Driving to/from work, I started noticing a slight creaking noise coming from the rear passenger side of my 2005 Ford Escape. After a day or so, it became a loud thumping. Upon inspection, I discovered the wheel well & shock mount were disintegrating and the shock was no longer connected to the vehicle. There are holes so large you can see into the trunk. After doing a little research, I learned this is a common problem yet Ford has not issued a recall nor are they offering any kind of reimbursement for the repair. Needless to say, this is very disappointing. This is my first - and most definitely last - Ford.

- Rocky River, OH, USA

I was driving my 2005 Ford Escape and started hearing a loud banging noise from the rear passenger side of the car. After I found out what the problem was a few days later I haven't drove it since. The rear passenger side fender well/ wheel well was completely rusted away, the shock mount was not even connected to the wheel well. Its unsafe to drive and there are hundreds of thousands of people who are having the same problem with the 04,05, and 06 Escape. There is no recall on it yet and Ford knows about the problem so I've read and are doing nothing about it. Insurance will not cover this flaw from Ford.

- Akron, OH, USA

While driving at moderate speed on residential roadway, a loud rattling sound was heard coming from the rear passenger wheel well and rear trunk area. After closer inspection of the wheel well it was observed that the portion of the vehicle where the rear passenger shock absorber was mounted to the vehicle had completely rusted through. Rather than been designed to mount to the frame of the vehicle it appears that it was designed to attach to the sheet metal wheel well. Due to the complete rust-through of the wheel well the rear passenger upper shock mount had become completely detached from the vehicle and anytime the vehicle went over the smallest bump or crack in the road, a loud banging would occur as the unattached shock would impact against the vehicle wheel well.

- Orchard Park, NY, USA

I have a 2005 Ford Escape that got a severe shock damage to the right rear wheel well. There is so much damage from the rust, inside the insulation, that the shocks are no longer attached to the frame and continually Ram into the interior panels. I purchased this car new in 2005. All other wheel wells are in great condition as well as the car. This is a clear manufacturer problem. This is a major safety issue. If the shock would have came off while I was driving at 60mph and hit the road or something under the vehicle it could have caused a major accident and people could have been injured. There should be a recall issued for it.

- West Saint Paul, MN, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph, a sudden banging noise was heard from the rear of the vehicle. The contact discovered that the rear passenger's side wheel housing panel was rusted. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was confirmed that the rear wheel housing panel was perforated due to rust and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 140,000.

- Collins, OH, USA

I have an 05 Escape that has severe rust damage to the right rear wheel well. There is so much damage from the rust that the shocks are no longer attached and continually Ram into the interior panels. All other wheel wells are in great condition. From what I have read this is an extremely common problem (so much so that there is a facebook group and a message board on Ford forums) the models effected Ford models 2004-2006. Serious consideration should be put into recalling them. www.fordforums.com/F59/2005-Escape-shock-mount-rusted-out-177762/ https://www.facebook.com/pages/2005-Ford-Escape-2004-2006/397923900236108.

- Tinely Park, IL, USA

On 2/20/14 I was traveling 65 mph on state route 219 in boston, NY, when a loud banging noise suddenly began to occur in the rear of my vehicle. This noise scared me and forced me to pull over on the shoulder of the expressway to inspect the rear area of my vehicle (while traffic continued at 65 mph). I could not see anything at that time so I slowly and cautiously drove my vehicle home. Upon further inspection, my husband found that the right rear(passenger) side rear shock had become totally detached from the completely rusted out inner wheel well and was protruding into the inside of my vehicle. Excessive rust could be seen along with several holes that had once been part of the wheel well. My vehicle is unable to be driven and is too costly to fix. After doing some research, I found that I am not the only owner of 2005 Ford Escape with this issue. This needs to be a recall! fortunately, this defect did not cause a serious accident because this is an integral component of my vehicles suspension. This 'defect' needs to be rectified before someone dies or becomes seriously injured.

- Orchard Park, NY, USA

Entire wheel well rusted out and disintegrated. Section is gone and shock came through the interior.

- Lockport, NY, USA

Noticed a rattling sound on the right rear of the vehicle. Upon inspection, found most of the rear wheel well where the shock absorber mounts to be rusted, and parts of the metal actually gone. The top of the right rear shock is basically not attached to any structure, as the metal around the mount has completed rusted. Could see the backside of the vehicle interior where the metal has rusted away.

- Ann Arbor, MI, USA

Noticed a loud noise coming from the rear of the vehicle while traveling on a rural road about 50 mph. When arrived at destination, noticed severe rust in wheel well near shock mount and through to storage compartment. Online research indicates that this problem is common and that Ford is aware of the problem but not doing anything for owners yet.

