2005 Ford Escape
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Suspension is the leading concern among 1,584 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 8th highest complaint count among 26 Escape model years with reports.
Of the 2005 reports, 44 involved a crash and 20 involved a fire. 29 people were injured and 2 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Power train, automatic transmission, lever and linkage, floor shiftSep 29, 2015
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2001-2008 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner vehicles manufactured March 31, 2001, to September 1, 2009. The affected vehicles are equipped with either a 2.3L or 3.0L engine and have had their CD4E transmission replaced with remanufactured one that was rebuilt between June 11, 2015 through July 15, 2015. These service repair part transmissions have a shift lever bolt that may not be properly tightened. As a result, the shift control lever could disengage from the transmission without warning.
If the shift lever disengages from the transmission, a driver may be unable to shift gear positions and the indicated shift position may not represent the gear position the vehicle is in. Should a disengagement occur while the vehicle is being driven, when the driver goes to stop and park the vehicle, the gear selection indicator may show that the transmission is in the "PARK" position, but the vehicle transmission may not actually be in the "PARK" gear position. If the vehicle is not in the "PARK" position there is a risk the vehicle will roll away as the driver and other occupants exit the vehicle or anytime thereafter. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of injury to exiting occupants and bystanders.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the transmissions and either tighten the manual shift lever bolt or replace the manual shift lever assembly. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on October 23, 2015. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 15S28.
Campaign 15V606000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, front, wheel bearingJun 3, 2015
The Timken Company (Timken) is recalling certain aftermarket front wheel bearings, part number 510072, sold from January 22, 2015, to May 21, 2015, to be used as service parts on 2001-2012 Ford Escape, 2001-2011 Mazda Tribute, and 2005-2011 Mercury Mariner vehicles. The affected wheel bearings have incorrect dimensions of a 42mm bore, 76mm outer dimension, and 39mm width, instead of a 42mm bore, 78mm outer dimension and a 45mm width.
Use of an incorrectly sized wheel bearing can adversely affect the braking and steering of the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Timken has begun notifying distributors who will offer purchasers replacement wheel bearings, free of charge. The recall began on May 21, 2015. Owners may contact Timken customer service at 1-866-984-6536.
Campaign 15E045000 on NHTSA.gov
Hybrid propulsion systemSep 3, 2014
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain model year 2005-2008 Ford Escape hybrid electric vehicles manufactured October 13, 2003, to June 20, 2008, and 2006-2008 Mercury Mariner hybrid electric vehicles manufactured June 10, 2005, to June 20, 2008. The coolant pump for the hybrid system may fail resulting in the hybrid electronics overheating.
If the hybrid electronics system overheats, it may shut down the powertrain, resulting in a stall-like condition, increasing the risk of a crash.
Ford will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the original Motor Electronics Coolant (MEC) Pump with an improved brushless pump, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin on October 27, 2014. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 14S19.
Campaign 14V526000 on NHTSA.gov
Seats, front assembly, head restraintApr 7, 2006
CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITHOUT SIDE AIR CURTAINS OR MOONROOFS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 201, "OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT." DURING TESTING, THE FREE MOTION HEAD FORM REGISTERED A MEASUREMENT ABOVE THE PERMITTED LIMIT AT THE LEFT HAND A-PILLAR TRIM AREA.
IN THE EVENT OF A VEHICLE CRASH, PERSONAL INJURY TO OCCUPANTS MAY OCCUR.
DEALERS WILL MAKE MODIFICATIONS TO THE ENERGY ABSORBING MATERIAL LOCATED ABOVE THE HEADLINER IN THE AFFECTED AREA FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 19, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Campaign 06V111000 on NHTSA.gov
Latches/locks/linkages, doors, latchDec 20, 2004
CERTAIN 2004-2005 SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AND CERTAIN 2001-2003 SPORT UTIITY VEHICLE HAVING REAR LIFTGATE COMPONENTS SERVICED WITH 2004 EQUIVALENT COMPONENTS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 206, 'DOOR LOCKS AND DOOR RETENTION COMPONENTS.' THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCHING SYSTEM DOES NOT MEET THE INERTIA LOAD REQUIREMENT IN ONE DIRECTION.
