2006 Ford Escape Suspension Problems

Your Escape's rear shock tower rusted through and separated from the frame, causing you to lose control while driving. This happened on both the passenger side first, then the driver side about a year later with no warning signs beforehand. A repair shop indicated this is a known recurring problem across multiple model years of Escapes. Fixing this will require welding the shock tower back to the frame or replacing the rusted component.

Your rear axle and entire rear end assembly appear to be failing prematurely despite relatively low mileage, which wasn't caused by normal wear and tear. If the rear end were to fail suddenly at highway speeds, you could lose control of the vehicle—and you're concerned about how many other 2006 Escapes with the same problem might still be on the road. The fix will likely involve inspection and replacement of rear axle components and suspension parts.

Your car's rear suspension components, including shocks and mounts, have extensive rust damage that repair shops say cannot be fixed. As a result, your vehicle bounces excessively when driven, which is wearing out the suspension bearings, springs, and tires prematurely. You may also notice rust throughout the body panels and wheel wells. Addressing this issue will likely require replacement of the rusted rear shock absorbers and mounts, and possibly inspection of other suspension components for damage.

Your 2006 Escape's rear suspension support rails and inner fender areas are made of low-quality pressed steel that rusts quickly, especially where road salt and debris get trapped. You may notice rust holes and structural separation in these areas, which can weaken the frame over time—particularly concerning since your hybrid carries a heavy battery between these rusted rails. Repairs typically involve welding or replacing the corroded steel components, though severe rust may make the vehicle unsafe to repair.

About a week after buying your used 2006 Ford Escape, the ABS warning light came on. A mechanic told you that the entire front and rear suspension system was worn out and needed complete replacement. This is a major repair that requires significant investment.

Your rear shock mounts may rust and fail prematurely, leaving only the spring to support the suspension. When this happens, your vehicle's handling and safety are compromised, as the shock absorber can no longer control wheel movement. The owner experienced this failure while driving on a bridge and believes Ford is aware of the defect but hasn't addressed it. Fixing this issue will require replacing the rusted shock mounts and likely the shock absorbers themselves.

Your 2006 Ford Escape has experienced rust damage on the rear shock mounts. This can affect suspension stability and performance over time. The rusted mounts may need to be replaced to restore proper suspension function.

The contact owns a 2006 Ford Escape. The contact stated that upon the depression of the accelerator pedal, the front passenger’s side subframe collapsed without warning. Due to the failure, the contact had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic where it was discovered that severe corrosion on the passenger’s side subframe had caused the collapse. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer had been notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the possession of the independent mechanic. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

RIGHT REAR SHOCK MOUNT BROKE LOOSE AND STARTED TO ENTER THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT.

REAR WHEEL WELLS WHERE THE SHOCK MOUNTS IS RUSTED THROUGH CAUSING RIDE AND CONTROL ISSUES. I NOTICED CLUNKING WHILE DRIVING CAUSED BY THE RUST AND LACK OF SHOCK STABILITY. I TALKED TO OTHER OWNERS AND FOUND THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE. BEING THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT RUSTY AND IS CARED FOR REGULARLY THIS IS BAD AND I AM NO LONGER GOING TO INVEST MY MONEY INTO IT. THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN AND I FEEL WITH AS COMMON AS THE ISSUE SEEMS IT SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF BY FORD AS THE SHOCK BEING LOOSE COMING INTO THE INTERIOR IS ANOTHER SAFETY CONCERN, AND THE WEAR AND TEAR FROM THE TIRE RIDE CAUSES PREMATURE TIRE WEAR NOT TO MENTION WEAR AND SNAPPING THE BREAK LINE CAUSING THE BRAKES TO FAIL.

HEARD A BANGING NOISE AS I WAS DRIVING THAT SOUNDED FROM TRUNK. NOTHING IN TRUNK, REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL THE SHOCK TOWER HAD FALLEN THROUGH THE WHEEL WELL WHICH APPEARED TO HAVE RUSTED OUT.

RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL TOTALLY RUSTED OUT, NO REPAIR SHOP WILL FIX. LOUD KNOCKING WHEN DRIVING, CAN NOT DRIVE AFRAID WHEEL WILL FALL OFF.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SHOCK MOUNT FRACTURED AND CAUSED THE BRAKE HOSE TO RUPTURE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ALL OF THE BRAKE FLUID LEAKED OUT OF THE HOSE. PRESTON FORD IN BURTON, OHIO WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000. *TT *TR

DRIVING HOME FROM WORK, BEGAN TO HEAR THUMPING SOUND FROM RIGHT REAR. THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE AN ISSUE WITH THE TIRE. GOT PROGRESSIVELY LOUDER AND MORE FREQUENT UNTIL I STOPPED AND INSPECTED. FOUND THE RIGHT REAR STRUT TO BE NEARLY DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE ASSEMBLY.

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.

THE LOWER CONTROL ARM HAS SEPARATED FROM THE SUBFRAME DUE TO CORROSION. THIS IS THE EXACT PROBLEM THAT LED TO A RECALL OF 400,000 FORD ESCAPES (MODEL YEARS 2001-2004) JUST 3 YEARS AGO.

