2004 Ford Escape SUSPENSION,STRUCTURE

The body panel around the rear driver side shock mount has almost completely rusted away. Driving one day, I started to hear a loud clunking noise from the rear driver side. It started to get louder the more I drove it. Upon inspection, I found the body panel had completely rusted around the shock mount tower, which is only now connected to the rear floor panel. Without the support of the rest of the body panel, the metal is slowing ripping away where it is connected to the floor if it is driven. The vehicle is completely unsafe to drive now as the rear shock could rip away from the vehicle at any moment. There have been many complaints of this happening on the rear passenger side, which I also had on this vehicle. Roughly 5 years ago, I had an independent auto body shop repair rust on the passenger side shock mount/body panel where it had rusted through. I noticed a hole in the body panel when changing the rear shocks, but it was not large enough or bad enough at that point to create a safety issue. So, I had time to safety get it to an auto body shop for repair before it got bad. This same issue has now happened on the driver side and I am left with a car that is unsafe to drive. When the other side was repaired, there was no sign of rust or concern on the other side. So, it has completely rusted through in that 5-year time frame. I inquired about repairing this with an auto body shop, and I was told that the rust is too significant to repair safely and cost effectively. It would require extensive metal repair on the body and frame underneath it. This absolutely could have put myself, my passengers, and other drivers at risk if the rear shock and mount had unexpectedly ripped away from the body of the vehicle. It could have ripped through the rear body of the car or come in contact with the rear wheel while driving, causing a significant risk of losing control of the vehicle.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE REAR DRIVE AXLE FRACTURED CAUSING THE REAR DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL TO DETACH. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND BECAME DIFFICULT TO MANEUVER. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. A POLICE OFFICER ASSISTED WITH MOVING THE VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD AND TOWING THE VEHICLE TO A FACILITY. AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE WITH QUICK LANE AT APPLE FORD LINCOLN (8800 STANFORD BLVD, COLUMBIA, MD 21045, (410) 290-1100) FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

AS WITH ALL OTHER POSTINGS THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT.AND THE CAR STARTED MAKING VERY LOUD CLUNKING NOISES. I DO NOT KNOW THE EXACT MOMENT THE WHEEL WELL COMPLETELY DEGRADED. THE REPAIR SHOP SAID IT IS NOT REPAIRABLE. SO WE ARE JUST NOW OUT A CAR. I JUST SPENT WAY TOO LONG CHATTING WITH SOMEONE FROM FORD WHO GAVE ME A POSTAL ADDRESS TO SEND A COMPLAINT TO. I THINK EVERYONE WHO HAS HAD THE ISSUE SHOULD SEND A COMPLAINT. MAIL: FORD MOTOR COMPANY CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP CENTER, P.O. BOX 6248, DEARBORN, MI 48126, I AM ALSO CONSIDERING HIRING A LAWYER. I THINK THIS IS JUST WRONG. MY SON IS A COLLEGE STUDENT AND LEFT WITHOUT A CAR WHEN THIS IS OBVIOUSLY AN INFERIOR PRODUCT AND I CAN NOT BELIEVE THIS IS THE SERVICE THAT FORD WANTS TO PROVIDE. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO BE A PART OF THE LAWSUIT PLEASE CONTACT ME AT [XXX]. THIS IS INSANE THAT THEY HAVE ADMITTED THE ISSUE, RECALLED THE FRONT END, CAME UP WITH AN INFERIOR SOLUTION AND NOW ARE GOING TO JUST SAY THERE IS NO RECALL. THIS IS A DANGEROUS ISSUE. THEY AT THE VERY LEAST SHOULD BUY PEOPLES ESCAPES FOR THE VALUE THEY WOULD BE WORTH. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TT

