2005 Ford Escape

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/31/2016· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE,WHEELS

  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.

• 12/31/2014· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  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

• 12/31/2014· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

  RATTLING, BANGING, RIGHT REAR SHOCK MOUNT IS RUSTED LOOSE, COMPLETELY CORRODED AWAY FROM WHEEL HOUSE. *JS

• 12/31/2012· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,SERVICE BRAKES

  I WAS DRIVING UP TO A STOP LIGHT SO I REMOVED MY FOOT FROM THE GAS AND TO THE BRAKE, BEFORE I COULD GET TO THE RED LIGHT IT CHANGED TO GREEN, I WENT TO PRESS ON THE GAS AND THE PEDAL WAS STUCK. IT WOULD NOT GO DOWN NOTHING. I COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE BUSY HIGHWAY KEPT TRYING TO PRESS IT AND IT WOULDN'T GO DOWN. AFTER ABOUT 5 MINS OF JUST SITTING THERE I TRIED IT AGAIN AND IT WENT DOWN WITHOUT A PROBLEM. THIS VEHICLE WAS RECALLED IN THE PRIOR YEARS FOR THIS EXACT ISSUE 2004 AND BELOW. HOWEVER MY 2005 IS NOT RECALLED. IT IS NOW AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP AND I AM WAITING ON A COST ESTIMATE. THE VEHCILE DID TEND TO DO THIS FROM TIME TO TIME ONLY WHEN ITS COLD OUTSIDE. I TOOK IT IN SEVERAL YEARS AGO TO BE REPAIRD AND WHEN THEY TEST DROVE IT, IT WOUDN'T STICK FOR THEM SO NO ISSUE WAS FOUND FOR THEM TO REPAIR. *TR

• 12/30/2017· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  RIGHT REAR SHOCK MOUNT AREA RUSTED OUT AND CRACKED. HOLES AND CRACKS IN RIGHT REAR SHOCK MOUNT WHEEL WELL AREA. LOTS OF NOISE AND METAL SHIFTING FROM THAT AREA.

• 12/30/2011· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  THE PAINT IS SEPARATING ON THE HOOD AND THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE. *KB

• 12/30/2010· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT MADE SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, THEN IT FINALLY STARTED. THE FAILURE BEGAN TWO MONTHS AGO. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE DEALER ALSO PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH CONCLUDED THAT THE COIL FAILED AND THAT THE POWER CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER NOR WAS THE VEHICLE REPAIRED DUE TO THE COST. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 77,958. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 75,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

• 12/29/2018· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

  THE ESCAPE STARTED MAKING A SQUEAKING NOISE FOR ABOUT 3 DAYS WHILE DRIVING IT ON CITY STREETS AND ON THE HIGHWAY AND THEN IT STARTED MAKING A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE AND WAS BANGING LIKE SOMETHING BROKE LOOSE. WE THOUGHT THE SHOCKS BROKE. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION WE NOTICED THAT THE FRAME AT THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL HAD COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND THE SHOCK HAD CAME OFF BECAUSE THERE WAS NOTHING FOR IT TO ATTACH TO. WE HAVE THE CAR PARKED BECAUSE IT IS TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. IT ONLY HAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000 MILES. OUR DAUGHTER HAD JUST PURCHASED IT IN MAY 2017 FROM A LOCAL CAR DEALER. I HAVE RESEARCHED BUT THERE WAS NO RECALL ON THIS AND THERE VERY MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUES WITH DIFFERENT YEAR ESCAPES.

• 12/29/2018· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

  THE RIGHT REAR "WHEELHOUSE PANEL" RUSTED OUT AROUND THE SHOCK ABSORBER UPPER MOUNTING BRACKET CAUSING THE SHOCK ABSORBER TO BECOME DETACHED AND NON-FUNCTIONAL WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, MAKING A TURN. THIS CAUSED RIDE AND HANDLING CONCERNS WHICH AFFECTED VEHICLE SAFETY. I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE AND EXPENSIVE TO REPAIR, ~ $1,500.00.