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.

THE RIGHT REAR SHOCK TOWER IS RUSTING AWAY AND IS ABOUT TO BREAK AWAY FROM THE FRAME I READ ONLINE THAT FORD RECALLED ALMOST 400,00 VEHICLES WITH THIS PROBLEM, BUT I NEVER RECEIVED A NOTICE. THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE.

REAR SUBFRAME BROKE ABOVE THE AXLE NEAR THE DIFFERENTIAL. SYMPTOMS ARE GRINDING NOISE DURING LEFT TURNS AS TRACTION CONTROL AND ABS SYSTEMS ACTIVATE. FORD DEALER ESTIMATES COST OF $3=$8,000 TO REPLACE THE REAR SUBFRAME. ## VIN PASSED ## FORD ESCAPE HYBRID AWD 2006 ##

WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE ON A HIGHWAY, I COULD HERE A LOUD CLUNKING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR. AFTER INVESTIGATING, IT WAS VISIBLY NOTICEABLE THAT THE SHOCK TOWER ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE RUSTED COMPLETELY OFF THE VEHICLE. THIS ALLOWED THE WHEEL TO BOUNCE FREELY AND THE SHOCK TO JAM UP INTO THE WHEEL WELL REPEATEDLY. THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SHOCK PLATE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHOCK PLATE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND VIN WERE UNKNOWN.

A FEW MONTHS AGO I NOTICED A THUMPING NOISE WHEN DRIVING. THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL STARTED TO HAVE THE BLACK COATING FLAKE OFF OF THE INSIDE REVEALING RUST. SINCE THEN MY STRUT HAS BROKEN OFF FROM MY FRAME & THE SHOCK HAS COMPLETELY BROKEN. FROM THE RESEARCH I HAVE BEEN DOING THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL FOR THIS. MY CAR IS UN-DRIVEABLE & MOST LIKELY SO EXPENSIVE TO FIX THAT I MIGHT AS WELL BUY A NEW CAR.

THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON FORD ESCAPE 2006 VEHICLES. WE BOUGHT OUR VEHICLE USED ONE YEAR AGO, 117K MILES ON IT AND THE WHEEL WELLS/SHOCK TOWERS LOOKED FINE. AFTER ONE WINTER THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL IS RUSTED THROUGH (THERE IS LITERALLY A RUST HOLE) AND THE DRIVER IS ALMOST AS BAD. WE HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED AT A FORD DEALERSHIP PRIOR TO PURCHASING IT A YEAR AGO - THEY DIDN'T EVEN POINT OUT ANY CORROSION. MEANING, WITHIN A YEAR IT CORRODED SO BAD IT NEEDED $1300 WORTH OR REPAIR. OUR LOCAL MECHANIC TOLD US THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE ISSUE, BUT SEARCHING ONLINE AND ASKING OUR LOCAL FORD DEALER WE DISCOVERED THERE WASN'T. THIS ISN'T THE TYPE OF COSMETIC RUST OF THE BODY, BUT RUST OF THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE VEHICLE. IT IS A DESIGN FLAW THAT WHOEVER ENGINEERED THE BODY SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF. I CAN FIND RECALLS ONLINE FOR 2001 -2004 ESCAPES FOR SIMILAR STRUCTURAL RUST, SO WHY ISN'T FORD RECALLING 2006 ESCAPES WHEN THE PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING? THE FORD DEALER TOLD US, KEEP THE REPAIR RECEIPT IN CASE FORD ISSUES A RECALL, THEN WE COULD BE REIMBURSED. THIS RUST ISN'T JUST AND EYESORE, BUT A SAFETY ISSUE.

WENT CHANGE THE SHOCKS AND THE WHOLE BRACKET SYSTEM HAD RUSTED OUT ON THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR. THEY HAVE RECALLED THESE FROM 2001-2004. IT IS FINE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE BUT THE PASSENGER SIDE IT TOTALLY RUSTED THRU IT IS GOING TO COST 3000 TO FIX. I HAVE ONLY HAD THIS VEHICLE A YEAR. IT MADE A CLUNK NOISE TWICE SO I TOOK IT IN TO THE SHOP, I AM DRIVING TWO KIDS AROUND I AM A SINGLE MOM SUCK CRAP.

REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. SUSPENSION NOT MOUNTED TO VEHICLE NOW, AND HAMMERS BOTTOM OF INTERIOR WHEN GOING OVER ANY BUMP IN THE ROAD. EVERY OTHER WHEEL WELL IS FINE. ALL MECHANICS I HAVE SPOKEN WITH, INCLUDING A FORD CERTIFIED BODY SHOP WILL NOT TOUCH THE ISSUE AND ADVISED ME TO SCRAP THE VEHICLE.

