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, Structure, Mar 22, 2015
HAVE FOUND THE RIGHT REAR STRUT MOUNT ALMOST RUSTED AWAY AND THE LEFT SIDE IS ON ITS WAY. I HEAR THERE IS A RECALL FOR 2001-2004 FOR THIS AND FROM ALL THE COMPLAINTS I SEE ON-LINE THIS SHOULD INCLUDE 2005-2006 AND UNLESS THEY DID SOMETHING TO ACTUALLY STOP THIS, EVEN LATER YEARS SHOULD BE INCLUDED. IF A PERSON HITS A CHUCK HOLE THIS COULD CAUSE A BAD ACCIDENT., I SEE A LOT OF PEOPLE CAN'T EVEN DRIVE THEIR VEHICLES. I HAVE OWNED MANY OLDER,VEHICLES INCLUDING A 1995 FORD TAURUS I TRADED IN ON THIS ESCAPE THAT DIDN'T HAVE THIS PROBLEM. *TR
Suspension, Mar 18, 2015
THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL RUSTED OUT WHERE THE SHOCK ATTACHES. THE SHOCK ASSEMBLY IS NOW JUST LOOSE AND RATTLING. LOOKING ONLINE, MANY MANY PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE ON 2004, 2005, AND 2006 ESCAPES. THIS MAKES THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR
Suspension, Mar 17, 2015
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, WE HIT A BUMP IN THE ROAD AND ALMOST IMMEDIATELY THERE WAS A LOUD BANGING NOISE. UPON INSPECTION, I FOUND THAT THE REAR RIGHT WHEEL WELL WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. THE SHOCK STRUT IS NOW LOOSE AND BANGING AGAINST THE CAR'S FRAME, THE TIRE AND THE INTERIOR OF THE REAR CARGO AREA. I'VE BEEN RESEARCHING THIS ONLINE AND NOTICE THAT THIS IS A RATHER COMMON PROBLEM WITH OTHER FORD ESCAPES IN THE MIDWEST. IT IS ALWAYS THE SAME COMPLAINT, RUSTED OUT WHEEL WELL ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. SOMEONE NEED TO INVESTIGATE FORD BECAUSE THIS IS TOO COMMON AN ISSUE AND IS CLEARLY A DESIGN FLAW. REPAIR FOR THIS ISSUE CAN RUN UP TO $2,000. *TR
Suspension, Mar 17, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, A LOUD NOISE EMITTED FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE SHOCKS WERE CORRODED THROUGH TO THE WHEEL WELL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 135,000.
Suspension, Mar 16, 2015
DRIVING DOWN STREET AND RAN OVER ROUGH SPOT IN PAVEMENT AND HEARD A THUMP FROM THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. NEXT DAY DROVE OVER RAILROAD TRACKS AND THERE WAS A LOUD BANGING NOISE. I CHECKED UNDER VEHICLE AT RIGHT REAR WHEEL OPENING (PASSENGER SIDE) TO FIND MOST OF THE WHEEL WELL RUSTED AND GONE FROM THE SHOCK MOUNT LOCATION TO THE REAR MOST PART OF THE WHEEL WELL. THE BUCKET OR BRACKET THAT MOUNTS THE TOP OF THE SHOCK ABSORBER TO THE WHEEL WELL AND CHASSIS IS JUST FLOATING IN MID AIR. WHEN I LOOK THROUGH THE SIDE COMPARTMENT IN THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE I CAN SEE THE TOP OF THE TIRE AND THE PAVEMENT AND SHOCK ABSORBER. *TR
Suspension, Structure, Mar 12, 2015
WHILE DRIVING THE CAR, WHENEVER WE WOULD HIT A BUMP OF ANY KIND THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR OF THE CAR MADE A HORRIBLE RATTLING/BANGING NOISE. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD AND SHOWED ME WHERE THE PART THAT CONNECTED THE SHOCK TO THE WHEEL WELL HAD PRETTY MUCH RUSTED AWAY AND WAS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE. THE SERVICE WRITERS AND THE BODY MAN ALL SAID THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL. THEY CONJECTURED THAT SINCE WE GET SNOW IN PITTSBURGH THE ROADS ARE SALTED. SINCE THE ROADS ARE SLANTED TO THE RIGHT TO HELP DRAINAGE, THAT SIDE IS BATHED IN SALT WATER. HOWEVER I AM ALSO DEVELOPING RUST ON THE OUTSIDE EDGE OF THE BODY PANEL ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE. WHY THEN IS THIS NOT HAPPENING TO OTHER MODEL YEARS? SINCE IT IS NOT DRIVABLE I HAVE HAD TO