A few weeks ago we started to hear a faint noise coming from under the right side wheel well of the vehicle. As the days went on the noise started to get louder and it sounded like the rear passenger door wasn't shutting. After taking it into the shop the mechanic had told us that wheel well was rusted out and that the shock was going up and down pretty much shaking right through the wheel well. The shock had come through the inside plastic of the trunk (now we have a huge hole) and we had to park it until we can fix it. The first thing the mechanic told us is that this is a known problem with this vehicle and it going to cost hundreds to re-fabricate. This should defiantly be on the recall list as we have read several people have had very similar problems.

- Hurley, WI, USA

While driving, loud bang sound heard when going over bumbs. Review of the right (passenger side) rear wheel well indicated severe rusting. After taking to dearlership and body shop, it was determined that right rear wheel well was completly rusted through and frame was detached from shock. Body shop indicated that repairs are estimated at $5,000 to the sub frame. After conducting research, this appears to be a common problem with this model year Escape. Contacted Ford customer service and since 2005 model was not part of April 2014 recall notice (2001-2004 only), there was nothing they could do. They also indicated no customer satisfaction programs existed for this issue. Escape mileage is 130,000.

- Farmington Hills, MI, USA

While driving my Escape I noticed that if I hit even a small bump in the road there was a very loud noise coming from the rear end. I stopped to check it out and seen that the rear passengers side wheel well was almost completely rusted through leaving my shock with very little support. It seems to be a flaw / safety issue with these Escapes with numerous complaints but no recall. Truck parked no safe to drive.

- Manitou Beach, MI, USA

Found rust hole in inner fender on passenger side wheel..then heard noise such as door not shut.reinspected to see shock not attached as rust ate away the support.all Escapes of this year have the same problem..Ford should be held accountable for this and any damage that occurs.very dangerous.

- Massillon, OH, USA

While driving along I noticed a little rattle when I rode over bumps, assumed it was regular random noises from uneven asphalt. Make it to the corner of my street and the rattle is annoying now. I pulled over to check it out didn't notice anything so I continue on home as soon as I pull in I hear a big clunk. Get out and what is apparently my shock mount is lying on the ground. Look under car near where its laying and the complete wheel well at the rear passenger side is rusted out so bad that the mount had nothing to hold to. I can completely see through to the inside of the hatch. With 3 kids, 2 under 6 yrs old I can not Transport my kids safely and im stuck because I just bought car this Feb,4 months ago and im still paying a car note. To expensive to fix when someone actually says they can fix it. Checked online and you wouldn't believe how many people have this exact problem same side and all. This can not be a coincidence and Ford had a recall for this very thing for years 2001-2004 so they are aware of the problem however they a certain amount of complaints before a recall can be issued. If you have this problem please file a complaint.

- Euclid, OH, USA

Passenger rear wheelhouse totally rusted through. No support for shock mounting. Vehicle is not drivable.

- Ada, MI, USA

Passenger side rear shock absorber upper mount broke loose due to a corroded wheel well.

- Lancaster, NY, USA

I just purchased this 2005 Ford Escape at the end of May 2014 with only 73333 miles on it and it was running great. Then a month later I started hearing a loud bang under the rear passenger seat area after going over a few normal little bumps in the residential streets.(like cracks or sewer lid) I check it out there was some excessive rust in the wheel well area. I drove it for another week with this annoying sound then it got worse making loose clanking and squeaking noise constantly with the banging noise. I searched under the vehicle and in the wheel well, it's completely rusted through. The shock/strut? are mounted to nothing but crumbling rust. It is just free from the wheel well now. I can't even drive it. From the other complaints I can see this will not be an easy fix nor does Ford company recognize this is a faulty issue with this vehicle and should take responsibility for the early corrosion in the wheel well areas with this vehicle.

- Tacoma, WA, USA

The entire wheel well is rusted out and the shock is sticking into the rear of the back of the car. It is dangerous and Ford has a recall on 2000 - 2004 for this issue not the 2005.

- Gwinn, MI, USA

TL-the contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving 35 mph, the vehicle made a loud thumping noise from the rear passenger side. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the rear passenger side wheel well was corroded and the shock mount had completely separated. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The approximate mileage was 124,714. Pam

- Milford, MI, USA

TL * the contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. While driving approximately 10 mph, the rear passenger side of the vehicle rattled as the vehicle crashed into an unknown object. There were no injuries. The dealer stated that the struts housing was decayed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 113,000.