ESCAPE WHEEL WELL RUST CAUSED STRUT TO DETATCH FROM VEHICLE. I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN I HEARD LOUD THUMPING NOISES, I CHECKED AND DIDN'T SEE ANYTHING THAT IT MIGHT BE SO I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHO SHOWED ME THE EXCESSIVE WHEEL WELL RUST THAT CAUSED THE STRUT TO DETATCH FROM THE BODY. HE SAID IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AND THAT IT MUST BE FIXED BY A BODY SHOP AS HE COULDN'T FIX IT. I GOT ESTIMATES FROM BODY SHOPS AS WELL AS FORD AND THEY ALL SAID IT WOULD BE AROUND $4,000 TO $5,000 THIS IS NO OTHER RUST ON THE VEHICLE OTHER THAN THE EXCESSIVE PASSENGER REAR WHEEL WELL RUST AND IS HAS ONLY 130-140K MILES ON IT. NOW I CANNOT DRIVE IT WITHOUT RISK OF A MAJOR ACCIDENT DUE TO THE PROBLEM SO IT IS SITTING IN MY GARAGE. I HAVE PHOTOS BUT AM UNABLE TO UPLOAD THEM TO THIS SITE AT THIS TIME.

THE RIGHT WHEEL WELL OF MY 2006 FORD ESCAPE (LIMITED) IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. I CAN NO LONGER DRIVE THIS VEHICLE BECAUSE THE SHOCK IS ABOUT TO BREAK THROUGH THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE RUST HAS CAUSED EXHAUST TO POUR INTO THE VEHICLE. BEFORE KNOWING ABOUT THIS, I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO SEVERAL DIFFERENT MECHAINCS BECAUSE I COULD SMELL EXHAUST. THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING. A CANADIAN AUTO BODY PERSON (I LOVE ON THE BORDER) TOLD ME THAT IT WAS COMING FROM THE HOLES IN THE RIGHT WHEEL WELL AND SHOWED ME THE LARGE HOLE WHERE EXHAUST IS LEAKING IN. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT ALL ESCAPE OWNERS (2006 AT LEAST) NEED TO BE MADE AWARE OF!!! I CAN'T TAKE AND ATTACH PHOTOS AT THIS TIME DUE TO THE WEATHER BUT CAN PROVIDE THEM ANOTHER TIME, UPON REQUEST. I SHOULD NOTE THAT I LIVE IN NORTHERN MICHIGAN AND THAT I HAVE TAKEN METICULOUS CARE OF THIS VEHICLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THERE WAS A LOUD BUMP FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. THE CONTACT OBSERVED RUST ON THE REAR TIRE. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONTINUOUSLY, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHOCK ABSORBER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. ...UPDATED 02/03/16 *BF; UPDATED 4/6/18*JB THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. *TR

THE RIGHT REAR SHOCK AND BRACKET THAT ATTACHES IT TO THE CAR IS RUSTING AND HAS BROKEN OFF CAUSING A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THIS OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING AND PRESENTS AN EXTREMELY HAZARDOUS SITUATION.

COMPLETE REAR SHOCK TOWER FAILURE......UPDATED10/20/15 *BF

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, AN ABNORMAL NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND DISCOVERED THAT THE SHOCK RETAINER WAS FRACTURED AND SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SHOCK RETAINER HAD EXCESSIVE RUST AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000.

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.

MY REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. THIS IS THE ONLY ONE AFFECTED. THE STRUT MOUNT IS LOSE AND IS GOING TO FALL OFF. I CAN NO LONGER DRIVE MY VEHICLE. IT IS VERY UNSAFE FOR MY SON AND I TO DRIVE AND RIDE IN. THERE HAS BEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED.

WHEN DRIVING I STARTED NOTICING A LOUD BANGING SOUND STARTING WHEN DRIVING OVER SMALL BUMPS IN THE ROAD. IN TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER REPAIR SHOP FOR AN OIL CHANGE WE HAD THEM CHECK OUT THE SOUND THAT I HEARD. THEY POINTED OUT THE RIGHT, PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL. AT THIS TIME WE WERE TOLD THE REPAIR WAS NOT AN IMMEDIATE REPAIR THAT WAS NEEDED BUT WOULD NEED TO BE REPAIRED. WE PLANNED TO WAIT UNTIL THE LOCAL ROADS WERE REPAIRED FROM THE POT HOLES DEVELOPED THROUGH WINTER. A MONTH AND A HALF LATER, ON MARCH 20, 2015 THE SOUND HAD BECOME EXTREMELY WORSE AND I FEARED FOR MY SAFETY. WE TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THEY STATED THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER SAFE TO DRIVE. THE RIGHT SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND THE SUSPENSION IS BARELY ATTACHED TO THE VEHICLE. IN RESEARCHING ONLINE THIS IS A PREVALENT PROBLEM THROUGH SEVERAL YEAR MODELS NOT JUST THE 2005. WHEN I CALLED THE FORD CUSTOMER SERVICE HOTLINE I WAS TOLD FORD WAS UNAWARE AND THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW THIS WAS A SAFETY PROBLEM DESPITE THE NUMEROUS LISTINGS OF PEOPLE ONLINE SAYING THEY HAVE REPORTED THE SAME KIND OF ISSUES. *TR