IF THE LIFTGATE IS LEFT UNLOCKED, THERE IS THE POTENTIAL THAT IT MAY OPEN DURING A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE REAR LIFTGATE LATCH RELEASE ROD, THE RELEASE ROD ATTACHMENT CLIP AND THE DOOR HANDLE RETURN SPRING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Campaign 04V602000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: suspension
489 reports, newest first. Show all
Suspension, Mar 10, 2017
ROTTED OUT SUBFRAME ASSEMBLY, MECHANIC DECLARED CAR UNSAFE AT ANY SPEED. FORD RECALLED THIS PROBLEM 2001-2004 BUT DID NOT EXTEND TO 2005. FORD DEALER REFUSED TO WORK ON VEHICLE.
Suspension, Structure, Wheels, Feb 2, 2017
PASSENGER REAR IS RESTED SHOCKS STRUTS DETACHED
Suspension, Jan 27, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WHEEL WELL WAS CORRODED ALL THE WAY THROUGH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BECAUSE THE LOWER CONTROL ARM WAS CORRODED THROUGH THE ENTIRE FRAME UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000. ...UPDATED 05/17/17 *BF *CN
Suspension, Structure, Jan 23, 2017
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT HEARD AN ABNORMAL SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE SHOCK WAS NOT CONNECTED TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH RUST BETWEEN THE SHOCK AND THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE FRAME. THE SHOCK ABSORBER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 188,000.
Suspension, Jan 16, 2017
I OWN A 2005 FORD ESCAPE AND RECENTLY BEGAN HEARING A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE. UPON INSPECTION, I FOUND THE ENTIRE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WELL HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND THE SHOCK WAS NOW COMING THROUGH THE REAR WELL INTO MY CAR. THIS HAS MADE MY CAR COMPLETELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I HAVE MADE A COMPLAINT WITH FORD AS WELL AS ON HERE IN HOPES THAT FORD WOULD DO THE RESPONSIBLE THING AND TAKE CARE OF IT. IT IS QUITE OBVIOUSLY FORD KNOWS ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND IS REFUSING TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR IT. IT IS HARD TO MISS THE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEBSITE FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. NOT TO MENTION FORD HAS ALREADY RECALLED THE 2001-04 FOR THIS EXACT SAME ISSUE. FOR THE ABSOLUTE RIDICULOUS AMOUNT THAT IT COSTS TO FIX THIS ISSUE, I PERSONALLY WOULD FEEL MUCH SAFER PUTTING MY TIME AND MONEY INTO A NEW VEHICLE. OBVIOUSLY, THAT VEHICLE WILL NOT BE A FORD.
Suspension, Structure, Wheels, Jan 4, 2017
NOTICED UNDERCOATING PEELING OFF IN WHEEL WELL(REAR PASSENGER SIDE). PULLED OFF AND ALSO FOUND A 3IN. CIRCLE OF METAL LOOSE. HAVE SEEN OTHER(300+) REPORTS OF THIS RUST PROBLEM ON THIS WEB PAGE. I AM ORIGINAL OWNER AND VEHICLE HAS ALWAYS BEEN GARAGED WHEN NOT IN USE AND HAS LESS THAN 70K MILES. THERE ARE NO HANDLING OR NOISE ISSUES YET.
