2005 Ford Escape: tire blowout or tread separation

Filed Aug 19, 2018 · Body, Suspension · 150,000 miles · MN

Passenger-side rear wheel well rusted through, shock tower is banging against inner frame, chunks of rust dislodging and scraping against tire. This is occurring while driving. I pushed the chunk back and it seems to be staying off the tire for now. Ford auto repair shop quoted $5000 to repair. My daily commute to work is across two major cities via a high-traffic major highway. Potential to be a serious and dangerous condition since it affects not only suspension but could cause tire to blow out while driving, as well as puncturing through to the interior of the vehicle and exposing people in the car to exhaust and frigid weather (minnesota) in the winter. This rusting through the wheel well is a chronic problem with ford - they recalled this make and model up through 2004 for this same issue.

Filed May 30, 2014 · Suspension · 111,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 ford escape. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH over a road bump, there was a loud noise heard from the vehicle. The contact discovered that the rear passenger side shock tower was fractured and the tire separated from the wheel well due to severe corrosion. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. Th e failure and current mileage was 111,000.

Filed May 13, 2014 · Body, Suspension · 84,000 miles · OH

While driving over rail road tracks a loud thud was heard in the right rear wheel well. The first assumption was the tire blew, but upon inspection the tire was fine. The vehicle was driven for a few more days and the thud would continue to be heard getting worse and worse, especially when hitting bumps. The vehicle was taken to a goodyear auto service center where I was informed that the right rear wheel well was severely rusted and the upper shock mount had separated from the body. The thumping we heard was the chunk of metal and shock mount that was separated from the body but still attached to the top of the shock hitting the rest of the wheel well that was still there. The service tech told me that he was very surprised that this area of the car was rusted so badly and it appeared that it wasn't undercoated properly to prevent the rust. The service tech informed me he couldn't fix it and recommended a welding shop (friess welding). The welding shop was able to cut out the rusted wheel well (they referred to it as a fender well, I don't know if there is a difference in the name), repair the upper shock mount, put on a new shock (the old shock was bent to badly from when it separated from the car), and properly undercoat it. They informed me that this was common on 05 and 06 ford escapes and they had repaired quite a few for the same thing. They also informed me that ford recently had a recall for 01-04 ford escapes for a similar issue only on the front of the car. They thought that ford should do a recall on 05-06 for the back. I don't know if this will help to have a recall done but what the welding shop was telling me seems to be true after doing some research on the internet. I will keep all of my receipts and the pictures that I took and hope a recall is eventually done. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Feb 10, 2014 · Body · IL

The rear right fender well (around the shock) is rusted and has deteriorated so badly that it has become detached from the body of the car. There's a banging noise when driving the vehicle --- this problem makes for unsafe driving condition -- if something breaks or the tire blow out because of this it can cause a terrible accident.

Filed Oct 29, 2013 · Body, Steering · 100,500 miles · IA

After a recent road trip, I heard a clunking noise coming from the rear passenger side of vehicle. Checked items in cargo area, spare tire, jack and even checked to make sure back seat was secure. Clunking noise was the shock hitting the underside of vehicle. The shock assembly was no longer attached, it was rusted under the wheel well around the shock assembly. So with every bump in the road, it was clanking around. Vehicle was not safe to drive for fear that the shock would break and cause a tire blow out or worse cause an accident. I took it to a private auto body shop which cost me $900 to repair the damage. The drivers side wheel well is doing the same thing and I may not have a fuel tank eventually. This needs to be addressed and taken care of. I love my vehicle and love not having a car payment too.

Filed Sep 14, 2013 · Body, Steering · 126,000 miles · MI

This safety issue requires immediate attention by both the federal safety agency and ford: 61 the federal safety agency complaints filed to date: '04- 16; '05- 45. Vehicle taken to ford dealership for service. Service notified that a forward lower ball joint was failing, no other defects were noted in the detailed visual inspection. It was replaced two days later. The following day of the repair, on a daily commute between tol to dtw, the right rear shock tower separated while driving at 70 MPH. Vehicle began dog-tracking. Initial inspection did not reveal the hidden damage caused by corrosion at the welded seams of the inner wheel well due to an underbody coating. Upon removing the undercoating, very easily by hand, two large sections removed, revealed the shock was penetrating the interior of the vehicle and was no longer being structurally supported by the vehicles uni-body frame. The large sections removed would have caused tire failure at highway speeds by puncture or hazard to other following vehicles. The separation of the shock tower from the body, did cause the vehicle to jerk at the time of failure, creating a loud popping sound and causing potential hazard as the vehicle steered into other lanes of traffic at highway speeds (70 MPH). The vehicle is rendered inoperable due to the catastrophic nature of the failure. Local ford dealership states they are uncomfortable repairing the structure and not aware of any manufacture recalls. In contacting their sister dealership, they have previously repaired this defect, and continued on stating this failure is a known issue with 2004 - 2006 escapes. The failed panel is available, p/n:part 7l827827886a. A reinforcement piece is also available. See example picture here: http://imageshack.us/a/img854/6430/wheelwell2.jpg facebook site concerning this safety issue: www.facebook.com/pages/2005-ford-escape-2004-2006/397923900236108.

Filed Jul 18, 2009 · Tires · 42,833 miles · LA

I have a 2005 ford escape with two oem tires on the rear and two newer tires of from the same company (continental) on the front end. For months now, when traveling at various speeds on the highway, I have heard a loud and violent flapping sound. The noise sounded as if there was a window open... After checking my tires, seal on all openings, etc., I could not find the source of the problem. Yesterday evening, while driving on the highway between 50 and 70mph, I had a blowout of my rear oem driver's side tire. Fortunately, it was not raining and it occurred while driving along a stretch of I-10 that had no guardrails, construction, etc. When I got out to inspect the damage, I noted that the tread itself was practically without problem; the problem was in the sidewall. My had a rip in the shape of a crescent moon with splitting going both toward the exterior of the tire and toward the interior or wheel/hub assembly. A local police officer arrived and assisted with the repair, which took moments, but I am quite concerned about the integrity of both the remaining oem tire I currently still have on the rear passenger side and, more importantly, the two newer continental sport lx tires I currently have on the front end. My car has low mileage for it's age and the tread on all of my tires is not worn; there appears to be no explanation other than a design flaw or defect. I am quite concerned for my safety and am unsure whether I should replace all four tires with a different brand or if this alleged defect only affects the oem line of continental tires which came with my vehicle (continental contitrac I think). I have read about similar instances online, but all instances do not describe a resolution process other customers purchasing new tires and/or receiving a $20 voucher from the tire manufacturer, general. I think this brand/model should be recalled and replacement tires of better quality should be provided at no cost.

Filed Jun 11, 2009 · Tires · 99,000 miles · MI

Tl*the contact owns a 2005 ford escape. The vehicle has pep boys definity dakota a/t tires, size p235/70/r16 (na). The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for repair and he observed that fours tires exhibited severe tread separation and cracking. The tires are in the process of being replaced due to the safety risk involved. The contact has pictures of the defective tires. The failure and current mileages were 99,000. Updated 07/01/09 *bf updated 07/06/09.

Filed Feb 15, 2005 · Tires · CA

The driver noticed that a flash warning sign appeared on the dashboard while driving. Driver was able to pull over, and noticed that the passenger rear tire blew out. The driver was able to change the tire, and drove to the dealer. However, mechanic could not determine the cause of the problem.

Filed Jan 29, 2005 · Tires · 15,010 miles · FL

Tire blow out on my wife's 2005 ford escape limited. Old tire is available, no new tires have been installed yet.