Same issues as everyone else (including the 2005 model).... excessive corrosion in rear passenger side wheel wheel, broken shock, etc. There is even visible corrosion around the exterior of the hybrid battery inside the vehicle.

I called Ford Motor Company and would like to encourage others experiencing the problem to do the same. You'll need to provide your VIN number for it to be "officially" logged as a complaint. The only way Ford will issue a recall is if they get enough official complaints logged.

If you pay to have work done because of this problem, save all your records/receipts. If and when a recall is issued, you can get reimbursed for the work done due to this problem.

It's frustrating that Ford is not yet acknowledging this as a safety issue but hopefully they will (before someone gets seriously injured). Let's join forces on this one, my friends!

Heard a knocking sound in the wheel well of 2006 Ford Hybrid Escape, got out and found so much rust in there and what looks like the shock hanging lose and missing bolts, and a hole where a piece fell off. Looked up this problem and saw pictures that look just like what I am seeing. Discouraged by the comments that Ford is not responding to this problem on vehicles that should not be demonstrating this level of rust or subsequent repair needs. This is coming off recent repairs of just under $1000 for a series of things and came home with another issue of a door not unlocking (I have to get out and let the backseat passenger out- safety issue).

I have called the Ford Service department about 3 times now and not gotten through to a person. The day I was there waiting on my car another owner told me he had this same problem.

Anybody know what to do with the wheel well? I drive round trip to work 50 miles and am concerned. The knocking sound is disturbing as well.

Anybody else experience the door not responding to unlocking and needing opened from the outside? It worked fine prior to going to Ford for the AC, passenger window movement, back window lock, and ABS.

Seems this car was a mistake.

I heard a knock from the rear passenger wheel well friday evening but dismissed it as a pothole or something. The knock got much worse over the weekend. I already had an appointment with the Ford dealer to have the cooling fan for the hybrid drive replaced ($750) but told them that this knock had to come first.

Their report states, "Checked Inner Wheel Well. Is rusted away. Needs a lot to fix." I was told the repair would be about $4000-5000. I find it interesting that it's the same problem in the same wheel well and the same excessive repair quote as others have reported here.

The odd thing was that there isn't a lick of rust in any of the other three wheel wells. The service technician said it was definitely strange and advised me to call Ford Customer Care and report it. Ford wants me to get it diagnosed by a Ford Body Tech. The body tech in the shop I brought it to was out sick for the next couple of months.

I reported it to my insurance agent since I have full coverage. There's no way I can afford a $5000 repair and because I still have payments left on this vehicle I can't afford to replace it. I see others have had it repaired at a non-Ford shop for $1500, and Ford lists the part cost at $114 (although it's "obsolete" and not in stock). I could probably swing that amount. I'd at least like to keep it drivable until I'm done paying for it.