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. *TR

WHILE DRIVING I HEARD A LOUD NOISE THEN SHORTLY AFTER HEARD SOMETHING RUBBING THEN VERY SHORTLY AFTER MY LEFT REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. I STOPPED TO LOOK AND IT LOOKS LIKE THE AREA WHERE THE REAR STRUT ATTACHED TO THE BODY COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY. THE CAR IS MOST LIKELY NOT REPAIRABLE. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY FORD ESCAPE AND I STARTED TO HEAR A BANGING NOISE COME FROM MY RIGHT REAR TIRE. TO LATER FIND OUT THAT IT IS MY STRUT TOWER IS RUSTED OUT. IT IS RIDICULOUS THAT SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT FORD HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING TO FIX THE MATTER, IT IS IRRESPONSIBLE.I BELIEVE THAT FORD SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR VEHICLE'S AND FIX THEM OR FIGURE OUT HOW TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. *JS

THE RIGHT WHEEL WELL HAS RUSTED OUT COMPLETELY AROUND THE SHOCK.I CAN SEE INTO THE CAR FROM THE OUTSIDE. THERE IS A LOUD RATTLE CONSTANTLY AND A HORRIBLE CLUNKING NOISE EVERY TIME I GO OVER A BUMP. *TR

MY RIGHT WHEEL WELL HAS RUSTED OUT COMPLETELY AND THE INSIDE COMPARTMENT IS NOW OPEN TO THE OUTSIDE. THERE IS A TERRIBLE, CONSTANT RATTLING NOISE AND A HORRIBLE CLUNKING NOISE EVERY TIME I GO OVER A BUMP. *TR

THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL OF MY 2006 FORD ESCAPE HAS RUSTED COMPLETELY AWAY, WHERE YOU CAN SEE INTO THE INSIDE OF THE CAR FROM THE OUTSIDE. IT IS CAUSING A CONSTANT RATTLING AND A HORRIBLE CLUNKING NOISE EVERY TIME I GO OVER A BUMP.CHECKING ONLINE, I SEE THAT THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR SOME TIME NOW AND THE SHOCK HAS COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. FORD HAS ALWAYS BEEN A COMPANY TO STAND BEHIND THEIR VEHICLES, SO I IMAGINE IT WILL ONLY BE A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE A RECALL IS ISSUED, BUT SOMEONE NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS NOW BEFORE THERE ARE FATALITIES INVOLVED. *TR

THE REAR SHOCK MOUNT FAILED DUE TO RUST. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH FORD ESCAPES BUILT IN THE YEARS 2005 AND 2006. IT SEEMS THIS FAILURE IS A DESIGN FLAW. FORD REFUSES TO PAY FOR THE COST OF REPAIR. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONG OPERABLE. I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP. *TR

VEHICLE GOT VERY LOOSE AND LOST CONTROL DUE TO REAR STRUT MOUNT RUSTING ALL THE WAY APART AND NO CONTROL OF REAR SUSPENSION. *TR

THE RIGHT REAR FENDER WELL OF MY VEHICLE IS BROKEN AND CRACKED WHERE THE SHOCK MOUNTS AT THE TOP. THEREFORE, THE SHOCK IS BASICALLY ATTACHED TO NOTHING MORE THAN SOME BROKEN PIECES OF THE FENDER WELL. THE SPRING IS THE ONLY THING GIVING THE VEHICLE ANY SUPPORT ON THE RIGHT REAR TIRE AND IT MAKES AN ABDOMINAL NOISE WHEN GOING OVER THE SLIGHTEST BUMP. FORD HAS REFUSED TO REPLACE THE PART AND UPON FURTHER RESEARCH, HAS TOLD MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THIS MODEL ESCAPE THE SAME THING. I UNDERSTAND THAT RUST HAPPENS, BUT THIS IS QUITE CLEARLY A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. *TR

I WAS DRIVING HOME GOING ABOUT 45MPH AND ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEAR A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE LEFT REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THOUGH IT COULD HAVE BEEN THE TIRE, SO I PULLED OVER TO CHECK AND THE SHOCK IS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND APART. *TR

THE RIGHT REAR FENDER WALL HAS TOTALLY RUSTED OUT TO THE POINT THE SHOCK IS NOT EVEN ATTACHED TO THE FRAME. INTERNET SEARCH HAS SHOWN THIS IS HAPPENING ON MANY MANY OF THESE 2004-2006 FORD ESCAPES. WE WE'RE LUCKY TO DISCOVER THE DEFECT BEFORE SOMEONE WAS HURT. *TR

EXCESSIVE RUSTING IN RIGHT REAR FENDER WELL , SHOCK MOUNT COMING UNDONE. LOUD BANGING NOISE INSIDE VEHICLE. SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

LOUD BANGING 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 ABSORB PUNCHED ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE WHEEL WELL, AND WAS UNSUPPORTED, HITTING THE METAL OF THE INTERIOR. *TR