• 12/29/2014· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

  I HAD MY CAR INSPECTED TODAY AND HAD THEM LOOK AT AN ISSUE OF A BANGING SOUND I WAS HEARING IN THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE AREA. THE MECHANIC FOUND EXTENSIVE RUST AND ROT IN THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL AND THE STRUT WAS ALMOST READY TO COME OFF. THE MECHANIC COMMENTED HE HAS SEEN THIS ISSUE SEVERAL TIMES WITH THIS MODEL. I SEE THAT FORD RECALLED 2001 TO 2005 MODEL YEARS, BUT NOT THE 2005. FROM DOING RESEARCH THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FROM 2005 OWNERS. I KEEP MY CAR WASHED AND ALWAYS MAKE SURE TO WASH SALT OFF IN THE WINTER. MY MECHANIC RECOMMENDED THAT I NOT DRIVE THE CAR BECAUSE IT WAS UNSAFE BECAUSE THE STRUT WAS READY TO COME OFF AND COULD CAUSE THE TIRE TO BEND OUTWARD. HOW CAN FORD NOT RECALL THIS YEAR WITH ALL THE OBVIOUS COMPLAINTS CONCERNING THIS ISSUE? MY DAUGHTER DRIVES THIS CAR AND IMAGINE HER GOING 65 ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE TIRE BENDS! AN INVESTIGATION NEEDS TO BE CONDUCTED FOR THIS MODEL YEAR SINCE THIS HAS BEEN ONGOING ISSUES WITH RUST AND ROT IN THE WHEEL WELLS WITH PREVIOUS MODEL YEARS. THE ISSUE WAS NEVER CORRECTED A,NO CONTINUED PAST MODEL YEAR 2004. *TR

• 12/29/2014· HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V526000 (HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

• 12/29/2013· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

  2005 FORD ESCAPE. I HAVE NOTICED RUST ON REAR FENDER WELLS IN THE PAST. IN SUMMER 2013, I FOUND A HOLE INTO THE PASSENGER AREA FROM THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL. FILLED HOLE AND ATTEMPTED TO UNDERCOAT TO PREVENT ADDITIONAL RUST. DECEMBER 26, 2013, WHILE DRIVING I HIT A BUMP AND HEARD A LOUD BANGING NOISE IN BACK RIGHT HAND SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. DRIVING BECAME DIFFICULT AFTER THE BUMP, SO I STOPPED TO INVESTIGATE THE ISSUE. THE SHOCK HAD SEPARATED FROM THE UNI-BODY/WHEEL WELL DUE TO CORROSION. THE NOISE WAS THE SHOCK HITTING THE PLASTIC INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON A REPLACEMENT PANEL AND I FOUND THIS IS AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THE FORD ESCAPE WITH NUMEROUS EXAMPLES OF THIS SAME ISSUE. IT APPEARS THAT THE RIGHT PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL OF THE FORD ESCAPE HAS A DESIGN FLAW CAUSING THE SHOCK TO SEPARATE FROM THE UNI-BODY. DRIVING BECOME DIFFICULT DURING THIS FAILURE AS THE VEHICLE IS RIDING ON THE SPRING AND THE SHOCK IS NOT ABLE TO REDUCE THE TIRE BOUNCE. *TR

• 12/29/2010· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE HYBRID. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE ABS AND BRAKE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKE PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOORBOARD. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE ELECTRONIC BRAKES FAILED TWICE AND THE VEHICLE LOST CONTROL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO RECALIBRATED THE HYBRID ELECTRONIC BRAKES BUT THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN TWO WEEKS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER AND THE HYDRAULIC CONTROL UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,500.

• 12/29/2009· VISIBILITY

  THE REAR GLASS HATCH IMPLODED JUST AFTER EXITING AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. MOST OF THE GLASS WAS CONFINED TO THE CARGO AREA, A LITTLE GLASS REACHED THE SECOND ROW OF SEATS AND ONLY A FEW SHARDS REACH THE DRIVER FRONT SEAT AREA. CONDITIONS AT THE TIME WE 32 DEGREES WITH SNOW AND RAIN, REQUIRING THE USE OF THE REAR WINDOW HEATER TO KEEP OFF ICING AND USE OF WINDSHIELD FLUID TO PERMIT VIEWING WHILE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC IN THE CINCINNATI OHIO AREA. THE ONLY INDICATION OF A PROBLEM PRIOR TO THE EXPLOSION WAS A LOW HISSING SOUND COMING FROM THE REAR JUST MOMENTS BEFORE IT HAPPENED. REPAIRS THE NEXT DAY FOUND NO PROBLEMS WITH WIPER, WIPER MOTOR OR SHORTS IN THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS TO THE WINDOW DEFROSTER ELEMENTS OF THE GLASS. NO INJURIES WERE CAUSED TO MY 2 PASSENGERS BY THE FLYING GLASS. HOWEVER SHOULD THIS HAVE HAPPENED JUST 20 SECONDS EARLIER WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, THE SHOCK TO ME, THE DRIVER, COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, SINCE THE FIRST IMPRESSION I HAD WAS THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN STRUCK, THEN UPON REALIZING THAT THE WINDOW HAD BLOWN OUT I THOUGHT WE MIGHT HAVE BEEN SHOT AT. *TR

