filed Jun 12, 2022 · Suspension, Wheels · OH · crash · 1 injury

Control arm snapped and frame broke

Filed Sep 17, 2020 · Body · 219,000 miles · NY

Front subframe failed while driving - slow vehicle speed. The passenger side lower control arm remained attached to the subframe, but the failed subframe allows the control arm to swing dragging the vehicle to the side.

Filed Sep 18, 2019 · Steering, Suspension · 120,000 miles · MA

While driving her 2005 ford ecape after coming to an abrupt stop at a traffic light. My daughter found steering extremely difficult, with vehicle pulling extremely to the right then swerving into the other lane to the left upon trying to correct for the pull. She pulled the car over and found that with the steering wheel straight ahead the right front wheel was pointing outward toward the curb with the top of the wheel tilted inward towards the engine. The vehicle was undrivable and was towed home. Visual inspection by an experienced mechanic found that extreme corrosion of the subframe at the lower control arm front mounting point had caused the subframe to seperate and allow the lower control arm to bend outwards and cause extreme misalignment.

Filed Nov 15, 2018 · Body, Steering · 120,000 miles · PA

Last year I noticed the rust around doors and wheels, im retired & a disabled 77 yr old man so I drive it once a week. Over the summer I notice it handling funny, had it serviced and inspected. I was on route 30 a mile from my house it started shaking & making a horrible noise, the steering wheel was vibrating, I barely managed getting wheels to turn it off the hwy, I thought to myself, this [xxx] thing feels like it's gonna fall apart, home was 1/4 mile, noise & vibrating continued, struggled turning wheel into my driveway, parked it, got out and front passenger side wheel is tilted way out. My son jacked it up and said my lower control arm is completely rusted out or thru and broken off and it is all rusted bad underneath & said it's scrape. Parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Sep 24, 2018 · Suspension · 109,000 miles · WV

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford escape. While driving 35 MPH, the lower ball joint fractured due to excessive corrosion. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The manufacturer and dealer were not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 109,000.

Filed Jun 18, 2018 · Body · 55,000 miles · PA

Vehicles subframe rusted and broke at passengers front control arm while driving on a secondary roadway in a city during normal conditions. Car is a 2005 with only 55000 miles. Virtually no rust anywhere else on body. I found the exact problem at the identical location on 2002-2004 under a recall and believe that the 2005 should be included as well

Filed Nov 20, 2017 · Body, Steering · 115,000 miles · IL

After breaking while in traffic, my car swerved unexpectedly on to shoulder of the road and afterwards my steering wheel was at a strange angle. I immediately took my car to a repair shop where it was determined that the car had excessive corrosion of front subframe crossbrace and lower control arm resulting in a significant loss of steering control. A recall was issued on 2001-2004 ford escapes with the same problem as my 2005 ford escape. 2005 models should also be included in the recall

Filed Sep 29, 2017 · Body, Suspension · 163,000 miles · KY

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford escape. While driving 55 MPH, the front passenger wheel protruded outward without warning. The contact was able to safely pull the vehicle off the road. The vehicle was not towed. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact reached out to an independent mechanic who went to the scene and diagnosed that the lower control arm failed due to corrosion of the front subframe. The lower control arm needed to be replaced, which caused the wheel to wobble. The vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14v165000 (structure). The manufacturer was contacted and stated that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The contact was referred to the federal safety agency. The failure mileage was 163,000.

Filed Sep 19, 2017 · Body, Steering · 138,000 miles · NJ

When I was driving I heard some loud noise and when I stopped I found that the rear passenger strut shot up thru the back interior of the car.this was due to the entire wheel well rusting out.I also was driving another time when the front end started to shake.I stopped and got out and seen that the front tires were facing sideways.the tie rod broke.I could have been seriously hurt or killed.

Filed Sep 18, 2017 · Suspension · 122,500 miles · OH

Front subframe (cradle) rusted through directly adjacent to the front mounting location for the lower control arm. Have only owned the vehicle for several months. Purchased from pallotta ford in wooster, ohio. Vehicle was being driven when the failure occurred. Fortunately, it was at low speed as the right front wheel jammed into the rear of the wheel well and brought the vehicle to an abrupt halt. Had it towed to my house where I inspected the front suspension and thereby observed the wastage of the front subframe.