I AM A MOTHER OF THREE CHILDREN WHOM I USE MY FORD TO DRIVE TO SCHOOL, I ALSO DEPEND ON IT TO GET ME TO WORK THREE WEEKS AGO I WAS ON MY WAY TO WORK MY CHILDREN PRESENT IN CAR WHEN WE HEARD A LOUD BANG FROM THE BACK OF MY SUV I PULLED OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IMMEDIATELY TO CHECK OUT THE VEHICLE NOTHING SEEMED TO BE WRONG SO I RESUMED DRIVING FROM THAT DAY WHEN I DROVE THE CAR THERE WAS A CLANKING SOUND IN THE CABIN IT SOUNDED LIKE ONE OF MY DOORS WASN'T SHUT ALL THE WAY WHEN THEY WERE ALL SHUT. I HAD MY FATHER INSPECT MY FORD AND HE DISCOVERED THE PROBLEM. THE SUVS RIGHT REAR SHOCK HAD POPPED THREW THE PLASTIC CASING IN THE REAR OF MY SUV DUE TO THE ENTIRE MOUNT AND WHEEL WELL HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AWAY. I CAN'T AFORD TO GET IT FIXED AND IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. I NEED HELP. THANK YOU.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIOLENTLY BOUNCED UP AND DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR SUBFRAME WAS RUSTED AND CORRODED AND THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARM SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE REAR LOWER CONTROL ARMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE), BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 118,000.

WE HAD NOTICED WE WAS GETTING WATER INSIDE OUR ESCAPE BAD IT WAS STANDING WATER IN FLOOR BOARD SO WE LOOKED AT THE INNER AND OUTER WHEEL HOUSING AND IT WAS RUSTED VERY BAD THE MECHANIC SAID IT WAS NOT SAFE FOR US TO DRIVE. THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS THE WORST. THEY HAD TO WELD IN PIECES TO TRUCK AND FLOOR BOARDS NOW MIND YOU WE HAVE AN 11 YEAR OLD THAT RIDES RIGHT WHERE THIS WAS RUSTED THE WORST :( WHEN WE NOTICED THIS WE WAS IN KANSAS CITY MISSOURI AND HAD TO DRIVE HOME TO CARROLLTON. MISSOURI .I WILL HAVE A REPAIR INVOICE THIS WEEK CAUSE IT IS IN THE SHOP NOW GETTING FIXED AND THEY TOLD US AT THE SHOP THEY HAVE HAD TO REDO A LOT OF THESE BUT HAS NEVER BEEN THIS BAD PLEASE HELP SOMEONE IS GONNA GET HURT BAD.ALSO THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR SO PLEASE HELP WITH THIS.IF YOU SEND ME SOMEWHERE TO SEND PICS I WILL GET THEM FROM THE SHOP BECAUSE THEY TOOK SOME.THANK YOU FOR TAKING TIME TO READ THIS

THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SUSPENSION HAS COMPLETELY BROKEN OFF AND HANGS FREELY. HAD IT INSPECTED AT A LOCAL GARAGE AND WAS INFORMED THIS WAS AN EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS TYPE OF VEHICLE, AND THAT A SAFETY RECALL SHOULD'VE BEEN PUT IN PLACE DUE TO THE ROUTINE FAILURES OF THIS PART. I'M NOW FORCED TO DRIVE A DANGEROUS VEHICLE TO GET TO WORK AND RESPOND TO EMERGENCIES.

REAR PASSENGER INNER FENDER WELL RUSTED OUT, CAUSING THE SHOCK MOUNT AND SHOCK TO COME DISCONNECTED. THE SHOCK NOW HAS NOTHING TO CONNECT TO.

MY 2004 FORD ESCAPE HAS MAJOR RUST ISSUES THAT HAS AFFECTED THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVEABLE UNLESS THE RUST IS REPAIRED. I JUST FILED A COMPLAINT WITH FORD (CASE #CAS12002459). CURRENTLY THERE ARE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE AND AS A CONSUMER I AM TURNING TO THE NHTSA FOR SUPPORT IN HAVING FORD MAKE THE NCESSARY REPAIRS YO MY VEHICLE.