• 12/28/2022· STRUCTURE

  Rear driver's side door will not close/latch. Latch can be manually moved, but does not engage when shutting door. Currently using bungee cords to keep door closed as I have children and no other vehicle. Vehicle was parked, door was opened from inside to allow passenger to exit, but when they attempted to shut the door, it would not latch closed. No prior problems with the door and no prior warnings/lights. Since door won't close, the door ajar dash light is illuminated and I have to turn my interior lights to off so that they don't remain on while I'm driving

• 12/28/2014· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

  BEAUTIFUL, WELL-MAINTAINED 05 FORD ESCAPE - RARE 5 SPEED MANUAL, 4 CYL, AWD. ALWAYS GARAGED AND CLEANED. OPENED PLASTIC BIN IN REAR COMPARTMENT, PASSENGER SIDE, TO STORE TOOLS. NOTICED SMALL CRACKS AND DAYLIGHT IN WHEEL WELL. JUST BELOW AND BEHIND SHOCK MOUNT. APPLIED LIGHT PRESSURE. ENTIRE SECTION PUSHED THROUGH. COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY. HELD IN PLACE ONLY BY RUBBERIZED UNDERCOATING. 119K. BASED ON ALL THESE COMPLAINTS, SAME LOCATION, SAME EVENT, I CONSIDER MYSELF LUCKY IT DIDN'T FAIL WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I'M GOING TO SHOW THE DEALER TOMORROW. CURIOUS WHAT HIS REACTION WILL BE. MY GUESS IS SYMPATHY BUT NOTHING TO DO ABOUT IT WITHOUT FORD SUPPORTING THE DEALER. *TR

• 12/28/2014· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WAS PULLING AWAY FROM A STOP LIGHT AND VEHICLE WOULDN'T GO OVER 20 MPH BUT NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, IT'S NOT HIGH IDLING OR OVER HEATING. A WEEK PRIOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AND WAS TOLD I HAD A MIS FIRE ON A CYLINDER AND I REPLACED THE SPARK PLUG AND IGNITION COIL AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WENT OFF. *TR

• 12/28/2011· AIR BAGS

  OUR FORD ESCAPE 2005'S AIRBAG LIGHT IS FLASHING ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DASHBOARD. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY AND THEY INFORMED US THAT THE AIRBAGS ARE NOW DISABLED, DUE TO THIS PROBLEM, AND THAT THE PART ALONE WILL COST US $1400.00, PLUS THE COST OF THE SERVICE. AFTER RECEIVING THIS INFORMATION, WE SEARCHED THE WEB AND FOUND THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS JUST LIKE THIS ABOUT FORD ESCAPES, RANGING FROM THE YEARS 2003-2006. WE BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY FORD AS SUCH, BUT THEY DO NOT AGREE. I EMAILED THEM ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THEY TOLD US THAT YOU ARE THE AGENCY THAT GOVERNS ALL SUCH CONCERNS. *TR

• 12/28/2010· VISIBILITY

  BACK WINDSHIELD EXPLODING ON 2005 FORD ESCAPE. *TR

• 12/27/2019· STRUCTURE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR SERVICE. THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT THE ENTIRE UNDERCARRIAGE AND CROSSMEMBER WERE CORRODED. THE CONTACT CALLED HELLER FORD (700 W MAIN ST, EL PASO, IL 61738, (309) 527-6050) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 195,772. *LN MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ASSIST BECAUSE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL. *DL

