hpurchase

Hi, I thought I would pass along this tip. Hope this helps someone else. At 2 years of age, my 2009 Escape started exhibiting a "creaking" noise in the rear of the vehicle that was clearly coming from the Hatch area. I asked the dealer to look at it, and they couldn't find a problem (no surprise)...so I put up with it for a whole year. Tonight I got the idea to have a look at it and see what I could do with it myself. I got out the Lithium Grease and sprayed both connection assemblies (at the glass and the actual hatch). I also removed the 4 screws at the bottom of the hatch plastic trim, and plucked on the plastic trim until the clips (about 6 of them) came loose. I greased these with 3-in-1 oil and replaced the plastic hatch trim. A test drive proved success!!! No more creaking!!! I am not sure what fixed the problem, greasing the connection assemblies or greasing the clips...but both fixes were easy. I almost love my Escape again. If only they would fix that cursed exhaust noise (4cyl). It ruins an otherwise really nice vehicle. Oh...and the exhaust problem (which I think is a manifold issue) still exists in 2012 Escapes...consider yourself warned!!!

R.S.LOGAN

Thanks for info , may help others with the same fault .

FE385

That's good to know. I have the same kind of noise on my '04, and had always assumed it was that heavy plastic temporary tire well cover rubbing against the frame. It's never bothered me enough to investigate further (other more pressing issues come up periodically).