Suspension, Jan 4, 2017
PASSENGER REAR INNER WHEELHOUSE THAT HOLDS SHOCK ABSORBER ROTTED AND SHOCK FELL OUT FORD KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY HAVE UPDATED THE PART WITH A LATER MODEL ESCAPE PART SO TO DENY THERE IS PROBLEM WHY DID THEY UPDATE THE PART AND DISCONTINUE MAKING THE PART THAT CAME ON 2005 ESCAPE
Suspension, Structure, Wheels, Dec 31, 2016
WE STARTED TO HEAR A VERY LOUD BANGING COMING FROM THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE WHEN WE DROVE OVER EVEN THE SMALLEST BUMP. THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THOUGH (YOU CAN SEE THE INTERIOR) AND THE WHEEL COULD FALL OFF AT ANYTIME. THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE WITH OUT A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR. AFTER LOOKING ONLINE I FOUND THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE AND THAT 2001-2004 ESCAPES WERE RECALLED FOR THE SAME ISSUE.
Suspension, Structure, Nov 27, 2016
2005 FORD ESCAPE. REAR PASSENGER SIDE SHOCK MOUNT COMPLETELY RUSTED/BROKEN. WHEEL WELL AND FENDER COMPLETELY ROTTED OUT WHILE THE REST OF THE VEHICLE HAS NO RUST AT ALL. WHY HAS FORD NOT RECALLED THE 2005 ESCAPE, AFTER SEEING THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE
Suspension, Structure, Nov 13, 2016
ALMOST SUDDENLY, A LOUD RATTLING SOUND FROM THE REAR STARTED LAST WEEK. WHEN INSPECTED, TO MY SHOCK, THE REAR WHEEL WELL WAS TOTALLY, TOTALLY ROTTED OUT . THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN BEEN GARAGED AND CAREFULLY MAINTAINED SINCE WE BOUGHT IT. IN FACT, FOR THE PAST 8 YEARS--IT HAS BEEN BASICALLY DRIVEN ABOUT 16 -20 MILES PER DAY. AND AGAIN--GARAGED DAY AND NIGHT. AND NOW, ALMOST IMMEDIATELY, IT APPEARS VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE. AS A RESULT, I'M NOW SEARCHING FOR ANOTHER CAR TO BUY--NOT WANTING TO SPEND +$1,200 ON THIS REPAIR.
Suspension, Nov 8, 2016
BACK PASSENGER SHOCK MOUNT COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND FOUND OVER 500 COMPAINTS FOR SAME EXACT PROBLEM.
Suspension, Structure, Oct 20, 2016
UNDERBODY IS ALL RUSTED, ONLY 57,000 MILES AND STORED INSIDE, EXCEPT WHEN DRIVING. *TR
Suspension, Structure, Oct 18, 2016
VEHICLE STARTED MAKING A NOISE IN PASSENGER REAR WHEEL. UPON INSPECTION I OBSERVED THAT THE WELL WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH WHERE THE SHOCK IS MOUNTED. LEARNED THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT FROM THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS
Suspension, Oct 6, 2016
THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR SHOCK TOWER IS RUSTED TO THE POINT WHERE THE TOP OF THE SHOCK IS NOT SECURED TO THE UNI-BODY FRAME. WHEN GOING OVER A BUMP THERE IS METAL TO METAL CONTACT. WHILE NOT RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH, A SCREWDRIVER CAN BE EASILY POKED THROUGH THE RUSTY METAL ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE SHOCK TOWER AS WELL. THIS HAS OBVIOUSLY BEEN SLOWLY RUSTING THE LAST FEW YEARS BUT WAS NOT VISIBLE UNTIL THE INNER PANELS WERE REMOVED ALLOWING ACCESS TO THE INNER WHEEL WELLS. MY GRANDCHILDREN HAD BEEN RIDING IN THEIR CAR SEATS IN THIS VEHICLE. A REAR OR REAR SIDE ACCIDENT WOULD HAVE BEEN CATASTROPHIC.
Suspension, Sep 28, 2016
STARTED HEARING A CLUNKING SOUND ON THE REAR SHOCK. BACK REAR SHOCK TOWER ROTTED OUT. NOT EVEN ANYTHING TO WELD IT TOO. HAD TO HAVE IT REBUILT.