• 12/27/2014· POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  STARTED OFF FROM A LIGHT AND THE CAR HESITATED CONCERNED GAVE IT GAS AND IT STUTTERED,I ROLLED TO A STOP AND HAD IT TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP.EVIDENTLY THE POWERTRAIN COMPUTER MODULE IS BAD SEVERAL COMPLAINTS THAT FORD PUT THE WRONG SPARK PLUGS IN THIS ESCAPE WHICH AFTER TIME RUINS THE PCM.SERIOUSLY WHY HASN'T A RECALL BEEN ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM? HAD I BEEN TRAVELING FASTER WOULD HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT AS I WAS IN MORNING TRAFFIC.NOW LOOKING AT A $1000 IN REPAIR BILLS.FORD NEEDS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR

• 12/27/2013· SUSPENSION

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER DRIVING OVER A POTHOLE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWAY AND THE CONTACT HEARD A CRACK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE PASSENGER REAR WHEEL HOUSE PANEL HAD SEPARATED DUE TO RUST. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 93,000.

• 12/27/2010· VISIBILITY

  THE REAR WINDOW IN OUR 2005 FORD ESCAPE SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED AS I WAS DRIVING ALONG THE ROAD. THE TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT 5 DEGREES CELSIUS AND IT WAS RAINING. I WAS USING THE WINDOW DEFOGGER AND THE REAR WIPER. THE EXPLOSION SOUNDED LIKE A SHOTGUN BLAST AND A LARGE AMOUNT OF GLASS FLEW INTO THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS ALSO GLASS ON THE REAR BUMPER. MY DAUGHTER AND TWO OF HER FRIENDS WERE IN THE BACK SEAT WHEN THIS HAPPENED, AND GLASS FLEW IN TOWARD THEM. I MAINTAINED CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS QUITE STARTLED BY THE LOUD EXPLOSION! THE DRIVER'S SIDE HYDRAULIC LIFT WAS HANGING OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE PASSENGER SIDE LIFT WAS STILL ATTACHED TO A CHUNK OF GLASS AND IN PLACE IN THE FRAME OF THE WINDOW. MY GUESS IS THAT THE HYDRAULIC LIFT FAILED, EXERTED PRESSURE ON THE WINDOW, AND CAUSED THE EXPLOSION. *TR

• 12/27/2010· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  THE ISSUE I AM HAVING IS THE SAME AS DESCRIBED IN COMPLAINT #10318942. INTERMITTENTLY ON DRY PAVEMENT DURING NORMAL BRAKING, THE ABS WILL ENGAGE (WITH INDICATOR LIGHT FLASHING ON) AND YOU CAN FEEL THE TYPICAL ABS ON/OFF PULSING OF THE BRAKES IN THE BRAKE PEDAL. IT APPEARS THE CAR IS ALSO TAKING LONGER TO COME TO A FULL STOP WHEN THIS OCCURS. I HAVE REPORTED IT MULTIPLE TIMES AT THE FORD DEALERSHIP, BUT THEY ARE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE. THIS HAPPENS TO ME REGULARLY (A COUPLE TIMES A WEEK).

• 12/27/2010· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE JERKED WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. A FEW MONTHS LATER, THE FAILURE OCCURRED AGAIN AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT AN ENGINE COIL FAILED AND THE PCM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

• 12/26/2014· POWER TRAIN

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE PCM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

• 12/26/2012· SUSPENSION,WHEELS

  INNER AND OUTER WHEEL HOUSES, AND QUARTER PANELS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE WERE RUSTED/CORRODED TO THE EXTENT THAT THE SHOCK WAS PUSHING THROUGH THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. LOUD BANGING NOISES AND WATER INSIDE THE VEHICLE LED TO INSPECTION BY PROFESSIONALS. VISIBLE HOLES IN THE WHEEL HOUSE AREA WERE DISCOVERED AT THIS TIME. UPON INSPECTION, IT WAS REALIZED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE WAS JUST AS BADLY RUSTED/CORRODED. ALL PARTS LISTED ABOVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AS WELL AS BOTH SHOCKS, WHICH WERE ALSO DAMAGED DUE TO THEIR DETACHMENT FROM THE RUSTED AREAS. ALL WERE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE, IMMEDIATELY, DUE TO THE DANGER OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE ANY FURTHER, THUS AVOIDING A POTENTIALLY SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THE EXPENSES WERE $3402.08. FORD WILL NOT COVER THESE EXPENSES BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CAR ONLY HAS 69,000 MILES, AND IS OTHERWISE IN TOP CONDITION. THE DAMAGES SEEM EXCESSIVE AT THIS MILEAGE AND AGE. PHOTOGRAPHS ARE AVAILABLE OF THE VEHICLE BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER REPAIRS.

