2008 Ford Escape Hybrid structure problems

“The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic for a tire rotation, and the contact was informed that the subframe was rusted. In addition, the contact stated that upon further inspection at the same local independent mechanic during another routine tire rotation, it was noticed that the failure had worsened. The local dealer was contacted; however, the contact was advised that rust was a category that was not inspected or repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 81,000. The VIN was not available.”

“The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, the rear-end started swaying to the left and the right. The vehicle was bouncing while driving over potholes or imperfections on the roadway. The contact stated that the vehicle was also making a rattling sound while driving. The contact stated there was no warning lights illuminated. The contact drove to her destination and after stopping and inspecting the vehicle, she observed that there were large gaps inside the passenger’s side wheel well. The contact stated that the passenger’s side shock absorber had penetrated the trunk. Additionally, the front driver’s and passenger’s side control arms and subframe members were severely corroded. The contact observed that the frame was rusted on the driver’s and passenger’s side rear wheel wells. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the entire subframe needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.”

“The contact owns a 2008 Ford Escape. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the front frame detached from the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the contact was unaware the diagnosis however, the frame was replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, the contact noticed the frame was slowly detaching from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that underneath the vehicle was rusted. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 86,000.”

“TOOK VEHICLE INTO FORD DEALER FOR SERVICE ON FRONT WHEEL, YESTERDAY 1/ 27/ 2021, WHICH IS UNRELATED. SERVICEMAN TOLD ME THAT, DUE TO EXCESSIVE RUST, THE UNDERFRAME HAS UP TO SIX CRACKS IN IT AND THAT THE VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE VEHICLE IS THIRTEEN YEARS OLD. HE STATED THAT THERE IS NO REPAIR FOR THIS EXCEPT TO REPLACE THE WHOLE UNIBODY UNDERFRAME, WHICH FORD TAKES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR. I HAD TO REPLACE THE TWO REAR SHOCK TOWER HOUSINGS BECAUSE ONE POPPED THROUGH THE FLOOR ON SEPT., 2020. THE OUTER BODY HAS SOME RUST BUT LOOKS GOOD, NORMAL RUST FOR IT'S AGE. ON THE INTERNET I RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND IT SHOWS THAT THE 2001 TO 2003 ESCAPES HAVE HAD A POSSIBLE RECALL AND SHOWS THAT ONE FORD DEALER HAD A 'FIX' FOR THE ENGINE CRADLE, THAT DID NOT WORK OUT WELL. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINS ONLINE ABOUT UNDERCARRIAGE RUST AND ITS PROBLEMS. I'VE ALSO TALKED TO A BODY SHOP OWNER AND HE TELLS ME THAT THEY GET SEVERAL ESCAPES A YEAR FOR THIS PROBLEM. WHEN I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN TO GET THE REAR WHEEL HOUSE MOUNTINGS REPLACED, THERE WAS ANOTHER ESCAPE BEING REPAIRED FOR THE SAME THING IN FROM OF MINE. MY VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT IRON MIKE'S METAL FAB SHOP IN FLINT,…”

“THE STEERING WHEEL SPINS VERY FAST IF YOU LET GO OF THE WHEEL. YOU ARE NOT ABLE TO CONTROL IT ON THE ROAD. THIS OCCURS FORWARDS OR BACKWARDS. IF YOU TRY TO BACK UP, AND TURN THE WHEEL ONE WAY, IT WILL NOT STEER THE CORRECT DIRECTION AND THE STEERING WHEEL SPINS ON IT'S OWN. VERY DANGEROUS. THE REPAIR SHOP HAS REPLACED THE RACK AND PINION AND IT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THEY ARE UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHAT THE ISSUE IS.”

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 FORD ESCAPE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS APPROACHING A STOP SIGN, THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REACHED OUT TO KEAST AUTO CENTER (2101 23RD ST, HARLAN, IA 51537 (800) 234-4927) AND WAS INFORMED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALSO CONTACTED AND STATED THE SAME INFORMATION AS THE DEALER. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THIS PARTICULAR YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL VEHICLE WAS ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V165000 (STRUCTURE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000. *BF *TR”