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

- Detroit, MI, USA

When I bought the vehicle from call lot tolled them brakes were going out he test drive and he said they were fine so I took his word then a few days later my water rateteravoter hose busted I had to get that them fixed and then they charged me to fix it then a few days later I here a thump on the back of my vehicle the whole back of my wheel area by the wheel was completely rusted out there no protection on the wheel and the strusts where busted they had stuff stuffed in it so you couldn't tell went to talk to them about it they say this happens there nothing they could for me but to charge me five hundred dollars to fix it I done nothing but have problems with this vehicle and this isn't the first one I've had problems with the are selling vehicle with safe hazards I paid out $1000 out on a car test drove it and guess I should of test drive it longer but I didn't I bought it and was on my way to put gas in it and the motor blow up. I had state police wait with me me and my 16 year old was stuck in high traffic because the motor blow state police said he had to get there and toll the car and he bought a trailer with a flat tired to try and toll it off the state police made him leave and called for a toll truck the car lot refused to give me my money back so I could go some where else so I bought a another car it was in fair condtion but when water stated hitting motor it ended up getting total by insurance company so still couldn't get money back made me pay out another $600 out for the vehicle and after I gave him the money he wrote out sold as is and could not trade vehicle or get my money back so I feel like he knew something was wrong with the vehicle because he didn't write this on the last two vehicles.

- Evansville, IN, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the rear passenger side wheel was rusted and the four wheel drive warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the failure was unusual, but declined to diagnose or repair the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 206,194.

- Henryville, IN, USA

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.

- Tallahassee, FL, USA

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.

- Papillion, NE, USA

A week ago I began to have a rattling in the right rear of my Escape. After tightening down and removing anything from the interior of the vehicle that could be "thunking", the noise continued to get worse. I investigated further and discovered that the right rear wheel well had completely corroded and the shock had broken free with a large chunk of what used to be the wheel well/frame. I began researching for a recall notice and found that Ford minivans from 2004-2007 also had wheel well rust problems that resulted in a recall...but nothing for the Escape. My mechanic said it should not be driven until fixed because it is a safety concern. I further looked at complaints from other Escape owners (at least 50 posted on line) and have learned that this exact same right rear wheel well corrosion on the 2005 model is common, dangerous and expensive to repair (my estimates range from $1000 but the frame shop will not commit until they begin work on it- they did state that this is not a new problem on Ford - they have repaired others). Ford seems to be dismissive to those who have approached them, stating there is no recall so there is nothing they can do. Is anyone looking into this?

- Richfield, MN, USA

Ford Escape 2005 passenger rear tire wheel well rusted away where the shock absorber mount bolts onto frame and now the shock absorber mount has nothing to bolt onto anymore. Shock absorber mount is not attached to frame anymore and now hits the frame of the SUV make very loud knocking sounds.

- Kent, OH, USA

Our 2005 Ford Escape in just a matter of weeks developed a basketball-sized hole over the right rear wheel well. It completely rusted through the wheel well, and the you can see through the opening to the shock and the tire from inside the vehicle. In addition, the shock is no longer attached to the frame, which makes this vehicle unsafe for the road. We will not allow our son to drive this truck any longer, and are now unable to provide him with a safe car since the repairs to this truck are very high. This is a major issue that affects a large number of other drivers. We all have the exact same complaint on where the damage occurs (right rear wheel well) and the extent of this damage (the truck is no longer safe to drive). Ford needs to recall these vehicles and fix this problem. Thank you.

- Fishers, IN, USA

While driving, I noticed that my steering wheel was not aligned. I didn't notice it was like this until I was already driving down the road. When I stopped, I checked my tires and thought that they looked slightly off. It seemed as if the passenger side tire was pointed slightly outward. The car sat in my driveway for the next couple of days and it appeared to have gotten worse. I took my car out for a test drive and noticed that each time I turned the wheel, the tires screeched. I took the car to a shop and after giving it an evaluation, they said that the control rod was rusted and starting to break. After some research online, it looked like there was a recall on 2001-2004 Ford Escapes for the same issue that I was having.

- Plantation, FL, USA

We started to notice a "clunky" noise coming from the right rear wheel hub. Upon inspection, the right rear wheel hub is over 50% rusted out. The left rear wheel hub is intact. We can not drive vehicle fearing a structural failure will result in an accident or injury. After researching this issue on the internet, it seems to be a common problem for this model, and other Ford models.