Suspension, Structure, Sep 21, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING OVER A HUMP IN THE ROAD, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD BANGING NOISE. THE CONTACT PERFORMED A TEST DRIVE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL HAD A RUSTED HOLE UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE AND THE SHOCK ABSORBER WAS DETACHED FROM THE ORIGINAL MOUNT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.
Suspension, Structure, Sep 17, 2016
I HAVE A 2005 FORD ESCAPE THAT STARTED MAKING SOUNDS IN THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING IN THE TOWN STREETS COMING HOME WHEN I HIT BUMPS. WE LOOKED AT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE TIRE WELL AND THE SHOCK MOUNT IS RUSTED THROUGH. THE BODY IS RESTING ON THE COIL. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT DUE TO THE DANGER OF THE BODY COMING DOWN ON THE WHEEL.
Suspension, Sep 17, 2016
RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL ROTTED OUT CAUSING SHOCK TO BREAK THROUGH TRUNK AND CAUSE LOUD BANGING. FORD CHARGES $1,548.40 TO FIX. NOW AS IN OTHER ESCAPES, YEARS 2001-2004, THE 2005 SUB FRAME OR SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM IS RUSTED THAT HOLDS UP THE ENGINE AND THE FRONT OF THE CAR! THERE IS A VIDEO ON YOUTUBE THAT SHOWS THE CORROSION ON THE PARTICULAR SPOT. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. HIT ONE POTHOLE OR BUMP AND ENTIRE ENGINE AND FRONT OF CAR CAN COLLAPSE! FACEBOOK HAS ENTIRE PAGE FOR 2005 FORD ESCAPE SUB FRAME RUSTING!!! SOMEONE IS GOING TO GET HURT!
Suspension, Structure, Sep 4, 2016
WENT TO REPLACE REAR SHOCKS. REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL HAS RUSTED AND I COULD MOVE SHOCK MOUNT TOWER WHEN TRUCK IS BOUNCED. ALSO HAVE BANGING AND BOUNCING GOING ON. RIDES ROUGH AND HAVE A RUST HOLE AND CAN SEE TIRE BELOW. BAD ENGINEERING DESIGN. THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY SHOULD FESS UP AND CORRECT THIS, BUT THEY WON'T THEY GOT THEIR MONEY!!!
Suspension, Wheels, Service brakes, Aug 11, 2016
WHEN I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE FROM CALL LOT TOLLED THEM BRAKES WERE GOING OUT HE TEST DRIVE AND HE SAID THEY WERE FINE SO I TOOK HIS WORD THEN A FEW DAYS LATER MY WATER RATETERAVOTER HOSE BUSTED I HAD TO GET THAT THEM FIXED AND THEN THEY CHARGED ME TO FIX IT THEN A FEW DAYS LATER I HERE A THUMP ON THE BACK OF MY VEHICLE THE WHOLE BACK OF MY WHEEL AREA BY THE WHEEL WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT THERE NO PROTECTION ON THE WHEEL AND THE STRUSTS WHERE BUSTED THEY HAD STUFF STUFFED IN IT SO YOU COULDN'T TELL WENT TO TALK TO THEM ABOUT IT THEY SAY THIS HAPPENS THERE NOTHING THEY COULD FOR ME BUT TO CHARGE ME FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS TO FIX IT I DONE NOTHING BUT HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE AND THIS ISN'T THE FIRST ONE I'VE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE ARE SELLING VEHICLE WITH SAFE HAZARDS I PAID OUT 1000.00 OUT ON A CAR TEST DROVE IT AND GUESS I SHOULD OF TEST DRIVE IT LONGER BUT I DIDN'T I BOUGHT IT AND WAS ON MY WAY TO PUT GAS IN IT AND THE MOTOR BLOW UP. I HAD STATE POLICE WAIT WITH ME ME AND MY 16 YEAR OLD WAS STUCK IN HIGH TRAFFIC BECAUSE THE MOTOR BLOW STATE POLICE SAID HE HAD TO GET THERE AND TOLL THE CAR AND HE BOUGHT A TRAILER WITH A FLAT TIRED TO TRY AND TOLL IT OFF THE STATE POLICE MADE HIM LEAVE AND CALLED FOR A TOLL TRUCK THE CAR LOT REFUSED TO GIVE ME MY MONEY BACK SO I COULD GO SOME WHERE ELSE SO I BOUGHT A ANOTHER CAR IT WAS IN FAIR CONDTION BUT WHEN WATER STATED HITTING MOTOR IT ENDED UP GETTING TOTAL BY INSURANCE COMPANY SO STILL COULDN'T GET MONEY BACK MADE ME PAY OUT ANOTHER 600.00 OUT FOR THE VEHICLE AND AFTER I GAVE HIM THE MONEY HE WROTE OUT SOLD AS IS AND COULD NOT TRADE VEHICLE OR GET MY MONEY BACK SO I FEEL LIKE HE KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE BECAUSE HE DIDN'T WRITE THIS ON THE LAST TWO VEHICLES.