• 12/25/2014· SUSPENSION

  MY PROBLEM IS THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SHOCK MOUNT BROKEN OFF AND HAS BEEN PUSHED UP INTO THE REAR HATCH WHEEL WELL INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. *TR

• 12/24/2014· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

  I'VE RECENTLY STARTED NOTICING A LOT OF CREAKING AND POPPING IN THE STRUCTURE / SUSPENSION OF MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE. I TOOK A FLASHLIGHT AND CRAWLED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE TO INSPECT, AND IMMEDIATELY NOTICED A LARGE AMOUNT OF RUST/ROT IN MY FRONT SUBFRAME OF MY VEHICLE. I SEE FORD HAS A RECALL FOR 2001 TO 2004 MODELS, BUT THIS NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED TO COVER ALL YEARS OF THIS CHASSIS DESIGN, AS MY 2005 SHOWS SIGNIFICANT ROT. THE RECALL SHOULD ALSO COVER REAR WHEEL WELL RUST/ROT (INCLUDING SHOCK MOUNTS), AS THIS AREA IS ALSO HEAVILY RUSTED. DEFINITE DESIGN FLAWS AND POOR QUALITY OF MATERIALS USED ON THE FRAME/SUBFRAME. A 2005 SHOULD NOT BE RUSTING OUT THIS BAD, EVEN IN THE "SALT BELT". NOTHING HAS BROKEN FROM RUST YET, HOWEVER JUDGING BY THE RATE OF DECAY, IT'S NOT GOING TO LAST MUCH LONGER. FORD SHOULD EXPAND THIS RECALL IMMEDIATELY. *TR

• 12/23/2019· ENGINE

  VEHICLE IS SHUTTING DOWN AT VARIOUS SPEEDS (STOP SAFELY NOW) MESSAGE....WILL RUN AND THEN SHUT DOWN- DANGEROUS. SAW RECALLS 14V-526 NHTSA & 14S19 MANUFACTURER. I CALLED FORD AND NO RECALL NOTED FOR THIS COOLANT DRIVE PUMP EXCHANGE.

• 12/23/2014· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  AFTER TOTALING A 2004 ESCAPE, I PURCHASED ANOTHER 2005 ESCAPE BECAUSE I LOVED IT. WELL NOT SO MUCH ANYMORE. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE FROM A DEALERSHIP IN SEPTEMBER 2012. ONLY THREE SHORT MONTHS LATER I STARTED HAVING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM I AM READING IN ALL COMPLAINTS. I TRIED TO PUSH ON THE GAS AND NOTHING. IT WAS MISFIRING BAD. I THEN TOOK IT TOO A SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME COILS 1, 3, AND 5 WERE OUT AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP WANTED CLOSE TOO $2,000 TO REPAIR IT. I WAS FURIOUS BECAUSE I HAD BOUGHT MY 2004 FROM THE SAME DEALERSHIP AND MY FAMILY ALONE HAD PURCHASED A TOTAL OF 6 VEHICLES FROM THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS A LOYAL CUSTOMER AND WAS NOT GOING TO PAY TO HAVE IT FIXED. SO THEY SPLIT THE COST OF $1000 WITH ME. NOW IT IS ACTING UP AGAIN AND I'VE REPLACED THE FUEL FILTER AND THE THERMOSTAT BC THAT'S WHAT THE COMPUTER SAID ONLY FOR IT TO STILL NOT BE RUNNING. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER, COLLEGE STUDENT, AND SERVER AND IT'S 2 DAYS BEFORE CHRISTMAS SO I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED! FIX THE PROBLEM FORD!! *TR

• 12/22/2025· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  I bought a 2005 Ford escape the VIN number on the dash and the title do match however the ECU and the door jamb VIN [XXX] which is for a 2006 Ford escape 4 cylinder 2.3. the vehicle I bought should be a 6 cylinder with a 3.0 l the mechanic says mismatched VIN the dealership refuses to listen. About the vehicle on [XXX] drove it 30 miles then was able to call the mechanic for some maintenance as his car was for my daughter and that is when I got to bad news of a mismatched VIN. Not even your odometer reading is correct has less on it now than it did back in 2018 and it's documented as accurate. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