- Green Bay, WI, USA

The right side rear passenger wheel well is completely rusted. The car is making a loud thumping sound when going over small bumps. In doing research, it sounds like this is a serious concern with this make and model.

- Green Bay , WI, USA

While driving down the road going approx. 40 mph, I heard a loud noise from by back passenger side tired. I immediately pulled over to see what caused the noise. Upon inspection, I noticed the wheel well that supports the back shock was completely rusted. The shock had broke through the rusted wheel well and was pressed up against the inside interior of my car. The rest of my wheel wells are in fine condition. When I researched this problem online, there are many, many customers that have had this exact problem with 2005 Ford Escapes. It is only the rear passenger side. This needs to be researched and corrected before someone gets hurt.

- Clay, WV, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. While driving 10 mph, an abnormal noise emitted from the front passenger side wheel. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.

- Lancaster , OH, USA

I was traveling at 60 mph on a highway interchange. I hydroplaned, lost control of my vehicle, and hit a guard rail with the front driver's side head on. My vehicle bounced off the guard rail, traveled backwards, and hit the guardrail on the other side of the road on the driver's side rear. The car spun 90 degrees and came to a rest with the passenger side against the guard rail, opposing highway traffic flow. The airbags did not deploy, despite a 60-mph collision. The suspension, wheel, and shock fell off in the collision.

- Dayton, OH, USA

While traveling approximately 35 mph, the rear passenger side shock punctured through a completely rusted out rear wheel well on my 2005 Ford Escape. The car is undrivable and the auto repair/body shop quoted me $3,000 to repair this. I contacted Ford and they stated that only the 2001-2004 models are covered under a recall for this exact same problem. I have researched this problem and have read hundreds of people with the same problem..

- Kenosha, WI, USA

The entire passenger rear wheel well is completely rusted out & is no longer safe to drive; possible steering control. 2001-2004 Ford Escapes in the "salt belt" states were recalled for the exact same reason.

- Bay Village, OH, USA

Heard thumping noise on passenger side rear. Took it to check it out and wheel well completely rusted out and unsafe to drive.

- Dunkirk, NY, USA

I was driving my 2005 Ford Escape when I started hearing a banging noise coming from the passenger side rear of my vehicle. After a few days the banging got louder and my Escape seemed to be hitting hard in the back like my shock wasn't working. Which my husband had changed them about 3 or 4 months prior so I thought that was odd. After driving her today and the banging getting worse I had my husband look at my back fender wall. When we did we seen it completely rusted out. I can touch the inside of my car. But the worst part of this is that is what holds my shock in place and it is all gone. I came inside frustrated and decided I would see if there are parts to fix it before my shock decides it is going to go for a free ride and destroy everything under there. To my surprise I have not found a fix nor a recall but I did find numerous people having the same issue. This is a safety hazard and no one seems to care. I am very surprised that no one has made Ford recall the Escapes and fix this issue. Can you imagine if I was on the freeway going 70 mph when this broke and the damage it could do to not only my Escape but my family, myself, and other drivers if I lost control of it because my shock is no longer attached to my SUV? I am very disappointed in Ford and everyone else that is in charge of recalling vehicles. They have put my family, me, and all the other drivers on the road in danger and no one seems to care. Maybe I should buy a Toyota because at least they recall their vehicles and fix them when they have an issue. Ford does not seem to care about anyone's safety.

- Jonesville, MI, USA

Rear wheel well totally rusted away and shock was banging when tried to find part from junk yard all 2005 Escape had rusted off wheel wells the other side is now going to do the same the car was not drivable. Had just done many repairs was planning on keeping it but now it is not safe to drive seems to me this should be a recall if it is happening to many Escapes of this year can anything be done this has been a good running car until now this problem is a real safety hazard.

- Antioch, IL, USA

The passenger side rear wheel well on this Escape is completely rotted. A large piece of the body in the wheel well has broken away (around 8X8) with the shock attached. The large piece of metal has been bouncing in and out of the indoor storage compartment. I now have no shock absorption on that wheel. I have noticed numerous other people that share this problem with this vehicle. Ford has refused to assist them with their problem. I will be taking this vehicle to a local Ford dealership with the demand that this be fixed at a reasonable price, considering the large number of people that this effects.

- Buffalo, NY, USA