Underbody Shield problems of the 2003 Ford Escape

The contact owns a 2003 Ford Escape. The contact heard a constant noise coming from the front of the vehicle near the wheels. The dealer stated that the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14v165000 (structure). The dealer provided the recall remedy of a newly designed cross brace as an interim repair, but the noise failure recurred. Within three months, the power steering failed. The front passenger side wheel was leaning due to the fact that the lower control arm fractured. The subframe was rusted to the point of corrosion. The dealer was notified of the failures. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop for diagnostic testing. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.

2003 Ford Escape . Subframe rotted and control arm came off. Left passenger.

The vehicle was being operated on city streets. As the vehicle approached a stop sign the brakes were applied, a loud crash and screech was heard as the vehicle fell to the ground and tire was dragged along. The front passenger side control arm has come detached from the vehicle because the front sub-frame had failed. The vehicle had to be towed to the shop. The failure was reported to be caused by corrosion. The vehicle only has 94,160 miles on it.

When I recently had my routine maintenance check on my vehicle I was horrified when my mechanic informed me that the front sub frame was rusted from the inside out! can you imagine my utter shock when my mechanic advised me that this vehicle is prohibited to be driven since catastrophic outcomes would be likely? how very fortunate nothing fatal took place while being in this vehicle; because based on the condition of the sub frame it could have been my reality to suffer detrimental consequences. My young children are in this SUV every single day and to think their lives were at risk just by being a passenger has sickened me beyond words. I had no other choice but to get it repaired ASAP, so I informed the customer relationship center of Ford motor company as instructed by their website and all they could do was apologize for any inconvenience. This frightening situation goes far beyond from being an inconvenience it could have been a major life threatening issue. I was not asking Ford for a new vehicle, I simply was asking for assistance towards a major expense that was not caused by my lack of protecting my major investment with routine maintenance checks but by Ford having defective sub-frames installed in their vehicles. My mechanic has never seen such a structural defect as this ever before! Ford has already manufactured vehicles that involved major recalls for the exact same problem, so quite naturally other Ford models could suffer the same dangerous consequences with regards to the front sub frame . I believe an investigation on this horrific issue is deemed a necessity due to the history of Ford's sub frames. This has been very devastating to me and I can't imagine allowing another consumer to endure this major fear. Your attention to this is appreciated.