• 12/22/2010· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  THE ACCELERATOR ON MY 2005 ESCAPES GETS STUCK WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, AND ON CITY STREETS. I WAS TURNING LEFT ONTO A 45MPH MAIN STREET WHEN THE PEDAL JAMMED AND I GOT STUCK IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I COULD NOT PUSH IT DOWN. FORTUNATELY, THE ONCOMING TRAFFIC WAS FAR ENOUGH AWAY THAT IT SLOWED DOWN BEFORE CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THE SAME STICKING PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE. I PRESS THE ACCELERATOR TO KEEP WITH THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC, BUT IT SOMETIMES FEELS LIKE IT'S LOCKED IN POSITION AND WILL NOT MOVE. THIS IS CAUSING DANGEROUS SCENARIOS. BY DOING RESEARCH, IT APPEARS THE FORD ESCAPES HAVE BEEN HAVING A SIMILAR PROBLEM SINCE 2001. *TR

• 12/22/2010· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  ON 3/17/2009, AFTER WASHING THE VEHICLE AT A CAR WASH, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. THE VEHICLE LATER STOPPED RUNNING AND WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY HAD IT FOR 3 DAYS AND SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. WE WERE CHARGED WITHOUT PRIOR NOTIFICATION. ON 9/01/2010, THE FUEL FILTER WAS REPLACED AT THE SAME DEALERSHIP. ON THE WAY HOME, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. IT STOPPED RUNNING IN TRAFFIC AND WE WERE ALMOST HIT. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL FORD DEALER ON 9/07/2010 TO BE LOOKED AT AT THE ADVICE OF FORD. THEY FOUND A FAULTY WATER PUMP, REPLACED IT AND A FILTER, AND WE WERE TOLD THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. ON 9/09/2010, THE VEHICLE ONCE AGAIN OVERHEATED, STRANDING US AGAIN. IT WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER, WHERE THEY RESET THE COMPUTER AND AGAIN TOLD US IT WAS FIXED. ON 11/23/2010, IT WAS RAINING AND AGAIN THE VEHICLE STALLED, BUT WE WERE ABLE TO RETURN HOME. ON 12/17/2010, THE REPAIR ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON, AND WE HAVEN'T DRIVEN IT SINCE.

• 12/21/2014· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  DOOR AJAR LIGHT STAYS ON SO DOES DOME LIGHT AND ALAM GOES OFF EVERY SO OFTEN ON ITS OWN. *TR

• 12/20/2011· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DECELERATE AT 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE, OIL, AND ABS WARNING LIGHTS WERE ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE COILS AND PCM FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE CURRENT AND THE FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 100,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

• 12/20/2010· VISIBILITY

  I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, TRAFFIC WAS CRAWLING, IT WAS SNOWING. ALL OF A SUDDEN MY REAR WINDOW EXPLODED. SOUNDED LIKE A GUNSHOT. MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING, SO I TURNED TO LOOK OUT THE BACK TO SEE WHAT HAPPENED, AND LOW AND BEHOLD, MY REAR WINDOW WAS SHATTERED (MOSTLY ON THE INSIDE OF THE CAR) AND ALL OTHER NON-GLASS PARTS WERE HANGING IN MIDAIR. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE HAD EVER HAD ANYTHING LIKE THIS HAPPEN, AND WE GOT OFF AT THE NEXT EXIT TO LOOK FOR BULLETS, SNOWBALLS, ETC, AND FOUND NOTHING. JUST ABOUT 5 MINUTES PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING, I HAD TURNED ON THE REAR DEFROSTER. SCARED THE CRAP OUT OF BOTH OF US. WILL FIND OUT WHAT THE REPAIR COSTS ARE TOMORROW AT THE DEALER. *TR

