general problems of the 2005 Ford Escape - part 1

The right lower control arm separated from the subframe due to subframe rust. It caused loss of handling and rendered the car immobile. It was caused by a panic stop at a low speed. The car was towed to an independent garage where it is awaiting repair. Parts affected were the subframe, cv axle joint and the front fender (from the wheel hitting it when it broke).

Hello, the engine cradle subframe on my 2005 Ford Escape has completely rusted through on the right hand side where it attaches to the steering control arm. As I was driving the subframe broke which made it impossible to steer the car. This pulled my car off the road to the passenger side. Fortunately I was not injured. Having now researched this issue, it is a common problem with 2005 Ford Escapes. This is very dangerous, and it should be addressed as it creates a life threatening situation.

My rear passenger side rusted right out completely and the strut mount is not attached to any part of the body. It caused my vehicle to swirve off the road almost hitting another vehicle when it was raining out also in the snow this occurred several times where my rear end jerked sideways pulling my truck into a complete circle.

Front left tower rod is going thru the wheel well from rust. This can cause major damage to myself, occupants, and the lives of others outside of the vehicle. The front left seatbelt light continuously alarms as if it is not connected. Is it? the back lights are always out not sure to replacement repeatedly. I'd the seatbelt good enough in an accident, I am not trying to find that it either. The lights are a ticket every time and are another hazard to other motorist. The main wheel rust was told to me upon a failed inspection. It is not fixed at this point just found out and looking for recalls but found many with the same exact hazard. The warning lights go off every minute and a half while driving in the dashboard. This has been since I purchased the vehicle last year. The same goes for replacing the back running light. I don't know if the auto place was aware of these problems, but I'm positive the were just trying to move the vehicle if the lot at this point. The repairs are more than half of the cost just for the wheel rust hazard.

Control arm snapped and frame broke.

I was driving at ~35mph and suddenly hear a loud clanking sound from the rear right tire. The car has minimal rust however the rear right tire well has extensive internal weakness that caused the shock to disconnect from the frame. This happened completely unexpectedly and could lead to accidents and death. It seems this problem has been reported by hundreds of other drivers of similar makes and models.

Rust through on right rear wheel well and shock tower. Car only has 100,089 miles. Has been kept clean and was bought from carmax in2013 in excellent condition. All repairs, maintenance performed by professionals since bought. Research shows this to be a common problem with this model. (in addition to the door open/alarm problem others and I experience) this is a safety issue that could result in serious injury or death as it involves the rear shock possibly dislodging and rear end collapsing. Please look into this and make Ford fix this problem! many owners bought these vehicles used and we cannot afford to fix these( if they can be fixed at all) much less buy a new vehicle.

While driving on the freeway at approximately 65mph, I hit a pothole and immediately heard a loud banging sound from the driver side rear of my vehicle. After pulling off the freeway and inspecting the vehicle, I discovered the driver side wheel well to be completely rusted and the shock tower was separated from the frame.

The right rear wheel well housing of which the top portion of the shock connect to is rusted out which means the top part of the shock is not attached to the body.

My car has about 140 000 miles on it. I put a lot of money into it to keep it running smoothly. I just found out that rear right shock completely rusted away from vehicles body and it will cost thousands of dollars to fix. I would never expect Ford vehicle to fall apart like this. Now my car is junk worth 200 dollars to tow away. I am very dissapointed. I will never buy Ford and I am telling everybody what hapenned. Car started making loud banging noise in rear right wheel well upon which I took it to my mechanic right away. He tells me car is not worth fixing.

Rust and corrosion on the wheel well caused the shock mount to come apart. Now it is loose and very dangerous. Ford must be held responsible for terrible design.

The passenger side subframe rusted out and corroded causing the subframe to break, resulting in a very unsafe and hazardous vehicle.