- Huntley, IL, USA

I went to Ford for service, and they found that the right rear shock tower where mounted to wheelhouse was rotted away. Only rusted on right side. This is a very dangerous situation as if the part lets loose, the car body will sag and a crash will occur. I have taken to body shop and the cost is estimated to be $1500 or better. There are no re-calls on this safety issue, and calls to Ford are answered "sorry there is nothing we can do". they seem to not give a care if people are injured and maimed from this flaw in manufacture. The body shop told me today that the wheelhouse part is on national backorder, and that there are 500+ orders waiting for these parts. Ford notes that their supplier is waiting for parts to manufacture these replacement parts. My car is severe and can't be operated. I do not know what to do next. Guess the first thing is finding someone who cares. I also think that this should be addressed before a serious crash occurs. I have been in law enforcement for 30+ years and would like to do something quick to save lives and injury. Please advise if you can help.

- Arlington Heights, IL, USA

This is for a Ford 2005 Escape. The SUV's passenger rear shock where attached to the wheel well is rusted. The wheel well is rusted out around the the area that the shock attaches to. In reading the Ford forum, there are a lot of complaints on this year Ford Escape. I have also contacted Ford on this and they do not see any issues.

- Willowick, OH, USA

I had been hearing rattling from the rear passenger side for about 3 weeks. On around January 28th I was driving home from work and heard a loud noise. I later discovered a large crack and hole on the inside passenger panel. After further inspection I discovered the passenger side rear wheel well had a whole section missing and the shock I can move with my hand. After doing some research online I have discovered that several 2004/2005 Escapes have had the same issue. This is clearly a defect. It needs to be addressed and a recall needs to be done.

- Milford, MI, USA

The passenger side rear panel when the shock attaches to the under part has completely rushed away. We were told that there is over thousands of vehicle that have been affected. We took the vehicle to the Ford collision shop and was told that they have not even started to do anything about this, he started that he has seen several vehicle come into the shop that are Ford Escape that the whole back under suspension has completely rushed out.

- Irving, NY, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph, a sudden banging noise was heard from the rear of the vehicle. The contact discovered that the rear passenger's side wheel housing panel was rusted and caused the shock absorber to become detached from the vehicle. The contact indicated that the vehicle was diagnosed by the dealer but not repaired. The manufacturer was notified and no solution was offered. The failure mileage was 77,000. Uupdated 07/08/14

- Cleveland, OH, USA

Like many others, the rear passenger wheel well is rusted out so significantly that the strut mount is almost completely detached. This is very unsafe and difficult to detect until it's too late. It's obvious from speaking with body shops and Ford reps that this is a well known issue. I can't reiterate enough that this is dangerous because of 1) the suspension can collapse onto the tire and 2) it's difficult to identify until the strut mount collapses.

- Lewis Center, OH, USA

This is a 2005 Ford Escape with the same problem reported by hundreds of other people on facebook, Ford forums, this agencies own website etc. The rear right inner wheel well has totally disintegrated leaving the top of the shock absorber unconnected to anything. Ford have not carried out a recall for this dangerous situation though apparently the parts involved were modified on newer vehicles to prevent this happening. The problem appears worse in northern states with bad winters where salty water becomes trapped inside the waterproofing sealant and the wheel well accelerating the rusting process. Updated 04/16/14

- Saint Joseph, MI, USA

I am here to write an incident about my my right rear suspension breaking away from the strut tower support bracket. It was all rusted out. The left side of the car is fine. I have seen quite a lot of these same problems on the internet. When we took our car in to the Ford dealership they called it a catastrophic failure. Car was unsafe too drive. We feel this is a safety concern for owners of this vehicle and, the public.

- Memphis, MI, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph, a loud noise emitted from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic, who advised that the rear passenger side wheel was corroded. As a result, the housing and rear shocks were corroded and separated from the wheel. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure and current mileage was 132,000.

- Twinsburg , OH, USA

I own a 2005 Ford Escape 87,00 miles, garage kept. I bought it new from the Ford dealer. So I hear a loud banging noise and take it into a shop to get checked out. Shop calls me in awe" he said that right side inter fender wheel well and shock tower has completely rusted away and is no longer connected to the vehicle?he also said you can see to the inside of the vehicle. He said in all his years, hes never seen anything like it. He said that a 1990 car should not have this damage. So I start to google and low and behold hundreds of complaints of the same thing. It seems to be a major issue with 2004, 2005 and some 2006 Ford Escape models and Ford will not recall or make good on their poor craftsmanship. I contacted the dealer where I bought my vehicle and spoke to a repair manager who said he will call me back"so after a few hours (he googled himself), he calls and says tough luck"have a nice day. There are all kinds of pictures on the net that look like my car".I took my own pictures but this is appalling and Ford needs to be help accountable. This is a structure problem and very dangerous. I will probably have a hard time finding someone to even attempt to repair this as the don't want the liability (especially seeing I have 2 car seats in my vehicle.)

- Aliquippa, PA, USA