• 12/19/2012· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

  MY DAUGHTERS 2005 ESCAPE STARTED MAKING A POUNDING NOISE WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS. NOT BEING A MECHANIC I THOUGHT IT WAS A SHOCK ABSORBER. AFTER A CLOSER INSPECTION I SAW THE TOP SHOCK MOUNT WAS RUSTING AWAY FROM THE FRAME. I COULD ACTUALLY MOVE IT SLIGHTLY BY HAND. THE STRUCTURAL DAMAGE IS A HOLE ON THE INSIDE OF THE STORAGE AREA INSIDE THE VEHICLE. AFTER CHECKING THE DRIVER SIDE UPPER SHOCK MOUNT THERE IS ALSO A HOLE IN THE BODY IN THE REAR STORAGE COMPARTMENT RIGHT NEXT TO THE GASOLINE FILLER NECK TUBE. THIS IS A POTENTIAL TRAGEDY WAITING TO HAPPEN.PLEASE DO SOMETHING TO REMEDY THIS UNHEARD OF PROBLEM BEFORE SOMEONE GETS HURT.THIS TYPE OF DAMAGE SURELY TOOK A FEW YEARS TO PROGRESS THIS BAD.SAW A LOT OF OWNERS OF SAME VEHICLE WITH SIMILAR COMPLAINTS. *TR

• 12/19/2008· VISIBILITY

  TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH IN THE SNOW, THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WOULD NOT DEFROST AND THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECAME INOPERABLE. A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS. THE DEFROST SYSTEM WOULD NOT DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER FOR OVER A YEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, HE REPLACED THE THERMOSTAT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000. UPDATED 01/09/09. *LJ UPDATED 01/09/09. *JB

• 12/18/2013· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SEIZED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ERRONEOUSLY ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

• 12/18/2006· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  PURCHASED 05 ESCAPE AT 40,096 MILES IN JULY '06. ABOUT 2 WEEKS LATER, ROTORS WERE WARPED SO DEALER REPLACED THEM FOR FREE. ABOUT 10,000 MILES LATER THEY WERE WARPED AGAIN AND THEY "TURNED" THE ROTORS. ABOUT 4,000 MILES LATER THEY WERE WARPED AGAIN SO THE DEALER REPLACED THEM AGAIN. NOW LESS THAN 5,000 MILES LATER, THEY ARE WARPED AGAIN. DEALER LOOKED AT THE CAR AND REFUSED ANY REPAIRS, ONLY NOTING THAT THERE IS *NOTHING* WRONG WITH THE BRAKING SYSTEM, ONLY THE ROTORS ARE WARPED, WITH NO KNOWN REASON EXCEPT IT MUST BE "THE WAY I AM DRIVING". JUST TODAY NOW THE ABS LIGHT IS STEADY ON, WITH NO REASON THAT I CAN NOTICE FROM MY OWN DRIVING. MY OWN RESEARCH TELLS ME THAT IT MAY BE A "TONE RING" ON THE AXLE, WHICH REQUIRES A REPAIR FOR OVER $1,000 FOR EACH AXLE, AS THE ENTIRE AXLE MUST BE REPLACED TO REPAIR THE "TONE RING". *JB

• 12/18/2006· VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

  GAS PEDAL STICKS WHEN FOOT IS LIFTED OFF PEDAL THEN IT IS PRESSED AGAIN. AT TIMES, THE PEDAL STICKS SO BAD THAT THE CAR REVVES HIGH AND LUNGES FORWARD. *JB

• 12/17/2025· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2005 Ford Escape on November 25, 2025. The contact discovered a mileage and VIN discrepancy after the purchase. The vehicle was a dealer sale. At the time of purchase, the mileage was 199,500. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for a routine inspection, and the dealer informed the contact that during the diagnostic test there was another VIN was associated with the vehicle, and the mileage listed on the diagnostic test was 199,345. The other VIN linked in the diagnostic test for the vehicle was associated with a 2006 Ford Escape, and the mileage was 199,345. It was later discovered that the dealer who had sold the vehicle to the contact had purchased the vehicle in 2018, and the mileage was 199,876. The contact stated that the mileage on the reverse side of the Title was 199,876. The Police were notified; however, no assistance was provided.

