The door check arm on the driver's side door weld broke. Before it happened, it would make a noise when closing before it broke. The dealer has confirmed it and wants to replace the whole door. I would be required to pay for it plus the painting of the door. I have found that this problem has happened before. This issue is a sa…
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The door check arm on the driver's side door weld broke. Before it happened, it would make a noise when closing before it broke. The dealer has confirmed it and wants to replace the whole door. I would be required to pay for it plus the painting of the door. I have found that this problem has happened before. This issue is a safety problem and should be a recall. There was no accident. This part was failing for 3 to 4 weeks. I had no clue the part was failing. The car is currently at the dealer.
NHTSA ODI #11544663
Mileage unknown · Sep 11, 2023
Structure
Driver door hinge weld broke. The door makes loud popping sound and the window will not go down.
NHTSA ODI #11543758
Mileage unknown · Aug 31, 2023
Structure
Most of the welds on the driver door bracket that holds the door latch mechanism have failed.
NHTSA ODI #11541851
Mileage unknown · Aug 29, 2023
Structure
Driver side door hinge welds have gave way as making popping sounds and the window does not roll down all the way.
NHTSA ODI #11541349
Mileage unknown · Jul 27, 2023
Structure
Drivers door stop latch welds failed. This severely limits smooth opening and closing of the door as it binds up while moving the door. This happened at 34,500 miles, so fortunately it will be covered by the warranty. If this poor quality manufacturing causes it to happen to the other 3 doors, who will pay for this? Please issue…
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Drivers door stop latch welds failed. This severely limits smooth opening and closing of the door as it binds up while moving the door. This happened at 34,500 miles, so fortunately it will be covered by the warranty. If this poor quality manufacturing causes it to happen to the other 3 doors, who will pay for this? Please issue a recall, this is a very common problem.
NHTSA ODI #11534888
Mileage unknown · Jul 26, 2023
Structure
The spot welds in the front driver's side door have failed, the door makes a loud popping noise when opening or closing the door, and the window has difficulty going up and down. The vehicle would be available for inspection. An internet search of this problem has indicated that my door could come open without warning. I have …
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The spot welds in the front driver's side door have failed, the door makes a loud popping noise when opening or closing the door, and the window has difficulty going up and down. The vehicle would be available for inspection. An internet search of this problem has indicated that my door could come open without warning. I have taken the vehicle to a body shop who have confirmed the spot welds have failed. The door began to make a slight creaking noise about 2 weeks prior to my noticing the spot welds had failed.
NHTSA ODI #11534618
Mileage unknown · Jul 14, 2023
Structure
I have a Certified 21 Ford Escape Hybrid - I opened the drivers side door and the 3 welds to the hinge broke. The internet stated this is a common safety issue. It was a past recall with Ford. Ford is not honoring their quality, and refuses to fix the issue. Even the dealer admitted it is a common safety issue. The case number…
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I have a Certified 21 Ford Escape Hybrid - I opened the drivers side door and the 3 welds to the hinge broke. The internet stated this is a common safety issue. It was a past recall with Ford. Ford is not honoring their quality, and refuses to fix the issue. Even the dealer admitted it is a common safety issue. The case number with [XXX] / Ford Motor Company [XXX] / [XXX] will not return calls, and I've been reaching out for 2 weeks. [XXX] a supervisor admitted this was a recall issue but my car escape isn't on the list... The dealer is trying to charge over $4000 to repair 3 welds. Please help, I don't feel safe with the door broken INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA ODI #11532280
35,000 miles · Apr 20, 2023
Structure
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the front driver’s side door had experienced multiple defects. The contact stated that a metal piece on the door had formed 3 holes on the inside of the door. As a result, the door would swing open without hesitation; in addition, the window failed to roll down as need…
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The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that the front driver’s side door had experienced multiple defects. The contact stated that a metal piece on the door had formed 3 holes on the inside of the door. As a result, the door would swing open without hesitation; in addition, the window failed to roll down as needed. The vehicle was initially taken to a local dealer who could not service the vehicle and referred her to the manufacturer for assistance. The manufacturer was notified, and a case was filed. The vehicle was then taken to Hubler Ford Center, Inc. (2605 IN-130 #44, Shelbyville, IN 46176) and diagnosed and the contact was provided an estimate for the repair. The manufacturer agreed to cover a part of the repair cost. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 35,000.
