2007 Ford Escape Suspension Problems

Rear frame rails rotting thru from the inside out, causing potential suspension issues

NHTSA ID

11610361

Incident

Aug 23, 2024

Front tires bald and worn out in a circular pattern in less then about 4000 miles tires were brand new then purchased another set of 2 new front tires and again tires were bald and in some area they had a circular pattern after 2000 miles

NHTSA ID

11455357

Incident

Mar 17, 2021

THE RIGHT REAR UPPER SHOCK TO BODY AREA IS 85% RUSTED OUT AND IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. DOZENS OF USED CAR LOTS HAVE TOLD ME THIS IS A WELL KNOWN & DOCUMENTED ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. I FEEL FORD MOTOR CO. IS AWARE OR SHOULD BE AWARE OF THIS, AND SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR IT'S REPAIR AS WELL AS ANY DAMAGES RESULTING FROM THE VEHICLE BEING DRIVEN. I HAVE NO OF THAT NATURE. I CHECKED AROUND AS TO THE COST OF REPAIR; AND IT IS EXPENSIVE. APPROX: $600-1,000) THAT IS A LOT OF MONEY WHICH IS CLOSE TO THE VECHILE'S VALUE. I FEEL THIS SITUATION IS NOT FAIR DUE TO THIS HARD TO DETECT SHODDY WORKMANSHIP DURING THE VEHICLE'S DESIGN PROCESS. I AM SURPRISED IT WAS NOT LISTED ON THE RECALL LKIST. ACTUALLY I AM STUNNED. PLEASE RESEARCH THIS MATTER, AND GIVE ME YOUR FINDINGS. THANK YOU MUCH. HARRY J. CARTER, LLL

NHTSA ID

11377747

Incident

Nov 30, 2020

Mileage

125,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE INDEPENDENTLY PULLED TO THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE CONTACT'S WIFE PULLED OVER AND TURNED THE VEHICLE OFF. THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND BECAME AWARE THAT THE CONTROL ARM WAS DETACHED FROM THE SUBFRAME. AN UNKNOWN DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

NHTSA ID

11322831

Incident

Feb 18, 2020

Mileage

70,000 mi

WHEN I'M DRIVING MY VEHICLE & MAKING LEFT TURNS IT MAKES A LOUD NOISE. TO ME IT SOUNDS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION JUST FELL OUT. I'M ENCLOSING SOME DOCUMENTS OF RECALLS THAT I'VE FOUND. MY TRUCK IS ALSO RUSTING OUT SO BAD THAT WHEN I PUT MY GRANDSON IN HIS CAR SEAT, THE LEGS OF MY PANTS GET CAUGHT ON IT.

NHTSA ID

11291899

Incident

May 15, 2018

Mileage

140,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS ROTTED OUT. DURING A RECENT TRIP, THE STEERING WHEEL HAD TO BE TURNED ALMOST 90 DEGREES TO COMPENSATE FOR THE FRAME RUSTING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FRED MUELLER FORD (175 N AVON AVE, PHILLIPS, WI 54555, (715) 339-3045) WHERE THE FRAME RUST WAS CONFIRMED. THE CONTACT WAS CURRENTLY WAITING FOR THE REPLACEMENT PARTS TO BE SHIPPED TO THE DEALER. THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN AT THE DEALER SINCE RIGHT AFTER LABOR DAY AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,236.*PM*JB

