This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
During routine maintenance my mechanic told me the sub frame of my 2010 FordEscape had a serious problem. It appears there is a design flaw which allows condensation from the air conditioner to be traped and ultimately rust through compromising the frame. They said they didn't recommend driving the car, because if the frame failed the right wheel could detatch causing a catastrophic event. This rust only exists on the passenger side.
The component that failed was the "Engine Cradle". The front end of the vehicle was visibly sagging due to the failing engine cradle. The engine cradle was so severely rusted that the control arm could literally fall off vehicle while driving.
A tech showed me the frame under the car is rusted and presents that if I hit a bump I blow the front passenger tire off. Ford recalled 2001-2004 Ford escapes for this reason the metal that year rusts for those in salted road states I'm in Ohio. Ford also recalled other models for rusted frames in salted road states like Detroit. Other people in car websites also reported same issue one person on YouTube made a video about it.
Available for inspection upon request. Front SUB- FRAME RUSTED IN 2 ON RIGHT LOWER SIDE. Right lower control arm bushing pulled out of arm. Driving on highway car without warning jerked off the road. Could have killed everyone in the car had it collided with anything. Car is completely in drivable because it is not safe. Problem has been confirmed. No there was not any warning lights or warning. I was told by a ford mechanic that there is no way that this car should have a subframe rust through.
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while his daughter was having a routine oil change performed at an independent mechanic, she was informed that the subframe was rusted and there was metal missing. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline. The approximate failure mileage was 146,000.
Component: Engine Cradle/Front Subframe - (9L8Z-5C145-A) Large holes rusting in it on passenger side. Mechanic recommends replacement as otherwise hole could weaken the structure to the point it breaks, control arm could pop out. Seems to have been a known issue on older models like 2001-2004, but any newer models are not covered by Ford's recall, despite many people on forums saying they have the same problem. Problem noticed by mechanic within the last year or so. Some people hypothesize the problem comes from where the AC leaks its condensate.
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Escape. The contact stated while the brakes was being serviced by an independent mechanic, the contact was informed that the engine cradle frame was fractured. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.
Driving down the road started hearing minor noises in the rear, then louder clunks when driving over road patches and bumps. Parked in our driveway, and inspected, found out the entire strut tower on the rear driver side tire is rusted from the frame and there is a large crack that has formed in the unibody has well. Our local Ford dealership in town sent us to the auto body shop and the auto body shop will not touch it and said park it and do not drive it. It is dangerous to myself, occupants and others on the road you can move the entire strut tower. We are stuck with a loan for a vehicle when we bought had no rust marks anywhere until after a few months. Also the roof leaks as well which was not visible when we purchased this vehicle of a lot. We took it back to the dealership we bought it from and since we bought as is, they would do nothing. They said they'd help get us in something different and will not return any calls. They had to have known this was a problem when they sold this.
The subframe is rotted out on the right passenger side which could cause the wheel to fall off while in transit. This is a known problem for the Ford escapes that has not been recalled by Ford. This vehicle is only 11 years old.
The vehicle was stationary - the lift gate traps water inside and has caused the lift gate to rust out so badly that it has caused me to replace the lift gate latch actuator motor and assembly on the lift gate 5 times since I purchased this vehicle in May 2010. My service dog has gotten stuck in the vehicle due to the lift gate motor becoming broken. I was unable to open the liftgate and had to take down the seats. In the event this was an emergency my service animal would've died. My service animal is too large to ride up front and she rides in the back. On occasion when my lift gate was not working, I had to rent a vehicle. In order to fix the recent issue with the gate, the shop that I took my car to had to pry open the gate and replace the motor assembly. This issue will continue until the lift gate is replaced and no longer holds water. This is a common safety issue with the Ford Escapes. Additionally, the front passenger side door also holds a lot of water. The mileage indicated is for the most recent repair, but it has happened multiple times prior to this date.
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while the vehicle was taken for service at an independent mechanic for an oil change, the technician noticed that the engine chassis was extremely corroded and informed the contact that the vehicle was dangerous to drive. The vehicle was later taken to moyer Ford sales Inc. (10111 al-59, foley, al 36535) where the dealer confirmed the diagnosed failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000.
Frame on front passenger side is rusted through causing wheel to be detached from frame and also control arm. Told not to drive car at all until frame is fixed. Safety issue. Vehicle is kept in a garage. The vehicle was being inspected.
The rear shock upper mounting tower and support has completely rusted and detached from frame of vehicle causing rear wheel to loose contact with road. Vehicle this age should not have frame rust / damage making it unsafe to drive after research online found this is a very common issue. Manufacturing defect.
Both rear wheel wells are rusting. This starting happening around 2016. I see many other 2010 Escapes with the same issue. Ford needs to step up and there needs to be a recall on this wide-spread problem.
The contact owns a 2010 Ford Escape. While the contact was changing the oil in the vehicle, he came across rust on the subframe. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the subframe was rotted and needed to be replaced. The undercarriage of the vehicle was rusted as well. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 212,093. The VIN was not available.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Stow, OH, USA