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,

- West Bloomfield, MI, USA

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.

- Polo, IL, USA

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.

- Bloomfield Hills, MI, USA

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 VIN invalid updated 05/10/18

- New Bethlehem, PA, USA

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!

- Homestead, FL, USA

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.

- Shakopee, MN, 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

Total rust in rear passenger side wheel well.

- Stewartstown, PA, USA

2005 Ford Escape rear left inner wheel well rusted through and shock support broken loose it has 150,000 miles on it.

- Edwardsville, KS, USA

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

- Dunkirk, NY, USA

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.

- Lewiston, ME, USA

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.

- Lansing, MI, USA

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.

- Eaton Rapids, MI, USA

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.

- Onalaska, WI, USA

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!

- Poland, OH, USA

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.

- Allentown, PA, 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

Upon the opening of rear glass hatch, rh hinge snapped off and glass slipped out of place. Luckily, other side remained intact. Support had completely corroded from rust.

- Fairmont, WV, USA

Upon arriving home from trip, hubby said he had heard loud noise while driving and vehicle's rear end felt funny. Inspection turns up a completely rusted out passenger side rear fender well.

- Fairmont, WV, USA

Wheel well rotted out causing shock to break loose and create unsafe vehicle. I was driving down the street when it finally let go and saw debris fall all over road and heard a loud bang from passenger side rear of car.

- Simpsonville, SC, USA