• 12/17/2015· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

  I'VE BEEN TOLD THE REAR SHOCK MOUNT HAS RUSTED OUT ON THIS UNIBODY CONSTRUCTED VECHICLE. WHEN I DRIVE THE CAR, AND IF I HIT ANY SORT OF A BUMP IN THE ROAD, HUGE SOUND FROM THE BACK AS IF THE REAR END OF THE CAR IS GOING TO FALL OFF. I UNDERSTAND MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEM. COST TO FIX, IF POSSIBLE IS ABOUT $4000. CAR IS WORTH ABOUT THE SAME AMOUNT. I WAS TOLD BY AUTO BODY GUY THAT A RECALL ON THIS MAY EXIST OR THAT FORD IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND MAY BE OFFERING UP A FIX.

• 12/17/2014· STRUCTURE

  WHILE DRIVING MY VEHICLE, I HEARD A LOUD THUMPING NOISE IN THE BACK. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION, I SAW THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL WAS RUSTED THROUGH THE BODY OF THE STORAGE AREA. IT APPEARS THE SHOCK IS IN DANGER OF COMING LOOSE. *TR

• 12/17/2013· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

  WHEN I OPENED THE REAR HATCH ON MY 2005 FORD ESCAPE I NOTICED THE PLASTIC MOLDING WAS CRACKED, AFTER LOOKING AT IT CLOSER I NOTICED THAT THE WHOLE RIGHT REAR SHOCK MOUNT WAS RUSTED OUT ANT THERE WAS A HOLE IN THE TOP OF THE WHEEL WELL. I HAVE CONTACTED MANY BODY SHOPS THAT SAY THE PROBLEM IS FIXABLE BUT DO TO LIABILITY THEY CAN NOT FIX IT. AFTER RESEARCHING IT ONLINE ON THE FORD FORUM I FOUND OUT THAT THIS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE. ONE POST ON THE FORUM SAYS THAT THE ENGINEERS OF THE ESCAPE SAID IT IS A DESIGN FLAW CAUSING THE PROBLEM BUT THEY WON'T PUT IT IN WRITING FOR FEAR OF LOSING THEIR JOBS. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUED FOR IT. IF THE SHOCK WOULD HAVE CAME OFF WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND HIT THE ROAD OR SOMETHING UNDER THE VEHICLE IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A ACCIDENT. I WOULD TO KNOW WHY THERE IS NO RECALL ISSUED FOR THIS PROBLEM ? *TR

• 12/17/2009· POWER TRAIN

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE, THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE AND THEN JERK FORWARD VIOLENTLY. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS FLUSHED AND DRAINED. HOWEVER, THE ISSUE WAS NOT REMEDIED. SHE WAS THEN TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SHE HAD NOT SPOKEN WITH THE MANUFACTURER TO-DATE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED TO-DATE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 71,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000. UPDATED 01/29/10 *BF UPADTED 01/29/10.*JB

• 12/16/2016· ENGINE

  ENGINE PCM (COMPUTER) FAILS DUE TO A DEFECT, CAUSING TOTAL ENGINE FAILURE WHILE DRIVING. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WHICH THE MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO RECALL, REPAIR, OR WARRANTY. FAULTY SPARK PLUGS INSTALLED AT THE FACTORY, ALONG WITH DEFICIENT DRIVER TRANSISTORS IN THE PCM, LEAD TO A MALFUNCTION WHICH STALLS THE ENGINE. VEHICLE WAS ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN IT OCCURRED, AND EXPERIENCED A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER. *TR

• 12/16/2014· SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

  WHILE DRIVING A LOUD THUD WAS HEARD FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE, WHILE DRIVING A CONTINUED BANGING WAS HEARD, UPON INSPECTION WE NOTICED THE INNER WHEELHOUSING OR INNER FENDER HAD A LARGE DIAMETER HOLE WHERE THE SHOCK MOUNTED TO IT, THE HOLE IS LARGE ROUGHLY 10 INCHES ACROSS AND UPON SEARCHING I HAVE NOTICED THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND ROAD SALT COMBINED TO CAUSE THIS, NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE BUT NO ACTION FROM ANYONE ON THIS ISSUE, IT SEEMS A POSSIBLE LOSS OF CONTROL WHILE LOADED COULD RESULT IN A CRASH. *TR

• 12/16/2013· STRUCTURE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH OVER A SPEED BUMP WHEN A LOUD NOISE CAME FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A THREE INCH HOLE WAS DISCOVERED ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR WHEEL WELL, EXPOSING A DAMAGED SHOCK ABSORBER. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE DEFECT WAS NOT REPAIRABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.