NHTSA ODI #11518133
30,000 miles · Jan 10, 2023
Structure
The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that when she opened the front driver’s side door, she heard a popping sound. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the front driver’s side door spot welds failed and needed to be rewelded. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notifie…
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The contact owns a 2021 Ford Escape. The contact stated that when she opened the front driver’s side door, she heard a popping sound. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the front driver’s side door spot welds failed and needed to be rewelded. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised to call the NHTSA Hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
NHTSA ODI #11501038
Mileage unknown · Aug 5, 2022
Structure
Driver side door - black door support assembly which opens and closes door - welds broke.
Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2021 Escape Hybrid vehicles. The engine crankshaft may have been manufactured incorrectly, which can result in engine damage.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Engine damage can cause a vehicle stall or fire, increasing the risk of a crash or injury.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the crankshaft and replace the engine, as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed March 2, 2022. Owner notification letters were mailed on March 21, 2022. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1-866-436-7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S10.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2
PE23013 · Failed Door Check Arm Attachment Point
Opened Jul 7, 2023 · Closed Jan 24, 2024
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Structure:body:door ; Structure:body:door:hinge And Attachments
On July 7, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-013 to investigate instances of check arm bracket failure in the front doors in model year (MY) 2020-2021 Ford Escape vehicles. At the time of opening, ODI received 118 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging this failure. To date, ODI has received 593 VOQs alleging this failure, with a variety of reported failure conditions. The most common reported failure condition was reduced door functionality (e.g. door was more difficult to open or close) and the least common was inadvertent door opening. Other reported failure conditions include inability to latch and inability to open. Three VOQs reported injuries, one of which requiring medical attention. ODI conducted a consumer survey which yielded an additional 44 injuries (although the VOQs did not indicate any injury), none of which requiring medical attention. All these injuries were bumps/bruises from the door closing on occupants’ arms and legs while entering and exiting the vehicle. The function of the check arm system is to provide hold-open assist at specific angles and to assist with door closing energy. It does not provide vertical support of the door and is independent of the latching mechanism. This failure is progressive and detectable by vehicle occupants. Consumers commonly report hearing a popping or snapping noise when opening and closing the door. This noise is caused by some of the welds between the bracket and door structure failing and detaching. There may also be visible damage present to the welds in the door structure. Continued use of the door may result in all welds separating and the bracket fully detaching from the door structure, which could lead to increased resistance in closing and opening the door, restrained window operation, and the door freely rotating when open. ODI inspected 3 consumer vehicles in the field, and 2 test vehicles at Ford’s testing facility. The test vehicles were retrofitted with the failed component. ODI observed an increased door closing resistance, however, was unable to reproduce an inadvertent open while parked or driving, or a failure to latch or open condition. Testing also verified this failure did not affect the door ajar warning system. This system provides an audible and visual warning in the event a door did not achieve primary latch position. Ford has provided details on a one-time-repair customer satisfaction program (23B56), stating that they will provide customers with a letter, currently targeted for March 2024, to bring their vehicle to a Ford dealership for a proactive repair. Dealers will inspect the door check arm welds for damage and will either provide a rivet plate to reinforce the existing door check arm or will provide a replacement door, depending on the level of damage present. Customers will be eligible for reimbursement if they previously paid to repair this issue. In view of the high detectability of failure, low potential hazard to drivers, and Ford’s customer satisfaction program to provide a proactive repair, this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Structure:body:door
On July 7, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-013 to investigate instances of check arm bracket failure in the front doors in model year (MY) 2020-2021 Ford Escape vehicles. At the time of opening, ODI received 118 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging this failure. To date, ODI has received 593 VOQs alleging this failure, with a variety of reported failure conditions. The most common reported failure condition was reduced door functionality (e.g. door was more difficult to open or close) and the least common was inadvertent door opening. Other reported failure conditions include inability to latch and inability to open. Three VOQs reported injuries, one of which requiring medical attention. ODI conducted a consumer survey which yielded an additional 44 injuries (although the VOQs did not indicate any injury), none of which requiring medical attention. All these injuries were bumps/bruises from the door closing on occupants’ arms and legs while entering and exiting the vehicle. The function of the check arm system is to provide hold-open assist at specific angles and to assist with door closing energy. It does not provide vertical support of the door and is independent of the latching mechanism. This failure is progressive and detectable by vehicle occupants. Consumers commonly report hearing a popping or snapping noise when opening and closing the door. This noise is caused by some of the welds between the