- Willow Springs , IL, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25 mph, the vehicle started to make a loud banging noise. The contact mentioned that after inspecting the vehicle he noticed that the rear shaft was corroded. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer had not been notified about the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000.

- Canton, MI, USA

I was driving on a city street when I started hearing loud banging noises from the rear of my Escape whenever I went over any type of bump. Once home, I looked around and discovered that the wheelhouse panel on the rear passenger side of my Escape was severely rusted and deteriorating. There were several large holes in the metal. The wheelhouse panels around the other three wheels look fine with minimal to no signs of rust. I took my Escape to a Ford dealership and was told the damage would cost me $2,350 to have them fix it, but that they could not get to work on it for about 2 weeks. I checked around on the internet and found that other people were having the same problem with their 2004 - 2006 Escapes. I called Ford and was told that no recall is underway to fix what, to me, is a problem due to something that Ford was doing wrong from 2004 to 2006, and that Ford should step up to fix free of charge. I've taken my Escape to several body shops to receive other estimates on the cost of the work. Several of those body shop experts said that there is no way that a nine year old auto should have as much rust and deterioration as mine has, further strengthening my belief that this due to a screw up by Ford. I've made arrangements with one of those body shops to have the work done this week for about $800, about a third less than Ford wanted me to pay to fix their screw up. Before this, I would have recommended a Ford to anyone. In addition to my Escape, I've also bought a Ford Explorer and a Ford escort for myself as well as a 2003 Ford Escape for my daughter. But, if Ford is the kind of company that will not take responsibility for its mistakes and will not take care of its customers, I will not buy another of their automobiles.

- Detroit, MI, USA

(case# [xxx]) (Ford Escape 2005 sub-frame defect) I wish to report an extremely unsafe condition that has occurred with my 2005 Ford Escape. The past several months, while driving the vehicle, I have noticed a loud metal-sounding banging noise whenever the car goes over even a slight bump/crack in the road. I have taken the vehicle into our local Ford dealership twice to have the problem checked out. First time, Ford replaced the links (?), which did not resolve the problem. The second time, I pointed out to service technician that the rear wheel well was rusted through. Service technician removed interior covering to further inspect damage, and discovered the shock absorber was sticking up into the vehicle. Service technician referred vehicle to their (Ford dealership) body shop, who's technician informed me that the sub-frame is rusted out and would cost at least $6000 to repair. I declined their repair offer, and brought the vehicle home. Upon further research (vehicle safety and recall websites), I was shocked to discover that many other owners of 2005 Ford Escapes are experiencing and reporting this same problem, and are frustrated and angry that a recall has not been issued by Ford. These vehicles are only nine years old, are now totally worthless, and are extremely unsafe to drive. I have been forced to find alternative transportation, which is a major inconvenience and expense for me. Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Palos Hills, IL, USA

You have failed to respond to our previous posts. We still await your report about this issue. The rear right wheel well has disintegrated leaving the shock absorber unconnected to anything at the top. It has been removed to prevent it causing further damage or damage to the break lines. Search on facebook under 2005 Ford Escape. There are loads of vehicles with exactly the same problem. This week someone reported their brake line had been damaged by this issue. This is a safety issue that Ford need to address urgently.

- Saint Joseph, MI, USA

We were driving along and started to hear this banging noise which was getting progressively louder. When I found a safe spot to pull off the road I did, and got out to investigate what was making the noise. When I got to the right rear of the vehicle where the noise was coming from I discovered that the right rear shock tower is totally rusted out. I can actually stick my hand up through the wheel well into the inside of the vehicle.

- Willseyville, NY, USA

Right rear wheel well completely rusted through, undermining strut support. All other wheel wells have minimal to normal rust with rust proofing material still in place. Body of vehicle has no rust at all and is in excellent condition. Vehicle has always been garaged and washed regularly.

- Madison, WI, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that whenever driving over a bump, the vehicle would make a loud knocking sound in the rear. The contact stated that he inspected the vehicle and noticed that the rear passenger side wheel well had corroded and the shock absorber was damaged. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 105,000.

- Pottstown, PA, USA

While washing the car, I noticed a hole in the passenger rear wheel well big enough to stick my fist thru without touching any metal. The shock absorber will soon be attached to nothing. It also appears the frame is rusting and getting thin. I am unsure of the structural integrity of the vehicle at this point and want to know the safety issues involved. I also want to know why Ford has not yet recalled these vehicles when the older models have been recalled. There is little difference in a 2004 and a 2005.

- Amazonia, MO, USA

Right rear shock mount rusted off.

- Armada, MI, USA