Pulled away from house to leave for work and at about 30 mph I heard the worst sound. It came from the rear right side of the car. It was worse over bumps, stopping etc. Took it to an auto mechanic who drove it first and brought me back to show me a rusted out wheel well with interior exposed. All remaining three wheel wells were perfect, fine he stated. I started by calling Mazda who is sending me to a dealership to have it inspected. The dealership will then pass that info on. It is outside the warranty period and I the representative told me this would not be covered. It was bought brand new in 2005 and we are the original owners. No accidents or mishaps to that area of the car. We know this will cost a bundle and read so many complaints online about the Ford escape 2005 having the exact same problem. It said the two are "mechanical siblings." I wrote down websites I visited with complaint/question forums and the quotes for repairing are astronomical for a error made on the manufacturers end. This is a safety issue when you have the potential for the shocks to go through the rear of the car right behind my sons car seat. The consumer was informed, the frame was cracked, due to a rusted out wheel well. Updated 06/10/14 updated 08/03/15. Updated 09/21/15. Updated 09/28/15.

- Milwaukee, WI, USA