THE SHOCK HOUSING HAS COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE BODY OF THE CAR DUE TO RUST. INTERNET SEARCHES HAVE TURNED UP HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE THE SAME ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL YEAR. IT POSES A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE DISMOUNTED SHOCK CAN CAUSE HANDLING ISSUES AS WELL AS TEAR INTO THE TIRE WHEN DRIVING. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SHOCKS WERE CORRODED. ADDITIONALLY, THE CONTACT MENTIONED THE VEHICLE WAS BURNING OIL EXCESSIVELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC HOWEVER, THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000. UPDATED 08/27/2014*LJ UPDATED 09/4/2014 *JS

EXCESSIVE WHEEL HUB CORROSION, SHOCK FREED AND DAMAGING INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR WHEEL HUB AREA. NOT DRIVING VEHICLE AT THIS POINT, TOO DANGEROUS. ADVISED BY SEVERAL MECHANICS TO CONTACT FORD MOTOR WITH COMPLAINT. FORD MOTOR CALL CENTER TOOK INFORMATION AND HUNG UP ON ME. WOULD NOT DIRECT ME TO SUPERVISOR. NO RECALL AT THIS POINT FOR 2006, BUT MANY COMPLAINTS IN FORMER YEARS REGARDING THE SAME ISSUE. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND MAY HAVE CAUSED A TRAGIC ACCIDENT. IF AGENCY WOULD LIKE PICTURES, PLEASE CONTACT ME. *TR

RIGHT REAR QUARTER PANEL RUSTED THREW THE WALL. *TR

BEGAN TO NOTICE A RATTLING NOISE/CLUNKING IN RIGHT REAR CORNER OF VEHICLE. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO OUR MECHANIC WHO TOLD US THAT THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND THE SHOCKS WERE EXPOSED. ONLY THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WAS RUSTED. INFORMED BY OUR MECHANIC THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AND WE WOULD NEED TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE BODY SHOP. WHEN WE CONTACTED THE BODY SHOP AND SAID WE HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE UNDER BODY ON OUR FORD ESCAPE HE NEW IMMEDIATELY THAT IT WAS THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL BECAUSE IT WAS THE 3RD FORD ESCAPE WITH THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM IN LESS THAN 2 MONTHS. WE WERE FORTUNATE THAT WE ONLY HAD TO WAIT 3 DAYS FOR THE PART AS WE WERE TOLD THAT THE LAST 2 FORD ESCAPE OWNERS HAD TO WAIT 6 WEEKS BECAUSE THE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER FROM FORD. LOOKED ONLINE AND THERE WERE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS FOR FORD ESCAPE WITH EXACT ISSUE (ALWAYS ONLY THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL) FROM 2004 ON. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A RECALL ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE ADDRESS BY FORD BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED. *TR

TL* 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.

ON MARCH 12,2014 I WAS DRIVING TO THE POST OFFICE WHEN MY CAR MADE A LOUD "THUNK" AND BEGAN TO SHAKE SEVERELY. FEELING UNSAFE AND BEING A SHORT DISTANCE FROM MY HOME I IMMEDIATELY RETURNED THERE. UPON INSPECTION I DISCOVERED THAT THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL HAD ROTTED OUT AND THE SHOCK HAD PENETRATED THROUGH THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR BEHIND THE REAR RIGHT PASSENGER SEAT. THE DATE OF MANUFACTURE ON THE DRIVERS DOOR IS 5/2005. *TR

I WAS TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD AT MODERATE SPEEDS, I HAD A LOUD BANG IN THE BACK AND FROM THAT POINT ON I HAD TO SLOW DOWN TO 15. WE BROUGHT IT IN TO THE MECHANIC AND LOW AND BEHOLD THE WHEEL WELL HAS RUSTED OUT AND THE SHOCK TOWER AS WELL. THE SMALL SHOPS WON'T DO THE WORK BECAUSE OF LIABILITY. AND FORD SAID 3000 IF AND WHEN THEY GET THE PART. THE CAR IS A 2006 AND WE SHOULDN'T HAVE PROBLEMS TO THIS MAGNITUDE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH ON ROUGH ROAD SURFACES, A LOUD BANGING NOISE EMITTED IN THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A COLLISION CENTER, WHO INFORMED HER THAT THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL WELL WAS COMPLETELY COVERED WITH RUST. THE REAR PASSENGER'S WHEEL WELL AND SHOCK MOUNT DISENGAGED. THE FAILURE ALSO CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE REAR INTERIOR FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,000. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, HE HEARD A RATTLING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME AND THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE STRUT HAD CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

RIGHT REAR SHOCK ABSORBER MOUNTING HAS GOTTEN WEAK AND STARTED TO FLEX. THE WHEEL WELL ABOVE IT HAS LOST THE INTEGRITY OF ITS PLASTIC COATING AND HAS CAUSED IT TO RUST OUT ENORMOUSLY. SHOCK MOUNT AND WHEEL WELL NEED TO BE REPLACE. FROM DOING SOME SEARCHING ONLINE THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM FOR THE 04-06 ESCAPE AND CAN LEAD TO A FAILURE OF THE MOUNTING AND MAKE THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A NOISE EMITTED FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WHILE DRIVING. THE MECHANIC INSPECTED THE WHEEL AND FOUND THAT THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE WHEEL WELL WAS CORRODED WITH A HOLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000. ..UPDATED 04-22-14 *BF UPDATED 04/24 /14

