Tailgate problems of the 2004 Mercury Monterey

After a rainstorm I opened the tailgate of my vehicle and was surprised to find that the rear wheel well was wet. I vacuumed the water out and brought it to the dealer almost 2 months later after finding moisture several other times. The dealer had a service tech try to recreate how the water got in and "determined" that I had cracked a panel. The only crack visible to me was in a trim piece around the license plate. They told me it would cost over $600 to repair. I told them nevermind. That much water could not come from that crack. Fast forward to a time near the present. Most recently, the "pull", a plastic and nylon piece on the back of the seat failed. Soon there after, one of the nylon straps used to retract the seat failed. I cannot get my seat back in to the "stowed" position. After removing the trim from the back of the seat I found all sorts of rust and corrosion to the seat base. I wouldn't feel comfortable driving with a passenger in my 3rd row seating anymore. I understand there may also be a recall on this car for some sort of leak in the wheel wells. I've been driving around with dampness in the back of my van for two plus years now and I feel like Ford motor CO. Is passing the buck on to the consumer to save some money. I have no faith in american made vehicles between this and a separate transmission incident. I don't even want to get on the stereo.