NHTSA ID

11258348

Incident

Sep 2, 2019

Mileage

89,236 mi

I PURCHASED THIS CAR FROM A 2ND HAND DEALER AND AFTER 2 MONTHS I NOTICED A STRANGE NOISE FROM THE REAR RIGHT SIDE. COME TO FIND OUT, THE RUST ON THE UNDER PENDING OF THIS CAR WAS HAZARDOUS. THE WHOLE BODY UNDERNEATH WAS CORRODED. ONE OF THE SHOCKS WAS BARELY HOLDING ON. IF IT HAS COMPLETELY SNAPPED, IT COULD HAVE CAUSE A SEVER ACCIDENT TO ME AND MY 2 YEAR GREAT NIECE, AND INJURED SOMEONE ELSE. FIRST NOTICE OF THIS, I TOOK TO THE DEALER. THEY TOOK PICTURES AND WAS GOING TO FIND A WELDER. A WEEK LATER IS WHEN THE PART CAME LOOSE MORE AND THE WELDER SAID IT WAS UNSAFE AND BEYOND PATCHING UP. A CALL WAS MADE TO THE DEALER TO INFORM THEM THAT THE CAR WAS UNSAFE AND NOT ONLY BECAUSE OF THE SHOCK BUT THE UNDER PENDING WAS RUSTED OUT. ANOTHER MECHANIC PRIOR NOTICED THE PARKING BRAKE HAD RUSTED OUT AND CRUMBLED ALONG WITH THE BRAKE DUST PLATE. IT CRUMBLED AND SOME OF THE PIECES ALONG WITH SCREWS WERE CAUGHT IN THE BRAKE DRUMS BEHIND ROTER. I COMPLAINED TO DEALER AND THEY GAVE ME ANOTHER VEHICLE TO TRADE, ONE I REALLY DIDN'T WANT. THEY GAVE ME NO CHOICE. THIS VEHICLE HAD NO AIR, THE WINDOWS DO NOT ROLL DOWN, AND THE WHEEL BEARING WAS BAD. I DIDN'T WANT TO BE WITHOUT A CAR DUE TO MULTIPLE UPCOMING DOCTOR APPOINTMENTS. THEY WERE AWARE OF A RARE CONDITION I HAVE THAT PREVENTS ME FROM BEING IN THE HEAT BUT THEY COULD NOT OFFER ME ANYTHING ELSE. IF SO I WOULD HAVE TO MAKE PAYMENTS. THE FORD ESCAPE WAS PAID IN CASH ALL UP FRONT. I FEEL CHEATED AND HAD THEIR BEEN AN ACCIDENT I AM SURE MORE MONEY WOULD HAVE BEEN COLLECTED FROM THIS DEALER FOR THE SUFFERING OF MY FAMILY HAD IT BEEN FATAL. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. ALSO AFTER CONTACTING THE DEALER TO INFORM THEM OF THE SHOCK ABOUT TO FALL OFF, THEY WANTED ME TO DRIVE IT TO THE WELDER. AFTER THE WELDER TOLD THEM HOW UNSAFE IT WAS, INSTEAD OF THEM HAVING IT TOWED, THEY HAD ME DRIVE IT AND HOUR AND A HALF TO THEM. I WAS SCARED.

NHTSA ID

11230697

Incident

Jun 25, 2019

Mileage

170,000 mi

THE SUBFRAME IS RUSTED COMPLETELY OUT, THERE WAS A RECALL ON PRIOR YEARS WHERE THEY PLACED A PIECE OF METAL TO PREVENT THE WHEEL FROM COMING OFF. IN LATER YEARS THEY USED THE SAME PART, WHICH HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS. THEY SHOULD HAVE CHANGED THE PART OR AT LEAST REDESIGNED THE PART SO THAT THIS WOULDN'T HAPPEN AGAIN. CAR IS NOW PARKED UNTILL FIXED

NHTSA ID

11210070

Incident

May 1, 2019

Mileage

159,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING MY 2007 FORD ESCAPE ON A SOMEWHAT BUMPY COUNTRY ROAD THERE WAS SUDDENLY A LOUD CLUNKING NOISE COMING FROM THE RIGHT REAR. UPON INSPECTION I OBSERVED THE ENTIRE UPPER SHOCK MOUNT IN THE RIGHT REAR HAD BROKEN FREE FROM THE BODY DUE TO RUST, CAUSING THE SHOCK TO RIDE FREELY INTO THE INTERIOR COMPARTMENT HITTING THE PLASTIC PANEL. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND THE VEHICLE HAS 164K MILES.

NHTSA ID

11083109

Incident

Mar 30, 2018

Mileage

164,000 mi

SHOCK TOWER COMPLETELY RUSTED AND HITTING WHEEL MAKING CLUNKING NOISE WHILE DRIVING. TOOK TO SHOP AND COST WILL BE UPWARDS FROM $1200

NHTSA ID

10850223

Incident

Mar 17, 2016

Mileage

110,891 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TONE RING FRACTURED ON THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT FRONT DRIVER SIDE TONE RING FRACTURED AND THE BRAKES FAILED TO RESPOND. THE TONE RINGS WERE APART OF THE FRONT AXLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE DETAILS OF THE REPAIRS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

NHTSA ID

10714035

Incident

Apr 30, 2015

Mileage

88,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2007 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THE REAR DRIVER AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL WELLS WERE CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE ISSUE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000. UPDATED 11/12/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A KNOCK COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 02/03/15

NHTSA ID

10639099

Incident

Sep 15, 2011

Mileage

40,000 mi

HIT SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD AT 60 MILES PER HOUR, HEARD A LOUD CLUNK FROM THE RIGHT REAR. VEHICLE BEGAN TO PITCH UP AND DOWN AND SIDE TO SIDE. WENT OVER ANOTHER BUMP IN THE ROAD AND STARTED TO LOSE CONTROL. BROUGHT VEHICLE TO SAFE STOP. INVESTIGATED RIGHT REAR WHEEL AND DISCOVERED THE SHOCK ABSORBER WAS DISCONNECTED FROM THE FRAME. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR FORD ESCAPES. HOWEVER, NO RECALLS, NO NOTICES TO OWNERS OF ANY POTENTIAL HAZARD. THE NEXT OWNER MAY NOT BE AS FORTUNATE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10605508