ABOUT A WEEK AGO I NOTICED A NOISE IN THE REAR OF MY ESCAPE. AFTER INSPECTION THE SHOCK MOUNT APPEARS TO HAVE RUSTED OUT AND COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE CREATING A HOLE THE SIZE OF MY ARM IN RIGHT SIDE PASSENGER WHEEL WELL. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH ONLINE THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM THAT FORD CLAIMS DOESN'T EXIST. I BOUGHT MY CAR FROM A USED AUTO DEALERSHIP AND HAVE NOT EVEN OWNED IT FOR A YEAR YET. *TR

THE RIGHT, REAR WHEEL WELL AND SHOCK SUPPORT IS NEARLY ENTIRELY RUSTED OUT. THE RUST DAMAGE I'VE OBSERVED APPEARS TO BE MUCH MORE SIGNIFICANT THAN OTHERWISE WOULD HAVE OCCURRED DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. THE LEFT WHEEL WELL IS NOT SUFFERING FROM THE SAME CORROSION PROBLEM. A QUICK GOOGLE SEARCH SHOWS THAT THIS IS A SEEMINGLY WIDESPREAD PROBLEM IMPACTING 2004-2006 FORD ESCAPES. I'VE CHECKED WITH MY LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP, AND CONTACTED FORD CORPORATE, AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THERE ARE NO KNOWN ISSUES. I DO REALIZE THAT I LIVE IN NEW ENGLAND AND THAT THE VEHICLE IS 8-YEARS OLD. HOWEVER, I TAKE VERY GOOD CARE OF MY VEHICLE, AND THE DAMAGE I'M SEEING SEEMS TO BE CLEARLY ABOVE BEYOND WHAT WOULD BE WARRANTED FROM NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. *TR

RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND COLLAPSED, EXPOSING SHOCK. SHOCK IS BROKEN. YOU CAN SEE THROUGH WHEEL WELL VIA THE JACK COMPARTMENT. UNSAFE TO DRIVE. ROUGH ESTIMATES ARE $3000-4000, REPLACING WHEEL WELL, SHOCK, AND RIGHT REAR QUARTERPANEL. LEFT WHEEL WELL INTACT AND GOOD. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL GRINDING NOISE FROM THE REAR PASSENGER'S WHEEL. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT NOTICED CORROSION AROUND THE WHEEL AND SUSPENSION OF THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000.

WE HAVE A 2006 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID - AND JUST THIS MORNING, UPON HEARING AN ODD RATTLE COMING FROM THE RIGHT REAR WHEN DROPPING OFF MY DAUGHTER AT THE LOCAL VETERINARY HOSPITAL, I INSPECTED THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL HOUSING AND DISCOVERED, TO MY SHOCK, THAT UNDER THE FACTORY BLACK INNER FENDER UNDERCOATING, WHICH WAS HANGING OFF, THE UPPER SHOCK MOUNT WAS ALMOST COMPLETELY PERFORATED WITH RUST, TO THE POINT THAT I COULD FEEL A FLOW OF COLD AIR FROM THE A/C EXITING THE CABIN THROUGH THE PERFORATIONS. I CALLED GANLEY FORD AS SOON AS THEY OPENED, BUT THE BODY SHOP WON'T BE OPEN UNTIL MONDAY. THIS IS MY WIFE'S PRIMARY CAR, AND WITH WHAT I'VE DISCOVERED, I'M RELUCTANT TO HAVE HER, OR ANYONE, DRIVE IT UNTIL THE PROBLEM'S ADDRESSED - AND THE EXTENT OF THE CORROSION IS ASTONISHING. WITH A 400++ POUND BATTERY LOCATED BETWEEN THE LEFT AND RIGHT UPPER SHOCK MOUNTS, AND WITH THE EXTENT OF THE CORROSION I JUST FOUND, I'M EQUALLY CONCERNED FOR THE LEFT REAR UPPER SHOCK MOUNT AND BODY PAN INTEGRITY, AS WELL AS FOR THE HYBRID SYSTEM AND BATTERY PACK. PLEASE HELP ME TO GET INTO IMMEDIATE CONTACT WITH THE PROPER FORD ZONE REPRESENTATIVE TO GET A LOOK AT THIS ISSUE AND DECIDE WHERE TO GO FROM HERE - THIS IS A PREMIUM HYBRID SUV THAT I THOROUGHLY RESEARCHED BEFORE SELECTING TO PURCHASE, AND NOW I'M AFRAID TO EVEN MOVE IT FROM MY PARKING DECK AT THE OFFICE. THIS CAR, AND OTHER ESCAPES SUFFERING FROM THIS SAME ISSUE, ARE ACCIDENTS WAITING TO HAPPEN. A SIMPLE WEB SEARCH SHOWS THAT THERE ARE HUNDREDS, IF NOT THOUSANDS, OF ESCAPES SUFFERING THE SAME ISSUES. THIS IS A CRITICAL SAFETY ISSUE AND I WOULD ASK SINCERELY THAT NHTSA INVESTIGATE AND ACT QUICKLY. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