As I was driving there was a really loud clunking on the rear. I figured it was potentially a broken shock. In the passenger rear wheel well where the shock bolts to the frame was copletely rusted out. When I was hitting bumps it wasnt even attached to the frame. There was no way of repair. I am so greatful I was safe. And didnt get into an accident. One wrong bump. And the whole shock wouldve went through the trunk and could have caused a very serious accident.

I purchased a 2005 Ford Escape and after purchasing it and having it registered on my way home I got to some roadway with a lot of pot holes and when I hit one I heard this god awful noise coming from the right rear only to discover that the rear shock tower was completely rusted out and the shock just swaying around unattached at the top. After getting home and researching it I find out that this is a common issue with the Escape.

Crack sub frame on right front! extreme deterioration almost causing accident and became unsafe to drive! recalls on 2001-2004 for same problem why not 2005? extremely dangerous malfunction! definitely go import if this is what Fords quality and support has become!.

Tl the contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the rear wheel well was completely rusted and the shock mount had separated from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the shock mount failure. The mechanic stated that the vehicle was unsafe to drive and could not be repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 115,000.

The back passenger side wheel well has completely rotted away, so the body of the car is slammed against the suspension bars, obviously causing damage as well as an unbearable crashing bang any and every time you hit a bump. I am unsure if my wheel is going to come off or how long before my frame will be bent. I have seen similar complaint about the same make model and year and it is always the back wheel well.

07/13/2019. I own a 2005 Ford Escape , manufacturing date 04/04 . Today I was driving home I noticed a very loud whistling noise , difficulty steering and especially when attempting to turn. Luckily made it to my driveway and my husband looked at the vehicle and said both front tires were leaning inward so he looked underneath to find my subframe is all but rusted into on the passenger side. I know this was a problem for Escapes 2001-2004 obviously Ford did not get this situation fixed for their 2005 models. Ford I want my SUV fixed!!. You knew there was a problem with previous years now do the responsible thing and fix it.

Rusted rear shock mount, bad suspension causing unsafe driving.

Tl the contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the subframe fractured while turning the vehicle into a parking lot. The vehicle immediately stopped and one of the tires became detached. The vehicle was towed to the contact's home. Mike castrucci Ford Lincoln of alexandria (7400 alexandria pike, alexandria, ky 41001, (859) 448-9400) and the manufacturer were contacted and stated that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was 163,000.

Takata recall the 01 thru 04 were recalled for same problem the front subframe rusted in to causing the right front wheel to wonder all over if drove any more would have cause a serious wreck I was driving vehicle when I noticed that it felt like the front wheel was coming off luckily I was only a couple miles from home the day before I took my grandson to charleston wv to meet his mom if it would have broken on I 77 at 70 plus miles an hr could have been tragic it being the same issue with early models and Ford sent a bar to try n fix it a joke just learn this on internet.

I was checking to see if my Ford possibly had a recall with the issue I am having and it appears that there are many complaints of the same issue I am having. My rear passenger wheel well also has rusted out causing the shock to come loose and it is no longer attached and while driving is moving around in what sounds like my trunk. I honestly cannot believe that with all these same issues I am reading this is not a recall this is a safety issue.

The Escape started making a squeaking noise for about 3 days while driving it on city streets and on the highway and then it started making a loud clunking noise and was banging like something broke loose. We thought the shocks broke. Upon closer inspection we noticed that the frame at the right rear wheel well had completely rusted out and the shock had came off because there was nothing for it to attach to. We have the car parked because it is too dangerous to drive. It only has approximately 80,000 miles. Our daughter had just purchased it in may 2017 from a local car dealer. I have researched but there was no recall on this and there very many complaints about the same issues with different year Escapes.

Driving to a stop light, I applied the brake and my front k-frame failed on the passenger side, at the lower a-frame.

The area around the shock support has slmost completely rusted out. This is super unsafe.

The drivers side wheel well completely rusted out, large hole in body, shock went right threw the body of the car. This happened extremely fast, I just put new tires and brakes on the car. This defect is extremely unsafe and poised a safety concern for me and my children. The car can't be sold or traded in and now headed to the junkyard.

Rear frame rusted through as well as passenger side shock tower,rusted so bad can see through to outside in 2 spots which allows exhaust fumes into interior of vehicle ,could cause exphixiation to occupants as well as loss of control due to rear of vehicle giving way and breaking in two on a roadway,damage wasn't visible until it totally busted through while driving! Ford should recall due to safety as the 2004 was.

Hit a pothole and my shock/strut punched thru the rusted wheel well and detached otaelf. . . It is np longer safe to drive and ive only had the car for 2 months. And here the 2001-2004 Escapes have been recalled for just this reason? why not the 2005 when the whole body design is the same. . . I had a 2001 Escape before this that was rusting on the outside wheel wells and beginning to rust inside as well. . . Due to this I dont believe I will be buying Fords anymore. . . I was in the car with my kids when this happened! and now im stuck with a giant piece of metal sitting in my parking spot as no one will take on the job and if they do it would be a min of $2000 or more!.

Tl the contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that there was an abnormal noise heard near the area of the rear passenger side wheel well. The contact stated that there was rust in that area, which was affecting the shocks. The dealer was not contacted. An independent mechanic inspected the vehicle, but could not determine the cause of the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was not available.

Of course I have the exact same problem as most Ford Escape owners have with the passenger rear wheel well rusting completely out. This is a known manufacturing defect that only effects the right rear wheel well of these vehicles and there are thousands of unaddressed owner complaints. Ford still will not do a recall nor will they do anything for their thousands of affected customers. I do hope there is a class action suit I can join because Ford just will not do the right thing for their customers. I just had my car in for regular maintenance and I was supposed to be going out-of-state to visit my dying father with my kids but now I can't even go due to this unexpected defect which Ford will not take responsibility for which has left me with a vehicle I cant drive that I'm still paying for. I can't even trade it in because of this issue! thanks Ford! I will make sure to tell everyone I can about Ford's indifference towards its customers and I will never buy Ford anything ever again!.

Rear passenger side wheel well rotting from the inside out due to improper powder coating. Strut mount rusting and separating from vehicle frame.

Tl-the contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. While driving at unknown speeds, the contact noticed that the rear of the vehicle was riding roughly. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The contact was informed that the rear passenger side shock fractured and the entire shock tower was rusted and needed to be replaced. The dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and stated that there was no recall campaign regarding the failure. The failure mileage was 114,000. Ap.

Tl- the contact owns a 2005 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the vehicle had been riding rough in the rear. The vehicle was not diagnosed by a dealer. An independent mechanic at a repair facility diagnosed that the shock tower had extensive rust, corrosion and the right rear shock fractured so the shock tower needed to be replaced. The manufacturer indicated that there was no recall campaign to provide a remedy, did not suggest that the vehicle be taken to a dealer. The contact was uncertain if the vehicle may be repaired by the independent mechanic or a dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 114,000. Dyd.

Passenger-side rear wheel well rusted through, shock tower is banging against inner frame, chunks of rust dislodging and scraping against tire. This is occurring while driving. I pushed the chunk back and it seems to be staying off the tire for now. Ford auto repair shop quoted $5000 to repair. My daily commute to work is across two major cities via a high-traffic major highway. Potential to be a serious and dangerous condition since it affects not only suspension but could cause tire to blow out while driving, as well as puncturing through to the interior of the vehicle and exposing people in the car to exhaust and frigid weather (minnesota) in the winter. This rusting through the wheel well is a chronic problem with Ford - they recalled this make and model up through 2004 for this same issue.

Rusted out passenger side rear wheel well. I do * live in the rust belt. Was driving on residential street and heard a loud noise from the affected area when going over a bump. The noises increased during driving for the next 2 days. I finally got under there to look at it and found the shock tower mount had nearly separated from the rest of the wheel well, and the entire wheel well is completed rotted and deteriorating. The vehicle is unsafe to drive in this condition.