Incident

Jun 23, 2014

Mileage

124,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING ALONG A CURVE IN THE ROAD WITH NO ROAD HAZARDS APPARENT, THE DRIVER SIDE FRONT AXLE CRACKED, CAUSING WARNINGS TO LIGHT UP ON THE INSTRUMENT DISPLAY. THE AXLE WAS REPLACED IMMEDIATELY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10548600

Incident

Jul 30, 2013

Mileage

41,440 mi

FIRST, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN REGULARLY MAINTAINED PER THE NORMAL MAINTENANCE SCHEDULE. WHILE DRIVING ON 03/09/13, NOTICED THE ABS DASH LIGHT STAYED LIT. THE 4WD DASH LIGHT ALSO STARTED TO BLINK INTERMITTENTLY. ON 03/11/13 I CALLED THE LOCAL FORD DEALER AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE PROBLEMS DIAGNOSED. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A BROKEN TONE RING ALONG WITH MARGINAL BRAKE PADS. REPORTEDLY THE ABS AND 4WD SENSORS ARE INTERCONNECTED. REPORTEDLY, THE FRONT ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THEY WERE TOO PITTED TO BE TURNED. QUESTIONED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT ABOUT SERVICE BULLETINS OR RECALLS, NONE WERE LIST ON THE ESCAPE CONCERNING THIS ISSUE. ACCORDING TO ONE OF THE SERVICE MANAGERS, THE PROBLEM WITH THE TONE RING IS NOT A COMMON ISSUE. WHILE WAITING ON HE REPAIRS, I CHECKED THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH REPEAT FAILURES OF THE PART. I PRESENTED THIS INFO TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WITHOUT ANY RELIEF OR RECOURSE OTHER THAT I WOULD PROBABLY HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THIS DONE AGAIN. ANOTHER NOTE, THE REPAIRS HAVE A 12 MONTH, 12,000 MILE WARRANTY. IF THE DEFECTIVE PART HAS TO BE REPLACED, THE WARRANTY GOES BACK TO THE ORIGINAL DATE OF INSTALL. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH POSSIBLE SERIOUS REPERCUSSIONS WHICH IS NOT BEING ADDRESSED BY FORD. *TR

NHTSA ID

10502471

Incident

Mar 9, 2013

Mileage

60,702 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL SQUEAKING NOISE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER WHERE THE DEALER NOTICED THE FRONT STABILIZER LINK WAS FRACTURED. THE DEALER REPLACED BOTH LINKS. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF WHAT HAD CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE DEFECT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,339.

NHTSA ID

10426663

Incident

Sep 1, 2011

Mileage

53,339 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING WOULD INTERMITTENTLY FAIL WHILE DRIVING OR STOPPED. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD BECOME TIGHT AND DIFFICULT TO TURN. IF THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD INTERMITTENTLY LOCK UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS CHECKED AND ALL OF THE LINES WERE FLUSHED. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 42,000. UPDATED 08/01/11*LJ THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE VEHICLE NEEDED A STEERING, RACK AND LOWER CONTROL ARM. SIX MONTHS AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ID

10409093

Incident

Apr 22, 2011

TONE RING FAILURE ON PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AXLE. WHEN THE RING FAILS YOU LOSE ABS AND TRACTION CONTROL. FAILURE AT 46000 MILES. TWO WEEKS LATER TONE RING FAILURE ON DRIVER SIDE FRONT AXLE. THE AXLE MUST BE REPLACED TO REPAIR THE TONE RING. THE REPAIR COST 250.00 PER AXLE..DRIVING WITH THE ABS SYSTEM NOT WORKING PROPERLY CAN BE DANGEROUS, AND THEREFORE THE AXLES MUST BE REPLACED..I BELIEVE THESE RINGS ARE DESIGNED AND MANUFACTURED POORLY... *TR

NHTSA ID

10334466

Incident

Jun 3, 2010

Mileage

46,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 FORD ESCAPE. ON APRIL 11, 2007, WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON THE FREEWAY THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES TO AVOID CRASHING INTO A VEHICLE THAT STOPPED IN FRONT OF HER. THE REAR SUSPENSION FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. HOWEVER, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE SERVICE MANAGER OF LITHIA FORD STATED THAT THIS FAILURE OCCURRED WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AT 60 MPH. A FORD ENGINEER PROVIDED RELATED INFORMATION. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF THE SAFETY RISK INVOLVED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,900, AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,000. *AK

NHTSA ID

10188767

Incident

Apr 11, 2007

Mileage

3,900 mi