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ON A SMOOTH ROADWAY AND ALL OF A SUDDEN MY REAR END STARTED TO CLUNK AND BANG. I WAS SO STARTLED THAT I HAD TO PULL OVER IN HEAVY MORNING TRAFFIC AND HAD TO MISS WORK AND TAKE IT TO A MECHANIC WHERE I WAS TOLD THE REAR SHOCK ASSEMBLIES HAD SNAPPED FROM THE VEHICLE. AFTER DUE DILIGENCE I FOUND THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED FOR THE FRONT END FOR THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL BECAUSE OF MOUNTS SEPARATING FROM THE AUTO DUE TO SALT AND CORROSION. WHEN I CONTACTED FORD I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NO RECALL FOR THAT SITUATION, BUT I DID FIND A LARGE AMOUNT OF COMPLAINTS FROM INDIVIDUALS WITH THE SAME ISSUE IN THEIR SAME YEAR AND MODEL ESCAPES. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME AT THE LEAST IT WILL BE 1800 TO FIX, BUT SINCE THERE IS NO METAL TO WELD TO IT WILL REQUIRE A FULL REBUILD OF THE BODY, MOUNTS, AND FRAME IN THAT AREA. THE FOLLOWING SITE IS A REPRESENTATION OF THE ISSUEHTTP://WWW.FORDFORUMS.COM/F59/2005-ESCAPE-SHOCK-MOUNT-RUSTED-OUT-177762/INDEX4.HTML. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING OVER A BUMP IN THE ROAD AT ANY SPEED, A THUMPING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELL WAS RUSTED AND THE SHOCK ABSORBER HAD LOOSENED. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,000.

PASSENGER REAR WHEEL WELL HAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND SHOCK AND MOUNT HAVE RUSTED AND BROKEN OFF OF FRAME. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON A VILLAGE STREET, HIT A ROUGH PATCH OF ROAD BY A MANHOLE AND HEARD A TERRIFYING NOISE, THEN IT SOUNDED LIKE THE BACK OF THE CAR WAS GOING TO FALL OFF. UPON PARKING AND INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE BROKEN PIECE WAS PRESSED AGAINST THE REAR TIRE, AND HAD RUBBED SOME OF THE RUBBER OFF IN THE SHORT TIME IT WAS DRIVEN AFTERWARD. RESEARCH SHOWS THAT FRAME CORROSION SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE, AND THERE WAS A RECALL FOR CORROSION ON THE FRONT END. IT SEEMS THAT IT SHOULD BE FOR THE ENTIRE FRAME, AND RECTIFIED BEFORE ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES OCCUR. MY VEHICLE FALLS UNDER THOSE DATE AND STATE PARAMETERS, YET THE VIN # IS NOT INCLUDED FOR SOME UNKNOWN REASON. FRONT RECALL: FORD MOTOR COMPANY (FORD) IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2001-2004 ESCAPE VEHICLES MANUFACTURED OCTOBER 22, 1999, THROUGH JANUARY 23, 2004, ORIGINALLY SOLD, OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN, CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. THESE VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE CORROSION AT THE FORWARD ATTACHMENT OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM. CONSEQUENCE: A SEPARATION OF THE LOWER CONTROL ARM CAN RESULT IN A SIGNIFICANT LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. REMEDY: FORD WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEWLY DESIGNED REINFORCEMENT CROSS-BRACE, FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 30, 2014. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673. FORD'S NUMBER FOR THIS RECALL IS 14S02.

VEHICLE STEERING HAS BECOME UNSTABLE AND WOBBLY. TOOK IT TO THE SHOP TO CHECK ON THE ALIGNMENT, AND WAS TOLD THE ENTIRE SUBFRAME HAS CORRODED. I FOUND A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE, BUT APPARENTLY MY VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, EVEN THOUGH IT HAS THE SAME ISSUE.

THE WHEEL WELL ON THE RIGHT REAR SIDE OF CAR COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT CAUSING MY SHOCK TO BE FREE IN MY CAR. FORD WILL NOT FIX IT AND IT IS A SERIOUS ISSUE. A QUICK SEARCH WILL REVEAL AT LEAST 96 OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THE EXACT SAME ISSUE IN THE EXACT SAME AREA OF THE VEHICLE

THE FRAME AROUND THE REAR SUSPENSION IS RUSTED OUT (THROUGH) THE REAR SHOCK IS NOT CONNECTED TO ANYTHING. IS THERE A RECALL ON THIS ? I KNOW THE VEHICLE IS OLD BUT I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS ON EVEN OLDER VEHICLES.