RIGHT REAR WHEEL HOUSING RUSTS COMPLETELY THROUGH ALLOWING THE SHOCK TO DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE. AFTER AN ONLINE SEARCH THIS IS A VERY COMMON INCIDENT. AFTER CONTACTING THE LOCAL FORD DEALER, THERE IS A BACK-ORDER ON THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL HOUSING WITH NO EXPECTED DATE OF DELIVERY. THIS IS THE ONLY WHEEL HOUSING ON THE VEHICLE THAT IS RUSTING OUT AND CAUSING ISSUES. THE ONLY TIME YOU START TO REALIZE THAT THERE IS AN ISSUE IS IF YOU START THE HEAR A "CLUNK" COMING FROM THE CAR, HOWEVER; THERE IS A RUBBERIZED UNDERCOAT THAT PREVENTS YOU FROM SEEING THE DAMAGE UNTIL IT IS TOO LATE OR A KNOWLEDGEABLE MECHANIC WITH THE ISSUE LOOKS SPECIFICALLY AT THE WHEEL HOUSING. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK IN OPEN THROTTLE AND THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DEPRESS PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS UNKNOWN BUT REPLACED THE THROTTLE. THE FAILURE RECURRED AND VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED A SECOND TIME. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT ON ANOTHER OCCASION WHILE DRIVING OVER A ROAD BUMP, THE VEHICLE MADE A LOUD NOISE. WHEN THE CONTACT MADE A TURN THE VEHICLE WOULD LEAN TO THE SIDE MORE THAN NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER AND THE FAILURE WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE STABILIZER LINKS FOR THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY REPLACING THE STABILIZER LINKS. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE STABILIZER LINK, WHICH WAS REPLACED A SECOND TIME. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF BOTH FAILURES HOWEVER NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

FAILURE OF WHEEL BEARING, LEFT(DRIVER) SIDE FRONT. SECOND TIME IN LESS THAN 100K MILES THAT THE BEARING IS FAILING. POSSIBLE DESIGN OR MANUFACTURING DEFECT. WHEN SEARCHING THE WEB I CAME UPON HUNDREDS OF CONSUMER COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME FAILURE OF MODEL YEARS 2001 TO 2007. BEARINGS SHOULD LAST OVER 150K MILES. SUDDEN FAILURE WILL RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND OR LOSS OF BRAKES. I BOUGHT A DIFFERENT BRAND OF BEARING AND THE SAME ONE FAILED. VEHICLE IS DRIVEN ON ROAD. *TR

FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS FAILING. CALLED FORD AND THEY WILL NOT COVER THIS UNDER WARRANTY. BEARINGS SHOULD LAST OVER 100,000 MILES. MINE STARTED TO GO BAD AT 58,000 (APPROX) MILES. WHEN BEARINGS FAIL DRIVER COULD LOSE FRONT BRAKES AND/OR FRONT WHEELS LEADING TO A CRASH. I HAVE OVER 35 YEARS EXPERIENCE WITH AUTOMOBILES AND KNOW WHAT A FAILING WHEEL BEARING SOUNDS LIKE. *TR