SCHEDULE THE REPAIRS. AT THE TIME OF THE REPAIRS I AM GOING TO HAVE THE CAR COMPLETELY GONE OVER BY THE DEALERS MECHANICS AND BODY MAN TO VALIDATE THE CONDITION AND DOCUMENT ANY FURTHER REQUIRED REPAIRS. THIS IS A TOTAL ENGINEERING SCREWUP BY FORD AND THEY SHOULD BE REQUIRED TO RECALL ALL OF THIS MODEL AND YEAR AND EITHER REPAIR THEM AT NO COST TO THE OWNER OR REIMBURSE THE OWNERS WHO ALREADY HAD TO HAVE THE REPAIRS DONE. DO PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE BEFORE ACTION IS TAKEN? IS NO ONE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS IN TODAY'S SOCIETY? *TR
Suspension, Other or unspecified, Mar 9, 2015
THE REAR RIGHT UPPER SHOCK MOUNT FELT OFF SO THERE IS NO WHERE WE CAN PUT THE SHOCK. THEREFORE, IT HAS A BIG HOLE ON THE FENDER WELL THAT YOU CAN SEE THE INSIDE THIS IS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD NOT HAD HAPPEN PLUS ON THE LEFT SIDE YOU CAN SEE RUST CRACKS IN THE FENDER WELL AND CONTINUES TO THE UPPER SHOCK MOUNT. I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING THAT THE COMPANY HAS TO ADDRESS AND FIXED IT BECAUSE IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Suspension, Structure, Feb 25, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL WAS CORRODED AND DETERIORATED. ALSO, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE SHOCK MOUNT FRACTURED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE CAUSED THE SHOCK MOUNT TO PUNCTURE THE TRUNK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE EACH TIME THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER A BUMP DUE TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN PERFORMED AN ALIGNMENT AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.
Suspension, Structure, Feb 25, 2015
THE RIGHT REAR SHOCK PLUNGED THROUGH THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL (RUSTED AWAY) AND RATTLES AT LOW SPEEDS. STEERING PULLS TO LEFT AND SHAKES.
Suspension, Feb 13, 2015
OVER A FEW DAYS I HEARD A BANGING SOUND IN THE CAR THAT I COULD NOT IDENTIFY. MY DAUGHTER LOOKED UNDER THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL AND NOTICED THE SHOCK WAS KNOCKING AGAINST THE RUSTED WHEEL WELL. THE NEXT DAY I WENT TO A FUNERAL AND THE SHOCK PIERCED THROUGH THE TRUNK. I CALLED MY BODY SHOP/MECHANIC AND TOLD HIM WHAT THE ISSUE WAS. HE SAID HE HAD ANOTHER FORD ESCAPE 2005 IN HIS SHOP WITH THE SAME EXACT ISSUE. HE SAID IT WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. FORD DIDN'T DO A RECALL ON THE 2005 MODELS EVEN THOUGH THEY RECALLED PRIOR YEARS. I HAD TRIED TO CONTACT RIZZA FORD ABOUT THE ISSUE BUT RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. IN SEARCHING THE INTERNET I REALIZED THERE ARE AT LEAST 300+ COMPLAINTS WRITTEN ABOUT THIS EXACT ISSUE AND FORD'S HANDLING OF IT. MY MECHANIC HAD TO PRACTICALLY REBUILD/WELD THE WHEEL WELL. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT FORD CAN BE ALLOWED TO GET AWAY WITH RIPPING SO MANY PEOPLE OFF, ESPECIALLY WITH IT BEING SUCH A SAFETY ISSUE. THIS WAS A VERY EXPENSIVE PROBLEM TO FIX AND I DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO GET A DIFFERENT CAR. AFTER THIS, I DON'T THINK I'LL EVER BUY A FORD AGAIN. WHY WOULD I GO WITH A COMPANY THAT CAN'T EVEN STAND BEHIND THEIR OWN PRODUCT AND HAS NO ISSUES PUTTING THEIR CUSTOMERS SAFETY AT RISK. *TR
Suspension, Structure, Feb 13, 2015
HAD REAR SHOCKS REPLACED ON MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE AND WAS TOLD THAT MOUNTS FOR THE SHOCKS ARE RUSTED OUT. THE SHOCKS ARE DETACHED FROM THE FRAME DUE TO POOR DESIGN BY FORD. THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AS THE SHOCK BOUNCES INTO THE REAR INTERIOR WHEN MOVING. THERE IS A RECALL FROM 2001 - 2004 ESCAPES BUT NOT 2005! FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM! *TR