THE CAR BEGAN MAKING A LOUD CREAKING THAT I SUSPECTED WAS THE BACK WINDOW OR SOMETHING INSIDE. IT GOT WORSE AFTER A COUPLE OF DAYS. I PULLED OVER AND CHECKED THOSE AND THEN THE WHEEL WELLS, AND THE BACK RIGHT WHEEL WELL WAS RUSTED SO BADLY THAT THE SHOCK MOUNT WAS NEARLY COMPLETELY DETACHED. IT DETACHED THE REST OF THE WAY OVER THE COURSE OF THE 2 MILE DRIVE TO MY HOME. THIS IS APPARENTLY A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL, ESPECIALLY IN THE 201-2004 RANGE, AND CAN AFFECT HANDLING. IT HAS BEEN REFERRED TO AS A FACTORY DEFECT AND A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR THIS IN SOME VEHICLES, BUT NOT MINE. THE LOCAL FORD DEALERSHIP WILL NOT LOOK AT IT BECAUSE ANY REPAIR WOULD REQUIRE ALTERATION TO THE BODY, SO THEY'VE REFERRED ME TO A BODY SHOP.

2ND ESCAPE I'VE OWNED THAT HAS HAD THE REAR RIGHT WHEEL WELL RUST OUT, SHOCK BREAKS LOOSE. FORD SAYING IT HAS NEVER HEARD OF IT, AND YET EVERY DEALER AND BODY SHOP I'VE TALKED TO KNOWS ALL ABOUT IT. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL, FAULTY PART. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE) WAS RECEIVED IN MAY OF 2014. IN JUNE OF 2014, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE SUBFRAME AND THE LOWER CONTROL ARM. THE REMEDY INCLUDED INSTALLATION OF A NEWLY DESIGNED REINFORCEMENT CROSS-BRACE. THE RECALL REMEDY WAS NOT PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE. IN JULY OF 2015, WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AN ABNORMAL PUMPING SOUND WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE LOWER CONTROL ARM FAILED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,450.

RIGHT REAR SHOCK BREAKING FREE DUE TO RUSTED OUT INNER FENDER WELL. CALLED FORD. THEY WONT BACK THE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH THOUSANDS OF OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED AND THERE ARE CURRENTLY NO REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR REPAIR. THIS IS AN UNSAFE SITUATION AND CAUSES A SWERVE IN STABILITY. IT IS ALSO CAUSING REPAIRS TO BE MADE UNSAFELY WITH COB JOB FIXES. IT NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED WITH FORD TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT...UPDATED 08/27/15 *BF UPDATED 12/3/15 *JS

SHOCK FRAME SUPPORT ON RIGHT REAR SIDE COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT MAKING VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE ALONG WITH ENTIRE AREA RUSTING OUT PREMATURELY. I CAN SEE THE OUTSIDE THRU MY SPEAKER GRILL. HOW COULD THIS NOT BE A SAFETY RECALL WHEN IT IS CLEARLY A FORD DEFECT? REPAIR QUOTES IN THE $2000- $2500 RANGE.

WHEN DRIVING HOME ON 12/30/14, I HEARD A LOUD RATTLE COMING FROM THE RIGHT REAR OF THE VEHICLE. I LOOKED IN THE REAR PASSENGER WHEEL WELL AND NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A LOT OF RUST. I DID NOT DRIVE IT AGAIN UNTIL I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC TO HAVE IT INSPECTED ON 1/6/15. HE INFORMED ME THAT THE WHEEL WELL WAS RUSTED AND THE STRUT COULD BREAK LOOSE. HE ALSO INFORMED ME THAT HE HAD NEVER SEEN A VEHICLE DO THIS. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND I SHOULD NOT DRIVE THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT IS FIXED. HE ALSO CHECKED TO SEE IF ANYONE IN THE AREA WOULD BE ABLE TO FIX IT SINCE HE IS NOT EQUIPPED TO DO SO. NO LUCK WITH THAT. AFTER SEEING HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE WITH THEIR FORD ESCAPE, I WOULD EXPECT THAT THE FORD COMPANY WOULD DO THE RIGHT THING, TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DEFECT AND MAKE IT RIGHT. I AM PREPARED TO FOLLOW THROUGH TO HAVE THIS MATTER TAKEN CARE OF, EVEN IF I HAVE TO TAKE IT TO LANSING AND WASHINGTON. *TR