I WAS PULLING OUT OF A PARKING SPACE WITH THE WHEEL TURNED TO THE LEFT & HEARD A LOUD CLUNK LIKE SOMETHING FELL FROM UNDERNEATH MY CAR, LIKE MY CAR LITERALLY WAS FALLING APART. I GOT OUT TO CHECK AND MY TIRES WERE OKAY, AND NOTHING WAS HANGING OR LEAKING FROM THE CAR. SO I DROVE TO MY OFFICE WHICH IS ABOUT A MILE AWAY. I WENT TO MAKE A LEFT TURN INTO MY OFFICE COMPLEX AND I HEARD THE CLUNKING AGAIN. I PARKED AND WENT INSIDE TO CALL A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC ACROSS THE STREET FROM MY OFFICE TOOK IT FOR A TEST DRIVE & SAID IT SOUNDS LIKE MY TRANSMISSION WAS STICKING FOR SOME REASON. HE CALLED A TRANSMISSION GUY HE KNOWS NOT FAR FROM THERE & I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT THERE. HE DROVE IT & SAID IT WAS CLUNKING BAD & IT SOUNDED LIKE A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. HE KEPT IT OVER THE WEEKEND TO LOOK EVERYTHING OVER. ON MONDAY AFTERNOON HE CONTACTED ME & SAID THAT THE CLUNKING WAS THE WHEEL BEARING HUB ASSEMBLY AND ONCE THEY FIX THAT, THAT COULD STILL JUST BE THE FIRST PART OF THE PROBLEM. HE WAS RIGHT. AFTER TEST DRIVING IT AGAIN HE HEARD ANOTHER NOISE THAT I CAN'T DESCRIBE IN WORDS. HE SAID THAT IT WAS THE TRANSFER CASE & SOMETHING ABOUT THE TRANSFER CASE CONTROLLING THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE WHICH IS ALL RELATED TO THE TRANSMISSION. AT FIRST I WAS GOING TO LET HIM ORDER THE GENERIC PARTS, BUT AFTER I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE WARRANTIES FOR 2006 FORD ESCAPES I CALLED HIM BACK AND SPOKE TO HIM ABOUT WHAT I FOUND ABOUT THE POWER TRAIN AND TRANSMISSION MODULES UNDER THE EMISSIONS WARRANTY BEING COVERED UP TO 80,000 MILES. HE SAID EMISSIONS HAS TO DO WITH POLLUTION. SO I JUST SAID ORDER THE FORD PARTS INSTEAD IN THE EVENT THAT I HAVE TO REVISIT THIS SITUATION. ALTHOUGH I WOULD'VE SAVED ABOUT $100 NOW I'M NOT WILLING TO TAKE THAT CHANCE IF SOMETHING ELSE HAPPENS & FORD SAY THEY ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT FORD GENUINE PARTS. MY CAR IS STILL IN THE SHOP BECAUSE THEY HAD TO ORDER THE PARTS AND THEN THEY WILL BE ABLE TO COMPLETE THE REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSFER CASE AND PARTS. *TR

I OWN A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. MY PROBLEM IS I HAVE HAD POPPING AND SQUEAKING NOISES IN THE FRONT END SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. I HAD TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE NOISES THEY WOULD ALWAYS MAKE COMMENTS LIKE IT MUST ONLY BE WHEN I'M DRIVING THAT IT MAKES THE NOISE. NEEDLESS TO SAY WHEN I COMPLAINED ENOUGH ABOUT THE PROBLEMS THEY CHECKED THE SUV AND REPLACED THE WHEEL BEARING AT 5,000 MILES, IT ALSO NEEDED NEW SWAYBAR LINKS,AT ABOUT 8,000 MILES THEY TOLD ME THEY ORDERED THEM. HOWEVER WEEKS LATER THEY STILL HAD NOT RECEIVED THE PARTS AND I THEN STARTED HAVE PROBLEMS WITH MY BRAKES, WHEN I PUSHED THE BRAKE ON THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD VIBRATE. THEN AT 13,000 MILES I HAD TO REPLACE BOTH ROTORS AT MY EXPENSE BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO PAY FOR THEM UNDER WARRANTY( FUNNY ISN'T IT YOU HAVE A BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY TILL 36,000 AND IT ISN'T COVERED ). NOW IT HAVING 18,000 MILES I HAD TO HAVE THE NEW ROTORS TURNED. THE DEALERSHIP NEVER REPLACED THE SWAYBAR LINKS. I THOUGHT IF YOU HAD A A PROBLEM THEY COULD NOT FIX IT WOULD FALL UNDER THE LEMON LAW IN MISSOURI, IT IS APPARENT THEY CAN NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. WHAT CAN I DO ? I HAVE A 8 MONTH OLD GRANDSON IN THE VEHICLE EVERYDAY (WELL WHEN IT ISN'T IN THE SHOP FOR SOME REASON) I DO NOT FEEL SAFE DRIVING WITH THE FRONT END PROBLEMS IT KEEPS HAVING. I AM PAYING 25,000.00 DOLLARS FOR A VEHICLE THAT IS UNSAFE NOT ONLY TO MY FAMILY BUT TO OTHERS ON THE HIGHWAY. PLEASE ADVISE ME ON A HELPFUL SOLUTION. THANK YOU FOR TAKING THE TIME TO READ AND ACKNOWLEDGE MY PROBLEMS WITH MY ESCAPE. *TR

TL*- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH THE CONTACT HEARD A POPPING NOISE WHEN SHE DEPRESSED THE BRAKES AND NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. SHE HAD TO USE THE PARKING BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE WIRING HARNESS SHOULD BE REPLACED. THE DEALER CHANGED THE WIRING HARNESS. HOWEVER, SIX MONTHS LATER THE CONTACT EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALER WAS INSPECTING THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE REASON FOR THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,900 MILES. *AK CONSUMER HAS INCLUDED MULTIPLE INVOICES STATING BRAKE SYSTEM WENT OUT. THE DEALER PERFORMED MULTI POINT INSPECTION AND PERFORMED THE VARIOUS TASKS: REINSTALLED SIDE FRONT PANEL, REPLACED HARNESS, ALIGNMENT OF FRONT END AND REAR, REPLACE UPPER STRUT BEARING AND BUSHING, BLED BRAKE SYSTEM. UPDATE *4/16TR THE ABS LIGHT AND BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. *JB

REAR WHEELS CAN BOUNCE AND RUB THE FENDER WELL CAUSING BLOW OUT OF TIRES. *NM