Suspension, Structure, Aug 9, 2016
MY WELL MAINTAINED 2005 ESCAPE HYBRID DEVELOPED A RATTLING SOUND ON JULY 26, 2016. AT FIRST THE RATTLE IN THE RIGHT REAR HAPPENED ONLY ON BUMPS IN THE ROAD. I THOUGHT IT WAS MY CAR JACK COMING LOOSE IN ITS COMPARTMENT. I CHECKED THAT AND THE JACK WAS ALL SECURED, NOT RATTLING. I CONTINUED DRIVING HOME AND THE RATTLE BECAME A BANGING SOUND, AND THE RIGHT REAR INSIDE WHEEL AREA STARTED TO RATTLE AND MOVE TOWARDS THE INTERIOR AS I DROVE. WHEN I GOT HOME I LOOKED AROUND THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL AREA AND WAS SHOCKED TO SEE HOW EXTREMELY RUSTED IT IS. THE OTHER WHEEL WELLS SHOW VERY LITTLE RUST. I LOOKED UP THE PROBLEM ON A FORD OWNERS WEBSITE AND FOUND THAT MANY MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE REPORT THAT THE RUSTED OUT SHOCK ABSORBER MOUNT BREAKS LOOSE AND THE VEHICLE BODY COLLAPSES ONTO THE WHEEL, SENDING THE CAR OUT OF CONTROL. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT THERE ISN'T A RECALL ON THIS COMMON PROBLEM IN THE '05 ESCAPE HYBRID VEHICLES. I CANNOT DRIVE MY WELL MAINTAINED CAR BECAUSE OF THE MECHANICAL BANGING, THE HIGH POTENTIAL FOR LOSS OF CONTROL, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT AND PERSONAL INJURY. I'M ATTACHING PHOTOS OF THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL AND THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL WELL TO SHOW THAT THERE IS A DEFINITE DEFECT IN THE RIGHT REAR. PLEASE GIVE THIS COMPLAINT YOUR IMMEDIATE ATTENTION, AND ALERT OTHER FORD ESCAPE OWNERS OF THIS IMMINENTLY VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.
