The rear passenger wheel well has rotted out, leaving the shock hanging freely above the wheel, unattached. I first became aware of the issue as the car was driving on a city street, where I heard a loud bang in the back right of the car, and the noise continued as the car went over bumps. It was impossible to see the damage the rust was causing to the area until the shock mount came free, as the sealant used in the wheel well hid the damage-- approximately every 3-6 months I examine the car for rust and noticed no extreme damage to this area previously.

- Akron, OH, USA

The rear passenger strut was completely rusted out of the wheel well. The vehicle was sent to a Ford dealer to install a "kit" and weld the strut bracket to the wheel well. I found the problem after hearing significant clunking noise in the back as I drove.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA

Heard a banging in the trunk area on the passenger side, checked it out and the whole wheel well was rusted out, the shock was barley on. I was on a city street. Took it to where I bought it and they gave me an estamet of $1,145.99. I am wondering why this VIN is not covered in a recall.

- Shawano, WI, USA

I was pulling out of my driveway, turned at the corner, hit a small bump and heard a loud banging sound like the rear gate door was not closed, stopped at the corner put it in park, got out and opened the rear gate and reclosed it, got back into my vehicle, turned left hit another small bump, and heard the loud banging noise again, stopped at the 4 way corner store, parked and got out and walked around my vehicle to inspect it, and noticed the rust on the passenger rear side, some of it had fallen off and I could see the styrofoam on the inside of the passenger rear tire weld.I called the dealer where I am purchasing the vehicle and they said I could take it to their guy to look at it, took it to him and he said that I had a real problem and that it needed to be welded, went back to the dealer and they said I could take it to their guy to fix, but they did not know when they could get me in for an appointment. I took it to another mechanic, and he still has it, trying to locate the rear end of another Ford Escape to fix it.

- Flint, MI, USA

Passenger rear top strut/shock mount rusted out. Makes vehicle kind of useless. Been told this seems to B a common problem.

- Buffalo, NY, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. While driving 35 mph over a small bump in the road, the vehicle made a loud banging noise. The contact noticed that the passenger side wheel well was severely rusted. In addition, the shock absorber became disconnected from the frame of the well. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000. The VIN was not available.

- Cincinnatti, OH, USA

March 20, 2017. Front end passenger side subframe rusted through and broke causing severe steering issues. This failure is similar to the failures that resulted in the 2004 and before model years to be recalled by Ford. This issue still persists in newer model years.

- Tarentum, PA, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. While driving 42 mph, the contact heard a clanking noise coming from the rear passenger side wheel well. The contact stopped the vehicle and noted that the shock absorber had detached from the wheel well. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the wheel bearings failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the dealer stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive even after being repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 172,000.

- Bealville, IL, USA

Rotted out subframe assembly, mechanic declared car unsafe at any speed. Ford recalled this problem 2001-2004 but did not extend to 2005. Ford dealer refused to work on vehicle.

- Sparta, NJ, USA

Passenger rear is rested shocks struts detached

- Kansas City, KS, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the wheel well was corroded all the way through. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic because the lower control arm was corroded through the entire frame underneath the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 14V165000 (structure). The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000....updated 05/17/17

- Central City, IA, USA

The contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. While driving various speeds, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the rear passenger side of the vehicle. The contact discovered that the shock was not connected to the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with rust between the shock and the rear passenger side frame. The shock absorber needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 188,000.

- Kansas City, MO, USA

I own a 2005 Ford Escape and recently began hearing a loud noise coming from the back passenger side. Upon inspection, I found the entire passenger side rear well had completely rusted out and the shock was now coming through the rear well into my car. This has made my car completely unsafe to drive. I have made a complaint with Ford as well as on here in hopes that Ford would do the responsible thing and take care of it. It is quite obviously Ford knows about this issue and is refusing to take responsibility for it. It is hard to miss the hundreds of complaints on this website for the exact same problem. Not to mention Ford has already recalled the 2001-04 for this exact same issue. For the absolute ridiculous amount that it costs to fix this issue, I personally would feel much safer putting my time and money into a new vehicle. Obviously, that vehicle will not be a Ford.

- Lexington, MN, USA

Noticed undercoating peeling off in wheel well(rear passenger side). Pulled off and also found a 3in. Circle of metal loose. Have seen other(300+) reports of this rust problem on this web page. I am original owner and vehicle has always been garaged when not in use and has less than 70K miles. There are no handling or noise issues yet.

- Dyer, IN, USA

Passenger rear inner wheelhouse that holds shock absorber rotted and shock fell out Ford knows there is a problem because they have updated the part with a later model Escape part so to deny there is problem why did they update the part and discontinue making the part that came on 2005 Escape

- Winchester, MA, USA

We started to hear a very loud banging coming from the back passenger side when we drove over even the smallest bump. The rear passenger side wheel well is completely rusted though (you can see the interior) and the wheel could fall off at anytime. The car is not safe to drive with out a very expensive repair. After looking online I found that this is a very common occurrence and that 2001-2004 Escapes were recalled for the same issue.

- Grand Rapids, MI, USA

2005 Ford Escape. Rear passenger side shock mount completely rusted/broken. Wheel well and fender completely rotted out while the rest of the vehicle has no rust at all. Why has Ford not recalled the 2005 Escape, after seeing thousands of complaints about the same issue

- Mt Upton, NY, USA

Almost suddenly, a loud rattling sound from the rear started last week. When inspected, to my shock, the rear wheel well was totally, totally rotted out. This vehicle has been been garaged and carefully maintained since we bought it. In fact, for the past 8 years--it has been basically driven about 16 -20 miles per day. And again--garaged day and night. And now, almost immediately, it appears very unsafe to drive. As a result, I'm now searching for another car to buy--not wanting to spend +$1,200 on this repair.

- Swampscott, MA, USA

Back passenger shock mount completely rusted out and found over 500 compaints for same exact problem.

- Kegley, WV, USA

Underbody is all rusted, only 57,000 miles and stored inside, except when driving.

- Auburn, IN, USA