So I know there are a lot of complaints on here for the 05 Escapes with the rusted right rear wheel well. I've got an 06 with this same problem. The shock mount is destroyed and the shock is hanging! My daughter was driving it when it detached, fortunately she wasn't hurt! I've contacted Ford and they don't want any part of it. I've also filed a complaint with the NHTSA. I've done plenty of research and this problem is rampant, regardless of the model year! If you have this problem, report it to everyone! It's the only way we'll get any action!

There is a clunking sound coming from the rear passenger side. It happens every time I hit a bump. Upon inspection I see that the passenger side rear wheel well is completely rotted and rusted and involves shock mount. It is unsafe to drive and research shows that this is an ongoing problem with this model. I was told not to take my truck on the highway because if I were to hit a bump at 70 mph, I would be pushing this truck's limits.

I reported the damage to the Ford dealership. I was told to contact Ford directly and if they were to write up a work order then I was to come back for repairs. So the Ford customer relationship hotline informed me that no recall had been issued for this vehicle, and that they were unaware that this was a common, frequent, or widespread problem. They did not consider it a defect.

I am currently unemployed because I am seeking disability. So that means no income. So what am I suppose to drive when I need to shop for groceries or have an appointment with my doctor??? I live in a rural area so there are no buses to Springfield.

Purchased this Escape for my son when he passed his drivers test at 17. He mentioned that there was a banging sound coming from the back. After investigation, we found that the rear wheel well was completely rusted out so that you could see into the car. Also, the shock now had no anchor and was protruding through the interior trim.

The Ford dealer (Huntington Ford, MI) told me that it was a well known problem, but Ford were doing nothing about it. he then said that the car was worthless and that he thought it was too dangerous for me to drive home (1 mile). remember, my teenage son had been driving it.

I lodged a complaint with Ford, who replied and said there was nothing that they were willing to do.

So, Ford have a well known dangerous problem out there that they are unwilling to stand behind.

Looking at all similar posts out there, of which there are many, it makes me sick to know that an American Car company do not care about the danger to its customers as long as they sell cars. My last ford car.

BTW - There is a fix posted by a 3rd party company on Ebay, but I am not sure if it is good or not

So many people with the same problem all around. Even one of my colleagues had the exact same problem with the rear right shock mount that has prematurely rusted through the floor.

He had this issue with his 2006 Mazda Tribute (which is basically the same car with just a few aesthetic differences but built on the same platform)

SO GLAD he told me not to have the wheel well replaced but to install the auxiliary shock mount kit instead just like people are doing to save $$$. Truly this solution has made a huge difference in the cost of the repair...240$ including shipping (from eBay) instead of thousands to have the rusted panel replaced.

A shiny wheel well on a 10 year old car is not my priority... but driving safely from point A to point B is!

Repaired mine by myself for 290$!

Just like everybody here... it started with a knocking sound in the rear passenger wheel. A few days later it became an awful noise. Stopped along the road to take a look and I saw that big hole just behind the wheel. The shock mount panel was heavily rusted and had passed through the floor.

Done some search on the internet. Found some folks around having paid 3k-4k$ to replace the wheel well panel. Some others have chosen the auxiliary support bracket kit over the replacement of the well panel. I chose the bracket option. Ordered it from an independant mechanic shop and decided to perform the installation by myself. Was indeed pretty easy for me using basic tools and no advanced mechanic knowledge. Car was driveable again after about 2-3 hours of work. Then another 3-4 hours were necessary to seal the opening and apply the protective finish (everything came with the kit, both parts and chemicals, I just had to buy a 10$ wire wheel for my grinder to take off the rust around the hole.) All installation steps were described in an installation guide that came with it and it fitted like a glove at first try! It's made by "Better Solutions Supply" company. You should consider it.

I have driven on this repair for about 5000 miles now. Seems like installing this bracket is a far better move than deconstructing the whole back of the car to weld a 700$ panel that is said hard to find anyway... Still can't see why there is no recall on this problem. Anyway, I predict that they are not about to pay to fix this awfull issue!

Buyers Beware! Anyone who is considering buying a Ford might want to think twice about it.

My husband and I bought a 2006 Ford Escape new. We splurged on rust proofing to ensure car longevity as we plan on driving it into the ground as we cannot afford car payments. We had noticed the car was showing signs of rust/peeling paint in several places on the body and were annoyed but not concerned as this didn't effect getting our family safely from point a to point b and we didn't want to spend money to repair the cars looks when we had more pressing bills to take care of.

Then, we started to hear a loud, annoying, impossible to ignore noise when we were driving. We investigated and found that our right rear wheel hub had rusted out. I placed a call to the dealer - was directed to file a complaint with the company they use to do their rust proofing - I later found out that our car is out of warranty.

I called the Ford dealer and complained - sorry can't help you. Called Ford's consumer relationship center - sorry no recalls have been issued for this problem, you are out of warranty but try calling the dealer where you bought you car and inquire what the rust proofing warranty covers - did that - sorry you are out of warranty by 2 years.

Got a quote from Meineke for $1,200 to fix the car. Attempted to get a second opinion from an auto body shop and was told that the car is not safe to drive and that this particular body shop doesn't do this type of repair. Got on the internet and started emailing pictures to body shops to see if they do this type of repair and if so how much it will run. Currently waiting for responses. Meanwhile, I am surfing the web and have come across multiple dissatisfied Ford Escape customers with the exact same experience and Ford refused to help them despite he fact that this is a safety concern.

This exact same issue with exact same make/model/year and photos for the 2005-2006 Ford Escape is posted all over the internet. Out of the blue one day in March 2015 I was driving down the street and heard a loud banging noise on the inside rear of the back. For the life of me I couldn't figure out what was going on, for awhile I thought it was things rolling around in the back that I had.

After 2 weeks and continuous moving things around on the inside the noise finally got to me. I got on my hands and knees (which I should've done in the beginning) and noticed the back passenger wheel well is completely rusted out to the point that you can see inside of the car as well as the rear shock is held on by only a huge piece of rust. I then proceed to take it to a local dealership whom I use and trust that give me a quote for $1200 to fix it.

I have no other choice than to pay this fee as I am not ready financially to buy a new car at this moment in time. It really does tick me off that this issue seems to be happening all at once for the 2005-2006 escape owners and I (as well as many others) feel this definitely should be a recall issue! (which Ford claims isn't) I bet it will be when someone doesn't notice the shocks hanging on by a threat, hitting 60mph on the highway and losing control skidding off the road leading to a major accident and or death!

I am sorry but this day and age I don't feel a 9 yr old car and 102k miles on it should have this sort of major issue that requires you to pay for out of pocket. Especially when its out of your control and the issue in hand is worth more than the car itself!