Suspension, Feb 9, 2015
PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL HAS RUSTED THROUGH COMPROMISING THE CONNECTION TO THE STRUT. *TR
Suspension, Jan 28, 2015
DRIVING LESS THAN 30MPH-HIT A MANHOLE COVER AND HEARD VERY LOUD BANG IN BACK OF CAR. DISCOVERED INSIDE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED. SHOCK BARELY HOLDING ON. STILL WAITING ON ESTIMATE TO FIX. BASED ON THE OTHER OVER 100 COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME NATURE, NOT GOING TO BOTHER CALLING FORD. *TR
Suspension, Air bags, Wheels, Jan 27, 2015, crash
I WAS TRAVELING AT 60 MPH ON A HIGHWAY INTERCHANGE. I HYDROPLANED, LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE, AND HIT A GUARD RAIL WITH THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE HEAD ON. MY VEHICLE BOUNCED OFF THE GUARD RAIL, TRAVELED BACKWARDS, AND HIT THE GUARDRAIL ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE ROAD ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR. THE CAR SPUN 90 DEGREES AND CAME TO A REST WITH THE PASSENGER SIDE AGAINST THE GUARD RAIL, OPPOSING HIGHWAY TRAFFIC FLOW. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, DESPITE A 60-MPH COLLISION. THE SUSPENSION, WHEEL, AND SHOCK FELL OFF IN THE COLLISION. *TR
Suspension, Structure, Jan 23, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SHOCK FRACTURED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO INDICATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT RUST RELATED BUT RATHER THAT THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT WITH THE DRIVE TRAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE). THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Steering, Suspension, Wheels, Jan 23, 2015
WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SHOCK PUNCTURED THROUGH A COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT REAR WHEEL WELL ON MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CAR IS UNDRIVABLE AND THE AUTO REPAIR/BODY SHOP QUOTED ME $3,000.00 TO REPAIR THIS. I CONTACTED FORD AND THEY STATED THAT ONLY THE 2001-2004 MODELS ARE COVERED UNDER A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE READ HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. . *TR
Suspension, Structure, Jan 22, 2015
RIGHT REAR WHEEL RUSTED APART AND SHOCK ABSORBER IS NOT ATTACHED ANY LONGER. THE CAR IS NOT DRIVABLE TO SAFETY CONCERN. *TR
Suspension, Jan 19, 2015
WE NOTICED A NOISE COMING FROM THE BACK RIGHT REAR SIDE OF OUR FORD ESCAPE ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU WOULD GO OVER SMALL BUMPS IN THE ROAD. A QUICK LOOK UNDERNEATH, WE NOTICED A LOT OF RUST. WE CALLED THE FORD DEALERSHIP TO GET IT IN TO BE CHECKED OUT AND UPON US DESCRIBING THE PROBLEM, THEY SAID IT IS MOST LIKELY THE RIGHT REAR SHOCK MOUNT. A COUPLE OF DAYS LATER, WE RECEIVED A CALL AND FOUND OUT THAT IS THE PROBLEM ALONG WITH AN ESTIMATE TO REPAIR IT (15 HOURS AND $1,200.00 APPROX.). THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM THAT THEY SEE IN ESCAPES FROM YEARS 2005-07. WE REACHED OUT TO FORD BECAUSE THIS IS NOT ONLY A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE BUT THE VEHICLE WILL NOT PASS OUR STATE INSPECTION. WE WERE TOLD THAT THERE IS NO RECALL AT THIS TIME NOR WOULD THEY HELP ASSIST WITH ANY OF THE REPAIRS, AT THIS TIME. THEY TOLD US TO HOLD ON TO OUR RECEIPT AND IF THERE IS A RECALL, THAT THEY WOULD REIMBURSE US. VERY DISAPPOINTED. *TR
Steering, Suspension, Jan 16, 2015