RIGHT REAR WHEEL WELL COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT AND SHOCK MOUNT WHICH WAS BOLTED TO IT FELL AND IS HANGING NEXT TO AND ON THE WHEEL ALONG WITH A BALL OF SHARP TWISTED METAL FROM THE WHEEL WELL. HEARD NOISES FROM BACK OF CAR PAST MONTH OR SO BUT THOUGHT IT WAS SOMETHING IN THE CARGO COMPARTMENT. THEN WENT OVER POTHOLE AND LOUD BANG LIKE THE EXHAUST PIPE FELL AND WAS DRAGGING. THEN A BURNING RUBBER SMELL. THE METAL PIECE IS ABOUT TO PIERCE THE TIRE AND THE SHOCK ITSELF IS HANGING AND BANGING AGAINST TIRE. CAR IS UNDRIVABLE AND MAY BE UNFIXABLE IN THAT THE FIX WOULD BE WORTH MORE THAN THE CAR. I OF COURSE CAN NOT GET ANOTHER CAR RIGHT NOW DUE TO FINANCIAL REASONS SO WITHOUT A CAR NOW BECAUSE OF THIS. THE OTHER WHEEL WELLS SEEM FINE, NO RUST. THOUGH THERE IS A FEW RUST SPOTS ON THE BOTTOM OF THE RUNNING BOARDS AND ONE OF THE DOORS (WHICH THERE SHOULD NOT BE IN THIS DAY AND AGE ANY RUST) TO HAVE THIS IMMENSE AMOUNT OF RUST ONLY IN ONE WELL TELLS ME SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE DESIGN OR THE PAINT JOB AT THE FACTORY. IF A TIRE BLOWS OUT IT COULD KILL SOMEONE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IN AN SUV . THIS IS A DEFECT, NOT AGING. NEEDS TO BE A RECALL. THOUGH THE CAR IS 11 I HAVE LESS THAN 90,000 ON IT. I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO TRASH THE CAR DUE TO BODY ROT AT 90,000. IF THIS WAS DUE TO AGING OR WEATHER ALL THE WHEEL WELLS WOULD BE LIKE THIS.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED INDEPENDENTLY WITH A LOUD ABNORMAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE CONTROL ARM SEPARATED AND THE ENTIRE FRAME WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE). THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 128,000.

WHILE DRIVING TO MY HOME WENT OVER A SMALL DIP IN ROAD AND SUV MADE A VERY LOAD CLUNKING NOISE IN RIGHT REAR SECTION OF VEHICLE AND STARTED HANDLING POORLY GOT IT TO MY PARENTS HOME WHICH IS ONLY FEW MINUTES FROM INCIDENT,FATHER LOOKED AT AND FOUND RIGHT REAR STRUT MOUNT AND WHEEL TUB RUSTED OUT UNDER A THICK LAYER OF SOUND DEADENING MATERIAL APPLIED AT FACTORY MAKING IT NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE UNTIL IT BREAKS FREE, FATHER HAS BEEN A MECHANIC ALL HIS LIFE AND TRIED TO GET PIECES AT LOCAL SALVAGE YARDS TO REPAIR BUT FOUND ALL IN A 50 MILE RADIUS AT SALVAGE YARDS FROM YEARS 2001-2007 TO BE IN AS BAD OR WORSE CONDITION AND IS CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR PARTS ON LINE OUT OF THE RUSTBELT ,I BELIEVE IF IT HAD HAPPENED ON A TWISTY ROAD IT COULD HAVE BEEN A BIGGER PROBLEM FORTUNATELY IT WAS A FAIRLY LEVEL STRAIGHT ROAD I CAN ONLY ASSUME THERE ISN'T AN INVESTIGATION ON THESE IS THAT MOST PEOPLE DON'T NOW WHERE TO GO TO FILE A COMPLAINT I ONLY NEW TO GO HERE BECAUSE MY FATHER TOLD ME TOO,AS HE BELIEVES IT TO BE A MAJOR DESIGN FLAW THAT MAY OR COULD LEAD TO INJURIES *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT A UNKNOWN SPEED, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER AND THE DRIVER SIDE SUB FRAME AND THE SUSPENSION WAS RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.