Legally reviewed by: Jessica Anvar Stotz, JD, MBA
The Ford Escape, a popular choice among consumers, is currently being investigated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The focus of this investigation is a potential defect in the front door weld, which can cause the door to unexpectedly open while the vehicle is in motion, posing a substantial safety risk.
The models under scrutiny are the 2020 and 2021 versions of both the standard Ford Escape and its hybrid variant. Should this issue necessitate a recall, it could potentially affect up to 346,071 vehicles. The Office of Defects Investigation, a division of NHTSA, has already received 118 complaints detailing failures in the door’s arm spot welds.
What is the Ford Escape door issue?
The problem appears to be related to defective spot welds at the check arm attachment points on the doors, which can cause the door to fail to secure upon closing or unexpectedly unlatch after being secured. This issue has resulted in 25 reported instances of minor injuries and one case of minor property damage.
How do I know if my Ford Escape is part of the Door Hinge Investigation?
Ford Escape door panel problems have been reported in 2020 and 2021 vehicles. To check if your Ford Escape is part of this investigation, you can visit the NHTSA website and enter the year, make, and model of your vehicle. If your vehicle is part of this investigation, it’s advisable to monitor for any unusual sounds or resistance when opening or closing your doors. If you notice such issues, consider reducing your vehicle usage until the investigation is complete.
As of now, Ford has not announced any potential solutions while this investigation is ongoing. However, they are actively working with the NHTSA to investigate the affected Ford Escapes. If a widespread issue posing an unreasonable risk to highway safety is proven, an official recall will be issued.
Is there a Ford Escape Door Hinge Recall?
There is no recall addressing the Ford Escape Door Hinge Problem, however Ford did release a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB)- SSM 50150. According to SSM 50150, certain 2020-2021 Escape vehicles may exhibit cracks or broken spot welds in the left front door at the check arm attachment point in the door assembly.
Ford has received feedback from fleet customers about this condition on some vehicles with high usage profiles. The appropriate repair for this condition is the replacement of the door assembly and door check arm, unfortunately, some Ford Escape drivers allege that Ford has refused to fix vehicles past certain mileages.
While Ford is actively working with the NHTSA on this investigation, an official recall has not yet been issued. If the investigation proves a widespread issue poses an unreasonable risk to highway safety, an official recall will be issued. Until then, Ford Escape owners are advised to monitor for any unusual sounds or resistance when opening or closing their doors and consider reducing vehicle usage until the investigation is complete.
What should I do if my Ford Escape’s Door Hinges are Defective?
If you suspect that your Ford Escape’s door hinges are defective, here are some steps you can take:
- Identify the Issue: Listen for unusual sounds such as a Ford Escape popping noise, creaking, or grinding noises when opening or closing the doors. Check if the doors are hard to open or close, or if they unexpectedly unlatch after being secured.
- Contact Ford Customer Service: Reach out to Ford customer service at 866-436-7332 for guidance. They can provide information about any ongoing investigations or recalls related to your vehicle.
- Visit a Ford Dealership: If you are experiencing issues, it’s advisable to take your vehicle to a Ford dealership for a diagnosis. Some owners have reported repair costs ranging from $1,800 to $2,500 to replace a front driver-side door.
- Check Warranty Coverage: If your vehicle is still under warranty, the repair might be covered. Some owners have reported that repairs were covered under the 3/36 warranty.
- File a Complaint with NHTSA: If your vehicle is out of warranty and you’re facing high repair costs, consider filing a complaint with the NHTSA. This can help expedite investigations and potential recalls.
- Monitor NHTSA Recalls Site: Keep an eye on the NHTSA recalls site for updates about potential recalls related to this issue.
- Consider Lemon Law: If your vehicle continues to have this issue despite multiple repair attempts, it might qualify as a “lemon.” Lemon laws vary by state but generally provide a remedy for purchasers of cars that repeatedly fail to meet standards of quality and performance. If your vehicle qualifies as a lemon under your state’s law, you may be entitled to a replacement vehicle, cash compensation, or a lemon law refund.
Safety should always be your top priority- if you are experiencing issues with your door hinges, consider reducing your vehicle usage until the problem is resolve
Get help from the Lemon Law Experts
If you are facing persistent issues with your Ford Escape’s door hinges, do not hesitate to reach out to the Lemon Law Experts. Our team of lemon law attorneys can review your case, guide you through the process, and work diligently to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve- be it a refund, replacement vehicle, or cash compensation. Remember, we do not get paid unless you win your case against the manufacturer. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation consultation to get started.