THE VEHICLE'S REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL RUSTED OUT COMPLETELY. THIS ALLOWED THE REAR SHOCK TO BECOME DANGEROUSLY LOOSE AND PRODUCED A LOUD BANGING NOISE. HAD THE SHOCK COME LOOSE THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A SUBSTANTIAL LOSS OF STEERING. CAR IS NOW UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR
Suspension, Jan 16, 2015
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE SHOCK ABSORBER DETACHED AND FRACTURED THROUGH THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE TRUNK. THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
Suspension, Jan 13, 2015
THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL HAS RUSTED OUT. THE STRUT IS NO LONGER ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE. WHEN DRIVING THERE IS A KNOCKING SOUND. WHEN INVESTIGATED AT THE REPAIR SHOP, THIS WAS THE DIAGNOSIS. *TR
Suspension, Jan 8, 2015
BACK RIGHT PASSENGER WHEEL WELL RUSTED THROUGH. SHOCK IS HOLDING ON BY A THREAD. MAKES LOUD BANGING NOISE WHEN ANY BUMP IS HIT. I WAS TOLD VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE BY LOCAL MECHANIC. *TR
Suspension, Jan 2, 2015
THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR SHOCK TOWER COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY MAKING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE.THE REST OF THE VEHICLE IS SPOTLESS AND WE KEEP IT VERY CLEAN.THIS IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *TR
Suspension, Structure, Other or unspecified, Dec 31, 2014
WE NOTICED A RATTLING/BANGING NOISE COMING FROM THE RIGHT REAR OF VEHICLE, MY WIFE RODE IN THE REAR SEAT AND COULD FEEL THE SHOCK MOUNT HITTING AGAINST THE BACK OF THE INTERIOR TRIM PANEL. LOOKING INTO THE WHEEL WELL, WE COULD SEE WHERE THE WHEEL HOUSING HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT, REVEALING THE INTERIOR. THE UPPER SHOCK MOUNT CAN BE WIGGLED BY HAND. TODAY 12/31/2014, I WENT TO SEE MY "FRIENDS" AT OUR LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP, THE SERVICE WRITER SAID I WAS IN "LUCK" AS HE REMEMBERED RESEARCHING THE SAME ISSUE FOR ANOTHER CUSTOMER. HE FOUND A DIAGRAM WITH THE REPLACEMENT PANEL & WHEEL HOUSE, PART# 7L82-7827886-A, WITH A LIST PRICE OF $150, THEN WE WENT TO TALK TO ANOTHER "FRIEND" IN PARTS, HE SAID THAT THE PRICE HAD RECENTLY INCREASED AND NOW LISTED AT $700. THEY OFFERED TO HAVE ME TALK TO ANOTHER "FRIEND" IN SALES, BUT I INFORMED THEM MY WIFE REFUSED TO BUY ANOTHER FORD, AND IF WE WERE TO BUY A NEW VEHICLE IT WOULD BE A TOYOTA. WITH THAT SAID, MY "FRIENDS" SUGGESTED TO UNLOAD (TRADE) IT AT A TOYOTA DEALER. THEY ALSO INFORMED ME OUR 2005 FORD ESCAPE WAS "UNSAFE" TO DRIVE. I WENT TO OUR LOCAL BODY SHOP TO GET HIS RECOMMENDATION. HE SAID, THEY HAD JUST DONE ONE, IN 10/2014 FOR JUST UNDER $900 AND HE GOT THE PART FROM MY "FRIENDS" AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR $120. IN APPARENT DISBELIEF HE CALLED OUR "FRIENDS" AND THEY CONFIRMED THE PRICE INCREASE. WE SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND MANY 7L82-7827886-A FOR $20-$180, AFTER ORDERING FROM SEVERAL DIFFERENT VENDORS, EACH VENDOR CANCELLED THE ORDERS FOR VARIOUS REASONS; UNAVAILABLE, PART NUMBER CHANGE AND IS MORE EXPENSIVE, DUE TO THE SIZE AND FRAGILE NATURE WE ARE UNABLE TO SHIP, NOT AVAILABLE,ETC. WHAT IS FORD'S OBJECTIVE WITH THIS PRICE INCREASE ? ? ? THERE WAS CLEARLY A DEFECT IN MANUFACTURING, CRAFTSMANSHIP, AND/OR MATERIALS, THAT CREATED THIS SEVERE DEFECT IN SAFETY OF THE 2005 FORD ESCAPE ! ! ! *JS
Suspension, Structure, Dec 31, 2014
RATTLING, BANGING, RIGHT REAR SHOCK MOUNT IS RUSTED LOOSE, COMPLETELY CORRODED AWAY FROM WHEEL HOUSE. *JS