bracket and door structure failing and detaching. There may also be visible damage present to the welds in the door structure. Continued use of the door may result in all welds separating and the bracket fully detaching from the door structure, which could lead to increased resistance in closing and opening the door, restrained window operation, and the door freely rotating when open. ODI inspected 3 consumer vehicles in the field, and 2 test vehicles at Ford’s testing facility. The test vehicles were retrofitted with the failed component. ODI observed an increased door closing resistance, however, was unable to reproduce an inadvertent open while parked or driving, or a failure to latch or open condition. Testing also verified this failure did not affect the door ajar warning system. This system provides an audible and visual warning in the event a door did not achieve primary latch position. Ford has provided details on a one-time-repair customer satisfaction program (23B56), stating that they will provide customers with a letter, currently targeted for March 2024, to bring their vehicle to a Ford dealership for a proactive repair. Dealers will inspect the door check arm welds for damage and will either provide a rivet plate to reinforce the existing door check arm or will provide a replacement door, depending on the level of damage present. Customers will be eligible for reimbursement if they previously paid to repair this issue. In view of the high detectability of failure, low potential hazard to drivers, and Ford’s customer satisfaction program to provide a proactive repair, this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
Structure:body:door:hinge And Attachments
On July 7, 2023, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened PE23-013 to investigate instances of check arm bracket failure in the front doors in model year (MY) 2020-2021 Ford Escape vehicles. At the time of opening, ODI received 118 Vehicle Owner Questionnaires (VOQs) alleging this failure. To date, ODI has received 593 VOQs alleging this failure, with a variety of reported failure conditions. The most common reported failure condition was reduced door functionality (e.g. door was more difficult to open or close) and the least common was inadvertent door opening. Other reported failure conditions include inability to latch and inability to open. Three VOQs reported injuries, one of which requiring medical attention. ODI conducted a consumer survey which yielded an additional 44 injuries (although the VOQs did not indicate any injury), none of which requiring medical attention. All these injuries were bumps/bruises from the door closing on occupants’ arms and legs while entering and exiting the vehicle. The function of the check arm system is to provide hold-open assist at specific angles and to assist with door closing energy. It does not provide vertical support of the door and is independent of the latching mechanism. This failure is progressive and detectable by vehicle occupants. Consumers commonly report hearing a popping or snapping noise when opening and closing the door. This noise is caused by some of the welds between the bracket and door structure failing and detaching. There may also be visible damage present to the welds in the door structure. Continued use of the door may result in all welds separating and the bracket fully detaching from the door structure, which could lead to increased resistance in closing and opening the door, restrained window operation, and the door freely rotating when open. ODI inspected 3 consumer vehicles in the field, and 2 test vehicles at Ford’s testing facility. The test vehicles were retrofitted with the failed component. ODI observed an increased door closing resistance, however, was unable to reproduce an inadvertent open while parked or driving, or a failure to latch or open condition. Testing also verified this failure did not affect the door ajar warning system. This system provides an audible and visual warning in the event a door did not achieve primary latch position. Ford has provided details on a one-time-repair customer satisfaction program (23B56), stating that they will provide customers with a letter, currently targeted for March 2024, to bring their vehicle to a Ford dealership for a proactive repair. Dealers will inspect the door check arm welds for damage and will either provide a rivet plate to reinforce the existing door check arm or will provide a replacement door, depending on the level of damage present. Customers will be eligible for reimbursement if they previously paid to repair this issue. In view of the high detectability of failure, low potential hazard to drivers, and Ford’s customer satisfaction program to provide a proactive repair, this Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is closed. The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances. To review the ODI reports cited in the Closing Resume ODI Report Identification Number document, go to NHTSA.gov.
DP22005 · Pedestrian Alert Sounds
Opened Jan 27, 2023 · Closed Aug 7, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:propulsion System
NHTSA received a petition on or about July 18, 2022, requesting that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 141 be applied to all electric and hybrid vehicles operating in the United States. The petition can be reviewed at NHTSA.gov under ODI Number 11486072. FMVSS 141 establishes performance requirements for pedestrian alert sounds for motor vehicles. The standard applies to hybrid and electric vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight rating of 4,536 KG or less or are defined as low-speed vehicles. The standard became fully applicable to all such vehicles manufactured on or after March 1, 2021.On January 27, 2023, NHTSA opened Defect Petition (DP) 22-005 to evaluate the subject matter described in the petition. On June 24, 2023 and as supplemented on June 25, 2023, the petitioner notified NHTSA he was withdrawing his petition. The petitioner indicated that, based on his review of data, there is no justification for asserting potential benefits that could be derived from actions sought by my petition. Based on the petitioner's withdrawal, DP22-005 is closed. Closure of this DP does not represent a determination by NHTSA regarding the subject matter of the petition.
2021 Ford Escape Hybrid Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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