Suspension, Structure, Jul 20, 2016
TAKATA RECALL: PASSENGER REAR PANEL RUSTED OUT INSIDE WHEEL WELL
Suspension, Jul 18, 2016
THE SHOCK MODULE ON THE RIGHT REAR PASSANGER SIDE HAS DETERIORATED AND HAS BECOME DISLODGED FROM THE WHEEL WELL. THIS HAS MADE THE SUV UNDRIVABLE. THIS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON A NEWLY PAVED ROAD, GOING OVER A GENTLE HILL. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE OVER THE HILL, THERE WAS A LOUD CLANK AND THE VEHICLE SERVED SLIGHTLY (THANKFULLY NO ONCOMING TRAFFIC WAS PRESENT). UPON DRIVING HOME THERE IS AN EVIDENT CLANKING HEARD IN THE REAR AND THE SUV CAN BE FELT TO SWERVE SLIGHTLY FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. THIS OCCURRENCE HAS ONLY HAPPENED TO THE RIGHT WHEEL WELL AND IS NOT EVIDENT IN ANY OTHER WHEEL WELL. IF ROAD SALT OR WEATHER CONDITIONS WERE TO BLAME, EQUAL DISTRIBUTION AT ALL 4 WHEEL WELLS WOULD BE EVIDENT, BUT THE OTHER 3 ARE FINE WITH NO RUST OR DETERIORATION PRESENT. SEARCHES ON THE INTERNET HAVE SEEN THOUSANDS OF SIMILAR COMPLAINTS, ALONG WITH PICTURES AND THE DAMAGE ALL APPEARS TO BE THE SAME - AND ALSO APPLIES TO MODEL YEARS 2004, 2005, AND 2006.
Suspension, Jul 18, 2016
LAST MONDAY MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE CARGO AREA ITEMS STARTED BUMPING SEVERELY WHEN GOING OVER ROAD IMPERFECTIONS. BY FRIDAY THE SUSPENSION WAS SHIFTING WHEN DRIVING OVER SAME IMPERFECTIONS. I GOT OUT AND LOOKED AT THE BACK END AND FOUND THAT THE RIGHT REAR SHOCK MOUNT HAS RUSTED COMPLETED THROUGH THE WHEEL WELL. I ONLY HAVE 114,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND LIKE SO MANY OF THE OTHER COMPLAINTS THE MECHANIC I HAD LOOK AT IT SAID THAT SHOULDN'T HAVE HAPPENED AND SURELY THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON IT. WHEN I CHECKED THE INTERNET, NO RECALL. I'M VERY NERVOUS DRIVING, BUT HAVE NO OTHER OPTIONS AT THIS POINT.
Suspension, Jul 7, 2016
VEHICLE SUDDENLY STARTED MAKING A BANGING SOUND SO I TOOK VEHICLE INTO OUR MECHANIC. APPARENTLY THE PASSENGER SIDE SUSPENSION WAS NOT PROPERLY SEALED AND THE SHEET METAL IN THE WHEEL WELL HAS DETERIORATED TO THE POINT IN WHICH THE SHOCK TOWER HAS DISCONNECTED FROM THE VEHICLE FRAME. I WAS REFEREED TO A AUTO WELDING SHOP BY MY MECHANIC AND WAS SURPRISED TO SEE THAT THERE WERE TWO OF THE SAME VEHICLES AT THE FACILITY HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM RESOLVED. THE MECHANIC AT THIS WELDING SHOP SAYS THAT HE IS REPAIRING PERSONALLY 3 FORD ESCAPES PER WEEK FOR THE EXACT ISSUE AND HE WAS ABLE TO SHOW ME THE TWO THAT HE HAD JUST REPAIRED OVER THE PAST TWO DAYS. I AM NOW MORE SHOCKED TO SEE THAT THERE ARE OVER 500 COMPLAINTS WITH THIS EXACT SAME COMPLAINT JUST AT THIS NHTSA.GOV SIGHT AND THAT THERE ARE LITERALLY THOUSANDS OF OTHER IDENTICAL COMPLAINTS POSTED ON THE INTERNET. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY UNSAFE SAFETY ISSUE. THE FACT IS THAT THE LOUD BANGING NOISE IS ENOUGH TO CAUSE MOST OWNERS TO PAUSE AND TO LOOK INTO THE MATTER AND THUS TYPICALLY THIS ISSUE DOES NOT RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. HOWEVER, SAFETY ISSUES AND RECALLS SHOULD NOT ONLY INVOLVE ACCIDENTS OR CASUALTIES. THIS IS A VERY REAL PROBLEM IMPACTING EVERY SINGLE 2005 FORD ESCAPE AND COSTING CONSUMERS HUNDREDS AND THOUSANDS IN REPAIRS THAT FORD REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE.