Rear Suspension Shock Absorber problems of the 2006 Ford Escape

2006 Ford Escape. Consumer writes in regard to rusted out rear shock mounts.

Our 2006 Ford Escape began making a rattling noise in the rear passenger side whenever we hit a bump. I initially thought it was a loose panel until I looked under the rear-passenger wheel well and noticed the massive amounts of rust and corrosion around the shock absorber. After doing some research, it appears that this is a fairly widespread issue that Ford has done little to remedy. It has since become a consistent issue anytime we are driving, there is at least a rattle--even on smooth roads. While we have tried to reduce the amount of driving as much as we can, making only necessary trips and completely eliminating any extraneous use of this car, the damage only seems to be getting worse, and at an alarmingly fast pace. This is our only vehicle and we are not in a position to buy a new car right now. If there was a recall on a similar issue for 2001-2004 models, why hasn't there been a recall on later years? the vehicle is a liability on the road--we cringe every time we have to take it out (again, it is our only vehicle) and we don't know which bump is going to completely ruin the car. An investigation into this widespread corrosion issue needs to be performed and all necessary steps need to be taken to ensure that the safety of everyone on the road is maximized despite shoddy construction of this vehicle.

The rear passenger wheel well is completely rotted around the connection for the shock absorber. No body shop will repair as it is too costly and too much of a liability they claim. Driving along and suddenly the car got loud in the back. Shock absorber had come through the interior of the automobile. Car has rust on back "trunk" door and a on the edge of the wheel well exterior on the same side, but remaining parts of the car have very little or no rust. But when you look inside the wheel well you see all the rust around the shock absorber. Google search shows I am not alone with this issue - others report same issue with passenger side rear and people are considering sueing Ford. 2001-2004 Escapes had a corrosion recall on the front suspension, but there is nothing for years 2005 and newer. This is should be looked at.

My daughter was alerted to a problem when loud banging noises started recently when driving under normal driving conditions. Upon inspection by a mechanic, he discovered that the passenger side and driver side rear wheel wells body parts and shock absorber mounts have significant rust damage. Our vehicle is well maintained according to the manufacture's schedule and as recommended by the Ford dealership service department. I do not understand how we could not have been made aware of a potential issue before during previous tire replacements, shock replacements, and other services that would have had the opportunity to see the problem. The passenger side rear wheel well is so bad that the dealership service department indicated that it is not repairable and referred us to their body shop. The attached pictures show that the interior of the cabin is now exposed. I also have an audio recording of the noise inside the vehicle when driving under normal conditions. My daughter was also cautioned by the mechanic about an imminent failure of the suspension. This is a safety hazard that has been widely reported on the internet. There was a recall by Ford for 2001-2004 for the same issue on the same model. I contacted Ford motor company customer service line and they indicated there was no recall for our vehicle. Based on our experience and the issues reported by others with the same problem for later model years, there should be a recall and action by Ford to repair these later year models such as ours as well.

Tl-the contact owns 2006 Ford Escape. The contact states while driving approximately 5 mph, the contact stated there was a loud bump from the rear passenger side. The contact observed rust on the rear wheel tire. The failure recurred continuously causing the vehicle to become inoperable. The vehicle was taken to a independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the shock absorber needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 85,000. Ng.

There is excessive corrosion in the passenger side rear wheel well and the shock absorber has broken since there is nothing to connect to causing a safety issue. Research on the internet shows this is a common problem with this year and 2005. It was taken to the dealer and they and Ford will do nothing stating the vehicle should be scrapped.

Loud banaging sound for rear of car. On inspection the right rear wheel well had rusted through including the support for the rear shock absorber. The shock absorbe punched all the way through the wheel well, and was unsupported, hitting the metal of the interior.

We heard a loud bank noise coming from the rear passenger side. Upon inspection by an independent dealer the rear shock absorber had become detached from the body due to body rust. This is a recurring issue with Ford Escapes and a recall was issued on the 2000 to 2004 models. There were several similar complaints noted on the NHTSA website for 2005. Our vehicle is a 2006 model but has the same issue. When will Ford act with integrity, step up and fix this issue.

The contact owns a 2006 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving 35 mph, the rear passenger wheel well and the shock absorber corroded and fractured and busted through the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection and they stated that the rear passenger wheel well and the shock absorber needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 63,000.